# Name a movie you think EVERYONE should see at least once in their life. Everyone! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** movies\ **Created:** [February 13, 2025, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-movie-you-think-everyone-should-see-at-least-once-in-their-life-everyone/1014287 "2025-02-13T22:19:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2025, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-movie-you-think-everyone-should-see-at-least-once-in-their-life-everyone/1014287/1 "2025-02-13T22:19:58Z")
So, [this thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-thing-you-think-everyone-should-get-everyone/1014198/7) by **Beckdawrek** gave me inspiration. This idea formed, let’s turn it specifically towards movies. Name one movie you think everyone should be required (somehow, maybe in school? Like “required reading”) at least ONE time in the life. I can think of some films that will be the usual answers to this…so I guess I’ll get one of them out of the way right now: Obviously **THE WIZARD OF OZ.** But I’m sure you have your own opinion and movies and reasons. Let’s hear them. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2025, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-movie-you-think-everyone-should-see-at-least-once-in-their-life-everyone/1014287/2 "2025-02-13T22:35:38Z")
Bruce Almighty. ---
**Author:** ![XOldiesJock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/ec9cab/32.png) [@XOldiesJock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XOldiesJock)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2025, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-movie-you-think-everyone-should-see-at-least-once-in-their-life-everyone/1014287/3 "2025-02-13T22:36:28Z")
Well, I would have said The Wizard of Oz, but I’ll name another from the same era: **The Grapes of Wrath** , directed by John Ford, starring Henry Fonda, and based on John Steinbeck’s stirring novel. I think TGOW is the Great American Novel, and while the film only captures part of the story, it’s a magnificent example of cinematic storytelling. Everything about it, from the writing to the direction to the acting to the sets, is top notch. And it’s a great history lesson too. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2025, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-movie-you-think-everyone-should-see-at-least-once-in-their-life-everyone/1014287/4 "2025-02-13T22:37:49Z")
_The Invention of Lying_ ---
**Author:** ![dasmoocher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dbc845/32.png) [@dasmoocher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dasmoocher)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2025, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-movie-you-think-everyone-should-see-at-least-once-in-their-life-everyone/1014287/5 "2025-02-13T22:44:04Z")
_[12 Angry Men](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/12_Angry_Men_(1957_film))_ ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2025, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-movie-you-think-everyone-should-see-at-least-once-in-their-life-everyone/1014287/6 "2025-02-13T22:44:45Z")
[Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr._Strangelove) So that they all know just how close we always are to catastrophe, and that our leaders look to themselves first, last and always. ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2025, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-movie-you-think-everyone-should-see-at-least-once-in-their-life-everyone/1014287/7 "2025-02-13T22:46:03Z")
Everyone should get to experiance Paul Newman in his prime. The Hustler, Cool Hand Luke and Cat On a Hot Tin Roof should be required watching before you start giving out opinions on movies so that you know what actual “good” looks like. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2025, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-movie-you-think-everyone-should-see-at-least-once-in-their-life-everyone/1014287/8 "2025-02-13T22:46:44Z")
**Young Frankenstein** - A more perfect spoof of early film-making has never been made. ---
**Author:** ![dirtball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dirtball/32/18772_2.png) [@dirtball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dirtball)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2025, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-movie-you-think-everyone-should-see-at-least-once-in-their-life-everyone/1014287/9 "2025-02-13T22:49:53Z")
[Amarcord](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amarcord), for its general worldview. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2025, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-movie-you-think-everyone-should-see-at-least-once-in-their-life-everyone/1014287/10 "2025-02-13T22:53:19Z")
> [@dasmoocher](#): > > 12 Angry Men Knowing how to influence a jury by introducing novel theories of the crime and evidence not presented in court is certainly a useful skill. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2025, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-movie-you-think-everyone-should-see-at-least-once-in-their-life-everyone/1014287/11 "2025-02-13T22:55:17Z")
The Princess Bride. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2025, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-movie-you-think-everyone-should-see-at-least-once-in-their-life-everyone/1014287/12 "2025-02-13T22:56:15Z")
_ **It’s a Wonderful Life** _ There has never been a time when people have not needed to be reminded that a community is the people in it and the choices they make. ---
**Author:** ![Jaycat.again](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat.again/32/11525_2.png) [@Jaycat.again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaycat.again)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2025, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-movie-you-think-everyone-should-see-at-least-once-in-their-life-everyone/1014287/13 "2025-02-13T23:05:29Z")
> [@XOldiesJock](#): > > I’ll name another from the same era: **The Grapes of Wrath** , It’s a very good film, but they left out the last scene in the book, which is one of the most powerful I have ever read. My vote is Treasure of the Sierra Madre. The futility of life in a nutshell. ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2025, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-movie-you-think-everyone-should-see-at-least-once-in-their-life-everyone/1014287/14 "2025-02-13T23:19:20Z")
> [@dasmoocher](#): > > _[12 Angry Men](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/12_Angry_Men_(1957_film))_ That was SUCH a good movie. I saw it for the first time last year. Good choice. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2025, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-movie-you-think-everyone-should-see-at-least-once-in-their-life-everyone/1014287/15 "2025-02-13T23:25:57Z")
The Shawshank Redemption. Hope in the face of adversity. ---
**Author:** ![XOldiesJock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/ec9cab/32.png) [@XOldiesJock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XOldiesJock)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2025, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-movie-you-think-everyone-should-see-at-least-once-in-their-life-everyone/1014287/16 "2025-02-13T23:26:10Z")
> [@Jaycat.again](#): > > _It’s a very good film, but they left out the last scene in the book, which is one of the most powerful I have ever read._ I see your point, but times and attitudes being what they were, it would have been near impossible to have included that in the movie. With that in mind, I think Ford made the right choice (the only choice he could make) by concluding with Tom Joad’s departure, and giving Henry Fonda one powerful speech. I’m also a big fan of The Treasure of the Sierra Madre. Good choice, though the cynicism might be too much for many people. Bogart is my all-time favorite actor. ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2025, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-movie-you-think-everyone-should-see-at-least-once-in-their-life-everyone/1014287/17 "2025-02-13T23:29:53Z")
_Ninotchka_. Garbo’s beauty, and Lubitsch’s politics. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2025, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-movie-you-think-everyone-should-see-at-least-once-in-their-life-everyone/1014287/18 "2025-02-13T23:31:16Z")
Fans of horror movies should watch _The Wrong Man_. It is short on gore, action and violence, but it is tho most brutally terrifying movie I have ever seen. ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2025, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-movie-you-think-everyone-should-see-at-least-once-in-their-life-everyone/1014287/19 "2025-02-13T23:37:33Z")
Bill Maher’s 2008 documentary film [Religulous](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religulous). Well worth the watch IMO. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2025, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-movie-you-think-everyone-should-see-at-least-once-in-their-life-everyone/1014287/20 "2025-02-13T23:39:47Z")
> [@Jaycat.again](#): > > > [@XOldiesJock](#): > > > > I’ll name another from the same era: **The Grapes of Wrath** , > > It’s a very good film, but they left out the last scene in the book, which is one of the most powerful I have ever read. We read that novel in 9th grade English class and the school applied a sticker over the text on the last page because some parented objected to the “pornographic” nature of Rose of Sharon feeding a starving man from her breast. There are a lot of great films but if there were one I think everyone should see for the insight into human nature it is Akira Kurosawa’s [_Rashomon_](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0042876/). A close second would be the Charlie Kaufman-penned [_Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind_](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0338013/). Stranger [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-movie-you-think-everyone-should-see-at-least-once-in-their-life-everyone/1014287.md?page=2)