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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 #49 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 Amadeus film page
Original poster artwork · Great Cinema Master List

Spoiler-free premise

An aging composer recounts his rivalry with the celebrated Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

Read expanded premiseLonger, still spoiler-free

Court composer Antonio Salieri recalls his rivalry with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, whose vulgar behavior and effortless musical gifts offend Salieri's sense of divine justice. From an asylum, he narrates how admiration hardened into resentment and secret opposition.

Why it belongs

Amadeus filters Mozart through Salieri's envious confession, making musical genius an inspiration, accusation, and source of spiritual torment.

Read expanded why it belongsThe fuller editorial case

Forman filters Mozart through Salieri's eloquent, unreliable confession, while F. Murray Abraham and Tom Hulce embody envy and inspiration in opposing physical performances; the music functions as evidence of genius, accusation, and emotional revelation.

Major award record

Metadata only · zero points in 40/40/20
Academy Awards8 wins1985 · official ceremony record ↗
Best Picture1985 · Saul Zaentz, Producerofficial ceremony record ↗Directing1985 · Miloš Formanofficial ceremony record ↗Actor in a Leading Role1985 · F. Murray Abrahamofficial ceremony record ↗Writing (Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium)1985 · Peter Shafferofficial ceremony record ↗

Plus 4 additional wins

Golden Globes4 wins1985 · official film record ↗
Best Motion Picture - Drama1985 · Amadeusofficial film record ↗Best Director - Motion Picture1985 · Miloš Formanofficial film record ↗Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama1985 · F. Murray Abrahamofficial film record ↗Best Screenplay - Motion Picture1985 · Peter Shafferofficial film record ↗
BAFTA5 wins1986 · official BAFTA 1986 Film Awards results ↗

Plus 5 additional wins

No headline-category win to name

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

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

Institutional reference ranks

Sight & Sound—IMDb Top 25079AFI 100—
Reference metadata only · not part of the 40/40/20 score

Great Cinema Master List scores

Greatness9.6
Engagement9.4
Ease8.6

English · R
Narrative Feature
Mood: Serious & Intense