50 Films You Need to Graduate from Film School


  1. louisacarolyn
  2. Louisa

Movies you'll most likely watch in college film courses. Just do it at home with this list.

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1
Citizen Kane (1941,  PG)
Citizen Kane
This film is a pillar of film study. Be skeptical of any university that doesn't feature it at least once in their film program.
2
Ladri di Biciclette (The Bicycle Thief) (Bicycle Thieves) (1949,  Unrated)
Ladri di Biciclette (The Bicycle Thief) (Bicycle Thieves)
One of the most beautifully tragic films ever made. It'll make you really appreciate what you have.
3
Rashômon (Rashomon) (In the Woods) (1951,  Unrated)
Rashômon (Rashomon) (In the Woods)
Suprisingly eerie and visually enticing for an older film. Great plot line!
4
La Strada (The Road) (1954,  PG)
La Strada (The Road)
Again, this film is amusing & tragic. It examines life's tight rope walk between pure happiness and utter despair.
5
Cinema Paradiso (Nuovo Cinema Paradiso) (1988,  R)
Cinema Paradiso (Nuovo Cinema Paradiso)
A film for all movie lovers. This film explores the notion that the universal language of cinema ties us all together.
6
Metropolis (1927,  Unrated)
Metropolis
One of my favorite silent films. The fundamental concept of logic vs. emotion or mind vs. heart is the center of this film.
7
Das Cabinet des Dr. Caligari. (The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari) (1920,  Unrated)
Das Cabinet des Dr. Caligari. (The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari)
I'm amazed this film has yet to be remade. This film paved the way for the popular trend of finale twists used so often today.
8
The Searchers (1956,  Unrated)
The Searchers
I'm not much of a John Wayne fan, but this is a great Western. Natalie Wood plays a homesteader turned indian.
9
Casablanca (1943,  Unrated)
Casablanca
You'd have to make a home under a rock to never see Casablanca. I like that it's romantic, but realistic.
10
Central do Brasil (Central Station) (1998,  R)
Central do Brasil (Central Station)
This film is emotionally packed. Two lost souls look for a family and end up finding it in eachother.
11
Run Lola Run (Lola rennt) (1999,  R)
Run Lola Run (Lola rennt)
This film was packed with energy from beginning to end. It never loses its momentum.
12
The Thin Red Line (1999,  R)
The Thin Red Line
A lot of big names wanted to be a part of this film because it is one of the best war flicks ever put on the big screen.
13
Y Tu Mama Tambien (2001,  R)
Y Tu Mama Tambien
I can't say enough about this film. It's one of the most insightful portrayals of growing up ever.
14
Psycho (1960,  R)
Psycho
I personally lean towards the original version of Psycho. It's more authentic, gritty, and supensful vs. gory.
15
Swing Time (1936,  Unrated)
Swing Time
Never thought I'd be an Astaire/Rogers fan, but I definitely am! Their dancing is genius and oh so entertaining.
16
Written on the Wind (1957,  Unrated)
Written on the Wind
This is the epitome of melodrama. If you like soap operas it doesn't get much better than this.
17
Meet Me In St. Louis (1944,  Unrated)
Meet Me In St. Louis
I never tire of hearing Judy Graland sing. Her idelistic persona reminds me of childhood dreaming.
18
The Gold Rush (1925,  Unrated)
The Gold Rush
This is a classic Chaplin flick that used some special effects that were pretty shocking for it's time.
19
Scarface (1932,  PG)
Scarface
The original scarface has very little in common with the Pacino remake. It's a terrific gangster flick.
20
Heaven (2002,  R)
Heaven
Even the best laid plans aren't foolproof. One mistake decides the amazing fate of two lovers.
21
Lost Highway (1997,  R)
22
Battleship Potemkin (1925,  Unrated)
Battleship Potemkin
This classic is a bit lengthy, but it has one of the most famous scenes in film history on the steps of Odessa.
23
Shadow of a Doubt (1943,  PG)
Shadow of a Doubt
Hitchcock loves to explore Freudian themes. In this film, he hints at the incestuous desires of the unconcious.
24
The Best Years of Our Lives (1946,  Unrated)
The Best Years of Our Lives
This film gets 2nd place behind It's a Wonderful Life for being full of capitalist, idealist, & patriotic propoganda.
25
All About Eve (1950,  Unrated)
All About Eve
Who doesn't love a good cat fight between two shameless actresses? Bothe leading ladies are spectacular.
