The 8 Best Classic Films (According to Me, and I Have Impeccable Taste)
Listen, I know everyone has their own list of favorite classic films, but let’s be honest—my list is better. So grab some popcorn, a Coke, and enough Red Vines to create a makeshift jump rope. If you’re feeling extra nostalgic, throw in some Flicks candy (if you can still find them) and turn off the lights. The only thing missing is a newsreel and a cartoon before the movie starts—because back in the day, we didn't just jump straight into a two-hour drama. We had patience.
And for those of you who no longer leave the house after dark (or just don’t want to put on pants), you can even enjoy a virtual movie night with friends. No excuses. Let’s get rolling!
1. Gone With the Wind (1939)
A Love Story, a War, and More Dramatic Goodbyes Than a Soap Opera
This Civil War-era epic follows Scarlett O’Hara as she navigates love, loss, and the absolute catastrophe that is her life. The film is stunning, the drama is intense, and the dresses have skirts big enough to double as camping tents.
It’s also a tad controversial now, and honestly, if this were released today, Twitter would explode. But historical accuracy aside, if you love a good old-fashioned, over-the-top, four-hour-long romance where the main guy delivers one of the most savage breakups in history—this one’s for you.
2. Casablanca (1942)
A Love Triangle, Nazis, and the Most Overquoted Line in Movie History
Rick Blaine is just a man running a bar in Casablanca, which is all fun and games until his old flame, Ilsa, shows up with her husband (ouch) who also happens to be an important resistance leader. So now Rick has to choose between true love and saving the world. No pressure.
This movie is packed with drama, war intrigue, and lines that people still misquote with confidence. ("Play it again, Sam"—which, by the way, is NOT actually in the movie.) But whether you're here for the romance or to pretend you're sophisticated for watching a black-and-white film, this is a must-see.
3. Wizard of Oz (1939)
A Girl, a Tornado, and Some of the Creepiest Flying Monkeys You’ve Ever Seen
If you don’t sing along to “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” I simply don’t trust you. Wizard is my favorite film of all time and it is older than me. It came out during the Great Depression. I gave viewers a mental vacation from the daily gloom of the depression.
Dorothy gets swept up in a tornado and ends up in a land where the fashion is questionable (striped socks and ruby heels?), the locals are oddly short, and the biggest threat is a green-faced woman with an attitude problem. But between the catchy songs, life lessons, and a Cowardly Lion who probably needed therapy, this one is a classic.
Bonus: That moment when she realizes she’s “not in Kansas anymore” is still relatable every time we enter a Walmart.
4. To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
Justice, Morality, and One of the Greatest Dads in Movie History
If you ever needed a reminder that the legal system can be a mess, To Kill a Mockingbird is here to deliver. Gregory Peck plays Atticus Finch, a lawyer who decides to take on an unwinnable case because, unlike 90% of the people in his town, he actually has morals.
This movie tackles racial injustice, human decency, and fatherhood all in one go. It’s a film that makes you think, makes you angry, and then makes you want to name your dog "Atticus."
5. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
The Ultimate "What If?" Movie That Guarantees Tears Every Christmas
George Bailey is having a terrible day—so bad that an angel has to come down from heaven to show him just how miserable life would be without him. Turns out, even if you feel like your life is going nowhere, you probably still matter to a bunch of people. It’s basically the most heartfelt guilt trip in cinematic history.
This one will hit you right in the feels, no matter how many times you’ve seen it. Plus, it’s been scientifically proven that watching It’s a Wonderful Life automatically qualifies as your good deed for the year.
6. Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
A Man, a Desert, and More Sand Than Your Shoes After a Beach Trip
Ever wonder what happens when a British officer decides to stir things up in the Middle East? Well, here you go.
This epic film is as grand as they come—sweeping landscapes, intense battles, and a guy who somehow manages to wear white robes in the desert without getting a single stain. The cinematography is stunning, the acting is top-tier, and if you manage to sit through the whole thing in one go without checking your phone, you deserve a trophy.
7. The Sound of Music (1965)
Singing, Dancing, and Escaping the Nazis Through the Power of Show Tunes
Maria is supposed to be a nun but is honestly too much fun for convent life, so she gets reassigned to take care of seven kids who desperately need a babysitter that can sing. She wins them over with Do-Re-Mi (which is honestly impressive, given that most of us can barely entertain our own pets), and then—plot twist!—she has to help them escape the Nazis.
It’s inspiring, it’s heartwarming, and it’s scientifically impossible to watch without humming along. Just don’t ask how they walked to Switzerland—because that map logic does not check out.
8. 12 Angry Men (1957)
One Room, Twelve Men, and the Most Passive-Aggressive Jury Deliberation Ever
A jury of twelve men has to decide if a young defendant is guilty of murder, and it turns into the most intense argument you’ve ever seen—without a single car chase or explosion.
This is proof that you don’t need CGI to keep people on the edge of their seats. Just lock a dozen men in a room with no air conditioning and watch the drama unfold. This film teaches us two important things: (1) persuasion is a powerful skill, and (2) never underestimate the guy sitting in the corner who refuses to back down.
Final Thoughts
Classic films aren’t just old movies—they’re time machines that take us back to a different era, remind us of great storytelling, and sometimes make us wonder how anyone functioned before smartphones.
So, pop that popcorn, silence your phone (or don’t, because let’s be real, you’re checking it anyway), and enjoy a night of real cinema. No CGI, no superheroes—just pure, old-school, Hollywood magic.
And if anyone asks why you’re watching a movie from the 1940s, just tell them, “Because I have good taste.”
