Cinema is not only a medium of entertainment, it takes us into the realm of imagination, touches our emotions, changes our perspective and brings out colorful aspects of life. Some movies leave a deep impression on us. They become part of our lives through stories, acting, music, or scenes.
This list includes some movies that should be watched at least once in a lifetime. From timeless classics to modern masterpieces—every movie is unique in its own way. They will not only entertain you, but also teach you to think in a new way and maybe change your outlook on life. Watching these amazing movies before you die means achieving a unique and a great experience in life.
Alien (1979)
Alien (1979) is a classic science-fiction and horror film directed by Ridley Scott. The film is based on the story of a crew traveling in a futuristic spaceship. They respond to a mysterious signal on their way back to a cargo spaceship called the “Nostromo”. While searching for the source of the signal, they encounter an alien creature, which turns their fight for survival into a terrifying one.
Sigourney Weaver plays a character as Ellen Ripley and she becomes the focal point of the story and represent her as a courageous female protagonist. Its suspense, dimming lighting and terrifying alien creatures designed by Hans Rudi Geiger make the film a unique horror experience.
Alien is not just a horror movie, it is a milestone in science-fiction and feminist characterization. The film has had a huge impact on its sequels, prequels and pop culture.
The Godfather (1972, USA)
The Godfather (1972) is a legendary crime drama film directed by Francis Ford Coppola, based on the novel of the same name by Mario Puzo. It is the story of the Corleone family, who are a powerful mafia family in New York.
Marlon Brando stars as Don Vito Corleone, who struggles to balance family loyalty and power. His son Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) rose from being an innocent war veteran to the head of the family crime empire. The film explores the dark side of the American dream and morality through a complex story of power, revenge and moral crisis.
The film’s brilliant storyline, impeccable dialogues, and impeccable acting have earned it recognition as one of the best creations in film history. It won three Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor. The Godfather is not just a movie, it is an immortal symbol of power and family.
Seven Samurai (1954, Japan)
Seven Samurai (1954) is a classic Japanese epic film by Akira Kurosawa, considered one of the greatest works in film history. The story centers on a small village, which hires seven samurai to protect it from bandit attacks.
The conflict between the unique personalities of the samurai and their sense of honor with the lives and struggles of the village peasants adds depth to the story. Each samurai character has unique characteristics that create a connection with the audience. Among the main characters is Kambe played by Takashi Shimura, an experienced and intelligent leader, in the central role.
The film was particularly praised for its pioneering cinematography, masterful action sequences and a deep understanding of humanity. It’s not just an action movie, it’s a powerful portrayal of friendship, sacrifice and morality. Seven Samurai has had a profound impact on filmmaking worldwide and continues to inspire today.
Arrival
Arrival (2016) is a psychological science fiction film directed by Denis Villeneuve, based on the short story “Story of Your Life” by Ted Chiang. The film centers on mankind’s attempts to establish communication led by linguist Louise Banks (Amy Adams) after a spaceship arrives on Earth.
Twelve alien spaceships land simultaneously at different locations on Earth. Lewis and physicist Ian Donnelly (Jeremy Renner) try to understand their language and learn their motives. The story touches on deep questions of time, fate, and mankind’s mutual understanding.
The film was praised for its stunning visuals, exquisite soundtrack, and Amy Adams’ mesmerizing performance. Its thought-provoking story raises profound questions not just about aliens, but about the human experience and the power of language. Arrival is a milestone in modern science fiction.
Shawshank Redemption
The Shawshank Redemption (1994) is a timeless drama directed by Frank Darabont, based on Stephen King’s short story “Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption”. It is a story of friendship, the power of hope and the eternal human desire for redemption.
The film is based on the life of banker Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), who is imprisoned in Shawshank Jail on false charges of murdering his wife. In prison, he befriends a veteran inmate named Red (Morgan Freeman). The story moves through their relationship, Andy’s resilience, and his struggle against the odds.
Although the film was not a huge success at the time of its release, it was later considered one of the greatest films of all time. Its inspiring storyline, strong acting, and excellent screenplay have left a lasting impression on the hearts of the audience. The Shawshank Redemption is an iconic symbol of hope and redemption.
Fight Club
Fight Club (1999) is a psychological drama directed by David Fincher, based on the novel by Charlie Cox. The story revolves around an unnamed protagonist (Edward Norton), who lives a monotonous life, and suffers from a mid-life crisis. She meets a mysterious man, Tyler Darden (Brad Pitt), to escape her inadequacy.
