Critics and casual viewers aren't always in agreement with many movies or even TV shows. We have specific elements that we search for in every film, while audience members have the luxury of simply watching something for its means of providing entertainment and/or escapism. However, some movies are truly so sensational—so significant in all that they convey that our diverging opinions tend to morph into the unanimous agreement that they're a masterpiece. Plus, a classic is a classic for a reason.
There are a number of brilliant movies worthy of being called a ‘masterpiece,’ and it's high time you cross them off your bucket list. From It's a Wonderful Life (1946) to Citizen Kane (1941), here are some inimitable films that are undoubtedly worth watching, as well as where you can stream them on platforms such as Prime Video and more.
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
There are very few movies in the world that have the ability to make everything genuinely feel like it'll be okay for a moment, and how Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life achieves this by being wholly evocative and never once saccharine is something that there are still very few words for. It is, singlehandedly, the greatest movie of all time, and I know some people have yet to watch it because I'm constantly still badgering them to do so.
Wholesome, warm, hilariously charming, and deeply vulnerable, it's an account of how one man's life can have a tremendous impact. James Stewart delivers a perfect performance, and the importance of its message being something we all consistently need is why it's on yearly rotation during the holidays. There are few movies quite like it, and if you want something that's guaranteed to make your heart feel a little okay by the end, you won't regret it, even if it's a rewatch.
Citizen Kane (1941)
I'm not going to pretend that Citizen Kane is one of my favorite movies, but I can completely recognize its significance in filmmaking and how its unique approach revolutionized so much for the industry. There's a reason the film is crowned as number one for so many people and on so many charts. Its vast legacy is entirely because of how much it effortlessly shines with its sharp screenplay, innovative directing, and the grounding performances.
In many ways, telling the story of a man after he passes can indeed require a lot of telling. But a large part of the reason Citizen Kane is so revered is because of what it shows us. How the duality of the word "Rosebud" brings the entire story full circle and represents so much. It's the type of movie that's fully in a league of its own, and that's not a hyperbole. Whether you like it or not, there's no denying its greatness.
12 Angry Men (1957)
The first time I watched 12 Angry Men, I couldn't sit still. At some point, I stood up because everything was so tense, and I'm pretty sure I didn't sit back down until the credits began to roll. 12 Angry Men isn't just perfect for people who love courtroom dramas, but it's the blueprint for them, and the type of movie that's so rich in its themes, you could write a whole dissertation on its subject matter.
The astounding screenplay is one part of its greatness, but the performances and directing from Sidney Lumet are what heighten the stakes and keep you glued to the screen. Arguing and debates aren't new to fiction, nor were they exactly revolutionary at the time, yet the careful decision to rely on sharp dialogue is precisely what makes it such a strong showcase of how conversations can effectively guide the plot and stick the landing. There are few films like it, and that's ultimately a testament to its excellence.
The Godfather (1972)
While many people know The Godfather and can likely recognize quotes that have been used in pop culture since its release, there are still too many in the world who have yet to see it. And whether mob-based narratives are your jam or not, it's the type of masterpiece that deserves watching at least once for how it explores complicated family dynamics and the idea of the American dream.
As critics, it may seem as though we throw around words like ‘cinematic masterpieces’ too often, but in every way where it matters, The Godfather is a visual feast. It features one of the most brilliantly captured final shots of all time, and the performances never once feel like caricatures. These two factors alone make it a must-watch, even if you don't find yourself wanting to revisit it or continuing with the films that follow.
To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
Book-to-screen adaptations are rarely categorized into best-of lists by scholars and purists who believe a film simply cannot capture the entire essence and all the minute details of the book. Yet, anyone who says that about To Kill a Mockingbird is simply wrong (and I can vouch for this as someone with an MFA in English Literature, too.)
Yes, To Kill a Mockingbird is a complex story to adapt, but the movie does a brilliant job of capturing its themes in the loss of innocence and racial injustices. In large part, Gregory Peck's tremendous performance is one of the reasons why, and the screenplay delivers on all fronts as it ensures that we have a full grasp of the story in all its glory. It’s perfect for anyone who wants something that's both a coming-of-age story and a masterclass in exploring courtroom procedures.
