15 Classic Movies Every Film Buff Should Watch

Movies are made every day, and hundreds are released every year. But only a few genuinely astound and create a memorable impression on everyone. This could be due to their excellent storytelling, stellar cast, or a new form of filmography that makes them a hit. These movies are often regarded as the best of the best and films that everyone, especially movie buffs, should watch.

1. The Godfather (1972)

The Godfather movies are well-beloved and renowned for their contribution to the film industry. The film saga is about a mafia family in New York and their vast, influential crime empire. In the first film, the main character, Don Vito Corleone, decides it is time for him to retire and for his son to succeed, which puts everyone in danger.

2. Taxi Driver (1976)

Taxi Driver is a dark movie about a retired war veteran with insomnia who becomes a taxi driver by night. Played by the enigmatic Robert De Niro, Taxi Driver is a psychological thriller designed to mess with your mind. It features De Niro as a man who slowly descends into madness due to his lack of sleep, trauma, and overprotectiveness for an underage girl on the streets.

3. Citizen Kane (1941)

If you were to go to any filmmaking class, they’d talk about Citizen Kane at some point. This movie is a must-watch if you are considering entering the film industry or you happen to love movies. The film centers around the life and death of Charles Foster Kane and his cryptic last words. Everything about this movie is iconic, from the editing to its storyline.

4. Gone with the Wind (1939)

A romantic drama known for its riveting love story set during the Civil War and Reconstruction era, Gone with the Wind blends history, politics, and war into this saga of a story. We watch Scarlett pursue a love affair with Ashley Wilkes and eventually marry Rhett Butler after a twist of fate. The story highlights complicated human relationships and the stubbornness of its characters in a historic time for Americans.

5. Vertigo (1958)

This Alfred Hitchcock movie centers around a detective forced to retire due to his development of acrophobia and vertigo. It is one of the first to use a dolly shot during production. Vertigo is a psychological thriller that will mess with your head and venture into darker territory, such as suicide and obsession.

6. The Shining (1980)

The Shining (1980) Jack Nicholson — Image Credit: Warner Bros.

A relatively well-known horror film with its jarring filmography and superb acting, The Shining is about an alcoholic taking up the caretaker role at the Overlook Hotel in Colorado over the winter. Unbeknownst to him, a dark past haunts the hotel, and his son has psychic abilities that make him a prime target.

7. Casablanca (1942)

An iconic romance drama with a love triangle, Casablanca features an American expat, his former lover, and her husband, who happens to be a Czech resistance leader during a time of war. Things get complicated when his former lover reveals she also has feelings for him. This movie features a moving storyline and a strong focus on human behavior regarding love.

8. Pulp Fiction (1994)

Pulp Fiction (1994) Samuel L. Jackson, John Travolta — Image Credit: Miramax Films.

A lot can be said about Pulp Fiction. Still, its shock value and iconic characters make it highly memorable and beloved by movie buffs. The film features a non-linear storyline, which can confuse first-timers as it plays around with flashbacks and switches between past and present.

9. Psycho (1960)

You could say that Psycho is one of the earliest examples of a slasher movie before the genre blew up. The plotline centers around a private motel owner, a woman who embezzled money and is on the run, and a private detective hired to investigate her disappearance. The eeriness of certain shots and the shocking display of violence make this movie a classic hit.

10. Amadeus (1984)

Amadeus is one of the most celebrated films about the life of Wolfgan Amadeus Mozart, but told through the perspective of another person. The plot is about Mozart from the eyes of Antonio Salieri, a man who heavily envies him. Aside from its plotline, the amount of detail and the music in the movie make it so spectacular and enchanting.

11. The Apartment (1960)

Letting your superiors use your apartment for marital affairs to climb the corporate ladder sounds quite distasteful, but that’s part of the plot for The Apartment. It is an intriguing look into the depths of the human psyche and behavior bottled up in a stellar rom-com drama.

12. Seven Samurai (1954)

Seven Samurai is about a group of farmers who hire samurai to fight bandits who keep stealing their crops. The director, Akira Kurosawa, is a renowned name in the film industry and is regarded as an influential genius.

13. Forrest Gump (1994)

Forrest Gump is a beloved film across the country and the world by this point in time. It’s quoted quite regularly and has embedded itself in pop culture. The movie is a beautiful depiction of life and its challenges, with Forrest at the heart of it all. The film is known for its use of symbolism, which can easily be missed if you are not paying attention.

14. Rear Window (1954)

Another Alfred Hitchcock masterpiece, Rear Window, is a mystery thriller about a man confined to his wheelchair during a heat wave. He watches the lives of his neighbors closely through his window, noting their behaviors and everything that happens. Naturally, something wild happens one day, and he decides to get to the bottom of it.

15. Before Sunrise (1995)

Before Sunrise is best described as the first stages of a relationship, as it is the first movie in its trilogy. This movie is so enticing because it is mostly filmed in one long shot with minimal cuts. The reactions and conversations between the characters feel very realistic; you will find yourself falling in love with them in no time.