Whether you’ve seen them a million times or somehow missed them until now, these classic movies deserve a spot in your streaming queue
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The Wizard of Oz
Released: 1939
Rated: G
Memorable quote: “Toto, I’ve got a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore”
There’s no place like home, and there’s no classic movie like The Wizard of Oz. The beautiful tale—based on L. Frank Baum’s 1900 children’s book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz—tells the story of Dorothy from Kansas (Judy Garland), who’s swept up in a twister and finds herself navigating a new world with the Scarecrow (Ray Bolger), Tin Man (Jack Haley), Cowardly Lion (Bert Lahr) and two witches (Billie Burke and Margaret Hamilton). The film’s heroes ultimately learn that the qualities they wanted were inside them all along, thereby inspiring audiences to realize they have the magic too. Indeed, the yearning and hope described in the song “Over the Rainbow” will never not resonate. And the recent success of Wicked only proves the story’s staying power.
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12 Angry Men
Released: 1957
Rated: Not rated
Memorable quote: “It’s very hard to keep personal prejudice out of a thing like this. And wherever you run into it, prejudice always obscures the truth.”
12 Angry Men tells the story of a group of jurors in 1950s New York City deliberating over the fate of a man accused of first-degree murder. Eleven of the 12 jurors are in agreement that the suspect is guilty—but Juror 8 (Henry Fonda) is convinced that the prosecution has not proved guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Though set in one sweltering jury room, the intense Best Picture Oscar-nominated drama shows an entire political, emotional, personal and moral spectrum within those four walls. Each character is masterfully drawn, from aggressive Juror 3 (Lee J. Cobb) to stubborn Juror 10 (Ed Begley). The verdict? A nerve-racking study of human psychology.
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Jaws
Released: 1975
Rated: PG
Memorable quote: “You’re gonna need a bigger boat”
There’s a good reason why Steven Spielberg’s Jaws continues to keep cinemagoers out of the water. Start with the gripping and unforgettable opening sequence, in which a female swimmer is pulled violently underwater at night and dies. Suddenly, a quiet beach community is in chaos—and it’s up to a local sheriff (Roy Scheider), a marine biologist (Richard Dreyfuss) and an old seafarer (Robert Shaw) to save them from the hungry shark. The cinematography captures the mystery of the seas, while the iconic Oscar-winning score composed by John Williams heightens the tension. Fun fact: This phenom film also ushered in the concept of the summer blockbuster.
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The Sound of Music
Released: 1965
Rated: G
Memorable quote: “Oh, no, sir. I’m sorry, sir. I could never answer to a whistle. Whistles are for dogs and cats and other animals, but not for children and definitely not for me. It would be too … humiliating.”
You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who isn’t a huge fan of the pleasures of The Sound of Music. With the incomparable Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer at the helm, it’s become a time-honored family film and remains a first-rate movie musical. Story: After a naval officer (Plummer) loses his wife, a plucky young governess (Andrews) is sent to help care for his seven children in Salzburg, Austria, circa 1938. Singing, dancing and making clothes out of curtains soon follow. The film won five Oscars, including Best Picture.
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Casablanca
Released: 1942
Rated: PG
Memorable quote: “Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine.”
Humphrey Bogart. Ingrid Bergman. Enough said. A winner of three Oscars including Best Picture, Casablanca is one of the great old movies. Set against the backdrop of World War II, it centers on Bogart’s Rick, an American who owns a nightclub in Casablanca. He has to decide whether to help a former flame (Bergman’s Ilsa) and her new significant other flee the country. The characters are impossibly elegant and alluring, taking us back to an era when Hollywood felt more glamorous than gawdy. Plus, you must remember this: The movie is chock-full of memorable movie quotes.
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Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Released: 1961
Rated: Not rated
Memorable quote: “A girl can’t read that sort of thing without her lipstick.”
Breakfast at Tiffany’s is to classic movies what Audrey Hepburn’s little black dress (courtesy of Hubert de Givenchy) is to classic fashion: utterly timeless. Even though social climber Holly Golightly’s tactics for marrying a wealthy man are not exactly aspirational, Hepburn is so empathetic in the role that it’s impossible to not root for her. (And George Peppard is flat-out dashing as the writer smitten with her.) The movie won two Oscars in music categories—”Moon River,” swoon—and you’ll fall in love with Hepburn each and every time you watch it.
