7 Classic Movies You Need to Watch at Least Once
Dive into cinematic history with our must-see list of 10 films. Each one broke barriers, set standards, and left audiences amazed. No movie fan’s education is complete without these essential experiences.
7 Classic Movies You Need to Watch
Clear your schedule for a journey through these movie masterpieces.
1. “The Godfather”
The famous film “The Godfather,” directed by Francis Ford Coppola in 1972, is widely known as a masterpiece.
It’s based on Mario Puzo’s novel and shows the life of an Italian-American crime family led by Don Vito Corleone. As the patriarch of the Corleone family maneuvers through the complex world of organized crime, film fans might find a similar thrill in the high-stakes environment of online casino real money games, where strategy and risk are part of the excitement.
What makes “The Godfather” special is its great story and characters and its massive impact on film and culture.
Quotes from the film like “I’m going to make him an offer he can’t refuse” are now part of everyday speech. The sequels continued exploring themes of power and corruption. Coppola’s excellent directing and fantastic acting from stars like Marlon Brando and Al Pacino are deeply authentic and still studied today.
Watching “The Godfather” is a must for cinema fans. Its slow-building suspense and explosive conflicts influenced many directors and writers. The cinematography and set design create a grim visual world that pulls viewers into the Corleones’ story.
For cultural significance, skillful filmmaking, and profound narrative, “The Godfather” remains an essential classic of global cinema.
2. “Psycho”
Hitchcock’s “Psycho” changed horror genre forever. It traded monster and sci-fi themes for realism and disturbing psychology, pushing boundaries and exploring taboo themes. The film featured controversial subjects that were once off-limits.
The early, unexpected death of the lead is an innovation. It’s a shocking twist. As is the final scene with a mysterious stranger. ‘Psycho’ involved a serial killer, a wife’s murder investigation. These narrative, technical twists shocked audiences. Altering horror conventions forever.
With seamless suspense, mystery, a horror blend, and Hitchcock’s mastery, ‘Psycho’ crafted a provocative premise, Keeping viewers on edge. This psychological thriller takes audiences on a chilling journey through the human psyche, Revealing horrifying depths.
Psychological horror movies can be incredibly chilling. ‘Psycho’ exemplifies this genre, etching its mark as an iconic thriller. Its impact lingers through decades of cinema. If you appreciate suspense and horror, don’t miss this classic.
3. “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring”
Now we journey to J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle Earth via ‘The Fellowship of the Ring’. This fantasy adventure brought Tolkien’s universe to life on screen. As the first of four films, it was groundbreaking.
Jaw-dropping visuals crafted through innovative effects vividly depicted Middle Earth. Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, and their co-stars immersed us in this magical realm through compelling performances. The film earned multiple Academy Awards, including:
- Best Cinematography
- Best Makeup
- Best Original Score
- Best Visual Effects
These honors celebrated the movie’s technical mastery and storytelling prowess. New Zealand’s landscapes became Middle Earth. The country earned an Oscar for Visual Effects, reflecting national pride.
An unmissable cinematic experience awaits in ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring’. The grandeur of epic Middle Earth, adventure, and deep emotion make this a must-watch film. Whether a fantasy fan or appreciator of compelling stories and stunning visuals, this journey through Middle Earth is essential viewing.
4. “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope”
Leaving Middle Earth realms, we fly to distant galaxies with ‘Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope.’ This seminal space epic ushered blockbusters into a new era, spawning a cultural phenomenon beyond cinema’s bounds. We meet a universe rich with characters and thrilling escapades, breaking from conventional sci-fi futures.
‘A New Hope’ rapidly captured global imagination through innovation. Off-screen, too, it had a mighty impact, revolutionizing film merchandising. Action figures and collectibles created an entirely new movies-related market niche, changing how films could commercialize appeal.
Decades later, ‘A New Hope’s magic endures. Scenes etched in nostalgia; fan events celebrate its cinematic history mark. The legacy lives—a testament to evolving not just sci-fi but broader movie culture.
