25 best space movies of all time

For as long as there have been humans, we’ve looked up at the night sky and wondered what lies beyond the ever-present border of our atmosphere. Our ancestors had myths to explain the formation of the stars, and today we have cinema as a tool to share theories of our own. Stacker compiled a list of the best space movies of all time according to the Stacker score, which equally weighs a film’s IMDb user score and Metascore, so both critics’ and fans’ opinions are taken into account.

Science fiction has always addressed the big questions surrounding the nature of life, what it means to be human, and what being alone in the universe (or not) would mean for human civilization. Are we just a pale blue dot in an ocean of darkness? Or are we one of many civilizations with a delusional belief in the exceptionalism of our species?

The films on this list include soaring space operas, faithful docudramas, gripping thrillers, and speculative musings, but all of them deal with space to some degree. These films span the recent history of cinema, and thus a chronological progression can be observed, with the early successes influencing later films.

Though some movies got the dates wrong, many of the themes explored in the best space movies deal directly with our day-to-day lives. “Gattaca” explores the perils of the creation of so-called “designer babies.” “WALL-E,” “Blade Runner,” and “Planet of the Apes” muse on what will happen to the Earth when humans destroy it. Another is responsible for taking us back to one of humanity’s greatest scientific achievements—the moon landing—where we witness the sheer amount of effort and creativity needed to accomplish such a feat.

All films with over 1,000 IMDb votes and at least four Metacritic reviews were counted, so read carefully through the list for some hidden gems. Read on to find out which animated film takes the top spot, and where fan favorites “Star Wars” and “E.T.” land.

#25. Planet of the Apes (1968)

– Director: Franklin J. Schaffner
– Stacker score: 88.8
– Metascore: 79
– IMDb user rating: 8.0
– Runtime: 112 minutes

One of the most famous sci-fi films of all time, “Planet of the Apes” sees a crashed spaceship’s crew wander a planet dominated by primates, only to discover a dark secret. With groundbreaking prosthetics that hold up to this day, it’s worth watching or re-watching just for the famous quote: “Take your stinking paws off me, you damn dirty ape!”

#24. Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens (2015)

– Director: J.J. Abrams
– Stacker score: 88.8
– Metascore: 80
– IMDb user rating: 7.9
– Runtime: 138 minutes

Achieving a higher place on this list than its sequel, “The Last Jedi,” this first entry in the third “Star Wars” trilogy introduces a new cast of characters and brings back some fan favorites to fight against the First Order, the next iteration of the franchise’s evil colonialist empire. Featuring standout performances from newcomers Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Adam Driver, and Oscar Isaac, and an anti-heroic return to form for Harrison Ford, “The Force Awakens” will fill you with the same childlike wonder of the original trilogy.

#23. Interstellar (2014)

– Director: Christopher Nolan
– Stacker score: 89.4
– Metascore: 74
– IMDb user rating: 8.6
– Runtime: 169 minutes

Christopher Nolan is known for making mind-bending films that challenge and enthrall the viewer, and 2014’s “Interstellar” is a worthy addition to that canon. In a not-too-distant future, humanity suffers the widespread effects of climate change. Abandoning Earth is the only hope, and when a mysterious wormhole opens up at the end of the solar system, a daring crew travels through. Working against impossible odds and the forces of space and time, the crew must do everything possible to survive in this three-hour epic starring Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, and Michael Caine.

#22. The Martian (2015)

– Director: Ridley Scott
– Stacker score: 89.4
– Metascore: 80
– IMDb user rating: 8.0
– Runtime: 144 minutes

Based on the popular novel, “The Martian” is about mankind joining for a singular mission: save astronaut Mark Watney, who was abandoned on Mars after the rest of his crew made an emergency exit during a dust storm. Played by a charismatic Matt Damon, Watney is a genius scientist who works in tandem with the forces on Earth to return home. A fantastic ensemble cast assists him in his efforts, including Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, and Donald Glover, among many others.

#21. Arrival (2016)

– Director: Denis Villeneuve
– Stacker score: 89.4
– Metascore: 81
– IMDb user rating: 7.9
– Runtime: 116 minutes

In many movies on this list, humankind ventures far out into the galaxy, discovering alien planets and their inhabitants. In 2016’s enigmatic “Arrival,” the aliens come here. Whether they’re bearing gifts or baring their teeth remains to be seen; it’s up to a linguist (Amy Adams) and a physicist (Jeremy Renner) to interpret the alien language. Villeneuve has already shown himself to be a powerful force in the speculative science fiction genre, and “Arrival” is a head-spinning masterpiece.

#20. District 9 (2009)

– Director: Neill Blomkamp
– Stacker score: 89.4
– Metascore: 81
– IMDb user rating: 7.9
– Runtime: 112 minutes

“District 9” sees an alien species set up camp on Earth. Using the xenophobia humans display against aliens as an allegory for the racism of South Africa’s apartheid, this found-footage mockumentary turns the glamour of interspecies contact into a biting critique of contemporary affairs.

#19. The Lego Movie (2014)

– Directors: Christopher Miller, Phil Lord
– Stacker score: 89.4
– Metascore: 83
– IMDb user rating: 7.7
– Runtime: 100 minutes

Many were skeptical that a concept as vague as “Lego” could be adapted into a compelling film. Lord and Miller, rising stars in the comedy and animation genres, proved even the most serious doubters wrong. “The Lego Movie” is 100 minutes of intense action, side-splitting dialogue, and creative animation. Anchored by an all-star cast, “The Lego Movie” is family friendly perfection.

#18. Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

– Director: Denis Villeneuve
– Stacker score: 89.9
– Metascore: 81
– IMDb user rating: 8.0
– Runtime: 164 minutes

Previously in this slideshow, we referred to director Denis Villeneuve as “a powerful force in the speculative science fiction genre.” Consider this film Exhibit B. “Blade Runner 2049” is beautiful in its tragedy, or perhaps tragic in its beauty. Anchored by a deeply empathetic performance from Ryan Gosling and featuring Ana de Armas, Mackenzie Davis, Jared Leto, and others, “Blade Runner 2049” is a worthy sequel to its groundbreaking predecessor.

#17. Star Trek (2009)

– Director: J.J. Abrams
– Stacker score: 89.9
– Metascore: 82
– IMDb user rating: 7.9
– Runtime: 127 minutes

Like “The Force Awakens,” this film was preceded on this list by its sequel, “Star Trek: Into Darkness.” 2009’s “Star Trek” likewise contains all the charm of the original series, with big-budget special effects and a stellar (pun intended) cast.

#16. Avatar (2009)

– Director: James Cameron
– Stacker score: 89.9
– Metascore: 83
– IMDb user rating: 7.8
– Runtime: 162 minutes

The highest-grossing movie of all time, despite the ongoing efforts of “Avengers: Endgame,” “Avatar” brought eye-popping CGI to a global audience in a classic story of colonialism, romance, and resistance. Cameron waited nearly a decade, until 2005, to make the film as the technology wasn’t advanced enough in the 1990s to complete his vision. The wait paid off, both financially and in the stunning visuals of the film, which hold up very well 10 years later.

#15. Avengers: Endgame (2019)

– Directors: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
– Stacker score: 90.5
– Metascore: 78
– IMDb user rating: 8.4
– Runtime: 181 minutes

The climax fans waited a decade for, “Avengers: Endgame” sees the titular characters reeling from the events of the prior film and navigating a strange world. Some are focused on undoing the fallout of Infinity War, while others just want to move on and accept the world as it is. The three-hour runtime flies by as our heroes find a promising way forward.

#14. Blade Runner (1982)

– Director: Ridley Scott
– Stacker score: 92.2
– Metascore: 84
– IMDb user rating: 8.1
– Runtime: 117 minutes

Directed by Alien’s Ridley Scott and loosely based on a book by sci-fi master Philip K. Dick, “Blade Runner” focuses on Harrison Ford’s Rick Deckard, a retired “blade runner,” tasked with hunting down and killing renegade androids known as replicants, just like he used to. The film takes place entirely on Earth; however, it’s a grimy and squalid one, as anyone with significant wealth has already left for the off-world colonies. Though space travel doesn’t feature directly, the film questions technology’s effect on the environment and human interactions.

#13. The Iron Giant (1999)

– Director: Brad Bird
– Stacker score: 92.2
– Metascore: 85
– IMDb user rating: 8.0
– Runtime: 86 minutes

Sci-fi films have a peculiar tendency of underperforming at the box office, only to be treated as a cult classic and idolized long after they left the theatres. Such is the case with “The Iron Giant,” the directorial debut of “The Incredibles” and “Ratatouille” director Brad Bird, which sees a young boy befriending a giant robot who fell from the sky. Featuring an all-star cast of voice actors, including Vin Diesel as the titular automaton, “The Iron Giant” is a gem in Bird’s stellar filmography.

#12. Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)

– Director: Steven Spielberg
– Stacker score: 92.7
– Metascore: 90
– IMDb user rating: 7.6
– Runtime: 138 minutes

Steven Spielberg’s “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” is considered one of best science-fiction films of all time. A smash hit with critics and audiences alike, the movie is about a blue-collar Indiana man who finds his life completely changed after a chance encounter with a UFO. Praised for its originality, the movie has been instrumental in leading many to believe we may not be alone after all.

#11. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

– Director: Stanley Kubrick
– Stacker score: 93.3
– Metascore: 84
– IMDb user rating: 8.3
– Runtime: 149 minutes

Sci-fi movies would look a lot different without “2001,” undoubtedly the most influential film of the genre ever to hit the silver screen. The precarity of artificial intelligence, the vastness of space, and the possibility of extraterrestrial life are among the themes explored by Kubrick’s masterpiece. From the visuals to the score, “2001” earns its spot among the greatest films of all time.

#10. Aliens (1986)

– Director: James Cameron
– Stacker score: 93.3
– Metascore: 84
– IMDb user rating: 8.3
– Runtime: 137 minutes

In several places on this list, sequels fared worse in the hearts of critics and audiences than the film that came before. Such is the case with “Aliens,” the sequel to 1979’s “Alien,” though Empire magazine named it the greatest sequel of all time. The franchise has yet to recapture the magic since “Aliens,” a terrifying thriller of galactic proportions starring Sigourney Weaver in an Emmy-nominated performance as Ellen Ripley, a hero for a spacefaring generation.

#9. Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

– Director: Irvin Kershner
– Stacker score: 94.4
– Metascore: 82
– IMDb user rating: 8.7
– Runtime: 124 minutes

Another of the best-received sequels of all time, Empire had a lot to live up to when it premiered three years after “Star Wars: Episode IV.” Luckily, the story matured from “chosen one saves universe” into a more complex series of blows and counter-attacks. With cinema’s most famous twist in the middle, Empire recaptures all the magic of the original and further explores the galaxy far, far away.

#8. The Right Stuff (1983)

– Director: Philip Kaufman
– Stacker score: 94.4
– Metascore: 91
– IMDb user rating: 7.8
– Runtime: 193 minutes

The films on this list that deal with America’s space program each focus on a different period. Such is the case with “The Right Stuff,” which focuses on the Mercury program of supersonic flight, sometimes in the sub-orbital region of space, which took place between 1958 and 1963. Based on the bestselling book by the same name, “The Right Stuff” was, like many others on this list, a box office failure though it was beloved by critics and remains a modern classic.

#7. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

– Director: Steven Spielberg
– Stacker score: 94.4
– Metascore: 91
– IMDb user rating: 7.8
– Runtime: 115 minutes

“E.T. phone home,” mutters the titular character as he attempts to contact his home planet, and audiences around the world fell in love. The timeless story of an intimate friendship between a boy and his alien friend, “E.T.” has resonated with generations of families, and is widely considered one of the greatest films of all time.

#6. Apollo 11 (2019)

– Director: Todd Douglas Miller
– Stacker score: 95
– Metascore: 88
– IMDb user rating: 8.2
– Runtime: 93 minutes

The only documentary on this list, “Apollo 11” consists solely of archival footage and is absent of narration, commentary from talking heads, or re-creations. The film presents the story of the titular mission, moonwalk and all. There’s not much else to say here, just a word of advice: see it on the biggest screen you can find.

#5. Solaris (1972)

– Director: Andrei Tarkovsky
– Stacker score: 95.5
– Metascore: 90
– IMDb user rating: 8.1
– Runtime: 167 minutes

At the same time Americans were celebrating a comeback victory in the Space Race, Soviet Russians were dealing with their own questions of space travel and communism’s place in the future. Such is the case with “Solaris,” a Soviet film, which questions the limits of human rationality in a gorgeous, haunting, nearly three-hour production.

#4. Alien (1979)

– Director: Ridley Scott
– Stacker score: 96.6
– Metascore: 89
– IMDb user rating: 8.4
– Runtime: 117 minutes

Facehugger, Xenomorph, Chestburster; the titular alien in “Alien” takes many forms, all of them terrifying, as the creation of gory special effects and a dark imagination. The crew of the spaceship Nostromo is hopelessly outmatched against this unique evil, though they never stop trying to kill it, even as more and more humans fall victim to the alien’s attacks. A straightforward human-versus-nature story, the movie manages to slip in a biting critique of mega-corporations which are more interested in the bottom line than human lives.

#3. Gravity (2013)

– Director: Alfonso Cuarón
– Stacker score: 96.6
– Metascore: 96
– IMDb user rating: 7.7
– Runtime: 91 minutes

Cuarón, the five-time Oscar winner and director of “Children of Men” and “Roma,” tried his hand at an outer-space thriller in 2013’s seven-time Oscar winner “Gravity,” starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney as stranded astronauts doing whatever it takes to return home. As evidenced by the awards, Gravity was received warmly by both critics and fans, who praised the realistic visuals, performances from the leads, and stirring score.

