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.
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 Godfather (1972) – A masterclass in storytelling and character development
Casablanca (1942) – Romance, sacrifice, and iconic dialogue
Citizen Kane (1941) – Revolutionary filmmaking techniques
Gone with the Wind (1939) – Epic historical drama
12 Angry Men (1957) – Tension-driven courtroom brilliance
Psycho (1960) – The blueprint for psychological thrillers
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) – A heartwarming must watch movie
Lawrence of Arabia (1962) – Stunning visuals and epic scope
Rear Window (1954) – Hitchcock at his finest
Sunset Boulevard (1950) – Dark, unforgettable Hollywood noir
The Godfather Part II (1974)
Goodfellas (1990)
Scarface (1983)
The Departed (2006)
Pulp Fiction (1994)
Casino (1995)
Donnie Brasco (1997)
Heat (1995)
American Gangster (2007)
The Irishman (2019)
Gladiator (2000)
Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
Die Hard (1988)
The Dark Knight (2008)
Inception (2010)
Braveheart (1995)
The Matrix (1999)
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
John Wick (2014)
Interstellar (2014)
Blade Runner (1982)
Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Alien (1979)
Aliens (1986)
Ex Machina (2014)
Arrival (2016)
The Fifth Element (1997)
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
Forrest Gump (1994)
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Schindler’s List (1993)
Fight Club (1999)
A Beautiful Mind (2001)
The Green Mile (1999)
Titanic (1997)
Manchester by the Sea (2016)
The Pianist (2002)
Requiem for a Dream (2000)
The Notebook (2004)
Before Sunrise (1995)
Before Sunset (2004)
La La Land (2016)
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
Pride & Prejudice (2005)
Her (2013)
Blue Valentine (2010)
Call Me by Your Name (2017)
A Star Is Born (2018)
Se7en (1995)
Gone Girl (2014)
The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Prisoners (2013)
Shutter Island (2010)
Zodiac (2007)
Memento (2000)
The Usual Suspects (1995)
No Country for Old Men (2007)
Nightcrawler (2014)
The Exorcist (1973)
Hereditary (2018)
The Shining (1980)
Get Out (2017)
Halloween (1978)
A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
The Conjuring (2013)
It Follows (2014)
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
Rosemary’s Baby (1968)
Parasite (2019) – South Korea
Oldboy (2003) – South Korea
City of God (2002) – Brazil
Pan’s Labyrinth (2006) – Spain
Amélie (2001) – France
Life Is Beautiful (1997) – Italy
Spirited Away (2001) – Japan
Seven Samurai (1954) – Japan
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) – China
The Intouchables (2011) – France
Joker (2019)
Whiplash (2014)
The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)
Dune: Part One (2021)
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Get Out (2017)
Oppenheimer (2023)
Black Swan (2010)
The Social Network (2010)
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. 🎬🍿