Short films are a unique outlet for filmmakers to unleash their wildest ideas and full creativity. Not bogged down by the typical limitations and rules of a feature, a director can make a short film that displays a particular theme in the kinds of ways that they could probably not deploy in a full-length movie. Throughout history, a particularfewshorts have stood the test of time as truly legendary examples of their medium, proving that this kind of cinematic storytelling is worthy of just as much praise, respect, and love.
From experiments in surreal arthouse filmmaking to iconic animated shorts that the whole family can enjoy, the greatest short films of all time show just how varied these kinds of movies are. Truly, there's something for everyone to fall in love with, a very particular kind of structure, rhythm, and magic to shorts. When done right, they can be life-affirming experiences.This list will rank the greatest short films based on their execution, legacy, and overall quality.
10 'The Red Balloon' (1956)
Directed by Albert Lamorisse
34 minutes long, the French fantasy dramedyThe Red Balloonis the only short film that has ever won either of the Best Screenplay categories at the Oscars. It was a historic, well-deserved victory, too. After all, from the time it came out,The Red Balloonbecame one of the most acclaimed family short films in history. Watching it, no matter the viewer's age, feels like becoming a kid again for a little over half an hour.
Proving thatsilence is golden,The Red Balloonis mostly without dialogue, shot in a beautiful Parisian neighborhood, and focusing on child characters played by directorAlbert Lamorisse's kids.As tender as it is funny and as simple in plot as it is potently poignant and complex in its emotional scope,The Red Balloon is an absolutely iconic example of its medium, the Red Balloon itself being one of the most popular symbols of the world of short films.
9 'What's Opera, Doc?' (1957)
Directed by Chuck Jones
Seven minutes long,What's Opera, Doc?is often calledthe greatest cartoon ever released and was selected for preservation in the Library of Congress' National Film Registry in 1992. There are tons ofLooney Tunescartoons that are worth watching, but this one—a parody ofRichard Wagner's operas—is something truly special and uniquely hysterical.
Quotable, hilarious, and far ahead of its time (if Bugs Bunny in drag doesn't qualify as groundbreaking, what does?),What's Opera, Doc?takes two ofthe funniest Looney Tunes characters and has them bouncing off of each other in the most creative and delightful ways. Visually pleasing and surprisingly surreal,What's Opera, Doc? is a must-see for every member of the family.Children's cinema rarely gets this entertaining.
8 'It's Such a Beautiful Day' (2011)
Directed by Don Hertzfeldt
Twenty-three minutes long, It's Such a Beautiful Dayis the work ofDon Hertzfeldt, an icon of the world of American indie animation. The last of three animated shorts, the other two being the almost equally flawlessI Am So Proud of YouandEverything Will Be Ok, it became a feature film (also titledIt's Such a Beautiful Day) one year later when Hertzfeldt put all three shorts together to create one of thegreatest animated movies ever made.
Phenomenal though the feature may be, the short version ofIt's Such a Beautiful Daystands more than well enough on its own.Groundbreaking in its simple but striking visuals, gorgeously poignant and sad yet still finding room for humor, and a perfect conclusion to the story of Bill the stick figure,It's Such a Beautiful Day isproof of just how emotionally stirring short films can be.
7 'The Big Shave' (1967)
Directed by Martin Scorsese
Five minutes long,The Big Shaveis the best short film thatMartin Scorseseever directed, released just one month after the Chicago International Film Festival debut of the auteur's first feature,Who's That Knocking at My Door. Scorsese's only full-on horror movie, it'sa body horror masterpiece with a premise so simple (a man shaving in front of the mirror) that it's unbelievable just how much juice the director was able to squeeze out of it.
The Big Shave is a brilliantly directed and stunningly shot film, and the fact that it's such a quick watch makes it impossible to put up an excuse not to watch it.
What makesThe Big Shaveone ofthe most essential Scorsese movies is just how perfectly it works asan endlessly analyzable metaphor with a myriad of different possible interpretations, though critics have read it throughout the years as a symbol of the United States' self-mutilating involvement in the Vietnam War. Whatever the case, it's a brilliantly directed and stunningly shot film, and the fact that it's such a quick watch makes it impossible to put up an excuse not to watch it.
6 'The Wrong Trousers' (1993)
Directed by Nick Park
A half-hour long,The Wrong Trousersisn't just the bestWallace & Gromitadventure, but arguablythe greatest stop-motion short film ever. Creative, visually timeless, and irresistibly hilarious, it's a must-see for all those who enjoy animated comedies and one of the most iconic examples of its medium of not just of the '90s, but all time.