Tyler, who founded a secret “fight club” where men unleash their aggressive instincts and engage in brutal physical combat. The club quickly gained popularity and its consequences became more chaotic.
The film deals deeply with vocabulary, masculinity, consumerism and rebellion against society. Its unique storytelling techniques, state of mind and surprising twists ultimately prove that Fight Club has become a cult classic.
Inception
Inception (2010) is a science fiction thriller directed by Christopher Nolan, which blurs the boundaries between dream and reality. The story centers on Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio), a professional thief who enters people’s minds and steals their secret thoughts.
But a special offer comes to him—to sow an inception in the mind of an important person, which can bring him eternal liberation. In doing so, Dom and his team travel between levels of the dream, where each level becomes more complex and dangerous.
The film raises profound questions about the continuity of dreams, time, and reality. Its intricate story, suspense, excellent visual effects and Hans Zimmer’s emotional soundtrack make Inception a milestone. It left a lasting impression on the audience and became an icon of modern cinema.
Gladiator (2000)
Gladiator (2000) is a historical epic film directed by Ridley Scott, which tells the story of revenge and heroism of a gladiator in ancient Rome.
The story centers on Maximus (Russell Crowe), a brave general of the Roman Empire who is chosen by King Marcus Aurelius (Leonardo Palmer) as his successor. However, after the king dies, his rival, prince Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) comes to power and murders Maximus and his family. Maximus returns alive, and begins his revenge against Commodus in the Roman arena as a gladiator.
The film was praised for its historical setting, emotional storyline, powerful performances, and huge action scenes. Gladiator won five Academy Awards in 2001, including Best Picture and Best Actor. It still resonates with audiences today as a powerful story of courage, revenge and morality.
Full Metal Jacket
Full Metal Jacket (1987) is a war-drama directed by Stanley Kubrick, which depicts the psychological and moral changes of people against the backdrop of the Vietnam War.
The film is divided into two parts. The first part shows the rigorous training of recruits on Parris Island, where the toughness of drill instructor Hartman (R. Lee Ermey) and the mental breakdown of recruit Gomor Pyle (Vincent D’Nofrio) take center stage. The second part depicts the experiences of journalist Joker (Matthew Modine) in the battlefield and the grim reality of war.
Full Metal Jacket raises profound questions about the brutality and human cost of war. Its strong acting, sharp dialogue, and realistic portrayal make it a classic example of an anti-war film.
Blade Runner 1982
Blade Runner (Blade Runner, 1982) is a cyberpunk science fiction film directed by Ridley Scott, inspired from Philip K. Dick’s novel “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” It depicts a dystopian world set in a futuristic Los Angeles (2019), where humans and bio-engineered replicants coexist.
The story revolves around former Blade Runner Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford), who is asked to “retire” after finding rebel replicants. However, during this quest Deckard himself confronts deep questions of humanity, existence, and morality.
The film is famous for its striking visual design, neo-noir atmosphere, and emotional music by Vangelis. Despite receiving mixed reviews upon release, Blade Runner later became a cult classic and is recognized as a milestone in the history of science fiction. It continues to inspire discussion and inspiration today on deep questions of technology, humanity, and existence.
Pulp Fiction
Pulp Fiction (1994) is an iconic crime drama by Quentin Tarantino, famous for its unorthodox plot, sharp dialogue and stylish production style.
The film explores the criminal underworld of Los Angeles through several interconnected storylines. The plot revolves around two hitmen, Vincent Vega (John Travolta) and Jules Winfield (Samuel L. Jackson), Vincent’s night with Marcellus Wallace’s (Ving Rhames) wife, and a botched heist.
Pulp Fiction garnered critical acclaim for its ahead-of-its-time storytelling, outstanding performances, and timeless pop culture references. It won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 1994 and went on to receive several award nominations.
The film has remained an immortal creation in the history of modern cinema through its characters and dialogues.
Interstellar
Interstellar (2014) is an epic science fiction film directed by Christopher Nolan, which tells the story of mankind’s future survival through space exploration.
The story begins on a starving Earth, where ex-pilot Cooper (Matthew McConaughey) and his team travel through a wormhole to find a habitable environment on a different planet. Cooper’s emotional relationship with his daughter Murph and the barrier of time and distance between them set the tone of the story.
The film integrates complex scientific concepts such as black holes, time dilation, and the effects of gravity with deep human emotions. Hans Zimmer’s soulful music and stunning visual effects give Interstellar a different dimension.
Interstellar is not just a space adventure story, it is a profound tribute to humanity’s limitless potential, sacrifice, and the power of love.
