Every week at SiftPop.com, we challenge our writers to choose what they think is the best movie under a certain topic related to a recent release. So this week, with the release of Strange World, we’re counting down our favorite movies with the word “World” in the title! Let us know @SiftPop what your ranking is!
It’s very rare that a Saturday Night Live recurring skit gets turned into a movie or franchise, and it turns out to be a major hit, but Wayne’s World quite possibly could be the most popular skit-turned-film to be released! Taking place largely in the Chicago suburb Aurora, Wayne (Mike Myers), Garth (Dana Carvey), and their band of friends who make up their TV crew are given the opportunity to take their zany cable access show to the masses at a big network, while the corporate suits at the network have money hungry plans for it. And when Wayne’s girlfriend (Tia Carrere) starts spending time with one of the execs (Rob Lowe) offering to get her a record deal for her band, Wayne starts to become suspicious of his intentions. This movie is jam packed full of jokes, pop culture references, cameos, and other nuggets of gold that are guaranteed to keep you entertained and laughing. Not to mention all the famous classic scenes that come from this movie, like the “Bohemian Rhapsody” car scene at the beginning, and the sponsorship scene where Wayne and Garth hilariously sport Reebok and Pepsi products as they claim to “not bow down to any sponsor.” Silly and goofy, and funny and heartfelt at times, Wayne’s World has so much to love. And as someone who has spent more than half his life watching this movie, it never ceases to make me grin! (Jeff Alan)
I remember that I wanted to see News of the World when I saw the trailer for it before it premiered. I mean, Tom Hanks in a western? I didn’t know I needed that until then. So this week, I took the time to watch it so I, much like Captain Jefferson Kidd (Tom Hanks), may come to you and discuss it with you. This movie knows exactly how to pull you in, as Kidd and young Joanna (Helena Zengel) travel across rural Texas, in the era after the Civil War, through a land that is both wild and lawless, to be tamed in one way or another. You can feel the growth Kidd goes through, from someone who only wants to go through their day to a better person than he began as he faces unique foe’s and situations from day to day. If you haven’t seen this one yet, give it a chance. (Joseph Davis)
The How to Train Your Dragon franchise doesn’t get nearly the credit it deserves for being one of the best trilogies ever. The first one is one of my favorite movies, as it introduces some of the most enduring characters of all time. Starting with Toothless the dragon, How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World has his story come full circle. Originally thinking he was the last Night Fury, Toothless resigns himself to being merely a pet and companion. He eventually realizes he can have a life outside of human companionship. Hiccup’s (Jay Baruchel) story also comes full circle, as he has to make a choice between his people and the the dragons they’ve spent years trying to protect. Letting go is tough for both of them, even if they both know it’s the right decision. It’s a beautiful conclusion about growing up and how transcendent friendship is stronger than just about anything out there. Whether it’s distances, relationships, or time, true friendship lasts forever. (Mike Hilty)
As an ardent supporter of the underrated 2001 ensemble comedy, Rat Race, it was exciting to discover the admittedly better and funnier film it emanated from. It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World is an accurate title both for the real world and for a movie which shows sometimes it’s better to sit back and laugh at the chaos, rather than to obsess over and be swallowed up by it. Director and producer Stanley Kramer always brought strong themes and messaging to products, but this 1963 tale of greed was his first true foray into comedy. You wouldn’t know it. There is great slapstick physical comedy mixed with pinpoint situational comedic timing that feels like it inspired iconic spoof classics like Airplane! and Blazing Saddles, which is shown in jokes like a man literally kicking a bucket as he dies and a woman declaring, “There is no way anybody is getting me up in the air” right before their car is hit from behind upending her. Similarly, you can feel a heavy influence in the physical comedy from The Three Stooges, and you can see the influence this movie had on the creators of Home Alone. The action, such as highway chase scenes, a plane crashing through a billboard, and seemingly nonstop car crashes, is all beautifully shot and choreographed as a group of strangers learn about a buried fortune and race to discover it first. A cast of comedic greats elevates this into classic status. (Jason Mack)
What did Edgar Wright have in store for audiences to wrap up his beloved Cornetto Trilogy? After lampooning horror films and action movies, Wright turned his focus to the world of science fiction. Specifically, with The World’s End we get one of the most fun and inventive adaptations of Invasion of the Body Snatchers. This whole cast is an impressive and hilarious crew, combining the talents of Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Paddy Considine, Martin Freeman, and Eddie Marsan. There are some impressive veteran talents as well, with the likes Pierce Brosnan, David Bradley, and Bill Nighy (well… at least his voice). Wright offers up his signature humor, fast-talking editing, visual gags, and music choices, as he combines them with some top-notch action and impressive tension. As always, you know exactly what is coming if you are paying attention, but there are some impressive places that this narrative takes the audience. Many think this is the lowest rung on this trilogy, but it is by far the most mature and deeply resonant of the bunch. (Shane Conto)
