🎦 for cinephiles: MUBI's top 50 films 1990-2023
the Top 50 list ranks only films released that year and does not change, so it's more like a time capsule. (although there is some overlap, this differs from the Top 1000 list which ranks all films from all years and updates weekly.) each year's list is compiled of films worldwide so only a handful of titles from MDL will make it. sorting here is in reverse chronological order, then as ranked on MUBI (except animation which is listed at the end). sources are linked on each title below.
► some titles link to kanopy and/or hoopla, which are free streaming services with no ads accessible through participating public libraries and universities. they have titles that can't be found elsewhere but there's a limit to "borrowing" (i've seen 4 titles per month for each service but ymmv). these are meant to be a last resort because technically it's only free for the end user - the library is the one being charged. (film quarterly article about this) ◄
also see ~ MUBI's Top 1000 Films | IFF LGBTQ films | more of my custom lists
cw: for warnings on anything you may find disturbing or offensive (depictions of queerphobias, discrimination, shaming, violence, or other triggering content), please check tags* on the title's page, user reviews, and/or Does the Dog Die (although not all titles are there). [*click "Vote or add tags" to see all - but this will include spoilers.]
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101. Ashes of Time Redux
Hong Kong Movie - 2008
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102. Ashes of Time
Hong Kong Movie - 1994
*see note above
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103. Vive L'Amour
Taiwanese Movie - 1994
#21 for 1994
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104. Eat Drink Man Woman
Taiwanese Movie - 1994
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105. Drunken Master II
Hong Kong Movie - 1994
[The Legend of Drunken Master]
#46 for 1994
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107. Farewell My Concubine
Chinese Movie - 1993
#22 for 1993
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108. The Puppetmaster
Taiwanese Movie - 1993
#44 for 1993
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109. Hard Boiled
Hong Kong Movie - 1992
#9 for 1992
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110. Rebels of the Neon God
Taiwanese Movie - 1992
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111. The Story of Qiu Ju
Chinese Movie - 1992
#47 for 1992
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112. Raise the Red Lantern
Chinese Movie - 1991
#16 for 1991
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113. A Brighter Summer Day
Taiwanese Movie - 1991
#23 for 1991
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114. A Scene at the Sea
Japanese Movie - 1991
#30 for 1991
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115. Once Upon a Time in China
Hong Kong Movie - 1991
#39 for 1991
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116. The Story of Ricky
Hong Kong Movie - 1992
[Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky]
#44 for 1991
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117. Rhapsody in August
Japanese Movie - 1991
#45 for 1991
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119. Days of Being Wild
Hong Kong Movie - 1990
#8 for 1990
▼▼▼
♦ written and directed by Wong Kar Wai
♦ part 1 of informal trilogy (each can be viewed as stand-alone) – part 2: In the Mood for Love | part 3: 2046 (both are also on this list).
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120. Boiling Point
Japanese Movie - 1990
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121. Bullet in the Head
Hong Kong Movie - 1990
#37 for 1990
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122. Ju Dou
Chinese Movie - 1990
#40 for 1990
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2000-2023 japanese animations (not on MDL):
The Boy and the Heron (2023)
Your Name (2016)
The Wind Rises (2013)
The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (2012)
The Secret World of Arrietty (2010)
Ponyo (2008)
Paprika (2006)
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006)
Howl's Moving Castle (2004)
Ghost In The Shell 2: Innocence (2004)
Tokyo Godfathers (2003)
Spirited Away (2001)
Millennium Actress (2001)
Cowboy Bebop: The Movie (2001)
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