#2. Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)

– Director: George Lucas
– Stacker score: 98.3
– Metascore: 90
– IMDb user rating: 8.6
– Runtime: 121 minutes

What is there to say about “Star Wars?” The 1977 film has established itself in every corner of our collective consciousness, from the global fame of its cast to the innumerable sci-fi and adventure films it influenced, not to mention the films in the franchise still being released every couple of years. The soundtrack is iconic, the characters are legendary, and the story of a chosen hero leading the galaxy to victory has inspired millions of young people all across the globe.

#1. WALL·E (2008)

– Director: Andrew Stanton
– Stacker score: 100
– Metascore: 95
– IMDb user rating: 8.4
– Runtime: 98 minutes

“WALL·E’s” striking depiction of Earth as a barren wasteland, destroyed by the forces of climate and human overconsumption, is made even more impactful through the film’s choice to not include human dialogue for much of the film. The titular robot is an emotive trash compactor, the only one left on Earth, meant to clean up the planet’s waste; imagine his shock when a futuristic robot arrives, searching the planet for any sign of organic life. When humans are finally shown, they’re nearly comatose and incapable of social relationships, as work has become obsolete thanks to automation. A story about finding a purpose in the universe’s vastness, “WALL·E” has the right mix of charm, complex storytelling, beautiful visuals and soul-searching questions to land at the top of our list.

Where can you stream the 50 best films of the 21st century

Although some hardened cinephiles may argue that the true film masterpieces exist primarily in the movies of the 20th century, the past two decades have brought with them enduring cinema staples that arguably earned their place among the very best in the genre. With directors of the prestigious “New Hollywood” filmmaking movement of the ’60s and ’70s still alive and creating as good of work as ever, alongside modern and older auteurs and up-and-comers around the world carving their own distinct paths in the film industry, there is enough groundwork laid out between 2000 and 2020 to distinguish this century’s own classic canon.

The best films of the 21st century span genre and style, from art films like Béla Tarr’s “Werckmeister Harmonies” and Cristian Mungiu’s “4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days,” to the animated superhero film “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,” to the epic fantasy trilogy of “The Lord of the Rings,” to the modern musical “La La Land.” While many of these films went on to be Academy Award-nominated (and winning), others—such as Richard Linklater’s “Before Sunset” or Don Hertzfeldt’s “It’s Such a Beautiful Day”—maintain enduring critical and audience acclaim regardless of accolades.

For this list, Flixed compiled data on the top 21st-century films to come up with a Flixed score—a weighted index split evenly between IMDb and Metacritic scores as of Dec. 28, 2020. To qualify, the film had to have a Metascore and at least 10,000 IMDb user votes. Ties were broken by Metascore and further ties were broken by IMDb user rating and vote count. Movies are ranked from 50 down, with the best in the #1 slot. Five of these films are only available to rent online, and two are not available to rent or stream anywhere.

Keep reading to see where you can stream the best films of the 21st century.

#50. Her (2013)

– Where to stream: Netflix
– Director: Spike Jonze
– Flixed score: 92.9
– Metascore: 90
– IMDb user rating: 8.0
– Runtime: 126 minutes

In a not-so-distant future, lonely and divorced Theodore (Joaquin Phoenix) finds companionship in his life-like new operating system, which creates the manufactured persona of a playful woman named Samantha (voiced by Scarlett Johansson). But the more time he spends with his artificial intelligence, the more he finds himself falling for it as if it was real. From acclaimed director Spike Jonze, the film is also available for rent on various sites such as Amazon Prime, Apple TV, and YouTube.

#49. The Incredibles (2004)

– Where to stream: Disney+
– Director: Brad Bird
– Flixed score: 92.9
– Metascore: 90
– IMDb user rating: 8.0
– Runtime: 115 minutes

Forced into hiding after superpowers are banned by the government, the Parrs assume the identities of mundane, average civilians, but patriarch Bob—alias “Mr. Incredible”—longs to return to the life of a superhero. However, when he’s called on mysterious circumstances to battle a dangerous threat, his whole family must save him. This Academy Award winner for Best Animated Feature is streaming on Disney+, but is also available to rent on other streaming platforms.

#48. The Hurt Locker (2008)

– Where to stream: Prime Video, Hulu, DIRECTV, EPIX, Watch TCM
– Director: Kathryn Bigelow
– Flixed score: 92.9
– Metascore: 95
– IMDb user rating: 7.5
– Runtime: 131 minutes

Winner of Best Picture (and five other Oscars) at the 82nd Academy Awards, this war thriller centers on an Iraq War Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team and the harmful psychological effects combat has on the soldiers involved. To this day, the film remains the only winner of the Best Picture Oscar to have been directed by a woman.

#47. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)

– Where to stream: Only available for rent
– Directors: Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, Rodney Rothman
– Flixed score: 93.4
– Metascore: 87
– IMDb user rating: 8.4
– Runtime: 117 minutes

This animated Marvel film follows teenager Miles Morales (voiced by Shameik Moore) as he transforms into New York City’s titular web-slinging superhero. But Miles soon learns there are numerous other Spider-People (and pigs) from other dimensions, who must band together to stop the villainous Kingpin (Liev Schreiber).

#46. Gangs of Wasseypur (2012)

– Where to stream: MUBI Amazon Channel
– Director: Anurag Kashyap
– Flixed score: 93.4
– Metascore: 89
– IMDb user rating: 8.2
– Runtime: 321 minutes

This two-part Indian crime film chronicles an epic, years-long feud between a gangster and the ruthless kingpin who killed his father. The movie was divided into two films for the Indian market due to its length, but screened as one film at its premiere at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival in the Directors’ Fortnight section.

#45. Before Sunset (2004)

– Where to stream: HBO Max, DIRECTV
– Director: Richard Linklater
– Flixed score: 93.4
– Metascore: 90
– IMDb user rating: 8.1
– Runtime: 80 minutes

In 1995’s “Before Sunrise,” Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Celine (Julie Delpy) meet by chance on a train to Vienna and share one intimate night with the promise to meet again in six months. “Before Sunset” picks things up nine years later as Jesse reunites with Celine in Paris during a stop along his book tour. Through a long, meandering walk through the city, they share the separate paths their lives have taken and their enduring desire for one another.

#44. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

– Where to stream: DIRECTV, TNT, TBS, Spectrum
– Director: George Miller
– Flixed score: 93.4
– Metascore: 90
– IMDb user rating: 8.1
– Runtime: 120 minutes

Set in a post-apocalyptic future, water is scarce and cruel despot Immortan Joe has taken control over a desert civilization with the remaining survivors. But a rogue warrior (Charlize Theron) on the run with the tyrant’s wives forms an alliance with escaped captive Max Rockatansky (Tom Hardy), together pursued by Joe’s henchman on an epic chase across the barren wasteland in search of a better world. Director George Miller’s reimagining of his original film garnered him a Best Director nomination at the 88th Academy Awards, along with a slew of other nominations.

#43. Finding Nemo (2003)

– Where to stream: Disney+
– Directors: Andrew Stanton, Lee Unkrich
– Flixed score: 93.4
– Metascore: 90
– IMDb user rating: 8.1
– Runtime: 100 minutes

After being separated from his son, cautious Clownfish father Marlin must embark on a quest to find Nemo, encountering an array of colorful (and occasionally dangerous) characters who help him on his way. The celebrated Disney Pixar film features the voices of Albert Brooks, Ellen Degeneres, and Willem Dafoe.

#42. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

– Where to stream: Netflix
– Director: Michel Gondry
– Flixed score: 94
– Metascore: 89
– IMDb user rating: 8.3
– Runtime: 108 minutes

In the aftermath of their painful breakup, Clementine (Kate Winslet) decides to undergo a procedure to erase all memories of her time spent with Joel (Jim Carrey). But when Joel discovers what Clementine is doing, he wants the procedure for himself as well—until his subconscious changes its mind. Written by acclaimed screenwriter Charlie Kaufman, the film won the award for Best Original Screenplay at the 77th Academy Awards.

#41. No Country for Old Men (2007)

– Where to stream: Starz, DIRECTV
– Directors: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen
– Flixed score: 94
– Metascore: 91
– IMDb user rating: 8.1
– Runtime: 122 minutes

This neo-Western thriller from the Coen brothers centers on Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin), an opportunistic antelope hunter who steals a briefcase of cash he finds abandoned after a drug deal goes sideways. Hunter becomes hunted as Moss is pursued by a ruthless hitman (Javier Bardem) who won’t stop until Moss is dead. The film also features Tommy Lee Jones as an aging sheriff reckoning with a rapidly changing world.

#40. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007)

– Where to stream: HBO, DIRECTV, Max Go
– Directors: Julian Schnabel, Laura Obiols
– Flixed score: 94
– Metascore: 92
– IMDb user rating: 8.0
– Runtime: 112 minutes

Elle France editor Jean-Dominique Bauby (portrayed by Mathieu Amalric) was left paralyzed after a stroke, his movement suddenly limited to use of his left eye. Bauby goes on to painstakingly dictate his memoir through his eye, his only means left of communication. “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly” is based on Bauby’s 1997 memoir of the same name.

#39. Call Me by Your Name (2017)

– Where to stream: Starz
– Director: Luca Guadagnino
– Flixed score: 94
– Metascore: 93
– IMDb user rating: 7.9
– Runtime: 132 minutes

Starring Armie Hammer and Timothée Chalamet, Luca Guadagnino’s intimate look at first love and sexual awakening observes the romance between a 17-year-old boy and his father’s older doctoral student, set against the backdrop of idyllic 1983 Lombardy, Italy. The film won Best Adapted Screenplay at the 90th Academy Awards.

#38. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)

– Where to stream: Prime Video
– Director: Ang Lee
– Flixed score: 94
– Metascore: 94
– IMDb user rating: 7.8
– Runtime: 120 minutes

A missing sword is the object of a widespread chase to find it between two warriors in Qing dynasty China, leading them to the house of a young and physically skilled nobleman’s daughter. The Chinese film was nominated for 10 Academy Awards, maintaining a tie with 2018’s “Roma” for most Academy Award nominations for a non-English language film.

#37. The Social Network (2010)

– Where to stream: Netflix
– Director: David Fincher
– Flixed score: 94
– Metascore: 95
– IMDb user rating: 7.7
– Runtime: 120 minutes

The story of Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s (Jesse Eisenberg) rise to power is told in this dynamic bio-drama from tour de force writer/director pairing David Fincher and Aaron Sorkin, chronicling the Harvard drop-out’s quest for power at the expense of others. There are talks of a sequel currently on the table, with Sorkin and Eisenberg reportedly both on board.

#36. Whiplash (2014)

– Where to stream: IMDb TV, Pluto TV
– Director: Damien Chazelle
– Flixed score: 94.5
– Metascore: 88
– IMDb user rating: 8.5
– Runtime: 106 minutes

Success-hungry jazz drummer Andrew Neiman (Miles Teller) has dreams of being the best but finds a challenge in his ruthless new instructor, Terence Fletcher (J.K. Simmons), who pushes Neiman to his breaking point. The drama film was based on director Damien Chazelle’s short film of the same name, which was screened at Sundance in 2013.

#35. The Lives of Others (2006)

– Where to stream: Only available for rent
– Director: Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck
– Flixed score: 94.5
– Metascore: 89
– IMDb user rating: 8.4
– Runtime: 137 minutes

In 1984, a member of East Germany’s secret police is tasked with wiretapping a famous playwright and his actress lover under suspicions that they are not loyal to the Communist party. However, things take a turn with the officer’s burgeoning sympathy for the couple paired with his superior’s growing fixation on the actress. This German drama won Best Foreign Language film at the 79th Academy Awards.

#34. It’s Such a Beautiful Day (2012)

– Where to stream: Only available for rent on Vimeo
– Director: Don Hertzfeldt
– Flixed score: 94.5
– Metascore: 90
– IMDb user rating: 8.3
– Runtime: 62 minutes

Don Hertzfeldt’s existentialist animated experimental film follows a stick figure man as he grapples with an increasingly unreliable psyche. It was Hertzfeldt’s debut feature film, and the three chapters it was divided into were originally released independently as short films. Though the film was released for streaming on both iTunes and Netflix, it is now only available to rent on Vimeo.

#33. Shoplifters (2018)

– Where to stream: Hulu, Hoopla
– Director: Hirokazu Koreeda
– Flixed score: 94.5
– Metascore: 93
– IMDb user rating: 8.0
– Runtime: 121 minutes

A found family of misfit thieves lives on the margins of society in Tokyo, coping with poverty by shoplifting to survive. But their bond is tested when one of them is caught and arrested, and their loyalty to one another is upended by exposed secrets. The Japanese drama won the Palme D’Or and was nominated for Best Forgein Language Film at both the 91st Academy Awards and the 76th Golden Globes Awards.

#32. Amour (2012)

– Where to stream: Starz, DIRECTV
– Director: Michael Haneke
– Flixed score: 94.5
– Metascore: 94
– IMDb user rating: 7.9
– Runtime: 127 minutes

The strength of a long-lasting relationship between two elderly music teachers is tested, when wife Anne (Emmanuelle Riva) suffers a stroke. Though husband George (Jean-Louis Trintignant) suffers from his own ailments from old age, he dedicates himself solely to keeping Anne from returning to the hospital. At then 85 years old, actress Emmanuelle Riva remains the oldest actress to be nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role at the Academy Awards.

#31. Before Midnight (2013)

– Where to stream: Starz, DIRECTV
– Director: Richard Linklater
– Flixed score: 94.5
– Metascore: 94
– IMDb user rating: 7.9
– Runtime: 109 minutes

The final installment of Richard Linklater’s “Before” trilogy sees longtime lovers Celine and Jesse (Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke returning to the roles, respectively) on an excursion to Greece, almost two decades after their chance encounter on a train to Vienna. Now married with twin girls, the pair reminisces on their time together and the choices they made. The romantic drama was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay at the 86th Academy Awards.

