Thousands of movies have been made in the last century, but which ones are the best? Some of these flicks completely turned the cinematic world on its head, while others created the blueprint.

It Happened One Night (1934)

Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert basically defined the role of a movie star power couple in this film. It Happened One Night is regarded as the very first romantic comedy in cinematic history. They were basically the blueprint for the genre!

This black and white film follows a socialite who captured the attention of a budding reporting. Of course, they become each other's love interest and things take a turn for the worst when their careers get intertwined with their relationship. The film won five Oscars in 1935.

The Wizard of Oz (1939)

The Wizard of Oz is one of the most iconic films of all time. Even though it's over 80 years old, it still influences audiences everywhere. The story was inspired by a book of the same name where a young girl accidentally ends up traveling to the land of Oz. 

The most iconic part of this film was that it transitioned from sepia-toned to color, which was a first for audiences at the time. The film is still aired on television and the story is still popular to recreate on stage.

The Philadelphia Story (1940)

The Philadelphia Story was originally a Broadway hit turned silver screen hit. This stars the greatest of the greats: Katharine Hepburn, James Stewart, and Cary Grant. This incredible trio received tons of accolades for their roles in this film. 

The story follows a wealthy Philadelphia socialite (Hepburn) who is splitting from her husband (Grant). She prepares to marry another man when she gets mixed up with her ex-husband and a reporter (Stewart). She's got a lot of options! 

Rebecca (1940)

Alfred Hitchock had a stronghold over the cinema industry in the 1930s and 1940s. Rebecca is a fantastic film that apparently didn't hold up with his other classics, but it was popular enough to get remade in 2020. The film was adapted from Daphne du Maurier's Gothic novel of the same name.

In the story, a woman is slowly unraveling her husband's dastardly past and learns that he had a wife who passed away. The movie has been remade with the same plotline a few times, but Ben Wheatley most recently redid the story and cast Lily James as Rebecca herself. It's an eerie classic that keeps on giving!

The Maltese Falcon (1941)

This film is commonly noted as the first-ever American noir film. The Maltese Falcon put together the trio of a villain, hero, and dame. Humphry Bogart, Mary Astor, Peter Lorre, and John Huston all make some incredible characters come to life in this film.

The group is enveloped with the desire to obtain the bejeweled Maltese falcon. Trouble quickly follows when the group, who are at odds and ends with one another, realize that they all want the same thing all to themselves.

It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

Frank Capra did it once again with It's a Wonderful Life. This take on a Christmas-time film explores the role of an overworked father in 1919. James Stewart's character falls into a time-warped alternative dimension where he doesn't exist. 

The goal is to showcase to the audience how important the people around you are, but also how you matter to them. The holidays are stressful for most people, but this film serves as a great reminder to take it easy and appreciate the life around you.

An American In Paris (1951)

Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron make total history with this film. They're singing, they're dancing, they're out-acting one another... Although this genre of film isn't popular in the 21st Century, it still bodes well as one of the greatest cinematic marvels of the '50s.

An American ex-GI (Kelly) is living in post-war Paris when he meets Lisa Bouvier (Caron). He wants to become a successful painter and gets on that path when he catches the romantic interest of a rich American heiress.

Singin' in the Rain (1952)

Debbie Reynolds and Gene Kelly grace our screens in this fantastic musical comedy. Once again, this is another film that explores a comedic take on the likes of Hollywood. More specifically, the directors of the film showcased the transition from silent films to "talkies" as they were called back then. 

Title

Everyone is having trouble adapting from silent films to talkies. The introduction of talkies is the introduction of singing on camera, which has a lot of people worried about whether or not they have the pipes for it. Do they have what it takes to stay relevant? 

Shane (1953)

Shane (Alan Ladd) is a gunslinger who pretty much uprooted a small Wyoming town when he only wanted to settle down as a farmhand. He ends up getting drawn into a battle between the people of the town and a cattle baron who wants to take the land. Shane is an emotional and honest look at the Western lifestyle. 

