Part 7 is packed with movies that delight, from classic adventures, to roll-on-the-floor comedies, to rousing sports stories.
61. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
Adapting an amusement park ride into a movie is one of the worst ideas I’ve ever heard, but Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl turned out to be a whale of a tale. This Disney World attraction turned swashbuckling adventure follows the young blacksmith Will Turner and Captain Jack Sparrow, whose intersecting paths cause them to join in piratey mischief and chase after their deepest desires. The exhilarating action and crafty adventure are already better than most sea-dwelling fare, but what elevates this movie from good to must-see is the Oscar-winning performance from Johnny Depp, playing the unpredictable Jack Sparrow. So hoist the anchor, grab a shovel, and unearth this treasure of a movie.
62. Pitch Perfect (2012)
Pitch Perfect takes teen acapella music from “anything but that” to “aca-awesome” in this generation-defining musical comedy. Beca Mitchell (Anna Kendrick) enters her freshman year of college with no friends and even less social skills, but when she’s invited to try out for the school’s most prestigious acapella group, she finds not only her voice, but friends, love, and so much more. This movie makes the smart decision of only taking its musical performances seriously, as the excellent singing and choreography are balanced by gags and quips instead of emotional heft. Beca plays the straight (wo)man as nearly everyone else around her is a delightfully over-the-top character that all play incredibly well off each other. Put away the instruments, turn up the volume, and give Pitch Perfect a shot.
63. The Prestige (2006)
Are you watching closely? The slight of hand found in The Prestige doesn’t just come from the 2 magician protagonists, but also from the mystifying narrative that’s built around them. Set in the late 19th century, 2 talented magicians turn from friends to bitter rivals as jealousy and revenge fuel both the insanity of their tricks and their own inner-madness. Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman give 2 of the best performances of their careers as these bewitching showmen extend their deceptive prowess beyond the stage in attempts to bring the other down. Twists and turns abound in this sharply written thriller that dares us to examine the “how’s” and “why”s” of our dreams just as much as the “what’s.” Not only is The Prestige about magic, but the movie itself is a clever trick, leaving you guessing until the very end.
64. The Princess Bride (1987)
Without a doubt the best story “read” on screen, The Princess Bride reinvents the fairytale genre in a way that has delighted moviegoers for generations. A sick young boy is apprehensive when his grandpa wants to read him a story, but he eventually concedes, and the two of them read through the tale of a lifetime that we the audience see played out on screen. This is the Stefon of movies because it has everything: fantasy, adventure, romance, and friendship, all of which are informed by the self-aware, tongue in cheek humor that makes for a delightfully original experience. Filled to the brim with lovable characters and quotable lines, The Princess Bride is a story that you just can’t put down.
65. A Quiet Place (2018)
Gimmicky monster flicks come out every year, but A Quiet Place is more than a contrived premise; it’s one of the best movies of the past decade. We focus on a young family caught in a world overrun by murderous creatures who will kill anything that makes a loud sound. John Krasinsky, star of the hit comedy series The Office, writes, directs, and stars in this tension-filled horror feature that’s less about the scares and more about the family who finds themselves in this nightmarish existence. Actress Emily Blunt is also excellent, but it’s the way in which this movie is crafted that makes it special, using sparse sound and striking visuals to great effect. I saw this movie in a full theater, and the entire audience was so engrossed in this near-soundless experience that people stopped munching on their popcorn out of fear of stirring the sound-sensitive beasts.
66. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
No movie before or since has captured a pure sense of adventure like Raiders of the Lost Ark. The now-iconic archeologist Indiana Jones leads us on a quest to save the titular Ark of the Covenant, punctuated by the famous line, “It belongs in a museum!” The story is carried from set piece to set piece and fueled by Harrison Ford’s lead performance, moving at a brisk pace and filling each moment with amusing banter and irresistible charm. Within this well-crafted story, we find little things that will stick with you, from Indy’s bullwhip and hat, to the boulder rolling through the cave, to the unforgettable John Williams music. All of these elements come together and deliver one of the most enjoyable movie experiences of all time.
