The 16 Most Iconic Movies You Must Watch

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (also known as The Good, the Bad, and the Outlaw or simply, The Good, the Evil, and the Outlaw) is one of the most celebrated works by famed Italian director Sergio Leone, set in the American Wild West.

Released in 1966, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly is considered the best cowboy film of all time, unmatched by any other western film. Starring Clint Eastwood, Eli Wallach, and Lee Van Cleef, the movie remains a timeless classic in the genre.

The Dark Knight (also known as The Dark Knight or The Knight of Shadows) transcends the typical superhero film formula. In this movie, Batman is portrayed as a regular man who, despite his flaws and personal losses, rises above his mistakes. A warrior willing to sacrifice everything to protect the city that his family has cherished for years.

Equally unforgettable is the Joker, brought to life by the legendary Heath Ledger's remarkable performance. This role earned him a posthumous Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, and Joker became one of the most iconic villains in cinematic history.

One of the most-watched films of all time is Titanic. The movie is based on the infamous sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912 and stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. It's a romantic tale of two people aboard the doomed ship who find love, only to be tragically separated when the vessel sinks beneath the ocean's surface.

Director James Cameron drew inspiration from his fascination with shipwrecks (which he has openly admitted) and wanted to convey an emotional message through a disaster. He believed that a love story ending with one person’s death would allow him to do so. The film won 11 Academy Awards and became one of the highest-grossing movies of all time.

Avatar is a sci-fi movie set in an alien world. It ranks as one of the most-watched films globally. The movie explores the mysterious planet Pandora, home to the indigenous Na'vi people. A hybrid between a human and a Na'vi creates a being known as an Avatar. A battle for survival ensues as the Avatar and the Na'vi fight to protect their world.

Released in 2009, the film captured massive attention and set box office records. It eventually became the highest-grossing film in the U.S., Canada, and worldwide, surpassing Titanic after 12 years. Avatar was the first film to earn over $2 billion and received 9 Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director, winning 3 Oscars for Best Cinematography, Best Visual Effects, and Best Art Direction.

Released in 1977, this sci-fi adventure film directed and written by George Lucas is considered one of the greatest films of all time. It tells the story of several characters set in a distant galaxy. In space, the forces of darkness, led by Darth Vader, kidnap Princess Leia to use her as leverage in their fight against the new Galactic Empire. The Millennium Falcon, a starship, steps in to rescue her, bringing hope and order back to the galaxy.

With a tightly constructed plot, expertly crafted scenes, and smooth storytelling from start to finish, the film provides a new experience for viewers. Particularly, the intense aerial chases and space battles create a striking visual impact. Beyond being just a work of art, the film has evolved into a cultural phenomenon, inspiring millions of fans worldwide and influencing not just cinema but the collective consciousness of audiences everywhere.

Have you seen The Lion King? From my perspective, this is a must-watch film for kids, and it remains just as impactful even as an adult. This animated classic tells the story of a young lion, Simba, who strives to lead the animal kingdom after his father, Mufasa, is brutally murdered by his envious uncle, Scar. The film teaches timeless values of humanity and the importance of persevering through adversity.

The movie achieved massive box office success, ranking 14th on the list of highest-grossing films of all time with $952 million (as of 2011). It still holds the record as the highest-grossing traditionally animated film and is the second highest-grossing animated film overall, following Toy Story 3, a 3D computer-animated film.

This is one of the most-watched films globally, and one of the key reasons for its success is Arnold Schwarzenegger. His acting and combat skills left audiences amazed, to the point that he was quickly elected as the governor of California after retiring from acting. In the film, he plays the role of a T-800 cyborg assigned with the mission of protecting civilization by safeguarding a child named John Connor. He battles the evil T-1000, who aims to trigger a robot uprising.

The film was a massive success both commercially and artistically. It had a profound impact on pop culture and is widely regarded as one of the most influential films in the action and sci-fi genres. The groundbreaking special effects, created using computer technology, marked the first time human-like motion was used for a CGI character, making it the first major film to feature a computer-generated character as a central figure. The film also won several awards, including four Academy Awards for makeup, sound mixing, sound editing, and visual effects.

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is a 1982 sci-fi film directed and co-produced by Steven Spielberg, with a screenplay written by Melissa Mathison. This movie revolves around an alien and its bond with a young boy named Elliott. The alien is discovered by Elliott, and the two become close friends. Elliott introduces the strange creature to his brother and sister, and they decide to keep the alien's existence a secret. However, when the alien falls ill, the government steps in.

The film was not only a box office hit but also successful in many other areas. It won four Academy Awards and numerous other accolades, cementing its place as a must-see film in cinematic history.