26
The Harder They Come (1973,  R)
The Harder They Come
It was interesting to see a side of Jamaica's underworld that's commonly left unseen, but this film is alow moving otherwise.
27
Fatal Attraction (1987,  R)
Fatal Attraction
This film gives insight into pop culture. It's no cinematic masterpiece, but all the same it can be called a classic.
28
Love Me If You Dare (Jeux d'enfants) (2004,  R)
Love Me If You Dare (Jeux d'enfants)
This is a really fun and playful film, literally. Two friends learn that love is not a game. Kind of a morbid ending though.
29
Boogie Nights (1997,  R)
Boogie Nights
Who'd a thunk that a film about the Porn industry could have merit and staying power. It's worth a peek :)
30
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953,  Unrated)
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
This film is the epitome of cheesy song and dance numbers. Again, it's a pop culture phenomenon.
31
Un Chien Andalou (An Andalusian Dog) (1929,  Unrated)
Un Chien Andalou (An Andalusian Dog)
Experimental and edgy to say the least. If you're a fan of Salvador Dali's artwork, wait until you see it move!
32
Tirez sur le pianiste (Shoot the Piano Player) (1960,  Unrated)
Tirez sur le pianiste (Shoot the Piano Player)
I don't remember much about this film except that I laughed a lot; even when it wasn't appropriate.
33
Breathless (À bout de souffle) (By a Tether) (1961,  Unrated)
Breathless (À bout de souffle) (By a Tether)
This film contains some of the most famous images and moments in French cinema. Godard is distinctive.
34
Bande à part (Band of Outsiders) (,  Unrated)
35
Le Mépris (Contempt) (2008,  Unrated)
Le Mépris (Contempt)
I was suprised how much this film resonated with me. It's one of my most memorable film viewing experiences.
36
Taxi Driver (1976,  R)
Taxi Driver
Interesting journey into the human psyche. How much is too much? What's the breaking point?
37
GoodFellas (1990,  R)
GoodFellas
Great perfomances all around. This is a favorite gangster film of many. It's not one of mine, but it's worth seeing.
38
The Birth of a Nation (,  Unrated)
The Birth of a Nation
I've never liked this film, but..... every film student should see it to see where film began and how it's changed.
39
On the Waterfront (1954,  Unrated)
On the Waterfront
This film is one of the first that I had ever seen that seemed to transcend so many different genres.
40
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968,  G)
2001: A Space Odyssey
I don't know why I enjoy this movie so much, I just do. The film art is abunantly apparent and fascinating to boot.
41
The Crying Game (1992,  R)
The Crying Game
It's been so long since I've seen this film, but I know I enjoyed it tremendously. It's suspensful and mysterious.
42
La Haine (Hate) (1996,  R)
La Haine (Hate)
This film is so smart. It centers around the issue of racism in a way similar to American History X.
43
La Grande illusion (The Grand Illusion) (1937,  Unrated)
La Grande illusion (The Grand Illusion)
This film has some beautiful landscapes since it's an escape and journey tale. Some moments are heartbreaking.
44
Lawrence of Arabia (1962,  PG)
Lawrence of Arabia
This is a terrific epic based on actual events. Peter O'Toole is young and plays an excellent heroic figure.
45
Bamboozled (2000,  R)
Bamboozled
This is a satire that is very tongue in cheek. If I weren't so offended, I'd laugh kind of thing. Spike Lee excels at this.
46
The English Patient (1996,  R)
The English Patient
This is a gorgeous film that stars amazing actors. The search for love in times of war never gets old.
47
Gone With the Wind (1939,  G)
Gone With the Wind
Scarlett O'Hara is the woman you love to hate. She's stubborn and selfish, and essentially a survivor.
48
It's a Wonderful Life (1946,  Unrated)
It's a Wonderful Life
The appreciation for life is always a good topic to make a film out of, and this one is overflowing with it.
49
Cet Obscur Objet du Désir (That Obscure Object of Desire) (1977,  R)
Cet Obscur Objet du Désir (That Obscure Object of Desire)
I'll be the first to admit that I didn't get this film, but even in it's "obscurity" I remained invested waiting for clarification.
50
Smoke (1995,  R)

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