Ever wonder what the greatest movies of all-time are? What about actors and actresses? The Circuit has decided to create our own Hollywood Hall of Fame, where we honor the greatest films, shows, actors, actresses & directors of all-time!
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Sports have a Hall of Fame. Music has a Hall of Fame. Movies don’t. How can an industry that is so prominent in pop culture, and so obsessed with its own history, not have a Hall of Fame? We are changing that here at The Circuit by creating the Hollywood Hall of Fame!
Because we have about a century of movies and television shows to catch up to, we are going to induct a new class to the Hollywood Hall of Fame each month. Each class will include:
Five films
Three television shows
Three actors
Three actresses
One director
Here at The Circuit, we are obsessed with history and context. We like to categorize everything and rank everything. Sports have a Hall of Fame dedicated to celebrating history and enshrining the best of the best.
Here are the 1st ballot entrants to the Hollywood Hall of Fame!
Films
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
The Wizard of Oz changed the movie industry. Even today, nearing a century later, the scene where Dorothy turns from black & white to color is incredible. One of the most-watched films ever made, this is a no-brainer 1st ballot film for the Hollywood Hall of Fame.
The Godfather (1972)
The Godfather is widely considered the greatest movie of all-time. If it’s not your #1, it’s definitely in your top five. Marlon Brando delivers a pantheon performance (more on him later) and Francis Ford-Coppola (more on him later as well) paints his Mona Lisa in this 1st ballot film.
Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Morgan Freeman delivers one of his most iconic performances in this film, and incredible critic & audience scores from every outlet imaginable make this film a 1st ballot inductee.
Citizen Kane (1941)
This film was so far ahead of its time with the way the film was shot and the way the plot unfolded. Even 80 years later, Citizen Kane is still widely considered one of the greatest films of all-time.
Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
This 227 minute (three hours and 47 minutes!!!) long-epic features an incredible cast headlined by all-time great Peter O’Toole. From the way the film is edited, to the structure of the plot, this is perhaps the greatest epic ever made, and worthy of a 1st ballot induction.
Shows
M.A.S.H. (1972-83)
When your series finale is the most viewed television broadcast ever… you probably had something special on your hands. This show had a lot of stars, ran for a decade and is one of the most-watched shows ever; an absolute lock for a 1st ballot Hall of Fame induction.
The Simpsons (1989-)
This show is still going!!! Somehow, these yellow characters are still in our lives more than 30 years later. They have made countless predictions about our society, as well as a movie based on the show. Given its place in our social consciousness, it is deserving of the Hall of Fame.
The Sopranos (1999-2007)
Everyone loves the mob, right? From The Godfather to Michael Scott turning down an insurance agent, the mob has become one of the best story crutches in Hollywood. The Sopranos has managed to stay in the social consciousness 15 years later, even inspiring a movie in 2021.
Actors
Tom Hanks (Forrest Gump, Toy Story, Cast Away)
Not everyone thinks Tom Hanks is the greatest actor of all-time, but just about everyone would have him in their top five. Personally, he is the greatest for me. No actor/actress can match both the quality and depth of an imdb page that Hanks has; Cast Away, Apollo 13, Big, Sully, Toy Story, Saving Private Ryan & The Polar Express, just to name a few. Oh yeah, and that list doesn’t include his BACK-TO-BACK Oscar wins in 1994 and 1995 for Philadelphia and Forrest Gump, respectively. Hanks has done it all, and should be the first name in the Hollywood Hall of Fame.
Marlon Brando (The Godfather, Apocalypse Now, Streetcar Named Desire)
Brando doesn’t necessarily have the depth that Hanks has, but he certainly has the quality. Between The Godfather, Apocalypse Now & Streetcar Named Desire, Brando carved out one of the most successful careers ever in Hollywood. Add that imdb page with multiple Oscar wins, and Brando is a deserving 1st ballot Hall of Famer.
Jack Nicholson (The Shining, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Batman)
While Nicholson isn’t the greatest actor ever, he might be the most expressive actor of all-time. With one of the most expressive faces the industry has ever seen, Nicholson earned himself a 1st ballot induction with roles in The Shining, Batman & One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest just to name a few.
Actresses
Katherine Hepburn (The Lion in Winter, On Golden Pond, Morning Glory)
To quote LeBron James, “Not one… not two… not three.” BUT FOUR OSCAR WINS for Katherine Hepburn. That is a record that will likely never be matched. With roles like Lion in Winter and On Golden Pond, Katherine Hepburn is universally accepted as the greatest actress of all-time.
Frances McDormand (Nomadland, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, Fargo)
The McDormaissance is upon us! She’s captured two of the last four Best Actress wins and is showing no signs of slowing down. Three Billboards and Nomadland were both great films that showcased how incredible McDormand is, but her career-defining role may be coming in The Tragedy of Macbeth as she takes her turn at maybe the most iconic female role of all-time, Lady Macbeth. That role could end up tying her with Hepburn for most lead acting Oscar wins with four. She is a no-brainer 1st ballot induction.
Meryl Streep (Kramer vs. Kramer, Mamma Mia, Sophies Choice)
Mamma Mia! Meryl Streep has forged an incredible career in Hollywood, with iconic roles in films like Kramer vs. Kramer and Sophie’s Choice. Streep has proven she can do anything from serious family dramas to… serious family dramas with music! She is a great actress, and worthy of a 1st ballot induction.
Steven Spielberg (Jaws, E.T., West Side Story, Jurassic Park, Schindler’s List, Indiana Jones, The Goonies, need I go on?)
What a resume. Spielberg has delivered so many movies that are not only spectacular, but defined a genre. The titles above don’t even cover all of the great films he has directed, but they drive home the point that Spielberg is nearly inarguably the greatest director of all-time.
There you have it! The 1st Ballot inductees to the Hollywood Hall of Fame! Here is a comprehensive list of the Hall of Famers, which we will update with each class:
Films:
The Wizard of Oz
The Godfather
Shawshank Redemption
Citizen Kane
Lawrence of Arabia
Shows:
M*A*S*H*
The Simpsons
The Sopranos
Actors:
Tom Hanks
Marlon Brando
Jack Nicholson
Actresses:
Katherine Hepburn
Frances McDormand
Meryl Streep
Directors:
Steven Spielberg