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Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
Released: 1969
Rated: PG
Memorable quote: “Boy, I got vision, and the rest of the world wears bifocals.”
The pairing of handsome stars Robert Redford and Paul Newman in this movie’s lead roles contributed to the initial success of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. A winner of four Oscars including Best Original Screenplay, the based-on-a-true-story film follows the title characters—two bank robbers who happen to be the best shooters in the West—on the run in turn-of-the-century Wyoming. The pair’s dry humor throughout the chaos helps make this one of the great old movies.
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West Side Story
Released: 1961
Rated: Not rated
Memorable quote: “I’m an American girl now. I don’t wait.”
West Side Story first attracted audiences as a hit Broadway musical in 1957. But an adaptation to the big screen in 1961 turned it into one of the most seminal cultural works ever. It’s the Romeo & Juliet-inspired story of a young couple in love (played by Natalie Wood and Richard Beymer), kept apart by rival New York City gangs. The film took home 10 Oscars—including Best Supporting Actress for Rita Moreno, who also appeared in the 2021 remake—and set the bar for movie musicals with songs like “Maria,” “America,” “Cool” and “I Feel Pretty.”
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Singin’ in the Rain
Released: 1952
Rated: Not rated
Memorable quote: “What’s the first thing an actor learns? ‘The show must go on!’ Come rain, come shine, come snow, come sleet—the show must go on!”
Icons Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds look like they’re having the time of their lives in this fun romp about silent-film actors who must pivot to the world of talkies. Thanks to a plot that makes you cheer for the underdogs and clever physical comedy, Singin’ in the Rain features everything sweet and endearing about classic movies wrapped up into a single story. And those song-and-dance numbers (including the titular performance) remain showstopping dazzlers.
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Psycho
Released: 1960
Rated: R
Memorable quote: “Well, a boy’s best friend is his mother.”
No fancy special effects? No problem. Alfred Hitchcock’s tightly knotted thriller Psycho will still keep you covering your eyes from start to finish. After embezzling from her employer, an unassuming secretary (Janet Leigh) goes on the run and finds herself at the vaguely creepy Bates Motel. The place is run by Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins), who has a rather peculiar relationship with his domineering mother. Watch the black-and-white film and then take a shower at your own risk.
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Miracle on 34th Street
Released: 1947
Rated: Not rated
Memorable quote: “Faith is believing things when common sense tells you not to. Don’t you see? It’s not just Kris that’s on trial—it’s everything he stands for. It’s kindness and joy and love and all the other intangibles.”
Who would dare put Santa Claus on trial to prove his existence?! But that’s exactly what happens in Miracle on 34th Street, when a man hired to portray St. Nick (played by Edmund Gwenn) at Macy’s in New York City claims to be the real deal. A cynical girl (a young Natalie Wood) doesn’t believe it for a second but ultimately comes around. This sweet Christmas story is in heavy rotation around the holidays, but it’s helpful to remember all year long to connect with others and keep the faith.
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The Grapes of Wrath
Released: 1940
Rated: Not rated
Memorable quote: “I wouldn’t pray just for an old man that’s dead, ’cause he’s all right. If I was to pray, I’d pray for folks that’s alive and don’t know which way to turn.”
John Steinbeck was reportedly so happy with Henry Fonda’s portrayal of his character Tom Joad in The Grapes of Wrath that he said it “made him believe his own words.” That’s high praise from a legendary author! In case you don’t remember it from high school English class, here’s the story: Hopeful for a new life in California, the Joad family finds that not everything is sunnier on the West Coast. They’re soon faced with Depression-era homelessness, poverty and despair.
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All About Eve
Released: 1950
Rated: Not rated
Memorable quote: “Fasten your seatbelts—it’s going to be a bumpy night.”
