Image: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/Loew's Inc.
About This Quiz
Since 1998, film review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes has been the go-to website for movie fans to get the broadest range of critical opinions on movies, both new and old. Featuring a review system humorously rooted in the age-old theatrical tradition of audiences throwing fruits and vegetables at the performers in sub-par productions, Rotten Tomatoes eschews the old thumbs up and star systems for the simple iconography of a fresh red tomato for positive and a nasty green splat for negative reviews. Under this veggie-based system (yes, we do know tomatoes are fruits), the highest score a film can get is the coveted 100% "Certified Fresh" ranking.
For a film to have a 100% fresh rating, it must be a unanimous critical favorite or have positive reviews from at least 20 critics with an approval rating of 100%. To earn the heralded "Certified Fresh" ranking of 70 to 100%, a film must be in wide release and positively reviewed by 80 reviewers, five of whom must be considered top critics. The films you'll find in this quiz all have a 100% ranking, with many falling into the 100% Certified Fresh category. These films are critical darlings running the gamut from art films to blockbusters across all genres.
It's now time to see if your movie trivia knowledge passes the freshness test. Can you ID all of these 100% fresh flicks without a single splat?
"Vertigo"
"Rope"
"Rear Window"
"Rear Window" from master of suspense Alfred Hitchcock stars Jimmy Stewart as an injured man who witnesses a murder from his window. Based on a short story by crime writer Cornell Woolrich, this 1954 thriller is not only one of Hitchcock's finest, but it's one of the best films of all time.
"The Man Who Knew Too Much"
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"An American in Paris"
"Summer Stock"
"Singin' in the Rain"
1952's "Singin' in the Rain" is one of the best movies ever made about the movie business. Comedically capturing the chaos of the film industry's transition to talkies, the film stars Gene Kelly as half of a silent film duo whose overbearing co-star just can't cut the mustard as a singer.
"On the Town"
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"Citizen Kane"
Hailed as the greatest film of all time, 1941's "Citizen Kane" established its director and star, Orson Welles, as a visionary but mercurial filmmaker. Welles pushed the boundaries of cinematic storytelling, introducing filmmaking techniques and technology that would affect the medium for decades.
"The Magnificent Ambersons"
"The Third Man"
"The Stranger"
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"Song of the South"
"Pete's Dragon"
"Mary Poppins"
Walt Disney's 1964 adaptation of P.L. Travers' "Mary Poppins" is an enchanting mix of live action and animation. Starring Julie Andrews as the eponymous Poppins, the film is packed with eye-popping and unforgettable songs – truly a supercalifragilistic film.
"Alice in Wonderland"
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"Conan the Barbarian"
"The Terminator"
James Cameron's sci-fi favorite, "The Terminator," was the surprise hit of 1984. A relatively low-budget and low-profile affair, the film features Arnold Schwarzenegger as a relentless time traveling cyborg from the future tasked with eliminating the mother of a future resistance leader.
"Total Recall"
"The Running Man"
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"The Wizard of Oz"
"Easter Parade"
"The Harvey Girls"
"Meet Me in St. Louis"
1944's "Meet Me in St. Louis," directed by Vincente Minnelli, stars Judy Garland in one of her most memorable roles. Filmed as a series of seasonal vignettes, the bittersweet Christmas segment features Garland's stunning introduction of the holiday standard, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas."
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"Toy Story"
Pixar and Walt Disney proved that computer animation could have as much heart as any live action movie with "Toy Story." Confirming every kid's suspicion that their toys are alive, "Toy Story" combined state-of-the-art animation with heartfelt voice performances from an all-star cast.
"Monsters, Inc."
"The Brave Little Toaster"
"Cars"
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"All About Eve"
In one of her most celebrated roles, Bette Davis stars as aging Broadway actress Margo Channing in 1950's "All About Eve." When Channing takes superfan Eve Harrington (Anne Baxter) under her wing, she gets much more than she bargained for. Fasten your seatbelts; it's going to be a bumpy night.
