The Godfather– This trilogy of films directed by Francis Ford Coppola has cemented itself within cinematic history. Though many will cite The Godfather Part II as the best while others believe it is Part I, each film builds a fascinating, dramatic narrative around character and thematic development. To be culturally literate, every person should watch at least the first film, if not the entire trilogy, as its plot is frequently referenced alongside the trilogy’s wealth of quotable lines. Yet, each film not only forms a larger, satisfying narrative, but they can be watched multiple times with new and unique details popping out with each viewing. 

Star Wars– George Lucas’s sci-fi film franchise needs no introduction. Though the original and prequel trilogy are a must watch, every person should watch Episode IV A New Hope. This cultural phenomenon has lasted for nearly fifty years, and its quotes and characters can be found everywhere in media. John Williams’s music is a beautiful tone setter that many people will recognize almost as much as Star Wars’s iconic lines. 

Lord of the Rings- Peter Jackson’s adaptation of Tolkien’s pivotal fantasy trilogy.Though the trilogy is one continuous story, every person should watch at least The Fellowship of the Ring. This dark fantasy tone helped to set a seriously high bar for fantasy with its beautiful cinematography, strong acting, and serious story. The films helped to heighten cinema in general, using state of the art artificial intelligence and visual effects to create some of the most realistic creatures and scenery, and Howard Shore’s soundtrack is iconic. 

Interstellar– Christopher Nolan’s science fiction film is nothing short of legendary. The film explores real, theoretical scientific ideas while blending a beautiful story about the love of a father, and the soundtrack, composed by Hans Zimmer, gives a beautiful, outside-the-box approach to a beautiful, outside-the-box-film. 

The Princess Bride-What started out as a fantasy parody has become one of the greatest medieval fantasy films of all time. Its comedy is timed perfectly against its romantic narrative, and the action of the film helps to bring a fun story for almost any family. The dialogue is fun and interesting, making it an iconic, quotable film. 

Jurassic Park- Easily one of Steven Spielberg’s greatest films. The theme is one that almost any person, fan or not, would recognize, and its quotes are used very frequently. Its special effects help to bring an intense, realistic dinosaur film that had not been seen in cinema. Its adaptation of Michael Crichton’s is fairly well done, its characters are very accurate but its plot begins to diverge after the Tyrannosaurus Rex scene. Yet in changing some of the events, the movie makes a legendary experience for both film audiences and fans of the book. 

Titanic- One of James Cameron’s only films that is not science fiction, Titanic pays meticulous attention to detail. A beautiful love story about survival from Titanic’s tragic sinking, as Rose, played by Kate Winslet, grows. The vocal theme by Celine Dion is one that most people will recognize, and Cameron’s film, spanning more than just historical accuracy or romance, has cemented itself in film history. 

Forrest Gump– Robert Zemeckis’s film is a simple premise about a man, Forrest Gump, who was just good at life. Tom Hanks’s acting is incredibly strong, and it helps to make the plot even more believable. The writing takes a unique approach, as the plot is less about Forrest’s growth and rather how he caused every person around him to grow, as instead of him experiencing the great historical events, the audience gets to experience these scenarios. Forrest Gump gives us an example in how we should live, leaving a positive effect on others, and shows it through beautiful storytelling in cinema. 

The Wizard of Oz- A very unique film, The Wizard of Oz with its unique visuals, fun music, and iconic characters has stayed special over the last eighty seven years. The iconic choices of telling the “real world” scenes in black and white to contrast with Oz’s fantastical, technicolor world, alongside Judie Garland’s famous singing, and the film’s many archetypal characters leave a lasting impression. 

Top Gun– One of Tom Cruise’s most memorable roles has remained popular since its release. The film features high speed action, as F-14 Tomcats pull off impressive moves while training and fighting, an enjoyable love story, and a very catchy soundtrack. Not only a fun film from the 80’s, but a film that brought the Navy’s fighter school into the public eye.

Honorable mentions: 

Dark Knight- One of Christopher Nolan’s other iconic films, and the best film in his Batman trilogy. Frequently cited as one of the greatest comic book hero films of all time, this movie brings a much more grounded, psychological take to Batman and his famous rival the Joker. The writing and cinematography come together to make a fascinating crime thriller with an unpredictable plot. Along with its stellar performances from Heath Ledger, Christian Bale, Gary Oldman, and other important actors, the film’s music comes together to build tension and emotion in each and every scene. 

Toy Story– The first ever fully CGI animated film for both Pixar and the world, this film revolutionized what animation was. Now, animation was a lot more organized with smooth vocals behind each frame, and its vocal performances from actors such as Tom Hanks and Tim Allen are incredibly good. The plot is heart warming and deep, appealing to both kids and adults, and its soundtrack with a vocal song such as You’ve Got a Friend in Me by Randy Newman help finish this emotional tone of the film and make it a legend in animation history. 

Back to the Future– This science fiction trilogy is one that has been quoted and referenced since its release. Though each film is important to the larger, growing narrative, most people should watch at least the first film. The acting is fun and interesting with performances from actors like Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd, and a catchy vocal theme by Huey Lewis. This story brings an interesting take to time travel, while showing a story about love, life, and family. Back to the Future is a wild but fun ride that brings a lot of audiences back to the movie. 

Truman Show- Potentially Jim Carrey’s best performance, and a thought provoking experience. As Jim Carrey’s Truman realizes his reality is that of a TV show, and everything he knew was a lie, this film demonstrates an idea of surveillance and a lack of privacy that is becoming increasingly realistic. This dystopian comedy is an interesting watch with great acting and quotable lines, and its central ideas have only gotten more relevant as it has aged.