If you are making a list of most successful NFL franchises, the San Francisco 49ers have to be right near the top. They have five Super Bowl championships and an endless list of legendary players and coaches who have passed through their doors.

When looking through the history of the 49ers, there are countless moments that could very well be on this list. Cutting it down to five was no easy task.

Will Kyle Shanahan's teams be on here one day? Will the Jimmy Garoppolo trade end up being a steal down the line? We'll have to wait and see. Until then, here are the top five moments in 49ers‘ history.

5. Super Bowl Blowout

The 1989 49ers squad ended their season in a way that continued their winning trend. They finished 14-2 and at the top of the NFC West. Joe Montana was named MVP and Offensive Player of the Year.

The 49ers outscored their opponents, 126-26, in three postseason games. This was highlighted by a 55-10 victory over the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl. After scoring two touchdowns in the second quarter, San Francisco led, 27-3, at halftime. They added 28 points in the second half to continue the rout. Montana was named MVP of the game after going 22 of 29 for 297 yards and five touchdowns. Jerry Rice caught seven passes for 148 yards and three touchdowns.

The dominant offense of the 49ers ended the season with a blowout that their fans could sit back and enjoy. Great moments are often viewed as clutch plays made in close games. In this instance, a great moment was a blowout Super Bowl victory that solidified the 1989 San Francisco team as one of the best teams of all time.

4. Drafting Joe Montana

Montana was the fourth quarterback selected in the 1979 NFL Draft. Jack Thompson, Phil Simms and Steve Fuller were all first-round selections. The 49ers were able to land Montana when he fell to pick No. 82 in the third round.

At the time, no one knew what to expect of the quarterback out of Notre Dame. They found out quickly. Montana was named league MVP twice and Super Bowl MVP three times. He led San Francisco to four championships and finished a perfect 4-0 in those games. Montana was named to eight Pro bowls and three All-Pro First Teams.

Montana finished his career with 40,551 yards and 273 touchdowns. He is regarded as one of the best quarterbacks to ever play in the NFL. He came to San Francisco and completely transformed the franchise into a winner.

3. First Super Bowl Victory

Montana took over the starting job full time in 1981. The 49ers finished 13-3 and at the top of the NFC West. they entered the playoffs and breezed past the New York Giants in the Divisional round.

San Francisco hosted the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Championship Game and won the legendary matchup. This setup a matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals in the Super Bowl. The 49ers jumped out to a quick 20-0 lead. The Bengals would get on the board on a Ken Anderson touchdown run in the third quarter. The momentum seemed to be shifting.

Cincinnati got the ball back with 6:53 left in the third quarter. They drove all the way down to the Niners' three-yard line where they faced first-and-goal. After a Pete Johnson run for no gain and an incomplete pass to Anderson, the Bengals faced fourth down. Johnson was stuffed once again and the momentum shifted back to San Francisco. This goal line stand is remembered most from the game.

The 49ers ended up with a 26-21 win for their first Super Bowl in franchise history. Montana was named Super Bowl MVP and Bill Walsh was named NFL Coach of the Year.

2. The Drive

Montana has the reputation of being one of the best quarterbacks in crunch time. The 1988 Super Bowl proved that better than any other situation. Once again, the Niners squared off with the Cincinnati Bengals.

With 3:44 left in the game, the Bengals kicked a field goal to jump out to a 16-13 lead. San Francisco was set to get the ball back with one final chance. The only issue was that they started the drive at their own eight-yard line. Montana would lead an 11-play, 92 yard drive that ended in a touchdown pass to John Taylor.

The 49ers would win the game, 20-16. This sequence is known as “The Drive” and is one of the best-known in NFL history. Montana went eight-of-nine for 97 yards and the game-winning touchdown. The key play came after an illegal man downfield penalty. On second-and-20, Montana connected with Rice for 27 yards.

This drive won San Francisco their third Super Bowl and put Montana's name in the history books.

1. The Catch

When you hear “The Catch,” there is only one play that comes to mind. It is one of the top moments in NFL history for any team and certainly the greatest moment in San Francisco history.

In 1981, the Niners met the Cowboys in the NFC Championship game. The two teams went back and forth all night. A fourth-quarter touchdown pass from Danny White to Doug Cosbie gave the Cowboys a 27-21 lead. Montana led the 49ers down to the goal line on the ensuing drive. With 58 seconds left, the 49ers were facing a third-and-three at the Cowboys' six-yard line.

The image of Montana rolling to his right, double-pumping, and throwing a ball off his back foot will live in San Francisco history forever. This is because he hit Dwight Clark for the go-ahead score. It ended up being a 28-27 victory for the Niners that sent them to the Super Bowl against the Bengals.

This play led to the 49ers' first Super Bowl victory in franchise history. When thinking about iconic plays in NFL history, it is hard to find one that sticks out more than “The Catch.”