Rear Window (1954)
When it comes to Hitchcock movies, Psycho (1960) is likely the one most people think about and know. But Rear Window (with a 99% Rotten Tomatoes score) is his true masterpiece, written and directed to perfection with an indescribably brilliant performance from James Stewart. He's almost unrecognizable from how most people might know him in It's a Wonderful Life, yet it's undoubtedly one of the movies that shows off his range most impeccably.
Rear Window explores similar themes to Hitchcock's other films, but the humanity in how the story is told through L.B. Jefferies' point of view is exactly what makes the unveiling of events so compelling to us as the audience. We're getting everything in real time, which builds on the tension and adds a layer of intrigue that couldn't have been captured if we didn't feel as trapped as he does inside his apartment. Every simple decision feels surprisingly innovative, making it a must-watch on all fronts if you love suspenseful thrillers.
Saving Private Ryan (1998)
There are a number of historical war films out in the world, and there will likely be many more to come, so it can be daunting to watch them all when the subject matter is rarely easy to swallow and can often be deeply upsetting. But if you have to choose one, Steven Spielberg's Saving Private Ryan is a known masterpiece for countless reasons, and one of them is the realistic portrayal that makes it even more challenging to watch for viewers who might be squeamish.
Still, it's worth trying to bear witness to the sensational performances, the brilliant score, and the themes of sacrifice that put much into perspective. Spielberg is known for impeccable and revolutionary visuals, but everything he accomplishes in Saving Private Ryan is unlike anything else in his filmography. A masterpiece through and through for its gripping means of locking you in right from the start and making it impossible to look away.
Paddington 2 (2017)
Paddington 2 feels like a movie that doesn't belong on this list, but that's almost exactly why it does. Because it is a masterpiece, from start to finish, and its 99% Rotten Tomatoes score proves it. And still to this day, there are way too many sleeping on its perfection because they think it's some silly kid's movie when it's a tour-de-force in delivering a profound message through a simple, transparent lens.
Often, the type of movies that end up on lists like this are dark and dreary, but Paddington 2 is the blanket we all need amid the heavy emotions to remember that there's joy after heartbreak and the people around us can help us heal from our struggles. It's about friendship, found families, and kindness above all things, which is still a universally needed reminder. Perfect for viewers of all ages, it's a must-watch if you grew up loving The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977).
Good Will Hunting (1997)
If the late and legendary Robin Williams is in a film, it's a guaranteed masterpiece. There's no question about it. But Good Will Hunting is also sensational because of Matt Damon's brilliant performance, and how profoundly admirable the screenplay from Damon and longtime collaborator Ben Affleck is (there's something to be said about how Damon has two fantastic performances; Good Will Hunting being one, and Saving Private Ryan being another.) Many people have likely heard of it, but too many are still sleeping on its tremendous significance in film.
It's a story that's all heart in a way that's fully indescribable. Good Will Hunting beautifully portrayed the importance of therapy, overcoming trauma, and the need for healing in a time when it wasn't discussed with as much nuance as we do today. If you appreciate a show like Shrinking (2023), then you're bound to love how Good Will Hunting explores second chances at life in a manner that makes it a must-watch for all kinds of viewers. Honest and profound from start to finish, it still holds up remarkably well.
Singin' in the Rain (1952)
If you've watched and loved La La Land (2016) but are somehow still sleeping on the most iconic musical of all time, then I'm begging you to rectify this immediately. Singin' in the Rain isn't just a breathtaking and utterly mesmerizing musical, but it's so well done that, in many ways, it's the archetype for how to deliver a joyously profound narrative through song.
With perfect performances from Debbie Reynolds, Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, and the whole cast, there are genuinely so few musicals like it. There are great ones, sure, but how the movie brilliantly captures the joy and need for creativity is something that's guaranteed to have a lasting impact on anyone who wants to make something for themselves. The process of showcasing how filmmaking changed and why music matters is still something I have very few words for. It's special in more ways than one and a tremendous accomplishment in honoring much of what Hollywood movies stand for.
