Movies can shape our lives with their cinematic representation and stories. Let’s find some epic movies everyone should watch at least once before they die.
Movies are not just mere mediums of entertainment, but they can also become one of the greatest sources of well-being with the emotionally rich stories and the compelling visuals they represent. Whether it is animated or live action, there are various kinds of movies that can inspire us. Movies can be found in various categories including action, romance, sci-fi, horror and many others. Starting from big-budget commercial movies to indie small projects, there are various kinds of projects that every individual should see at least once in their lifetime.
Welcome to the world of cinema with the recommendations of some of the best movies that every person should watch.
- Avatar
We are starting the list with James Cameron’s “Avatar,” which is considered one of the best movies of all time and has been released with a few sequels now. The first edition, or the debut part of the movie, started with a compelling concept that showcases human greed, power dynamics, and colonizing minds on an alien planet. The world of Pandora, where the Na’vi people live, is a representation of the lush nature and tribal people who keep the forests alive with their coexisting relationship. However, humans always want to capture the resources and destroy nature, and that comes with consequences.
- Portrait Of A Lady On Fire
A love story is a love story, and there is no classification of gay love stories and lesbian love stories, period. ‘Portrait of a Lady on Fire’ is a beautiful and poignant love story of two women that was released in 2020. The movie gained much attention and critically acclaims its emotional retch story and compelling painting-like visuals. Director Céline Sciamma has done an incredible job in establishing this beautiful story set in the 18th century, where a painter falls in love with her subject. Each frame feels like a painting and poetry.
- Jaws
This movie is considered one of the cult movies in the shark-thriller-action genre that set a trademark. Directed by Steven Spielberg, this flick was released in 1975, and it is still one of those movies that many people enjoy. It was a very difficult movie to shoot back then, with a giant mechanical shark that kept breaking apart. It was delayed and over budget to make, and it became profitable as the movie made millions of dollars after its release. A lot of people also criticize the concept of the movie, as sharks are shown as killers or villains that deserved to be shot in the head.
- The Godfather
‘The Godfather’ is definitely the godfather of all movies released in 1972 and later on continued with two sequels, adapted from the novel. It is an OG movie in the history of cinema that set a cinematic standard for gangster flicks. The first movie, released in 1972, focused on the story of the biggest Italian gangster, Vito Corleone, and his family. This brilliant movie by Francis Ford Coppola includes Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, and many other elite actors who made this movie even more special with their raw acting skills. It is about a lot of blood, glory, and, of course, family.
- The Shawshank Redemption
This ‘90s masterpiece is a favorite to many people, and the reason is ‘hope’. ‘The Shawshank Redemption’ is based on a protagonist who was wrongly accused and received a life sentence. He manages to escape from the grueling jail after 20 years of digging and making a tunnel. While it may appear as a prison escape movie, there is a lot of depth to each character established in this story. The best part is that you get to hear the story through the narrative of the protagonist’s prison mate and friend, played by Morgan Freeman.
- Inception
‘Inception’ is one of those great movies that can be put in the top-tier list of mind-bending movies created by Christopher Nolan. This movie is greatly inspired by the Japanese animation movie ‘Paprika,’ created by Satoshi Kon. Nolan establishes a character named Dom Cobb, a thief who steals secrets from deep within the subconscious mind through dream-sharing technology. Instead of stealing an idea, Cobb is tasked with the ultimate impossible mission: planting one. With its stunning visual effects, shifting gravity, and an iconic rotating hallway fight, the masterpiece brilliantly explores the fragile boundaries between grief, memory, and reality.
- Goodfellas
Since we were talking about gangster flicks, the name of ‘Goodfellas’ has to be on the list. This movie by Martin Scorsese has captivated movie buffs with its charismatic representation of brutality and feels naturally engaging. However, it is not just about brutality, as there is a sense of justice with the consequences as well. The cast for the movie includes all kinds of the best actors in the era, including Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci, Lorraine Bracco, Paul Sorvino, and many others. With lots of twists and turns, this movie can keep you hooked till the end of the movie.
- The Lord Of The Rings
Adapted from the novel, the epic journey of The Lord Of The Rings offers a captivating experience for all kinds of movie lovers of all ages. There are also sequels to the movie, but nothing beats the first part, which is directed by Peter Jackson. The cast for the movie includes Viggo Mortensen, Orlando Bloom, Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Sir Ian McKellen, Cate Blanchett, and Liv Tyler. It is a breathtaking journey of a mystic fairy tale that teaches about values and offers an enveloping experience for everyone.