From that mesmerizing opening, Starfield scrolls to heart-stopping dogfights—’Star Wars: Episode IV—A New Hope’ celebrates filmmaking at its finest.
Whether drawn to exploratory sci-fi or masterful narrative craft, this iconic title is essential for any personal journey into cinema’s enchantments.
5. “Seven Samurai”
Transitioning from colorful Hollywood, we head to Japan for Akira Kurosawa’s ‘Seven Samurai’. This Japanese film is both a visual masterpiece and fantastic storytelling. It deeply explores honor, nobility, and human complexities.
‘Seven Samurai’ tells a historically based story of ronin (masterless samurai) protecting villages in 16th-century Japan. Honorable mercenaries unite for a noble cause. The underlying theme is honor and nobility.
Character interactions deepen the narrative. Kambei, the wise leader. Kikuchiyo, the troubled mercenary, acts turbulently due to his history amidst villager strife. Kurosawa vividly directs these authentic, emotionally rich characters.
‘Seven Samurai’ amazes with:
- Dynamic, intense action scenes
- Theatrical spirit, thanks to Kurosawa’s energetic direction elevating the stakes
- The movie shows how the samurai taught the villagers Zen-like training. This training helped the villagers accept fear and plan for battle, adding depth to the story.
If you like samurai films or great storytelling, ‘Seven Samurai’ is a must-watch movie. It explores honor, nobility, and human nature. Kurosawa’s skilled direction makes it an unforgettable film experience.
6. “The Exorcist”
Departing the Civil War grandeur, we enter horror’s bone-chilling realm with ‘The Exorcist’. This iconic film redefined the genre, realistically portraying demonic possession psychological terror.
Supernatural horror made its mainstream cinema entry via ‘The Exorcist’, which tackled demonic possession and good-versus-evil battles. The movie reset horror genre boundaries, ushering heightened realism and psychological complexity and raising cinematic fear benchmarks.
Religious, psychological terrors embedded in ‘The Exorcist’ made it fear’s cinematic yardstick, inspiring subsequent exorcism-themed films. Its triumph spawned sequels, prequels, and spin-offs – expanding industry impact.
‘The Exorcist’ has become ingrained in popular culture, referenced in ‘The Simpsons‘, ‘Toy Story’, and more. Its iconic imagery keeps inspiring filmmakers, underscoring the movie’s enduring horror genre influence.
Encountering horror films is an exhilarating experience, whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual moviegoer. One movie that stands out as a masterpiece is ‘The Exorcist’.
This film’s realistic portrayal of possession, combined with its psychological depth, truly set a new standard for the horror genre.
7. “Citizen Kane”
As our cinematic journey draws to a close, we shift our focus to a groundbreaking film that transformed the art of cinema—Orson Welles’ ‘Citizen Kane’. This cinematic masterpiece introduced pioneering techniques that inspired countless filmmakers, redefining the art of storytelling.
One of Citizen Kane’s most significant innovations was deep-focus cinematography. This technique allowed the entire frame to remain in sharp focus, enhancing the storytelling by visually depicting the protagonist’s loss of control and isolation.
Additionally, the film’s non-linear timeline and use of flashbacks from multiple unreliable narrators added complexity to the narrative, captivating audiences.
Tragically, a significant loss occurred when ‘Citizen Kane’s’ original negative was destroyed in a fire, along with deleted scenes cut due to censorship. This devastating event robbed film history of invaluable footage.
Despite this setback, the film’s cast, primarily comprised of the Mercury Theatre troupe, delivered outstanding performances in their first big-screen appearance. Their classical stage training proved invaluable in executing the deep focus technique with authenticity.
Today, ‘Citizen Kane’ is celebrated as a pioneering force in cinema, forever altering the landscape. Its groundbreaking techniques and captivating storytelling have influenced countless filmmakers, cementing its status as a must-watch for any true film enthusiast.
