Movies have existed for over a century, constantly evolving to keep up with modern standards and stories. They have come a long way, adapting from trends like the Western genre to the Superhero genre today and most likely some other long-lasting trend in the future. No matter what’s in and what’s out, certain movies stand the test of time, providing a timeless experience and establishing itself as an essential film.
This list will rank the ten most essential timeless films based on their staying power, relevance today, rewatchability, overall quality, how groundbreaking/revolutionary they are, and their impact on cinema. These ten movies prove to be both essential and timeless at the same time, with every fan needing to watch these movies at least once to understand their influence, relevance, and why they are still popular today.
10
‘Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope’ (1977)
Directed by George Lucas
There are many large franchises, such as Marvel and Mission: Impossible. But the most influential and popular is arguably Star Wars, with Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope kicking off the expansive universe. The film follows Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), a young farm boy who discovers his destiny and must train to be a Jedi and defeat the tyrannical Empire and the imposing Darth Vader, one of the strongest Sith in Star Wars.
A New Hope is a classic version of the hero’s journey, a staple storytelling formula that never gets old, no matter the iterations. This movie uses that formula the best, delivering an underdog story in an intriguing and mystical sci-fi world full of wonders and drama. While the visual effects aren’t up to standard anymore, they still present a unique charm to this universe that makes it great to rewatch. A New Hope revolutionized sci-fi and franchises, becoming one of the most impactful movies in history.
- Release Date
-
May 25, 1977
- Director
-
George Lucas
- Cast
-
Mark Hamill
, Harrison Ford
, Carrie Fisher
, Alec Guinness
, David Prowse
, James Earl Jones
, Frank Oz
, Anthony Daniels
, Kenny Baker
, Peter Mayhew
, Peter Cushing - Runtime
-
121 Minutes
- Main Genre
-
Sci-Fi
9
‘The Wizard of Oz’ (1939)
Directed by Victor Fleming
The recently released Wicked should remind fans how popular and essential The Wizard of Oz is. Starting in the quiet state of Kansas, a tornado mystically transports Dorothy (Judy Garland) to the wonderous world of Oz. Alone and unsure what to do, Dorothy sets out on a quest to meet the wizard in hopes of returning home, and along the way, she meets a colourfl cast of characters all seeking their own wishes.
While The Wizard of Oz wasn’t the first color movie, it popularized and perfected the use of technicolor, ushering in a new era of movies. The movie also utilized astonishing visual and practical effects that still look great today, proving to be an essential classic. Its relatable themes and characters make it easy to watch and have much to say that fans can enjoy in any decade.
The Wizard of Oz
- Release Date
-
August 25, 1939
- Director
-
Victor Fleming
- Cast
-
Margaret Hamilton
, Jack Haley
, Judy Garland
, Bert Lahr
, Ray Bolger - Runtime
-
102 minutes
8
‘Rocky’ (1976)
Directed by John G. Avildsen
Sports and movies are arguably the two most prominent forms of entertainment, meaning the combination of the two results in a widespread appeal. Rocky follows the titular character, a small-time Philadelphia boxer who gets the opportunity of a lifetime: fighting the world champion. Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) trains to bring down the champ while dealing with his own issues and love.
Rocky is the best sports movie ever, making it not a hard decision to put it on a list of essential movies. This is the ultimate underdog story, and everyone loves an underdog, regardless of the time, making Rocky perfect for any era. The action and fights are entertaining, but the heart of the film is the drama and characters, creating a character-focused story that is as endearing as it is groundbreaking.
Rocky
- Release Date
-
November 21, 1976
- Director
-
John G. Avildsen
- Runtime
-
120 Minutes
- Main Genre
-
Drama
7
‘Pulp Fiction’ (1994)
Directed by Quentin Tarantino
Quentin Tarantino is an essential director with many essential movies, but his magnum opus is arguably Pulp Fiction. This gangster crime movie uses split perspectives that slowly weave into one another. Following a duo of hitmen, an actress and her bodyguard, a disgruntled boxer, and two petty criminals, Pulp Fiction is a bizarre story that perfectly connects each plotline to create an essential film of the 1990s.
Pulp Fiction is one of the greatest modern stories of all time, mixing intriguing characters with a complex plot to deliver thought-provoking messages with a distinct style. It is one of the most unique films ever, and as such, it is a timelessly essential film, with nothing else coming close to replicating it. It re-defined its genre and revolutionized cinema, becoming a beloved movie that never goes out of style.
- Release Date
-
October 14, 1994
- Runtime
-
154 minutes
- Main Genre
-
Crime
6
‘Modern Times’ (1936)
Directed by Charlie Chaplin
Charlie Chaplin is one of the most well-known names in Hollywood, with classic movies such as City Lights and Modern Times. His iconic character, Little Tramp, makes his final appearance in Modern Times, a film about a factory worker struggling to adjust to modern equipment. His struggles lead him on a wacky adventure, from going to jail to meeting an orphan girl as they manage their future.
As the second oldest film on this list, no movie has stood the test of time more than Modern Times. While black-and-white films aren’t nearly as prevalent nowadays, Chaplin etched his name in history, with this movie being his best. The film is still good to watch today, primarily for its relevant themes and messages, delivering a timeless sentiment that is more poignant today. Modern Times is an essential comedy every fan must watch at least once.
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5
‘Frankenstein’ (1931)
Directed by James Whale
Modern Times might be old, but Frankenstein is the oldest movie on this list, proving its endurance as a film and lasting impact. Based on Mary Shelley‘s 1818 novel of the same name, the movie follows a mad scientist (Colin Clive) trying to create a living human through the remains of corpses. When he finally accomplishes this task, his monster (Boris Karloff) escapes, forcing him to make a tough choice as it terrorizes the village.
