I have to do 12. Be thankful I didn't list all 50. I don't pretend these are the 12 greatest(except for #1), but they're certainly MY 12 favourites.
These ARE in order, with the best for last.
12. Hook
Pure magic. Perfect in every way.
11. Back to the Future
If the Academy decided to do a special Oscar ceremony that encompassed every movie ever made, this would be my choice for Best Original Screenplay.
10. Toys
Beautiful, funny, compelling, moving, magical, inspiring, etc. etc. This gem of a film is often sadly overlooked, but it will always be on my list. It's probably my favourite allegorical story ever, and delivers the simplest, yet best message in the world: "May Joy And Innocence Prevail". Truly words to live by. I can't recommend it enough.
Also worth noting is that I'd rank it in the best musically scored films too, along with the LOTR films, Hook, Superman: The Movie, and Superman Returns.
9. Spider-Man 1 & 2
Now THESE are what comic-book movies should be! By which I mean stunning companion pieces that stay true to the source and characters while still breaking new ground in a faithful way. And the acting is brilliant in all of them.
8. Terminator 1 & 2
Sci-Fi/Action/Noir perfection. The 3rd is fun too, but it was ultimately unecessary and undoubtedly non-canon.
7. X2: X-Men United
Best story, best villain plot, best special effects, and best cast of any superhero movie ever.
6. The Incredibles
One of the best action-adventure films ever made. All the characters are awesome, and the villain, Syndrome, is one of my all-time favourites. And it's about superheroes to boot!
5. The Goonies
The ultimate childhood adventure fantasy come to life. Every kid dreams of being Indiana Jones, but some of those battle wounds look pretty painful. And would I really have to kill so many people? The danger still has to be real, though. And I'd want my friends to be there. But where would I ever be able to find an ancient treasure trove that offers all these nuances without leaving my home town? Hmmm....
4. Jaws
A masterpiece, and proof Spielberg is worth his reputation. Sometimes, underwater in an actual swimming pool, I have to do a quick 360 just to make sure....
3. Wet Hot American Summer
Scarcely has a movie shot up my favourite films list so fast. I'm a gigantic fan of the comedy group "Stella", so when I found out they teamed up with some of the best comedians in the biz(David Hyde Pierce, Janeane Garofalo, Amy Poehler, and Molly Shannon, to name a few) to do a movie, I couldn't resist. The first time I saw it I thought it was hilarious. Then I got it for Christmas and watched it again. And again. And again. And again, this time with commentary. And again. Over the course of a week. And during this time I realized it was so much more than just a hilarious comedy. It's a movie that's scarily true-to-life, in so many ways.
I'm truly, madly, deeply, literally in love with this film.
2. The Indiana Jones Trilogy
When anybody brings up the word "flawless" when talking about cinema, these three movies immeadiately spring to my mind. Could Indiana Jones be the greatest screen hero of all time? This reporter says YES.
1. The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy
I count them all as one movie(as Peter Jackson says they should be), but even if you separated them, they'd still be my Top-3. Unlike the rest of my list which tends to flucuate, this one is non-changing and non-negociable. LOTR is, by a wide margin, the best film ever made. I can't see it being supassed in the future either.