There are an insurmountable number of incredible films across different genres, making it impossible to consume all the entertainment that is available at our fingertips. However, there are some films that are iconic classics and are so embedded in popular culture that it is impossible not to know them. Although most people have gaps in their film knowledge, there are some films that are so popular that people can't imagine that anyone hasn't seen them.
Despite never having watched these masterpieces, not even I can deny the influence of certain scenes and the film's impact on cinema and storytelling. From mind-bending sci-fi films whose filmmaking techniques changed the way stories are told, to films that redefine horror and what it means to be terrified, these are the films I'm afraid to admit I've never seen, despite repeated suggestions . from everyone around me.
10
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is a massive superhero franchise that is only gaining popularity and is truly inevitable. Avengers: Endgame marks the end of an era and was the direct sequel to Avengers: Infinity Wars, which ended in a huge cliffhanger where half of all life was erased by Thanos. The big-budget film broke records and is the second highest-grossing film of all time, grossing nearly $2.8 billion internationally.
Purely through social osmosis, I managed to know the entire plot and ending of Avengers: Endgame and I heard the words “I love you 3000“said more times than I could imagine, despite having never seen the film. Since I'm not a Marvel fan and only watched the selected films that intrigued me, I didn't see the point in watching Avengers: Endgame, especially because I hadn't seen Avengers: Infinity Wars any. Now that four years have passed, it is too late to join the discussion about Avengers: Endgame, which means I may never watch the iconic film.
9
The Karate Kid (1984)
As a fan of martial arts films, it's really embarrassing not to have seen The Karate Kid, a film often credited with helping popularize karate in the United States. In my defense, I watched the 2010 remake of The Karate Kid. The film follows teenager Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Machio) after he and his mother move from New Jersey to Los Angeles. Daniel is immediately targeted by arrogant bully Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka). In an attempt to stop bullying, Daniel trains with Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita) and learns to find peace and balance while learning karate.
The Karate Kid is a cultural icon and is constantly referenced in other TV shows, including but not limited to Community, Psychology, and How I Met Your Mother. Additionally, Macchio and Zabka's appearances on comedy shows often include references to their characters in The Karate Kid, making it impossible not to know about the beloved characters and the film.
8
The Mummy (1999)
The high-octane adventure film The mummy is a popular remake of the 1932 film of the same name. Starring Brendan Fraser as treasure hunter Rick O'Connell and Rachel Weisz as librarian Evelyn Carnahan, the film follows their expedition to the ancient city of Hamunaptra, where they accidentally awaken a cursed mummy who wreaks havoc while trying to resurrect their love. Known for being an incredible mix of action, horror, comedy and romance, The mummy is a fun hit film that's perfect for the whole family and has only become more popular over time.
While I know most of the plot from clips I've seen on social media and give a nod to Fraser and Weisz's acting and chemistry every time they release a new film, it's truly mind-boggling that I haven't seen it. The mummy yet. With a large cultural footprint The mummy comes out, with its practical effects still lingering in the CGI era, it's officially time for a change The mummy at the top of my watch list.
7
Jurassic Park (1993)
Jurassic Park is an iconic staple of the 1990s, and the sci-fi film has an iconic cast and a compelling, if not scary, premise. Jurassic Park follows a group of visitors to the titular wildlife park full of cloned dinosaurs when orchestrated sabotage results in the park's closure, putting all visitors in danger as they fight to survive in the dinosaur-filled park.
While I have no solid reason, despite time constraints, not to watch the other popular films on this list, I know exactly why I haven't. Jurassic Park yet, and why I'm confident I never will. When I was young, I saw a clip of one Jurassic Park character being brutally killed and eaten by dinosaurs, and that marked me for the rest of my life. I've since lost my aversion to horror, but I still refuse to watch it Jurassic Park and every clip I see fills me with terror and apprehension.
6
Oppenheimer (2023)
Christopher Nolan biographical drama film Oppenheimer follows the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the theoretical physicist who helped develop the first nuclear weapons. Launch on the same day as Barbie, the two drastically different films created a cultural phenomenon and film rivalry known as Barbenheimer. With legendary filmmaker Nolan involved in the film and Barbenheimer boosting both films to even more hype, Oppenheimer Popularity and excitement became inevitable both on social media and in real life before, during and after its July 2023 release.