Hollywood has loved to turn the camera on itself basically since the dawn of the medium. All About Eve is arguably one of the best of the bunch because it puts the spotlight on a juicy rivalry. The narrative follows the vicious antics of an aspiring starlet (Anne Baxter) desperate to take over the professional (and personal) life of a theater legend (Bette Davis). Thanks to its incredible cast (which also includes Marilyn Monroe, Thelma Ritter and Celeste Holm) and screenplay, the film won a well-deserved six Oscars.
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Modern Times
Released: 1936
Rated: G
Memorable quote: “Buck up. Never say die. We’ll get along.”
Charlie Chaplin was king of the silent film era, and Modern Times marks the last film in which he played his famous bumbling-but-endearing character “The Tramp.” He’s a factory worker who falls hopelessly in love with a young woman down on her luck. The two find strength in each other … and some comedy along the way. It’s one of the good old movies that all classic film buffs can both appreciate and enjoy. And for its day, it was considered quite the comedy.
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Frankenstein
Released: 1931
Rated: PG
Memorable quote: “It’s alive! It’s alive! It’s alive!”
Another one of the classic movies everyone should see? The original monster movie mash known as Frankenstein. Based on Mary Shelley’s novel of the same name, it’s about a doctor who plays around with life and death and creates a new creature out of random body parts. Even in black and white, Frankenstein has the frightening goods because of Boris Karloff’s terrifying turn as Dr. Frankenstein’s monster. And here’s a bit of movie trivia: The makeup used to create the “monster” was considered so special for its time that it’s under copyright by Universal Pictures until 2027.
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A Hard Day’s Night
Released: 1964
Rated: Not rated
Memorable quote: “We know how to behave! We’ve had lessons.”
On top of everything else, The Beatles—only one of the greatest, most influential and beloved musical groups ever—starred in a jubilant classic film at the height of their stateside fame. Nominated for two Oscars, A Hard Day’s Night follows the Fab Four over 36 hectic hours in which they have to prepare for a big television performance. Needless to say, the music (including that title track) is tops of the pops. And John, Paul, Ringo and George are pretty hilarious playing broad comedic versions of themselves.
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Lawrence of Arabia
Released: 1962
Rated: PG
Memorable quote: “There may be honor among thieves, but there’s none in politicians.”
A sweeping epic, Lawrence of Arabia holds its own among classic films thanks to its dedicated approach to cinematography, art direction, music and acting. Indeed, it elevated what audiences have come to expect from big-budget extravaganzas. The story centers on British officer T.E. Lawrence (Peter O’Toole) as he tries to unite the Arab tribes during World War I. Lawrence of Arabia won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture—though O’Toole lost the Best Actor Oscar to Gregory Peck in To Kill a Mockingbird.
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Rear Window
Released: 1954
Rated: PG
Memorable quote: “Intelligence. Nothing has caused the human race so much trouble as intelligence.”
It should come as no surprise that more than one Hitchcock movie appears on this list. Rear Window is one of the great old movies because it taps into everyone’s natural voyeuristic curiosities. After all, who hasn’t wondered what goes on in other people’s homes? Here, a wheelchair-bound photographer (James Stewart) is convinced his neighbors are guilty of murder after witnessing something unusual through his apartment window. He enlists the help of friends (including one played by Grace Kelly) to get to the bottom of the mystery. This thriller keeps you guessing until the end.
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Sunset Boulevard
Released: 1950
Rated: Not rated
Memorable quote: “I am big. It’s the pictures that got small.”
The truth hurts. One iconic celluloid example: Sunset Boulevard, which takes a brutally honest look at what often happens to actors and actresses once they’re deemed “past their prime.” Gloria Swanson is indelible as out-of-work silent film star Norma Desmond, who has turned into a bit of a recluse yet remains intent on plotting her Hollywood return. The rest of the cast meets Swanson’s talents with equally sublime performances. Heartbreaking and dramatic, the film won three Academy Awards, including Best Original Screenplay.
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Seven Samurai
Released: 1954
Rated: Not rated
Memorable quote: “Danger always strikes when everything seems fine.”
If you’re a movie buff with a penchant for action, Seven Samurai can’t be missed. Written and directed by renowned Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa, the film isn’t just glorious because of its beautifully shot fight scenes; there’s also real meaning in the screenplay. The story focuses on an impoverished Japanese village in the 16th century that enlists the help of samurais to defend their homes from being pillaged. The movie has influenced everything from the American Western The Magnificent Seven to contemporary cutting-edge offerings like The Matrix.
