Yearly lists (and summary descriptions), with genre icons, of many of the greatest films, predominantly American-Hollywood and English-language films, including the 300 greatest films (from above) - and MANY more.

Rankings of both US (Domestic) and Worldwide Box-Office blockbusters have been compiled from various recent sources. The domestic rankings, divided into unadjusted and adjusted for inflation, are based upon theatrical box office receipts (including some theatrical re-release receipts) and do not include video rentals, TV rights, international box office figures, or other revenues.

Film franchises have became a major cinematic fact of life since the 1970s, beginning with the Planet of the Apes series, the James Bond series-franchise and then the Star Wars films. The corporate mentality, that began to look on films as "products," thereby named a series of films as "franchises." Film franchises in this compilation (in five major parts) are groups of films (in a series, including sequels, prequels, remakes, reboots), that have had significant earnings over time. The major franchises usually have a combined gross box-office (domestic) revenue income (unadjusted for inflation) of at least $450 million, although some of the older franchises haven't attained that level.

This selection of 100 Greatest Films in the last century of film-making covers, by conscious choice, a wide range of genres, decades, stars and directors. Emphasis in these selections is purposely directed toward earlier, more classic Hollywood/American films than more recent films, although some recent films (and British films) are included. (An Additional 100 Greatest Films, and Third 100 Greatest Films, and a compiled, chronological listing of all 200 and 300 Greatest Films are also indexed here.) The Greatest Films selected do not include foreign films or non-English language films for purposes of specialization and focus. Negative judgment on foreign films or non-English language films is not intended or implied.

These are the most significant, influential, and important films in American cinema in approximately the last 100 years. The selections are not necessarily the 'greatest films of all time,' or the most favorite, or the ones that were best reviewed by critics or fans, but those which were major milestones in the development of US film-making. The films are organized by decade, and considerable discussion is provided about each's one's historical context. From silents to modern films, these are the exemplary films that transformed US film-making, and had the most impact.

The American Film Institute (AFI) of Los Angeles, California inaugurated a 100 Years... Series to "celebrate, commemorate, and recognize the very best in American Cinema's first 100 years." Their first effort was the much-debated 1998 list: 100 Years ... 100 Movies - a "definitive selection of the 100 greatest American movies of all time, as determined by more than 1,500 leaders from the American film community." On their 10th Anniversary, AFI re-did their 100 Greatest American Films list. There were many other iterations of their 100 Years.. Series shown here also.

Other published lists from various sources have been provided for website visitors as a basis for comparison and contrast to this site's listings.