Cinephile Thoughts: The 2015 IMDB Top 250 Update

Every year on December 31st, IMDB takes its immediate Top 250 and archives it for reference. The public can access these archives through the website. There are currently 20 lists with a total of 672 films. As we have mentioned before, there are many problems with the formula that IMDB uses; nonetheless, it is a gauge that we look at. Comparing the final list of 2014 with the one from 2015 reveals some interesting patterns on how people vote, what is popular at what time and what stands the test of time.

One of the problems is the archival date itself. In a way, this problem cannot be avoided. If a film is released and becomes popular in just the right way immediately before the list is archived, then the film will, in a sense, be listed permanently. This year, we have Star Wars: The Force Awakens and The Revenant, both of which were released at the end of December 2015. A film doesn't need to be released in December to get this effect. If it's really popular, it can be released any point in the year. The problem that arises is that, the following year, the film disappears off the list as the new popular mark replaces it.  

The 2015 list has 34 changes (16 films removed, 11 new films added and 5 old entries returning).

Removed
1) Five films that only made the list for one year:

• Two 2014 films from the USA: 
• Boyhood (2014)
• X-men Days of Future Past  (2014)
• Three films from India: 
• Dil Chahta Hai (2001)
• Gangs of Wasseypur (2012)
• Swades (2004) 

Being removed from the list does not necessarily mean that their scores have gone down. All of these films, for instance, still have a score above 8.0. To be on the IMDB Top 250, only the scores of  regular IMDB voters are considered. Perhaps this avoids ballot stuffing or other possible problems.

2) Seven older films have been removed that were on the list for more than two but under 11 years .

• Three films from India: 
• Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India (2001) (2 years on the list)  
• Rang De Basanti (2006) (2 years on the list)  
• Like Stars on Earth (2007) (3 years on the list)
• One film from China:
• In the Mood for Love (2000) (4 years on the list) 
• Two European films:
• Paris, Texas (1984) (3 years on the list)
• Underground (1995) (3 years on the list) 
• One fairly popular American film
• Rope (1948) (Alfred Hitchcock) (7 years on the list)

As you can see, these are older film that have risen up in popularity over the years and have held their place. These are not current fads.

3)   Four films have been removed that were on the list for more than 11 years. This accomplishment ultimately gives a film  'Prestige Status', as earning a claim to 11 years on the board is a feat in and of itself.

• The Celebration (1998) (11 years on the list) (8.1 on IMDB)
• At Helge's 60th birthday party, some unpleasant family truths are revealed.
• Stalag 17 (1953) (16 years on the list) (8.1 on IMDB)
• When two escaping American World War II prisoners are killed, the German POW camp barracks black marketeer, J.J. Sefton, is suspected of being an informer
• The Hustler (1961) (16 years on the list) (8.1 on IMDB)
• An up-and-coming pool player (Paul Newman) plays a long-time champion in a single high-stakes match.
• The Big Sleep (1946) (19 years on the list) (8.1 on IMDB) - listen to our podcast on it here
• Private detective Philip Marlowe is hired by a rich family. Before the complex case is over, he's seen murder, blackmail, and what might be love. 

Back by Popular Demand

Five films have returned to the IMDB Top 250 after at least a year of absence.

• Throne of Blood (1957) (Akira Kurosawa) (5th year on the list)
• Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans (1927) (F.W. Murnau) (7th year on the list)  
• Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring (2003) (3rd year on the list)
• Anatomy of a Murder (1959) (8th year on the list)
• The Killing (1956) (16th year on the list)

New Arrivals to the IMDB Top 250
Eleven new films that have made it to the list in one way or another. 

• Five films from 2015 (less than one year to gestate)
• Inside Out (2015)
• Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
• Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015)
• The Martian (2015)
• Creed (2015)
•  Three films from 2014 that made it big in 2015
• Whiplash (2014)
• Wild Tales (2014)
• The Imitation Game (2014)
•  Two older films that have risen over time
• Catch Me If You Can (2002)
• Solaris (1972)

New 'Prestige Status' films
As mentioned, earning a claim to 11 years on the board is a feat, and this year 11 films join the ranks of the other 192 films that have been able to accomplish this. For interest's sake, 91 films have been able to hold their spot on the list for 20 years.

• Batman Begins (2005)
• Downfall (2004)
• For a Few Dollars More (1965)
• Hotel Rwanda (2004)
• Million Dollar Baby (2004)
• Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
• Scarface (1983)
• Sin City (2005)
• The Lion King (1994)
• The Thing (1982)
• The Truman Show (1998)

If you haven't seen any of the mentioned films, this is a great way to get them on your radar.