Best Movies to Watch: Curated by a Filmmaker

Q: What makes these the "best movies"?

The best movies in this collection excel in multiple areas: storytelling, technical craft, performance, and cultural significance. These aren't just popular films—they're movies that demonstrate exceptional filmmaking and have lasting value. Every selection is personally watched and analyzed by a working filmmaker.

Find Your Next Great Movie in Seconds

Tired of scrolling through Netflix, HBO Max, or Prime Video for 30 minutes only to settle on something disappointing? You’re not alone. With thousands of films available, finding the best movies worth your time has never been harder. That’s why I created this curated collection—handpicked by a filmmaker who watches a film every single day.

Stop wasting time. Start watching great cinema.

Browse my constantly updated Pinterest collection of our favorite movies for instant visual inspiration, or read my detailed movie reviews for in-depth analysis.

Sai (played by Xinwen Cui) and Thibaut Royer, the lead actors of 'The Black Box,' share a tender kiss with the bustling skyline of Shanghai in the background, capturing a poignant moment of connection amidst the vibrant cityscape. — In a moment suspended in time, Sai and Thibaut find love amidst the pulsating heart of Shanghai. Their journey in ‘The Black Box’ reminds us that amidst chaos, there’s beauty in connection.

Why Trust These Movie Picks?

I’m not an algorithm or a casual viewer—I’m a working filmmaker who has directed award-winning projects like “Want it Back”, “The Passport”, and “She is So Perfect”.

More importantly, I watch a film every single day. Not passively, but actively analyzing cinematography, direction, performance, and storytelling craft. This daily practice has built a deep understanding of what makes movies truly great—not just entertaining, but artistically exceptional.

My Pinterest board has gained such trust that even Netflix’s official Pinterest account follows our collection. That’s the level of curation you get.

What Makes a Movie “Best”?

When I select the best movies for this collection, I’m evaluating:

Storytelling Quality – Does the narrative earn its emotional beats? Is the structure compelling?

Technical Excellence – Cinematography, editing, sound design, color grading—do all elements serve the story?

Performance – Are actors truly inhabiting their characters or just playing themselves?

Cultural Impact – Does this film say something meaningful? Will it influence future filmmakers?

Rewatchability – Is this a movie you’ll think about for days or even years after watching?

Only films that excel in multiple areas make the cut.

Browse the Best Movies Visually on Pinterest

Pinterest offers something traditional movie lists can’t—instant visual discovery. You can immediately sense a film’s tone, aesthetic, and mood before reading anything.

My curated Pinterest board features:

The Newest Movies – Latest theatrical releases and streaming debuts worth your time

Classic Must-Watch Films – Timeless cinema that every film lover should experience

Hidden Gems – Overlooked masterpieces from international cinema and indie filmmakers

Visually Stunning Films – Movies with exceptional cinematography and art direction

Genre-Specific Collections – Whether you want drama, thriller, sci-fi, or horror—curated by quality, not just popularity

Every film pinned has been personally watched and vetted. If it’s there, it’s worth watching.

Browse my constantly updated Pinterest collection of the best movies for instant visual inspiration, or read my detailed movie reviews for in-depth analysis.
https://www.pinterest.com/herodirector/favorite-movies-and-music-video/

Best Movies to Watch: A Filmmaker's Curated Guide — THE SMASHING MACHINE (2025). Dir. Benny Safdie. Courtesy of A24.

Best Movies of 2025 (So Far)

Looking for the best new movies currently in theaters or streaming? Check out my recent detailed reviews:

The Smashing Machine – Dwayne Johnson delivers his career-best performance in this A24 drama about MMA legend Mark Kerr. A quiet, powerful character study that defies sports movie conventions.

Caught Stealing – Darren Aronofsky surprises with a crime thriller that’s more mainstream yet wildly entertaining. Austin Butler shines as an ex-baseball player pulled into dangerous chaos.

One Battle After Another – This film hits hard. At its heart, it’s a mission-driven thrill ride: a former revolutionary (played by Leonardo DiCaprio) living off the grid is thrust back into danger when his daughter is kidnapped by a resurfaced nemesis. What I loved most was how director Paul Thomas Anderson fuses explosive action with deep emotional currents — the father-daughter bond anchors the chaos, and the visuals feel both grand and intimate. The cinematography and pacing surprised me, in a good way: shot for IMAX, but never losing sight of character, which is rare for big-budget thrillers.

Weapons
A dark, twisted ride that reminded me of the best kind of genre subversion — part horror, part mystery, all unsettling. The premise alone — multiple children vanish at exactly 2:17 a.m., and the film weaves several characters’ stories to build the full picture — had me on edge from start to finish. What stood out was the atmosphere: the sound design, the way scenes breathe with dread; plus, the originality. It doesn’t lean on clichés. To me, it felt like a sibling to Get Out in the way it mixes social commentary with genre thrills.

