Top 25 Untouchable Movies

Certain movies are incredibly important because they revolutionized storytelling and continue to influence filmmakers today. This collection features films that defined entire genres, pioneered new techniques, and achieved both popular and critical success. Each entry explains what makes these films essential viewing for any movie enthusiast.

‘Citizen Kane’ (1941)

Citizen Kane, directed by and starring Orson Welles, tells the story of a wealthy newspaper publisher through the recollections of different people who knew him. The film is famous for its groundbreaking camera work by Gregg Toland and its unusual storytelling, which jumps between different points in time. It was nominated for nine Oscars and won for Best Original Screenplay, and is consistently ranked among the best films ever made by the American Film Institute.

‘The Godfather’ (1972)

Francis Ford Coppola’s crime epic, starring Marlon Brando and Al Pacino, tells the story of the Corleone family. It famously won Oscars for Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Adapted Screenplay. The film’s distinctive production design and score by Nino Rota became hallmarks of the crime genre, and its impact can still be seen in many modern crime dramas and TV shows.

‘The Godfather Part II’ (1974)

This movie tells the story of both a young Vito Corleone and his son Michael’s rise to power. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, it won several Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Supporting Actor for Robert De Niro. The film is well-known for its clever use of two different time periods, which are often studied by filmmakers. It was filmed in various locations, including Little Italy and Lake Tahoe, and also features international settings, broadening the scope of the story.

‘Seven Samurai’ (1954)

As a huge film fan, I’m always drawn back to Kurosawa’s masterpiece. It’s a sweeping story about a group of masterless samurai – rōnin – who come together to protect a small farming village from a band of thieves. What really gets me is how Kurosawa stages those incredible battle scenes, and the way he uses the weather – rain, wind, everything – to build the drama. Plus, the camera work is just so energetic and inventive. And, of course, Toshiro Mifune is absolutely phenomenal in it – it really launched him into stardom. It’s a film that’s clearly had a huge impact, inspiring everything from ‘The Magnificent Seven’ to countless other action movies about teams working together.

‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ (1968)

Stanley Kubrick and Arthur C. Clarke teamed up to create a landmark science fiction film. It was groundbreaking for its visual effects, winning an Academy Award, and its use of sound – combining classical music with very little dialogue to create a powerful atmosphere. The film’s special effects, which relied on techniques like front projection, became a model for many space movies that followed.

‘Casablanca’ (1942)

Directed by Michael Curtiz, this classic film stars Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman in a love story unfolding against the backdrop of wartime Morocco and a bustling nightclub. The movie is famous for its witty, fast-paced conversations and features a talented group of actors. It received the top honors at the Academy Awards, winning awards for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Screenplay. The film is a showcase of the high-quality filmmaking techniques common during the studio era, particularly in its impressive sets, lighting, and musical score.

‘Schindler’s List’ (1993)

Steven Spielberg’s film depicts the true story of Oskar Schindler, a man who saved many lives during the Holocaust. The movie, filmed largely in black and white by Janusz Kamiński, feels very realistic, like a documentary. It received widespread acclaim, winning seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. Filming on location in Poland and meticulous attention to detail in the production design help make the film historically accurate.

‘Pulp Fiction’ (1994)

Quentin Tarantino’s crime film is known for its complex, interwoven storylines and unconventional structure. It received critical acclaim, winning the Palme d’Or at Cannes and an Academy Award for its original screenplay. The film’s soundtrack, featuring revived songs, was also a commercial success. Tarantino employs a unique style of filmmaking, characterized by lengthy scenes with a lot of dialogue and extended camera shots, which creates a distinctive rhythm.

‘The Shawshank Redemption’ (1994)

The movie, directed by Frank Darabont and based on a story by Stephen King, tells the story of two prisoners who become close friends during their long sentences. It was a critical success, receiving seven Academy Award nominations, including one for Best Picture. Many filmmakers praise the film’s music, composed by Thomas Newman, and its beautiful visuals, captured by cinematographer Roger Deakins. Much of the filming took place at the Ohio State Reformatory, which now offers tours related to the movie.

‘Star Wars’ (1977)

George Lucas captivated audiences with the Star Wars saga, creating a realistic and immersive space fantasy world. The production led to the creation of Industrial Light & Magic, which pioneered advanced motion control photography techniques. The film received numerous Academy Awards for its music, editing, and sound, as well as a special award for its sound effects. Furthermore, its innovative merchandising strategy fundamentally changed how studios built and managed franchises.

‘The Empire Strikes Back’ (1980)

Irvin Kershner directed the second film in the series, emphasizing character growth and using impressive practical effects. The movie received Academy Awards nominations for its sound and visual effects, and also a special award recognizing its achievements. Phil Tippett’s stop-motion animation and miniature photography added new techniques to the filmmaking process. The icy landscapes were filmed on location in Norway.

‘The Wizard of Oz’ (1939)

Starring Judy Garland, this classic MGM musical famously transitions from black and white to vibrant color when it reaches the magical land of Oz. Known for its stunning sets and complex makeup, the film features memorable songs by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg. It earned two Oscars for its music and was also nominated for Best Picture. Recognizing its importance to American culture, the Library of Congress added it to the National Film Registry.