"Beyond the Forest"
"The Star"
"The Catered Affair"
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"Hombre"
"Cool Hand Luke"
Paul Newman stars as Luke Jackson, a prisoner with an indomitable spirit, in 1967's "Cool Hand Luke." Sentenced to a chain gang for "cutting the heads off parking meters," Jackson constantly runs afoul of authority, becoming a leader and a legend among his fellow convicts.
"Hud"
"Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid"
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"Hans Christian Andersen"
'Mr. Bug Goes to Town"
"The Court Jester"
"Pinocchio"
Based on the 1883 children's book "The Adventures of Pinocchio," Walt Disney's 1940 adaptation of the story of a puppet who becomes a real boy was the studio's second animated feature. "When You Wish Upon a Star," from the film's soundtrack, has become synonymous with the Disney brand.
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"A Patch of Blue"
"The Miracle Worker"
1962's "The Miracle Worker" is the true story of teacher Anne Sullivan (Anne Bancroft) and a young Helen Keller (Patty Duke). Directed by Arthur Penn, the film is based on the hit Broadway play of the same title. Bancroft and Duke won Oscars for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress respectively.
"Night Song"
"Places in the Heart"
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"The Mummy"
"The Black Cat"
"Frankenstein"
Although Boris Karloff had already appeared in over 80 films, it was 1931's "Frankenstein," directed by James Whale, that made him a household name. Although he's virtually unrecognizable under Jack Pierce's iconic makeup, Karloff's performance as the monster is both menacing and filled with pathos.
"The Old Dark House"
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"To Have and Have Not"
"Casablanca"
"The Maltese Falcon"
Directed by John Huston, 1941's "The Maltese Falcon" stars Humphrey Bogart in one of his signature roles as private dick Sam Spade. When his partner is killed, Spade is drawn into a deadly web of intrigue centered on a mysterious, jewel-encrusted statue.
"The Big Sleep"
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"The Odd Couple"
Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau had a chemistry that was second to none. Appearing together in 10 films, the duo was arguably at their funniest in "The Odd Couple." Lemmon as neat freak Felix Unger and Matthau as the sloppy Oscar Madison make for some of the most hilarious moments in movie history.
"Grumpy Old Men"
"Buddy Buddy"
"The Front Page"
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"Laura"
"Rebecca"
Based on Daphne Du Maurier's 1938 novel, "Rebecca," directed by Alfred Hitchcock, is a gothic tale of obsession and deception. Joan Fontaine stars as the second wife of the wealthy Maxim de Winter (Laurence Olivier) living in the shadow of her predecessor who died under mysterious circumstances.
"Notorious"
"Marnie"
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"Where the Red Fern Grows"
"Old Yeller"
"Old Yeller," Walt Disney's 1957 tale of a boy and his dog, has become an indelible part of the pop culture landscape. A story of family, love and sacrifice, this film is guaranteed to melt even the coldest of hearts.
"For the Love of Benji"
"The Fox and the Hound"
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"Gimme Shelter"
"Monterey Pop"
'The Last Waltz"
"Woodstock"
"Woodstock" documents a pivotal moment in American culture. Shot over three days at the Woodstock musical festival, the film captures the spirit, the music and the hope of a generation. If you missed it, or you were there and don't remember it, this film is as close to the real thing as you can get.
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"Before Sunrise"
Richard Linklater scored a critical and audience hit with his touching 1995 drama, "Before Sunrise." The film stars Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy as a young couple who spend one romantic and revealing night in Vienna. "Before Sunrise" spawned two sequels, "Before Sunset" and "Before Midnight."
"Sabrina"
"While You Were Sleeping"
"The Bridges of Madison County"
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"The Jazz Singer"
"Cabaret"
"Funny Girl"
"A Star is Born"
A Hollywood actor (Fredric March) makes a farm girl (Janet Gaynor) a star in the 1937 version of "A Star is Born." The film has been remade, albeit in the world of recording rather than the movies, three times: in 1954 with Judy Garland, in 1976 with Barbra Streisand and in 2018 with Lady Gaga.
