# Which is your favourite film in each of these categories?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-your-favourite-film-in-each-of-these-categories/957663>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Tags:** movies\
**Created:** [January 12, 2022, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-your-favourite-film-in-each-of-these-categories/957663 "2022-01-12T21:55:23Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\
**Post date:** [January 12, 2022, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-your-favourite-film-in-each-of-these-categories/957663/1 "2022-01-12T21:55:23Z")

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I realise that there have been several threads on favourite films.  
Hopefully this is different enough to be interesting.  
(Mods, if it’s not original enough, feel free to close it. No hard feelings! 😉

So, which is your favourite film in each of these categories\*?  
(\*I decided to ben arbitrary 😀 - and here are my answers to start things off…)

**Action / Adventure:**  
Die Hard

**Classic:**  
Casablanca

**Comedy:**  
Princess Bride

**Fantasy:**  
The Fellowship of the Ring

**Horror:**  
Final Destination

**Romance:**  
Groundhog Day

**SF:**  
Terminator

**War:**  
The Great Escape

**Western:**  
Magnificent Seven (the original)

---

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**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\
**Post date:** [January 12, 2022, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-your-favourite-film-in-each-of-these-categories/957663/2 "2022-01-12T22:29:18Z")

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Off the top of my head:

**Action / Adventure:**  
Any one of the _ **Rambo** _ movies.

**Classic:**  
_ **Casablanca** _, followed by _ **The Best Years of Our Lives** _ and _ **Double Indemnity** _.

**Comedy:**  
_ **The Producers** _ (1967).

**Fantasy:**  
_ **The Magic Sword** _.

**Horror:**  
_ **The Fearless Vampire Killers** _. (I’m not much of a Horror fan.)

**Romance:**  
_ **Roman Holiday** _.

**SF:**  
_ **The Day the Earth Stood Still** _.

**War:**  
_ **Objective: Burma** _.

**Western:**  
_ **True Grit** _ (1969).

I’ll add:

**Suspense:**  
_ **Wait until Dark** _.

**Musical:**  
_ **My Fair Lady** _.

---

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**Author:** ![Skunkdog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c2a13f/32.png) [@Skunkdog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skunkdog)\
**Post date:** [January 12, 2022, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-your-favourite-film-in-each-of-these-categories/957663/3 "2022-01-12T22:48:12Z")

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**Action / Adventure:**  
Speed

**Classic:**  
The Wizard of Oz

**Comedy:**  
The Jerk

**Fantasy:**  
Willow

**Horror:**  
Jaws

**Romance:**  
When Harry Met Sally

**SF:**  
Dark City

**War:**  
Glory

**Western:**  
The Wild Bunch

**Suspense:**  
The Usual Suspects

**Musical:**  
The Music Man

---

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**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\
**Post date:** [January 12, 2022, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-your-favourite-film-in-each-of-these-categories/957663/4 "2022-01-12T22:55:07Z")

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Some more:

**Historical Drama:**  
_ **A Man for All Seasons** _.

**Adaptation of a Novel:**  
_ **War and Peace** _. (Soviet version.)

**Autobiography:**  
_ **American Graffiti** _. (Based on George Lucas’s memories.)

**Farce:**  
_ **Start the Revolution without Me** _.

**Detective:**  
_ **Experiment in Terror** _.

**Courtroom Drama:**  
_ **Anatomy of a Murder** _.

**Crime Drama:**  
_ **Goodfellas** _.

---

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**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\
**Post date:** [January 12, 2022, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-your-favourite-film-in-each-of-these-categories/957663/5 "2022-01-12T23:20:10Z")

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**Action / Adventure:**  
Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark

