Everyone has a movie they keep coming back to, and celebrities are no different. From classic dramas to feel-good comedies, the films that stars love most can tell us a lot about who they are.
Some of these picks might surprise you, while others feel just right for the celebrity who chose them. Here is a look at 15 A-list stars and the movies they call their all-time favorites.
1. Brad Pitt – One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)
Brad Pitt has never been shy about his love for great cinema, and when it comes to picking a favorite, he goes straight to a classic. Pitt has directly named Milos Forman’s Oscar-winning drama, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, as his all-time favorite film.
That says a lot about his taste.
Released in 1975, the movie stars Jack Nicholson as a rebellious patient in a psychiatric hospital who challenges the strict authority of Nurse Ratched. The film swept all five major Academy Awards, a rare achievement in Hollywood history.
Its storytelling is bold and emotionally powerful.
For Pitt, who has taken on many complex roles himself, it makes sense that he admires a film driven by raw character and human conflict. The movie still resonates with audiences today, proving that great storytelling never goes out of style.
2. Tom Hanks – 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Tom Hanks is one of Hollywood’s most beloved actors, known for his warmth and sincerity both on and off screen. So it might surprise some fans to learn that his all-time favorite film is Stanley Kubrick’s mysterious and visually stunning 2001: A Space Odyssey.
Hanks has been especially clear about this choice, calling it his favorite movie ever made.
Released in 1968, the film follows astronauts on a mission to Jupiter after a strange black monolith is discovered. Kubrick’s direction is slow, deliberate, and deeply philosophical, asking big questions about humanity, technology, and the universe.
It is not a film for everyone, but for those who connect with it, the experience is unforgettable.
Hanks clearly falls into that category. His admiration for a film this ambitious and thought-provoking shows just how seriously he takes the art of moviemaking beyond the box office.
3. Margot Robbie – True Romance (1993)
Margot Robbie has made a name for herself playing bold, unforgettable characters, so it fits perfectly that her favorite film is the wildly romantic and action-packed True Romance. She has called it her all-time favorite movie and even shared a personal detail that shows just how much the film means to her.
Robbie walked down the aisle to music from True Romance at her own wedding. That is a pretty serious commitment to a movie.
Written by Quentin Tarantino and directed by Tony Scott, the 1993 film follows a young couple who accidentally end up in possession of a suitcase full of drugs and go on the run.
The film blends love, humor, and danger in a way that feels completely unique. Christian Slater and Patricia Arquette lead the cast with real chemistry.
For Robbie, this movie is clearly more than entertainment. It is something personal.
4. Emma Stone – City Lights (1931)
Emma Stone has won an Oscar herself, so when she names a favorite film, people pay attention. In an interview with CBS, Stone named Charlie Chaplin’s City Lights as her all-time favorite movie, giving special praise to its famous ending.
It is a choice that reveals a deep appreciation for the history of cinema.
City Lights, released in 1931, is a silent comedy-drama in which Chaplin’s beloved Tramp character falls in love with a blind flower girl and does everything he can to help her. The final scene, where she sees him for the first time after her sight is restored, is considered one of the most emotionally powerful moments in film history.
Stone’s admiration for this nearly century-old film shows that great storytelling crosses all eras. Chaplin’s ability to make audiences laugh and cry without a single word of dialogue remains extraordinary.
Stone clearly understands that kind of magic.
5. Jennifer Lawrence – Midnight in Paris (2011)
Jennifer Lawrence is known for being refreshingly honest, and her movie taste is no exception. She told Rotten Tomatoes that Midnight in Paris might be her favorite movie, which is saying something given that she also loves films like The Big Lebowski and Harold and Maude.
Lawrence clearly has a wide range when it comes to cinema.
Directed by Woody Allen and released in 2011, Midnight in Paris follows a writer visiting the French capital who mysteriously travels back in time to the 1920s each night at midnight. He meets Hemingway, Picasso, and other legends of the era.
The film is charming, witty, and beautifully shot.
Owen Wilson stars in a role that feels tailor-made for his relaxed, dreamy style. The film won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.
For Lawrence, the romantic nostalgia and playful storytelling of Midnight in Paris clearly hit a sweet spot that few movies manage to reach.
