40. 8 Mile (2002)

Global hip hop phenomenon Eminem made his acting debut (to immense critical acclaim) in Curtis Hanson's tale of an aspiring young rapper from the wrong side of the tracks in Detroit. It's a compelling story, basically a retelling of the early days of Eminem's own career, but it's the hip hop battle scenes, in which MCs compete to win the approval of a rowdy and demanding crowd with their lyrical ability, that really set this film on fire.

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39. South Pacific (1958)

Famous Hollywood adaptation of the Rodgers and Hammerstein hit Broadway musical is set on a South Pacific island during the Second World War. A US Navy nurse meets a French planter one enchanted evening away from the hospital. Will they both be happy or will she wash that man right out of her hair?

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38. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Produced by the master of gothic glamour, Tim Burton, this magical stop-motion feature is one of the most dazzlingly original movies of the 1990s. Halloween town hero Jack Skellington stumbles upon sparklingly cheerful Christmas town and wants a piece of the action, but when he tries to play Santa, he discovers Christmas and Halloween just don't mix. Spooky tunes, demented characters and exquisite attention to detail make this is one of those kid's movies that adults will like even more than their junior companions.

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37. White Christmas (1954)

Guaranteed to get a play during the festive season, White Christmas follows the fortunes of Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye as they try to put the Merry back into Christmas at a holiday resort. Bing Crosby's rendition of Irvine Berlin's title song has become one of the most recognisable Christmas classics.

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36. Guys and Dolls (1955)

A wonderful, lavish adaptation of the hit musical that boasts a score of classic production numbers, including Luck Be a Lady and Sit Down You're Rocking The Boat. The plot, involving Frank Sinatra's Nathan Detroit and his efforts to get $1,000 to run his renowned crap game, takes second place to the singing, hoofing and colourful people that wander in and out of his world, including Sky Masterson (a surprisingly tuneful Marlon Brando), his missionary love interest Sarah (Jean Simmons) and wacky chorus girl Miss Adelaide (a marvellous Vivian Blaine).

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