**Classic:**  
Dr. Strangelove

**Comedy:**  
Airplane!

**Fantasy:**  
The Princess Bride

**Horror:**  
The Shining

**Romance:**  
Hmm, not really into romance.

**SF:**  
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn

**War:**  
Full Metal Jacket

**Western:**  
True Grit (2010)

**Suspense:**  
A toss up between Duel and Psycho

**Musical:**  
Sweeny Todd, though I prefer the play to the film.

---

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**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\
**Post date:** [January 12, 2022, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-your-favourite-film-in-each-of-these-categories/957663/6 "2022-01-12T23:31:48Z")

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**Action / Adventure:**  
King Salomon’s Mines (1950)

**Classic:**  
Citizen Cane

**Comedy:**  
To Be Or Not To Be / Life of Brian (cannot make my mind up). Or whatever by Harold Lloyd.

**Fantasy:**  
Not my cup of tea.

**Horror:**  
The Thing (John Carpenter 1982)

**Romance:**  
The War of the Roses

**SF:**  
Dark Star (John Carpenter 1974)

**War:**  
All Quiet on the Western Front (1930) or Paths of Glory (depending on my level of depression)

**Western:**  
Rio Bravo and High Noon

---

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**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:** [January 12, 2022, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-your-favourite-film-in-each-of-these-categories/957663/7 "2022-01-12T23:32:12Z")

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My answers to any of these could possibly change by the mood and what I’ve watched and/or read recently, but for right now -

Action / Adventure: Bunraku

Classic: Dr. Strangelove

Comedy: Kung Fu Hustle

Fantasy: Dark Crystal

Horror: Tremors

Western: Unforgiven

Musical: Pirates of Penzance (1983)

Scifi: Chronicles of Riddick

War: 1917

---

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**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\
**Post date:** [January 12, 2022, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-your-favourite-film-in-each-of-these-categories/957663/8 "2022-01-12T23:33:05Z")

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**Action / Adventure:**  
Raiders of the Lost Ark

**Classic:**  
Casablanca

**Comedy:**  
Ninotchka

**Fantasy:**  
Lord of the Rings

**Horror:**  
the Bela Lugosi version of Dracula

**Romance:**  
Joe Versus the Volcano

**SF:**  
Star Wars

**War:**  
Zulu

**Western:**  
Hang 'Em High

**Historical Drama:**  
Cleopatra

**Adaptation of a Novel:**  
The Leopard

**Autobiography:**  
The Last Emperor

**Farce:**  
The Villain

**Detective:**  
The Maltese Falcon

**Courtroom Drama:**  
To Kill a Mockingbird

**Crime Drama:**  
Casino

**Suspense:**  
Mulholland Falls

**Musical:**  
Singin’ in the Rain

---

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**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\
**Post date:** [January 12, 2022, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-your-favourite-film-in-each-of-these-categories/957663/9 "2022-01-12T23:38:34Z")

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I’m sure people can argue about how these are classified but…

**Action / Adventure:**  
Back to the Future

**Classic:**  
Gone with the Wind

**Comedy:**  
The World According to Garp

**Fantasy:**  
What Dreams May Come

**Horror:**  
The Blair Witch Project  
Honorable Mention: Nightmare on Elm Street

**Romance:**  
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

**SF:**  
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (70s version)

**War:**  
The Deer Hunter  
Honorable mention: Enemy at the Gates

**Western:**  
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

A few others:

**Historic reference**  
The Majestic

**Sexuality**  
The Birdcage

**Dark Humor**  
Grosse Pointe Blank

**Excellent adaptation from book**  
Deliverance

**Mockumentary**  
This is Spinal Tap

---

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**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\
**Post date:** [January 12, 2022, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-your-favourite-film-in-each-of-these-categories/957663/10 "2022-01-12T23:56:16Z")

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**Action / Adventure:**  
The Avengers (the Marvel one)

**Classic:**  
The Quiet Man

**Comedy:**  
Young Frankenstein

**Fantasy:**  
The Lord of the Rings trilogy

**Horror:**  
None (do not care for the genre)

**Romance:**  
Ghost

**SF:**  
The Empire Strikes Back

**War:**  
Midway

**Western:**  
Silverado

Bonus:

