GREAT CINEMAMASTER LIST
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Search 713 spoiler-free recommendations from 1916 to 2026. Filter by the night you want—not the list you’re supposed to finish.

Direct film viewShowing master rank #13 on its own—not above the ranking.
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Artwork
DirectorAll directors

Most represented · 6+ films

More recurring directors · 3–5 films54
All directors · surname A–Z438
ActorAll actors

Most represented actors

Big Three membership
Major award winners

1 selected film

Master Rank balances Greatness, Engagement, and Ease. Sort by Greatness for the artistic-canon view.

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View Casablanca film page
Original poster artwork · Great Cinema Master List

Spoiler-free premise

In wartime Casablanca, nightclub owner Rick Blaine encounters former lover Ilsa Lund and resistance leader Victor Laszlo, who need letters of transit to escape.

Read expanded premiseLonger, still spoiler-free

In wartime Casablanca, nightclub owner Rick Blaine encounters former lover Ilsa Lund, now traveling with resistance leader Victor Laszlo. Their need for scarce letters of transit forces private history into conflict with political responsibility.

Why it belongs

In Casablanca, romance, wit, political urgency, and star chemistry converge in one of classical Hollywood’s most durable achievements.

Read expanded why it belongsThe fuller editorial case

Curtiz's economical direction, luminous close-ups, layered supporting characters, and endlessly exacting dialogue allow romance, humor, exile, and anti-fascist urgency to coexist without any one element flattening the others.

Major award record

Metadata only · zero points in 40/40/20
Academy Awards3 wins1944 · official ceremony record ↗
Outstanding Motion Picture1944 · Warner Bros.official ceremony record ↗Directing1944 · Michael Curtizofficial ceremony record ↗Writing (Screenplay)1944 · Julius J. Epstein, Philip G. Epstein, Howard Kochofficial ceremony record ↗

Totals include every recorded competitive win. Only Picture or top-film honors, Direction, Screenplay, and lead or supporting performances are named.

Good for
Date NightFamilyFilm Club
Descriptive guidance derived from rating, genre, runtime, mood, and GCML scores.

Institutional reference ranks

Sight & Sound63IMDb Top 25047AFI 1003
Reference metadata only · not part of the 40/40/20 score

Great Cinema Master List scores

Greatness9.8
Engagement9.4
Ease9.0

English · PG
Narrative Feature
Mood: Romantic & Reflective