This is the greatest film of all time, according to once-a-decade critics' poll
We have a new greatest film ever made, according to a poll conducted once every 10 years — and for the first time, it was directed by a woman.
Sight & Sound magazine has released its prestigious list of the greatest films of all time based on a poll of critics and other experts. The last time the poll was conducted in 2012, Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo topped the list. Before that, Citizen Kane came in at No. 1 for five straight decades.
But in the 2022 version, which was based on polling more than 1,600 experts, Vertigo was unseated by Belgian director Chantal Akerman's 1975 film Jeanne Dielman 23, quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles. This makes Akerman the first woman to have a movie top the Sight & Sound poll. The more than three-hour film is "an astonishing, compelling movie experiment" that "meticulously details" the "daily routine of a middle-aged widow," The Criterion Collection explains. It can be streamed on HBO Max. In the 2012 list, Jeanne Dielman was ranked 36th.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Vertigo came in at No. 2 this year, and Citizen Kane came in third. The rest of the top 10 consists of Tokyo Story, In the Mood for Love, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Beau travail, Mulholland Drive, Man with a Movie Camera, and Singin' in the Rain. The Godfather ranked 12th, while John Ford's The Searchers came in at 15th and Apocalypse Now was ranked 19th.
The 2022 list also included several modern films that were released since the 2012 poll, the highest-ranked being 2019's Portrait of a Lady on Fire, which was named the 30th greatest movie of all time. 2016's Moonlight (tied for 60th), 2019's Parasite (tied for 90th), and 2017's Get Out (tied for 95th) also made the list.
Check out the full list here.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
The Christmas quiz 2024
From the magazine Test your grasp of current affairs and general knowledge with our quiz
By The Week UK Published
-
People of the year 2024
In the Spotlight Remember the people who hit the headlines this year?
By The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: December 25, 2024
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
Blake Lively accuses rom-com costar of smear job
Speed Read The actor accused Justin Baldoni, her director and costar on "It Ends With Us," of sexual harassment and a revenge campaign
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
10 concert tours to see this winter
The Week Recommends Keep warm traveling the United States — and the world — to see these concerts
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Honda and Nissan in merger talks
Speed Read The companies are currently Japan's second and third-biggest automakers, respectively
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
10 upcoming albums to stream in the frosty winter
The Week Recommends Stay warm and curled up with a selection of new music from Snoop Dogg, Ringo Starr, Tate McRae and more
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
The Producers: 'daringly' funny revival of Mel Brooks' classic musical
The Week Recommends Trevor Ashley is a 'wonder' as a 'Judy Garland-infused Hitler'
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
Taylor Swift wraps up record-shattering Eras tour
Speed Read The pop star finally ended her long-running tour in Vancouver, Canada
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trends in beauty standards signal a right-wing swing
In the Spotlight The new norm is modest, traditional and at home
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Spotify Wrapped: a slave to the algorithm?
Talking Point Some listeners aren't convinced by the streaming platform's AI features – or what they say about their music habits
By Abby Wilson Published