#30. The Irishman (2019)

– Where to stream: Netflix
– Director: Martin Scorsese
– Flixed score: 94.5
– Metascore: 94
– IMDb user rating: 7.9
– Runtime: 209 minutes

Based on the nonfiction book “I Heard You Paint Houses” by Charles Brandt, Martin Scorsese’s newest epic gangster saga details the rise to power of Frank Sheeran (Robert De Niro), a real-life mob hitman from Philadelphia. Sheeran becomes involved with high-ranking mobster Russell Bufalino (Joe Pesci), eventually moving through the ranks to work for powerful teamster Jimmy Hoffa (Al Pacino). The film required a special three-camera rig to facilitate the use of de-aging SFX.

#29. Dunkirk (2017)

– Where to stream: only available for rent
– Director: Christopher Nolan
– Flixed score: 94.5
– Metascore: 94
– IMDb user rating: 7.9
– Runtime: 106 minutes

On the beaches of Dunkirk, Allied troops are trapped by the forces of Germany, and British and French cover from above and below must assist in heroically evacuating 330,000 French, British, Dutch, and Belgian soldiers. The film relies on little dialogue, with a heavy focus on cinematography, sound design, and score in creating the necessary suspense. It is available to rent on Google Play, Amazon Video, Youtube, Fandango Now, and elsewhere.

#28. Roma (2018)

– Where to stream: Netflix
– Director: Alfonso Cuarón
– Flixed score: 94.5
– Metascore: 96
– IMDb user rating: 7.7
– Runtime: 135 minutes

The tale of a housekeeper employed by a middle-class Mexican family in the 1970s, Cleo’s (Yalitza Aparicio) life with Antonio, Sofía, and their four children takes a turn when it is revealed that Antonio has a pregnant mistress—and has run off with her. The film was shot in color and converted to black-and-white, part of director Alfonso Cuarón’s vision for a “modern film that looks into the past.” The streamer, Netflix, also distributed the film.

#27. Gravity (2013)

– Where to stream: Tubi TV, IndieFlix
– Director: Alfonso Cuarón
– Flixed score: 94.5
– Metascore: 96
– IMDb user rating: 7.7
– Runtime: 91 minutes

A medical engineer (Sandra Bullock) on her first mission and a veteran astronaut (George Clooney) preparing for retirement are upended by what was supposed to be a routine space walk, when their shuttle is destroyed. Left helpless in deep space, the pair realizes they must travel further into space if they want any chance of returning home. The film’s groundbreaking special effects (which comprise over 80 of its 91-minute runtime) took three years to create.

#26. Moonlight (2016)

– Where to stream: Netflix, Hoopla, Kanopy
– Director: Barry Jenkins
– Flixed score: 94.5
– Metascore: 99
– IMDb user rating: 7.4
– Runtime: 111 minutes

Told in three defining stages of his life, Chiron’s fraught journey of self-discovery is recounted from adolescence to adulthood in the friendships and romances he forges as he comes of age and falls in love. The 89th Academy Award Best Picture winner is based on the unpublished “In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue,” a semi-autobiographical play by playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney.

#25. The Dark Knight (2008)

– Where to stream: Peacock, Sling
– Director: Christopher Nolan
– Flixed score: 95.1
– Metascore: 84
– IMDb user rating: 9.0
– Runtime: 152 minutes

The second chapter of Christopher Nolan’s “Dark Knight” trilogy sees Batman (Christian Bale) battling it out with the Clown Prince of Crime (Heath Ledger). In his quest to descend Gotham City into chaos, the Joker forces Batman to reckon with himself and whether he’s truly a hero, or merely a vigilante. Heath Ledger’s legendary performance as the Joker earned him a posthumous Academy Award for Best Actor in 2009.

#24. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)

– Where to stream: Hulu, HBO Max
– Director: Peter Jackson
– Flixed score: 95.1
– Metascore: 87
– IMDb user rating: 8.7
– Runtime: 179 minutes

In the follow-up to the first film of “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy from Peter Jackson, Frodo and Sam’s journey to Mordor to destroy the One Ring continues on sans Fellowship, and they soon discover that they are being trailed by the malignant creature known as Gollum. Meanwhile, Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas travel to the besieged kingdom of Rohan. The critically acclaimed sequel was nominated for six Oscars at the 75th Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

#23. The Best of Youth (2003)

– Where to stream: Not available to stream or rent
– Director: Marco Tullio Giordana
– Flixed score: 95.1
– Metascore: 89
– IMDb user rating: 8.5
– Runtime: 366 minutes

Two brothers see their lives buffeted by the social and political upheaval in Italy during the 1960s and ’70s, the decades ensuing portrayed in this epic tale of love and family. Upon premiering at the Cannes Film Festival in 2003, “The Best of Youth” was awarded the Prize Un Certain Regard (essentially the second place prize). Though originally available to stream on Netflix, the film was removed in 2016 and is not available elsewhere; this is possibly due to it having been acquired by the now-defunct Miramax.

#22. Werckmeister Harmonies (2000)

– Where to stream: Not available to stream or rent
– Directors: Béla Tarr, Ágnes Hranitzky
– Flixed score: 95.1
– Metascore: 92
– IMDb user rating: 8.2
– Runtime: 145 minutes

János (Lars Rudolph) and György (Peter Fitz), two friends in communist-era Hungary, witness the arrival of a dark and mysterious circus in their small town. The title of the film is a reference to Andreas Werckmeister, a baroque musical theorist, and was shot entirely in black-and-white and made up of only 39 shots.

#21. Spotlight (2015)

– Where to stream: Netflix
– Director: Tom McCarthy
– Flixed score: 95.1
– Metascore: 93
– IMDb user rating: 8.1
– Runtime: 129 minutes

In 2001, the “Spotlight” investigative team of the Boston Globe was tasked with reporting on allegations that an unfrocked priest sexually abused over 80 young boys. The inquiry led them to a massive child sexual abuse cover-up within the local Catholic Archdiocese, which is shockingly discovered to extend far beyond Boston. The bio-drama “Spotlight” covers the harrowing ordeal with an ensemble cast that includes Michael Keaton, Mark Ruffalo, Rachel McAdams, and Liev Schreiber. The film took home an Oscar for Best Picture at the 88th Academy Awards.

#20. Marriage Story (2019)

– Where to stream: Netflix
– Director: Noah Baumbach
– Flixed score: 95.1
– Metascore: 94
– IMDb user rating: 8.0
– Runtime: 137 minutes

A stage director (Adam Driver) and his actress wife (Scarlett Johansson) attempt a divorce across opposing coasts, fighting over the custody of their young son as they are pushed to grueling extremes both personally and creatively. The film is thought to be a loose interpretation of director Noah Baumbach’s own divorce from actress Jennifer Jason Leigh.

#19. La La Land (2016)

– Where to stream: HBO Max, DIRECTV, USA
– Director: Damien Chazelle
– Flixed score: 95.1
– Metascore: 94
– IMDb user rating: 8.0
– Runtime: 128 minutes

“La La Land” tells the story of Mia (Emma Stone) and Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) and their intersecting dreams of making it big through their respective passions of acting and playing jazz. But as success begins to build for both of them, their romance is put to the test. The Oscar-nominated love letter to Los Angeles had initial difficulty finding financing, with studios hesitant to back a “jazz musical.”

#18. Manchester by the Sea (2016)

– Where to stream: Prime Video
– Director: Kenneth Lonergan
– Flixed score: 95.1
– Metascore: 96
– IMDb user rating: 7.8
– Runtime: 137 minutes

A tragic event sees Lee Chandler (Casey Affleck) returning from Boston to the fishing village where he grew up, and where he’s been named the sole guardian of his nephew (Lucas Hedges). There, Chandler reckons with the past that forced him away from Manchester-by-the-Sea, its community, and his wife Randi (Michelle Williams). The concept for the film was developed by Matt Damon and John Krasinski, who both produced the film. Damon previously worked with director Kenneth Lonergan on the 2011 film “Margaret.”

#17. Toy Story 3 (2010)

– Where to stream: Disney+
– Director: Lee Unkrich
– Flixed score: 95.6
– Metascore: 92
– IMDb user rating: 8.3
– Runtime: 103 minutes

Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks), Buzz (voiced by Tim Allen), and co. are back in the third installment of the “Toy Story” saga, which sees owner Andy all grown up and off to college, forced to send his toys upstairs to the attic. But when the toys mistakenly end up outside with the trash, their last-minute diversion to a nursery school forces them to concoct yet another of their great escapes. The Disney Pixar film was nominated for Best Picture, one of only three animated films (including “Beauty and the Beast” and “Up”) to be nominated. It didn’t win Best Picture, but it did take home the Oscar for Best Animated Feature.

#16. Yi Yi (2000)

– Where to stream: The Criterion Channel
– Director: Edward Yang
– Flixed score: 95.6
– Metascore: 93
– IMDb user rating: 8.2
– Runtime: 173 minutes

“Yi Yi” follows the alternating perspectives of three members of the Jian family in Taiwan as they struggle through the quandaries of everyday life. The Taiwanese drama premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2000, where Edward Yang won the Best Director award.

#15. There Will Be Blood (2007)

– Where to stream: Netflix
– Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
– Flixed score: 95.6
– Metascore: 93
– IMDb user rating: 8.2
– Runtime: 158 minutes

“There Will Be Blood” is set at the turn of the 20th century in California, where ruthless oil tycoon Daniel Plainview (Daniel Day-Lewis) will stop at nothing to accumulate as much wealth as possible. Through this epic saga of his rise to power, Plainview meets his match in zealous young preacher Eli Sunday (Paul Dano), whose family resides on oil-rich land Plainview is intent on purchasing no matter the cost. The film is based loosely on Upton Sinclair’s 1927 novel “Oil!”, and was influenced in part by John Huston’s film “The Treasure of the Sierra Madre.”

#14. Inside Out (2015)

– Where to stream: Disney+, DIRECTV
– Directors: Pete Docter, Ronnie Del Carmen
– Flixed score: 95.6
– Metascore: 94
– IMDb user rating: 8.1
– Runtime: 95 minutes

Young Riley’s blissful world is upended when her parents move the family to San Francisco and she finds herself in the throes of isolation and depression. Meanwhile, the inner machinations of Riley’s mind have their own agenda, each one attempting to guide Riley through this dramatic and stressful time in her life. The animated Disney film features the voice work of Amy Poehler, Bill Hader, Mindy Kaling, Phyllis Smith, and Lewis Black.

#13. Hamilton (2020)

– Where to stream: Disney+
– Director: Thomas Kail
– Flixed score: 96.2
– Metascore: 90
– IMDb user rating: 8.6
– Runtime: 160 minutes

The hit Broadway musical finally makes its way to homes everywhere, in this filmed version of the show’s original run. The story of Founding Father and the United States’s first Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton is told in infectious hip-hop songs and the unforgettable performances from Lin-Manuel Miranda, Daveed Diggs, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Leslie Odom Jr., Jonathan Groff, and Phillipa Soo.

#12. Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)

– Where to stream: Hulu
– Director: Céline Sciamma
– Flixed score: 96.2
– Metascore: 95
– IMDb user rating: 8.1
– Runtime: 122 minutes

In 18th-century France, young artist Marianne (Noémie Merlant) is tasked with painting the wedding portrait of the enigmatic Héloïse (Adèle Haenel), who recently left a convent and refuses to have her likeness painted. Marianne creates the portrait in secrecy while forming a bond with Héloïse that soon turns to romance. After premiering at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival, the “Portrait of a Lady on Fire” was selected to compete for the Palme d’Or and won the Queer Palm and Best Screenplay awards.

#11. Ratatouille (2007)

– Where to stream: Disney+
– Directors: Brad Bird, Jan Pinkava
– Flixed score: 96.2
– Metascore: 96
– IMDb user rating: 8.0
– Runtime: 111 minutes

Remy the rat (voiced by Patton Oswald) has big dreams of becoming a Parisian chef and, despite his large rat family frowning on his cooking as an anti-rodent trade, leaves them behind when he accidentally ends up in Paris. There, he finds himself ideally situated at the restaurant of his idol: the late Auguste Gusteau, where a series of peculiar events soon allows him to put his cooking skills to the test under the toque of the restaurant’s busboy. In order to achieve animated food that looked convincingly real, the film’s animators attended cooking classes.

#10. 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days (2007)

– Where to stream: The Criterion Channel, DIRECTV
– Director: Cristian Mungiu
– Flixed score: 96.2
– Metascore: 97
– IMDb user rating: 7.9
– Runtime: 113 minutes

Romanian college student Gabita (Laura Vasiliu) seeks an illegal abortion for an unwanted pregnancy, aided by the help of her friend, Otilia (Anamaria Marinca). The two women recruit the services of a shady man to perform the procedure and endure a series of increasingly difficult situations in order to get Gabita the help that she needs. The art film won the Palme d’Or at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival but was excluded from the Academy Awards, causing some controversy.

#9. 12 Years a Slave (2013)

– Where to stream: Hulu
– Director: Steve McQueen
– Flixed score: 96.7
– Metascore: 96
– IMDb user rating: 8.1
– Runtime: 134 minutes

Winner of the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2014, this harrowing biographical drama tells the story of free Black man Solomon Northup, who is kidnapped and sold into slavery in the South pre-Civil War. The film recounts Northup’s struggle for survival, humanity, and eventual freedom. Directed by Steve McQueen, it was adapted from Northup’s memoir of the same name.

#8. A Separation (2011)

– Where to stream: Only available for rent
– Director: Asghar Farhadi
– Flixed score: 97.3
– Metascore: 95
– IMDb user rating: 8.3
– Runtime: 123 minutes

Desperate to give her daughter a better life, an Iranian woman (Leila Hatami) sues her husband for divorce in order to move her and her daughter to another country. Husband Nader (Payman Maadi) refuses to leave his ailing father, and the judge’s rejection of wife Simin’s application forces the couple to find a caretaker for Nader’s father’s increasingly dire situation. The film is available for rent on services such as Amazon Video, Fandango Now, and Vudu.

