In the media world, a list can be like a ticking time bomb, ready to explode as soon as it is published, especially if it is titled something attention-grabbing like ‘the movies everyone should see.’ When you are passionate about a topic, you will feel compelled to fiercely defend your favourites and criticize anything you believe does not deserve its place.
To be honest, sparking public discussions is often one of the motivations behind creating such lists. These debates make you think and, if conducted respectfully, might even lead to reconsideration.
However, please do not view this list as an attempt to force our opinions on you. Instead, think of it as a handy reference guide. It is a starting point for anyone wanting to fill gaps in their movie knowledge. Moreover, for seasoned movie enthusiasts, it is a way to challenge their existing ideas.
Our list covers a wide range of movies from various countries and every genre—from blockbuster hits to cult classics, comedies to horror, and thrilling action flicks- about the movies everyone should see.
Best movies everyone should see
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
The story begins when a mysterious artefact is discovered buried beneath the lunar surface. In response, a spacecraft is sent to Jupiter to uncover its origins. The crew consists of two astronauts and the supercomputer HAL 9000.
The film explores the theme of evolution. In the distant past, an unknown force placed a monolith on Earth, nudging human evolution. Later, humans reach the moon’s surface and find another monolith, signalling their evolved state.
Assisted by artificial intelligence (including HAL), the crew embarks on a daring encounter with the monolith placers. Success could lead to the next step in human evolution.
The movies everyone should see also delves into the impact of a black monolith on humans during two specific periods: four million years ago (at the dawn of man) and shortly (the year 2001).
Unaware of their mission’s true purpose, the astronauts aboard the spacecraft Discovery One face challenges, including their interactions with HAL 9000.
The Godfather (1972)
The story revolves around Don Vito Corleone, the ageing patriarch of the Corleone Mafia Family in New York. We meet Michael, Vito’s youngest son and a decorated WWII Marine, during his daughter’s wedding.
Michael seems uninterested in the family business, but circumstances force him to face his family’s legacy. The Corleone family operates like its head—kind and benevolent to those who show respect but ruthlessly when their interests are threatened.
When a rival wants to sell drugs in New York, Vito refuses to get involved. This clash between old values and new ways sets the stage for a mob war that could tear the family apart.
Citizen Kane (1941)
The film opens with a camera panning across a spooky, seemingly deserted estate in Florida called Xanadu. We see a “No Trespassing” sign and a large “K” wrought on the gate leading to the house. Inside, an elderly man lies on a slab-like bed, holding a snow globe. His last word is “Rosebud.”
The newsreel obituary recounts the life of Charles Foster Kane, an enormously wealthy newspaper publisher. The film delves into Kane’s rise and fall, his relationships, and the mystery behind “Rosebud.”
Flashbacks reveal Kane’s life from different perspectives, including his childhood and rise to power. Loosely based on the life of William Randolph Hearst, the film explores themes of wealth, power, and identity.
Jeanne Dielman, 23, Quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles (1975)
The film chronicles three days in the life of a middle-class Belgian widow named Jeanne Dielman. Jeanne lives with her teenage son, Sylvain, in a small apartment in Brussels.
Her daily routine is meticulously structured: cooking, cleaning, mothering, and running errands. However, there is a hidden aspect to her life: each afternoon, before her son arrives home from school, she engages in discreet prostitution.
Jeanne’s sex work becomes part of her mundane routine, performed almost mechanically. As the film progresses, subtle changes occur in her behaviour, disrupting her orderly life. Overcooked potatoes, forgotten lights, missed buttons—these alterations hint at an unravelling psyche.
On the third day, during a client encounter, Jeanne experiences a moment of intense emotion, leading to a shocking act of violence.
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Set in 1936, the film follows the adventures of Indiana Jones, an archaeologist and adventurer. The U.S. government hires Indy to locate the mysterious and supernatural Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis can get their hands on it.
The Ark is believed to hold immense power, including the ability to wipe out entire armies. Indy embarks on a race against time, travelling to places like Nepal and Egypt to find the artefact.
Along the way, he faces enemies like Rene Belloq and a group of Nazi operatives. The film is a thrilling blend of action, history, and intrigue, with iconic scenes like the giant boulder chase and the opening of the Ark.
La Dolce Vita (1960)
The film follows the journey of tabloid journalist Marcello Rubini over seven days and nights in Rome. Marcello navigates the glamorous and hedonistic world of Rome’s elite social scene.
He balances between the allure of this extravagant lifestyle and the stifling domesticity offered by his girlfriend. Marcello’s search for love, happiness, and meaning unfolds against the backdrop of the eternal Fontana di Trevi. The film explores hedonism, cynicism, and an unquenchable desire for freedom and beauty.