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Gone with the Wind
Released: 1939
Rated: Not rated
Memorable quote: “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.”
No question, the Civil War-set Gone with the Wind is thematically problematic in its depiction of race and culture in the 1800s. But cinematically speaking, its costumes and massive film sets take us back to a place and time we typically only read about in history books. Scarlett O’Hara (Vivien Leigh) is the spoiled daughter of a wealthy plantation owner accustomed to getting what she wants. She meets her match in rakish businessman Rhett Butler (Clark Gable). Their romance seems destined in some ways and impossible in others, which makes their storyline ever so intriguing. Based on Margaret Mitchell’s 1936 epic novel, of course.
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Cool Hand Luke
Released: 1967
Rated: PG
Memorable quote: “Yeah, well … sometimes nothin’ can be a real cool hand.”
Rebelling against authority may not be a new concept, but Paul Newman exhibits it flawlessly in Cool Hand Luke. He was nominated for the Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of the title character, a prison inmate in the South who refuses to conform to life behind bars. Though Luke rarely makes decisions that will benefit him in the long run (see: that poignant ending), he’s still a relatable and deeply sympathetic anti-hero.
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On the Waterfront
Released: 1954
Rated: Not rated
Memorable quote: “Conscience—that stuff can drive you nuts.”
On the Waterfront‘s revered ensemble cast alone—think Marlon Brando, Karl Malden, Rod Steiger and Eva Marie Saint—makes this one of the great old movies. It’s the transfixing story of a former boxer/current dockworker (Brando) who finds himself an accessory to murder. A scene set in the back of a taxi cab in which Brando confronts his brother (Steiger) is considered one of the most iconic (and oft-quoted) in cinematic history. Brando reportedly wanted to improvise it, but director Elia Kazan asked him to stick to the script. The star later won one of the film’s eight Oscars.
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Invasion of the Body Snatchers
Released: 1956
Rated: Approved
Memorable quote: “They’re here already! You’re next! You’re next!”
Long before The Walking Dead, there was Invasion of the Body Snatchers. And instead of zombies, we’re talking aliens. When they invade a California town, its residents start acting strangely emotionless. It turns out they’re literally not themselves because “pod people” have taken over their bodies. (Hence the title.) This classic black-and-white film provides an early look at the sci-fi genre and inspired a wide range of movies, from The Thing to Night of the Creeps. It also features a fascinating underlying theme about conforming to society’s expectations.
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Some Like It Hot
Released: 1959
Rated: Not rated
Memorable quote: “It’s not how long you wait—it’s who you’re waiting for!”
If you’re looking for something hysterical, stop directly at Some Like It Hot, starring Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon and Marilyn Monroe. Released just three years before Monroe’s untimely passing, the movie is about two musicians (Lemmon and Curtis) who witness a murder and go on the run from the mob. In an effort to disguise themselves, they dress as women and join an all-female band. Monroe plays Sugar Kane Kowalczyk, one of the band members, and memorably sings “I Wanna Be Loved by You.” Chaos and comedy ensue, and the rest is movie history.
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Mary Poppins
Released: 1965
Rated: G
Memorable quote: “In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun, and—snap—the job’s a game!”
Not just one of the great old movies, Mary Poppins is actually supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. Julie Andrews is a dream as the sweet-but-not-overly-sugary British nanny who has a solution (and a delightful song!) for every little life problem. Watching Andrews and Dick Van Dyke—as Bert the chimney sweep—bring their engaging characters to life is as joyous now as it was in 1965. P.S. Van Dyke also pops up as the extremely frail bank owner Mr. Dawes Sr.
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La Dolce Vita
Released: 1961
Rated: Not rated
Memorable quote: “We must get beyond passions, like a great work of art, in such miraculous harmony. We should love each other outside of time … detached.”