#7. WALL·E (2008)

– Where to stream: Disney+
– Director: Andrew Stanton
– Flixed score: 97.8
– Metascore: 95
– IMDb user rating: 8.4
– Runtime: 98 minutes

Trash-collecting robot WALL·E lives in isolation on an abandoned, dystopian Earth that’s covered in garbage he must tidy up, one piece at a time. But when a sleek, newfangled robot named EVE descends onto his lonely planet, WALL·E becomes infatuated and follows her when she leaves for outer space. Noteworthy elements of “WALL·E” include minimal dialogue early in the film and the fact this was the first Pixar animated film to also feature live-action characters.

#6. Boyhood (2014)

– Where to stream: The Criterion Channel, DIRECTV
– Director: Richard Linklater
– Flixed score: 97.8
– Metascore: 100
– IMDb user rating: 7.9
– Runtime: 165 minutes

Richard Linklater’s groundbreaking movie, filmed over the course of 12 years, tells the coming-of-age story of Mason (Ellar Coltrane) and tracks the ups and downs of his life from child to college-bound adult. While the characters and ending were mapped out from the beginning, the “Boyhood” script was primarily written year by year.

#5. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

– Where to stream: Hulu, HBO Max
– Director: Peter Jackson
– Flixed score: 98.4
– Metascore: 92
– IMDb user rating: 8.8
– Runtime: 178 minutes

The first film of “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy sees hero Frodo Baggins come into unfortunate possession of the One Ring of power, and he begins his fraught journey to deliver it to the fires of Mordor where it can be destroyed. Helping him are eight companions meant to protect him on his journey—but hearts are easily corrupted, and the One Ring has a will of its own. Costume designer Ngila Dickson and her seamstresses created more than 19,000 costumes for the film, which was nominated for 13 Academy Awards and won four.

#4. Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)

– Where to stream: Netflix
– Director: Guillermo del Toro
– Flixed score: 98.4
– Metascore: 98
– IMDb user rating: 8.2
– Runtime: 118 minutes

Set during Francoist Spain, young and imaginative Ofelia (Ivana Baquero) and her pregnant mother move to a remote forest with her mother’s new husband, Captain Vidal, a sadistic Falangist intent on flushing out the rebels there. But the forest is more than meets the eye, and Ofelia discovers a dark and beautiful world just in her backyard.

#3. Parasite (2019)

– Where to stream: Hulu
– Director: Bong Joon Ho
– Flixed score: 99.5
– Metascore: 96
– IMDb user rating: 8.6
– Runtime: 132 minutes

The destitute and clever Kim family find monetary success exploiting the wealthy Park clan, all of them posing as various, unconnected in-home service workers for the family. But an unexpected incident impedes their ingenious plan. The film broke ground when it became the first non-English language film to win Best Picture at the 92nd Academy Awards.

#2. Spirited Away (2001)

– Where to stream: HBO Max
– Director: Hayao Miyazaki
– Flixed score: 99.5
– Metascore: 96
– IMDb user rating: 8.6
– Runtime: 125 minutes

Hayao Miyazaki’s animated feast focuses on 10-year-old Chihiro, whose parents are turned into giant pigs after happening upon an abandoned amusement park. There, she encounters a series of strange and mysterious spirits who help her on her quest to save her parents. The film held the record for the highest-grossing film in Japanese box office history until 2020’s “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train” surpassed it.

#1. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)

– Where to stream: Hulu, HBO Max
– Director: Peter Jackson
– Flixed score: 100
– Metascore: 94
– IMDb user rating: 8.9
– Runtime: 201 minutes

The “Lord of the Rings” saga sees its epic conclusion in “The Return of the King” as Frodo and Sam’s journey to the fires of Mount Doom concludes. Outside Mordor, meanwhile, the stakes in the battle between good and evil could not be higher. The city of Minas Tirith prepares for battle against Sauron’s dark forces, and Frodo and Sam encounter unimaginable terrors in Mordor. The film took home an Oscar for Best Picture: the first and only film of the fantasy genre to win the coveted prize.

Famous TV locations in every state

Television shows have been set in all 50 U.S. states, but most viewers know that many of the series weren’t actually filmed in these locations. While it’s true that the vast majority of shows made in the United States go into production in Los Angeles and Georgia, that’s obviously not always the case. Even if you don’t hail from those places, there’s a good chance that you can visit a major TV filming location in your own home state.

Because many television shows are predominantly filmed on professional soundstages, these places serve as the exteriors of various characters’ homes, workplaces, and the like. For instance, the Albuquerque, New Mexico, house that stands in as Walter White’s house throughout “Breaking Bad,” or the fact that California’s Pasadena City Hall poses as the Pawnee City Hall in “Parks and Recreation.”

Believe it or not, TV fans travel far and wide to visit the locations of some of their favorite series. It’s an increasingly popular phenomenon known as “set jetting,” and Expedia reports that the industry is expected to reach $8 billion within the U.S. alone in 2026. Sure, in many cases, viewers are looking to go to overseas locales, but there are also less expensive options right here in the states, like the Westgate Las Vegas featured on “Pluribus” or the New Jersey building that stands in for the Lumon building on “Severance.”

Many of these filming spots may be even closer than you think. With so many series out there, though, it can be difficult to figure out which TV locations may lie within your own backyard. Through conducting independent, manual research using numerous news articles, state websites, and IMDb data, Stacker compiled a comprehensive list of significant TV filming locations in all 50 U.S. states. Locations that were set in a state, but filmed elsewhere, were not included—all of the locations are places that viewers can actually visit. Miniseries were also included.

Read on to get an idea of what TV shows were made in your state, from Alabama’s Blaque Cigar Lounge to Wyoming’s Lost Creek Ranch.

Alabama: Blaque Cigar Lounge

In the OWN reality series “Love and Marriage: Huntsville,” three affluent African American couples work to transform the growing town of Huntsville, Alabama. Stars Marsau and LaTisha Scott opened a cigar lounge there called Blaque Cigar Lounge, which you can visit.

Alaska: Dutch Harbor

Although a lot of the action in the Discovery show “Deadliest Catch” takes place on the open seas, the show is based in Dutch Harbor, Alaska. The harbor is located on Amaknak island, and is the largest fishing port in the United States.

Arizona: Tanque Verde Guest Ranch

Nickelodeon’s hit Western comedy “Hey Dude” follows the misadventures of a group of teenage friends, who work at an Arizona dude ranch called the Bar None Ranch. While the exact place doesn’t exist in real life, filming took place at the Tanque Verde Guest Ranch in Tucson, Arizona.

Arkansas: Herman’s Rib House

In “True Detective” season three, the action moved to Arkansas as state police detective Wayne Hays, played by Mahershala Ali, investigates the disappearance of two local children in 1980. Much of the show was filmed around Fayetteville, Arkansas, including an old-fashioned restaurant called Herman’s Rib House, where fans can grab a bite to eat at the same table where Ali sat.

California: Pasadena City Hall

Much of “Parks and Recreation” took place within the fictional town of Pawnee, in an Indiana city hall building, but the exterior is actually located in Pasadena, California. Fans can pose on the steps of Pasadena City Hall, which stands in for the iconic Pawnee location.

Colorado: Mork and Mindy’s house

Robin Williams starred in this “Happy Days” spinoff as Mork, an alien who studied human behavior in Boulder, Colorado, with the help of his friend Mindy, played by Pam Dawber. The pair’s house from the show can be found at 1618 Pine St., a few blocks away from Boulder’s Pearl Street Mall.

Connecticut: The Turkey Hill farmstead

For years, Martha Stewart’s iconic first home was featured on her popular lifestyle show, “The Martha Stewart Show.” Although it switched ownership in 2007, the famous farmstead can still be found at 48 Turkey Hill Road South in Westport, Connecticut.

Delaware: Dewey Beach

DIY Network’s “Big Beach Builds” follows host Marnie Oursler as she restores dilapidated beach houses, which often sit in Delaware beach towns such as Dewey Beach, where the team worked on an abandoned home in season one, episode six. Delaware has historically struggled to attract TV shows and movie production companies to film in the state, but the nonprofit Film Delaware is working to change that.

Florida: Bayside Marketplace

Undercover Miami police detectives James “Sonny” Crockett, played by Don Johnson, and Ricardo “Rico” Tubbs, played by Phillip Michael Thomas, often frequented this open marketplace throughout the popular action-comedy series. Bayside is still open in Downtown Miami today, featuring an array of local vendors.

Georgia: Mystic Grill

When main characters of “The Vampire Diaries” weren’t dealing with messy vampire love triangles or saving their town from other supernatural forces, the Mystic Grill was a popular hangout spot over the seasons. If you’re ever in Covington, Georgia, and have a hankering for southern cuisine, you can visit the restaurant of the same name.

Hawaii: Police Beach

“Lost,” simultaneously hailed as one of the best TV shows ever made and reviled for its ending, takes place on the remote beach where the plane that the ensemble cast of survivors were on crashed. It’s actually called Police Beach, and lies on Oahu, Hawaii’s North Shore.

Idaho: Pocatello High School

An episode of the A&E show “Ghostbusters” filmed at this supposedly haunted Idaho high school. The building has a history of spooky occurrences, with the show capturing security footage of a shadowy figure moving into one of the school bathrooms.

Illinois: Old Joliet Prison

In the Fox drama “Prison Break,” the brother of an innocent man put on death row devises a plan to break him out from the inside. The series was primarily filmed at the Old Joliet Prison, which stopped operating in 2002 and now offers guided tours.

Indiana: St. Elmo Steakhouse

Most of the Indiana-based “Parks and Recreation” wasn’t actually filmed in the state, but it was home to some memorable moments. During Ben’s bachelor party in the season five episode “Two Parties,” the Pawnee guys ate their fill at Indianapolis’ St. Elmo Steakhouse. They also visited Lucas Oil Stadium there.

Iowa: Kinnick Stadium

For nine seasons, the ABC sitcom “Coach” followed Hayden Fox, played by Craig T. Nelson, the fictional head coach at Minnesota State University. The establishing shots of the college’s football stadium are actually the University of Iowa’s Kinnick Stadium, and creator Barry Kemp is an alum of the school.

Kansas: Jones Bar-B-Q

This standout location from “Queer Eye” season three is owned by sisters Deborah and Mary Jones, two of the only Kansas City pitmasters in a city famous for barbecue. With some help from the Fab Five in season three, episode three, Jones Bar-B-Q got a sleek update and began selling barbecue sauce online.

Kentucky

In “Hatfields and McCoys: Bad Blood,” Confederate sympathizers Jim Vance, played by Tim Abell, and Ellias Hatfield, played by Dylan Vox, seek revenge upon discovering that one of their neighbors is fighting for the Union Army. Much of the drama was filmed in Kentucky, particularly at the recreated 1800s mining town Copper Canyon Ranch.

Louisiana: Buckner Mansion

“American Horror Story” fans will recognize Buckner Mansion as Miss Robicheaux’s Witch Academy, which was featured on “American Horror Story: Coven” and “American Horror Story: Apocalypse.” The antebellum mansion sits in New Orleans’ Garden District, and is believed to be haunted.

Maine: Kennebec Cabin Company

In the HGTV series “Maine Cabin Masters,” pro builder Chase Morrill and his team work on renovating abandoned cabins located in the state’s woods. If you ever find yourself needing some cabin TLC, you can find the Cabin Masters’ official headquarters at the Kennebec Cabin Company in Manchester, Maine.

Maryland: The Underwood home

Baltimore often stood in as Washington D.C. when Netflix’s “House of Cards” was filmed. Frank and Claire Underwood’s house is no exception, and the exterior of their home can be found at 1609 Park Ave. in the Maryland city.

Massachusetts: Cheers Beacon Hill

For 11 seasons, Sam Malone, played by Ted Danson; Diane Chambers, played by Shelley Long; and a whole host of quirky characters made the Boston bar Cheers their home-away-from-home. The real bar that inspired the series was originally called the Bull & Finch, but was eventually renamed Cheers Beacon Hill. It’s still open today, serving burgers and beer to fans.

Michigan: Pol Veterinary Services

The long-running National Geographic show “The Incredible Dr. Pol” follows the life and work of veterinarian Jan Pol, who owns his own business in Michigan. The series has had 17 seasons, and the clinic is open for business in the small town of Weidman.

Minnesota: The Mary Tyler Moore house

While much of “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” was filmed on a soundstage, the house that stood in as the exterior of Mary’s top floor apartment in the first five seasons still exists in Minnesota. It can be found at 2104 Kenwood Parkway in Minneapolis.

Mississippi: Rust College

In the short-lived Cinemax series “Quarry,” retired Marine Mac “Quarry” Conway, played by Logan Marshall-Green, is drawn into a criminal underworld while struggling to readjust to civilian life after serving in the Vietnam War. The show is filmed in numerous locations around Mississippi, such as Rust College in Holly Springs.

Missouri: The Kansas City Queer Eye loft

In between transforming the lives of each episode’s “heroes” in seasons three and four, “Queer Eye’s” Fab Five hung out at their own Kansas City loft, located in the Midwestern city’s historic Firestone Building. It has some personal touches, since the show’s resident design expert, Bobby Berk, designed the space himself.

Montana: Chief Joseph Ranch

Featuring Hollywood A-listers like Kevin Costner and Wes Bentley, the Paramount series “Yellowstone” follows the conflicts that unfold between rival neighbors on a Montana cattle ranch. Much of the show is filmed at a real ranch—more specifically, Chief Joseph Ranch in Darby, Montana.

Nebraska: The Scottish Rite Masonic Center

For 12 years, the character of Dr. San Guinary, played by John Jones, hosted a late-night horror film series called “Creature Feature,” which aired across Omaha from 1971 to 1982. The show was rebooted with new skits in 2012, and is now filmed at the city’s Scottish Rite Masonic Center.

