Movies You Should Watch At Least Once When You’re Alive!

SN. Azura
9 min readNov 11, 2023

Hello, everyone! I’m going to curate a bunch of movies that you should watch at least once in your life. I hope you enjoy this list :)

I guess there will be part 2 after this

2001 Space Odyssey

2001 Space Odyssey movie poster

2001: A Space Odyssey is a 1968 epic science fiction film written, produced, and directed by Stanley Kubrick. The film was co-written by Kubrick with science fiction author Arthur C. Clarke, and was inspired by Clarke’s 1951 short story “The Sentinel”. The film follows a voyage to Jupiter with a team of astronauts and scientists, who are accompanied by the sentient supercomputer HAL 9000. The film explores themes of human evolution, technology, and the search for extraterrestrial life.

The film is considered to be one of the greatest films of all time, and it has been praised for its groundbreaking special effects, its innovative use of music, and its thought-provoking themes.

Schindler's List

Schindler’s List movie poster

Schindler’s List is a 1993 American epic historical drama film directed by Steven Spielberg and produced by Jon Peters, Spielberg, Branko Lustig, and Gerald R. Molen. It is based on the 1982 novel Schindler’s Ark by Thomas Keneally, which is a fictionalized account of the life of German industrialist Oskar Schindler, who saved the lives of more than a thousand mostly Polish-Jewish refugees from the Holocaust by employing them in his factories during World War II.

The film stars Liam Neeson as Schindler, Ben Kingsley as Itzhak Stern, an accountant who helps Schindler save Jews, and Ralph Fiennes as Amon Göth, the sadistic commandant of the Płaszów concentration camp.

The film begins with Schindler arriving in Kraków, Poland, in 1939, following the German invasion of Poland. Schindler is a shrewd businessman who is eager to make a profit from the war. He opens a factory and hires Jewish workers because they are cheaper to employ.

At first, Schindler is indifferent to the plight of his Jewish workers. However, as he witnesses their persecution by the Nazis, he begins to feel compassion for them. He uses his wealth and influence to protect his workers from deportation to death camps.

As the war progresses, the Nazis become more and more determined to exterminate the Jews. Schindler realizes that the only way to save his workers is to move them to a new factory in Brünnlitz, a town in the Czech Protectorate. Schindler bribes Nazi officials and convinces them that his workers are essential to the war effort.

In the end, Schindler saves the lives of more than a thousand Jews. He is remembered as one of the greatest heroes of the Holocaust.

Schindler’s List is a powerful and moving film that tells the story of one man’s courage and compassion in the face of unimaginable evil. It is a must-see film for everyone.

Goodfellas

Goodfellas movie poster

Goodfellas is a 1990 American crime film directed by Martin Scorsese and written by Nicholas Pileggi, based on Pileggi’s 1985 non-fiction book Wiseguy. The film stars Ray Liotta as Henry Hill, a half-Irish, half-Sicilian American gangster who rises through the ranks of the Lucchese crime family in Brooklyn, New York, with his friends Jimmy Conway (Robert De Niro) and Tommy DeVito (Joe Pesci). The film also stars Lorraine Bracco as Henry’s wife Karen, Paul Sorvino as Paul Cicero, the crime family’s boss, and Frank Vincent as Phil Leotardo, a caporegime in the family.

Goodfellas tells the story of Henry Hill’s rise and fall in the mafia, from his early days as a teenage gofer to his eventual conviction for racketeering. The film is notable for its gritty realism, its depiction of the violence and corruption of the mafia, and its iconic performances.

Henry is drawn to the mafia lifestyle from a young age, and he quickly learns the ropes from Jimmy and Tommy. The three men become involved in a variety of criminal activities, including robbery, extortion, and drug trafficking. They also become involved in the family’s legitimate businesses, such as restaurants and nightclubs.

As Henry rises through the ranks of the mafia, he enjoys the lavish lifestyle that comes with it. He buys a big house, drives expensive cars, and wears designer clothes. He also becomes a heavy cocaine user.

However, Henry’s life begins to unravel in the early 1980s. He is arrested on drug charges and agrees to cooperate with the FBI in order to avoid a long prison sentence. Henry’s testimony helps to convict several high-ranking members of the Lucchese crime family, including Jimmy and Tommy.

Goodfellas is a classic gangster film that has been praised for its realistic portrayal of the mafia lifestyle, its iconic performances, and its groundbreaking cinematography and editing. The film is considered to be one of the greatest films ever made, and it is still widely watched and studied today.

Back to the Future

Back to the Future movie poster

Back to the Future is a 1985 American science fiction comedy film directed by Robert Zemeckis and written by Zemeckis and Bob Gale. It stars Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly, a teenager who accidentally travels back in time to 1955 in a time-traveling DeLorean automobile built by his eccentric scientist friend Emmett “Doc” Brown (Christopher Lloyd). Marty encounters young versions of his parents and must make sure that they fall in love or he will cease to exist. Even more dauntingly, Marty has to return to his own time and save the life of Doc Brown.

The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $381 million worldwide against a budget of $19 million. It was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Sound Editing, and won for Best Sound Mixing.

Back to the Future is considered to be one of the greatest films of all time, and it has been praised for its groundbreaking special effects, its innovative use of music, and its heartwarming story. It is also one of the most popular films of all time, and it has spawned two sequels, a television series, and a variety of other merchandise.

