Everyone has that one friend. You know the one—the person who gasps in genuine physical pain when you admit you haven't seen The Godfather or Parasite. They act like you've missed a core human experience, akin to never seeing a sunset or tasting bread. Honestly? They’re kinda right.
Movies aren't just flickering lights on a wall anymore. They’re the shorthand we use to understand each other. When we talk about movies that must watch, we aren’t just talking about "good" films. We are talking about the cultural pillars that changed how stories are told. If you haven't seen The Matrix, you don't fully get why people talk about "glitches" or "red pills." If you skipped Schindler’s List, you’re missing a piece of the collective historical conscience.
Cinema is a language. Some movies are just casual slang—fun for a minute, then forgotten. Others are the grammar and the soul of the medium.
The Evolution of the Must-Watch Canon
The list of "essential" films used to be gatekept by stuffy critics in turtlenecks. It was all French New Wave and black-and-white silent films from the 1920s. That’s changed. Now, a 2019 South Korean thriller like Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite sits comfortably next to Citizen Kane.
Why? Because the audience decided.
The criteria for movies that must watch has shifted from "technical perfection" to "cultural impact." We look for films that force a conversation. Think about Get Out. Jordan Peele didn’t just make a horror movie; he created a new way to discuss racial tension through the lens of the "sunken place." That’s a must-watch because it’s now part of the social lexicon. If you haven't seen it, certain conversations at dinner parties will just go over your head.
It's also about the "Prestige TV" effect. As streaming services like Netflix, Max, and Mubi flood us with content, the truly great films stand out even more. They are the ones that survive the scroll. They are the ones that make you stop eating your popcorn because you’re actually holding your breath.
🔗 Read more: A Simple Favor Blake Lively: Why Emily Nelson Is Still the Ultimate Screen Mystery
Why Some Classics Feel Dated (And Why You Should Watch Them Anyway)
Let’s be real. Watching 2001: A Space Odyssey in 2026 can be a test of patience. It’s slow. It’s silent. It’s weird.
But here is the thing about movies that must watch: they are often the "patient zero" for every trope you love today. You can't appreciate modern sci-fi like Dune: Part Two without seeing what Stanley Kubrick did with a fraction of the technology in 1968. He was basically inventing the visual language of space before we’d even landed on the moon.
The "Citizen Kane" Problem
People often call Citizen Kane the greatest movie ever made. Then a teenager watches it and says, "It’s just a guy talking about a sled."
They’re missing the point. Or rather, they’re missing the context. Before Orson Welles, movies didn’t use deep focus. They didn’t use non-linear storytelling in that specific way. Watching these films is like looking at the blueprints of a skyscraper. You might prefer living in the penthouse of the new building, but you gotta respect the foundation.
Genre-Defying Picks You Can't Skip
If you want a rounded education in cinema, you have to look past Hollywood. The world of movies that must watch is global.
- Seven Samurai (1954): Directed by Akira Kurosawa. This is the DNA of every "team-up" movie. Without this, there is no Avengers. No Magnificent Seven. It’s three hours long, and every second is earned.
- City of God (2002): A frantic, violent, and beautiful look at the favelas of Rio de Janeiro. It uses editing like a weapon.
- Spirited Away (2001): Studio Ghibli at its peak. Hayao Miyazaki proves that animation isn't a genre for kids; it’s a medium for the most profound human emotions.
Then you have the visceral stuff. Pulp Fiction. Tarantino changed how we hear dialogue. Characters didn't just talk about the plot; they talked about Quarter Pounders with Cheese and foot massages. It made the world feel lived-in. It made movies feel "cool" in a way they hadn't felt in decades.
💡 You might also like: The A Wrinkle in Time Cast: Why This Massive Star Power Didn't Save the Movie
The Psychological Weight of Modern Essentials
Some movies make the list because they break your brain.
Take Christopher Nolan’s Inception or Oppenheimer. These aren't just "flicks." They are architectural feats. Nolan treats the audience like they’re smart. He expects you to keep up. That’s why his work consistently lands in the movies that must watch category—it demands your full attention in an age of 15-second TikTok reels.
And then there’s the emotional wreckage. Moonlight. Manchester by the Sea. The Zone of Interest. These films aren't always "fun" to watch. You might not want to re-watch them on a rainy Sunday with a bowl of ice cream. But they change the way you look at your neighbors, your history, and yourself. That’s the heavy lifting of great cinema. It builds empathy.
How to Actually Tackle Your Watchlist
Most people have a "Watch Later" list that is roughly 4,000 titles long. It’s overwhelming. You end up watching The Office for the 14th time because it’s easy.
Stop doing that.
To actually get through the movies that must watch, you need a strategy. Don't try to watch The Godfather and Schindler’s List in the same weekend unless you want a mental breakdown. Mix the "heavy" essentials with "light" essentials. Watch Singin' in the Rain after you watch something gritty.
📖 Related: Cuba Gooding Jr OJ: Why the Performance Everyone Hated Was Actually Genius
Understand that film is subjective, too. If you watch a "must-watch" and you hate it, that’s actually fine. At least now you know why you hate it. You can articulate your stance. You've joined the conversation.
Real Evidence of Impact
Look at the Library of Congress’s National Film Registry. They add 25 films a year that are "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant." This isn't just an opinion; it's a matter of record. When a film like The Dark Knight or Jurassic Park gets added, it’s a formal recognition that these stories have shaped the American identity.
The Surprising Omissions
Sometimes, the movies that must watch aren't the ones that won Best Picture. The Shawshank Redemption was a box office disappointment. It only became a "must-watch" through word of mouth and cable TV reruns. Now, it’s the top-rated movie on IMDb.
On the flip side, plenty of Oscar winners are totally forgotten five years later. Does anyone honestly talk about Coda or Green Book as essential cinema anymore? Rarely. Time is the ultimate critic. If people are still talking about a movie ten years after it came out, it’s probably earned its spot on your list.
Actionable Steps for the Aspiring Cinephile
If you’re ready to dive into the world of movies that must watch, don’t just start at the top of a random list. Start with a "Director Sprint." Pick a legend—maybe Scorsese or Hitchcock—and watch three of their best. You’ll start to see their "fingerprints" on the screen.
- Check the "AFI Top 100": It’s a bit US-centric, but it’s a solid starting point for the classics.
- Use Letterboxd: Follow film critics and enthusiasts. See what people are obsessing over right now in the indie scene.
- Watch the "Special Features": If you really want to understand why a movie matters, listen to the director's commentary. It’s like a free film school.
- Support Local Theaters: Some movies, like Interstellar or Lawrence of Arabia, simply must be seen on the biggest screen possible to be understood.
Start with one movie this week. Just one. Put your phone in the other room. Turn off the lights. Give the film the respect of your undivided attention. Whether it’s the frantic energy of Goodfellas or the quiet heartbreak of Past Lives, these films are waiting to change your perspective. Once you’ve seen them, you aren't just watching movies; you’re participating in a century-old global dialogue.
The next time that "movie friend" gasps because you haven't seen something, you might just be able to gasp right back at them for missing a deep-cut masterpiece you just discovered.
Next Steps for Your Cinema Journey:
- Identify Your Gap: Decide which major era you’ve ignored—Golden Age Hollywood, 90s Indies, or International Cinema.
- The 20-Minute Rule: Commit to 20 minutes of a "difficult" classic. Usually, by that point, the visual language will "click," and you'll be hooked.
- Track Your Progress: Use an app to log what you’ve seen. Seeing the list grow provides a weirdly satisfying sense of accomplishment.
- Discuss: Find a forum or a friend to talk about the ending. Movies are half-finished until they are discussed.