My Top-Must-Watch Films
The following list is no particular order and is simply comprised of movies that have affected me emotionally or intellectually. The primary focus is on story, level of depth, acting, character development, and overall movie experience. I vouch for every one of these movies and believe you should watch them in your lifetime. Many top-movie lists exclude comedies, but I consider that some comedies have their own charm and do deserve to be recognized as top films. While many might debate that classic films are the true testament of cinema, I believe many of those films were great, but only a foundation to the future of film. With the advancement of technology I think today's modern films surpass the level of storytelling from what was capable back then. I'm a fan of original, creative, and innovative films like the ones below.
My Top-Must-Watch Films
The Shawshank Redemption
Casino
Blow
The Matrix
Donnie Darko
The Butterfly Effect
Nocturnal Animals
The Pianist
Detachment
Interstellar
Memento
The Dark Knight Trilogy
Inception
The illusionist
Perfume: The Story of A Murderer
American Psycho
American Beauty
The Machinist
The Prestige
Shutter Island
Titanic
Blood Diamond
Hotel Rawanda
The Great Gatsby (2013)
Raging Bull
The Shape of Water
Catch Me if You Can
The Revenant
Schindler's List
Ex Machina
Get Out
Gone Girl
Nightcrawler
Edge of Tomorrow
The Imitation Game
Dallas Buyers Club
Oblivion
Looper
Sinister
Source Code
Black Swan
Life is Beautiful
The Intouchables
Pan's Labyrinth
The Lives of Others
Wild Tales
Click
V for Vendetta
Edward Scissorhand
The Pursuit of Happiness
Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind
City of God
A Beautiful Mind
Vanilla Sky
Training Day
Requiem For a Dream
Unbreakable
Fight Club
The Truman Show
American History X
Good Will Hunting
Goodfellas
The Godfather
Pleasantville
Bicycle Thieves
Taxi Driver
Citizen Kane
Reservoir Dogs
Children of Men
Birdman
Trash
Enemy
The Zodiac
Panic Room
Prisoners
Se7en
Deja Vu
Upside Down
Transcendence
Moon
Mr. Nobody
Chronicle
Argo
The Place Beyond the Pines
Lord of War
Elvis
Reminiscence
The Angel
Golda
Everything Everywhere All At Once
The Whale
Us
Joker
Must-Watch Fun Movies and Comedies
Up
Django Unchained
Cast Away
Inglorious Bastards
The Wolf of Wall Street
Iron Man
District 9
Shrek
Finding Nemo
Neighbors
We're The Millers
Old School
Friends With Benefits
Spy
Forgetting Sarah Marshall
No Strings Attached
La La Land
Love & Other Drugs
40 Year Old Virgin
Knocked Up
Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates
Sausage Party
The Hangover
I Love You, Man
Fun With Dick and Jane
Superbad
Austin Powers
American Pie
Ace Ventura
Meet the Parents/Fockers
Elf
21 Jump Street
Wedding Crashers
Mr. & Mrs. Smith
Coming to America
Wall-E
Limitless
Big Eyes
Meet the Millers
Kingsmen
Mad Max (2015)
Arrival
I Robot
Amelie
Mrs. Doubtfire
Bruce Almighty
King Kong (2005)
The Avengers Movies
Avatar
Watchmen
Matilda
The Lion King
Jumanji (1995)
Forest Gump
The Accountant
Saw
21
50 First Dates
Once Upon a Time in America
Crazy, Stupid, Love
Toy Story
Rocky
Spiderman 2 (2004)
Kick-Ass
300
Deadpool
Liar Liar
The Island
Guardians of the Galaxy
Thor: Ragnarok
Murder Mystery
John Wick
Spider-man: Into/Across The Spider-verse
Dr. Strange
Wanted
Free Guy
Venom
Palm Springs
Life
Big Eyes
Life of Pi
The Loft
Mothers' Instinct
127 Hours
The Substance
Chappie