Movies have defined our culture, entertained generations and told stories that we will never forget. Here’s a rundown of some of the best movies of all time. This hand-picked selection of 124 films covers decades and genres to deliver the ultimate cinematic experience, no matter if you’re a fan of drama, action, sci-fi, romance or animation.
The Golden Age for Cinematic Evolution: Classic Cinema (1920s – 1960s)
These are films that laid the groundwork for storytelling and cinematography, and have inspired generations of subsequent filmmakers.
Metropolis (1927) – An innovative sci-fi classic.
City Lights (1931) — Charlie Chaplin’s heartfelt silent masterpiece.
Gone with the Wind (1939) — A sprawling tale of love and war.
Casablanca (1942) – One of the most romantic and quotable of movies.
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) — A holiday mainstay with profound life lessons.
“Sunset Boulevard” (1950) A noir look at the dark underbelly of Hollywood.
Singin’ in the Rain (1952) — A buoyant musical about the advent of talkies.
Seven Samurai (1954) — Akira Kurosawa’s iconic samurai epic.
Rear Window (1954) — Alfred Hitchcock’s spellbinding suspense thriller.
Ben-Hur (1959) – An epic historical drama featuring legendary chariot races.
Golden Age of Cinematography (1960s – 1980s)
These movies pushed the boundaries of the industry through audacious storytelling and innovative technology.
Psycho (1960) – The hitchcock’s horror masterpeice.
Lawrence of Arabia (1962) — A dazzling historical epic.
The Sound of Music (1965) – A timeless classic musical.
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) — A timeless sci-fi movie.
The Godfather (1972) – A crime saga that reshaped the gangster genre.
Jaws (1975)—The first summer blockbuster.
Rocky (1976) – The quintessential underdog sports film.
Star Wars: A New Hope (1977) – The beginning of an iconic franchise.
Apocalypse Now (1979) – A war movie with memorable cinematography.
The Shining (1980) — Stanley Kubrick’s terrifying horror masterpiece.
Blockbuster Age (1980s – 2000s)
Film was starting to grow into bigger budgetary concerns, special effects, and epic storytelling.
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) — Indiana Jones’ classic adventure.
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) — A heartwarming sci-fi classic.
Blade Runner (1982) — An aesthetic cyberpunk film.
The Terminator (1984) – Arnold Schwarzenegger’s iconic character.
Back to the Future (1985) – An orange classic.
Die Hard (1988) — The action movie to end all action movies.
Jurassic Park (1993) — Groundbreaking effects in a roller-coaster ride.
Pulp Fiction (1994) — Quentin Tarantino’s masterwork of nonlinear storytelling.
The Shawshank Redemption (1994) – How can this film is one the greatest ever made.
Titanic (1997) — A grand romantic epic.
Modern Masterpieces (2000s – Present)
The movie has shown us some of the most influential films of the past decades that continue to leave a lasting mark in cinema.
Gladiator (2000) – A sweeping historical drama.
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003) — An epic fantasy.
The Dark Knight (2008) – A landmark superhero movie.
Avatar (2009) – The visual effects revolution.
Inception (2010) — A mind-bending sci-fi film
The Social Network (2010) – The rise of Facebook.
Mad Max: Fury Road (2015): An action spectacle.
Parasite — Best Picture (2019) — Social thriller
Dune (2021) – Sci-fi goodness with stunning visuals.
Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022) — A genre-bending masterpiece.
Must-Watch Animated Films
Animated movies are not just for kids — they can have deep stories and gorgeous animation.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) – The first all-animated feature.
Spirited Away (2001) – This entrancing Studio Ghibli fantasy.
Finding Nemo (2003) — A Pixar classic.
Up (2009) — An emotional journey about love and loss.
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) – Groundbreaking animated superhero movie
Indie Gems & Hidden Treasures
Indie films challenge artistic limits and often feature more personal and emotional stories.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) — A weirdo psycho-romance.
Moonlight (2016) — A soulful, close-to-the-bone coming-of-age drama.
Lady Bird (2017) — A lovely mother-daughter relationship film.
Sound of Metal (2019) — An emotionally charged tale of hearing loss.
Nomadland (2020) — An elegiac, gorgeously photographed drama.
International Must-Sees
Foreign cinema provides a unique take, along with some amazing narratives.
The Seventh Seal (1957, Sweden) — A classic concerning life and death.
Cinema Paradiso (1988, Italy) – A tribute to cinema.
Oldboy (2003, South Korea) – An intense, brutal thriller.
Pan’s Labyrinth (2006, Mexico) — A dark fantasy tale.
RRR (2022, India) — An action-packed spectacle.
Cult Classics Worth Watching
Passionate fandoms and a singular approach to story are the hallmark of these films.
The Big Lebowski (1998)– a quirky comedy classic.
Fight Club (1999) – A mind-bending psychological thriller.
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (2010)– A fashionable, whirlwind jaunt.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) — A rock (and) roll cult favorite.
Donnie Darko (2001) — A bendy sci-fi mind drama.
Final Thoughts
This list of 124 films includes eternal classics, modern masterpieces, animated marvels, indie gems, international successes and cult hits. All of them have made an indelible mark on cinema and remain entertaining and popular today all over the world. Whether you are discovering a new genre or looking back nostalgically at long-loved favorites, these movies will make for a great and edifying cinematic experience. So, get some popcorn, turn down the lights, and start an absolutely iconic movie marathon!