Nevada: The Strip

Las Vegas’ strip has been used in establishing shots for a number of shows, such as the Vegas-set episodes of “Friends.” At the end of season five, the gang travel to the city to visit Joey after he books a big role there, which results in Ross and Rachel having a drunken Las Vegas wedding.

New Hampshire: Frankenstein Trestle

NBC’s “Running Wild With Bear Grylls,” a survival skills reality show, in 2018 filmed an episode in New Hampshire’s gorgeous White Mountains. The episode prominently features the Frankenstein Trestle, spanning cliffs by the same name.

New Jersey: Holsten’s Brookdale Confectionary

Yep, the famous final scene of “The Sopranos” takes place in a real ice cream parlor, which has been open in Bloomfield, New Jersey since 1939. After the show’s star James Gandolfini died in 2013, the shop placed a “Reserved” sign on the table in which he filmed his last scene as Tony Soprano as a sign of respect.

New Mexico: The White house

AMC’s award-winning drama “Breaking Bad” centers on Walter White, a New Mexico chemistry teacher who begins making meth to support his family. The exterior of the White family’s home can be found at 3828 Piermont Drive, but be warned—the house’s actual resident has built a fence around the yard to keep fans at bay.

New York: The Friends apartment building

The globally popular comedy “Friends” has lots of iconic locations, and one of them is undoubtedly Monica and Rachel’s unrealistically big New York City apartment. The exterior of their building is located at the intersection of Grove and Bedford streets in Manhattan. It houses a Central Park-inspired café called Little Owl, which fans can visit.

North Carolina: The One Tree Hill Cracker Jack table

What “One Tree Hill” fan could forget the iconic moment when Nathan gave Haley a Cracker Jack bracelet during their first tutoring session? Viewers can actually find the bench where the two studied on the Wilmington Riverwalk in North Carolina, and fans of the show have decorated the exact table with famous quotes from it.

North Dakota: Bakken

A modern-day “gold rush” is drawing people to this region of North Dakota, where a recent oil boom has created thousands of new jobs. However, this also means that living costs and the number of people living in Bakken has drastically surged and created unique conflicts, which are captured in the Smithsonian Channel reality show “Boomtowners.”

Ohio: The Flimm Building

On the CBS comedy “WKRP in Cincinnati,” a young director tries to save a radio station by recruiting young disc jockeys and playing more hard rock, to the chagrin of several long-time employees. The exterior of the station is Cincinnati’s Flimm Building, which is now a Homewood Suites/Hampton Inn.

Oklahoma: The Oklahoma National Memorial

Although the Oklahoma City-set TNT series “Saving Grace,” which followed a rough-and-tumble detective, was primarily filmed in Los Angeles, exterior shots of the Oklahoma National Memorial were filmed for its pilot episode. Creator and Oklahoma City native Nancy Miller has said that she previously dreamed of setting a show in her hometown.

Oregon: In Other Words

Many of the iconic sketches from “Portlandia” take place at the fictional Women and Women First bookstore, but those scenes were actually filmed at the Portland feminist community center and bookstore In Other Words. The store closed in 2018, but fans can still visit its exterior.

Pennsylvania: Cooper’s Seafood House

Throughout the smash-hit NBC comedy “The Office,” characters mention Cooper’s Seafood House in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Later on, Michael, played by Steve Carell, and Holly, played by Amy Ryan, even go on a dinner date there. The restaurant actually exists in the town, and has been open for decades.

Rhode Island: Block Island

In one episode of Showtime’s “The Affair,” protagonists Alison, played by Ruth Wilson, and Noah, played by Dominic West, went on a secret getaway to Block Island, Rhode Island’s popular tourist destination. Many of the scenes are filmed at actual spots around the island, such as the Southeast Lighthouse and Mohegan Bluffs.

South Carolina: North Charleston Coliseum

The recent HBO comedy “The Righteous Gemstones” focuses on a rich televangelist family that swindles and recruits members around town. Charleston’s North Charleston Coliseum stands in for the family’s megachurch, Gemstone Salvation Center.

South Dakota: The Black Hills

South Dakota’s rugged Black Hills have been especially popular settings for entries into the Western genre. One great example of this was the classic cowboy series “Gunsmoke,” which filmed the 1970 episode “Snow Train: Part 2” in the area. During this episode, a dispute over bad whiskey sales broke out on a train.

Tennessee: Bluebird Cafe

Many scenes of the country music drama “Nashville” were filmed at iconic locations around the Tennessee city, including well-known Nashville music spot The Bluebird Cafe, where aspiring musicians often perform. This is where Gunnar, played by Sam Palladio, first encourages Scarlett, played by Clare Bowen, to pursue her music dreams, and is the site of many “Nashville” performances.

Texas: Pflugerville High School stadium

Much of the action of “Friday Night Lights” takes place on a Texas high school football field. Pflugerville High School’s own football stadium, which is north of Austin, stood in for the show’s Dillon Panthers’ own field in the pilot episode.

Utah: East High School

After rising to fame as the main filming location of the iconic 2006 Disney Channel movie “High School Musical,” Salt Lake City’s East High School came into the spotlight again upon the release of the Disney+ spinoff show, “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series,” which was also filmed there. The series, which debuted in 2019, follows a group of East High students who prepare to perform the musical version of the movies that made their school famous.

Vermont: The Waybury Inn

In the long-running sitcom “Newhart,” a New York writer and his wife decide to leave New York City and open a picturesque Vermont inn. The actual exterior of the inn is Waybury Inn in East Middlebury, Vermont, which is still open to this day.

Virginia: Veritas School

The Showtime drama “Homeland” filmed in a number of cities during its nine-year run, and in season seven, the city of Richmond, Virginia, stood in for Washington D.C. For instance, in the season seven premiere, the local Veritas School poses as the Washington Navy Yard.

Washington: Salish Lodge & Spa

Snoqualmie, Washington, is the home of many iconic locations from David Lynch’s acclaimed TV show “Twin Peaks.” One of its most well-known locations is the fictional Great Northern Hotel, where FBI agent Dale Cooper, played by Kyle MacLachlan, stayed while investigating the murder of Laura Palmer. In reality, the building is a fully functioning establishment called Salish Lodge & Spa.

West Virginia: Charleston

West Virginia has played host to a number of reality shows in the last decade, including “Buckwild” and “Coal.” The state’s capital city, Charleston, is home to a handful of TV filming location credits in its own right.

Wisconsin: ABC 27 News WKOW-TV

The Hulu dramedy “Battleground” centered on staffers working on a U.S. Senate race, and was almost entirely filmed in Madison, Wisconsin. The show reached out to Madison’s ABC affiliate station, WKOW-TV, for help in ensuring accuracy, and multiple scenes were actually filmed within the studios and building.

Wyoming: Lost Creek Ranch

In the season three premiere of the hit ABC sitcom “Modern Family,” the Dunphy clan takes an eventful vacation to a dude ranch. The actual location of that ranch is Wyoming’s Lost Creek Ranch, which offers horseback riding, spa services, and more.

100 best rock albums of all time

Many of rock ‘n’ roll’s most significant moments have come in the form of album releases, the ranking of which has been hotly contested since the album format was first adopted in the music industry. It’s virtually impossible to agree on which is best, as each of us forms highly subjective attachments to the music that has been most influential in our lives. Plus, great new rock albums hit shelves all the time—on Sep. 19 Nine Inch Nails dropped the soundtrack for “Tron: Ares” and pop-punk outfit All Time Low released their 10th studio album, “Everyone’s Talking!”, on Oct. 17. But even with all of these factors in mind, surveys, rankings, and lists continue the search for the best of the genre.

To weigh in on this debate, Stacker compiled a list of the 100 best rock albums using data as of May 9, 2024, from Best Ever Albums, which ranks albums according to their appearance and performance on over 40,000 editorial and data-based charts like Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, and Billboard.

An expansive list like this makes it difficult to pin down trends in the world of rock ‘n’ roll, but recurring themes do appear. Several bands like the Beatles and the Rolling Stones appear multiple times on the list, a testament to their influence on the genre, while other musicians who were undoubtedly significant didn’t make the cut. Unsurprisingly, the list is dominated by men, though a handful of women make appearances, especially as vocalists. Musicians of color are visibly absent as well, pointing to the many ways the genre can still make room.

The musical achievements represented by this top 100 list have also affected a band’s internal dynamics. Plenty of bands broke up after making their masterpieces, often because the pressure of a decent follow-up album seemed to be too much. Many talented band members died, and a disturbing number of those were people who took their own lives.

No matter the stories behind the songs, however, this list reflects how rock ‘n’ roll can sound so differently, going from punk to glam to alternative. While some of the sounds are classic rock, more likely, these influential works are creative efforts to transform old sounds into new ones or jump into a fresh genre. Many have singles that are still popular decades after their introduction.

The Best Ever Albums score was derived from a formula that weighed how many charts an album had appeared on and how high it was on each of those charts, and points were awarded accordingly. Learn more via this in-depth methodology. All iterations of rock were considered. Keep reading to see how this list of the best rock albums of all time stacks up to your own.

#100. ‘Graceland’ by Paul Simon

– Best Ever Albums score: 11,778
– Rank all-time: #126
– Rank in decade: #16
– Rank in year: #3
– Year: 1986

“Graceland,” Paul Simon’s seventh solo studio album, was released in 1986, a strange yet pivotal time for the American singer-songwriter. His working relationship with former musical partner Art Garfunkel had long crumbled, while his marriage to actor Carrie Fisher had ended in divorce. “Graceland” was a new beginning for Simon. With its innovative mix of South African music, pop, and rock, “Graceland” went on to become a cultural phenomenon and one of rock’s greatest critical and commercial hits.

#99. ‘If You’re Feeling Sinister’ by Belle and Sebastian

– Best Ever Albums score: 11,959
– Rank all-time: #122
– Rank in decade: #25
– Rank in year: #1
– Year: 1996

The breakthrough sophomore album from Belle and Sebastian made the seven-member Scottish group one of the greatest cult acts in indie rock. Released in 1996, “If You’re Feeling Sinister” included songs written within just three months and released only half a year after the band’s debut album.

#98. ‘Rage Against The Machine’ by Rage Against The Machine

– Best Ever Albums score: 12,018
– Rank all-time: #121
– Rank in decade: #24
– Rank in year: #2
– Year: 1992

The debut album by Rage Against the Machine was considered groundbreaking in its mix of rap with rock. The band blended guitar solos with angry lyrics, and it’s widely considered to be the band’s best work.

#97. ‘Modern Vampires Of The City’ by Vampire Weekend

– Best Ever Albums score: 12,047
– Rank all-time: #120
– Rank in decade: #10
– Rank in year: #1
– Year: 2013

After releasing their first album straight out of college, Vampire Weekend’s “Modern Vampires Of The City,” their third record, showed how the band had matured since then. The album was a slight change in direction for the band, who were stepping away from their African-inspired indie towards something more experimental. It was a departure that paid off, with the album drawing many favorable critic reviews, as well as debuting at #1 on the Billboard 200 charts.

#96. ‘Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots’ by The Flaming Lips

– Best Ever Albums score: 12,068
– Rank all-time: #119
– Rank in decade: #15
– Rank in year: #4
– Year: 2002

“Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots” by The Flaming Lips was called “storytelling acid rock” and designed to entertain. It followed their earlier popular album, “The Soft Bulletin.” The single “Do You Realize??” was named the official state rock song of Oklahoma, where the band originated. Frontman Wayne Coyne adapted the album into a stage musical in 2012.

#95. ‘The Soft Bulletin’ by The Flaming Lips

– Best Ever Albums score: 12,083
– Rank all-time: #118
– Rank in decade: #23
– Rank in year: #2
– Year: 1999

The orchestral “The Soft Bulletin” by Oklahoma City’s The Flaming Lips was more harmonious and personal than their earlier four-disc album “Zaireeka.” It broadened the psychedelic rock band’s popularity enormously, and they followed with an even more successful “Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots” in 2002.

#94. ‘Appetite For Destruction’ by Guns N’ Roses

– Best Ever Albums score: 12,209
– Rank all-time: #117
– Rank in decade: #15
– Rank in year: #2
– Year: 1987

“Appetite for Destruction” was the debut album for Guns N’ Roses. Reviewers said it was the perfect mix of blues, swinging rhythm, and the soulful, charismatic lead vocals of Axl Rose. Its popularity grew slowly, taking almost a year to reach the top of the chart at Billboard.

#93. ‘Souvlaki’ by Slowdive

– Best Ever Albums score: 12,370
– Rank all-time: #116
– Rank in decade: #22
– Rank in year: #4
– Year: 1993

Considered a classic of the shoegaze movement—a genre that’s now experiencing a revival among the TikTok youth—Slowdive’s “Souvlaki” is finally earning its flowers. While greeted with lackluster reviews upon its release in 1993, “Souvlaki” has since received a reappraisal, with many present-day critics designating it as a crucial entry in the history of British rock.

#92. ‘Blackstar’ by David Bowie

– Best Ever Albums score: 12,629
– Rank all-time: #114
– Rank in decade: #9
– Rank in year: #3
– Year: 2016

The 26th and final studio album from the legendary David Bowie, “Blackstar” was released on the Star Man’s 69th birthday, three days before his death on Jan. 10, 2016. While Bowie’s liver cancer diagnosis had not previously been revealed to the public, “Blackstar” was knowingly written as a kind of parting gift to his fans.

#91. ‘Achtung Baby’ by U2

– Best Ever Albums score: 12,895
– Rank all-time: #113
– Rank in decade: #20
– Rank in year: #5
– Year: 1991

U2’s first album after a three-year absence, “Achtung Baby” won two Grammys including Best Rock Album by a Duo or Group. The first major CD to be sold in environmentally-friendly packaging, “Achtung Baby” features the guitar excellence of The Edge on “Mysterious Ways” and “Until the End of the World.”

