1969 Hit Film Ranked Among ‘Best Movies of All Time'
Films have been defining culture for a century. Over the countless decades of the filmmaking industry, a few standouts continue to persevere today as undisputed classics.
In 2024, Collider ranked the 100 best movies of all time, compiling a list of the greatest works in cinema history. Ranked among iconic films such as Martin Scorsese's 1976 film Taxi Driver at No. 66 and John Ford's 1956 film The Searchers at No. 68, director George Roy Hill secured the No. 65 spot with his 1969 masterpiece, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
Released on September 23, 1969, in New Haven, Connecticut, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid made waves as a transformative entry in the Western genre. The shoot-'em-up marked Hill's eighth feature film and remains his most celebrated work. Upon its release, the film achieved widespread critical recognition, with many singing its praises for redefining the traditional Western archetype.
Starring Hollywood legends Paul Newman as Butch Cassidy and Robert Redford as the Sundance Kid, the film followed two outlaws seeking a fresh start out west after committing a series of bank and train robberies. The blockbuster effortlessly blended comedy, action, unique friendship dynamics and Western aesthetics to create a masterclass in filmmaking that would inspire the genre for years.
The film's prestigious reputation was widely recognized during the subsequent awards season. In 1970, the film took home several notable accolades, including four Academy Awards, nine BAFTA Awards and a Golden Globe Award. Today, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid continues to resonate with modern audiences, consistently appearing on "best of" lists, attesting to its longstanding legacy in cinema.
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This story was originally published April 17, 2026 at 9:11 AM.