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There’s an endless number of films to watch. But amongst the vast selection, there are a few must-see movies worth ticking off your list.
If you’ve been feeling stuck when deciding which films to watch, hopefully this list will offer some inspiration and set you up for your next movie night.
From war films and inspiring true stories to comedies and musicals, here are 20 movies that everyone should see.
1. Forrest Gump (1994)
Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks) is a kind-hearted boy from Alabama with a very low IQ and leg braces to correct a curved spine. Despite having experienced other people’s unkindness all his life, Forrest has never thought of himself as disadvantaged.
Despite his intellectual limitations, Forrest excels as a college football player, survives the Vietnam War, and builds a shrimping empire, touching countless lives with his genuine kindness. However, his decades-long devotion to Jenny, whose self-destructive path stems from deep personal wounds, teaches him that love alone cannot always heal those who are lost.
2. The Theory of Everything (2015)
The Theory of Everything is based on the life of famous physicist Stephen Hawking (Eddie Redmayne). After falling in love with Jane Wilde (Felicity Jones) at the University of Cambridge, 21-year-old Stephen finds out he has motor neurone disease.
Despite his doctor telling him he has little time left, he and Jane defy terrible odds, break new ground in medicine and science, and achieve more than they ever could have imagined.
3. Erin Brockovich (2000)
Following a car accident that wasn’t her fault, Erin Brockovich (Julia Roberts) loses a lawsuit against a doctor and convinces her lawyer, Ed (Albert Finney), to hire her as a file clerk.
While organising case files, she comes across some medical records hidden inside real estate files and persuades Ed to let her investigate. As she digs deeper, Erin discovers a cover-up involving a town that’s being poisoned by its water supply.
Based on true events, Erin Brockovich is an inspiring story of justice and truth, in which one woman almost single-handedly brings down a California power company and changes thousands of lives.
4. Good Will Hunting (1997)
Despite having an extremely high IQ, lost youth Will Hunting (Matt Damon) works as a janitor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). His talents are recognised by a professor who decides to help Will achieve his potential.
But after being arrested for attacking a police officer, Will is granted leniency only if he accepts treatment from therapist Sean Maguire (Robin Williams). Little does he know that Maguire will change his life forever.
5. Marvellous (2014)
Marvellous is the true story of Neil Baldwin (Toby Jones), a man with learning difficulties and an extraordinary outlook on life. Neil accomplishes his life’s dream of working for Stoke City FC, while also being a registered circus clown and an honorary graduate of Keele University, simply by asking and being kind to people.
In a world as critical as ours, this truly heartwarming film reminds us of the difference a ‘glass half full’ outlook on life can make. As Neil says, “I’ve always wanted to be happy, so I decided to be.”
6. The Blind Side (2009)
The Blind Side is based on the true story of Michael Oher, a homeless teen (Quinton Aaron) who’s taken in by a married couple (Sandra Bullock and Tim McGraw).
With the support of his new legal guardians, Michael’s life is transformed as he comes to realise his talents, both as a student and a football player. This is a truly heartwarming film which centres on the importance of having compassion and empathy.
7. Little Women (2019)
Based on the classic 1868 novel, Little Women brings to life the inspiring story of four sisters, Jo (Saoirse Ronan), Meg (Emma Watson), Amy (Florence Pugh), and Beth (Eliza Scanlen), as they navigate the passage into womanhood.
At the centre of the story is Jo, a headstrong girl who’s determined to make her own way in the world and defy the patriarchal rules of the 19th century – specifically, that a woman must marry.
8. Hacksaw Ridge (2016)
Hacksaw Ridge is based on the true story of Private First Class Desmond T. Doss (Andrew Garfield), who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor despite refusing to carry a single weapon during World War II for religious reasons.
After being drafted, Doss was shunned and ostracised by fellow soldiers for his pacifist beliefs. However, he went on to earn respect and admiration for his bravery, empathy, and selflessness after he saved 75 men at the Battle of Okinawa without firing a single shot.
9. The Greatest Showman (2017)
The Greatest Showman is an upbeat musical telling the story of showman P.T. Barnum (Hugh Jackman) as he rises from a modest background to become a worldwide sensation.
Full of romance, gorgeous costumes, and exceptional choreography, you’ll no doubt be singing the catchy soundtrack for days after.
The Greatest Showman also highlights several important life lessons – including the power of self-belief, not being held back by circumstances, and the danger of materialism.
10. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Consistently rated IMDb’s top movie since its release in 1994, The Shawshank Redemption is widely regarded as one of the best films of all time.
It tells the story of Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), who’s been sentenced to two consecutive life sentences for the murders of his wife and her lover. However, Andy claims he’s innocent.
While in prison, he builds a friendship with Red (Morgan Freeman), whom he teaches the importance of always having hope.