While there have been many other adaptations, including an upcoming Guillermo del Toro movie, none has matched the original 1931 version. Frankenstein revolutionized many cinematic elements back then, from its sympathetic monster story to its practical effects and lighting. Multiple iterations of this story persist to the present day, making it a timeless film that everyone can understand and easily enjoy.
- Release Date
-
November 21, 1931
- Director
-
James Whale
- Cast
-
Colin Clive
, Mae Clarke
, Boris Karloff
, John Boles
, Edward Van Sloan
, Frederick Kerr
, Dwight Frye
, Lionel Belmore - Runtime
-
70 Minutes
- Main Genre
-
Sci-Fi
4
‘The Godfather’ (1972)
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola
Mob dramas were never the same after the release of The Godfather, one of the most influential films ever. Based on Mario Puzo‘s 1969 novel of the same name, this movie follows a powerful crime family under Don Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando). With the youngest son, Michael (Al Pacino), joining the mafia, he tries to maintain his everyday life while spiralling into the dark world of crime and the underworld.
While everyone has different tastes and different favorite movies, The Godfather always seems to reign supreme in conversations about the greatest film of all time. The Godfather is a timeless movie simply because of how good it is, delivering one of the most perfect cinematic experiences, from the characters to the plot, to its complexity, to its acting, to its groundbreaking content. Its staying power is thanks to its cultural impact and quality, being so good no one will ever forget this movie.
The Godfather
- Release Date
-
March 24, 1972
- Director
-
Francis Ford Coppola
- Cast
-
Marlon Brando
, Al Pacino
, James Caan
, Robert Duvall
, Richard S. Castellano
, Diane Keaton
, Talia Shire
, Gianni Russo
, Sterling Hayden
, John Marley
, Richard Conte
, Al Lettieri
, Abe Vigoda
, Rudy Bond
, Al Martino
, Morgana King
, Lenny Montana
, John Martino
, Salvatore Corsitto
, Richard Bright
, Alex Rocco
, Tony Giorgio
, Vito Scotti
, Tere Livrano - Runtime
-
175 minutes
- Main Genre
-
Drama
3
‘The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King’ (2003)
Directed by Peter Jackson
One of the most beloved franchises is The Lord of the Rings, with six live-action movies, a recently released animated film, and a TV show. However, nothing compares to the original trilogy, with The Return of the King completing the epic journey in grand fashion. While Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen) leads the army against Sauron, Frodo (Elijah Wood) and Sam (Sean Astin) finish their adventure by bringing the One Ring to Mount Doom.
While The Fellowship of the Ring deserved to be on this list just as much as The Return of the King, the latter is tied for the most Oscar wins. Everything about this movie is phenomenal, from the acting, action, story, and practical and visual effects. It remains a timeless movie because of its engaging plot, rewatchability, and use of practical effects and costumes, making it look perfect decades after release, becoming the greatest fantasy movie ever.
- Release Date
-
December 17, 2003
- Cast
-
Elijah Wood
, Ian McKellen
, Liv Tyler
, Viggo Mortensen
, Sean Astin
, Cate Blanchett
, John Rhys-Davies
, Bernard Hill
, Billy Boyd
, Dominic Monaghan
, Orlando Bloom
, Hugo Weaving
, Miranda Otto
, David Wenham
, Karl Urban
, John Noble
, Andy Serkis
, Ian Holm
, Sean Bean - Runtime
-
201 Minutes
2
‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ (1968)
Directed by Stanley Kubrick
Like Tarantino, Stanley Kubrick is also an essential director, with too many classics to count on two hands. One of his most popular works is 2001: A Space Odyssey, the epic sci-fi that was ahead of its time. With the mysterious appearance of a black obelisk, a space crew travels to learn its origins, only to have their spaceship’s computer system, HAL, turn against them, trying to kill the crew.
Before A Space Odyssey, sci-fi was focused on dreamlike creations, but this movie shot for the stars, introducing to the world the wonders of space travel with some of the most impressive technological innovations in cinema. The movie still looks beautiful, and its story is more relevant than ever with the increase in AI. The film was ahead of its time, proving to be a timeless classic for its essential story, astonishing effects, and relevant themes.
- Release Date
-
April 3, 1968
- Director
-
Stanley Kubrick
- Cast
-
Keir Dullea
, Gary Lockwood
, William Sylvester
, Daniel Richter
, Leonard Rossiter
, Margaret Tyzack - Runtime
-
149 minutes
1
’12 Angry Men’ (1957)
Directed by Sidney Lumet
Adapted from Reginald Rose‘s 1954 teleplay of the same name, Sidney Lumet makes his directorial debut with 12 Angry Men. The movie follows a jury deciding the fate of a young boy accused of murder. While the case seems obvious, one member spreads doubt, prompting in-depth conversation and debate, leading the jury to wonder if the kid is guilty at all, creating an intense and thrilling court drama.
Featuring no special effects and no need for practical effects, 12 Angry Men is a straightforward drama that doesn’t rely on flashy filmmaking or grand action. The story is still relatable and relevant today, debating justice with conversation. With unique perspectives, the film delivers a complex discussion where information springs from nowhere, keeping the viewer’s attention hooked. Despite being over 50 years old, the film hasn’t aged, remaining a timeless classic and one of the best movies ever.
- Release Date
-
April 10, 1957
- Cast
-
John Fiedler
, Henry Fonda
, Martin Balsam
, Jack Klugman
, Lee J. Cobb
, E.G. Marshall - Runtime
-
96 minutes
- Main Genre
-
Crime
