The American Film Institute (AFI) is a “national institute providing leadership in screen education and the recognition and celebration of excellence in the art of film, television, and digital media.” In a CBS television broadcast, they announced “AFI’s 10 Top 10,” the top ten movies in each of ten genres. The films were voted by 1,500 “leaders from the creative community, including film artists (directors, screenwriters, actors, editors, cinematographers), critics, and historians.” They were voting from a ballot of 500 nominated movies (50 per genre) compiled by the AFI, and voting based on five categories: Critical Recognition, Major Award Winner, Popularity over Time, Historical Significance, and Cultural Impact.
The genres recognized were: Animation; Romantic Comedies; Western; Sports; Mystery; Fantasy; Science Fiction; Gangster; Courtroom Drama; and Epic. We present three of those categories below.
Animation: AFI defines “animated” as a genre in which the film’s images are primarily created by computer or hand and the characters are voiced by actors. It comes as no surprise that Walt Disney films dominate this category.
1. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Walt Disney, 1938)
2. Pinocchio (Walt Disney, 1940)
3. Bambi (Walt Disney, 1942)
4. The Lion King (Walt Disney, 1994)
5. Fantasia (Walt Disney, 1942)
6. Toy Story (Pixar, 1995)
7. Beauty and the Beast (Walt Disney, 1991)
8. Shrek (DreamWorks, 2001)
9. Cinderella (Walt Disney, 1950)
10. Finding Nemo (Walt Disney, 2003)
Fantasy: AFI defines “fantasy” as a genre where live-action characters inhabit imagined settings and/or experience situations that transcend the rules of the natural world. There are some films on this list even the most die-hard fantasy fan wouldn’t expect, but some naturals.
1. The Wizard of Oz (MGM, 1939)
2. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (New Line, 2001)
3. It’s a Wonderful Life (Liberty, 1947)
4. King Kong (RKO, 1933)
5. Miracle on 34th Street (20th Century-Fox, 1947)
6. Field of Dreams (Gordon, 1989)
7. Harvey (Universal, 1950)
8. Groundhog Day (Columbia TriStar, 1993)
9. The Thief of Bagdad (Douglas Fairbanks Pictures, 1924)
10. Big (20th Century Fox, 1988)
Science Fiction: AFI defines “science fiction” as a genre that marries a scientific or technological premise with imaginative speculation. A broad selection of new and old, with only one studio appearing more than once.
1. 2001: A Space Odyssey (MGM, 1968)
2. Star Wars: Episode IV—A New Hope (Lucasfilm, 1977)
3. E.T.—The Extra Terrestrial (Amblin, 1982)
4. A Clockwork Orange (Polaris, 1971)
5. The Day the Earth Stood Still (20th Century Fox, 1951)
6. Blade Runner (Warner Bros., 1982)
7. Alien (Brandywine, 1979)
8. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (Pacific Western, 1991)
9. Invasion of the Body Snatchers (Walter Wanger, 1956)
10. Back to the Future (Amblin, 1985)
For the full lists of honorees in all genres, see this page.