Despite new movies coming out every year (some amazing, some…not so much), we still look back and remember the classics. We get that rush of nostalgia as we return to a world we love, a world where we can escape reality and follow the journeys of our favorite characters. Maybe none of it is truly real, but it feels real, and isn’t that enough?
Below, we’ve listed some of our favorite movies and how old they’re turning in 2024. Come with us as we take a trip to the past:
Gone With the Wind (1939) and The Wizard of Oz (1939) were each released at a time when many of us weren’t born, yet the movies are still remembered as classics to this day.
If adjusted for inflation, Gone With the Wind remains one of the highest-grossing films in history. The historical romance won multiple Academy Awards, setting high standards for movies to come. Its recognizable score, use of color, cinematography, and set design set the film apart from the rest, especially during its time.
The Wizard of Oz was just as iconic, if not more so. Starring Judy Garland, it became famous for its use of color (transitioning from the black-and-white and sepia tones to the bright Technicolor), fantastical world, memorable characters, and catchy songs. It was nominated for multiple Academy Awards and became a popular source for quotes in pop culture. I mean, come on. Where would we be without “We’re not in Kansas anymore”?
We couldn’t make this list without mentioning a beloved Christmas classic: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964). With the songs, the stop-motion style, and voice acting, who doesn’t feel nostalgic when watching this movie? The film was based on Johnny Marks’s 1949 song “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” along with the poem of the same name written in 1939 by Marks’s brother, Robert L. May. Whether you liked the message or not, we couldn’t help but cheer for little Rudolph as he finally found where he belonged in this big, mysterious world.
While the original TV series had already begun and ended by this point, the first Star Trek film, called Star Trek: The Motion Picture, premiered in 1979. This movie kickstarted a series of six films based around those characters and the premise of Star Trek: The Original Series. Eventually, those led to four The Next Generation films, and finally, the reboots: Star Trek (which turns 15 years old in 2024, after premiering in 2009!), Star Trek Into Darkness (2013), and Star Trek Beyond (2016). We also have access to multiple animated and still-running TV series! The original series and movie created an elaborate sci-fi world that presented hope and cooperation in the future, rather than as apocalyptic like so many other alien and sci-fi films.
Now we’re finally getting into the 80s! So many classics premiered in this decade, from controversial rom-coms to groundbreaking and thought-provoking works of art. Here are some of our favorites that turn 40 in 2024:
Sixteen Candles (1984): Okay, yes. It has plenty of material that hasn’t aged well (racism, hints of sexual assault, and more…), but it still reigns as a popular rom-com. One of the many projects helmed by John Hughes, father of the “brat pack,” the coming-of-age film presented an honest portrayal of teens. It had plenty of humor, memorable characters, and helped launch star Molly Ringwald to fame.
Gremlins (1984): Who couldn’t love the adorable Gizmo? Oh, wait…except for the fact that when water is spilled on him, he spawns evil, scary versions of himself called gremlins. Fun! This horror-comedy somehow manages to be terrifying and hilarious at the same time. Some also consider it a holiday classic, for the gremlins unleash chaos on Christmas Eve. So much about it screams 80s, and the film has held onto its cult classic status to this day.
The Karate Kid (1984): A cherished classic, this martial arts drama tells the story of Daniel LaRusso, a young boy who learns karate from Mr. Miyagi, a wise and humble mentor. Set against the backdrop of adolescent struggles and teenage bullying, the movie emphasizes themes of perseverance, friendship, and personal growth. Its popularity stems from the heartfelt performances, especially Pat Morita’s iconic role as Mr. Miyagi (who was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor), and its relatable storyline. The memorable training montages and the triumphant climax during the martial arts tournament have cemented its place in popular culture, inspiring several sequels and even a television series reboot.
Dead Poets Society was released in 1989 and starred the late Robin Williams, who performed incredibly as John Keating, a professor encouraging his students to appreciate and seek out art and poetry. He says a famous quote that serves as inspiration and food for thought for many generations to come:
This coming-of-age drama was nominated for multiple Academy Awards and even won the Academy Award for Best Screenplay. The film is emotional, hopeful, and inspiring, leaving a lasting impression on cinema and its audience.