**Musical:**  
The Music Man

**Animated Film**  
The Incredibles

---

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**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\
**Post date:** [January 13, 2022, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-your-favourite-film-in-each-of-these-categories/957663/11 "2022-01-13T00:31:30Z")

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**Adaptation of a Play:**  
_ **Pygmalion** _. (1938)

**Christmas/Holiday:**  
_ **We’re No Angels** _. (1955)

**Animated Film:**  
Toss-up between _ **101 Dalmatians** _ and _ **Lady and the Tramp** _.

**Period Drama:**  
_ **The Heiress** _.

**Social Consciousness:**  
_ **Gentleman’s Agreement** _.

---

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**Author:** ![steepone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/977dab/32.png) [@steepone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steepone)\
**Post date:** [January 13, 2022, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-your-favourite-film-in-each-of-these-categories/957663/12 "2022-01-13T01:22:59Z")

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Action / Adventure:  
Mad Max II The Road Warrior

Classic:  
Around The World In 80 Days (1956 version)

Comedy:  
Blazing Saddles

Fantasy:  
Krull

Horror:  
28 Days Later

Romance:  
While You Were Sleeping

SF:  
Serenity

War:  
The Cruel Sea

Western:  
Support Your Local Sheriff

Musical:  
Singin’ In The Rain

---

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**Author:** ![3AxisCtrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/ecd19e/32.png) [@3AxisCtrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3AxisCtrl)\
**Post date:** [January 13, 2022, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-your-favourite-film-in-each-of-these-categories/957663/13 "2022-01-13T01:33:52Z")

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> [@Pardel-Lux](#):
>
> **Classic:**  
> Citizen Cane

[nitpick] Kane [/nitpick]

---

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**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\
**Post date:** [January 13, 2022, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-your-favourite-film-in-each-of-these-categories/957663/14 "2022-01-13T01:35:55Z")

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**WWI:**  
Joyeux Noel

**WWII**  
Sophie’s Choice

**Musical:**  
Sound of Music

**Soundtrack:**  
American Graffiti

---

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**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\
**Post date:** [January 13, 2022, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-your-favourite-film-in-each-of-these-categories/957663/15 "2022-01-13T02:08:32Z")

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Now that I think about it, the one Horror movie that scared me was _ **Carrie** _. Like most people, I literally jumped out of my seat at the big moment.

---

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**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:** [January 13, 2022, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-your-favourite-film-in-each-of-these-categories/957663/16 "2022-01-13T02:11:02Z")

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I still do, even though I know when it’s coming.

---

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**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\
**Post date:** [January 13, 2022, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-your-favourite-film-in-each-of-these-categories/957663/17 "2022-01-13T02:14:24Z")

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Comparable only to the canteen scene in _ **Crocodile Dundee** _. (Or “the lunge” in _ **Wait until Dark** _.)

---

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**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\
**Post date:** [January 13, 2022, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-your-favourite-film-in-each-of-these-categories/957663/18 "2022-01-13T02:41:27Z")

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**Action / Adventure:**  
Raiders Of The Lost Ark

**Classic:**  
Lawrence Of Arabia

**Comedy:**  
A Fish Called Wanda

**Fantasy:**  
The Lord Of The Rings trilogy

**Horror:**  
Alien

**Romance:**  
The Crying Game

**SF:**  
2001 - A Space Odyssey

**War:**  
All Quiet On The Western Front

**Western:**  
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance

**Suspense:**  
Pulp Fiction

**Musical:**  
Rocky Horror Picture Show

---

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**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\
**Post date:** [January 13, 2022, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-your-favourite-film-in-each-of-these-categories/957663/19 "2022-01-13T02:43:26Z")

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**NITPICK:** Lost _Ark_.

---

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**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\
**Post date:** [January 13, 2022, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-your-favourite-film-in-each-of-these-categories/957663/20 "2022-01-13T02:45:02Z")

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Fixed it, with some other things. 😉

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