Lawrence of Arabia

Lawrence of Arabia movie poster

Lawrence of Arabia is a 1962 epic historical drama film directed by David Lean and starring Peter O’Toole as T.E. Lawrence. The film tells the story of Lawrence’s role in the Arab Revolt during World War I, and his transformation from a British officer into a legendary Arab leader.

Lawrence was initially sent to Arabia to assess the Arab Revolt and report back to the British government. However, he quickly becomes involved in the revolt, and he soon proves himself to be a skilled military strategist and a charismatic leader. Lawrence helped to unite the Arab tribes and lead them to victory against the Ottoman Turks.

However, Lawrence’s victory comes at a cost. He witnesses the brutality of war firsthand, and he begins to question his own motives. He also becomes increasingly disillusioned with the British government, which he believes is not fully committed to the Arab cause.

In the end, Lawrence resigns his commission from the British army and returns to England. However, he is haunted by the memories of his time in Arabia, and he struggles to find his place in the world.

Lawrence of Arabia is a complex and fascinating film that explores themes of war, imperialism, and identity. It is also a visually stunning film, with some of the most iconic images in cinema history.

The Virgin Suicide

The Virgin Suicide movie poster

The Virgin Suicides is a 1999 American psychological drama film directed by Sofia Coppola, in her feature film directorial debut. The screenplay by Coppola is based on the 1993 novel of the same name by Jeffrey Eugenides. The film stars Kirsten Dunst, James Woods, Kathleen Turner, Josh Hartnett, Scott Glenn, Hayden Christensen, Adam Goldberg, A. J. Cook, and Hanna Hall.

The film tells the story of the Lisbon sisters, five beautiful and enigmatic teenage girls who live in a quiet suburban neighborhood. The sisters are the objects of fascination and desire for the neighborhood boys, but they are also isolated and misunderstood. When one of the sisters commits suicide, the others follow suit, leaving the town to reel from their deaths.

The Virgin Suicides is a darkly atmospheric and haunting film that explores themes of adolescence, alienation, and death. Coppola’s direction is assured and stylish, and the performances from the cast are excellent, particularly from Dunst, Woods, and Turner.

The Prince of Egypt

The Prince of Egypt movie poster

The Prince of Egypt is a 1998 American animated musical drama film produced by DreamWorks Animation and released by DreamWorks Pictures. Loosely based on the Book of Exodus, the film tells the story of Moses, a Hebrew prince who is raised as the adopted son of the Pharaoh of Egypt. Moses eventually learns of his true origins and leads his people out of slavery in Egypt.

The Prince of Egypt is a visually stunning film with some of the most iconic images in animation history. The film’s songs, written by Stephen Schwartz, are also some of the most memorable in any animated film.

Spirited Away

Spirited Away movie poster

Spirited Away is a 2001 Japanese animated fantasy film written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki and produced by Studio Ghibli for Tokuma Shoten. Released in Japan on July 20, 2001, it was distributed by Toho and became the highest-grossing film of the year in the country. Spirited Away won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature at the 75th Academy Awards, the Golden Bear at the 52nd Berlin International Film Festival, and the Japan Academy Prize for Picture of the Year.

Spirited Away tells the story of Chihiro Ogino (Hiiragi), a sullen ten-year-old girl who, while moving to a new neighborhood, enters the world of kami (spirits of Japanese Shinto folklore). After her parents are turned into pigs by the witch Yubaba (Natsuki Watanabe), Chihiro takes a job working in Yubaba’s bathhouse to find a way to free herself and her family and return to the human world. Along the way, she befriends Haku (Miyu Irino), a mysterious boy who works as Yubaba’s apprentice; Lin (Mari Natsuki), a worker at the bathhouse; and No-Face (Akio Ôtsuka), a masked spirit who can consume anything, including people’s emotions.

Spirited Away is a visually stunning film with some of the most iconic images in animation history. The film’s themes of environmentalism, greed, and the importance of family and friendship have resonated with audiences of all ages.

Spirited Away is a classic film that has been praised for its groundbreaking animation, its imaginative world-building, and its complex and relatable characters. It is a must-see film for anyone interested in cinema history, animation, or Japanese culture.

The Shawshank Redemption

The Shawshank Redemption movie poster

The Shawshank Redemption is a 1994 American drama film written and directed by Frank Darabont, based on the 1982 Stephen King novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption. It tells the story of Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), a banker who is sentenced to life in Shawshank State Penitentiary for the murders of his wife and her lover, despite his claims of innocence. Over the following two decades, he befriends a fellow inmate, Ellis “Red” Redding (Morgan Freeman), and becomes instrumental in a money-laundering operation led by the prison warden.

Andy is initially subjected to the brutality of prison life, but he eventually earns the respect of the other inmates and the prison staff. He uses his skills and knowledge to help the warden with various projects, including the renovation of the prison library. Andy also becomes a trusted confidant to Red.

Despite his seemingly hopeless situation, Andy never gives up hope of being released from prison. He secretly tunnels his way out of Shawshank and escapes to Mexico, where he is reunited with his wife’s inheritance.

The Shawshank Redemption is a powerful and moving film about the importance of hope, friendship, and redemption. It is a classic story of the human spirit overcoming even the most difficult of circumstances.

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