Best Movies by Genre

Your Pinterest board features 680+ carefully curated films organized into 22 distinct sections, making it easy to find exactly what you’re looking for:

Specialized Sections:

Award Winning (14 films) – Oscar winners and festival darlings
Independent/Art House (15 films) – Bold voices and unique visions
Horror/Scary (15 films) – From psychological terror to creature features
Thriller (12 films) – Edge-of-your-seat suspense
Documentaries (7 films) – Truth that’s more compelling than fiction

Discover New Territories:

Korean Cinema – Innovative storytelling from South Korea
Anime – Animated masterpieces beyond Studio Ghibli
Western – Classic and modern takes on the genre
War Films – Historical perspectives on conflict
Zombies – The best of undead cinema
Detective Stories – Mystery and noir classics
And more specialized collections

The board description says it perfectly: “All movies and videos I liked for some reasons. They could be memories from my childhood or actual taste and discoveries.” That mix of nostalgic favorites and fresh discoveries is what makes it special.

Updated Constantly with New Discoveries

The Pinterest board isn’t static—it grows with every film I watch. New pins are added regularly, ensuring you always have fresh options whether you’re planning tonight’s viewing or building a watchlist for the month.

Recent additions include:

Latest theatrical releases worth seeing on the big screen
Streaming debuts flying under the radar
Festival films making their way to wider release
Rediscovered classics that feel newly relevant

The board currently features hundreds of the best movies carefully selected across all eras and genres, with more added constantly.

Deep Dive: Read Full Movie Reviews

While Pinterest offers quick visual browsing of the movies, some films deserve deeper analysis. That’s why I also publish detailed movie reviews examining craft, performance, and storytelling from a filmmaker’s perspective.

These reviews go beyond “thumbs up or down” to explore:

What technical choices made the film work (or not)
How the director achieved specific emotional effects
What aspiring filmmakers can learn from the movie
Whether the hype matches the quality

It’s film criticism from someone who actually makes films, not just watches them.

Tools for Film Lovers and Filmmakers

If you’re serious about understanding what makes the best movies great and want to apply those lessons to your own creative work, check out these resources:

Hero’s Essentials: Gear & Tools – The actual filmmaking equipment and software I use to create professional content.

Midjourney Mastery Guide – Learn to develop your visual language and create stunning concept art using AI tools.

Filmmaking AI Workflows – Discover how AI is transforming the production pipeline from pre-production to post.

Watch the best movies, understand what makes them work, then apply those techniques to your own projects.

Show Your Love for Cinema

Beyond curating the best films, I’ve created unique merchandise celebrating my love for design and culture. Every purchase supports independent filmmaking and allows us to continue publishing quality content for the film community.

When you wear our designs, you’re signaling that you value great storytelling and artistic craft over algorithm-recommended mediocrity.

Join the Film Community

Netflix’s official Pinterest account follows our collection. Film students reference these picks. Aspiring filmmakers study the craft analysis. But most importantly, thousands of film lovers find their next great watch through these curated selections.

Follow the Pinterest board and never run out of great movie night options.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes these the “best movies”?

The best films in this collection excel in multiple areas: storytelling, technical craft, performance, and cultural significance. These aren’t just popular films—they’re movies that demonstrate exceptional filmmaking and have lasting value. Every selection is personally watched and analyzed by a working filmmaker.

How often is the collection updated with new movies?

The Pinterest board is updated regularly as I watch new films daily. Major theatrical releases are typically added within days of release, while streaming debuts and classic discoveries are added as I encounter them. You’ll always find fresh options alongside timeless favorites.

Are these movies available on streaming services?

Most films in the collection are available on major streaming platforms like Netflix, HBO Max, Prime Video, or for digital rental. When browsing the Pinterest board, many pins include information about where to watch. The goal is to recommend the best movies you can actually access easily.

Do you include older classic films or just new releases?

Both! The collection spans cinema history from silent film classics to the latest releases. Understanding film history is crucial for appreciating modern cinema. You’ll find Kubrick next to the latest A24 release, because great filmmaking transcends eras.

How is this different from Rotten Tomatoes or IMDb?

Those sites aggregate scores from multiple critics or users. This collection represents one filmmaker’s curated perspective based on daily viewing and professional analysis. It’s not about consensus—it’s about identifying the best movies through the lens of someone who actually makes films and understands craft.

Can I suggest movies for the collection?

Absolutely! I’m always looking for hidden gems, international films, or overlooked releases. While I can’t watch every suggestion immediately (my watchlist is extensive), I genuinely appreciate recommendations from fellow film lovers. Drop suggestions in comments or reach out through social media.

Internal Links for Further Learning

Discover the filmmaking gear used to create professional content in Hero’s Essentials: Gear & Tools
Master visual storytelling with our Midjourney Mastery Guide
Learn how AI transforms production with Filmmaking AI Workflows
Read detailed analysis in our Movie Reviews section
Understand content discovery changes in AI Search Is Changing Everything
Browse the complete Pinterest collection of best movies
Support independent filmmaking with movie-inspired merchandise

The Bottom Line

Stop wasting time on mediocre movies. Let a filmmaker who watches and analyzes cinema every day guide you toward films actually worth your time. Whether you need something for tonight or want to build a comprehensive watchlist, this curated collection of the best movies has you covered.

Your next favorite film is waiting. Start exploring now.