Best Movies Ever

History remembers the 1930s as a period of immense turmoil and economic strife, as the U.S. struggled through the Great Depression. But at the same time, the films of that period were wonderful -- from Fred Astaire's toe-tapping to Cary Grant's charm to Jimmy Stewart's visit to Washington.

Where did such great art come from? Was it pure escapism, a reflection of the times, or both? After listing our picks for the best '30s movies of all time, we turned to an expert -- Morris Dickstein, author of the '30s cultural history 'Dancing in the Dark' -- for his take on the films of the period, the importance of screwball comedies and his picks for the most enduring movies of the era ... not to mention the film we honored that he considers "not a good movie." (Ouch!)

Some theorize that the greatest art is born out of uncertainty and hardship. If that's the case, the 1930s certainly measure up. The Great Depression and World War II were austere bookends to a tumultuous decade, and the types of films released three-quarters of a century ago reflect that.

Musical escapism ('Swing Time,' '42nd Street') and screwball comedies ('Bringing Up Baby,' 'My Man Godfrey,' 'The Awful Truth') jollied theatergoers out of their torpor during the darkest days of '30s. For adrenaline junkies who counted thrills and chills as a boost, Universal Studios began its classic series of horror films ('Frankenstein,' 'Bride of Frankenstein,' 'Dracula' and 'The Invisible Man'). Finally, during the last year of the decade, nine seminal movies, including 'Gone With the Wind' and 'The Wizard of Oz' unspooled before audiences suffused with nostalgia about a world that was soon to change forever.

The war years colored everything in the 1940s including, early in the decade, the types of movies greenlit for production. In addition to expected -- and necessary -- morale-boosting bombast like 'Yankee Doodle Dandy' and 'They Were Expendable,' other wonderful films shined through, including two of the greatest prestige pictures ever delivered by major studios ('The Best Years of Our Lives' and 'Gentleman's Agreement').

The decade also saw noir come into its own as a genre in such immortal movies as 'Double Indemnity,' 'The Maltese Falcon,' 'The Postman Always Rings Twice' and 'The Third Man.' So, lace up your saddle shoes, adjust your bobbysox and Lindy Hop with us down memory lane for some of the '40s greatest hits.

In some ways, films of the '50s mirrored the laidback and colorless (some would say repressed) overtones of the Eisenhower years. Horror movies really weren't very horrific (too many irradiated mutant bugs), and you pretty much had to book passage to Europe to see women as unapologetic sex objects.

But whether you liked Ike or loathed him, the 1950s spawned its fair share of movie classics -- dig just below the surface of many a motion picture from the decade and you'll find drama and intrigue of both kinds, i.e., psychological and sexual. Millions of viewers got hitched in the '50s: the Master of Suspense is represented here by four of his thrillers. And the master of many genres, Billy Wilder, clocks in with a rom-com, black comedy and a screwball farce. Finally, at least one distinctly American art form -- the musical -- reached a pinnacle early in the decade. Read on for our picks of the best films of the 1950s.

Sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll! It was the clarion call of a generation, but only a little of that brand of hedonism is reflected in our picks for the best films of the decade. The counterculture axiom of not trusting anyone over 30 also didn't extend much to actors or directors.

Three old guard auteurs make our list -- David Lean, Robert Wise and Alfred Hitchcock -- with two films each. Paul Newman has no less than four starring roles among our best picks. And, really, you can't get any more establishment than a troika of musicals -- 'The Sound of Music,' 'West Side Story' and 'My Fair Lady' -- winning Best Picture Oscars ... now that's far out!

'Taxi Driver' ... 'Superman' ... 'Annie Hall' ... find out where they rank on our list.

The 1970s were arguably -- pound for celluloid pound -- the greatest decade in movie history. The twin towers of 'The Godfather' and 'Godfather II' cast their shadows the farthest, but every genre is represented by excellence.

From 'Annie Hall' to 'Animal House,' we've seldom laughed harder. Factor in musicals, horror, high drama and such cultural touchstones as 'American Graffiti' and 'Star Wars' and you'll see that the '70s contributed more to our culture than just disco ('Saturday Night Fever' notwithstanding). Read on for our countdown of the top 40 movies of the 1970s.

'Fast Times at Ridgemont High' ... "The Empire Strikes Back" ... "The Breakfast Club' ... where do they rank?

Films in the '80s, like the decade itself (and our hair throughout), are remembered for their size, as in BIG -- big action, big adventure, big special effects, big box office (read: blockbusters).We chose from an array of giant sci-fi, comedy, drama, action-adventure -- and winnowed our list to the top 40.

Which flicks made the grade? Let's put it this way: It was a very good decade for Bill Murray, who appears in four of our top films, and an awesome one for Harrison Ford, who stars in three of our top five. Read on as we count down the 40 best movies of the Me Decade.

'Goodfellas' ... 'Silence of the Lambs' ... 'Pulp Fiction' ... where do they rank?

Dramas, comedies, horror, sci-fi, an Italian tearjerker and even an animated musical make the grade as our picks for best flicks of the last decade of the millennium.

Whether your taste runs to gonzo gross-outs ('There's Something About Mary'), cutting-edge special effects ('The Matrix') or gritty violence scored to high octane rock ('Reservoir Dogs,' 'Pulp Fiction' ... and more), there's something for everyone right here.