Though perhaps more famous acting-wise for his more sinister performances, Anthony Hopkins’ tackling of Burt Munro’s real-life story in The World’s Fastest Indian has more in common with his delightful personality that permeates his social media. The story tells the tale of one New Zealander’s quest to build his 1920’s Indian motorcycle into something that could challenge the land-speed world record at Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats in 1967. It’s an underdog story that’s sure to put a smile on your face. From Munro’s infectious positivity, to his perseverance in trying to overcome obstacles in pursuit of a lifelong dream, he’s impossible not to root for. (Jake Bourgeois)
Edgar Wright’s Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is such an iconic moment in 2010 pop culture. A seamless blend of animation and live action, quotable one-liners, and a stellar cast make this film one for the books. When viewers first meet Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera), he’s not very likable. He’s a 22-year-old bassist in a garage band who mooches off his friends, and is dating a high schooler who’s five years his junior. Everything changes once Scott meets the elusive Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead). He’s captivated by her aloofness and manic pixie dream girl style (that includes a new hair color every week and a half). Scott wants to win Ramona’s heart, but before he can, he must defeat her seven evil exes. It’s up to him to transform from a slacker to the unlikely hero Ramona needs. Cera and Winstead nail their roles, and the star-studded supporting cast equally delivers. Notable performances include Kieran Culkin, Chris Evans, Aubrey Plaza, Brie Larson, and Jason Schwartzman. It’s not hard to fall in love with Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, and that’s why it’s a re-watchable classic. (Diana Gebbia)
Last year, I finally crossed Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World off of my list of shame, and I have since rewatched it several times. It is one of those movies which I felt a great deal of regret for having let it slip past me for so long. For one, it would have been an amazing experience on the big screen my freshman year of college, when it was released. However, the main reason for regret is, I hate that there were 18 years of my life that I could have been watching and re-watching this movie multiple times a year. Master and Commander is a thrilling adventure movie set in the 1800s during the Napoleonic Wars, starring Russell Crowe as Captain Jack Aubrey and Paul Bettany as Dr. Stephen Maturin, who is the ship’s surgeon and the captain’s closest friend. The movie is primarily a series of battles and a chase through the Atlantic waters of South America, as their ship, the HMS Surprise, is hunting a French vessel, The Archeron. Captain Aubrey is hellbent on destroying the other ship, despite the advantage the French vessel has on the Surprise. The film is full of action and heart, and I found myself laughing a few times as well. Don’t be like me and wait 18 years to watch Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World; you will thank me! (Nick Ferro)
Studio Ghibli is world renowned for their creative excellence in both original works and adaptations. In 2010, Director Hiromasa Yonebayashi brought us The Secret World of Arriety, which is an adaptation of the novel, The Borrowers, written by Mary Norton. In the story, the lives of the tiny-in-stature Clock family are changed once the teenage daughter, Arrietty, is discovered by the bedridden Sho. The true standout of this film is the beautiful and vibrant art style that is a constant of Studio Ghibli’ body of works. Each character and background piece of art is fully realized and places the viewer into the fantastical world of Arrietty. It is a treat to see The Clock family’s way of life and how they survive in a world that is so familiar to us, but framed in a different light due to their scale within it. Another strong aspect, like with all other Studio Ghibli Productions, is its wonderful array of voice talent (Japanese, U.S. English, and U.K. English). The Secret of Arrietty is a great example of the magic that a world famous animation studio can bring to a story, and why animation is such a powerful medium. (Joe Vargas)
Finding your path in life is difficult enough, but when you throw in factors like career opportunities, settling down, and having children on top of that, that challenge becomes even more difficult and harder to figure out. When is the right time? Who should I do these things with? The Worst Person in the World shows a 30-year-old woman’s attempt to finding her own path in life ,while navigating the very things in that she thinks she needs to have her best life. But the further into it she gets, the more she tends to realize that – as all people do over time – her ideals and beliefs change and grow. Julie is as relatable as it gets, because nearly every person can see themselves in her; we have all been at a point in our lives where we have questioned everything, and what we thought was best is no longer so. Whether it’s jumping from career to career, or from significant other to significant other, we must follow our gut and believe that the choices we are making are the best for us. And in the case of The Worst Person in the World, her struggle for her “best life” doesn’t just make her relatable — it makes her brave to follow what she believes to be right. (Jeff Alan)
Jurassic World