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"It's a Wonderful Life"
"Mr. Smith Goes to Washington"
"The Shop Around the Corner"
Directed by Ernst Lubitsch, "The Shop Around the Corner" is letter perfect romantic comedy. Set in Budapest, the film stars Jimmy Stewart and Margaret Sullavan as combative co-workers who unwittingly strike up a romance by mail.
"You Can't Take It With You"
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"The Grapes of Wrath"
Henry Fonda gives an inspiring performance as migrant worker Tom Joad in 1940's "The Grapes of Wrath." Based on John Steinbeck's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, the film — directed by John Ford — follows the Joad family on an arduous trek across America in search of a better life during the Great Depression.
"Cannery Row"
"Of Mice and Men"
"The Red Pony"
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"The Hidden Fortress"
"Throne of Blood"
"Rashomon"
"Seven Samurai"
Considered among the most Western of the great Japanese filmmakers, Akira Kurosawa has, in turn, been a significant influence on American movies. His 1954 film "Seven Samurai," about a village who turns to a band of warriors for protection, has twice been remade — in 1961 and 2016 — as "The Magnificent Seven."
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"The Island of Lost Souls"
"War of the Worlds"
"The Invisible Man"
An underrated entry in Universal Pictures' monster cycle of the '30s and '40s, "The Invisible Man" is a nearly perfect adaptation of H.G. Wells' 1897 novel. Directed by James Whale, the film stars Claude Rains as an unhinged scientist with the power of invisibility.
"The Time Machine"
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"Red River"
In "Red River," one of director Howard Hawks' most acclaimed Westerns, John Wayne stars as a cattle rancher at odds with his stepson (Montgomery Clift) on the first cattle drive from Texas to Kansas. Fending off Indian attacks and stampedes, they eventually learn to respect one another.
"Rio Bravo"
"Rio Lobo"
"Rio Grande"
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"Rumblefish"
"Tex"
"Over the Edge"
"Drugstore Cowboy"
Written and directed by Gus Van Sant, 1989's "Drugstore Cowboy" is a hip and harrowing journey into life on the fringes of society. The film stars Matt Dillon as Bob Hughes, a drug addict and thief who specializes in robbing pharmacies to support his habit.
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"The Kid"
"City Lights"
"Modern Times"
Charlie Chaplin directed and starred in 1936's "Modern Times." A hilarious and pointed jab at both industrialization and life during the Great Depression, this film marked the final appearance of Chaplin's iconic Little Tramp character.
"Easy Street"
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"Aladdin"
"The Golden Voyage of Sinbad"
"The Magic Carpet"
"The Thief of Bagdad"
"The Thief of Bagdad" (1940) was a landmark motion picture for the advancement of optical effects. Featuring the first use of blue screen and chroma key technology, contemporary critics hailed it as a spectacle on par with "Fantasia" and "The Wizard of Oz."
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"Icarus"
"Man on Wire"
"Man on Wire" documents French high-wire artist Philippe Petit's daring (and illegal) 1974 walk between the World Trade Center's Twin Towers in New York City. Through interviews, re-enactments and historical footage, the film reveals that preparation for the walk was nearly as tense and fraught with danger as its execution.
"The Last Great Circus Flyer"
"The Walk"
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"Mad Love"
"Crime and Punishment"
"M"
Fritz Lang's 1931 film, "M," stars Peter Lorre in his career-making role as child murderer Hans Beckert. While in pre-production, Lang spent time in a mental institution, where he met several notorious serial killers who became the basis for Beckert.
"The Man Who Knew Too Much"
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"Nosferatu"
"The Golem"
"The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari"
Robert Weine's 1920 silent classic "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari" is a prime example of German Expressionist style. Often cited as the first true horror film, this fantastic tale of a murderous sleepwalker has the look and feel of a nightmare.
