Only 3 Movies Are Bigger Masterpieces Than 'The Godfather'

It is impossible to overstate the brilliance of The Godfather. Francis Ford Coppola’s 1972 crime classic (and its equally exceptional sequel) presents one of the most enrapturing spectacles cinema has ever seen. This dark drama of power and greed in America thrives thanks to a litany of faultless performances, Mario Puzo’s extraordinary screenplay, and timeless technical perfection. Furthermore, its impact on audiences with its use of violence and confronting characters was instrumental in ushering in a new horizon of Hollywood cinema defined by bold authenticity and an appetite for raw and realistic drama. Today, The Godfather stands not only as an ageless masterpiece of cinematic extravagance, but as one of the most important and impactful movies in the history of the medium.