50 Classic Movies You Should Do Yourself a Favor and Watch
Movies are magical. They transport you to other worlds full of memorable characters, sinister plots, and surprising mysteries just waiting to be told. Film allows you the wonderful opportunity to step into someone else’s shoes for a brief moment in time, and experience the world as they see it.
You see what they see, feel what they feel, and learn as they learn. The sympathetic process that goes in creating a film is equal parts math and magic, all coming together to through the collective vision of directors, producers, editors, sound mixers, actors, screenwriters, and even more to deliver a delightful (sometimes) escape from the mundanity of every day life.
Sadly, not all movies have the same impact as others. But those that do, stay with you. The classics builds tension, suspense, and anguish, only to deliver a satisfying catharsis that leaves you a better person overall for having learned some valuable lesson. Other films create beautiful, sweeping shots that you long to frame on a wall in your home. Others feature delightful music that string you along the plot, like a charming two-step. But again, the classics are a magical combination of all of the above, forming the finest experiences the medium has to offer. If you haven’t seen these movies, you are in for a treat. By no means is this list the limit, but it’s a great place to start.
Akira Kurosawa’s historical epic about a group of samurai who defend a village from a bandit attack. A masterpiece and among the finest films ever made.
Ridley Scott’s neo-noir masterpiece follows the story of a detective chasing a group of rogue androids around a cyberpunk Los Angeles.
Alfred Hitchcock’s revolutionary horror/thriller still manages to shock modern audiences with its excellent use of suspense, editing, and music.
Spike Lee’s comedy-drama showcases the rising racial tensions that culminate on the hottest day of the year in Brooklyn.
Another Hitchcock greatest hit that’s equal parts mystery and psychological thriller.
A Swedish film by Ingrid Bergman about a stage actress who suddenly loses the ability to speak, and the nurse in charge of taking care of her. Stunning visuals and great drama.
Another Hitchcock masterpiece about the dangers of obsession and nostalgia.
One of the finest films ever made that fully utilizes everything that makes the medium of cinema special. David Lynch’s masterpiece is difficult to approach but oh so rewarding to watch.
Martin Scorsese beautifully documents the descent into madness of Vietnam war veteran, Travis Bickle.
One of David Fincher’s earlier works, Se7en is a master-class in screenwriting and suspense.
A Scorsese adaptation of the equally great Chinese film, “Infernal Affairs,” The Departed tells the story of a game of cat and mouse in the Boston police department.
Francois Truffaut’s classic film that ushered in the French New Wave is a story of growing up as a boy.
Akira Kurosawa’s film about a chance encounter in the woods between a samurai, maiden, and a bandit that details the nature of truth and the human condition.
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Seven Samurai (1954)
Akira Kurosawa's historical epic about a group of samurai who defend a village from a bandit attack. A masterpiece and among the finest films ever made.
Blade Runner (1982)
Ridley Scott's neo-noir masterpiece follows the story of a detective chasing a group of rogue androids around a cyberpunk Los Angeles.
Psycho (1960)
Alfred Hitchcock's revolutionary horror/thriller still manages to shock modern audiences with its excellent use of suspense, editing, and music.
Do the Right Thing (1989)
Spike Lee's comedy-drama showcases the rising racial tensions that culminate on the hottest day of the year in Brooklyn.
Rear Window (1954)
Another Hitchcock greatest hit that's equal parts mystery and psychological thriller.
Persona (1966)
A Swedish film by Ingrid Bergman about a stage actress who suddenly loses the ability to speak, and the nurse in charge of taking care of her. Stunning visuals and great drama.
Vertigo (1958)
Another Hitchcock masterpiece about the dangers of obsession and nostalgia.
Mulholland Drive (2001)
One of the finest films ever made that fully utilizes everything that makes the medium of cinema special. David Lynch's masterpiece is difficult to approach but oh so rewarding to watch.
Taxi Driver (1976)
Martin Scorsese beautifully documents the descent into madness of Vietnam war veteran, Travis Bickle.
Se7en (1995)
One of David Fincher's earlier works, Se7en is a master-class in screenwriting and suspense.
The Departed (2006)
A Scorsese adaptation of the equally great Chinese film, "Infernal Affairs," The Departed tells the story of a game of cat and mouse in the Boston police department.
The 400 Blows (1959)
Francois Truffaut's classic film that ushered in the French New Wave is a story of growing up as a boy.
Pan's Labyrinth (2006)
Guillermo del Toro's film about the beauty of imagination and reality set against the horrific backdrop of the Spanish Civil War.
Rashomon (1950)
Akira Kurosawa's film about a chance encounter in the woods between a samurai, maiden, and a bandit that details the nature of truth and the human condition.
The Godfather (1972)
One of the most influential films ever made, Francis Ford Coppola's Godfather tells the story of how family obligations change a man.