"The Phantom Carriage"
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"The Giant Spider Invasion"
"Food of the Gods"
"Empire of the Ants"
"Them!"
"Them!" is among the first of the big bug sci-fi pictures of the 1950s. Like much science fiction of the era, the movie is rooted in nuclear paranoia. In the film, atomic testing mutates ants into giant, man-eating monsters. "Them!" is a surprisingly earnest film and one of the best of its type.
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"La Bamba"
"That'll Be the Day"
"The Buddy Holly Story"
Gary Busey gives an inspired performance as rock 'n' roll pioneer Buddy Holly in the 1978 biopic "The Buddy Holly Story." The film documents Holly's rise from obscurity as a teen in Lubbock, Texas, to his worldwide fame as a '50's rock 'n' roll icon.
"Elvis"
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"Kid Galahad"
"Flaming Star"
"Wild in the Country"
"King Creole"
In a rare dramatic turn, Elvis Presley gives one of his finest performances as an actor in the 1958 drama "King Creole." Set in New Orleans' French Quarter, Presley stars as a troubled youth who joins a violent youth gang but finds redemption in love and music.
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"The Sweet Hereafter"
Inspired by actual events that took place in Alton, Texas, in 1989, Atom Egoyan's "The Sweet Hereafter" is the story of a bus accident that claims the lives of 14 children and the ensuing lawsuit that rips apart a community.
"Devil's Knot"
"Calendar"
"Family Viewing"
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"American Hardcore"
"Another State of Mind"
"The Decline of Western Civilization"
Penelope Spheeris' "The Decline of Western Civilization" documents Los Angeles' punk scene at the height of its ferocity. Featuring such pivotal bands as X, Black Flag, Fear, and The Germs, "The Decline of Western Civilization" is a historical artifact of a subculture ignored by the mainstream.
"The Filth and Fury"
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"Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson"
"The Life and Times of Allen Ginsberg"
"Trumbo"
"Dreams With Sharp Teeth"
"Dreams With Sharp Teeth" is a 2008 documentary film about the life and work of author Harlan Ellison. Directed by Erik Nelson, the film features revealing interviews with Robin Williams, Neil Gaiman and Ellison himself about the notoriously cantankerous writer.
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"The Day the Clown Cried"
"The Clown"
"The King and the Clown"
"Chocolat"
The 2016 French drama, "Chocolat," is a story of racism and the toll it exacts on the human spirit. Omar Sy stars as Kananga, a black circus performer whose act as the clown Chocolat makes him both popular and an object of envy to the jealous wife of the circus' owner, which leads him to a tragic end.
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"Bustin' Down the Door"
"Gaza Surf Club"
"Momentum Generation"
"The Endless Summer"
Bruce Brown's "The Endless Summer" remains the greatest film about surfing — as both a sport and lifestyle — in the history of cinema. Following the adventures of surfers Robert August and Mike Hynson, as they traverse the world in search of prime surfing spots, the film's cinematography is breathtaking.
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"Mondo Trasho"
"Polyester"
"Desperate Living"
"Multiple Maniacs"
"Multiple Maniacs" directed by Baltimore's pope of trash, John Waters, is a heady mix of hilarity and obscenity. Waters' first talkie, "Multiple Maniacs" is about a traveling side show called "The Cavalcade of Perversion." Divine, Mink Stole and Edith Massey star.
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"Un Chien Andalou"
Luis Buñuel's debut, "Un Chien Andalou" ("The Andalusian Dog"), found the avant garde filmmaker teaming with surrealist master Salvador Dali to create some of the most disturbing images ever committed to celluloid. Based on the filmmakers' dreams, this short is a waking nightmare.
"Ballet Mécanique"
"Anemic Cinema"
"Ghosts Before Breakfast"
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You Got:
/40
