The 20 films we could watch over and over again

If there was one director in old Hollywood who excelled at the big-budget epic, it was Cecil B. DeMille. The Ten Commandments is arguably his magnum opus, focusing on the rise of Moses, one of the most important figures in the Old Testament. Charlton Heston is at his scenery-chewing best as the prophet, who begins as a pampered prince of Egypt but ultimately leads the Hebrews to freedom. The film is an undeniable spectacle, and it is also a camp delight for many present viewers. Whether one takes it seriously as a work of religious devotion or as simply a kitschy piece of Hollywood bombast, there’s more than enough to reward numerous viewings. 

There are so many reasons to love Steel Magnolias  that it’s hard to know where to start. It’s pure melodrama from start to finish, and it would take a heart of stone not to be moved to tears by the ending. It also features a truly stacked cast that includes the likes of Sally Field, Julia Roberts, Daryl Hannah, Olympia Dukakis, Dolly Parton, and Shirley MacLaine. It does an excellent job of threading the needle between joy and sorrow, laughter and sadness. No matter how many times one might watch it — and it’s impossible to watch it just once — one can't help but be moved by its depiction of the extraordinary bonds that exist between and among women.

The musical is one of those genres that goes through periodic moments of decline and popularity in Hollywood. Singin’ in the Rain, released in 1952, emerged during one of its moments of greatest flourishing. It’s good old-fashioned Hollywood fun, with a central trio comprised of Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, and Donald O’Connor that one can’t help but cheer for and love. At the same time, it’s also a remarkably nuanced look at the nature and history of Hollywood and how the advent of sound changed how films were made in some pretty remarkable ways. The chief rewatch value, of course, comes from the music and the dancing, and in these realms the film more than excels. 

Planet of the Apes has the distinction of being the beginning of one of Hollywood’s longest-running franchises. There have been nine films in the series, with a tenth released in 2024. It’s easy to see why this film would continue to exert such a powerful hold on the imagination and why it is so easy to watch again and again. With its story about an astronaut who crashes on a seemingly distant planet where apes rule over humans, it is as thought-provoking and chilling as science fiction can get. Multiple viewings slowly reveal the many shades of social and political commentary hidden beneath its compelling premise. Though the franchise has moved away from makeup and into CGI, the original still holds up remarkably well.

Ridley Scott breathed new life into the ancient world epic with Gladiator. Russell Crowe stars as Maximus, a Roman general who is betrayed and becomes a gladiator, only to lead a rebellion against the corrupt Emperor Commodus. This is Hollywood storytelling at its best, with lots of brilliant set pieces and an emotional core that gives pathos and meaning to it all. One can’t help but admire Scott’s bravery in returning to a genre that had gone out of fashion in the 1960s. The film is worth rewatching not just for the appeal of its story–though that would be enough in itself–but also for the stupendous special effects that really bring ancient Rome to life on the screen. 

If there’s one film that has featured in many childhoods, it would have to be Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Based on Roald Dahl’s novel (which was titled Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), it follows a young boy, Charlie Bucket, as he goes on an extraordinary tour of the titular factory and encounters its enigmatic and mysterious owner, played by the late, great Gene Wilder. The film’s rewatchability stems mostly from its signature mixture of childlike awe and disturbing imagery, and no one who has ever watched the psychedelic boat ride — or heard the Oompa Loompas deliver their mocking songs — is likely to forget them.

The Wizard of Oz is rightly regarded as one of the best films made during the era of classic Hollywood. While it certainly takes liberties with its source material, it has so many things going for it that it’s impossible not to fall under its spell. Whether it’s Judy Garland’s indelible performance as Dorothy or Margaret Hamilton’s terrifying take as the Wicked Witch of the West, The Wizard of Oz knows how to mine light and darkness from L. Frank Baum’s original stories. It’s also worth rewatching for the brilliant Technicolor of the Oz scenes, which are truly the stuff of which movie dreams are made.

By now, Star Wars is an undeniable juggernaut, having spawned an entire industry. However, there's no denying that the very first film in the series is the most rewatchable of the lot. Part of this stems from the cast, which is a blend of new and experienced actors, but its rewatchability is just as much due to the simple elegance of its story. This movie draws on well-worn archetypes but still manages to make them feel fresh and new, whether it's the reluctant young hero Luke Skywalker or the sinister menace of Darth Vader.

All About Eve, which focuses on the fraught relationship between aging actress Margo Channing (Bette Davis in fine diva form) and her protege, the scheming Eve (played by Anne Baxter), is peak classic Hollywood cinema. With a bitingly funny script, some great performances from Davis and Baxter and the rest of the cast, and assured direction from Joseph L. Mankiewicz, All About Eve is one of those films that are a reminder of how the old studios excelled at producing just this kind of movie. No matter how many times one watches it, there are always new details and new bits of sly humor to uncover, and, of course, there’s also the fact that it features Marilyn Monroe in one of her first on-screen performances.

The golden age of film noir, which ran from the 1940s into the 1950s, produced some truly immortal films, and Sunset Boulevard is one of the most notable entries in the cycle. Directed and co-written by Billy Wilder, it stars Gloria Swanson as the faded movie star Norma Desmond and William Holden as the young writer who falls under her sway. It’s a deliciously-wrought noir, but it’s also a biting commentary about the nature of Hollywood and its willingness to toss away its stars after they have outlived their usefulness. It’s worth rewatching to relish the snappy dialogue, the memorable performances, and even a cameo from the great director Cecil B. DeMille himself.