Seven Samurai (1954)
Set in 16th-century feudal Japan, the film revolves around a village threatened by bandits. The villagers hire a group of samurai to defend them during the impending attack after the harvest.
The film explores themes of honour, sacrifice, and the complex dynamics between the samurai and the villagers. The story culminates in a giant battle when 40 bandits attack the village.
“Seven Samurai” is considered one of cinema’s greatest and most influential films. It consistently ranks highly in critics’ lists of greatest films, including the BFI’s Sight & Sound and Rotten Tomatoes polls. In BBC’s 2018 international critics’ poll, it was voted the greatest foreign-language film of all time.
In the Mood for Love (2000)
Set in 1962 British Hong Kong, the film revolves around two neighbouring couples renting adjacent rooms in a cramped tenement. Chow Mo-wan, a journalist, and Su Li-zhen (Mrs. Chan), a secretary, lead somewhat emotionally lonely lives.
Their spouses often leave them isolated on business or personal matters. As they spend time together, they discover that their respective spouses are having an affair with each other.
Despite not crossing any boundaries, their friendship deepens, and they unexpectedly fall in love.
The film beautifully captures their emotional connection against a changing city and unfulfilled desires.
There Will Be Blood (2007)
The film is set during the incendiary frontier of California’s turn-of-the-century petroleum boom. It chronicles the life and times of Daniel Plainview, portrayed by Daniel Day-Lewis.
Daniel transforms himself from a down-and-out silver miner raising his son into a self-made oil tycoon. As he shifts his focus from precious metals to oil, he follows up on a promising lead with his adopted son in tow.
Daniel poses as a trustworthy family man to talk local landowners into selling vast plots of seemingly barren land for a song. The tale unfolds, revealing themes of pride, obsession, greed, and, inevitably, blood.
Singin’ in the Rain (1952):
A silent film star, Don Lockwood, and his delusionally jealous screen partner, Lina Lamont, try to transition to talking pictures in 1920s Hollywood.
When talking pictures become the norm, they face technological challenges and personal drama.
The film is a delightful musical comedy exploring early Hollywood’s glamorous and chaotic world.
Goodfellas (1990):
Based on a true story, it follows the life of Henry Hill, a half-Irish, half-Sicilian New York kid who becomes a member of the Mafia.
Henry’s journey from petty crime to violent murders is intertwined with his unstable friends, Jimmy Conway and Tommy DeVito.
The film delves into the rules and traditions of organized crime, portraying the blue-collar side of the mob.
North by Northwest (1959):
Advertising executive Roger Thornhill is mistaken for a government agent by foreign spies. He falls for a woman, Eve Kendall, whose loyalties he begins to doubt.
The thrilling chase takes them across the United States, including a dramatic climax atop Mount Rushmore.
Mulholland Drive (2001):
A mysterious and surreal film directed by David Lynch. It follows an aspiring actress named Betty Elms, who befriends an amnesiac woman recovering from a car accident. The film weaves dreamlike narratives, blurring the lines between reality and illusion in Hollywood.
Bicycle Thieves (1948):
Set in post-WWII Italy, it tells the story of an unemployed man, Antonio Ricci, whose bicycle is stolen. Antonio and his son embark on a desperate search across Rome to find it, as the bicycle is crucial for his job.
The film is a poignant exploration of poverty, family, and resilience.
The Dark Knight (2008):
A gripping superhero film directed by Christopher Nolan. It features Batman facing off against the Joker, a chaotic criminal mastermind.
The film delves into themes of morality, chaos, and the thin line between hero and villain.
City Lights (1931):
Directed by Charlie Chaplin, this charming film follows the story of a tramp who falls in love with a beautiful blind girl. The girl’s family faces financial trouble, and the tramp’s on-and-off friendship with a wealthy man allows him to be her benefactor and suitor.
The tear-inducing closing scene, where she discovers his true identity, is one of the highest moments in cinema.
Grand Illusion (1937):
Directed by Jean Renoir, this French war drama is set during World War I. A small group of French officers, German prisoners of war, plot an escape.
The film explores class relationships and the common economic interests of European nations. It is regarded as one of the masterpieces of French cinema and among the greatest films ever made.
Some Questions
What defines a movies everyone should see?
The movies everyone should see are often determined by their impact on cinema, storytelling quality, technical innovation, and cultural significance. They span various genres and eras, reflecting the diverse tastes of audiences and critics alike.
How are ‘best movies’ lists created?
Film critics, historians, and industry professionals typically curate lists of the’ best movies’. They consider factors like critical acclaim, awards, and influence on other films. Public polls and audience ratings can also play a role.
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