5 Best Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Movies of All Time, Ranked by Rotten Tomatoes

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer films are easily recognizable thanks to their signature opening sequence featuring a lion in a golden circle greeting viewers with a regal roar – this image reflects the studio's status as a leader in the industry for decades.

Throughout its century-long history, the company has released numerous masterpieces that have become not only commercial successes but also true classics of world cinema.

5. 'Rain Man', 1988

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 88%

Charlie, a successful businessman and car dealer, learns that his autistic older brother, Raymond, was left the entire inheritance by their father. In order to obtain his share, Charlie kidnaps Raymond from a mental hospital.

Despite his selfish motives, Charlie quickly becomes attached to his brother, and they develop a true friendship.

Rain Man won four Oscars, and Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman played an unusual duo, with the younger brother becoming a mentor to the older one. The film introduced a new concept to the road movie genre: a man with autism whose apparent helplessness was offset by his outstanding mathematical abilities.

4. 'Gone with the Wind', 1939

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 90%

In 1861, Scarlett O'Hara, the headstrong daughter of a plantation owner, falls in love with Ashley Wilkes, however, he is engaged to another woman. During and after the Civil War, Scarlett faces difficult trials and rises from poverty and heartbreak to wealth and marriage to Rhett Butler.

Based on Margaret Mitchell's classic novel, Victor Fleming's four-hour magnum opus has achieved cult status and remains one of the most celebrated movies in cinematic history.

3. '2001: A Space Odyssey', 1968

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 90%

The screenplay for 2001: A Space Odyssey was co-written by science fiction author Arthur C. Clarke and director Stanley Kubrick. The film opens with a scene in which ancient human ancestors discover a mysterious black monolith.

Millions of years later, two astronauts travel to Jupiter to uncover the secret of these enigmatic monoliths. However, the ship's artificial intelligence, HAL 9000, takes control. With each passing minute, the true purpose of the mission becomes more unclear.

Kubrick's masterpiece won an Oscar for Best Visual Effects, setting a new industry standard.

2. 'The Philadelphia Story', 1940

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%

Tracy, a high society girl, is preparing to remarry two years after divorcing her first husband, Dexter, who was a heavy drinker. Her new beau is George, a coal company manager.

Local newspaper employees Macaulay, a journalist, and Elizabeth, a staff photographer, plan to infiltrate the wedding to write a secret report, with Dexter volunteering as their chief assistant.

George Cukor's The Philadelphia Story is considered a classic of Hollywood's Golden Age and one of the greatest romantic comedies in film history. The movie is based on a play by Broadway playwright Philip Barry that was written specifically for Katharine Hepburn.

1. 'Singin' in the Rain', 1952

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%

With the advent of sound in the industry, silent film star Don risks losing his job. In order to stay in the industry, he must adapt to this new reality. Along with his friend Cosmo and a new acquaintance named Kathy, Don must overcome numerous challenges to save his career.

Singin' in the Rain is widely regarded as one of the greatest musicals of all time. Producer Arthur Freed, head of the MGM division, played a key role in the movie's success. He also wrote the lyrics to the musical's most famous song, "Singin' in the Rain."

Directors Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly took an original approach to the material, depicting the evolution of cinema from silent to sound through the prism of a musical.