The Wrong Trousersis flawlessly directed and passionately written, which is why it'sthe very best as far asWallace & Gromitmovies go. There's something in this delightful short for everyone: A heist thriller scene, a riveting and hilarious train chase, plenty of your typicalWallace & Gromitintrigue, and a revolver-wielding criminal mastermind penguin. It doesn't get much better than that.
- Writers
- Nick Park, Bob Baker, Brian Sibley, Brian Trueman
- Genres
- Animation, Comedy
5 'Un Chien Andalou' (1929)
Directed by Luis Buñuel
Twenty-one minutes long,Un Chien Andalouis the work ofLuis Buñuel, father of cinematic surrealism, andSalvador Dalí, by far one of the most important surrealist painters. It's not just one of the most iconic short films of all time, and also not just one ofthe most bizarre films in its artistic movement; it's also one of theearliest and most important surrealist films in history.
WithUn Chien Andalou, Buñuel and Dalí sought to create a work of pure irrationality, a senseless collection of head-scratching visuals following only dream logic and Freudian free association, and nothing else. In this sense, they succeeded. This seminal surrealist short isentirely a manifestation of the unconscious mind. To rationally analyze its images as symbols and metaphors is to go directly against what Buñuel and Dalí intended, yet it's absolutely irresistible to still try. Such are the delightful paradoxes of the human mind that the artists so gleefully wanted to dissect.
4 'La Jetée' (1962)
Directed by Chris Marker
Twenty-eight minutes long,La Jetéeproves that short films and sci-fi get along beautifully. This film—one ofthe best in France's history—may be less popular than 1995's12 Monkeys, which was inspired by it, but it deserves just as much recognition. Composed almost entirely of still pictures, it's a complete subversion of everything that movies are meant to be, but it executes that subversion in a remarkably intelligent way.
ButLa Jetéeisn't an exercise in empty intellectualism, but rather one ofthe most unique, groundbreaking, and fascinating shorts of all time. It's a beautiful, surreal, altogether transcendental dissection of the medium of motion pictures, as well as an enthralling story of memories and the human mind.
3 'Dimensions of Dialogue' (1983)
Directed by Jan Švankmajer
Eleven minutes long,Dimensions of Dialogueis the greatest short film by retired Czech filmmakerJan Švankmajer, who's best known for his surrealist feature films, which have become bona fide small cult classics. While not as entrenched in circles of arthouse cinema fans,Dimensions of Dialogueis just as brilliant as Švankmajer's features.
Divided into three sections that are all stop-motion animated with equal vibrancy and passion,Dimensions of Dialogueisa richly surreal study of communication, human connection, and the unifying and destructive powers of both. It's definitely not the easiest watch for those who have never watched an experimental arthouse short, but it's also a terrific place to start.
2 'A Trip to the Moon' (1902)
Directed by Georges Méliès
Fourteen minutes long,A Trip to the Moonmight just be the most iconic short film ever made—and it definitely is one ofthe most important sci-fi movies in history. The magnum opus ofGeorges Méliès, one of the earliest master filmmakers, it's both a beautifulJules Verneadaptation and very much a new, electrifying, thrilling thing.
There's no denying the importance of Méliès and his work to the history of cinema, especially in the fields of short films, sci-fi, and special effects.A Trip to the Moonis the perfect encapsulation of Méliès' impact, influence, and distinct charm. The movie's entertainment factor has aged like fine wine, but it's an especially treasured watch for those who love tosee just how much cinema has evolved throughout its history.
A Trip to the Moon
- Release Date
- October 4, 1902
- Runtime
- 15 Minutes
- Director
- Georges Méliès
- Cast
- Georges Méliès, Bleuette Bernon, François Lallement, Henri Delannoy, Victor André, Brunnet, Depierre, Farjaut, Kelm, Jehanne d'Alcy, Jules-Eugène Legris
- Writers
- Georges Méliès, Jules Verne, H.G. Wells
- Genres
- Sci-Fi,Adventure
1 'Night and Fog' (1956)
Directed by Alain Resnais
Thirty-two minutes long,Night and Fogis a documentary short about Nazi concentration camps byAlain Resnais, one of the most important French filmmakers in history, and it's one of themost intense war movies of all time. Made in collaboration with concentration camp survivor and screenwriterJean Cayrol, it's perhapsone of the most important films ever made about World War II.
The way Resnais and Cayrol were able to shoot such a cruelly haunting film with such visually beautiful poetry isone of the biggest cinematic achievements in the history of the art form, short or otherwise. Indescribable in its depiction of the most unspeakable horror, it's certainly not an easy movie to get through, but it's worth every last minute. If ever a film has proved the sheer inimitable power of the short film medium, it'sNight and Fog. It'sremarkably tough to stomach, but it's still a must-see.
- Runtime
- 32 Minutes
- Writers
- Jean Cayrol
- Genres
- Documentary
