Shop the Top 50 most influential movies of all time

Since the birth of cinema, certain films have left an indelible mark on the industry, shaping the way stories are told, visual techniques are employed, and cultural conversations are ignited. From pioneering silent classics to groundbreaking blockbusters, these 50 influential movies have transcended their time, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to inspire filmmakers and captivate audiences worldwide.

1. The Godfather (1972)
   Francis Ford Coppola’s epic crime drama about the Corleone family dynasty, widely considered one of the greatest films ever made.
   
2. The Godfather: Part II (1974)
   The acclaimed sequel continuing the Corleone family saga, with parallel dramas set in 1920s New York and 1950s Havana.
   
3. The Dark Knight (2008)
   Christopher Nolan’s hugely popular Batman film featuring Heath Ledger’s iconic performance as the Joker.
   
4. Pulp Fiction (1994)
   Quentin Tarantino’s stylized and hugely influential nonlinear crime film starring John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson and Uma Thurman.
   
5. Schindler’s List (1993)
   Steven Spielberg’s devastating drama about Oskar Schindler and the Holocaust, winner of 7 Oscars including Best Picture.
   
6. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
   The climax of Peter Jackson’s epic fantasy trilogy, sweeping the Oscars with 11 wins including Best Picture.
   
7. Star Wars (1977)
   George Lucas’ legendary space opera that launched one of cinema’s most popular and influential franchises.
   
8. Inception (2010)
   Christopher Nolan’s mind-bending sci-fi thriller starring Leonardo DiCaprio as a thief invading people’s dreams.
   
9. The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
   Considered the best Star Wars film, featuring some of the saga’s most iconic moments like the “I am your father” twist.
   
10. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
    Uplifting drama starring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman about hope and friendship in a corrupt prison system.
    
11. The Matrix (1999)
    The Wachowskis’ hugely influential sci-fi hit that introduced “bullet time” and questions about simulated reality.
    
12. Goodfellas (1990)
    Martin Scorsese’s riveting crime drama exploring the Brooklyn mob through the eyes of Henry Hill (Ray Liotta).
    
13. Seven Samurai (1954)
    Akira Kurosawa’s epic drama about a village rescued from bandits by seven wandering samurai warriors.
    
14. Forrest Gump (1994)
    Whimsical drama starring Tom Hanks as an innocent man journeying through pivotal moments in American history.
    
15. Fight Club (1999)
    David Fincher’s controversial cult classic about an insomniac office worker (Edward Norton) who forms an underground boxing club.
    
16. The Shining (1980)
    A family’s stay at an isolated hotel becomes a nightmare when the father’s psychic abilities are awakened by the hotel’s dark history.
    
17. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
    Psychological horror where Jodie Foster’s FBI agent turns to Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) to catch a serial killer.
    
18. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
    Frank Capra’s inspirational Christmas fantasy starring James Stewart as a suicidal man who sees how much he matters.
    
19. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
    Steven Spielberg’s intense WWII drama chronicling soldiers searching for a paratrooper (Matt Damon) behind enemy lines.
    
20. The Green Mile (1999)
    Moving drama where prison guard Tom Hanks discovers his death row inmate has magical healing powers.
    
21. Interstellar (2014)
    Christopher Nolan’s ambitious sci-fi epic about astronauts traveling through a wormhole to find humanity a new home.
    
22. Spirited Away (2001)
    Hayao Miyazaki’s magical animated film about a girl trapped in the spirit world who must rescue her parents.
    
23. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
    James Cameron’s hugely popular sequel starring Arnold Schwarzenegger defending a boy from advanced new Terminator.
    
24. Back to the Future (1985)
    Robert Zemeckis’ entertaining time travel comedy in which Michael J. Fox accidentally goes back to the 1950s.
    
25. Psycho (1960)
    Alfred Hitchcock’s groundbreaking horror about a woman (Janet Leigh) murdered in the shower by disturbed motel owner Norman Bates.
    
26. City of God (2002)
    Kinetic crime film about two boys growing up in a Rio de Janeiro slum amid brutal gang violence.
    
27. Se7en (1995)
    Dark crime thriller about two detectives (Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman) tracking a serial killer based on the seven deadly sins.
    
28. The Usual Suspects (1995)
    Bryan Singer’s neo-noir featuring Kevin Spacey’s Oscar-winning performance as crippled con man Roger “Verbal” Kint.
    
29. Léon: The Professional (1994)
    Stylized Luc Besson thriller about a hitman (Jean Reno) protecting a girl (Natalie Portman) after her family is killed.
    
30. Sunset Boulevard (1950)
    Billy Wilder’s film noir classic starring Gloria Swanson as a faded silent film star who seduces a young screenwriter.
    
31. American History X (1998)
    Hard-hitting drama starring Edward Norton as a violent neo-Nazi who tries to prevent his brother from following the same path.
    
32. Apocalypse Now (1979)
    Francis Ford Coppola’s surreal Vietnam war epic starring Martin Sheen’s river journey to assassinate Colonel Kurtz (Marlon Brando).
    
33. The Departed (2006)
    Martin Scorsese crime thriller about an undercover cop infiltrating the Boston mob, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon and Jack Nicholson.
    
34. Alien (1979)
    Ridley Scott’s hugely influential sci-fi horror about a mining crew stalked by a merciless alien creature.
    
35. Rear Window (1954)
    Alfred Hitchcock voyeuristic thriller starring James Stewart as a wheelchair-bound photographer spying on his neighbors.
    
36. Whiplash (2014)
    Drama about a jazz drummer (Miles Teller) pushed to the edge by his abusive teacher (J.K. Simmons).
    
37. Memento (2000)
    Christopher Nolan neo-noir about an amnesiac (Guy Pearce) trying to solve his wife’s murder.
    
38. Gladiator (2000)
    Ridley Scott epic starring Russell Crowe as a Roman general turned slave who seeks revenge against a corrupt emperor.
    
39. The Prestige (2006)
    Christopher Nolan drama about two rival magicians (Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman) in 19th century London.
    
40. Casino (1995)
    Martin Scorsese crime film depicting greed and violence inside the Las Vegas casino industry, starring Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci and Sharon Stone.
    
41. Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
    Sweeping historical epic starring Peter O’Toole as enigmatic British officer T.E. Lawrence in the Middle East during WWI.
    
42. Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
    Acclaimed anime film about two Japanese children struggling to survive late in WWII.
    
43. Citizen Kane (1941)
    Orson Welles’ landmark drama often called the greatest film ever made, about a newspaper tycoon’s rise to power.
    
44. Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)
    Guillermo del Toro’s fantastical war drama set in 1944 Spain following a girl and her sinister fantasy world.
    
45. Vertigo (1958)
    Alfred Hitchcock classic about a retired detective (James Stewart) obsessed with a woman he’s been hired to investigate.
    
46. Hot Fuzz (2007)
    Wildly entertaining buddy cop comedy from Edgar Wright starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost.
    
47. 12 Angry Men (1957)
    Sidney Lumet’s taut courtroom drama about jury members debating a murder trial.
    
48. Heat (1995)
    Epic crime saga from Michael Mann starring Al Pacino as a cop pursuing Robert De Niro’s crew of expert thieves.
    
49. The Third Man (1949)
    Atmospheric noir thriller set in postwar Vienna about a writer investigating the supposed death of his friend.
    
50. The Lion King (1994)
    Disney’s acclaimed animated Hamlet adaptation set in the African savanna.