I’m of the mindset that there is no such thing as a “bad movie;” there are only degrees of good. But that’s not to say that all films are created equally.
Those are the kind of movies that I want to talk about: the films that stay with you long after the credits roll.
So, without further ado, here are 10+ movies you need to see at least once in your lifetime.
*The Silence Of The Lambs*.
Two genres that are completely overlooked by the Academy are comedy and horror. That’s what makes The Silence of the Lambs so special.
It swept the Oscars , taking home Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Director.
*The Usual Suspects*.
Who is Keyser Söze? That’s the question that drives the plot in The Usual Suspects .
The film remains one of the great crime capers of the 20th century. Kevin Spacey even took home the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Verbal Kint.
*American History X*.
This is an incredibly violent and oftentimes disturbing film. American History X is not something you go into lightly; it truly is a film that will change you.
The film’s brutal portrayal of racism in middle America is haunting and incredibly relevant.
*Rocky*.
In 1976, Sylvester Stallone was a nobody. Yet he was determined to get Rocky made. So much so, that he would only sign over the rights on two conditions : that he could write the screenplay and star in the film as well!
It won Best Picture and Best Director at The Oscars that year.
*The Godfather*.
This is the film that launched Hollywood’s obsession with the Mafia and organized crime .
Marlon Brando is positively iconic and Al Pacino shines as Michael Corleone. There are literally a million reasons why you need to see The Godfather , so choose one.
*Back To The Future*.
Watching Marty McFly play “Johnny B. Goode” is what made me want to be a musician.
Beyond my own personal bias, Back to the Future is one of the most exciting, unique, and just plain fun films to have ever been made.
It also boasts an impressive 94% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes (with over 1 million votes!).
*The Shawshank Redemption*.
Speaking of the human spirit, is there actually a person alive who hasn’t seen The Shawshank Redemption ? If there is, I don’t want to know.
This film is all about redemption . It’s about the power of hope and perseverance in the face of impossible odds.
*Schindler’s List*.
Once again, another example of a film that is incredibly difficult to watch. But what makes Schindler’s List so horrifying is the knowledge that these horrific events actually happened.
Steven Spielberg’s masterful retelling of The Holocaust will leave an indelible mark upon your soul. It is, without question, a film that every living person must see.
Lest we forget.
*Casino*.
People tend to forget how truly remarkable a film Casino was. It’s violent, disturbing, oddly humorous, and, above all, dark.
There are a ton of reasons why you need to see this film but I’ll leave it at this: Scorsese, DeNiro, and Pesci.
What more reason do you need?
*Platoon*.
Platoon was inspired by director Oliver Stone’s real-life accounts of the Vietnam War.
The film took home Best Picture and Best Director at the Oscars that year.
*Jaws*.
Have you ever asked yourself why you’re afraid to swim in deep water? Ever wondered where that primal sense of fear comes from? The answer, simply put, is Steven Spielberg’s Jaws .
This film is, without question, the greatest horror movie of all time. It gave the whole world selachophobia .
*Memento*.
Who doesn’t love Christopher Nolan?
Memento is one of the director’s earliest and best films. The cinematography set new precedents in storytelling and it remains, to this day, as one of the greatest psychological thrillers of the ’00s.
*Raging Bull*.
“Give me a stage where this Bull here can rage…”
I don’t say this lightly, but Raging Bull just might be Robert DeNiro’s greatest role. The actor’s method approach for this film has become the stuff of legend.
He even took home the Best Actor Oscar for his efforts.
*UP*.
Within the first 10 minutes of this film, I was crying. I’m not talking strong, silent crying either. We’re talking full-blown sob story.
Now, I’m not saying that’s any reason to watch a movie. But it’s remarkable when you consider the emotional depths this film is able to take audiences to.
*Forrest Gump*.
Why should you see Forrest Gump? Because it’s perhaps the greatest showcasing of the human spirit that’s ever graced the silver screen.
This movie is incredibly emotional. Your heart will burst, your eyes will tear, and you’ll love every freaking minute of it.
*Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back*.
No list would be complete without some mention of Star Wars . But do yourselves a favor: don’t start with Episode IV .
Of all the films in the saga, The Empire Strikes Back is the best .
*Psycho*.
As the film that birthed the slasher genre, Psycho is regaled as one of the most important horror films ever made.
*Raiders Of The Lost Ark*.
You should really watch all three of the original films (forget the fourth even exists).
Many consider Raiders of the Lost Ark to be the greatest action/adventure movie of all time.
*Dazed And Confused*.
Arguably the most accurate depiction of what life in high school is really like, Dazed and Confused remains a masterpiece. Plus, this is where Matthew McConaughey got his famous catchphrase!
“Alright, alright, alright.”
*One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest*.
One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest is not only the defining film of Jack Nicholson’s career, but it’s also hilarious.
*Fight Club*.
We are all Tyler Durden.
That’s the point that director David Fincher is trying to make. Fight Club is pure and utter chaos, in the best ways imaginable.
*The Breakfast Club*.
The Breakfast Club is perhaps the finest film that the Brat Pack ever made.
It teaches a valuable lesson about the danger of presumption and shows us that appearances can be deceiving.
*This Is Spinal Tap*.
This is Spinal Tap is the original mockumentary .
It tells the tale of the satirical rise and fall of Spinal Tap who are both somehow the greatest and worst band you’ve never heard of.
*E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial*.
E.T. was the first movie that ever made me cry. And when I say cry, I mean sob uncontrollably.
It still ranks as one of Steven Spielberg ‘s best accomplishments.
*Halloween*.
Not since Alfred Hitchcock released Psycho had the world seen a more thrilling and horrifying film.
Halloween became the stuff of legends and nightmares .
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*Requiem For A Dream*.
Requiem for a Dream is difficult and disturbing to watch.
It’s a harrowing tale of addiction and how it infiltrates and utterly destroys the lives of four different people.
*Terminator 2: Judgment Day*.
Yet another rare example of a sequel that’s better than the original.
Terminator 2: Judgment Day is the greatest aspect of the entire franchise.
*Waking Life*.
Are we sleepwalking through our waking lives or wake-walking through our dreams?
That’s the incredibly convoluted premise behind Richard Linklater’s animated masterpiece.
*Dances With Wolves*.
Dances With Wolves is an incredible period piece that takes place during Frontier times.
It was the directorial debut of Kevin Costner and swept the Oscars in surprising fashion.
*Boyz N The Hood*.
Boyz N the Hood shone a light on inner-city violence in gangland LA.
It’s a tragic, somber tale about injustice, racism, and rising above.
*Goodfellas*.
Everyone loves a good mob movie and Goodfellas is one of the best.
It doesn’t hurt that it’s also based on the real-life experiences of Henry Hill .
