Let’s dive right in to the beginning of this list, which, ironically enough, includes several movies that mark the start of trends that are still prevalent in filmmaking today.
1. 12 Angry Men (1957)
Don’t let its now-oft-homaged plot dissuade you; even if you know 12 Angry Men’s destination, you should still watch this film for its riveting journey. The tension created by the single-location setting brilliantly unravels not only the case at hand, but the inner conflicts that each man brings into the jury room. With terrific performances all around, headlined by Henry Fonda’s career-defining turn, this movie earns its “classic” status and then some.
2. Aladdin (1992)
Aladdin possesses all of the trappings that we’ve come to expect from Disney animation’s best: stunning visuals, delightfully menacing villains, catchy tunes, and a heart-warming story. But what sets this movie apart is the genre-altering performance from Robin Williams, prompting nearly all later animated features to include Hollywood A-listers for both their talent and their promotional appeal. Rarely will you come across a movie this funny AND heartfelt. We ain’t never had a friend like you, Genie.
3. Arrival (2016)
Arrival could have easily relied upon its ace-in-the-hole ending, and it still would’ve been a great movie. However, this modern sci fi classic aims for something much deeper and more significant, and in my humble opinion, it hits the bullseye. The mystery of the premise gets the story off the ground, but it’s the themes of fear, understanding, and the value of life that make this movie soar. Amy Adams is both understated and earnest, turning in one of my favorite performances of the past decade. I’ll leave it at that, because with a film like Arrival, the less you know going in, the better.
4. Avatar (2009)
Never has a movie been through the rollercoaster that 2009’s Avatar endured. From James Cameron’s passion project, to a worldwide phenomenon, to “Fern Gully with blue people,” everyone seems to have a strong opinion on this film. Both the positive and negative positions include grains of truth, but in the end, this film changed the movie-going experience forever. Admittedly, the plot is recycled, and the characters are nothing more than serviceable, but the creativity found in the world of Pandora is truly special, and its use of both CGI and the 3-D experience have influenced nearly every blockbuster to come after it.
5. Back to the Future (1985)
There may not be a better example of the pure entertainment power of the movies than Back to the Future. Marty McFly’s attainably cool persona is perfectly paired with the loveably manic Doc Brown. I could list all of the movie’s iconic elements that permeate pop culture, from “Great Scott!”, to the DeLorean, to shredding Johnny B Goode on a cherry red guitar, but it’s the movie’s infectious energy and tongue-in-cheek humor that creates such a memorable experience. Jaws founded the blockbuster, but Back to the Future showed that a fun time at the movies can be exactly that: fun.
6. Batman Begins (2005)
Every hero has a beginning, and Christopher Nolan’s origin story marks not only the start of his Batman iteration, but of comic book movies as we know them today. Nolan crafted a world that still includes all of the hallmarks of the genre, and yet it’s grounded enough to feel as though it could really exist. More so than later entries, this is an entirely Batman-centric movie, as Christian Bale’s Bruce Wayne is forced to confront the fears that plague his past and present. Through the seedy depiction of Gotham and its inhabitants emerges a tale of inspiration, marked by Thomas Wayne’s famous quote, “Why do we fall, Bruce? So that we can learn to pick ourselves up.”
7. The Birds (1963)
The Birds may not be remembered with the best of Alfred Hitchcock’s filmography, but it may very well be the famed director’s masterclass in building tension. As the unassuming town of Bodega Bay slowly descends into fear and madness, we too hold our breath and tighten our knuckles as the frightening events unfold. The looming threat literally swirls around our protagonists as Hitchcock unmercifully plays with the dread of the unknown, and the threat builds like a billowing storm cloud. If you’re looking for a scary night in but are sick of contemporary horror clichés, The Birds is the movie for you.
8. Brigsby Bear (2017)
Many films earn the term “quirky” by trying too hard to be different, too hard to appeal to an ostracized crowd. That couldn’t be further from the truth with Brigsby Bear, though “quirky” is a fitting way to describe it. This story follows a young man named James and his quest to finish the story of his favorite tv show that was abruptly cancelled. A weird premise, I know, but this funny, optimistic, and inspirational tale takes us far beyond its oddities to a place of genuine joy and, for some, catharsis. Just like its protagonist, Brigsby Bear’s plucky attitude and unique charm may very well win you over.
9. Casablanca (1942)
“Here’s looking at you, kid.” We’ve all heard the line, but this movie is so much more than a handful of quotes. Centered around a love torn apart by the hardships of World War II, we follow Humphrey Bogart’s Rick Blaine and his reluctant quest to find meaning in the conflict-neutral French Morocco. Filled with snappy, witty dialogue, and a story that unravels like a shirt caught on a nail, this old flick proves that CGI explosions are not the only means of captivating an audience’s attention. Lead by Bogart and the magnificent Ingrid Bergman, Casablanca is not only a romance for the ages, but a standard of storytelling to which all movies should aim.
10. Franchise Spotlight: The Marvel Cinematic Universe- Phase 1
“There was an idea… called The Avengers Initiative. The idea was to bring together a group of remarkable people to see if they could become something more; to see if they could work together when we needed them to, to fight the battles that we never could.” Nick Fury, The Avengers (2012)
If you were trusted with leading a cinematic venture, the likes of which we’ve never seen in size, scope, and spectacle, who would you hand pick as the leading star for the first movie, and who would direct? A recovering drug addict and the guy who made Elf, right? No? Well, that’s how Kevin Feige, producer and de facto “father” of the MCU, made 2008’s Iron Man. And you know what? It was GREAT. It established a grounded yet fun tone with quips, thrills, and colorful characters. This is the formula that the MCU still brings to every movie to this day.
It may be easy to forget now that we see the fruits of their labor, but it took a great deal of risk to bring us the MCU that we enjoy today. The aforementioned Robert Downey Jr. was a virtual Hollywood outcast, and neither Chris Evans nor Chris Hemsworth were star actors at this point. But they lead their single-film origin stories with charisma and charm, and Feige seized the opportunity to bring all of this build-up to a head with 2012’s The Avengers. No one had ever done this: taken 3 tangential stories in the same “Universe” and bring them together for a massive team-up movie in a way that both makes sense and thrills audiences. Feige and director Joss Whedon didn’t just achieve this goal; they created a landmark film, the likes of which many have already tried to replicate, with no such success.
Even if you’re not a comic book movie fan, I would encourage you to at least watch through the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Phase 1, because it’s a unique cinematic experience that you can’t get anywhere else, and who knows, maybe will never be done again.
Watch Order: Iron Man, Iron Man 2, Thor, Captain America: The First Avenger, and The Avengers
So what did you think of the first ten? Let me know in the comments down below! If you liked this, be on the lookout for part 2 tomorrow!
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