Italian filmmaker Federico Fellini was known for his groundbreaking style that blended realism with dreamlike imagery along with universal themes of the human existence. His classic La Dolce Vita is a sexy, voyeuristic look at Rome’s high society. The story follows a reporter (Marcello Mastroianni) who makes his living trying to catch the rich and famous in embarrassing, or even criminal, situations. The overarching message still holds today, as the film takes aim at our obsession with celebrities and the tabloids’ aggressive behavior. It even coined the term “paparazzi.”
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Roman Holiday
Released: 1953
Rated: Not rated
Memorable quote: “I have to leave you now. I’m going to that corner there and turn. You must stay in the car and drive away. Promise not to watch me go beyond the corner. Just drive away and leave me as I leave you.”
Audrey Hepburn as a princess who falls in love with an American while vacationing in Rome? That premise alone makes Roman Holiday one of the classic movies everyone should see. Though the script itself doesn’t always sparkle, the film will make you smile because of its charming fairy-tale vibe and captivating performances from Hepburn (in an Oscar-winning role) and Gregory Peck. That picturesque Rome backdrop doesn’t hurt, either.
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Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Released: 1937
Rated: G
Memorable quote: “Magic mirror on the wall, who is the fairest one of all?”
If you love classic Disney movies, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs probably holds a special place in your heart. Artistically, Walt Disney achieved a huge feat with this animated film about a princess who’s the fairest one of all (sorry, evil queen!). It earned an honorary Academy Award in 1939 for being a “significant screen innovation.” Plus, the movie’s financial success allowed Disney to use its profits to build the company’s studios in Burbank, California—and proved that animation could be a major box office draw.
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The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Released: 1967
Rated: R
Memorable quote: “I told you once, friend. If I ever get you down, you’re going to need a lot of help to get back up again.”
One of the great spaghetti Westerns, Sergio Leone’s The Good, The Bad and the Ugly depicts the wild, wild West in all its raw and brutal reality. Clint Eastwood stars as a gunslinger who forms an alliance with a wanted Mexican outlaw (Eli Wallach). When their partnership is no longer useful, the two become pitted against each other … only to end up reuniting to help find a $200,000 fortune a soldier buried in the desert. If they don’t strike gold, at least they’ll die trying. The scenes are shot beautifully, and the film’s score from Ennio Morricone is one of the best in movie history.
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Citizen Kane
Released: 1941
Rated: PG
Memorable quote: “I can remember everything. That’s my curse, young man. It’s the greatest curse that’s ever been inflicted on the human race: memory.”
Just how excellent is Citizen Kane? It ranked No. 1 on the American Film Institute’s list of the best movies of all time. After publishing magnate Charles Foster Kane dies, his very last word (“rosebud”) perplexes reporters, and they embark on a search to find answers. A classic for its use of now-timeless cinematic techniques such as “the wipe,” in which one image looks like it’s being wiped off the screen by another, the classic film is ultimately enduring in its exploration of how absolute power can corrupt. The legendary Orson Welles starred, directed and wrote the screenplay. Just wow.
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King Kong
Released: 1933
Rated: Not rated
Memorable quote: “It’s money and adventure and fame. It’s the thrill of a lifetime and a long sea voyage that starts at six o’clock tomorrow morning.”
Remakes, be damned! The original King Kong is one of the classic films that put the horror-monster genre on the map. The story follows a movie crew who travel to a mysterious island in the Pacific. They soon encounter the titular ape, who is enamored by the production’s starlet (Fay Wray). The crew captures King Kong and brings him to New York City to put him on display—and let’s just say that no one has ever looked at the Empire State Building the same way again. King Kong made $90,000 its opening weekend, which was the highest-grossing film opener of its time.
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It’s a Wonderful Life
Released: 1947
Rated: PG
Memorable quote: “Strange, isn’t it? Each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around, he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?”
It’s a Wonderful Life will never not be a must-see holiday staple … despite the fact that its hero is mired in despair for much of the narrative. When down-on-his-luck businessman George Bailey (James Stewart) feels like his life has no purpose, an angel named Clarence (Henry Travers) appears and shows him that the world wouldn’t be the same without him. By the time Clarence gets his wings (spoiler!), George is redeemed—and the movie has turned into a heartwarming, tearjerking triumph. Nominated for five Oscars including Best Picture and Best Director for Frank Capra, it came up short in each category. Too late for a recount?
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