67. Remember the Titans (2000)
The first in this list’s trio of sports movies, Remember the Titans both excels within its genre and rumbles far past it. When a 1960s Virginia high school hires a black football coach and forces integration, a football team full of both black and white players must come together in order to accomplish something great. That’s the general premise, and from that perspective, it’s a rather conventional sports movie, but it’s the relationships that the coaches and players form with each other that earns the movie a spot on this list. Denzel Washington leads both the team and the movie as Coach Herman Boone, and Wood Harris and Ryan Hurst’s unlikely friendship provide thrills on the field and dramatic tension off it. Ethan Suplee and Hayden Panettiere are also scene-stealers in this rousing tale of acceptance, togetherness, and fighting for what is right.
68. Rocky (1976)
The underdog tale of underdog tales, Rocky not only turned Sylvester Stallone into an unlikely star, it also inspired a belief that anyone can accomplish their dreams if they put their mind to it. Stallone plays the titular Rocky, a hard-working but small-potatoes boxer who is given the once-in-a-lifetime chance to face off with the world’s heavyweight champion in an exhibition match. Rocky embodies the spirit of Philadelphia as he pushes himself to his physical limits in order to capitalize on this opportunity and attempt to shock the world. This inspiring journey about never giving up on your dreams is sure to delight sports and non-sports fans alike.
69. The Sandlot (1993)
Rounding out the trifecta is the most fun sports movie on this list, The Sandlot. When baseball prodigy Scotty Smalls moves to a new town, he teams up with a local group of kids who love baseball as much as he does but don’t possess nearly the same skill set. Though set in 1960s suburban America and driven by a baseball-centric plot, this movie places much more emphasis on the boys’ dynamic than on the sport they love, and it’s all the better for it. This ragtag group constantly engages in hilarious hijinks that bonds the boys together and endears us to them. Leaning heavily on fun and friendship, this coming of age tale will leave you all laughs and smiles.
70. Franchise Spotlight: The How to Train Your Dragon trilogy
“My name’s Hiccup. Great name, I know, but it’s not the worst. Parents believe a hideous name will frighten off gnomes and trolls. Like our charming Viking demeanor wouldn’t do that.” Hiccup, How to Train Your Dragon
Starting a movie franchise based around a coming of age story is a daunting task. The audience has to accept the young protagonist and grow up with him as the story progresses. This undertaking is markedly more difficult when creating an animated series, as many moviegoers see this as a juvenile medium and would find the movies less appealing as they enter their teenage years. Dreamworks studios rejected these concerns and adapted the How to Train Your Dragon book series into one of the best movie trilogies of all time.
The brilliance of this trilogy lies in its ability to avoid repetition and tell 3 stories that are each distinct and interconnected. Our protagonist Hiccup starts out as an awkward boy who can’t live up to the expectations of his father, grows into a confident warrior who can protect himself and his people, and eventually becomes a kind leader who puts the needs of his loved ones before his own. The strength of this character arc is rare to find in any movie series, and I propose it’s the boldest of its kind in the entire history of animated film.
The storytelling of How to Train Your Dragon blazes new trails, but it’s the relationship between Hiccup and his dragon Toothless that warms our hearts and keeps us coming back for more. The way in which these 2 characters help each other find confidence and purpose in life gives the series one of the strongest emotional cores of any franchise. The duo’s exhilarating flying sequences are also better than most live action aerial displays, providing the series with an easy avenue for incredible action sequences that play out on grand scales. Don’t be fooled by typical animation, catering to a young audience and failing to create sequels that bring fresh ideas. How to Train Your Dragon is an epic, action-packed, heartfelt fantasy series meant for anyone who has yearned to become the person they felt they were meant to be.
Watch Order: How to Train Your Dragon, How to Train Your Dragon 2, and How to Train Your Dragon 3: The Hidden World
What did you think of Part 7? Let me know in the comments below, and be on the lookout for Part 8 tomorrow!
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