#90. ‘Elephant’ by The White Stripes

– Best Ever Albums score: 12,923
– Rank all-time: #111
– Rank in decade: #13
– Rank in year: #1
– Year: 2003

Indie duo The White Stripes made their debut on a major label with “Elephant,” their fourth album. It contains their signature single, “Seven Nation Army.” Liner notes for the commercial hit album, made with outdated equipment like an eight-track tape recorder, say: “No computers were used during the writing, recording, mixing, or mastering of this record.” A Rolling Stone review called the album “pulverizing perfection.” It won two Grammys for Best Alternative Music Album and Best Rock Song for “Seven Nation Army.”

#89. ‘Houses Of The Holy’ by Led Zeppelin

– Best Ever Albums score: 12,975
– Rank all-time: #110
– Rank in decade: #32
– Rank in year: #3
– Year: 1973

After the runaway success of Led Zeppelin IV and a long tour, the band stretched out creatively with “Houses of the Holy.” It features classic piano and a reggae influence. Parts of it were recorded at an English manor house owned by Mick Jagger, where the Rolling Stones recorded songs for “Exile on Main Street” and “Sticky Fingers,” and the Who recorded tracks for “Who’s Next.”

#88. ‘Rain Dogs’ by Tom Waits

– Best Ever Albums score: 13,044
– Rank all-time: #109
– Rank in decade: #14
– Rank in year: #2
– Year: 1985

“Rain Dogs” is one of the best works by the raspy-voiced, growling singer-songwriter Tom Waits. It features improvisation, jazz horns, and distinctive percussion, including the tones of a marimba. Among its 19 songs is the original “Downtown Train,” which would become a major hit when it was later recorded by Rod Stewart.

#87. ‘Harvest’ by Neil Young

– Best Ever Albums score: 13,205
– Rank all-time: #106
– Rank in decade: #29
– Rank in year: #5
– Year: 1972

“Harvest” was the first hit album for Canada’s Neil Young, with help from Nashville session musicians, the London Symphony Orchestra, James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, and his former bandmates David Crosby, Stephen Stills, and Graham Nash. It features the huge hit “Heart of Gold,” along with “Old Man” and “The Needle and the Damage Done.” Young later wrote: ” ‘Heart of Gold’ put me in the middle of the road. Traveling there soon became a bore, so I headed for the ditch. A rougher ride, but I saw more interesting people there.”

#86. ‘Master Of Puppets’ by Metallica

– Best Ever Albums score: 13,273
– Rank all-time: #105
– Rank in decade: #13
– Rank in year: #2
– Year: 1986

“Master of Puppets” is considered one of metal’s best albums. The band made the album in Denmark, working on it overnight for three months. Not long after its release, Metallica’s bassist Cliff Burton was killed in a tour bus crash.

#85. ‘Bringing It All Back Home’ by Bob Dylan

– Best Ever Albums score: 13,328
– Rank all-time: #103
– Rank in decade: #24
– Rank in year: #4
– Year: 1965

“Bringing It All Back Home” marked Bob Dylan’s explosive recording move, into electric from acoustic, that would change rock ‘n’ roll. He recorded the 11 songs—including “Subterranean Homesick Blues,” “Mr. Tambourine Man,” and “It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)”—in three days. It closes with the farewell song “It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue.”

#84. ‘A Rush Of Blood To The Head’ by Coldplay

– Best Ever Albums score: 13,351
– Rank all-time: #102
– Rank in decade: #12
– Rank in year: #3
– Year: 2002

“A Rush of Blood to the Head” was the follow-up album to Coldplay’s well-received debut album “Parachutes.” It won a Grammy for Best Alternative Music Album. Its smash hit “Clocks” with vocals and piano by frontman Chris Martin was a last-minute addition to the collection.

#83. ‘A Night At The Opera’ by Queen

– Best Ever Albums score: 13,358
– Rank all-time: #101
– Rank in decade: #27
– Rank in year: #5
– Year: 1975

The kitschy operatic “Bohemian Rhapsody” is the megahit on “A Night at the Opera,” Queen’s fourth album and the one that brought it worldwide popularity. The album was reportedly one of the most expensive rock albums ever made. The single “Bohemian Rhapsody” hit the top of the British charts in four days. Credits on the album say: “No Synthesizers!”

#82. ‘Physical Graffiti’ by Led Zeppelin

– Best Ever Albums score: 13,480
– Rank all-time: #100
– Rank in decade: #26
– Rank in year: #4
– Year: 1975

The sixth album by Led Zeppelin, “Physical Graffiti” was the first the band made on its own record label, Swan Song. Critics said it confirmed the band’s megastatus after all five of its previous albums went platinum. Key to the album’s success was the work by guitarist Jimmy Page.

#81. ‘Surfer Rosa’ by Pixies

– Best Ever Albums score: 13,567
– Rank all-time: #98
– Rank in decade: #12
– Rank in year: #2
– Year: 1988

“Surfer Rosa” was the debut full-length album by the raw and irreverent Massachusetts band the Pixies. Recorded in just two weeks, its songs tackle such topics as predatory priests. It mixes thundering drums, punk, and flamenco, and “Something Against You” features the distorted voice of frontman Black Francis put through a guitar amplifier.

#80. ‘All Things Must Pass’ by George Harrison

– Best Ever Albums score: 13,621
– Rank all-time: #97
– Rank in decade: #25
– Rank in year: #3
– Year: 1970

If George Harrison was considered The Beatles’ most underrated member, then “All Things Must Pass” may have been his vindication. Often considered the greatest of all the former Beatles’ solo albums, “All Things Must Pass” contained Harrison’s by-then signature slide guitar and included contributions from the likes of Bob Dylan, Klaus Voormann, as well as Ringo Starr.

#79. ‘Sound Of Silver’ by LCD Soundsystem

– Best Ever Albums score: 13,657
– Rank all-time: #96
– Rank in decade: #11
– Rank in year: #2
– Year: 2007

“Sound of Silver” was the second album for rock’s LCD Soundsystem, led by James Murphy who plays most of the instruments. Murphy was a DJ and producer before the album came together. It was recorded at a Massachusetts farm made into a studio that had been used by such stars as Stevie Wonder and Keith Richards.

#78. ‘The Velvet Underground’ by The Velvet Underground

– Best Ever Albums score: 13,795
– Rank all-time: #94
– Rank in decade: #23
– Rank in year: #6
– Year: 1969

“The Velvet Underground” was the self-titled third album by the avant-garde Velvet Underground, whose members included the late Lou Reed. The album was made following the departure of band founder and composer John Cale. Reed wrote its haunting love song “Pale Blue Eyes,” which has been widely covered, with well-known versions by such artists as Patti Smith and R.E.M.

#77. ‘Spiderland’ by Slint

– Best Ever Albums score: 13,904
– Rank all-time: #93
– Rank in decade: #17
– Rank in year: #4
– Year: 1991

Slint, an indie band from Louisville, Ky., broke up before the official release of “Spiderland,” its second album. The songs are simple, spare, and subtle, with the vocals heavily outweighed by instrumentals. The short-lived band had put a call on the album’s back cover for female vocalists to audition.

#76. ‘Close To The Edge’ by Yes

– Best Ever Albums score: 14,567
– Rank all-time: #90
– Rank in decade: #24
– Rank in year: #4
– Year: 1972

“Close to the Edge,” with just three songs, is considered the masterpiece of progressive rock’s Yes. It’s a sweeping mix of vocal melodies, jazz fusion, spiritual tones, and orchestral instrumentals, courtesy of singer Jon Anderson, guitarist Steve Howe, bass player Chris Squire, keyboard player Rick Wakeman, and drummer Bill Bruford.

#75. ‘Turn On The Bright Lights’ by Interpol

– Best Ever Albums score: 14,998
– Rank all-time: #88
– Rank in decade: #9
– Rank in year: #2
– Year: 2002

New York-based Interpol made its debut with “Turn On the Bright Lights,” marked by complex lyrics and textured sounds that are dissonant and mysterious. Its standout single is the driving anthem “PDA,” with its fluid guitar lines.

#74. ‘Odessey and Oracle’ by The Zombies

– Best Ever Albums score: 15,425
– Rank all-time: #87
– Rank in decade: #21
– Rank in year: #4
– Year: 1968

The Zombies recorded “Odessey and Oracle” at Abbey Road Studios after the Beatles finished recording “Sgt. Pepper.” Guitarist and vocalist Chris White said the band members only had a thousand pounds among them to make the album. Its single “Time of the Season,” with its recognizable opening bass notes and breathy vocals, remains hugely popular.

#73. ‘Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness’ by The Smashing Pumpkins

– Best Ever Albums score: 16,029
– Rank all-time: #85
– Rank in decade: #16
– Rank in year: #3
– Year: 1995

Smashing Pumpkins’ success exploded with the release of “Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness,” 28 songs that stretched from punk to folk. It produced the hits “Bullet With Butterfly Wings,” “Tonight, Tonight,” “Thirty-Three,” and “1979,” which would become the band’s biggest U.S. hit.

#72. ‘Magical Mystery Tour’ by The Beatles

– Best Ever Albums score: 16,122
– Rank all-time: #84
– Rank in decade: #20
– Rank in year: #6
– Year: 1967

“Magical Mystery Tour” was the soundtrack to the Beatles’ unsuccessful concept movie to document a bus trip but gave the world such hits as “The Fool on the Hill,” ”Strawberry Fields Forever,” “Penny Lane,” “Baby, You’re a Rich Man,” and “All You Need Is Love.”

#71. ‘After The Gold Rush’ by Neil Young

– Best Ever Albums score: 16,403
– Rank all-time: #82
– Rank in decade: #22
– Rank in year: #2
– Year: 1970

Released as Neil Young’s stint with Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young was ending, the raw and mournful “After the Gold Rush” featured a remarkable number of popular songs—”Tell Me Why,” “Only Love Can Break Your Heart,” “Southern Man,” “Till the Morning Comes,” “Don’t Let It Bring You Down,” “When You Dance I Can Really Love,” and “Cripple Creek Ferry.” When Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, and Linda Ronstadt recorded the title track, often sung as an environmental anthem, they asked Young what it meant. Parton said he replied: “Hell, I don’t know. I just wrote it. It just depends on what I was taking at the time.”

#70. ‘Purple Rain’ by Prince and the Revolution

– Best Ever Albums score: 16,459
– Rank all-time: #81
– Rank in decade: #11
– Rank in year: #1
– Year: 1984

“Purple Rain” featured five singles that were commercially released, with two of them, “When Doves Cry” and “Let’s Go Crazy,” hitting the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The “Purple Rain” tour consisted of 100 shows in the United States and Canada. “Purple Rain” was the musician’s biggest-selling album.

#69. ‘Closer’ by Joy Division

– Best Ever Albums score: 16,677
– Rank all-time: #80
– Rank in decade: #10
– Rank in year: #2
– Year: 1980

Released not long after the death of singer Ian Curtis, the album “Closer” depicted a tomb on its cover. The album had already been in production, but many fans found the image tasteless and exploitative. Closer was the band’s second, and last, album.

#68. ‘Weezer (The Blue Album)’ by Weezer

– Best Ever Albums score: 16,793
– Rank all-time: #79
– Rank in decade: #15
– Rank in year: #4
– Year: 1994

Weezer’s self-titled debut album soared to triple-platinum status. It featured “Say It Ain’t So” and “Undone (The Sweater Song)” as well as the catchy “Buddy Holly” pop tune that hit the radio waves and propelled the rock band into mainstream popularity.

#67. ‘Thriller’ by Michael Jackson

– Best Ever Albums score: 16,874
– Rank all-time: #78
– Rank in decade: #9
– Rank in year: #1
– Year: 1982

Nearly every song on Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” is a standalone hit, including “Billie Jean,” “Beat It,” “Wanna be Startin’ Somethin’,” and “Human Nature.” The star’s sisters Janet and LaToya Jackson sang backup vocals on “P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing).” The winner of eight Grammys, it was the bestselling album in history for many years. At one point, it was selling 1 million copies worldwide a week. The dance video for “Thriller” was released a year after the album landed and ushered in a merging of music and video in the entertainment industry.

#66. ‘Lonerism’ by Tame Impala

– Best Ever Albums score: 16,942
– Rank all-time: #77
– Rank in decade: #7
– Rank in year: #2
– Year: 2012

“Lonerism” rocketed Australian indie band Tame Impala from indie to mainstream. Tracks “Elephant” and “Feels Like We Only Go Backwards” topped the charts down under.

#65. ‘Dummy’ by Portishead

– Best Ever Albums score: 17,140
– Rank all-time: #74
– Rank in decade: #14
– Rank in year: #3
– Year: 1994

Portishead embraced the sound that came to be called trip-hop with its debut album “Dummy.” The influential album won Britain’s prestigious 1995 Mercury Music Prize.

#64. ‘A Moon Shaped Pool’ by Radiohead

– Best Ever Albums score: 17,156
– Rank all-time: #73
– Rank in decade: #6
– Rank in year: #1
– Year: 2016

Days before the release of the art rock album “A Moon Shaped Pool,” Radiohead teased fans by erasing all the content from its social media profiles and website. It released the first single, “Burn the Witch,” with an animated video that evoked the style of children’s television programs in England.

#63. ‘Born To Run’ by Bruce Springsteen

– Best Ever Albums score: 17,175
– Rank all-time: #72
– Rank in decade: #20
– Rank in year: #3
– Year: 1975

“Born to Run” was Bruce Springsteen’s third album and a runaway commercial success. With “Thunder Road,” “Backstreets,” and “Jungleland,” it catapulted the New Jersey rocker to superstardom.

#62. ‘Ágætis Byrjun’ by Sigur Rós

– Best Ever Albums score: 17,189
– Rank all-time: #71
– Rank in decade: #13
– Rank in year: #1
– Year: 1999

“Ágætis Byrjun” was the second album by Iceland’s post-rock band Sigur Rós. Its unusual sound includes the use of a cello bow to play an electric guitar. It brought the band critical success and had the band touring with Radiohead.

