What is the best Boston movie?

Geographically, Boston is farther away from Los Angeles than any other major U.S. city. But for more than a century, filmmakers have found their way to Massachusetts to make movies.

The very first movie shot in the state — an adaptation of Washington Irving’s “Rip Van Winkle” filmed on the Cape in 1896 – pre-dates Hollywood itself. The first major Hollywood production to set up shop in Boston — the 1950 noir “Mystery Street” — hinted at the avalanche of Boston crime movies to come. And in 1975, Steven Spielberg came to Martha’s Vineyard to make “Jaws,” widely considered the first modern blockbuster.

Today, Massachusetts continues to inspire filmmakers to head East, seeking to capture a piece of the state’s ineffable quality on screen.

The most common type of project filmed in the Bay State is undoubtedly the Boston crime movie, featuring classics from “The Friends of Eddie Coyle” to “The Departed.” But you’ll find films of every genre in the big list of movies set and filmed in Mass.

In honor of the 50th anniversary of “Jaws” this month, we decided it was time to ask Boston.com readers a fiendishly difficult question: What is the best Massachusetts movie? 

Our Mass. Movie Madness bracket features 32 movies, all of them both set and filmed in Massachusetts. Our field is a mix of old-school movies like “The Thomas Crown Affair,” modern classics like “American Fiction,” and Best Picture winners like “Spotlight” and “CODA.”

You’ll find comedies, horror films, dramas, and a healthy dose of Boston’s holy acting trinity of Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, and Mark Wahlberg.

Starting June 9, you’ll have 10 days to determine which of the films below deserve the title as the ultimate Massachusetts movie. We’ll narrow things down every couple of days until a final winner is announced on Friday, June 20 – the exact day “Jaws” was released 50 years ago.

The time is now. Show your favorite film some love below, and check back every two days to vote again. 

— Kevin Slane, Boston.com entertainment writer

Here’s the schedule of voting rounds:

• First round: June 9 (1 p.m.) through June 11 (12:59 p.m.)
• Second round: June 11 (1 p.m.) through June 13 (12:59 p.m.)
• Third round: June 13 (1 p.m.) through June 15 (12:59 p.m.)
• Final Four: June 15 (1 p.m.) through June 17 (12:59 p.m.)
• Championship: June 17 (1 p.m.) through June 19 (12:59 p.m.)

Topic: Movies

This is the best Boston movie, according to Boston.com readers