Elijah Wood is world-famous for his role as Frodo Baggins in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. However, despite the film’s legendary status, Wood doesn’t include it in his personal list of favorite movies.
A self-proclaimed cinephile, Wood once shared his top five favorite films with Rotten Tomatoes, revealing a taste for unique and visually stunning storytelling.
Harvey (1950)
At the top of Wood’s list is the Henry Koster classic, Harvey, a heartwarming dramedy about a man whose best friend is an invisible rabbit. Wood finds the film deeply human and uplifting:
"Harvey is the embodiment of happiness, an escape from reality. There’s so much beauty in it."
Delicatessen (1991)
The second spot goes to the darkly comedic French classic by Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Marc Caro.
"This film is set in a bizarre world full of crazy characters," Wood noted. "It’s funny, dark, and incredibly unique."
Léon: The Professional (1994)
Wood is also a fan of Luc Besson’s legendary thriller, which introduced Natalie Portman to the world and starred Jean Reno as the hitman with a heart.
"It’s a tragic story of a man who finds his humanity through a little girl. There’s so much beauty in this film."
The Night of the Hunter (1955)
Wood was introduced to Charles Laughton’s noir masterpiece through a recommendation from Peter Jackson’s wife. He was mesmerized by its cinematic brilliance.
"The cinematography is stunning — the shadows, silhouettes, and black-and-white palette are absolutely breathtaking."
Battle Royale (2000)
Rounding out Wood’s list is Kinji Fukasaku’s Japanese cult hit, a gripping and brutal story about schoolchildren forced into a deadly survival game on a remote island.
"It’s incredible — dark, funny, thrilling, and absolutely terrifying."