11. Philomena (2013)
In 1952, Irish teenager Philomena (Judi Dench) became pregnant outside of wedlock and was sent to live in a convent. When her child, Anthony, was just a toddler, he was taken from her and put up for adoption in America.
Over the next 50 years, Philomena searched tirelessly for her son but couldn’t find him. However, when BBC journalist Martin Sixsmith (Steve Coogan) hears of her story, they become allies and travel to America in search of Anthony.
12. Invictus (2010)
Following his 27-year imprisonment, the newly elected President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela (Morgan Freeman), faces the challenge of unifying a country divided by race.
Only months after the end of the Apartheid era, Mandela notices that the divide is still strong at an international rugby match.
Joining forces with the captain of South Africa’s rugby team, Francois Pienaar (Matt Damon), Mandela believes he can unite the country through the universal language of sport.
13. The Imitation Game (2014)
The Imitation Game is a historical thriller based on the true story of Alan Turing (Benedict Cumberbatch), a mathematician who joined the British cryptography team to help decipher the German Enigma code during World War II.
This nail-biting race against time shows Turing and his team successfully breaking the code, which is thought to have shortened the war by as many as four years and welcomed in the computer age.
It also documents the tragic fate of Turing, who, despite bringing victory to the Allies, was criminally prosecuted for homosexuality.
14. Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)
Winning Best Motion Picture at the Golden Globes in 2019, if you’re not a fan of Queen already, chances are you will be after watching this film.
Bohemian Rhapsody documents the turbulent story of Freddie Mercury and provides a moving insight into the inner battles he faced throughout his career.
Filled with Queen classics from start to finish, Rami Malek delivers an unforgettable performance as the band’s legendary frontman.
15. Hidden Figures (2016)
Set in 1961 at NASA’s Langley Research Center, Hidden Figures highlights the racial segregation that occurred during the famous launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit.
Three talented African-American women, Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe), and Dorothy Vaughn (Octavia Spencer), work as the brains behind the operation.
The film depicts their struggle as they start their careers in segregation-era America – facing discrimination at home, school, and work.
16. A Dog’s Purpose (2017)
A Dog’s Purpose is about the love that dogs have for their owners. Based on W. Bruce Cameron’s 2010 novel, this film follows a devoted dog who discovers the meaning of his existence by teaching humans how to love and be happy.
Reincarnated as multiple canines over five decades, the dog forms an unbreakable bond with his first owner, Ethan (Dennis Quaid), and returns to him years later to remind him of his true self.
17. On the Basis of Sex (2018)
On the Basis of Sex is set in 1956 and inspired by the true story of Ruth Bader Ginsburg (Felicity Jones).
It follows her fight for equal rights, her struggle against gender discrimination, and the early cases of a historic career that led to her appointment as U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice.
18. Life of Pi (2012)
After deciding to sell their zoo in India and move to Canada, Santosh and Gita Patel set off on a journey across the ocean with their sons and remaining animals. After a terrible storm sinks the ship, their teenage son, Pi (Suraj Sharma), is the only human survivor and finds himself adrift on a lifeboat.
However, Pi soon realises he’s not alone on the lifeboat, as a Bengal tiger is also hiding aboard. As weeks turn into months, Pi and the tiger must learn to live alongside each other to survive.
19. School of Rock (2003)
This cheerful, easy-watch comedy tells the story of Dewey Finn (Jack Black), an overly keen guitarist who finds himself in desperate need of work.
Deciding to pose as a substitute music teacher at a private elementary school, he secretly begins training his students as hard rock musicians.
Finn develops a bond with his students as they train for the local Battle of the Bands competition. The film proved so popular that it’s also been turned into a theatre production.
20. Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987)
Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and advertising executive Neal Page (Steve Martin) is desperately trying to get home to Chicago. But after a snowstorm, his flight is cancelled, forcing Neal to find an alternative mode of transport.
Along the way, he reluctantly teams up with Del Griffith (John Candy), a kind-hearted but irritating shower curtain ring salesman and – soon enough – their journey turns into a disaster-filled road trip.
This film will have you chuckling away at their chain of misfortunes and genuinely moved by the surprising friendship that blossoms between these two unlikely companions.
Final thoughts…
Movies are great at sparking our imagination, initiating interesting conversations, and transporting us to exciting worlds from the comfort of our sofa. But with so many choices, deciding what to watch can be tricky.
If you’re unsure where to start, it’s always worth adding a few must-see movies to your list. After all, these films are popular for a reason. Even if they don’t turn out to be your cup of tea, at least you can enjoy a night snuggled up on the sofa with a bowl of popcorn.
If none of these has sparked your interest, head over to our film, TV, and theatre section, where you’ll find more inspiration as well as film and TV reviews.
Or, if you’re interested in the lives behind the actors, you might like our Stars of Hollywood’s Golden Age, which dives into the stars of 20th-century cinema.
What are your favourite movies? Is there a particular film you think everyone should see? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
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