The hype surrounding Nolan's writing and directing in Oppenheimer combined with the performances of the stellar cast, it took over social media for months after the film's release. The film's long running time of over three hours did not discourage viewers, as reviews and audience reviews praised the film. However, more than a year after its release, I've definitely missed the best way to experience Oppenheimer in IMAX theaters.
5
Fight Club (1999)
The first rule about Fight Club It's easy for me because I've never seen the film and I can't talk about it. The film is a cult classic that follows an anonymous narrator (Edward Norton) disillusioned with his life and work when he meets Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt), a soap sales agent, and the pair form an underground fight club. Critics and fans praise Fight Club for its representation and criticism of masculinity and consumerism, consolidating its status as an action film full of important themes and messages.
Despite Fight Club popularity and its cultural significance in entertainment media, most references to Fight Club is the iconic phrase about the rules of fight club”,The first rule of Fight Club is you don't talk about Fight Club.“ The fascination with the iconic Fight Club it somehow surpassed all reference potential, making it easier to avoid hearing details about the film's plot and Fight ClubThe famously shocking plot twist ending.
4
The Godfather (1972)
Francis Ford Coppola The Godfather, Based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Mario Puzo, it defines the gangster film genre. Starring a cast consisting of Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, Robert Duvall and Diane Keaton, the film follows a crime family based in New York City. The dark and gritty film revolves around the family's criminal activities under the command of its patriarch Vito Corleone (Brando) and his son Michael's (Pacino) journey from outsider to mob boss.
The award-winning and critically acclaimed film The godfather is not only a groundbreaking gangster film, it is ranked by the American Film Institute as the second greatest film in American cinema. The Godfather The exploration of family, loyalty and the American dream against the backdrop of a corrupt and crime-ridden New York makes it a compelling film full of action and drama. Despite its popularity and influence on pop culture and cinema, I never sat down and took the time to watch the beloved trilogy.
3
Back to the Future (1985)
Back to the future and the classic and easily recognizable DeLorean quickly became cultural icons in the world of pop culture and cinema. The sci-fi adventure film follows Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) after he is accidentally sent back in time in the time-traveling DeLorean built by the eccentric Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd). Ripped from the familiarity of 1985 and released in 1955, Marty McFly deals with a time travel paradox after inadvertently stopping his parents from falling in love and facing the threat of his existence being erased.
Most time travel riddles are mentioned in the media Back to the future and the DeLorean that travels through time at least once. Despite just witnessing the dynamic between Marty and Doc Brown, along with Doc's eccentric nature as an inventor from clips and references, it's clear why Back to the future won the hearts of the public. Even after almost 40 years since the launch of Back to the future, this remains deeply ingrained in the science fiction genre and pop culture as a whole, and with each passing year, it becomes harder to justify not watching the film.
2
The Matrix (1999)
The Matrix Artistic images, concepts and filming techniques are deeply rooted in the minds of everyone familiar with cinema. The sci-fi action film is set in a dystopian future where humans are trapped inside the Matrix, a simulated reality. The Matrix follows Neo (Keanu Reeves) after he discovers the dark truth and joins a rebellion to take down the machines imprisoning humanity.
The Matrix Infamous and iconic scenes, such as Neo dodging bullets, popularized the “bullet time“visual effect, and the effect is now synonymous with the iconic scene. Furthermore, the brilliant use of the red and blue pill in The Matrix and its depiction of embracing disturbing truths versus settling for content and everyday life that isn't real is constantly referenced and remembered to this day. The popularity of The Matrix Visually pleasing images and action scenes ensure that discussions about the film don't delve too deeply into plot details, making it possible for me to enjoy the film years too late.
1
Foreigner (1979)
It's really shameful that I haven't seen the sci-fi horror movie yet Foreigner and the franchise it spawned. Starring Sigourney Weaver as the brilliant and badass Ellen Ripley, the film is a cultural icon in both science fiction and horror. Ripley is one of American cinema's most revolutionary and influential protagonists, and Weaver's portrayal of the character propelled her to stardom. Furthermore, the beloved and well-known slogan “In space, no one can hear you scream“is enough to leave any horror fan intrigued.
Despite initially receiving mixed reviews, the award-winning film gained critical acclaim years later and is now considered one of the greatest science fiction and horror films. Alien The iconic chestburster scene remains horrifying and chilling to this day, even without the context of the film's plot. Despite repeated support from friends and family, I'm afraid to admit that I didn't watch Foreigner. In my defense, I'm planning to watch Foreigner brief, as it is never too late.