The 10 Best Boston Movies, Ranked

Boston is an old city and one that has found itself the center of countless movies and television shows. Given some of the iconic features filling out the city itself, that’s probably not too surprising. It may not be the city that never sleeps at night, but it has earned its place in Hollywood nonetheless.

If you were looking up a list of films set in Boston, you may find yourself surprised by some of the items. Or maybe not, if you’re a local spotting something familiar. No matter how you feel on the subject, we’re here today to talk about the ten best Boston movies. And we’re going to take that one step further by ranking them according to their IMDb scores.

10  Gone Baby Gone (2007) – 7.6

First on our list of amazing Boston movies is Gone Baby Gone. Coming in with a decent IMDb rating, this is one of the best loved movies set in Boston, and with good reason.

When a little girl is kidnapped in Boston, two detectives are called in to solve the case. As with many crimes of this nature, it end sup being an emotionally trying time for everyone involved, including the two leading detectives. Gone Baby Gone was directed by Ben Affleck, and stars Morgan Freeman, Ed Harris, Casey Affleck, and plenty of other famous stars.

9 The Town (2010) – 7.5

Next up on the list is a movie called The Town. This movie garnered positive reviews and scores on IMDb, and thus it solidly earned its ninth-place ranking for best Boston movies.

The Town follows a career thief and the complicated mess he finds himself in, thanks to the feelings he’s developed surrounding the bank manager from his previous heist. Meanwhile, the FBI is closing in on its targets. This is yet another movie directed by Ben Affleck, and starts himself, alongside Rebecca Hall and Jon Hamm (and many others as well).

8 The Boondock Saints (1999) – 7.8

The Boondock Saints has a solid score on IMDb, and thus it nabs the eighth spot on this list of Boston movies. Though this movie has some die-hard fans that would happily argue all of the reasons why it deserves a better placement.

Two Irish brothers move to Boston and later become vigilantes thanks to everything happening around them; namely the massive criminal underworld that has affected their lives again and again. This is a bloody and oddly satisfying movie for many. The Boondock Saints was directed by Troy Duffy and stars Willem Dafoe, Sean Patrick Flanery, Norman Reedus, and David Della Rocco (and many more).  For completionists, a sequel titled The Boondock Saints II: All Saints’ Day opened in 2009, a full decade after the original’s release.

7 Manchester By The Sea (2016) – 7.8

Manchester By The Sea is next up on the list, as it also earned high praise on IMDb. This is another impressive movie set in Boston and one that has gotten plenty of attention since it released in 2016.

Manchester By The Sea is about an uncle forced to step up and care for his nephew, all while coping with his own depression and issues. It’s an emotional tale through and through, and one that struck a chord with many a viewer. Directed by Kenneth Lonergan, Manchester By The Sea stars Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams, Kyle Chandler, and many other talented actors and actresses.

6 The Fighter (2010) – 7.8

Next up is The Fighter, which earned a very respectable grade on IMDb, which earned it the seventh spot on this list. Set in Boston, this is the story of Micky Ward, a boxer determined to outshine his famous brother. It’s worth noting that this movie is based on a true story, which for many enhances the story so much more.

The Fighter was directed by David O. Russell, and stars Mark Walhberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams, and many other talented actors.

5 Mystic River (2003) – 7.9

Mystic River is next up on our list, thanks to it’s IMDb rating. This is the story of two separate investigations launched upon the death of the daughter of an ex-con. On the one side are the homicide detectives. And on the other side, the ex-con and his friends, seeking vengeance and understanding for what happened. Oh, and did we mention that it was all set in Boston?

Directed by Clint Eastwood, Mystic River stars Sean Penn, Tim Robbins, and Kevin Bacon, just to name a few of the actors involved in one of Eastwood’s best directorial works to date.

4 Shutter Island (2010) – 8.1

Shutter Island is the next Boston movie on our list, thanks to it’s IMDb score. Set in 1954, the sudden and confusing disappearance of a murderess forces a U.S. Marshall to get involved, and along the way, he’s forced to face his deepest and darkest fears.

Shutter Island was directed by Martin Scorsese and boasts a massively impressive cast. Starring it are Leonardo DiCaprio, Emily Mortimer, and Mark Ruffalo, just to name a few of the people involved with this mind-bending thriller that will leave you questioning reality itself.

3 Good Will Hunting (1997) – 8.3

Good Will Hunting is next up on the list, thanks to its IMDb score. Sometimes it’s easy to forget where a movie is set, thanks to how overpowering the plot itself can be. Good Will Hunting is one of those movies.

Will Hunting is a genius, but he opted to do something unexpected with his life. He wanted to be a janitor at MIT, that is until he couldn’t hide his talents any longer. Then his life turned around, with successes and trials coming from every corner. Good Will Hunting was directed by Gus Van Sant and stars Robin Williams, Matt Damon, and Ben Affleck.

2 The Departed (2006) – 8.5

The Departed, which without a doubt is a fan-favorite, lands the coveted number two spot on our list of Boston movies, and with good reason.

This remake of Infernal Affairs covers the subject of Irish gangs in South Boston, with an undercover police officer and a mole working within the organizations – all while trying to safely identify one another. It’s a task easier said than done and is worthy of having a movie of its own. The Departed was directed by Martin Scorsese and stars actors such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, and Jack Nicholson, just to name a few.

1 Spotlight (2015) – 9.1

Last, but certainly not least, on our list of amazing Boston movies is thanks to its high score on IMDb. This is yet another hit movie set in Boston and thus is absolutely perfect for this list.

Spotlight is based on the true story of how the Boston Globe researched and uncovered the massive scandal that is the Catholic Church and their infamous cover-up of child molestation within the church. Spotlight was directed by Tom McCarthy and stars famous actors such as Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, and Rachel McAdams.

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