Shane is highly regarded as the best Western of the '50s. It was nominated for Best Picture, Best Cinematography, Best Supporting Actor, Best Directing, and Best Writing in the 1954 Academy Awards. It was also nominated for four other awards in that year. 

Carmen Jones (1954)

Carmen Jones features an all-Black cast that was rare for this time period. Otto Preminger directed this film that stars Dorothy Dandridge and Harry Belafonte. Carmen Jones has been hailed as ahead of its time for decades.

The story follows a new girl in town who captures the attention of all of the men. Of course, she has one man in mind, but how easy can that relationship be? All in all, the film is super erotic (hence "ahead of its time) but tasteful!

12 Angry Men (1957)

For an iconic film such as this one, it's pretty impressive that this was director Sidney Lumet's directional debut. This was filmed nearly entirely in one jury room and was able to keep the attention of the audience with incredible storytelling and scriptwriting. It's a slow-going story, but the end makes it all worth it. 

The film is about a group of 12 jurors who need to make a decision on a death sentence. They must come to an agreement that the defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, but only one juror casts doubt. The other 11 must convince the 12th juror to agree with the guilty verdict. 

Vertigo (1958)

Alfred Hitchcock has tons of famous and popular movies, and Vertigo is definitely one for the ages. This film follows an ex-police officer who is hired to try and prevent his friend's wife from committing suicide. In true Hitchcockian fashion, this case is not what it seems.

Vertigo is definitely considered one of his masterworks. The banter between the characters and the constant twists and turns in the storyline make this an evergreen movie that generations of folks can enjoy. 

A Raisin in the Sun (1961)

A Raisin in the Sun was a novel written by Black author Lorraine Hansberry. The story then went to Broadway, which went to the silver screen. Sidney Poitier, Claudia McNeil, and Ruby Dee played their characters in the play and in the movie. 

The film itself won a lot of awards, but the book and play got tons of critical acclaim as well. The story follows a Chicago family who is relying on a life insurance check to better their lives. They have to fight everything to keep it for themselves.

The Graduate (1967)

Dustin Hoffman and Anne Bancroft get hot and heavy in this satirical film. Hoffman plays a character who has just finished college and is back to living at his parent's house. He ends up getting seduced by Mrs. Robinson (Bancroft) who is a bored housewife and friend of his parents. Things get tricky when he falls for her daughter (who is actually his age).

Cooley High (1975)

This film is a comedy about the Black teenager experience in the '60s. The story follows two teens, Cochise and Preach, who are just trying to make it big in basketball and writing (respectively). They end up running into some trouble when they meet some people who aren't looking out for them...

Psycho (1960)

Psycho is highly regarded as one of the best horror films ever. The Hitchcock (of course) film explores dark twists and even features the first-ever Scream Queen. This is an absolute cult classic. This film has even inspired other popular works like Bates Motel.

Mary Poppins (1964)

Julie Andrews made waves as Mary Poppins. Dick Van Dyke also brings to life a loveable yet bumbling chimney sweep who tries to woo Poppins herself. This film left behind a legacy and is a right of passage for any child. 

Jaws (1975)

Jaws struck fear into viewers who were probably never afraid of the water before this movie hit theaters. This was the first "summer blockbuster" that brought folks out from the summer heat and into movie theaters. Summer thrillers are usually not so terrifying nowadays, but Jaws set the stage!

His Girl Friday (1940)

Another Cary Grant classic, His Girl Friday is a film filled with sharp quips and witty dialogue that still keeps audiences engaged. Grant portrays a newspaper editor who is trying to convince his ex-wife to marry him again. Naturally, things go awry. 

Citizen Kane (1941)

Folks in the 21st Century still rave about this film. Orson Welles is no stranger to greatness, but this film even outlasts his own personal legacy. A journalist gets hung up on a media mogul's famous last words as he tries to unravel what he truly meant. 

