A Comprehensive Guide to Must-Watch Movies by Decade

Exploring movies through the lens of decades offers a unique vantage point on the rich tapestry of cinematic history. Every decade has its own cinematic signature, reflecting the cultural, social, and political contexts of the time. Here, we highlight must-watch films from the early 1920s to the present, helping you discover the golden age of cinema across different generations.

1920s

Starting with the silent era, the 1920s laid the groundwork for modern cinema. Some of the standout works include:

Sherlock Jr. (1924) MGM Die Nibelungen: Siegfried (1924) Fritz Lang Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans (1927) F.W. Murnau

The silent films of the 1920s were groundbreaking in how they used visual storytelling and emotion to captivate viewers.

1930s

The 1930s saw the transition from silent films to the golden age of sound cinema. Notable films from this decade include:

The Tale of the Fox (1933) Jean Boyer André Berthon The Story of the Last Chrysanthemum (1937) Harifuni Yoshimura Lady of Burden (1937) Philip Lonberg-Holm

This period also introduced many classics such as:

Mary Poppins (1964) Robert Stevenson

1940s

The 1940s brought intense storytelling, especially around World War II. Some films that stand out from this decade are:

Spring in a Small Town (1949) Masaki Kobayashi Drunken Angel (1948) Akira Kurosawa

This era is notable for films that explored the human condition during wartime and its aftermath.

1950s

The 1950s saw a shift towards more experimental filmmaking. Movies such as:

Rashomon (1950) Akira Kurosawa Forbidden Games (1952) Henri-Georges Clouzot Sansho the Bailiff (1954) Kaneto Shindo

Began to reflect a more complex and nuanced approach to storytelling.

1960s

The 1960s were a revolutionary time in cinema, with the birth of the New Wave. Some of the most influential films include:

The Human Condition Trilogy (1959-1961) Masaki Kobayashi Rocco and His Brothers (1960) Vittoria De Sica Happiness of Us Alone (1961) Jin Pyun-gil Harakiri (1962) Converter Kobayashi Woman in the Dunes (1964) Hiroshi Teshigahara

This was a period of bold experimentation and social commentary.

1970s

The 1970s saw the rise of new auteurs and experimental techniques. Notable films from this period include:

The End of the Track (1970) Keisuke Kinoshita Uski Roti (1970) Satyajit Ray The Color of Pomegranates (1969) Parajanov

Other notable films from the 1970s:

A Touch of Zen (1971) Douglas Hickox The Man Who Stole the Sun (1979) Masayuki Suo

1980s

The 1980s saw the commercial success of blockbusters alongside critical and experimental works. Some of the must-watch films from this era are:

The Shining (1980) Stanley Kubrick Possession (1981) Ingmar Bergman Das Boot (1981) Wolfgang Petersen The King of Comedy (1982) Martin Scorsese

1990s

The 1990s saw a continuation of independent cinema and the rise of new global voices. Notable films from this period include:

Close-Up (1990) Abbas Kiarostami A Brighter Summer Day (1991) Edward Yang Back to the Future (1985) Robert Zemeckis 10 Things I Hate About You (1999) Gilниман Берж

Other notables from the 1990s:

Midnight Cowboy (1969) John Schlesinger

2000s

The 2000s marked a shift towards digital cinema, with films like:

Mis unveiling dawn (2000) Ang Lee In the Mood for Love (2000) Wong Kar-wai American Beauty (1999) Sam Mendes

Other notable films from the 2000s:

Lost in Translation (2003) Sofia Coppola Peppermint Candy (1999) Lee Ki-young

2010s and Beyond

The 2010s and 2020s saw the rise of streamlining and digital media. Some of the standout films from this period are:

Karamay (2010) Wang Quan’an The Intouchables (2011) Olivier Nakache éric Toledano The Last Dance (2020) Michael BaseEntity

Other notable films from this era:

Parasite (2019) Bong Joon-ho The Irishman (2019) Martin Scorsese