The Godfather: Part II (1974)
Sequels rarely surpass the original, but this is certainly one of them, telling the continued story of Michael Corleone.
Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (1977)
George Lucas' fantasy film forever changed the history of popular culture upon release. Star Wars soon turned into a world-wide phenomena that continues to this day.
Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Arguably the greatest Star Wars film to date, and showcases the darker side of the franchise with fantastic reveals.
Birdman (2014)
Alejandro G. Innaritu's modern classic is the closest thing audiences will come to watching a live-play in the form of a film.
Whiplash (2014)
Damien Chapelle's film is one of the most suspenseful films about jazz band you'll ever see. Breathtaking thriller that will leave you gasping for breath and cheering in your seat.
Children of Men (2006)
Alfonso Curarón's chilling depiction of a realistic take on a dystopia future where humanity has lost the ability to reproduce.
Toy Story (1995)
The beginning of Pixar's rise to fame, Toy Story remains a ground-breaking achievement in CGI and storytelling.
Toy Story 3 (2010)
Though the youngest film in this collection, Toy Story 3 draws its strengths from classic Pixar values. A delightful take on nostalgia that promises to leave you in tears.
Boyz n the Hood (1991)
Teen drama by John Singleton that tells the story about a young man trapped in between his childhood friends and his dreams.
Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Steven Spielberg reinvented the adventure genre by introducing the world to Dr. Indiana Jones.
Memento (2000)
Christopher Nolan is a decidedly divisive director, but his work with Memento forever cemented him as a storyteller with a unique vision.
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Stanley Kubrick's sci-fi masterpiece remains one of the finest depictions of the future to date with stunning visuals and tight theming.
Metropolis (1927)
The Fritz Lang sci-fi silent film introduced the world to sweeping landscapes and German expressionism.
The Thing (1982)
John Carpenter's The Thing remains one of the finest horror films conceived. It revolves around isolation in an arctic tundra with a group of scientists slowly succumbing to the horrors of extraterrestrial life and paranoia.
The Shining (1980)
Another Stanley Kubrick classic about isolation and madness. The film is remarkable for its ability to instill a sense of rising discomfort as the story progresses.
Barry Lyndon (1975)
Stanley Kubrick's British-American period piece is slow, but captivating. The crowning achievement of the film is Kubrick's insistence on using natural lighting for EVERY scene.
Bicycle Thieves (1948)
Vittorio De Sica's Italian Neorealist classic tells the tragic story about a man simply trying to feed his family in a post-World War II Rome.
WALL-E (2008)
Arguably Pixar's greatest film, WALL-E is 90% dialogue-less and pure cinema.
Zodiac (2007)
David Fincher's net-noir classic about a reporter investigating the infamous Zodiac Killer.
Spirited Away (2001)
Hayao Miyazaki's anime fantasy is equally beautiful as it is mysterious and helped reinforce the idea that anime is more than explosions and robots.
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962)
A black and white American Western directed by John Ford that reframes the truth of an infamous bandit's murder.
Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
A heart-breaking film about the struggle between a brother and sister trying to survive in Japan during World War II.
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)
Sergio Leone forever cemented Clint Eastwood as a badass with this delightful spaghetti-western.
Ghost in the Shell (1995)
This sci-fi classic examines the nature of humanity and what it means to be human. Stunning backdrops and interesting characters, a must watch.
No Country for Old Men (2007)
The Coen brothers' adaptation of this stark Cormac McCarthy novel elevates the source material to new heights in an impressive thriller.
Beauty and the Beast (1991)
This Disney classic reinforced Disney's status as the premier animation studio at the time.
The Big Lebowski (1998)
Another Coen Brothers great, this stoner-noir follows The Dude as he struggles to have his carpet replaced.
Chinatown (1974)
Roman Polanski's noir about corrupt officials and horrific crimes delves into the seedy history of Los Angeles.
Rosemary's Baby (1968)
A psychological thriller with elements of horror cements Polanski as a master of cinema.
Gone with the Wind (1939)
An American epic-historical romance remains a classic that's stunning and impactful.
Casablanca (1942)
A definitive noir that is heavily referenced due to its greatness. A must-see.
The Lord of the Rings (2001-2003)
Cheating with this one, but in reality, they're all one film. Peter Jackson did a loving adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy epic and brought it to the mainstream.
Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981)
An over-looked action classic by George Miller remains as visceral as it was upon its release.
Alien (1979)
Ridley Scott's haunted house in space introduces the badass Ripley and the terrifying Xenomorph.
Aliens (1986)
The action-packed sequel to Alien sees Ripley return to exterminate the hive of Aliens presented in the first film.
About the author
Nicholas Limon
Lover of all things film and gaming, Nick spends far too much time comparing film transfers and researching film theory. When he's not emptying his wallet expanding his film collection, he's usually hiking, cooking, or some combination of the two.