Martin Scorsese Speaks Out: Why He Rejects Lists of the '10 Best' Movies

Acclaimed Director Martin Scorsese Dives into His Relationship with Film Rankings.

Renowned filmmaker Martin Scorsese, responsible for iconic films such as “Taxi Driver” and “The Departed,” is known for his impeccable taste in cinema. However, despite countless articles that attempt to compile lists of the movies he deems the best, Scorsese himself is not particularly fond of such rankings.

In a recent interview with Time magazine, the legendary director candidly expressed his reservations about creating lists of the “10 best” films.

Scorsese’s viewpoint on this matter is shaped by the complexity of his relationship with movies. He acknowledged that he has tried to compose lists of his favorite films over the years.

However, he highlighted the multifaceted nature of what makes a film a favorite, explaining, “And then you find out that the word ‘favorite’ has different levels: Films that have impressed you the most, as opposed to films you just like to keep watching, as opposed to those you keep watching and learning from, or experiencing anew. So, they’re varied. And I’m always sort of against ’10 best’ lists.”

Even though Scorsese has curated lists of his favorite films in the past, he remains critical of the limitations imposed by such rankings. His movie preferences encompass a diverse spectrum of cinematic experiences, making it challenging to condense his appreciation into a concise list.

Martin Scorsese discusses some of his favorite films by Orson Welles films, but not before explaining why he usually stays away from "10 best" lists https://t.co/Zmr8cyr6HH pic.twitter.com/wOLfne30bS

— TIME (@TIME) September 12, 2023

In his most recent attempt to categorize his cinematic influences, Scorsese participated in Sight and Sound’s poll of the greatest movies ever made in December.

His list featured 15 exceptional films, including classics like “2001: A Space Odyssey,” “Citizen Kane,” and “The Searchers.” Each of these movies left a significant impact on Scorsese’s life and filmmaking career, pushing boundaries and challenging conventional norms.

When discussing the groundbreaking impact of “Citizen Kane,” Scorsese remarked, “Well yes, there’s ‘Citizen Kane.’ That changed my life. He broke all of the rules. One of the things that [Orson] Welles said was one of the best things you can bring to filmmaking is ignorance. When they say you can’t do this, why not?”

As for Scorsese’s latest directorial venture, “Killers of the Flower Moon,” set to hit theaters on October 20th in partnership with Apple and Paramount, it is already generating substantial buzz and is expected to feature prominently on many “top 10” lists by the end of 2023.

Scorsese’s distinct approach to filmmaking has consistently pushed the boundaries of cinematic storytelling, ensuring his works continue to leave a lasting impact on both audiences and fellow filmmakers.

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