- The Dark Knight
There are very few directors who can take a superhero story and turn it into a realistic action thriller that appears to be believable without the need for any superpower. The Dark Knight Trilogy by Christopher Nolan is one of the best adaptations for Batman, where he is established as a believable hero who can help to save the city of Gotham from the bad guys. The first part of the trilogy is especially captivating as it provides the origin story of Batman and how become the Dark Knight.
- Pulp Fiction
Quentin Taratino’s love for gore action, twisted stories and feet is widely known and this movie is the perfect example for that. The movie almost appears like a fever dream where a series of events takes place through a single day and ends up in bloody comedy of errors. Featuring the star cast of Samuel L. Jackson, John Travolta, Uma Thurman, and Bruce Willis helped to develop the story with their remarkable acting skills. Inspired by the events of ’90s LA, this movie showcases how the turn of events can take place in ways no one ever imagines.
- Back to the Future
Back to the Future (1985) is a legendary sci-fi comedy directed by Robert Zemeckis. The story follows teenager Marty McFly, portrayed by Michael J. Fox, who accidentally travels back to 1955 in a plutonium-powered DeLorean time machine built by eccentric scientist Doc Brown. To save his very existence, Marty must convince his young teenage parents to fall in love while finding a way back home. Brilliantly blending humor, heart, and clever storytelling, it remains a timeless, universally beloved cinematic masterpiece
- Jurassic Park
No matter how many new versions of Jurassic World come, nothing can beat the OG Jurassic Park that offered audiences the first taste of a living dinosaur that shares the same timeline with humans. Back then, when the first part of Jurassic Park came out, the VFX and CGI were too advanced to handle the visuals, so they created real-life dinosaurs with the help of robotics and controlled them with a remote, which made them look more natural and terrifying for the audiences. This movie also showcases the fact that humans should not try to control the nature as it always the otherwise and when nature takes back control, a lot of humans are perished.
- India Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark
Long before when Lara Croft existed, there was Indiana Jones who offered us the real adventure of treasure hunting and finding ancient relics. Harrison Ford as Jones has done an incredible job, and that is why the franchise has survived this long. The ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ deserves special mention with its incredible world-building and storytelling that takes you on an epic adventure. The character of Rick Deckard is well established through the movie, along with historical references which make it more believable, like a true legend.
- Blade Runner
Blade Runner 2049 has definitely got the attention it deserves, but nothing can beat the first part of the movie or the OG. The first movie of the franchise was released in 1982, and it is considered to be quite advanced considering the technology back then. Set in a dystopian, rain-soaked future Los Angeles, the film follows Rick Deckard, played by Harrison Ford. Deckard is a burned-out cop tasked with hunting down and “retiring” rogue, genetically engineered replicants who have escaped to Earth. Exploring profound themes of humanity, memory, and morality, the film is celebrated for its breathtaking visual design, Vangelis’s haunting electronic score, and deep philosophical depth.
- Alien
Ridley Scott has mastered the art of creating the perfect sci-fi horror, and ‘Alien’ is one of the earliest examples of that. ‘Alien’ was released back in 1979, and it is still a masterpiece. The plot follows the crew of the commercial spaceship Nostromo, who investigate a distress signal on a distant planet, only to unknowingly bring a terrifying, deadly extraterrestrial organism aboard. Featuring Sigourney Weaver’s iconic, groundbreaking performance as Ellen Ripley and H.R. Giger’s haunting, biomechanical creature design, the film brilliantly builds claustrophobic dread. It remains a masterclass in slow-burn suspense and cosmic terror.
- Interstellar
If you are looking for a sci-fi adventure that can blow your mind and make you emotional at the same time, you must watch ‘Interstellar’, a masterful creation by Christopher Nolan that made him famous around the globe. It is one of the greatest sci-fi movies that deals with the concept of 4D and time-travelling in a very believable way. The compelling visuals of the movie and accuracy to each detail make it greatly captivating, and you will find yourself hooked till the end of the movie. Thanks to the masterful soundtrack by Hans Zimmer that keeps echoing in your head even after the movie ends.
- Heat
Al Pacino and Robert De Niro are two of the greatest actors of all time who have given us some great movies. But what happens when these two legends act against each other? Well, to enjoy that kind of high-octane chemistry, you must watch this timeless classic called ‘Heat’. Robert has played the role of a highly skilled burglar, and Pacino, on the other hand, is a detective who is working on the case. The two characters meet each other and even have an interesting conversation about who is right and who is wrong and what our duty is. It ends with a poetic justice and it feels amazing to watch.
- The Matrix
Are you a fan of Keanu Reeves? Well, long before people knew him as John Wick, he was Neo, the prophesied one and the protector of all. Adapted from the original Novel, ‘The Matrix’ offers an engaging sci-fi action movie that can intrigue you psychologically with its storytelling and symbolism from real life. The idea of ‘reality is a simulation’ is well-established in the movie, and the creative exploration further establishes it. The symbolism used in the movie mainly denotes the world, money, society, power, and other elements that can make you question your own life. It is an incredible movie that every person should watch once.
