IMDb is a website that gives the public access to movie ratings, reviews, and information. It also has a list of top movies. These can be purchased, streamed for free, or rented.
The Top 250 movie list of the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) receives a lot of attention. Many people find it a great starting point for finding popular films. But the list is often criticized for its inclusion of films that are overly commercialized. That’s a shame, since the list ignores the full history of global cinema.
For instance, films like Beauty and the Beast (1991) and Bonnie and Clyde (1967) have been removed from the list. Meanwhile, classic violent action films are dropping off the list. This is in stark contrast to the fact that films with themes of racial reconciliation, such as Green Book (2018), have seen their positions on the list rise.
Using an algorithm, IMDb determines the rankings. They use the page views of more than 200 million unique visitors each month. Those who register as a user are eligible to vote on movies. If a movie has at least one vote, it gets on the list. However, IMDb’s voting process is sometimes subject to mathematical rejigs to reduce the influence of certain demographics.
In addition to the ranking system, IMDb has a chart of the hottest TV shows and movies. These lists are updated throughout the year, and include content from Netflix.
The IMDb Top 250 Movies list can be organized from the highest to the lowest. However, the list is not designed to represent the full scope of global cinema history.