The Lord of the Rings is a film trilogy adapted from the famous novel series, bringing epic fantasy adventures to the screen, directed by Peter Jackson. Set in a fictional version of Earth, the story revolves around the quest to destroy a powerful ring and defeat the dark lord, Sauron. The film is truly captivating, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats from start to finish.

In the early 2000s, Peter Jackson’s trilogy mesmerized audiences worldwide. The third installment, The Return of the King, grossed over $1 billion and won 11 Academy Awards. It stands as one of the most-watched and influential films in cinematic history.

Home Alone is a 1990 Christmas comedy film where young Kevin is accidentally left behind by his family during their holiday trip to Paris, all because of a disagreement with his mother. Left alone, Kevin takes it upon himself to protect his house from burglars and uses his cleverness to set traps and ultimately send the thieves to jail. It’s a heartwarming and humorous story with a happy ending.

Home Alone became the third highest-grossing film of all time, according to HBO. The film grossed approximately $476,684,675 worldwide, making it a holiday classic that continues to be adored by audiences around the globe.

This is the first fantasy film in the popular Harry Potter series, based on the novel *Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone* by British author J.K. Rowling. The screenplay was written by Steve Kloves, who also worked on the first four films. The film premiered in the UK on November 10, 2001.

Produced at the turn of the millennium, *Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone* follows a young boy named Harry Potter as he enters the wizarding world at Hogwarts for the first time. It is soon discovered that Harry is famous, and he begins to learn magic while uncovering the mysteries of his past. The movie captivated a vast audience and remains one of the most popular films ever made, still holding a spot among the top movies to watch.

Bicycle Thieves is a profound exploration of human dignity, centered on the soul of the film's main character. The story is simple yet poignant: the Ricci family – a wife and their young son – rely on their bicycle for survival. One day, while Ricci is working, the bicycle is stolen. In his desperation, Ricci contemplates stealing someone else's bike in order to provide for his family.

The *Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film* has long been a prestigious and globally watched category. The award, which started in 1949, was first won by the Italian film *The Bicycle Thief*.

This film is considered one of the rare cinematic masterpieces that has received universal acclaim. It remains timeless, offering value and emotional resonance each time it is watched, just as it did upon its initial release.

The film features the legendary comedian from the 19th century, Charlie Chaplin. It was inspired by his desire to create something beyond pure comedy following the tragic death of his young son.

The story begins with a young, unmarried mother leaving a charity hospital with her newborn child. Faced with overwhelming struggles, she abandons the baby, placing it in an expensive car. Two thieves steal the vehicle and leave the infant in an alley, where it is discovered by The Tramp (Charlie Chaplin). After several failed attempts to return the child to passersby, he takes it home and names it John. The journey that follows is one filled with humor and deep humanity, as the child lives with The Tramp and eventually reunites with his mother.

In 2011, The Kid was preserved by the United States National Film Registry of the Library of Congress as "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant." Blending comedy with drama, The Kid is regarded as one of the greatest films of the silent era.

The Shawshank Redemption (translated as Shawshank Prison) is a 1994 American psychological drama film written and directed by Frank Darabont, based on Stephen King's novella, 'Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption.' Widely regarded as the greatest film of all time, The Shawshank Redemption currently holds the top spot on IMDb's Top 100 Movies with a score of 9.3/10.

Upon its initial release, the film didn't attract much attention from audiences but received positive reviews from critics. It gained popularity through cable TV, home video, and DVD releases. Fourteen years after its premiere, it continued to receive critical acclaim and was frequently cited as one of the greatest films ever made. To this day, The Shawshank Redemption remains a timeless classic, and it continues to be one of the most purchased and rented films worldwide.

The Godfather (translated as The Godfather) is considered one of the greatest films of all time. This 1972 crime drama is based on Mario Puzo's novel of the same name and directed by Francis Ford Coppola. The film chronicles the events of the Corleone Mafia family, of Italian descent, over a decade from 1945 to 1955.

Starring Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, and James Caan, this movie is often praised for having one of the most iconic and star-studded casts in the history of American cinema. All four lead actors have won the Academy Award for Best Actor at different points in their careers.

As a result, it is consistently ranked among the greatest films in cinematic history and holds a top spot in major film rankings. It was also voted second in the American Film Institute's list of the greatest American films of all time.

Pulp Fiction, known to many Vietnamese fans as Chuyện tào lao, is a quintessential film showcasing Quentin Tarantino's unique style: raw violence, a seemingly straightforward plot that reveals deeper meaning after multiple viewings, and exceptional cinematic elements, including camera angles, imagery, and music.

Winning the Palme d'Or over 20 years ago, the film's legacy still resonates today, continuing to influence contemporary cinema and the youth culture worldwide.