Movies to Watch During Film School
I just finished film school a month ago and wanted to make this list as a guide to anyone who is currently going, or about to start their first year. If you're a young film buff about to start film school, chances are you went through High School knowing about a lot of great movies that many of your peers didn't know or care about. All that will change once film school starts. Here is a small list of movies to be sure you watch before or during your time at film school. Chances are professors and some students will discuss these at some point. Even if you skip film school, these are still good movies to watch if you're interested in learning more about film making and the history behind it.
List activity
129K views
• 65 this weekCreate a new list
List your movie, TV & celebrity picks.
52 titles
- DirectorOrson WellesStarsOrson WellesJoseph CottenDorothy ComingoreFollowing the death of publishing tycoon Charles Foster Kane, reporters scramble to uncover the meaning of his final utterance: 'Rosebud.'This is basically film school 101, and is a great movie to see regardless. Nearly every class I took made some reference to this film in a lecture or on a test.
- DirectorJean-Luc GodardStarsJean-Paul BelmondoJean SebergVan DoudeA small-time crook, hunted by the authorities for a car theft and the murder a police officer, attempts to persuade a hip American journalism student to run away with him to Italy.I personally don't like this movie, but it was highly influential and it will be discussed at some point in film school, most likely in your first class.
- DirectorAlfred HitchcockStarsJames StewartKim NovakBarbara Bel GeddesA former San Francisco police detective juggles wrestling with his personal demons and becoming obsessed with the hauntingly beautiful woman he has been hired to trail, who may be deeply disturbed.Out of all the Alfred Hitchcock movies we studied, this one came up the most.
- DirectorIngmar BergmanStarsMax von SydowGunnar BjörnstrandBengt EkerotA knight returning to Sweden after the Crusades seeks answers about life, death, and the existence of God as he plays chess against the Grim Reaper during the Black Plague.Ingmar Bergman has been a film school staple for years and this is his most famous movie.
- DirectorAkira KurosawaStarsToshirô MifuneMachiko KyôMasayuki MoriThe rape of a bride and the murder of her samurai husband are recalled from the perspectives of a bandit, the bride, the samurai's ghost and a woodcutter.Akira Kurosawa is one of the "Big Three" non Hollywood directors you will hear about in film school, the other two being Ingmar Bergman and Frederico Fellini. Kurosawa has had a great influence on Hollywood movies, including westerns and the original Star Wars films. Rashomon will likely come up in film school due to it's storytelling structure, which will feel familiar since it has been referenced in many places including cartoons.
- DirectorAkira KurosawaStarsToshirô MifuneTakashi ShimuraKeiko TsushimaFarmers from a village exploited by bandits hire a veteran samurai for protection, who gathers six other samurai to join him.Kurosawa's other masterpiece.
- DirectorFederico FelliniStarsMarcello MastroianniAnouk AiméeClaudia CardinaleA harried movie director retreats into his memories and fantasies.One of Fellini's most well known movies. We never studied it when I was in film school, but we did study Fellini and this is a good one to start with if you want to see more of his movies.
- DirectorStanley KubrickStarsMalcolm McDowellPatrick MageeMichael BatesIn the future, a sadistic gang leader is imprisoned and volunteers for a conduct-aversion experiment, but it doesn't go as planned.When asked what their favorite movie is, many film majors will say A Clockwork Orange. Also highly recommended to criminal justice majors and psychology majors.
- DirectorDavid LynchStarsJack NanceCharlotte StewartAllen JosephHenry Spencer tries to survive his industrial environment, his angry girlfriend, and the unbearable screams of his newly born mutant child.David Lynch is a director worth knowing if you're going to be a director or film student. This is arguably his most surreal movie.
- DirectorDavid LynchStarsIsabella RosselliniKyle MacLachlanDennis HopperThe discovery of a severed human ear found in a field leads a young man on an investigation related to a beautiful, mysterious nightclub singer and a group of psychopathic criminals who have kidnapped her child.Here's another Lynch film worth watching. College students will enjoy Frank Booth's line about Pabst Blue Ribbon.
- DirectorFrancis Ford CoppolaStarsMarlon BrandoAl PacinoJames CaanThe aging patriarch of an organized crime dynasty transfers control of his clandestine empire to his reluctant son.A great movie for everyone to see regardless of whether they are a film student or someone who just wants to see a good movie every now and then.
- DirectorDavid FincherStarsBrad PittEdward NortonMeat LoafAn insomniac office worker and a devil-may-care soap maker form an underground fight club that evolves into much more.We barely talked about this in any classes, but it is a very popular movie among college students, especially film majors, and you don't want to be the only one in the classroom who hasn't seen it.
- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsRoy ScheiderRobert ShawRichard DreyfussWhen a killer shark unleashes chaos on a beach community off Cape Cod, it's up to a local sheriff, a marine biologist, and an old seafarer to hunt the beast down.The movie that started the summer Blockbuster. There are also many great camera techniques that you might be lucky enough to study in some classes.
- DirectorArthur PennStarsWarren BeattyFaye DunawayMichael J. PollardBored waitress Bonnie Parker falls in love with an ex-con named Clyde Barrow and together they start a violent crime spree through the country, stealing cars and robbing banks.One of the first movies that truly shocked audiences because of it's bloody violence. You'll likely hear about this movie at some point in film school.
- DirectorMike NicholsStarsDustin HoffmanAnne BancroftKatharine RossA disillusioned college graduate finds himself torn between his older lover and her daughter.Between a tedious homework assignment and a long analytical lecture, teachers suck the fun out of this movie before many of the students have even had a chance to watch it. When you're done with the long assignments, take a break and enjoy the whole movie without hearing or writing an analysis of each shot. It's a fun movie on it's own.
- DirectorSergei EisensteinStarsAleksandr AntonovVladimir BarskiyGrigoriy AleksandrovIn the midst of the Russian Revolution of 1905, the crew of the battleship Potemkin mutiny against the brutal, tyrannical regime of the vessel's officers. The resulting street demonstration in Odessa brings on a police massacre.A great achievement in film making, but most film majors will admit they didn't enjoy this movie. Be prepared to hear at least 4 lectures in your first year that analyze each shot of the "Odessa steps" sequence. Also be prepared to be burnt out on Sergei Eisenstein in the first year. Despite that, it is still good to be familiar with him and this film as a film major.
- DirectorSidney LumetStarsFaye DunawayWilliam HoldenPeter FinchA television network cynically exploits a deranged former anchor's ravings and revelations about the news media for its own profit, but finds that his message may be difficult to control.If scriptwriting is your main focus, you will love this movie and will benefit greatly from seeing it at least once.
- DirectorJoel CoenEthan CoenStarsWilliam H. MacyFrances McDormandSteve BuscemiMinnesota car salesman Jerry Lundegaard's inept crime falls apart due to his and his henchmen's bungling and the persistent police work of the quite pregnant Marge Gunderson.If you're not already familiar with them through recent hits No Country for Old Men and True Grit, it will be good to get familiar with the Coen Brothers. This is widely considered one of their best films.
- DirectorMartin ScorseseStarsRobert De NiroJodie FosterCybill ShepherdA mentally unstable veteran works as a nighttime taxi driver in New York City, where the perceived decadence and sleaze fuels his urge for violent action.Also be sure to get familiar with early Scorsese films such as this and Raging Bull.
- DirectorMartin ScorseseStarsRobert De NiroCathy MoriartyJoe PesciThe life of boxer Jake LaMotta, whose violence and temper that led him to the top in the ring destroyed his life outside of it.See above.
- DirectorPaul Thomas AndersonStarsDaniel Day-LewisPaul DanoCiarán HindsA story of family, religion, hatred, oil and madness, focusing on a turn-of-the-century prospector in the early days of the business.I was a college Freshmen when this came out and it was one of the most popular movies among film majors and professors at the time.
- DirectorEthan CoenJoel CoenStarsTommy Lee JonesJavier BardemJosh BrolinViolence and mayhem ensue after a hunter stumbles upon the aftermath of a drug deal gone wrong and over two million dollars in cash near the Rio Grande.This was also very popular when I started film school.
- DirectorGeorge LucasStarsMark HamillHarrison FordCarrie FisherLuke Skywalker joins forces with a Jedi Knight, a cocky pilot, a Wookiee and two droids to save the galaxy from the Empire's world-destroying battle station, while also attempting to rescue Princess Leia from the mysterious Darth Vader.You likely won't discuss this much in film school unless you talk about how blockbuster films started, but it's definitely worth getting familiar with this movie.
- DirectorDarren AronofskyStarsEllen BurstynJared LetoJennifer ConnellyThe drug-induced utopias of four Coney Island people are shattered when their addictions run deep..If your focus is editing or cinematography and you want to get familiar with recent movies that use very stylistic techniques on a low budget, here's a great movie to watch.
- DirectorWes AndersonStarsJason SchwartzmanBill MurrayOlivia WilliamsA teenager at Rushmore Academy falls for a much older teacher and befriends a middle-aged industrialist. Later, he finds out that his love interest and his friend are having an affair, which prompts him to begin a vendetta.I had a bit of a backlash against Wes Anderson when I started film school because I hated the elitist following his movies have. Despite that, he is a good director and if you're a film major it's worth seeing at least one of his movies. If you only want to see one movie, this would be the one I'd recommend.