- Die Hard
The movie franchise that made Bruce Willis the most famous is nothing but Die Hard. In this story, Bruce played the role of a cop named John McClane who attends his estranged wife’s Christmas office party and finds himself thwarting a terrorist plot led by Alan Rickman’s Hans Gruber. When a high-tech corporate skyscraper is seized by heavily armed German radicals led by the charismatic Hans Gruber, McClane is forced into a deadly, lone game of cat-and-mouse. Featuring gritty, realistic stakes and relatable vulnerability, it set a new benchmark for modern action cinema.
- There Will Be Blood
Daniel Day-Lewis is a beast when it comes to acting, and this movie is one of the greatest examples of that. There Will Be Blood (2007), directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, is a towering American epic about greed and obsession. Set during Southern California’s oil boom, the film stars Daniel Day-Lewis in a staggering, Oscar-winning performance as Daniel Plainview, a fiercely ruthless and misanthropic oil prospector. Through his bitter conflict with charismatic young preacher Eli Sunday, the film delivers a gripping critique of capitalism and religious hypocrisy. Visually spectacular and relentlessly intense, it stands as a modern cinematic masterpiece.
- 2001: A Space Odyssey
‘2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)’, directed by Stanley Kubrick, is a groundbreaking sci-fi masterpiece that redefined cinema. Co-written with Arthur C. Clarke, the film spans from the dawn of prehistoric humanity to a mysterious space mission bound for Jupiter. When the spaceship’s hyper-intelligent, sentient supercomputer, HAL 9000, begins to exhibit dangerously malfunctioning behavior, astronaut Dr. Dave Bowman must fight to survive. Exploring profound themes of human evolution, artificial intelligence, and existential mystery, the film is celebrated for its scientifically accurate special effects, pioneering cinematography, and classical music score. It remains an unparalleled, visually stunning philosophical journey through the cosmos.
- Gladiator
Gladiator (2000), directed by Ridley Scott, is a monumental historical epic that revived the sword-and-sandal genre. The film stars Russell Crowe in an Oscar-winning performance as Maximus Decimus Meridius, a fiercely loyal Roman general betrayed by the corrupt, ambitious Emperor Commodus, played chillingly by Joaquin Phoenix. Stripped of his rank and forced into slavery, Maximus rises through the ranks of the arena as a gladiator to avenge his murdered family and country. Visually spectacular and deeply emotional, the film features thrilling colosseum combat, Hans Zimmer’s sweeping score, and a powerful story of vengeance, honor, and redemption.
- Parasite
‘Parasite (2019)’, directed by Bong Joon Ho, is a brilliant, genre-bending South Korean masterpiece. The film follows the impoverished Kim family as they cleverly scheme to infiltrate the lives of the wealthy Park family by posing as highly qualified domestic workers. Blending dark humor, intense suspense, and shocking twists, the story exposes deep-seated themes of class discrimination, capitalism, and social inequality. A massive cultural phenomenon, it made history as the first non-English language film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture, cementing its legacy as a modern cinematic triumph.
- Apocalypse Now
If you want to watch Marlon Brando as the antagonist, you should definitely watch this masterpiece movie that is based on the Vietnam War. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, it is a haunting, visionary masterpiece about the Vietnam War. Loosely adapting Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, the film follows Captain Willard on a perilous river journey into the jungle to assassinate Colonel Kurtz, a rogue officer who has gone mad. Capturing the surreal chaos, psychological horror, and moral decay of combat, the film is legendary for its striking visuals, intense performances, and infamous, troubled production. It stands as an unforgettable, profoundly disturbing meditation on the darkness within human nature.
- 12 Angry Men
Some movies do not need a big budget or set, as their dialogue and conversation hold the most gravity. ‘12 Angry Men’ is one of the finest examples of that. It is a masterclass in courtroom drama and intense psychological tension. Set almost entirely inside a single, suffocatingly hot jury room, the film follows twelve jurors tasked with deciding the fate of an inner-city teenager accused of murder. Initially facing an eleven-to-one vote for conviction, Juror 8, played brilliantly by Henry Fonda, urges his peers to re-examine the evidence. Exploring themes of prejudice, justice, and the American legal system, this cinematic triumph demonstrates the immense power of reason and moral courage.
- The Thing
Are you seeking some alien horror? ‘The Thing’ from 1982 has you all covered. Directed by John Carpenter, it is a landmark masterpiece of science fiction and paranoid horror. Set in a remote Antarctic research station, the story follows a resourceful helicopter pilot, played by Kurt Russell, and a group of American scientists who encounter a shape-shifting extraterrestrial organism that perfectly mimics its victims. Driven by intense isolation and absolute paranoia, the crew tears itself apart trying to identify the alien. Celebrated for its groundbreaking practical special effects, it remains a terrifying classic.