When it was released, The Hunchback of Notre Dame wasn’t considered a huge success, but, over the years, it has gained a renewed appreciation among the studio’s most devoted fans. It’s easy to see why this would be the case, as it is a remarkably mature piece of animation, engaging with heavier themes than one usually sees in a family film, among which are desire, disability, and violence. The animation is also remarkably detailed, drawing the viewer into the beautiful and enchanted world of Notre Dame and Paris itself. Rewatching the film is a reminder of just how much Disney can accomplish when it doesn’t get in its own way.

The Lion King is, without a doubt, the crown jewel of the Disney Renaissance, and it proved to be a powerhouse among critics and audiences. There’s a reason that it continues to be one of the studio’s most beloved and successful properties, with its emotionally rich (and haunting) storyline, its stellar soundtrack, and its voice cast. Of particular note is Jeremy Irons, who successfully makes Scar into one of the most ruthless villains to have emerged in a Disney film. The film is worth rewatching for the soundtrack, which features songs written by famed lyricist Tim Rice and rock superstar Elton John.

There's something refreshingly simple about 1999's The Mummy,  which is very much a callback to the adventure films of the previous decade. Moreover, it features some truly electrifying performances from its main cast, particularly Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz, who have palpable chemistry whenever they are on-screen together. It may not break any of the rules of the classic adventure film, but it doesn't try to. When it comes down to it, The Mummy is the type of movie one can return to again and again and enjoy each and every time for the popcorn fare that it is.

Some films are widely regarded as classics, and Back to the Future  is one of those which definitely deserves this classification. Michael J. Fox is infectiously and enduringly charming as Marty McFly, and Christopher Lloyd is delightfully daffy as Doc. In some ways, this is 1980s cinema at its silly best, but, like all classics, there is also a genuine heart to Back to the Future. It’s clear how much Doc and Marty care for one another, and the fondness with which the film treats the 1950s, while a bit too naive for modern audiences, still has something charming about it. In other words, it’s the perfect kind of feel-good movie that rewards rewatching.

If there’s one studio that has repeatedly shown a mastery of animation, it would be Disney. This has been true for decades, and during the early days of the studio, it was capable of producing films that were true works of art. Perhaps no film shows Walt’s ambition like Sleeping Beauty, which remains one of the most visually striking of all the studio’s classic works. Its clear evocation of Renaissance art is a true feast for the eye. Moreover, Maleficent remains a chilling and terrifying villain — particularly in her dragon form — and rewatching the film allows one to see the meticulous craft that went into its creation.

Steven Spielberg is a remarkably versatile director, but there’s no question he’s made some of his biggest contributions to science fiction. Even now, thirty years after its release, Jurassic Park continues to be an astounding piece of cinema, and rewatching it gives the viewer an enhanced sense of just how awe-inspiring the special effects continue to be. Just as importantly, it’s also a reminder of an earlier period in Hollywood filmmaking where a blockbuster didn’t have to be part of a franchise to be a success. Of course, this film would inspire its own franchise, but it more than succeeds on its own. 

The Coen Brothers have had a very successful career as a duo and as individuals, and Fargo remains one of their finest accomplishments. There’s so much to love about this film — from Frances McDormand’s folksy but hard-nosed performance as Marge Gunderson to Steve Buscemi’s deranged yet fascinating role as Carl Showalter — that it’s easy to see why this Coen Brothers offering would remain so enduringly popular. However, it’s the film’s expert blending of neo-noir and black comedy that really helps it to stand the test of time, and it remains as bleakly humorous today as it was when it was first released.

Even though JRR Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings was a landmark of fantasy literature for decades, it would take a director of astounding ambition and unique creative vision to bring it to life on the screen in a way that would endure. With The Fellowship of the Ring,  he proved he was more than up to the task. Not only did he manage to gather together the perfect cast, including the likes of Ian McKellen, Cate Blanchett, and Hugo Weaving, but he also stayed remarkably true to Tolkien’s artistic and creative vision. To this day, this vision of Middle-earth occupies many people’s minds, and the first in the trilogy stands as both a great adaptation and a fantastic piece of fantasy filmmaking in its own right.

Jackson continued his winning streak in the second of his Tolkien adaptations. However, The Two Towers took some notable liberties with its source text to make it work dramatically. These changes are more than made up for, however, by the climactic Battle of Helm’s Deep, which sees Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli join with the men of Rohan against the mighty forces of the treacherous Saruman, even as Frodo and Sam strike up an unlikely alliance with Gollum. The film is worth rewatching not just for the battle scenes but also for the remarkable human magic at the heart of the story and, of course, Andy Serkis’ groundbreaking motion-capture performance as Gollum. 

Peter Jackson brought his epic fantasy trilogy to a satisfying conclusion with The Return of the King. All of the plot threads from the first two films are brought to a rousing and exciting conclusion, which manages to be both emotionally triumphant and devastating simultaneously. Like the original novel, the film shows that even a victory against the titanic forces of evil is not without cost, and it’s impossible not to weep as Frodo, Gandalf, Galadriel, and Elrond sail across the Sea. Watching the film more than once gives the viewer a better, richer, and deeper understanding of just why it is that this film continues to be regarded as a classic.