- DirectorLars von TrierStarsEmily WatsonStellan SkarsgårdKatrin CartlidgeOilman Jan is paralyzed in an accident. His wife, who prayed for his return, feels guilty; even more, when Jan urges her to have sex with another.You will probably hear about Lars Von Trier during a few lectures. I really don't care for his movies but if you wanted to see at least one film of his during film school, I'd recommend this one the most. If you want to see a more recent and controversial one then I would recommend Antichrist.
- DirectorJohn FordStarsJohn WayneJeffrey HunterVera MilesAn American Civil War veteran embarks on a years-long journey to rescue his niece from the Comanches after the rest of his brother's family is massacred in a raid on their Texas farm.If you're unfamiliar with John Wayne, John Ford, or westerns in general, look no further than this one to get started with.
- DirectorSergio LeoneStarsClint EastwoodEli WallachLee Van CleefA bounty hunting scam joins two men in an uneasy alliance against a third in a race to find a fortune in gold buried in a remote cemetery.Sergio Leone is also a good name to know. Many film students rave about Once Upon a time in America, but I prefer this one much more.
- DirectorDanny BoyleStarsEwan McGregorEwen BremnerJonny Lee MillerRenton, deeply immersed in the Edinburgh drug scene, tries to clean up and get out despite the allure of drugs and the influence of friends.Is quite popular among film majors. Entertaining and very dark at the same time.
- DirectorAlfred HitchcockStarsAnthony PerkinsJanet LeighVera MilesA Phoenix secretary embezzles $40,000 from her employer's client, goes on the run and checks into a remote motel run by a young man under the domination of his mother.Another classic Hitchcock movie you will probably discuss at some point in film school. If not, it's still a great movie to enjoy, especially when Halloween comes around.
- DirectorVittorio De SicaStarsLamberto MaggioraniEnzo StaiolaLianella CarellIn post-war Italy, a working-class man's bicycle is stolen, endangering his efforts to find work. He and his son set out to find it.You will likely discuss Italian Neo-realism in a film class. This is my favorite one and I actually found it enjoyable unlike the others I saw.
- DirectorWerner HerzogStarsKlaus KinskiRuy GuerraHelena RojoIn the 16th century, the ruthless and insane Don Lope de Aguirre leads a Spanish expedition in search of El Dorado.Be sure to get familiar with Werner Herzog. This is considered to be one of his best movies.
- DirectorQuentin TarantinoStarsJohn TravoltaUma ThurmanSamuel L. JacksonThe lives of two mob hitmen, a boxer, a gangster and his wife, and a pair of diner bandits intertwine in four tales of violence and redemption.If you're a modern film maker or movie goer then I assume you're familiar with Quentin Tarantino. If you're not, then be sure to see this movie.
- DirectorRoman PolanskiStarsJack NicholsonFaye DunawayJohn HustonA private detective hired to expose an adulterer in 1930s Los Angeles finds himself caught up in a web of deceit, corruption, and murder.A noir classic from the 70s and as a user pointed out, this is something you will likely study in screenwriting class.
- DirectorFrancis Ford CoppolaStarsMartin SheenMarlon BrandoRobert DuvallA U.S. Army officer serving in Vietnam is tasked with assassinating a renegade Special Forces Colonel who sees himself as a god.A great movie to watch regardless of whether you go to film school or not. If your focus is on editing or surreal story telling then this is definitely a great movie for you to see.
- DirectorTerry GilliamStarsJonathan PryceKim GreistRobert De NiroA bureaucrat in a dystopic society becomes an enemy of the state as he pursues the woman of his dreams.While we did not discuss this in any classes, it is a favorite among film students and you will likely hear students referring to it at some point.
- DirectorJohn CarpenterStarsDonald PleasenceJamie Lee CurtisTony MoranFifteen years after murdering his sister on Halloween night 1963, Michael Myers escapes from a mental hospital and returns to the small town of Haddonfield, Illinois to kill again.Sometimes teachers will have some fun and discuss slasher movies and their cultural significance. This is considered one of the early blue prints to the genre and is worth watching to see it's influence on later films.
- DirectorF.W. MurnauStarsMax SchreckAlexander GranachGustav von WangenheimVampire Count Orlok expresses interest in a new residence and real estate agent Hutter's wife.When the teachers discuss early German cinema, this will come up.
