Buzz
Being the first to do something is impressive, but it’s even more remarkable when a movie is credited with defining a genre. In today’s list, we will explore films that may not have been the first of their kind, but were influential enough to set the standard for genre conventions in the film industry. From thematic elements to production practices, these movies created a ripple effect that led to both mainstream and cult classics we continue to enjoy today.
10. Metropolis (1927)
Fritz Lang's 1927 masterpiece, Metropolis, remains a touchstone in the science fiction genre, depicting a futuristic world of possibilities. Although not the first sci-fi film, following Georges Méliès' 1902 short A Trip to the Moon, Metropolis broke new ground as the first feature-length film to push the boundaries of filmmaking at the time.
The film introduced visionary concepts like superhighways, towering skyscrapers, robots, and underground machinery, which set the foundation for what sci-fi cinema would come to represent. Metropolis' influence is seen in numerous films and comics, including the creation of Star Wars' iconic C-3PO droid. Additionally, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, creators of Superman, acknowledged the film's futuristic cityscape as the inspiration for Superman's fictional metropolis.
Metropolis' social themes and characters continue to resonate almost a century later. It reminds us of the need for empathy and understanding when trying to create meaningful change, highlighting how good intentions can fall short without the proper information. The character of the Thin Man also exploits information for selfish purposes, much like the social media trolls we encounter today. It's as though this film foresaw the future.
9. Frankenstein (1931)
Often referred to as the "King of All Monsters," Dr. Frankenstein's creature is an iconic figure, though frequently misunderstood.
Unlike other famous monsters that haunt Halloween, Frankenstein’s monster comes from an 1818 novel by Mary Shelley. In the original story, the creature was sensitive and intelligent, turning violent only after Dr. Frankenstein refused to create a companion for him.
Though the first film adaptation of the book was released in 1823, it was Universal Studios that propelled Frankenstein’s popularity. In 1931, director James Whale, known for The Invisible Man, brought Frankenstein to life, with Boris Karloff, famous for The Mummy, portraying the monster.
Stories featuring "monsters" with emotions and the dynamic between creator and creation have continued to inspire filmmakers in the years that followed. A prime example is the 1987 cult favorite RoboCop, directed by Paul Verhoeven, which tells the tale of a deceased police officer transformed into a cyborg, whose memories begin to haunt him. In the 1982 film Blade Runner, we see creations revolt against their indifferent creator. Other movies influenced by Frankenstein include Edward Scissorhands (1990) and Upgrade (2018).
8. Peeping Tom (1960)
When it comes to slasher films featuring killers using sharp objects to mow down victims, Peeping Tom reigns supreme. It’s chillingly disturbing, explores themes that were ahead of its time, and even includes scenes where victims perish due to a deadly camera tripod with blades.
While Halloween (1978) helped popularize the slasher genre, it was not the first of its kind. Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 film Psycho is often considered a precursor, but it leans more towards psychological horror than pure slasher material.
In Peeping Tom, the cameraman Mark Lewis (played by Karlheinz Böhm, known for Sissi) stalks his female victims, capturing their reactions as they die. Although this film is considered iconic today with its innovative camera work and scenes that seem ahead of its time, it ultimately ended the career of director Michael Powell (Stairway to Heaven).
How? Not because it was poorly made. In fact, even Hitchcock was influenced by its shots, particularly in his film Vertigo. The reason was Powell’s introduction of voyeurism as a theme to cinema. Audiences weren’t prepared to accept the portrayal of such a taboo yet deeply human trait: the fascination with observing the lives of others.
7. Night of the Living Dead (1968)
When George A. Romero (Monkey Shines) released his feature debut, Night of the Living Dead (NOTLD), in 1968, it forever changed the horror genre. Why? Because it introduced a new kind of monster and laid the foundation for the zombie subgenre in horror films.
From the 1974 film Let Sleeping Corpses Lie to The Walking Dead TV series and the Resident Evil game and films, NOTLD's influence has shaped decades of entertainment. The way characters react to these relentless, flesh-eating monsters adds to the horror, making NOTLD both fascinating and terrifying.
Let’s not overlook the film’s impact beyond zombies—it was one of the first independent films to succeed outside of Hollywood studios. It demonstrated an early form of crowdfunding, a model that has since become essential to indie horror filmmaking. A revolution many indie filmmakers owe a great deal to.
6. Enter the Dragon (1973)
Yes, other martial arts movies came before Enter the Dragon in 1973. However, the plotlines and dialogue were typically weak and there was no fascination with the lead man. Robert Clouse’s directing (“Dragon”) and Bruce Lee’s (“Fist of Fury”) screen presence and stunning fight sequences changed all this.
With yowls, shrieks, knuckle-cracking, and inflating torsos, Bruce Lee captured the audience’s attention and launched the popularity of the Kung Fu film globally. Enter the Dragon earned $350 million worldwide, which is over $1 billion today if you consider inflation! This is especially significant since Wuxia, a genre of martial artist adventures, was banned in China for around 50 years until 1980.