6. Natalie Portman – Dirty Dancing (1987)
Natalie Portman is a Harvard-educated actress who has played queens, ballerinas, and superheroes. So her favorite movie being Dirty Dancing might catch a few people off guard.
But Portman has said it loud and proud: Dirty Dancing is not just one of her favorites, it is the movie she has rewatched more than any other film in her life.
Released in 1987, the film stars Jennifer Grey as a young woman who falls for a charismatic dance instructor played by Patrick Swayze during a summer resort vacation. The chemistry between the two leads is electric, and the music became a cultural phenomenon.
Nobody puts Baby in a corner, after all.
The film captures something timeless about first love and self-discovery, which might explain why it keeps drawing people back. For Portman, clearly, that emotional pull never fades.
Sometimes the movies that stick with us most are the ones that just make us feel good.
7. Daniel Radcliffe – A Matter of Life and Death (1946)
Daniel Radcliffe grew up playing a wizard, so it makes perfect sense that his favorite film is a visually imaginative British fantasy from the 1940s. When WIRED magazine asked Radcliffe about his favorite movie, he chose A Matter of Life and Death without hesitation, praising its creative storytelling and visual inventiveness.
It is a pick that shows real cinematic depth.
Directed by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger in 1946, the film follows a British RAF pilot who survives a crash and falls in love, only to be summoned before a heavenly court that questions whether he should be allowed to live. The film switches between vibrant color on Earth and black-and-white in the afterlife, a choice that was considered groundbreaking at the time.
Radcliffe’s enthusiasm for a film this old and this unusual says a great deal about his genuine passion for cinema. It is a hidden gem well worth discovering.
8. George Clooney – Network (1976)
George Clooney has spent decades as one of Hollywood’s most respected stars, and his choice of favorite film reflects a man who takes his craft seriously. Clooney has described Sidney Lumet’s Network as one of his all-time favorite films, specifically praising the brilliant screenplay by Paddy Chayefsky.
Coming from Clooney, that is a meaningful endorsement.
Released in 1976, Network tells the story of a television news anchor who has a breakdown on live TV and becomes an unexpected ratings sensation. The film is a sharp, biting satire of media, corporate greed, and the hunger for entertainment at any cost.
Faye Dunaway won an Oscar for her performance, as did Peter Finch and Beatrice Straight.
What is remarkable is how relevant the film still feels today. In an era of 24-hour news cycles and viral moments, Network seems almost prophetic.
Clooney’s admiration for this film makes complete sense for someone who has always been thoughtful about how media shapes society.
9. Keanu Reeves – Taxi Driver (1976)
Keanu Reeves is known for being thoughtful, humble, and genuinely passionate about film. During a Reddit AMA session, a fan asked him to name his favorite movie.
Reeves admitted he could not settle on just one, but he specifically listed Taxi Driver, Apocalypse Now, A Clockwork Orange, and Stroszek as films he truly loves. Taxi Driver tops the list here.
Martin Scorsese’s 1976 masterpiece stars Robert De Niro as Travis Bickle, a lonely and disturbed cab driver in a gritty, crime-ridden New York City who becomes increasingly unhinged. The film is intense, dark, and deeply unsettling, but it is also one of the most important films ever made about urban isolation and psychological breakdown.
For Reeves, who has explored complex and morally layered characters throughout his own career, it is easy to see why Taxi Driver resonates. The film demands something from its audience, and Reeves clearly appreciates that kind of challenge.
10. Taylor Swift – Love Actually (2003)
Taylor Swift has built an entire career around love songs and emotional storytelling, so it is no surprise that her favorite movie is a film entirely dedicated to exploring the many forms of love. Swift has named Love Actually as her all-time favorite, explaining that she is drawn to how the film weaves together multiple different love stories at once.
Released in 2003 and directed by Richard Curtis, Love Actually features an enormous ensemble cast including Hugh Grant, Keira Knightley, Colin Firth, and Emma Thompson. Set around Christmas in London, the film follows about a dozen interconnected characters as they navigate romance, heartbreak, and connection during the holiday season.
The film has become a beloved seasonal tradition for millions of viewers around the world. Swift’s love for it feels completely in character.
She has always been someone who believes in big emotions and meaningful connections, and Love Actually is practically a celebration of both.
