The Film Canon · No. 13 of 250Methodology
Psycho poster

Psycho (1960)

0.4448Canon Score · ranked #13 all time

Aggregated from 19 of 31 authoritative lists, weighted by authority and adjusted for each list's scope and age. How scoring works →

About the film

When larcenous real estate clerk Marion Crane goes on the lam with a wad of cash and hopes of starting a new life, she ends up at the notorious Bates Motel, where manager Norman Bates cares for his housebound mother.

Why it ranks #13

Every list on which Psycho appears, with its position as published.

ListAuthorityPosition
Variety 100 Greatest (2022)Critics' canon#1 / 100
Entertainment Weekly 100 (2013)Editorial list#5 / 87
Village Voice 100 Best of 20th C (2000)Critics' canon#20 / 100
DGA 80 Greatest Directorial (2016)Critics' canon#32 / 78
Sight & Sound Critics' 250 (2022)Major international poll#33 / 264
Time Out 100 Best (2026 ed.)Critics' canon#38 / 99
THR Hollywood's 100 Favorite (2014)Critics' canon#41 / 100
Empire 500 Greatest (2008)Editorial list#45 / 500
Empire 100 Best (2025)Editorial list#49 / 100
Sight & Sound Directors' 100 (2022)Major international poll#50 / 104
TIFF Essential 100 (2010)Editorial list#68 / 100
Total Film 100 Greatest (2005)Editorial list#90 / 100
WGA 101 Greatest Screenplays (2006)Critics' canon#92 / 101
Letterboxd Top 500 (2026-07 snapshot)Editorial list#147 / 500
Halliwell's Top 1000 (2005)Critics' canon#205 / 1041
Ebert Great Movies (I–IV)Critics' canonSelected
1001 Movies (2003-2024 union)Critics' canonSelected
NYT Best 1000 Movies (2004)Critics' canonSelected
TIME All-TIME 100 (2005)Editorial listSelected