“The Dark Knight” (2008)
One of the movies with a perfect 100 score on Rotten Tomatoes is The Dark Knight. Directed by Christopher Nolan and released in 2008, the blockbuster movie was a sequel to Batman Begins. The star-studded cast included Christian Bale (Batman), Heath Ledger (Joker), Maggie Gyllenhaal (Rachel Dawes) and Aaron Eckhart (Harvey Dent). The movie follows Batman as he battles to protect the people of Gotham City from the Joker’s reign of terror. Despite being slightly darker than other Batman movies, it is widely considered one of the greatest superhero films of all time.
According to the editor of The Guardian, “[The Dark Knight] is an absorbing drama, tugging at heartstrings and wringing tears” . In addition, the movie won two Academy Awards including Best Supporting Actor for the late Heath Ledger. This high-budget movie was a resounding success and grossed $1 billion in the worldwide box office.
“Zootopia” (2016)
The 2016 animated movie Zootopia also has a perfect 100 score on Rotten Tomatoes. Set in an animal metropolis, it follows Judy Hopps, a small town bunny. Judy moves to the city of Zootopia in hopes of becoming the first rabbit police officer. She teams up with a con-artist fox to uncover a conspiracy that threatens the predator and prey peace. The movie stars Ginnifer Goodwin (Judy Hopps) and Jason Bateman (Nick Wilde).
Themes of acceptance and equality were praised by critics, as well as its soundtrack. A Netflix review noted that “[The movie] will make you laugh, cry and think about the world in a new way, prompting conversations about identity and acceptance.” In addition, the movie won an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2016.
“Million Dollar Baby” (2004)
Another movie with a perfect 100 score on Rotten Tomatoes is Million Dollar Baby. Written and directed by Clint Eastwood, this movie was released in 2004 and starred Eastwood, Hilary Swank, and Morgan Freeman. The movie follows Maggie Fitzgerald, a small town waitress who dreams of becoming a professional boxer. She meets boxing trainer Frankie Dunn and together, they fight to make her dream a reality. This acclaimed movie is widely considered a modern classic.
The Los Angeles Times review noted that “Eastwood manages to build his story around the mystery and tension of the subject without ever once resorting to shortcuts”. The movie won four Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actress for Hilary Swank.
“Moonlight” (2016)
The 2016 movie Moonlight is also one of the movies with a perfect 100 score on Rotten Tomatoes. Directed by Barry Jenkins and based on Tarell Alvin McCraney’s play, the movie follows Chiron, a young black man, as he strives to find his identity and make sense of the world around him. The movie stars Trevante Rhodes, Mahershala Ali, and André Holland.
The Huffington Post noted that “with Moonlight, Jenkins uses a delicate touch and a profound sympathy to capture Chiron’s complexity”. The movie also won three Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Supporting Actor for Mahershala Ali.
“The Social Network” (2010)
One of the movies with a perfect 100 score on Rotten Tomatoes is The Social Network. Directed by David Fincher and released in 2010, the movie is based on the book The Accidental Billionaires. It stars Jesse Eisenberg (Mark Zuckerberg), Justin Timberlake (Sean Parker), and Andrew Garfield (Eduardo Saverin). The movie follows the origins of Facebook and its evolution into a global phenomena.
The New York Times review stated that “Mr. Fincher and [screenwriter] Mr. Sorkin have turned what might have been a gauzy commercial for Facebook into an electrifying hour-and-a-half-long gossip session”. In addition, the movie won three Academy Awards, including Best Adapted Screenplay in 2011.
Conclusion
Movies such as The Dark Knight, Zootopia, Million Dollar Baby, Moonlight, and The Social Network all have a perfect 100 score on Rotten Tomatoes. Together, these movies span different genres and decades while sharing common themes of justice, equality, resilience, and hope. They have stellar casts and crew and managed to capture the attention of both critics and audiences alike. From superheroes to a social network, these movies are timeless classics and will be remembered for years to come.