#61. ‘Forever Changes’ by Love

– Best Ever Albums score: 17,213
– Rank all-time: #70
– Rank in decade: #18
– Rank in year: #5
– Year: 1967

The third album by Love, “Forever Changes,” is psychedelic and poetic, with an innovative mix of strings, horns, folk, and rock. It includes “A House Is Not a Motel” and “Old Man.”

#60. ‘Astral Weeks’ by Van Morrison

– Best Ever Albums score: 17,708
– Rank all-time: #69
– Rank in decade: #17
– Rank in year: #3
– Year: 1968

“Astral Weeks” is only the second studio album by Belfast’s singer-songwriter Van Morrison, who has made dozens since. Employing flute, harpsichord, vibraphone, and strings, Morrison recorded it in three sessions. Most of the tracks took just one or two takes.

#59. ‘Daydream Nation’ by Sonic Youth

– Best Ever Albums score: 17,710
– Rank all-time: #68
– Rank in decade: #8
– Rank in year: #1
– Year: 1988

The fifth album by Sonic Youth, “Daydream Nation,” was a boost for so-called noise pop, a style of post-punk, avant-garde, and noise rock combined. The album captured the energy of New York’s music scene at the time.

#58. ‘Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not’ by Arctic Monkeys

– Best Ever Albums score: 18,343
– Rank all-time: #67
– Rank in decade: #7
– Rank in year: #1
– Year: 2006

“Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not” was the debut album of British punk band Arctic Monkeys. The songs painted a raw picture of the late-night working-class club scene in gritty Northern England.

#57. ‘Led Zeppelin’ by Led Zeppelin

– Best Ever Albums score: 18,779
– Rank all-time: #64
– Rank in decade: #16
– Rank in year: #5
– Year: 1969

“Led Zeppelin” was the band’s debut album, and it took off. Previously, band members Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones had worked as talented session musicians. The album’s songs include “Good Times, Bad Times,” “Dazed and Confused,” and “Babe I’m Gonna Leave You.”

#56. ‘Electric Ladyland’ by The Jimi Hendrix Experience

– Best Ever Albums score: 18,843
– Rank all-time: #63
– Rank in decade: #15
– Rank in year: #2
– Year: 1968

The double album “Electric Ladyland” was the last studio album recorded by The Jimi Hendrix Experience. It was made in London and New York during Hendrix’s tours. It had the hit “All Along the Watchtower,” in which Hendrix improvised, using a cigarette lighter as a guitar slide.

#55. ‘Let It Bleed’ by The Rolling Stones

– Best Ever Albums score: 18,863
– Rank all-time: #62
– Rank in decade: #14
– Rank in year: #4
– Year: 1969

“Let It Bleed” is teeming with the most popular songs The Rolling Stones ever recorded, starting with “Gimme Shelter” and guest vocals by gospel singer Merry Clayton, along with the bluesy epic “Midnight Rambler” and “You Can’t Always Get What You Want,” complemented by the London Bach Choir.

#54. ‘(What’s The Story) Morning Glory?’ by Oasis

– Best Ever Albums score: 18,898
– Rank all-time: #61
– Rank in decade: #11
– Rank in year: #2
– Year: 1995

“(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?” was Oasis’ follow-up album to “Definitely Maybe” and sold more copies than the debut. Unlike the first album, “(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?” was hugely popular in the United States, confirming the band’s international hit status.

#53. ‘Sticky Fingers’ by The Rolling Stones

– Best Ever Albums score: 19,132
– Rank all-time: #60
– Rank in decade: #19
– Rank in year: #5
– Year: 1971

The Rolling Stones caused an uproar with the original cover of “Sticky Fingers,” which portrayed a close-up image of a man’s crotch in blue jeans. The original version included a zipper that could be unzipped, but that was discontinued. The album had a wealth of hits, including “Brown Sugar,” “Wild Horses,” and “Sister Morphine.”

#52. ‘Hounds Of Love’ by Kate Bush

– Best Ever Albums score: 19,186
– Rank all-time: #59
– Rank in decade: #7
– Rank in year: #1
– Year: 1985

“Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God)” on “Hounds of Love” was the first U.S. hit for Britain’s Kate Bush. The album took her two years to write, compose, and create, using piano, synthesizers, and traditional Irish instruments.

#51. ‘Grace’ by Jeff Buckley

– Best Ever Albums score: 19,279
– Rank all-time: #58
– Rank in decade: #10
– Rank in year: #1
– Year: 1994

“Grace” is the only album made by singer-songwriter Jeff Buckley, who died in 1997. It includes his signature rendition of “Hallelujah,” arguably one of the best versions of Leonard Cohen’s much-covered classic.

#50. ‘Low’ by David Bowie

– Best Ever Albums score: 19,350
– Rank all-time: #57
– Rank in decade: #18
– Rank in year: #4
– Year: 1977

“Low” was an experimental concept album by cutting-edge rock musician David Bowie. It is split between electronic synthesized dissonance and more soothing instrumentals, made with the help of a creative partnership with rocker Brian Eno. It was the first album in Bowie’s Berlin trilogy, which also included “Heroes” and “Lodger.”

#49. ‘In Utero’ by Nirvana

– Best Ever Albums score: 19,392
– Rank all-time: #56
– Rank in decade: #9
– Rank in year: #2
– Year: 1993

“In Utero” was Nirvana’s third and last studio album. A Rolling Stone reviewer called it “brilliant, corrosive, enraged and thoughtful.” Nirvana’s frontman Kurt Cobain killed himself in 1994.

#48. ‘Siamese Dream’ by The Smashing Pumpkins

– Best Ever Albums score: 19,510
– Rank all-time: #55
– Rank in decade: #8
– Rank in year: #1
– Year: 1993

“Siamese Dreams,” the second album by The Smashing Pumpkins, is a treasure trove of electric guitar, powerful drumming, and angst-filled stories. Recorded on analog tape, it took months to complete. One of its most acclaimed tracks is the ballad “Disarm.'”

#47. ‘Paranoid’ by Black Sabbath

– Best Ever Albums score: 19,599
– Rank all-time: #54
– Rank in decade: #17
– Rank in year: #1
– Year: 1970

“Paranoid” was Black Sabbath’s second album, and it is the heavy metal band’s bestselling work. But it took almost a year to go gold in America and 15 more years to hit platinum status.

#46. ‘The Joshua Tree’ by U2

– Best Ever Albums score: 19,855
– Rank all-time: #52
– Rank in decade: #6
– Rank in year: #1
– Year: 1987

“The Joshua Tree” was the first of U2’s albums to reach #1 on U.S. charts. It’s teeming with popular songs such as “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For,” “With or Without You,” “Bullet the Blue Sky,” “In God’s Country,” and “Where the Streets Have No Name.” It won a Grammy for Best Rock Performance by a Group or Duo. The memorable cover was shot in Death Valley National Park, hundreds of miles away from California’s Joshua Tree National Park.

#45. ‘Ten’ by Pearl Jam

– Best Ever Albums score: 20,093
– Rank all-time: #51
– Rank in decade: #7
– Rank in year: #3
– Year: 1991

Pearl Jam introduced themselves with “Ten” and its standouts “Jeremy,” “Even Flow,” and “Alive,” featuring a two-minute solo by lead guitarist Mike McCready. He said the band recorded “Even Flow” dozens of times to get it right. The album got a boost in popularity with Pearl Jam’s live shows in 1992.

#44. ‘Automatic For The People’ by R.E.M.

– Best Ever Albums score: 20,464
– Rank all-time: #49
– Rank in decade: #6
– Rank in year: #1
– Year: 1992

R.E.M.’s “Automatic for the People” contains the unforgettable hits “Nightswimming,” “Man on the Moon,” and “Everybody Hurts.” Lead singer Michael Stipe has said he has heard from untold numbers of fans that “Everybody Hurts” helped save their lives. The album was a darker, sadder sequel to the Athens, Ga., band’s hugely popular “Out of Time” featuring “Losing My Religion” and “Shiny Happy People.”

#43. ‘Yankee Hotel Foxtrot’ by Wilco

– Best Ever Albums score: 20,514
– Rank all-time: #48
– Rank in decade: #6
– Rank in year: #1
– Year: 2002

“Yankee Hotel Foxtrot” was Wilco’s bestselling album. It was rejected by the band’s label, Reprise Records, a subsidiary of Warner Music, but later was picked up by Nonesuch Records, another Warner Music Group subsidiary.

#42. ‘Marquee Moon’ by Television

– Best Ever Albums score: 21,693
– Rank all-time: #47
– Rank in decade: #14
– Rank in year: #3
– Year: 1977

Denizens of New York’s punk scene and famed venue CBGB in Manhattan, Television made its album debut with “Marquee Moon.” Frontman Tom Verlaine, at one time coupled with punk goddess Patti Smith, wrote all of the songs and wielded lead guitar.

#41. ‘Hunky Dory’ by David Bowie

– Best Ever Albums score: 22,009
– Rank all-time: #46
– Rank in decade: #13
– Rank in year: #3
– Year: 1971

The opening song on “Hunky Dory” is “Changes,” a song that became one of David Bowie’s biggest and most enduring hits. Bowie, who died in 2016, said he was inspired by traveling on a promotional bus tour in America to write several of the songs, such as “Andy Warhol” and “Song for Bob Dylan.”

#40. ‘The Suburbs’ by Arcade Fire

– Best Ever Albums score: 22,165
– Rank all-time: #45
– Rank in decade: #4
– Rank in year: #2
– Year: 2010

“The Suburbs” firmed up the alt-rock stature of Arcade Fire, a band that hailed from Montréal. It marked a shift for the cult favorites into grander and more complex productions, and it won Album of the Year at the Grammys.

#39. ‘Exile On Main St.’ by The Rolling Stones

– Best Ever Albums score: 22,500
– Rank all-time: #44
– Rank in decade: #12
– Rank in year: #2
– Year: 1972

Many fans consider the double album “Exile on Main St.” to be The Rolling Stones’ finest, with songs like “Tumbling Dice” and “Sweet Virginia.” The Stones recorded it in a mansion in France, rented by sideman guitarist Keith Richards.

#38. ‘Led Zeppelin II’ by Led Zeppelin

– Best Ever Albums score: 22,952
– Rank all-time: #43
– Rank in decade: #13
– Rank in year: #3
– Year: 1969

Led Zeppelin made its second album during a grueling 1969 world tour, recording it in bits and pieces in studios in the United States and Europe. It includes the smash hit “Whole Lotta Love.”

#37. ‘Blood On The Tracks’ by Bob Dylan

– Best Ever Albums score: 23,514
– Rank all-time: #41
– Rank in decade: #11
– Rank in year: #2
– Year: 1975

Before “Blood on the Tracks,” Bob Dylan had not had a successful album in nearly a decade. He said the album, with the songs “Simple Twist of Fate” and “You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go,” was not autobiographical, but his son Jakob has been quoted as saying “Blood on the Tracks” was about his parents, who divorced after its release.

#36. ‘Who’s Next’ by The Who

– Best Ever Albums score: 24,049
– Rank all-time: #40
– Rank in decade: #10
– Rank in year: #2
– Year: 1971

“Who’s Next” was The Who’s first studio album in the wake of their acclaimed rock opera “Tommy.” On the album are songs “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” “The Song Is Over,” “Behind Blue Eyes,” and “Baba O’Riley.”

#35. ‘Are You Experienced’ by The Jimi Hendrix Experience

– Best Ever Albums score: 24,191
– Rank all-time: #39
– Rank in decade: #12
– Rank in year: #4
– Year: 1967

“Are You Experienced” was the dramatic studio debut of The Jimi Hendrix Experience. Its tracks included “Foxey Lady,” “Hey Joe,” “Purple Haze,” and “The Wind Cries Mary.”

#34. ‘Unknown Pleasures’ by Joy Division

– Best Ever Albums score: 25,083
– Rank all-time: #37
– Rank in decade: #9
– Rank in year: #3
– Year: 1979

Manchester, England’s Joy Division introduced itself with “Unknown Pleasures.” Standouts on the dark punk album are “She Lost Control” and “Interzone.” The band’s singer Ian Curtis took his life in the year after the album’s release.

#33. ‘Animals’ by Pink Floyd

– Best Ever Albums score: 25,667
– Rank all-time: #35
– Rank in decade: #8
– Rank in year: #2
– Year: 1977

Inspired in part by George Orwell’s “Animal Farm,” “Animals” by Pink Floyd takes aim at oppression and injustice. In the songs, the ruling classes are cast as pigs, the military are dogs, and the working classes are sheep.

#32. ‘The Stone Roses’ by The Stone Roses

– Best Ever Albums score: 25,818
– Rank all-time: #34
– Rank in decade: #5
– Rank in year: #3
– Year: 1989

“The Stone Roses” was the first album by Manchester, England’s alt-rock band of the same name. It spawned the singles “I Want to be Adored,” “She Bangs the Drums,” and “I Am the Resurrection.” After its release, the band headed into years of legal battles and discord.

#31. ‘Blonde On Blonde’ by Bob Dylan

– Best Ever Albums score: 27,705
– Rank all-time: #32
– Rank in decade: #11
– Rank in year: #3
– Year: 1966

“Blonde on Blonde” is the last of the three albums that Bob Dylan released in a 15-month stint, after “Bringing It All Back Home” and “Highway 61 Revisited,” and it solidified his starring role in the pantheon of rock. Dylan started making the album in New York City, where sessions did not go well and moved it to Nashville, Tenn., where it was done in a week. The mournful closing song “Sad-Eyed Lady of the Lowlands” was recorded in one 4 a.m. take after Dylan spent eight hours writing it.

