140 Must-Watch Movies Everyone Should See at Least Once in Their Life
Consider this your movie bucket list.
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We've all been there: sitting on the couch, snacks ready, endlessly scrolling through Netflix or Hulu trying to find a movie that you actually want to watch. There are sooo many options out there, from rom-coms to classic horror movies to spy thrillers, that sometimes it can get overwhelming. But don't worry, for those nights when you're not sure what to put on, we went ahead and rounded up the must-watch movies that everyone should see at least once in their lifetime. Consider it your ultimate movie bucket list, and you'll never spend a night scrolling through streaming services again.
What makes a movie a "must-watch" film? For our purposes, it's something that defined or changed a genre or had a significant cultural impact. There are a lot of classics on this list, and you might be surprised by how relevant some of them still feel. But if you're looking for something a bit more recent, there are plenty of contemporary films on here too. We've included many Oscar contenders—winners and losers alike—as well as movies that will give you something solid to talk about at a party or around the water cooler. Nothing starts a conversation like, "Have you seen [fill in the blank]?" Who knows? This list might just help you make some new friends.
Without further ado, here are 124 of our picks for must-watch movies you can stream now. Pro tip: bookmark this list and save it for your next "I have nothing to watch!" night in.
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
Peter Parker's Spider-Man story is the one most widely known, but I'd say Miles Morales's journey is much more exciting especially as it's portrayed in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. One day he's bitten by a radioactive spider, and the next he gets thrown into a multiverse with multiple other Spider-people just like him. With a creative hybrid animation style, this is a movie you absolutely cannot miss.
Avatar
Groundbreaking CGI and 3D filming technology, plus direction by the James Cameron, made for a killer combination that allowed Avatar to dominate box offices. The first movie was definitely a major cinematic landmark, and still remains one of the most relevant films to date.
The Wizard of Oz
Before there was Wicked, there was The Wizard of Oz! This 1930s classic was the very first film to use Technicolor, revolutionizing cinema with its vibrant, fantastical colors. So if you're not necessarily a huge fan of the story, it's still worth nerding-out over if you're a fan of films in general.
Bridge to Terabithia
Two kids escape the difficulties of their everyday lives by creating their own imaginary, magical world called Terabithia. But when tragedy strikes, one of the friends must stay strong and hang onto their imaginary kingdom. Apologies in advance for the emotional trauma this film might cause.
Harry Potter
No one can deny the impact of the magical storytelling of the Harry Potter film series—especially on millennials. One need only watch the first film to see what the fuss is all about.
Zootopia
Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) is the first rabbit to join the police force in mammal metropolis Zootopia. It's her dream job, but she's not being taken seriously by her colleagues. In the hopes of becoming the hotshot detective she's always wanted to be, she jumps at the opportunity to solve a mysterious case. But this means working with her natural nemesis, a fox named Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman).
Top Gun: Maverick
Airplanes, hot pilots, and a whole lot of action (including an unforgettable beach scene)—Top Gun: Maverick might just be better than the original film that came out 36 years prior.
Finding Nemo
You absolutely do not have to be a child to appreciate this Disney Pixar marine adventure film. Finding Nemo brings the world underwater to life in such a beautifully mesmerizing way, with a heartwarming family story. It has also—without a doubt—forever changed the way people see clownfish and other creatures of the reef.
Ghostbusters
After stumbling upon a gateway to another dimension, a team of four scientists must save New York City from a sinister supernatural entity hell-bent on causing a sticky marshmallow apocalypse.
Mrs. Doubtfire
One of the funniest, heart-warming family films to ever have been made, featuring the iconic Robin Williams. This slapstick comedy follows a divorced actor who is willing to go great lengths in order to maintain a close relationship with his three kids—even if this means putting on layers of prosthetics and masquerading as the nanny.
Pride & Prejudice
Kiera Knightley's and Matthew MacFayden's as Ms. Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy must never be forgotten. This film is nearly as canonical as Jane Austen's novel.
Eternity
Far from being a gimmicky romcom, this movie is a fun and funny exploration of the true meaning of love. It's storytelling that puts audiences at ease, with brilliant acting from Elizabeth Olsen (as always), while also holding a profound message.
Okja
It's been 10 years since young girl Mija has been the caretaker of a massive, but adorable and lovable, creature she calls Okja. It's been a simple and happy existence for the pair of friends in the mountains of South Korea, until multinational conglomerate Mirando Corporation takes Okja for themselves. Mija then embarks on a rescue mission and makes her way to New York City.
Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
The original Star Wars film series deserves at least one watch-through in its entirety. But often regarded as the best of the catalogue is Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back for its iconic storytelling. We still recommend watching the films in the recommended order.
Croughing Tiger, Hidden Dragon
If you want to trace the great Michelle Yeoh's legendary career, start with this film. It's also the first mainstream movie to make wuxia (Chinese fiction genre featuring high-flying, acrobatic martial arts) mainstream.
3 Idiots
If there's one modern Bollywood movie to watch as an introduction to the genre, 3 Idiots is the one. Two friends search for their long-lost college roommate who forever changed their lives and outlook on education. Since graduating from their rigid engineering college, he seems to have disappeared, with a shroud of mystery surrounding his true identity.
The Holdovers
This nostalgic, touching tale is about a curmudgeonly instructor at an all-boys New England prep school who is forced to remain on campus over the holidays to babysit students who have nowhere to go for Christmas. He forms an unlikely bond with a quick-witted troublemaker, and the school's head cook.
E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial
E.T. is one of the most beloved motion pictures of all time. The film follows the story of a gentle alien who becomes stranded on Earth, and ends up befriending a 10-year-old boy. When E.T. becomes sick, this leads to government intervention and spells trouble for their friendship.
The Menu
A young couple (Nicholas Hoult and Anya Taylor-Joy) are part of an exclusive group of people traveling to a fine-dining restaurant located on a private island. It's run by a famous chef (Ralph Fiennes) who has prepared a lavish menu for the evening. But, by the third course, it becomes clear to the guests that their meal will be full of shocking surprises—and not in a good way.
Inception
This mind-bending sci-fi thriller will truly make you think as it explores the idea of dreams within dreams. A thief (Leonardo DiCaprio) possesses the rare ability to enter people's dreams, and uses this to his advantage, making himself an indisposable asset in corporate espionage. But this talent has also cost him everything he holds dear in life. Now, to redeem himself, he must attempt to plant an idea in someone's mind.
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