100 Must Watch Movies of All Time (The Ultimate Watchlist for Every Film Lover)

If you’re searching for must watch movies that truly live up to the hype, you’re in the right place. Movies have the power to move us, change how we see the world, and stay with us long after the credits roll. From timeless classics to modern masterpieces, some films simply must be experienced at least once in a lifetime.

This carefully curated list of 100 must watch movies spans genres, decades, cultures, and storytelling styles. Whether you love action, romance, sci-fi, thrillers, or emotional dramas, this list will help you build the ultimate watchlist.

Let’s dive in.

🎬 Why These Are Must Watch Movies

These films are considered must watch movies because they:

• Changed cinema or defined a genre
  
  

• Deliver unforgettable performances
  
  

• Offer powerful storytelling and emotional impact
  
  

• Are endlessly rewatchable
  
  

• Consistently appear on “best movies of all time” lists
  
  

🎞️ The Ultimate 100 Must Watch Movies List

1–10: Timeless Classics

1. The Godfather (1972) – A masterclass in storytelling and character development
   
   

2. Casablanca (1942) – Romance, sacrifice, and iconic dialogue
   
   

3. Citizen Kane (1941) – Revolutionary filmmaking techniques
   
   

4. Gone with the Wind (1939) – Epic historical drama
   
   

5. 12 Angry Men (1957) – Tension-driven courtroom brilliance
   
   

6. Psycho (1960) – The blueprint for psychological thrillers
   
   

7. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) – A heartwarming must watch movie
   
   

8. Lawrence of Arabia (1962) – Stunning visuals and epic scope
   
   

9. Rear Window (1954) – Hitchcock at his finest
   
   

10. Sunset Boulevard (1950) – Dark, unforgettable Hollywood noir
    
    

11–20: Crime & Gangster Must Watch Movies

11. The Godfather Part II (1974)
    
    

12. Goodfellas (1990)
    
    

13. Scarface (1983)
    
    

14. The Departed (2006)
    
    

15. Pulp Fiction (1994)
    
    

16. Casino (1995)
    
    

17. Donnie Brasco (1997)
    
    

18. Heat (1995)
    
    

19. American Gangster (2007)
    
    

20. The Irishman (2019)
    
    

21–30: Action & Adventure Favorites

21. Gladiator (2000)
    
    

22. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
    
    

23. Die Hard (1988)
    
    

24. The Dark Knight (2008)
    
    

25. Inception (2010)
    
    

26. Braveheart (1995)
    
    

27. The Matrix (1999)
    
    

28. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
    
    

29. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
    
    

30. John Wick (2014)
    
    

31–40: Sci-Fi Must Watch Movies

31. Interstellar (2014)
    
    

32. Blade Runner (1982)
    
    

33. Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
    
    

34. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
    
    

35. Alien (1979)
    
    

36. Aliens (1986)
    
    

37. Ex Machina (2014)
    
    

38. Arrival (2016)
    
    

39. The Fifth Element (1997)
    
    

40. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
    
    

41–50: Emotional & Drama Films

41. Forrest Gump (1994)
    
    

42. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
    
    

43. Schindler’s List (1993)
    
    

44. Fight Club (1999)
    
    

45. A Beautiful Mind (2001)
    
    

46. The Green Mile (1999)
    
    

47. Titanic (1997)
    
    

48. Manchester by the Sea (2016)
    
    

49. The Pianist (2002)
    
    

50. Requiem for a Dream (2000)
    
    

51–60: Romance & Relationship Stories

51. The Notebook (2004)
    
    

52. Before Sunrise (1995)
    
    

53. Before Sunset (2004)
    
    

54. La La Land (2016)
    
    

55. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
    
    

56. Pride & Prejudice (2005)
    
    

57. Her (2013)
    
    

58. Blue Valentine (2010)
    
    

59. Call Me by Your Name (2017)
    
    

60. A Star Is Born (2018)
    
    

61–70: Thriller & Mystery Must Watch Movies

61. Se7en (1995)
    
    

62. Gone Girl (2014)
    
    

63. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
    
    

64. Prisoners (2013)
    
    

65. Shutter Island (2010)
    
    

66. Zodiac (2007)
    
    

67. Memento (2000)
    
    

68. The Usual Suspects (1995)
    
    

69. No Country for Old Men (2007)
    
    

70. Nightcrawler (2014)
    
    

71–80: Horror Movies You Must Watch

71. The Exorcist (1973)
    
    

72. Hereditary (2018)
    
    

73. The Shining (1980)
    
    

74. Get Out (2017)
    
    

75. Halloween (1978)
    
    

76. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
    
    

77. The Conjuring (2013)
    
    

78. It Follows (2014)
    
    

79. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
    
    

80. Rosemary’s Baby (1968)
    
    

81–90: International Must Watch Movies

81. Parasite (2019) – South Korea
    
    

82. Oldboy (2003) – South Korea
    
    

83. City of God (2002) – Brazil
    
    

84. Pan’s Labyrinth (2006) – Spain
    
    

85. Amélie (2001) – France
    
    

86. Life Is Beautiful (1997) – Italy
    
    

87. Spirited Away (2001) – Japan
    
    

88. Seven Samurai (1954) – Japan
    
    

89. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) – China
    
    

90. The Intouchables (2011) – France
    
    

91–100: Modern Must Watch Movies

91. Joker (2019)
    
    

92. Whiplash (2014)
    
    

93. The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
    
    

94. Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)
    
    

95. Dune: Part One (2021)
    
    

96. Avengers: Endgame (2019)
    
    

97. Get Out (2017)
    
    

98. Oppenheimer (2023)
    
    

99. Black Swan (2010)
    
    

100. The Social Network (2010)
     
     

🎥 Final Thoughts on Must Watch Movies

This list of 100 must watch movies is more than just entertainment—it’s a journey through cinema history. Whether you’re a casual viewer or a hardcore film buff, these movies represent the very best storytelling the medium has to offer.

Bookmark this page, share it with fellow movie lovers, and start checking them off one by one. 🎬🍿