‘Psycho’ (1960)

Alfred Hitchcock’s classic thriller is famous for its groundbreaking editing in the shower scene and its dramatic score, composed of strings by Bernard Herrmann. To keep a close watch on production, Hitchcock used a smaller film crew from his television work. The film received several Academy Award nominations, including those for Best Director and Best Supporting Actress. The movie’s marketing strategy focused on keeping the plot a secret and limited how many theaters it initially played in.

‘Jaws’ (1975)

Steven Spielberg’s famous thriller takes place in a seaside town terrorized by a great white shark. Because of problems with the mechanical shark prop, the filmmakers cleverly built suspense through suggestion and relied on John Williams’ unforgettable musical score. The film earned Oscars for its editing, sound design, and music. It’s also considered a key example of how summer blockbusters are released and marketed today.

‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ (1981)

Harrison Ford stars as the adventurous archaeologist Indiana Jones in a thrilling, fast-paced story. The movie is famous for its exciting practical stunts and impressive scenes, like the opening sequence in the temple and the action-packed truck chase. It earned several Academy Awards for its technical achievements, including a special award recognizing its groundbreaking visual effects. The successful partnership between director Steven Spielberg and George Lucas launched a long-lasting and popular film series.

‘The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring’ (2001)

Peter Jackson began his epic Middle-earth trilogy with breathtaking filming on location in New Zealand. The visual effects were groundbreaking, blending traditional miniatures with cutting-edge digital technology from Weta Workshop and Weta Digital. The film was a critical success, earning multiple Academy Award nominations and wins for areas like makeup and cinematography. Its creators paid incredible attention to detail, crafting believable languages and props that truly brought the world to life.

‘The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King’ (2003)

The final film in the series features epic battles and brings the stories of its characters to a satisfying conclusion. It was a huge critical success, winning eleven Academy Awards – including for Best Picture and Best Director – tying the record for the most Oscars ever received by a single film. Completing the movie involved extensive editing and some extra filming to polish the flow. Overall, the trilogy demonstrated how to successfully adapt a long story into three connected movies.

‘Spirited Away’ (2001)

Hayao Miyazaki’s film tells the story of a young girl’s journey through a magical spirit world and her experiences at a bathhouse managed by a powerful witch. The movie, created by Studio Ghibli, beautifully blends traditional hand-drawn animation with some digital effects. It was a critical success, winning both an Academy Award and the Golden Bear award at the Berlin Film Festival. The film’s enchanting and suspenseful atmosphere is enhanced by Joe Hisaishi’s memorable musical score.

‘The Matrix’ (1999)

The Wachowskis (Lana and Lilly) directed a sci-fi action movie famous for its innovative use of visual effects, including dramatic wire work and ‘bullet time’ photography. The film won several Academy Awards for its visuals and had a big impact on action movie design globally. Filmmakers created a unique visual style, using a green tint for the movie’s simulated reality and cooler colors for the real world. The action choreography, designed by Yuen Woo Ping, blended Hong Kong martial arts styles with traditional Hollywood techniques.

‘Back to the Future’ (1985)

Robert Zemeckis’s film starring Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd is a classic time travel story that explores how actions impact the future. The movie won an Oscar for its sound effects and was nominated for several other awards. Its iconic score by Alan Silvestri and the realistic DeLorean time machine became hallmarks of the series. The film cleverly used a combination of visual effects and in-camera techniques to create seamless transitions.

‘Apocalypse Now’ (1979)

Francis Ford Coppola’s film draws inspiration from ‘Heart of Darkness,’ following a journey upriver through a war-torn area. The movie is well-known for its difficult production in the Philippines and innovative sound. It earned Oscars for its visuals and sound design, and also won the prestigious Palme d’Or. Different versions of the film are often studied in film schools to illustrate editing techniques.

‘Goodfellas’ (1990)

Martin Scorsese’s film tells the story of a man involved in organized crime in New York, using narration and a memorable soundtrack. It received numerous Academy Award nominations and Joe Pesci won an Oscar for his performance. The film’s visuals, particularly a famous long shot in the Copacabana nightclub, were expertly crafted by Michael Ballhaus. The story is based on a true crime book and stays true to the actual events that happened.

‘Titanic’ (1997)

James Cameron brought the famous ship to life on screen using a combination of enormous sets, intricate models, and impressive computer-generated water effects. The movie was a huge success, winning eleven Oscars, including awards for Best Picture and Best Director. The film’s score, composed by James Horner, and a popular song by Celine Dion, both contributed to massive album sales. It broke global box office records, although those records were later broken by another film directed by Cameron.

‘The Dark Knight’ (2008)

Christopher Nolan’s crime thriller stands out for its use of large-format film and real-world effects, especially in its action sequences. The movie was highly recognized by the Academy Awards, winning prizes for Best Supporting Actor and Sound Editing. Several scenes were filmed with IMAX cameras, setting a new standard for immersive cinema experiences. A clever marketing campaign, with gradual reveals of information, created a lot of excitement before the film’s release.

‘Parasite’ (2019)

Bong Joon Ho’s thrilling film tells the story of two families from different social classes whose lives unexpectedly connect. The movie famously won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Director, Original Screenplay, and International Feature Film. Filmmakers built specific sets, like the family home, to carefully manage the lighting and camera angles. After winning the Palme d’Or at Cannes, the film was released worldwide to critical acclaim.

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2025-10-18 21:47