There was a time when everyone was excited and not annoyed to be to back in the theater for the Jurassic Park. With then-rising star Chris Pratt leading the charge and support from Bryce Dallas Howard, this is an absolute rip-roaring ride. The action is solid. Jokes are actually funny, and there are real stakes. By taking the premise of dinosaurs getting free in the original Jurassic Park and releasing said dinos into a version of Disneyland, stakes are high, and enjoyment is ensured. Plus it is hard to argue with a movie’s marketability when it makes $1.6 billion! It bested 2015’s Avengers: Age of Ultron at the box office, a huge upset for the time. Plus, this movie was so fun and beloved that no one batted an eye when they announced they were making two more of these things, and everyone showed up for those ones, too. I have to tip my cap to Jurassic World; it kept this franchise from going extinct. (Samuel Nichols)
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End
Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl took the world by storm, causing Disney to green light two sequels from director Gore Verbinski. The third of the trilogy is Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End, which wraps up the story nicely. There is a lot happening to bring it to a close. The oceans are now controlled by Lord Beckett (Tom Hollander) of the East India Trading Company, and he controls Davy Jones (Bill Nighy) with the goal of exterminating all pirates. Our ragtag team of pirates, including Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley), Will Turner (Orlando Bloom), Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush), must band together to bring the Pirate Lords together to wage war against Beckett and the EITC. With one of the Lords, Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp), currently residing in Davy Jones’ Locker, the team sets out to save him and go to war. This film does such a great job at closing out this trilogy that Disney made two more sequels after. People often forget how good this one is in relation to the others. The final battle between the Black Pearl and the Flying Dutchman is a fantastic scene. This movie also has some great performances from Rush, Depp, Bloom, and Knightley, who still bring their all. Nighy, however, as Jones brings so much emotion and depth to this character that helps makes the film a really good watch. (Austen Terry)
War of the Worlds
Steven Spielberg’s modern-day retelling of the H.G Wells’ War of the Worlds follows a man on the street, Ray Ferrier (Tom Cruise), and his two kids, Rachel (Dakota Fanning) and Robbie (Justin Chatwin), as they try to survive an attack from giant alien tripods. What I like about how they tell this story is that it stays with Ray the whole time. At one point, a news reporter talks to him about what the tripods are doing elsewhere, and how there are legions of them; this is as much news to us as it is to Ray, because we only know what he knows. The story is a question of whether the characters will survive. The gripping factor comes from what the characters go through and the incredible visuals of the alien attacks. The experience can also be terrifying and incredibly tense sometimes, as we wonder what the aliens will do next. One particularly impressive shot is a oner inside a car as they leave New York, possibly the inspiration for a similar shot seen in The Children of Men one year later. There is also a stealth sequence in a basement where they are trying to stay out of the sight of a vast alien eye; my heart was pounding like mad the first time I watched it. Many talk about the abundance of plot holes in this, but honestly, they are not something I think about because I don’t watch this for the plot; the experience makes me care. (John Tillyard)
World War Z
The zombie genre was overrated when World War Z was released in 2013. The Walking Dead was in its fourth season and expanding its universe; the Resident Evil franchise was still going strong; and a zombie rom-com, Warm Bodies,was already out. Did we need another zombie-led story? Yes. Based on the 2006 novel of the same name, the adrenaline-racing, chaotic film follows Gerry Lane (Brad Pitt) as he travels the world, seeking a solution for the unforeseen zombie pandemic. The dead aren’t walking. They’re fast, hungry, and want fresh meat. We witness a civilization fall apart, fight, and do whatever they need to survive. We watch a father fight his way back to his family, but know what sacrifices he has to make first. Lane goes through hell and back to find the solution and make it out alive. World War Z is entertaining right from the beginning. The action sequences keep you glued to your seat, terrified of what will happen next, wondering if anyone will make it out alive. A step away from the gritty drama, rom-com, or video game adaptation, it is a bit of fresh air. A sequel was announced but canceled for budget issues, so sadly, we’ll never see what happened after zombies attacked the world; so many stories, ideas, and possibilities. I guess we’ll just have to dream. (Chantal Ashford)
Team America: World Police
From the creatives behind South Park comes one of the most insane, funny, and well-rounded puppet comedy movies I have ever seen. How many other puppet comedy movies have I seen? That’s not important right now. Team America: World Police pokes fun at… well, America. And their idea is that because they provide “peace,” they are always welcome in any foreign country. But both Trey Parker and Matt Stone are smart enough to know that is rarely the case (even back in 2004), so they did what they do so well with South Park and made fun of it. But not just America — nobody is safe from this duo, from celebrities (how many still say, “Matt Damon!” in the same way as portrayed in this film?), to musicals, and other countries too. On top of it, once you get used to the puppets and all the things they make them do (the vomiting scene might be one of the funniest stuff I have ever seen), you will find yourself admiring the duo behind this film. And, of course, who can forget the titular song, “America, F*** Yeah!” I think more than enough time has passed to certify this as one of the comedic classics of our time. (Luke Burian)
Also See: Seeking a Friend for the End of the World, A Perfect World, I Don’t Feel at Home in this World Anymore, All the Money in the World, The New World, World Trade Center