#30. ‘Disintegration’ by The Cure

– Best Ever Albums score: 27,787
– Rank all-time: #31
– Rank in decade: #4
– Rank in year: #2
– Year: 1989

With “Disintegration,” The Cure headed back into more bleak and moody sounds. It contains the songs “Lovesong,” “Lullaby,” “Fascination Street,” and “Pictures of You.”

#29. ‘The Doors’ by The Doors

– Best Ever Albums score: 29,238
– Rank all-time: #30
– Rank in decade: #10
– Rank in year: #3
– Year: 1967

The Doors’ stunning self-titled debut graced the rock world with “Break on Through (to the Other Side),” “The End,” and “Light My Fire,” the first song guitarist Robby Krieger ever wrote.

#28. ‘The Wall’ by Pink Floyd

– Best Ever Albums score: 30,170
– Rank all-time: #29
– Rank in decade: #7
– Rank in year: #2
– Year: 1979

The concept double album “The Wall” by Pink Floyd featured the hugely successful single “Another Brick in the Wall Part 2” and was a huge commercial success. It also featured “Is There Anybody Out There?” and “Comfortably Numb.”

#27. ‘Rubber Soul’ by The Beatles

– Best Ever Albums score: 30,570
– Rank all-time: #28
– Rank in decade: #9
– Rank in year: #2
– Year: 1965

“Rubber Soul” was recorded in four weeks and released in 1965, the year the Beatles did their first performance at Shea Stadium in New York. “Norwegian Wood” marks the first time George Harrison played sitar on a recording, while “In My Life” includes a piano solo by George Martin, recorded at half speed and played back at normal speed for effect.

#26. ‘Remain In Light’ by Talking Heads

– Best Ever Albums score: 30,782
– Rank all-time: #27
– Rank in decade: #3
– Rank in year: #1
– Year: 1980

The album “Remain in Light” by the Talking Heads started with the band composing the music from scratch in a recording studio. David Byrne then added his inspired lyrics. The technique became the band’s preferred songwriting process. The album includes the hit “Once in a Lifetime.”

#25. ‘Highway 61 Revisited’ by Bob Dylan

– Best Ever Albums score: 31,081
– Rank all-time: #26
– Rank in decade: #8
– Rank in year: #1
– Year: 1965

The electric sound of “Highway 61 Revisited” caused an uproar among Bob Dylan’s acoustic fans. “I like the sound. I like what I’m doing now,” Dylan said in an interview when the album was released. “They can boo until the end of time. I know that the music is real, more real than the boos.” The nine-song album features “Like a Rolling Stone,” “Desolation Row,” and “Tombstone Blues.”

#24. ‘In The Court Of The Crimson King’ by King Crimson

– Best Ever Albums score: 31,776
– Rank all-time: #25
– Rank in decade: #7
– Rank in year: #2
– Year: 1969

“In the Court of the Crimson King” was the debut album by the English rock band King Crimson. Not long afterward, founding band member Ian McDonald left and would later start Foreigner. Michael Giles also left, as did Greg Lake, who went on to Emerson, Lake & Palmer.

#23. ‘Is This It’ by The Strokes

– Best Ever Albums score: 33,049
– Rank all-time: #24
– Rank in decade: #4
– Rank in year: #1
– Year: 2001

Most of the tracks on The Strokes’ debut “Is This It” were recorded just once, part of lead singer and songwriter Julian Casablancas’ desire for the sound to be raw. Release of the album in the United States was delayed following the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

#22. ‘The Bends’ by Radiohead

– Best Ever Albums score: 33,120
– Rank all-time: #23
– Rank in decade: #5
– Rank in year: #1
– Year: 1995

“The Bends” was Radiohead’s second album. Some of its songs were recorded at a studio owned by British billionaire Richard Branson, and others were done at London’s Abbey Road Studios. “The Bends” was better received by critics than the debut “Pablo Honey” had been, but none of its songs matched the success of “Creep,” the hit single from the first album.

#21. ‘Loveless’ by My Bloody Valentine

– Best Ever Albums score: 33,929
– Rank all-time: #22
– Rank in decade: #4
– Rank in year: #2
– Year: 1991

“Loveless” was a definitive album by the Irish rock band My Bloody Valentine, recorded over two years in 19 different studios. The band, headed by frontman Kevin Shield, went through a period of confusion after the album’s release and only released a follow-up record in 2013.

#20. ‘Rumours’ by Fleetwood Mac

– Best Ever Albums score: 34,108
– Rank all-time: #21
– Rank in decade: #6
– Rank in year: #1
– Year: 1977

“Rumours” was released amid emotional turmoil for the band members of Fleetwood Mac. Vocalist and keyboard player Christine McVie was divorcing bassist John McVie, and Stevie Nicks was splitting up with guitarist Lindsey Buckingham. Drama, however, didn’t stop the band from producing a stellar album. Standout singles included “The Chain,” “Gold Dust Woman,” “You Make Loving Fun,” and “Go Your Own Way.”

#19. ‘London Calling’ by The Clash

– Best Ever Albums score: 36,135
– Rank all-time: #20
– Rank in decade: #5
– Rank in year: #1
– Year: 1979

The dystopian lyrics of “London Calling” still resonate more than 40 years after its release by The Clash. Comprising 19 tracks, the album goes through a myriad of musical styles from reggae, soul, R&B, and rockabilly. It included “Train in Vain,” the band’s first U.S. hit.

#18. ‘Doolittle’ by Pixies

– Best Ever Albums score: 37,284
– Rank all-time: #18
– Rank in decade: #2
– Rank in year: #1
– Year: 1989

“Doolittle” was alt-rock band the Pixies’ second album. Talking about the band’s influence, Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain once said in an interview that when he was writing “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” he was “trying to rip off the Pixies.” Its standouts include “Debaser,” a tribute to the surrealist film “Un Chien Andalou,” and “Wave of Mutilation.”

#17. ‘The Queen Is Dead’ by The Smiths

– Best Ever Albums score: 38,876
– Rank all-time: #17
– Rank in decade: #1
– Rank in year: #1
– Year: 1986

“The Queen is Dead” was the third album by The Smiths, with dark lyrics by Morrissey and bright guitar work by Johnny Marr. “Bigmouth Strikes Again” and “The Boy With the Thorn in His Side” were the album hits.

#16. ‘In The Aeroplane Over The Sea’ by Neutral Milk Hotel

– Best Ever Albums score: 39,329
– Rank all-time: #16
– Rank in decade: #3
– Rank in year: #1
– Year: 1998

“In the Aeroplane Over the Sea” was the second album by the American rockers Neutral Milk Hotel. The songs mix acoustic guitar, big band horns, accordions, banjo, and saws. The album became a cult hit on college campuses.

#15. ‘Funeral’ by Arcade Fire

– Best Ever Albums score: 41,715
– Rank all-time: #15
– Rank in decade: #3
– Rank in year: #1
– Year: 2004

Canada’s Arcade Fire made its dramatic debut with “Funeral.” It has piano melodies, folk influences, Caribbean Island inspirations, and the track “Wake Up” features guitar chords, piano parts, and harmonies that Paste calls “the kind of adventure that everyone wants to be a part of.”

#14. ‘Nevermind’ by Nirvana

– Best Ever Albums score: 42,256
– Rank all-time: #14
– Rank in decade: #2
– Rank in year: #1
– Year: 1991

“Nevermind” features one of rock’s most recognizable covers (who can forget that floating baby and dollar bill in a pool?). The album also has one of Nirvana’s best-known singles, “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” Although it made its debut at #144 on Billboard’s album chart, it rose to #1, pushing aside “Dangerous” by Michael Jackson.

#13. ‘The Beatles (The White Album)’ by The Beatles

– Best Ever Albums score: 43,312
– Rank all-time: #13
– Rank in decade: #6
– Rank in year: #1
– Year: 1968

Recorded as conflicts among The Beatles were growing, the 30-song “White Album” kicks off with the driving “Back in the U.S.S.R.,” and closes with “Good Night,” a lullaby John Lennon wrote for his son Julian, and sung by Ringo Starr. The album was conceived as The Beatles sought enlightenment in India and, despite internal conflicts, continues to be a part of the band’s sprawling repertoire of masterpieces.

#12. ‘Untitled (Led Zeppelin IV)’ by Led Zeppelin

– Best Ever Albums score: 44,379
– Rank all-time: #12
– Rank in decade: #4
– Rank in year: #1
– Year: 1971

The fourth album by Led Zeppelin featured the now timeless hit “Stairway to Heaven.” With no printed title, the iconic album cover featured a 19th-century photograph of a man burdened with a bundle of sticks that Robert Plant found in an antique shop.

#11. ‘Pet Sounds’ by The Beach Boys

– Best Ever Albums score: 45,086
– Rank all-time: #11
– Rank in decade: #5
– Rank in year: #2
– Year: 1966

“Pet Sounds” is considered by many to be The Beach Boys’ album masterpiece. It includes the timeless “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” “God Only Knows,” and “Sloop John B.”

#10. ‘The Velvet Underground and Nico’ by The Velvet Underground and Nico

– Best Ever Albums score: 46,029
– Rank all-time: #10
– Rank in decade: #4
– Rank in year: #2
– Year: 1967

“The Velvet Underground and Nico” was the experimental rock band’s debut album, produced by Andy Warhol. Band founder John Cale has recounted that Warhol gave songwriter Lou Reed 14 titles and told him to write songs for each. Its songs included “I’m Waiting for the Man,” “Heroin,” “There She Goes Again,” “Venus in Furs,” and “Femme Fatale.”

#9. ‘The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars’ by David Bowie

– Best Ever Albums score: 50,221
– Rank all-time: #9
– Rank in decade: #3
– Rank in year: #1
– Year: 1972

David Bowie played out his love of science fiction and space travel with “The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars,” creating the sexually fluid, glittery alien rock star alter ego. The flashy album includes “Starman,” “Suffragette City,” and the “Rock ‘n’ Roll Suicide.”

#8. ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’ by The Beatles

– Best Ever Albums score: 50,853
– Rank all-time: #8
– Rank in decade: #3
– Rank in year: #1
– Year: 1967

Many critics say the psychedelic, spiritual “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club” was the Beatles’ best work, and Ringo Starr called it their “grandest endeavor.” The playful idea of the Beatles masquerading as another band was Paul McCartney’s. It was the first album the band recorded after playing their final live concert in 1966 in San Francisco.

#7. ‘Wish You Were Here’ by Pink Floyd

– Best Ever Albums score: 51,009
– Rank all-time: #7
– Rank in decade: #2
– Rank in year: #1
– Year: 1975

Pink Floyd recorded “Wish You Were Here” at London’s Abbey Road Studios. The release followed its hugely successful “Dark Side of the Moon.” “Wish You Were Here” headed straight to the top of the charts in the U.K. and America.

#6. ‘In Rainbows’ by Radiohead

– Best Ever Albums score: 51,124
– Rank all-time: #6
– Rank in decade: #2
– Rank in year: #1
– Year: 2007

“In Rainbows” was initially released as a “pay-as-you-like” download on Radiohead’s website, the first major use of the noncommercial ploy. More than two years in the making, it was the band’s first album after it ended its recording contract with EMI. Members later said the recording sessions were slow and frustrating and that they had considered breaking up.

#5. ‘Kid A’ by Radiohead

– Best Ever Albums score: 51,303
– Rank all-time: #5
– Rank in decade: #1
– Rank in year: #1
– Year: 2000

For “Kid A,” Radiohead added drum machines, synthesizers, and an ondes Martenot, an instrument invented in the 1920s that has an oscillating sound not unlike a theremin. Ahead of the album’s release, Radiohead made it available for online streaming. Even so, it went platinum in its first week, debuted at the top of the U.S. charts, and was awarded a Grammy for Best Alternative Music Performance.

#4. ‘Revolver’ by The Beatles

– Best Ever Albums score: 56,960
– Rank all-time: #4
– Rank in decade: #2
– Rank in year: #1
– Year: 1966

The cover artwork on “Revolver” was drawn by Beatles’ friend Klaus Voorman, who would later play bass for the band Manfred Mann. It won a Grammy for Best Album Package. Uncredited singers doing vocals on “Yellow Submarine” included Marianne Faithfull, guitarist Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones, and George Harrison’s then-wife Pattie Boyd. The album was released before The Beatles stopped touring, but they never performed any of its songs live.

#3. ‘Abbey Road’ by The Beatles

– Best Ever Albums score: 65,483
– Rank all-time: #3
– Rank in decade: #1
– Rank in year: #1
– Year: 1969

The cover of “Abbey Road,” the iconic shot of the Beatles crossing a London street, shows neither the name of the album nor the band. The last album the Beatles recorded before breaking up includes George Harrison’s “Here Comes the Sun” and “Something.” “She Came in Through the Bathroom Window” was inspired by the real-life story of a fan who climbed into Paul McCartney’s house and stole clothes and photographs.

#2. ‘The Dark Side of the Moon’ by Pink Floyd

– Best Ever Albums score: 71,188
– Rank all-time: #2
– Rank in decade: #1
– Rank in year: #1
– Year: 1973

Pink Floyd’s “The Dark Side of the Moon” was so popular that it spent 989 weeks on the Billboard 200 chart. Critics said it showed the band moving away from their experimental, progressive sounds to become sovereigns of rock. Its tracks included “Money,” as well as ” Us and Them.” Band members used some of their profits to help finance the film comedy “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.”

#1. ‘OK Computer’ by Radiohead

– Best Ever Albums score: 76,665
– Rank all-time: #1
– Rank in decade: #1
– Rank in year: #1
– Year: 1997

Ahead of the release of “OK Computer,” Radiohead’s U.S. label Capital Records predicted low sales and said the album would be hard to market. But the album—with its themes of distrust in technology and politics—was internationally popular, hailed by critics, and awarded Best Alternative Music Performance at the Grammys.

Data reporting by Luke Hicks. Additional writing by Emma Madden. Story editing by Carren Jao. Copy editing by Robert Wickwire. Photo selection by Clarese Moller.