- DirectorRobert WieneStarsWerner KraussConrad VeidtFriedrich FeherHypnotist Dr. Caligari uses a somnambulist, Cesare, to commit murders.German Expressionism is another huge topic in the early days of film school. This is one of the most famous expressionist films. It also had a clear influence on Tim Burton.
- DirectorAlfred HitchcockStarsJames StewartGrace KellyWendell CoreyA wheelchair-bound photographer spies on his neighbors from his Greenwich Village courtyard apartment window and, despite the skepticism of his fashion-model girlfriend, becomes convinced one of them has committed murder.As I said before, Hitchcock is a huge topic in film school and this is another one of his best movies.
- DirectorStanley KubrickStarsJack NicholsonShelley DuvallDanny LloydA family heads to an isolated hotel for the winter where a sinister presence influences the father into violence, while his psychic son sees horrific forebodings from both past and future.This and Full Metal Jacket are a lot of people's first Kubrick films they ever watch.
- DirectorOrson WellesStarsCharlton HestonOrson WellesJanet LeighA stark, perverse story of murder, kidnapping and police corruption in a Mexican border town.The opening, 5 minute long tracking shot is still intense and iconic.
- DirectorFritz LangStarsBrigitte HelmAlfred AbelGustav FröhlichIn a futuristic city sharply divided between the working class and the city planners, the son of the city's mastermind falls in love with a working-class prophet who predicts the coming of a savior to mediate their differences.A classic sci-fi movie from another great German Filmmaker Fritz Lang.
- DirectorFritz LangStarsPeter LorreEllen WidmannInge LandgutWhen the police in a German city are unable to catch a child-murderer, other criminals join in the manhunt.One of Fritz Lang's sound films. This was highly influential and still holds up well as an entertaining thriller. Peter Lorre is very creepy in one of his best performances.
- DirectorMichael CurtizStarsHumphrey BogartIngrid BergmanPaul HenreidA cynical expatriate American cafe owner struggles to decide whether or not to help his former lover and her fugitive husband escape the Nazis in French Morocco.One of the great and iconic "Golden Age" films that remains a must see.
- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsHarrison FordKaren AllenPaul FreemanIn 1936, archaeologist and adventurer Indiana Jones is hired by the U.S. government to find the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis can obtain its awesome powers.Much like Jaws, this is another one of the early blockbusters that also remains a must see for film buffs in general.
- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsHenry ThomasDrew BarrymorePeter CoyoteA troubled child summons the courage to help a friendly alien escape from Earth and return to his home planet.See above
- DirectorJames AlgarSamuel ArmstrongFord Beebe Jr.StarsLeopold StokowskiDeems TaylorThe Philadelphia OrchestraA series of eight famous pieces of classical music, conducted by Leopold Stokowski and interpreted in animation by Walt Disney's team of artists.As a user pointed out, it's worth including at least one early Disney film on here. Fantasia is a masterpiece of music and visual storytelling.
- DirectorStanley DonenGene KellyStarsGene KellyDonald O'ConnorDebbie ReynoldsA silent film star falls for a chorus girl just as he and his delusionally jealous screen partner are trying to make the difficult transition to talking pictures in 1920s Hollywood.An iconic musical that is also a great history lesson in the emergence of sound in film.
- DirectorVictor FlemingKing VidorStarsJudy GarlandFrank MorganRay BolgerYoung Dorothy Gale and her dog Toto are swept away by a tornado from their Kansas farm to the magical Land of Oz, and embark on a quest with three new friends to see the Wizard, who can return her to her home and fulfill the others' wishes.Another iconic musical that needs no introduction and is a must see, not only for film buffs but for people with a connection to pop culture in any form really. Still features stunning effects and use of color. The storytelling and metaphors will likely come up as an example during a writing class, even outside of any film based classes.
- DirectorClaudio FragassoStarsMichael Paul StephensonGeorge HardyMargo PreyA vacationing family discovers that the entire town they're visiting is inhabited by goblins, disguised as humans, who plan to eat them.Yes I included a bad movie on here, the same list with Citizen Kane and The Godfather. This movie was made by a film crew who knew how to physically make a movie, but failed so horribly that it's become a cult classic. You will also hear a lot of film major in-jokes referring to this movie and there will likely be a midnight screening on your campus at some point.
- DirectorTommy WiseauStarsTommy WiseauJuliette DanielleGreg SesteroIn San Francisco, an amiable banker's seemingly perfect life is turned upside down when his deceitful fiancée embarks on an affair with his best friend.Another bad one to watch. This and Troll 2 are examples of how not to make a movie and you can learn a lot about bad film making mistakes from watching them. There will also be a lot of jokes, references, and screenings of this movie on campus.