- Seven
‘Seven (1995),’ directed by David Fincher, is a chilling, masterful neo-noir psychological thriller. The grim story follows a retiring veteran detective, played by Morgan Freeman, and his volatile new partner, portrayed by Brad Pitt. Together, they hunt a meticulous, deeply sadistic serial killer who uses the seven deadly sins as inspiration for his gruesome, elaborately staged murders. Defined by its rain-soaked, atmospheric cinematography and a shockingly unforgettable climax, the film remains a definitive, highly influential masterclass in cinematic suspense.
- Mad Max: Fury Road
It seems like Tom Hardy is capable of playing hardcore action roles pretty well, and ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ is the greatest example of that. Directed by George Miller, it is a kinetic, visually staggering action masterpiece. In a post-apocalyptic desert wasteland, the resilient Imperator Furiosa, played by Charlize Theron, leads a daring escape from a tyrannical warlord alongside the haunted loner Max Rockatansky, portrayed by Tom Hardy. Propelled by jaw-dropping, high-octane practical stunts and a relentless pace, the film is essentially one continuous, breathtaking car chase. It received immense critical acclaim and won six Academy Awards, redefining modern action cinema.
- Point Break
If you enjoy surfing on the big tides or even have a dream of it; you will definitely like this classic feel-good movie featuring Keanu Reeves. Directed by Kathryn Bigelow, is a high-octane action thriller and a quintessential 1990s cult classic. The story follows ambitious rookie FBI agent Johnny Utah, played by Keanu Reeves, who goes undercover to infiltrate a tight-knit community of Southern California surfers. He suspects they double as the “Ex-Presidents,” a notorious gang of armed bank robbers led by the charismatic, philosophical Bodhi, portrayed by Patrick Swayze. Featuring adrenaline-fueled skydiving and surfing sequences, this film is a masterclass in kinetic action.
- Taxi Driver
This is the debut acting project for Robert De Niro that offered a breakthrough in Hollywood, and it is safe to say that Robert has nailed it in its first ever movie. Directed by Martin Scorsese, this film is a gritty, unsettling masterpiece of American neo-noir cinema. Set in a decaying, post-Waterloo New York City, Robert De Niro delivers a legendary performance as Travis Bickle, a lonely, insomniac Vietnam War veteran working as a nighttime cabbie. As his mental health deteriorates, Travis becomes consumed by disgust for the city’s crime and moral decay, ultimately spiraling into a violent, delusional crusade for salvation. It remains a haunting psychological study of isolation and urban alienation.
- Past Lives
‘Past Lives’, the deeply moving directorial debut of Celine Song in 2023, is a profound romantic drama about destiny, love, and the choices that shape our lives. The story follows Nora and Hae Sung, two deeply connected childhood friends who are abruptly torn apart when Nora’s family emigrates from South Korea. Decades later, they reunite in New York for one fateful week, confronting the Korean concept of In-Yun, the cosmic pull of fate connecting souls across past lifetimes. Anchored by nuanced performances, the film is a masterclass in quiet longing, beautifully exploring the bittersweet ache of what might have been.
- Whiplash
‘Whiplash (2014)’, directed by Damien Chazelle, is an intensely gripping musical drama about the toxic cost of greatness. The film stars Miles Teller as Andrew Neiman, an ambitious young jazz drummer aiming for perfection at an elite music conservatory. His obsessive drive is pushed to the absolute brink by Terence Fletcher, a notoriously abusive, tyrannical conductor portrayed by J.K. Simmons in a terrifying, Oscar-winning performance. Exploring the dark, volatile intersection of passion, sacrifice, and psychological torment, the film plays like a high-stakes psychological thriller. Its relentless pacing, exceptional editing, and electrifying climax leave a lasting, breathless impact.
- Titanic
This movie was released in 1997 and offered a taste of romance through the story of the biggest tragedy. Directed by James Cameron, ‘Titanic’ is an epic romantic tragedy that became a monumental cultural phenomenon. The film brilliantly weaves the historical 1912 disaster with a fictional, sweeping love story between Jack Dawson, a penniless young artist played by Leonardo DiCaprio, and Rose DeWitt Bukater, a trapped aristocrat portrayed by Kate Winslet. Boasting groundbreaking special effects, lavish set design, and Celine Dion’s iconic ballad, the film captures the grandeur and eventual horror of the ship’s tragic sinking. It won a historic eleven Academy Awards and became the first movie to gross one billion dollars worldwide.
