Few things are more timeless than a great flick. Whether it makes you laugh, cry, or think, a truly special film can transport you to another time and place without ever leaving your seat. If you’re in the mood for a classic movie tonight, we’ve got you covered. From epics to musicals to screwball comedies, these are the greatest classic films of all time.
- “Gone with the Wind” (1939)
Based on Margaret Mitchell’s novel of the same name, “Gone with the Wind” is a Civil War-era epic about the love affair between Scarlett O’Hara (Vivien Leigh) and Rhett Butler (Clark Gable). A Best Picture winner and one of the highest-grossing films of all time, “Gone with the Wind” is a true Hollywood classic.
- “The Wizard of Oz” (1939)
Another 1939 Best Picture winner, “The Wizard of Oz,” follows Dorothy Gale (Judy Garland) as she’s transported from Kansas to the magical land of Oz. As they journey together to see The Wizard of Oz (Frank Morgan), she befriends Ray Bolger (the Scarecrow), Jack Haley (Tin Man), and Bert Lahr (Cowardly Lion) along the way.
- “Citizen Kane” (1941)
Directed by Orson Welles and widely considered one of the greatest films ever made, “Citizen Kane” tells the story of Charles Foster Kane (Welles), a newspaper magnate whose life is told through a series of flashbacks after his death. Innovative and ahead of its time, “Citizen Kane” remains as fresh and relevant today as it was over 81 years ago.
- “Casablanca” (1942)
Starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, “Casablanca” is set in World War II Morocco and features nightclub owner Rick Blaine (Bogart) as he tries to help his former lover Ilsa Lund (Bergman) escape from Nazis who have occupied Europe. A critical and commercial smash, “Casablanca” is truly one of Hollywood’s finest hours.
- “To Have and Have Not” (1944)
In the movie “To Have and Have Not,” based on Ernest Hemingway’s book of the same name, Humphrey Bogart plays Harry Morgan, an American expatriate who teams up with Resistance fighters in Martinique during World War II. Lauren Bacall co-stars as Marie ‘Slim’ Browning, Harry’s love interest—and Bogart’s future wife in real life.
- “God’s Must Be Crazy”(1980)
One of the funniest, most endearing films ever made, “The Gods Must Be Crazy,” follows an empty Coca-Cola bottle as it falls from a plane and into the life of a tribe of Bushmen in the Kalahari Desert. Hilarity ensues as the tribe’s simple way of life is turned upside down by this “foreign object.”
- “Maverick”(1994)
Do you love the thrill of playing online casino games? “Maverick” is your film. Starring Mel Gibson and Jodie Foster, the movie is set in the Old West and features a gambler named Bret Maverick (Gibson) as he tries to win a big poker tournament. Along the way, he meets a variety of colorful characters, including Annabelle Bransford (Foster), a con artist posing as a schoolmarm.
- “Pulp Fiction” (1994)
“Pulp Fiction,” which was created and produced by Quentin Tarantino, depicts the tale of two hitmen named Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson) and Vincent Vega (John Travolta) who work for criminal Marsellus Wallace (Ving Rhames). When they accidentally kill a man, their boss’s wife Mia (Uma Thurman), they must figure out a way to cover up the crime.
- “Forrest Gump” (1994)
Based on the novel by Winston Groom, “Forrest Gump” follows the title character (played by Tom Hanks) as he unwittingly becomes involved in some of the key events of the 20th century. From meeting presidents to fighting in Vietnam, Forrest’s simple outlook on life touches everyone he meets.
- “The Shawshank Redemption” (1994)
Based on a story by Stephen King, “The Shawshank Redemption” is set in a Maine prison and Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), a man who is wrongfully convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. There, he befriends Red (Morgan Freeman), an inmate who helps him adjust to life behind bars. Despite the bleak setting, “The Shawshank Redemption” is ultimately a story about hope and friendship.
- “Titanic” (1997)
One of the most popular films of all time, “Titanic” follows Jack Dawson (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Rose DeWitt Bukater (Kate Winslet), two star-crossed lovers who are on board the ill-fated RMS Titanic. A love story for the ages, “Titanic” is both a critical and commercial success, grossing over $2 billion at the box office.
- “The Lord of the Rings: (2001)The Fellowship of the Ring”
In the first installment in Peter Jackson’s critically-acclaimed “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood), sets out on a quest to destroy the One Ring. Along the way, he is joined by a fellowship of companions, including Gandalf the Grey (Ian McKellen), Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen), and Legolas (Orlando Bloom).
- “The Dark Knight” (2008)
In the second installment in Christopher Nolan’s “Dark Knight” trilogy, Batman (Christian Bale) attempts to stop the Joker (Heath Ledger) from wrecking Gotham City. A critical and commercial success, “The Dark Knight” is considered one of the best superhero movies ever made.
- “Inception” (2010)
Written and directed by Christopher Nolan, “Inception” stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Dom Cobb, a skilled thief who specializes in stealing secrets from people’s minds. When he is given the task of planting an idea in someone’s mind, Cobb must figure out a way to do it without getting caught.
Author: Kati Falcon