Some memorable classics are turning thirty in 2024: Forrest Gump, The Lion King, Pulp Fiction, The Shawshank Redemption, and many more. Forrest Gump—well-known for its incredible soundtrack, compelling performance by Tom Hanks, emotional journey through history, and heartbreaking twists and turns—stands the test of time and is regarded by some as one of the best movies of all time. It won six Academy Awards and some nominations for many other awards.
The Lion King (1994) is still one of the most famous Disney movies ever made. Many people are still traumatized by the heartbreaking death of Mufasa, the main character’s father. I believe it to be a rite of passage for many of us… The iconic soundtrack and vibrant animation bring the story and its characters to life, even thirty years later.
Pulp Fiction is one of Quentin Tarantino’s (famous American director and screenwriter) projects, bringing it to the forefront of cinema as a unique and thought-provoking work. Its non-linear narrative structure, memorable characters, popular culture references, dark humor, and much more help it stand the inexorable test of time.
Finally, The Shawshank Redemption is also regarded as one of the best movies of all time. It brings about an interesting observation: not only can one be imprisoned physically but also mentally. This prison drama maintains themes of friendship and resilience and, despite its initial disappointing reception, grew through re-releases and word-of-mouth to be the renowned classic it is today.
But wait! Despite this not being a movie, we couldn’t go on without mentioning the 30th anniversary of the first episode of Friends (and the 20th anniversary of the finale)! This beloved series ran from 1994 to 2004 and remains a comfort show to this day. The final episode was viewed by around 52.5 million watchers, making it one of the most-watched TV series finales in US history. The series stays alive through nostalgia and streaming services, allowing multiple generations to follow the chaotic journeys of our six friends. Happy birthday, Friends!
Nearing the end of the 20th century in 1999, we were granted even more incredible films. We have The Mummy, The Green Mile, Tarzan, Runaway Bride, Notting Hill, and many more. Audiences were given the hilarious humor, suspenseful action, and intriguing history and mythology in The Mummy, with iconic performances by Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, and John Hannah. The Green Mile gives us heartbreaking and emotional performances by Tom Hanks and the late Michael Clarke Duncan and tackles head-on the blatant racism and cruelty against those who aren’t white. Tarzan is still known as one of Disney’s greatest accomplishments, especially because of its powerful soundtrack composed and performed by Phil Collins. Despite being “just a kid’s movie,” the movie stays relevant as a thoughtful coming-of-age film with examples of non-toxic masculinity and the importance of maintaining the wildness of nature.
Runaway Bride and Notting Hill are examples of Julia Roberts’s impressive success when it came to rom-coms. The former continues the iconic pairing of Roberts and Richard Gere (who also starred in Pretty Woman), and the latter gives us the new, yet still adorable, pairing of Roberts and Hugh Grant. What more could we possibly ask for?
Man, what a year!
These will likely hit home for our young millennials and Gen-Zers, who grew up in the early 2000s. Turning twenty in 2024 are The Incredibles, The Polar Express, and Mean Girls.
Let’s look into why each of these movies is worth noting:
To end our tour through cinematic history, we’ll discuss two more works of art celebrating anniversaries this year: Interstellar and Into the Woods.
Interstellar (2014), directed by the esteemed Christopher Nolan, is regarded as one of his best projects to date. We follow Cooper (played by Matthew McConaughey) as he and a group of researchers go on a doomed voyage to save humankind from extinction. This epic sci-fi drama sets itself apart from other dystopian flicks with its stunning visuals, intense narrative, extraordinary score, and more. Each actor brings impressive depth and emotion to their roles, pulling you through the screen to face this journey with them. Interstellar is heartbreaking and fascinating, and it only gets better and better with each rewatch.
Into the Woods is an onscreen adaptation of the famous 1987 musical of the same name. The film brought together many stars, including Meryl Streep, Anna Kendrick, Emily Blunt, James Corden, Chris Pine, Johnny Depp, and many more. This fantasy musical combines clever humor, creeping horror, and impressive musical performances while also teaching us that every path comes with its choices and every choice comes with its consequences.
While we didn’t list every movie adding another year to its life in 2024, we reminded each other why we watch films and how this art form stands the test of time. Movies bring us together. They provide us a way to escape into another world, if only for a little while. They make us laugh and weep, cheer and jeer, and form communities. Even as new movies are released every year, remember the classics that got us to where we are today. Without them…actually, we don’t even want to think about life without movies!