Casablanca (1942)

A war-time movie mixed with a tale of two lovers dominates the playing field for "best classic film." Casablanca follows through with creating tension with real-world problems mixed with the strain of a never-meant-to-be relationship. The storytelling throughout the entire film keeps audiences hooked!

The Third Man (1949)

The Third Man is a British noir thriller that perfectly showcases your classic "whodunnit?" Harry Lime died and there are a bunch of people trying to figure out who is responsible. The postwar film lets the audience watch as the entire mystery unravels before their very eyes.

All About Eve (1950)

Hollywood is rampant in their ageism, that's no secret. It was obvious even in the '50s. All About Eve follows the story of a 40-year-old actress (Bette Davis) as her career becomes threatened by a new, younger actress named Eve (Marilyn Monroe). Watching this film in 2021 offers a great insight into what Hollywood was like back in the day and how it hasn't truly changed for the better.

Sunset Boulevard (1950)

1950s Hollywood was all about making movies about Hollywood. Sunset Boulevard is one film of many that detailed the life of Hollywood actors and directors. The film follows an aging movie star from the silent film era as she tries to make her comeback. The film is a satirical take on this situation and even has a little murder in it!

Roman Holiday (1953)

This film is a romantic fairytale daydream that features Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn. Peck plays a reporter and Hepburn plays an over-worked actress who tries to take a night off but ends up almost in harm's way. The two have a budding romance despite the fact that Peck's character wants to use her for a story. Roman Holiday even scored Hepburn three Oscars wins and 10 nominations! 

Tokyo Story (1953)

Tokyo Story is an underrated popular film that even the most famous directors have touted as one of the best films ever. Yasujiro Ozu directed this art-house family drama that follows an elderly couple who are just trying to keep their family together. Their children are city-bound and have no time for them, so how can they resolve it?

Seven Samurai (1954)

Seven Samurai is directed by Akira Kurosawa and is easily on every aspiring filmmaker's must-watch list. A village gathers seven top-level samurai to help protect them against a gang of bandits. In return, they only get rice. The entire story is groundbreaking and the cinematography is Oscar-worthy. 

Touch of Evil (1958)

Despite this flick being an Orson Welles piece, American audiences weren't so touched by the storyline. Oddly enough, it did numbers in Europe which, eventually, turned into American approval. It's highly regarded as one of films greatest film noirs. 

Some Like It Hot  (1959)

Marilyn Monroe excels in this screwball film alongside Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis. Monroe does a bunch of wonderful musical numbers that are career-defining. The plot of this film is also intriguing and eye-catching for the time period: two men witness a mob hit and end up joining an all-female band disguised as two women to keep their identity safe.

The 400 Blows (1959)

A young boy from Paris can't catch a break. He has horrible parents and every other adult in his life is unhelpful and inconsiderate. He and his best friend try to plan for a better life when he ends up in trouble with the law. The 400 Blows is considered a French New Wave drama film. 

Breathless (1960)

Jean Seberg and Jean-Paul Belmondo star in this French crime drama from 1960. Belmondo plays a "suave" criminal who panics and ends up accidentally killing a cop. While on the run, he takes his journalist girlfriend to hide out with him in Paris without her even knowing. The film follows their relationship and how they navigate this bizarre encounter.

The Apartment (1960)

From the director of Some Like It Hot, The Apartment is a comedic romantic farce as one man tries to climb the corporate ladder. In order to climb up said ladder, one of the higher-ups wants to use his apartment to hide his affair in exchange for a promotion. Naturally, the woman who is in the affair is also a woman he had a minor crush on...

La Dolce Vita (1960)

La Dolce Vita follows a reporter as he dilly-dallies his way throughout Rome. He ends up pursuing heiress Maddalena and movie star Sylvia as well as attempting to keep things together with his girlfriend Emma. Watchers can watch as he attempts to come to terms with his hedonistic ways. This film is a great character study!

Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

Lawrence of Arabia is a fantastic epic film that is still included in film studies. This live-action adventure uses all real stunts which makes it even better! It's almost four hours long, but most film buffs would say that it's very worth it! 

Repulsion (1965)

Roman Polanski's first English feature is a Gothic horror about a woman losing her mind. He really made an impression on the English-speaking horror audience with this one! 

To Sir, with Love (1967)

Sidney Poitier plays Mark Tachekray, a teacher who is trying to reach a rowdy group of East End students. This film is definitely a tear-jerker as it explores human nature through the lens of teenagers.

Cool Hand Luke (1967)

Paul Newman plays a jailbird with a "cool hand" who gets sentenced to two years in a Florida prison farm. He is constantly at ends with the warden as he tries to embolden his fellow prisoners.

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

This sci-fi flick by Stanley Kubrick completely knocked fans off their feet. A group of astronauts is on a mysterious mission when their ship's computer system begins to malfunction. Man and machine smash some heads!

The Godfather (1972)

Francis Ford Coppola made history with The Godfather series. Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Diane Keaton, Robert De Niro and so many more star in this series that showcases what the Italian mafia is like. Notice how they never use the words "mob" or "mafia," though...

The Godfather Part II (1974)

Most of the time, a movie's sequel is pretty subpar in comparison to the real thing. That is not the case with The Godfather! The second film in the franchise goes back in time showcasing the relationship between the Corleone father and son duo. 

Apocalypse Now (1979)

This film is set in Vietnam in 1970. Martin Sheen and Marlon Brando star as two upper-ranked soldiers who are at odds and end with each other. Robert Duvall and Dennis Hopper also star in this iconic flick. 

Taxi Driver (1976)

Martin Scorsese details the life of a New York City taxi driver who is struggling after the war. His PTSD triggers some halluncations and bouts of rage, but we're always left wondering what's real and what isn't. Robert De Niro absolutely nails this role.

The Exorcist (1973)

Known as one of the scariest films of all time, The Exorcist completely remade what horror movies meant to society. The special FX of the time was brand new to the audience which apparently terrified them even more. This film became even more famous down the road due to the bizarre and creepy things that happened to cast members during and after filming. 

Rear Window  (1954)

Another Hitchockian classic with two incredible actors: James Stewart and Grace Kelly. A Photographer witnesses a murder while he's wheelchair bound in his apartment... Or, so he thinks. The entire movie is filmed in the apartment as he tries to figure out what is going on with his neighbors.

Once Upon a Time In the West (1968)

Westerns were a classic for this era of cinema. Charles Bronson, Jason Robards, and Henry Fonda play rough and tumble cowboys working through revenge and redemption.

Alien - (1979)

Ridley Scott wowed audiences of the '70s with this sci-fi horror. A group of scientists ends up getting stuck on a spaceship with an otherworldly body that starts killing them off one by one... Once again, the special FX for this movie was ahead of its time! 

Star Wars: A New Hope (1977)

The very first film of the franchise series was released in 1977. No one involved had a clue about how popular this franchise would be. Now, there are tons of movies, TV shows, toys, and attractions that are all about Star Wars. 

North by Northwest (1959)

North by Northwest is a classic suspense film featuring Cary Grant, James Mason, and Eva Marie Saint. This film is action-packed as Cary Grant's character is chased all over the country.

Bicycle Thieves (1948)

In this Italian film, an unemployed man is struggling to find work in Rome when he finally gets a job hanging posters around the city. His bike gets stolen which is detrimental to his job, so he goes on a journey to retrieve the stolen bike with his son.

City Lights (1931)

This is a total Charlie Chaplin classic. He falls in love with a blind flower girl (Virginia Cherrill) who is about to get kicked out of her home where she lives with her grandmother. In order to get money to keep them there, he drunkenly runs around trying to earn some cash in comedic chaos.