Ever since the dawn of film, there have been an abundance of classic films that have stood the test of time. Whether it be for their iconic soundtrack or groundbreaking cinematography, these films are undoubtedly some of the best that cinema has to offer. But beyond the popular titles, there is loads of hidden gems within the classic film selection that deserve just as much attention. Here are some of the overlooked films that you shouldn’t miss.
The first hidden classic motion picture to check out is Alfred Hitchcock’s film Notorious. This movie is an incredible piece of suspense and arguably one of Hitchcock’s finest works. Loaded with mystery and intense drama, the film follows Alicia Huberman, who is instructed by a government agent to marry a German former Nazi in order to keep him under surveillance. Notorious is a magnificent balance of thrills and subtle romantic melodrama that shouldn’t be missed.
Then there is Billy Wilder’s iconic Sunset Boulevard. Filled with dark wit and gnarly drama, this movie follows down-on-his-luck screenwriter Joe Gillis, who is taken in by Norma Desmond, a mysterious and forgotten silent movie star. With a brilliant performance from its star Gloria Swanson, it’s a jaw-dropping examination of an aging actress dealing with her fall from grace. An unforgettable experience from start to finish.
Jack Clayton’s The Innocents
Jack Clayton’s 1961 masterpiece The Innocents is a brilliant adaptation of Henry James’ novella, The Turn of the Screw. Unsettling and utterly captivating, the movie stars Deborah Kerr as the emotionally repressed governess of two children staying in a remote country estate. As a story of mounting terror, it is a marvel in suspense and its ambiguous ending leaves the viewer with an eerie feeling that sticks long after the film has ended.
Last, but certainly not least, is Stanley Kubrick’s The Killing. This classic film noir film is a marvelous homage to the detective thriller genre focusing on the aftermath of a meticulously planned racetrack heist. It’s a powerful thriller that shows how onerous an individual’s decisions can be, and it is remarkable how those themes still resonate in today’s dramas.
Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner
Ridley Scott’s visionary sci-fi film Blade Runner is a must-see classic. Set in dystopian Los Angeles, the movie follows Rick Deckard, a blade runner tasked with hunting down four dangerous replicants who have escaped from an off-world colony. A defining movie of the sci-fi genre, it has inspired multiple generations of filmmakers and themes explored in the movie are just as relevant today.
Blending the philosophy of what it means to be human with a multi-layered narrative, Blade Runner is a true modern classic that should be seen by everyone. What’s more, it remains timely in today’s age of technology. A groundbreaking experience.
The Exorcist by William Friedkin
Another great classic to watch is William Friedkin’s game-changing horror film The Exorcist. Both faithful to the source novel by William Blatty and unafraid to push the genre boundaries, this iconic horror film is a powerful examination of good versus evil. Laden with strong performances, The Exorcist is an experience that is hard to forget and the iconic score and cinematography only add to its greatness.
Shockingly effective to this day, tThe Exorcist is an undisputed masterpiece of filmmaking that deserves to a place in cinema history.
Akira by Katsuhiro Ôtomo
If you’re looking for a classic anime movie to watch, Akira by Katsuhiro Ôtomo is it. As a vision for a dystopian future, the film follows a biker gang who unwittingly awaken a malevolent psychic entity with apocalyptic results. Full of imaginative visuals and gripping action sequences, Akira is widely considered the most influential anime movie of all times.
A film that is equally thought provoking and thrilling, Akira is an audiovisual treat that has aged remarkably well, and its influence can be felt in almost any genre of modern blockbuster.
