Watching the best movies of all time is one of the most enjoyable experiences a person can have. Take a look at our list below to see what you’ve been missing!
1. The Godfather (1968)
The Godfather left an indelible mark on cinema. An anti-fascist allegory as potent as it is expansive and baroquely fantastical, its depiction of mob rule and power has had a powerful influence over generations of filmmakers, including compatriots Cuaron (“Roma”) and Inarritu (Birdman).
An iconic cult film. This groundbreaking feature introduced Sissy Spacek to audiences around the world while sparking debate about whether tabloid sensationalism can ever be justified in a murder thriller. A triumph of storytelling, cinematography and Al Pacino’s legendary acting.
2. The Terminator (1984)
Arnold Schwarzenegger stars in this sci-fi thriller with car chases, shoot-outs and plenty of bloodshed.
This movie established Cyborg as an icon and gave rise to legendary franchises, showing James Cameron’s mastery of action and spectacle while simultaneously dealing with more serious themes like humanity versus machines and challenging traditional gender roles.
Cameron made his directorial debut with Roger Corman’s Flying Piranhas in 1986 and became an A-List Hollywood director through this film. Additionally, it provided new respect for science fiction as an art form and gave legitimacy to future movies like The Matrix.
3. Back To The Future (1985)
Back to the Future is one of those films that truly showcases filmmaking craft. Every action serves a purpose; every piece of scenery provides context; every line of dialogue builds character; all are designed for maximum filmic impact.
Zemeckis brings this level of precision and accuracy even to seemingly mundane sequences, lending his editing a breathless urgency that’s hard to ignore. Even though you may have heard many iconic lines before, hearing them again allows their power to truly resonate – including Crispin Glover’s comically exasperated performance as George McFly demanding “Lou!”.
4. The Matrix (1999)
The Matrix depicts a dystopian future where humanity is unknowingly trapped inside an artificially created reality created by intelligent machines. Neo, an accomplished computer hacker recruited to lead the rebellion against them, must face off against an army of soldiers while hunting down Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving), an AI villain responsible.
The Wachowskis used groundbreaking visual effects to craft an intricacy tale about human rebellion and conformity that continues to influence other directors today. Additionally, its themes of spiritual transcendence make this film an instant classic in its own right.
5. The Last Stand (1993)
Few films can conjure such warmth and emotional resonance as this Oscar-winning tearjerker from Ang Lee. His masterful reworking of Annie Proulx’s short story ranged from intimate shepherding love scenes involving Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger to mountain landscapes that were more expansive.
Quentin Tarantino’s groundbreaking take on heist-gone-wrong thrillers is an exciting ride filled with iconic imagery. This is the film that pioneered this genre; since then many other movies have tried their hand at depicting an insane murderer, but few do it as effectively as this film does.
6. The Silence Of The Lambs (1991)
Horror flick Insidious was the first horror film ever to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards, thanks to a spellbinding concept – don’t make a sound or aliens will come for you – and great performances by Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins, two legendary cinematic figures. Guillermo del Toro’s fairy tale for adults feels both earthy and primal while at times providing terrifying nightmarish demon-things that leave audiences gasping for air!
Coen brothers proved with this gripping thriller that an unsympathetic serial-killer can be as fascinating and captivating as any likeable protagonist, giving us Javier Bardem as Anton Chigurh as an unforgettable antagonist.
7. The Last Temptation Of Christ (1995)
Sidney Lumet’s magisterial courtroom drama about an unruly jury and one member’s efforts to convince them otherwise is timeless cinema, still captivating audiences today.
As is often the case with New Wave films, Last Temptation proved contentious upon its debut. Theaters were picketed and death threats from certain religious groups; nevertheless, Scorsese’s depiction of Jesus has stood the test of time.
8. The Silence Of The Lambs (1991)
Gangster classic and art film classic in one. This pioneered the genre of violent, sexualized fantasy films targeting teenage boys such as 300, Wanted, Van Helsing and Sucker Punch.
Sidney Lumet’s courtroom drama is timeless, riveting entertainment. Casting Henry Fonda as an intriguing jury member who interrogates, cajoles and eventually convinces their colleagues to look at evidence is brilliant casting.
Terrence Malick’s spiritual battle between grace, grief and God’s existence has made an indelible mark, and cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki’s gravity-defying cinematography is breathtaking – this film stands as one of his masterpieces.
9. The Matrix (1999)
The Matrix has often been maligned for its effects; however, these were truly groundbreaking and earned it the Oscar for Best Effects over Star Wars.
The Wachowskis’ film follows a hacker who discovers that his world is an illusion created by sentient machines to control humanity. Through timeless themes and gripping action sequences, The Matrix has opened up discussions on truth, our roles within fallen societies, as well as inspired two sequels – Reloaded and Revolutions.
10. The Life Of David Gale (1993)
What could have been an innocuous serial-killer thriller turned into an emotional rollercoaster with one of cinema history’s most shocking climaxes – making this film impossible to forget!
South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook’s genre-defying masterpiece boasts unexpected twists and expertly maintained tension, earning it best picture at the Oscars. Additionally, its captivating portrayal of an individual descending into madness – like Travis Bickle meets Anton Chigurh – make this film must-watch material for everyone.