Movie Night: 5 Classic Films Everyone Should See At Least Once

Whether you are a movie buff or a novice, now is an excellent time to indulge in a dose of movie classics. Timeless classics are food for the soul.

Grab some popcorn, kick back, and relax with these classics, each one of which delivers a heady dose of nostalgia and is genuinely entertaining. Regard it as investing in the future as you will sound more interesting at cocktail parties. While some are available on sites such as Netflix or HBO, others may be harder to find.

1. The Wizard of Oz

The 1939 musical fantasy film was adapted from L. Frank Baum’s children’s novel of the same name. The movie stars the legendary Judy Garland as Dorothy and bagged Academy Awards for Best Music - Best Original Song, "Over the Rainbow," and Best Original Score by Herbert Stothart.

The magical place, Land of Oz, has talking trees, witches, munchkins, and magic ruby red slippers. Dorothy befriends Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion, and they set out on the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City to see the Wizard. What follows is an adventure.

2. Casablanca

The World War II classic, starring Humphrey Bogart as Rick and Ingrid Bergman as Ilsa, was directed by Michael Curtiz. The film received three Oscar wins - Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Screenplay.

In this romantic drama, Rick agrees to help his former lover Ilsa and her husband escape from the Vichy-controlled city of Casablanca. The romantic adventure is so timeless that the film is not just a classic, it's a legend.

"Here's looking at you, kid,"

said Rick Blaine in the 1942 film Casablanca.

3. The Godfather

The 1972 American crime film was directed by Francis Ford Coppola, based on Mario Puzo's best-selling novel of the same name. The first film of this epic Mafia trilogy launched Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro to superstardom.

Marlon Brando’s portrayal of the Mafia boss earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor in 1973. Still, Brando boycotted the Awards in protest of Hollywood's portrayal of Native Americans. The Godfather won five Golden Globes and held the record for the most awards won by a film until 2017.

As a work of fiction, the storyline was compelling. Don Vito Corleone, as head of a mafia family, decides to hand over his empire to his youngest son Michael. His decision unintentionally puts the lives of his loved ones in peril.

4. Lawrence of Arabia

The 1962 British epic historical drama film, directed by David Lean, is based on the life of T. E. Lawrence. The film is regarded as one of the great epics of the silver screen, winning 7 of its 10 Oscar nominations in 1963, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Cinematography.

Lawrence, the romanticized British officer, was credited with leading the Arab revolt against the Turks during World War I. The movie was shot on location in Morocco, Spain, Jordan, and England. Peter O'Toole won his career-making part as T.E. Lawrence after it was turned down by Marlon Brando.

5. Gone with the Wind(1939)

Gone with the Wind is an epic historical romance film adapted from the 1936 novel by Margaret Mitchell and directed by Victor Fleming. Clark Gable stars as Rhett Butler and Vivien Leigh as the southern belle, Scarlett O’Hara.

The film won Best Picture at the Oscars beating out "The Wizard of Oz," "Wuthering Heights," and "Stagecoach." Supporting actress, Hattie McDaniel, was also the first African-American actor to win an Academy Award.

It is an American classic about a manipulative woman, Scarlett(Vivien Leigh), and a scoundrel man, Clark(Rhett Butler), who carries on a love affair against the backdrop of the Civil War. The movie depicted a lot of issues, such as slavery, adultery, and theft, back in the civil war.