The 30 best movies of 1998

Ranked by weighted audience rating: among 153 movies with at least 300 votes on TMDb, the formula balances the score with the vote count, so a barely-rated title cannot leap past a classic. A Outra História Americana leads, rated 8.2 (1998). The average release year on the list is 1998. The list is recalculated weekly; each title links to its full page, including where to watch in Brazil.

Page updated on 09/20/2026.

1

American History X (1998)

directed by Tony Kaye · 119 min · 8.3 12,870 votes
2

The Truman Show (1998)

directed by Peter Weir · 103 min · 8.2 20,783 votes
3

Saving Private Ryan (1998)

directed by Steven Spielberg · 170 min · 8.2 17,724 votes
4

Perfect Blue (1998)

directed by Satoshi Kon · 85 min · 8.3 3,332 votes
5

Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998)

directed by Guy Ritchie · 105 min · 8.1 7,367 votes
6

The Legend of 1900 (1998)

directed by Giuseppe Tornatore · 170 min · 8.2 2,490 votes
7

Mulan (1998)

directed by Tony Bancroft · 88 min · 7.9 10,657 votes
8

The Big Lebowski (1998)

directed by Joel Coen · 117 min · 7.8 12,456 votes
9

Central Station (1998)

directed by Walter Salles · 110 min · 8.1 1,073 votes
10

The Dinner Game (1998)

directed by Francis Veber · 80 min · 7.8 2,105 votes
11

The Celebration (1998)

directed by Thomas Vinterberg · 105 min · 7.7 1,314 votes
12

Meet Joe Black (1998)

directed by Martin Brest · 178 min · 7.4 5,925 votes
13

The Thin Red Line (1998)

directed by Terrence Malick · 171 min · 7.4 3,412 votes
14

Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island (1998)

directed by Jim Stenstrum · 77 min · 7.7 881 votes
15

EverAfter (1998)

directed by Andy Tennant · 121 min · 7.5 1,620 votes
16

Rushmore (1998)

directed by Wes Anderson · 93 min · 7.4 2,805 votes
17

That's Life (1998)

directed by Massimo Venier · 108 min · 7.5 1,400 votes
18

The Prince of Egypt (1998)

directed by Brenda Chapman · 99 min · 7.3 4,419 votes
19

Patch Adams (1998)

directed by Tom Shadyac · 115 min · 7.3 3,513 votes
20

Black Cat, White Cat (1998)

directed by Emir Kusturica · 127 min · 7.6 845 votes
21

Dark City (1998)

directed by Alex Proyas · 100 min · 7.3 3,322 votes
22

Run Lola Run (1998)

directed by Tom Tykwer · 82 min · 7.3 2,642 votes
23

Pleasantville (1998)

directed by Gary Ross · 124 min · 7.3 1,954 votes
24

Kirikou and the Sorceress (1998)

directed by Michel Ocelot · 71 min · 7.4 1,187 votes
25

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)

directed by Terry Gilliam · 119 min · 7.2 5,159 votes
26

The Parent Trap (1998)

directed by Nancy Meyers · 127 min · 7.2 4,636 votes
27

Lucky and Zorba (1998)

directed by Enzo D'Alò · 76 min · 7.6 645 votes
28

Happiness (1998)

directed by Todd Solondz · 134 min · 7.4 977 votes
29

What Dreams May Come (1998)

directed by Vincent Ward · 106 min · 7.2 2,602 votes
30

Rush Hour (1998)

directed by Brett Ratner · 97 min · 7.1 5,884 votes