This may be very controversial but this is my top 10 movies directed by Jewish Filmmakers. I decided based on Rotten Tomatoes and IMDB ratings and a little bit of my personal take! Comment on your favorites below.

10. 10. Secrets & Lies (1996)- Mike Leigh 

This mystery drama is about a black woman who searches for her biological mother and discovers a white working class woman with a troubled family. The meeting brings tension and sad truths into the open. Leigh grew up in a Jewish family near Manchester, United Kingdom. The film won many awards, including many Academy Awards and with the director being Jewish it seemed fitting for number 10 on our list.

9. Tootsie (1982)- Sydney Pollack

This comedy film is about an actor who disguises himself as a woman to obtain a television role. His experience exposes sexism and forces him to reconsider how he treats other people. Pollack was the son of Russian Jewish immigrants. The American Film Institute lists his movie 2nd on the greatest American comedies.

8. The Princess Bride (1987)- Rob Reiner

This fantasy adventure tells the story of Westley and Buttercup, combining romance, sword fights and humor. It challenges fairy tale conventions while still making its characters’ relationships meaningful. Reiner discussed his Jewish upbringing and values and interviews. The film earns its place because of its storytelling and appeals to lovers across its generation.

7. Young Frankenstein (1974) — Mel Brooks
   Just like me, Mr. Kier said, “He really likes young Frankenstein.” This comedy follows the grandson of Victor Frankenstein as he continues his grandfather’s experiments. Brooks uses black and white photography and classic horror conventions to create both a parody and a tribute to earlier monster movies. Born to Jewish immigrants, Brooks built a career around satire and comic invention. The film belongs on this list for its clever humor and affectionate treatment of its source material. 

6. No Country for Old Men (2007)- Joel and Ethan Coen
   This crime thriller follows a man who takes money from a failed drug deal and is pursued by a relentless killer. Its tension and unsettling story raise questions about greed, violence, and chance. The Coen brothers grew up in a Jewish family in Minnesota. The film won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.

5. The Graduate (1967)- Mike Nichols
For the fifth pick, we have Mr. Stark’s “favorite movie of all time.” The film follows Benjamin Braddock, a recent college graduate who feels uncertain about his future and becomes involved in complicated romantic relationships. Its creative camera work and Simon & Garfunkel soundtrack help express his sense of isolation. Nichols was born to Jewish parents in Berlin. He won the Academy Award for Best Director for this film, which captured the uncertainty and generational tensions of the 1960s.

4. Some Like It Hot (1959)- Billy Wilder
   Our fourth pick is one of Simon L’s (‘29) favorites. In this classic comedy, Two musicians witness a gangland killing and disguise themselves as women to escape with an all female band. The resulting comedy combines mistaken identities, romance, and sharp dialogue. Wilder, who was born into a Jewish family and fled Nazi Germany, became one of Hollywood’s most influential filmmakers. This film demonstrates his ability to turn complicated situations into memorable comedy.

3. 12 Angry Men (1957)- Sidney Lumet
   Elijah H. (‘29) calls the number three pick “one of the great movies of all time.” This drama follows twelve jurors deciding whether a young defendant is guilty of murder. One juror challenges the others to reconsider their assumptions and examine the evidence carefully. The film earns its place through its powerful treatment of prejudice, reasonable doubt, and personal responsibility. Lumet came from a Jewish family with roots in Yiddish theater. 

2. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)- Stanley Kubrick
   Number two is “a classic and […] favorite,” according to Mathew W. (‘29). Kubrick’s science fiction film explores human evolution, space travel, and artificial intelligence, particularly through the computer HAL 9000. Its unusual storytelling, striking imagery, and ambitious ideas make it an important choice for this list. Kubrick was born into a Jewish family in the Bronx, although his upbringing was largely secular. 

1. Schindler’s List (1993)- Steven Spielberg
   This historical drama tells the story of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who saved more than a thousand Jews during the Holocaust. Its mostly black and white photography and emotional performances emphasize the horrors of persecution and the importance of individual choices. Spielberg grew up in a Jewish home, and the film represents an especially personal contribution to preserving Jewish history. It won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.