Top Rated Movie Rentals

This list of top rated movie rentals discusses some of the most popular films to be found on DVD and Blu-ray. So the next time you’re searching for something on Netflix or wandering aimlessly down the aisles of your local video store, you’ll find yourself armed with a number of selections that are sure to please.

Netflix has all the top rated movie rentals listed below, as well as thousands more. They carry over 100,000 titles, and that number is growing all the time. There are also no late fees, something that their competition can’t claim. If you’re not currently a member, click here to join Netflix and get in on all the fun.

• Pretty Woman (1990) – While the premise is ridiculous beyond belief, this tale of a good-hearted prostitute (Julia Roberts) who falls for a corporate raider (Richard Gere) still managed to charm the socks off of moviegoers. Roberts shot to stardom in the role, and the strong supporting cast includes Hector Elizondo, Jason Alexander, and Ralph Bellamy. And check out the list of actresses who turned down the role of Vivian Ward prior to Roberts being cast: Karen Allen, Molly Ringwald, Meg Ryan, Michelle Pfeiffer, Daryl Hannah, Valeria Golino, and Jennifer Jason Leigh.

• Forrest Gump (1994) – The heartwarming story of a simple-minded man (Tom Hanks) living through some of the most turbulent times during the latter half of the 20th century. While constantly pining away for a white trash beauty named Jenny (Robin Wright), Forrest fights in the Vietnam War, runs across the nation, plays ping pong in China, and meets such historical figures as John F. Kennedy, John Lennon, and Elvis Presley. Ever wonder where the phrase “Shit happens” came from? Watch this film and find out.
• Crash (2004) – Director Paul Haggis takes a look at race and social status in Los Angeles in this Best Picture Oscar winner. A number of unrelated characters slowly cross paths as their various tales interweave, often with tragic consequences. An all-star ensemble cast was assembled for the production, including Sandra Bullock, Matt Dillon, Terrence Howard, Don Cheadle (who also co-produced), Brendan Fraser, Thandie Newton, Ryan Philippe, and Jennifer Esposito.
• Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) – In this final film of the fantasy trilogy based on the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, the forces of light amass for a final showdown with the minions of the evil Sauron. Armies of ghosts are unleashed, two hobbits journey to the edge of Mount Doom, giant war elephants take the battlefield, and a female warrior does what no man ever could. Peter Jackson’s masterpiece of epic storytelling comes to a crowd-pleasing end, and stars such as Viggo Mortensen would go on to find success in other projects.

• Gladiator (2000) – Russell Crowe achieved international fame after starring in this Ridley Scott historical epic. Crowe plays Maximus Decimus Meridius, a general of the Roman empire who’s loyal to the wise Emperor Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris). But a coup soon takes place, with the emperor’s son Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) seizing power and murdering his father. He also jealousy massacres the family of Maximus, with our hero winding up in slavery as a gladiator. There’s plenty of intrigue to be found, and the scenes of gladiators doing battle are the most visceral ever captured on the big screen. Winner of the Academy Award for Best Picture, the film co-stars Connie Nielsen, Djimon Hounsou, Oliver Reed, and Derek Jacobi.

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• Dreamgirls (2006) – A look at the R&B scene of the 1960s and 1970s through the eyes of a fictional Motown girl group called “The Dreams.” The most expensive film to ever star an all African-American cast, the musical extravaganza features Beyonce Knowles, Jennifer Hudson (in an Oscar-winning role), Jamie Foxx, Danny Glover, and Eddie Murphy (in an Oscar-nominated role). Based on the hit Broadway musical of the same name.
• Star Wars (1977) – Also known as Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, this science fiction classic continues to be one of the top rated movie rentals after all these years. Young Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) is plucked from obscurity on a desert planet and thrust into the middle of a rebellion against the vicious Empire. Teaming up with the likes of smuggler Han Solo (Harrison Ford), princess Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher), and Jedi knight Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness), Luke must battle the armored, light saber-wielding Darth Vader (voiced by James Earl Jones), legions of Imperial Stormtroopers, and the power of a fully-operational Death Star. Kids and adults alike will get a kick out of this one.
• Finding Nemo (2003) – When his clownfish son, Nemo (Alexander Gould), is taken away by a scuba diver, an overprotective father (Albert Brooks) sets out to rescue him. He’ll get assistance from a fish with short-term memory loss (Ellen DeGeneres) and a sea turtle (Andrew Stanton) who knows a thing or two about raising kids. Winner of the Oscar for Best Animated Picture, this Pixar blockbuster holds the distinction of being the top-grossing G-rated film ever made, as well as the best-selling DVD of all time.

• Star Trek (2009) – Producer/director J.J. Abrams updated the Star Trek franchise and scored a monster hit in the process. Going all the way back to their days in the Star Feet Academy, the film follows Kirk (Chris Pine), Spock (Zachary Quinto), Uhura (Zoe Saldana) and the rest of the U.S.S. Enterprise crew as they take on a mad Romulan from the future (Eric Bana). The effects are bigger, and, most importantly, the cast is much younger (although Leonard Nimoy is a welcome addition as a time-traveling Spock). Co-starring Karl Urban, Simon Pegg, Anton Yelchin, John Cho, and Winona Ryder. It also became the first Star Trek film to win an Oscar, taking home the trophy for Best Makeup.
• The Notebook (2004) – Based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks, this tearjerker stars Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams as a couple who fall in love during the 1940s and struggle to remain together despite World War II and a competing suitor. The two leads are electric together, and you can expect the film’s ending to reduce any woman in the room to a weeping mess.

The next time you visit Netflix, be sure to give these top rated movie rentals a try. What’s that? You’re not a Netflix member? Click here to remedy that situation. You’ll be glad you did, as Netflix offers fast delivery, a huge selection of films, and never any pesky late fees. We do get a small commission if you sign up, but it all goes right back into Only Good Movies.

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