Stars such as Jackie Chan (“Rush Hour”) often talk about their respect for Bruce Lee and how he influenced them in their careers. Lee also gave Chuck Norris’ (“The Expendables 2”) his movie debut in 1972 and Norris has since starred in multiple martial arts films, including Enter the Dragon. It’s hard to imagine action martial art films without these stars!
5. Snow White (1934)
Disney’s Snow White was daring, vibrant, and a game changer. In 1934, Walt Disney stood before his team and pitched the idea of creating an 80-minute animated film based on the story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. No studio had ever attempted something like this, and Hollywood was full of skepticism about the endeavor.
Disney raised ten times the amount of funding typically allocated for a short film, even sending his animators back to school to learn about motion. The studio brought in live actors to record their movements, which were then carefully traced frame by frame. Over 1,000 different shades of paint were created for the project.
The entire project went far over budget, and many doubted its success. But, as history shows, the outcome was nothing short of a triumph.
Thanks to Snow White, studios began exploring new creative possibilities. Interest in the concept of the princess, especially the Disney princess, surged. Not only did it launch a genre, it created an entire empire!
4. Connery Era James Bond (1960s)
James Bond, always a fan of his martinis, prefers them shaken rather than stirred. That’s essentially what the early James Bond films did to action movies. They brought in high-speed chases, groundbreaking tech, suave spies, and even more captivating female leads. But one thing they certainly didn't bring to the table? Consent. Yeah... definitely not that.
Well then…
Following the debut of Dr. No, action movies became a tool to navigate political tensions. The antagonists were often our Cold War foes, while the gadgets we saw in the films were our cutting-edge tech. The hero, more often than not, bent the rules, and the villains held us in a state of suspense with their outlandish plans.
James Bond made action films thrilling in ways that are hard to overstate.
3. Meshes of the Afternoon (1943)
If you're after an avant-garde film that laid the groundwork for every bold, experimental project that followed, look no further than 1943's Meshes of the Afternoon. This brief 18-minute film brims with symbolism, surreal visuals, and endless interpretations that blur the line between dream and reality.
Influential filmmakers like Kenneth Anger ('Lucifer Rising'), Ingmar Bergman ('Wild Strawberries'), and Stanley Kubrick ('The Shining') have all cited 'Meshes' as a crucial inspiration for their own work.
Created by Maya Deren and her husband, cinematographer Alexander Hammid, 'Meshes' transcends mere documentation of events. It delves into the emotions tied to the experience. With its absence of dialogue and the rising influence of Jungian and Freudian theories, it’s a perfect example of what could be termed a 'trance film.'
Maya Deren is now hailed as the godmother of avant-garde cinema, leaving behind a legacy of mind-bending, surreal cinematic works that are perhaps best appreciated under the haze of existential contemplation, sleepless nights fueled by caffeine, or a touch of hipster curiosity.
2. Broadway Melody (1929)
When discussing early “talkies,” 1929’s Broadway Melody is not the pioneer. The honor goes to the groundbreaking and controversial 1927 film, The Jazz Singer. However, 'The Jazz Singer' is not typically associated with extravagant show tunes, dazzling choreography, or feel-good finales.
That distinction belongs to Broadway Melody.
Broadway Melody is brimming with memorable tunes such as “Give My Regards to Broadway,” “Broadway Melody,” and “You Were Meant for Me,” all of which later featured in the iconic musical Singin’ in the Rain.
This movie musical unfolds its storyline with a flair typical of stage productions, focusing on the creation of a Broadway musical revue. While it might not captivate modern audiences in the same way as today’s films, it certainly offers a glimpse into the golden era of Broadway, celebrating both its triumphs and pitfalls. It was also the first sound film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture, marking a monumental milestone in cinematic history.
1. The Maltese Falcon (1941)
The Femme Fatales, the curling smoke of a cigarette, Humphrey Bogart—it’s everything that defines a film noir. Released in 1941, The Maltese Falcon is widely regarded as the movie that shaped the very essence of ‘film noir.’
With its cynical, fast-talking characters and shadowy, atmospheric lighting, The Maltese Falcon embodies the moral ambiguity that defines film noir. There's no clear-cut right or wrong in these films; they’re sultry, complex, black-and-white mysteries, where the protagonist grapples with moral conflict.
The plot of The Maltese Falcon is deceptively simple. Detective Sam Spade (played by Bogart) is hired by a mysterious woman, and shortly after, his partner is murdered. Spade embarks on a quest to recover the Maltese Falcon, a priceless jewel shrouded in intrigue and danger.
But a film noir isn’t just about detective stories. The genre has often been linked to the detective archetype, especially thanks to The Maltese Falcon. The film set the tone and laid out the formula, blending atmosphere and storytelling to show us that even the noblest intentions can lead down a dark path.