11. Lady Gaga – The Wizard of Oz (1939)
Lady Gaga has always been someone who lives in a world of fantasy, spectacle, and imagination. So learning that her favorite childhood film is The Wizard of Oz feels completely fitting.
In Vogue’s popular “73 Questions” video series, Gaga named The Wizard of Oz as the film that shaped her most while growing up. She also selected Guys and Dolls as her favorite movie musical.
Released in 1939, The Wizard of Oz stars Judy Garland as Dorothy, a Kansas girl swept away to a magical land full of witches, talking scarecrows, and a mysterious wizard. The film’s blend of fantasy, music, and heart has made it one of the most beloved movies ever made.
Somewhere Over the Rainbow remains one of the most recognizable songs in history.
For Gaga, a performer who has always pushed the boundaries of art and identity, the film’s message about finding your own power clearly left a lasting impression.
12. Hugh Grant – The Way Ahead (1944)
Hugh Grant is best known for playing charming, bumbling romantics in British comedies, which makes his favorite film a bit of a curveball. Grant has identified The Way Ahead, a 1944 British World War II drama, as the movie he loves best.
He has praised both its romantic elements and the performance of star David Niven as the reasons it stands out for him.
Directed by Carol Reed, The Way Ahead follows a group of ordinary British civilians who are drafted into the army and slowly transformed into soldiers. David Niven plays their officer with quiet authority and genuine warmth.
The film was made as a morale booster during the war but holds up as a genuinely compelling drama.
Grant’s admiration for this overlooked gem is a reminder that some of the best films are the ones fewer people know about. It reflects a side of Grant that goes well beyond the romantic comedy image most audiences associate with him.
13. Ethan Hawke – Reds (1981)
Ethan Hawke is one of the most thoughtful and intellectually engaged actors working in Hollywood, so his choice of favorite film is worth paying close attention to. Hawke has explicitly called Warren Beatty’s epic Reds his favorite movie of all time, praising the way it blends romance, politics, comedy, and history into a single sweeping story.
High praise from someone of Hawke’s caliber.
Released in 1981, Reds tells the true story of American journalist John Reed, who witnessed the Russian Revolution and wrote about it in his famous book Ten Days That Shook the World. The film runs over three hours and features real-life witnesses providing documentary-style interviews alongside the dramatic narrative.
Beatty directed, produced, and starred in the film.
Diane Keaton co-stars in a performance that earned her an Oscar nomination. For Hawke, the film’s ambition and emotional complexity clearly represent everything he believes great cinema can achieve.
14. Michael B. Jordan – Princess Mononoke (1997)
Michael B. Jordan has been open about his love of anime for years, and when it comes to naming a single favorite film, he points to Hayao Miyazaki’s Princess Mononoke without hesitation.
Jordan has identified the 1997 Studio Ghibli masterpiece as his favorite film, a choice that has earned him serious respect from animation fans and cinephiles alike.
Princess Mononoke is set in ancient Japan and follows a young prince caught between the forces of nature and industrial expansion. The film’s central conflict between humans and the natural world is told through breathtaking animation and morally complex characters.
There are no simple villains here, only people with competing needs and beliefs.
Miyazaki’s storytelling operates on multiple levels, working as an adventure film, an environmental fable, and a meditation on coexistence. For Jordan, who has built a career playing deeply layered characters, the film’s refusal to offer easy answers is clearly a big part of its appeal.
15. Justin Bieber – Step Brothers (2008)
Not every celebrity favorite film has to be a deep philosophical statement, and Justin Bieber proves that point perfectly. Bieber has publicly named Step Brothers as his favorite movie, and honestly, it is hard to argue with the choice if you are looking for a film that delivers pure, unfiltered comedy from start to finish.
Released in 2008 and directed by Adam McKay, Step Brothers stars Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly as two middle-aged men who still live with their parents and are forced to become roommates when their single parents get married.
The result is a non-stop parade of absurd situations, childish behavior, and genuinely hilarious performances from both leads.
The film became a cult classic almost immediately after release, with countless quotable lines that fans still reference today. For Bieber, who rose to fame as a teenager and has always maintained a playful, youthful energy, a movie this joyfully ridiculous makes complete sense as a personal favorite.
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