Top 10 Movies Everyone Watches in Film School

Narratively and visually, these films are the essentials for any self-respecting cinephile.

For this list, we’re focusing on the influential motion pictures that are most often shown by film or media professors when discussing the craft of filmmaking.

The Top Ten

1 Citizen Kane (1941)

This is a very intelligent and high quality list in my opinion.

2 Breathless (1960)

3 Seven Samurai (1954)

4 Bicycle Thieves (1948)

A sad film ahead of its time

5 Psycho (1960)

6 2001: A Space Odyssey

This movie is revolutionary and was made by one of the best directors of all time as well as ahead of his time. This movie is a perfect example of how to work to perfection not only is this Stanley Kubrick's best movie it's also my favorite movie of all time.

7 The Godfather (1972)

I saw this movie in a film class once.

8 Trip to the Moon (1902)

9 Mulholland Drive (2001)

10 Raging Bull (1980)

The Contenders

11 Super Size Me

What would happen if you ate nothing but McDonald's for 30 days straight? Morgan Spurlock finds out.

Super Size Me is ultimately a film about how food marketing is such a strong influence. I think it's more influential than the likes of Schindler's List.

I saw this in high school once. I don't remember which class it was in, though. The most memorable scene was when Morgan vomited.

Health Class and Film school are 2 different things.

I watched this at health class and it was gross especially when they showed a guy’s surgery.

12 Forrest Gump

This movie sneaks up on you. You don't think you're sad, but you find yourself crying as the credits roll. Anybody who watches it comes out a little more knowledgeable about history as a whole.

Forrest Gump is like a life changer. It shows that all people can do all things.

13 Vertigo (1958)