Buzz
In May 2021, a single negative review knocked *Paddington 2* (2017) from its flawless score on Rotten Tomatoes, pushing it from the ‘100% Club’ to the slightly less prestigious ‘99% Club.’
However, it's not alone. The films that just missed perfection include a range of cinematic masterpieces, from 1942's *Casablanca* and Orson Welles’ 1949 classic *The Third Man*, to the 1966 war drama *The Battle of Algiers* and the 1964 *James Bond* film *Goldfinger*. Notably, a quick look at the list shows that most of the films are from the 21st century—largely because modern films tend to receive more reviews.
Rotten Tomatoes clarified, “When a film accumulates nearly 400 critic reviews, its Tomatometer score is better equipped to weather negative feedback and maintain its 99% rating. Classic films, with fewer written reviews, can see their scores plummet from a single unfavorable comment.”
In fact, at least one classic film has already dropped out of the 99% Club since the last update to this list: Jacques Demy’s *The Umbrellas of Cherbourg* (1964), now holding a 97% score.
*Finding Nemo* (2003), however, continues to hold steady with a 99% rating, along with 2010’s *How to Train Your Dragon* and 2015’s *Shaun the Sheep Movie*. Even more prevalent than heartwarming children’s films are documentaries, including 2013’s *20 Feet From Stardom*, focusing on the backup singers behind legendary artists, and Raoul Peck’s *I Am Not Your Negro* (2016), which uses James Baldwin’s work to examine race in America.
Explore the full list below, and learn more about the featured films here.
- Lady Bird (2017)
- Eighth Grade (2018)
- Selma (2014)
- Finding Nemo (2003)
- Paddington 2 (2017)
- Never Rarely Sometimes Always (2020)
- Shoplifters (2018)
- How to Train Your Dragon (2010)
- I Am Not Your Negro (2016)
- Apollo 11 (2019)
- A Separation (2011)
- Shaun the Sheep Movie (2015)
- Happening (2021)
- L.A. Confidential (1997)
- Amazing Grace (2018)
- Ash Is Purest White (2018)
- They Shall Not Grow Old (2018)
- Miss Juneteenth (2020)
- Things to Come (2016)
- Faces Places (2017)
- My Life as a Zucchini (2016)
- Casablanca (1942)
- 20 Feet From Stardom (2013)
- McQueen (2018)
- Wadjda (2012)
- Starred Up (2013)
- All About Eve (1950)
- On the Waterfront (1954)
- Cameraperson (2016)
- Knock Down the House (2019)
- Saint Frances (2019)
- Tower (2016)
- Le Havre (2011)
- Song of the Sea (2014)
- Jiro Dreams of Sushi (2011)
- The Interrupters (2011)
- Under the Shadow (2016)
- The Battle of Algiers (1966)
- The Missing Picture (2013)
- The Third Man (1949)
- The Wailing (2016)
- The Tale (2018)
- Chinatown (1974)
- Moolaadé (2004)
- Bill Cunningham New York (2010)
- On the Record (2020)
- Darbareye Elly (2009)
- 007: Goldfinger (1964)
- The Invisible War (2011)
- Rivers and Tides: Andy Goldsworthy Working With Time (2001)
- The Chambermaid (2018)
- Truman (2015)
- The Twilight Samurai (2002)
- 56 Up (2012)
- Elaine Stritch: Shoot Me (2013)
