With so much new content coming out all the time, it’s easy to stick to watching new shows and movies and forget about older classics. Sometimes watching old movies reminds us why recent releases can be preferable— filmmakers have made enormous leaps in recent years in terms of cinematic technology and techniques.
On the other hand, old films that are still enjoyable today could be considered the best of the best. They’ve stood the test of time, after all. In a recent Reddit thread, users share their picks of movies more than 35 years old that still hold up today.
'Alien' Has Mind Blowing Special Effects
Alien is far and away Reddit’s favorite older film. Released in 1979, it’s a science fiction horror movie about a space crew that encounters a dangerous extraterrestrial being and is forced to battle it aboard their ship.
Lauded for its visual and special effects, it’s hard to believe that Alien is almost 50 years old. Aside from special affects that are ahead of its time, Alien is also advanced in its featuring a strong female protagonist, as well as just generally stellar acting and writing.
'The Thing' Is A Classic Of Its Genre
The Thing is another science fiction horror from the same time period. Unlike Alien, The Thing received very negative audience reviews upon its 1982 release.
Only after it was released for home video did it gain positive recognition. The intensely graphic special effects that were at first seen as repulsive eventually became impressive. One Reddit user explains the film is “better now because we are so numb to digital effects that the practical gets a bigger reaction out of us”
'12 Angry Men' Deals With Still-Relevant Social Issues
Taking a thematic turn, 12 Angry Men is in black and white and is set almost completely in one single room. Visual effects are definitely not where this film shines, but it made it into Reddit users’ top three favorite old movies.
12 Angry Men came out in 1957, but the storyline is still completely relevant to today’s society. It deals with race relations in court, which is arguably more of a hot topic now than it was then. At the end of the day, the film is about human relations in general, which will always be timeless.
'Stand By Me' Is a Relatable Coming-Of-Age Tale
Stand By Me is a classic coming-of-age story released in 1986. It’s based in the 1950s, and is about a group of 12-year-old boys who embark on a journey to find a dead body.
Everyone knows this film, but what many don’t know is that it’s actually based on a Stephen King novella called ‘The Body.’ Perhaps part of why it has stood up so well over time, one Reddit user suggests, is that it’s a period piece. “It's a movie about the 50s made in the 80s, it could have been made yesterday and not much would be done differently.”
'Invasion of the Body Snatchers' Scare Factor Has Lasted Decades
Invasion of the Body Snatchers is another science fiction horror film about alien “pods” that drop from space and replace humans while they sleep with identical but emotionless frauds.
The version of this movie that Reddit users consider timeless is the 1978 version, which is a remake of the original film which came out in 1956. Both were influential, with the later film now considered by some to be one of the best remakes ever. ‘Body Snatcher’s’ cultural influence has been significant, with the term “pod people” having become commonly used slang taken from the film; it's taken on a quasi-political meaning, like "sheep," to refer to people who mindlessly follow leaders.
'Little Shop of Horrors' Practical Effects Are Still Impressive
Reddit users must have been feeling spooky, as their next pick was Little Shop of Horrors. Adapted from a horror black comedy musical, this film tells the story of a florist who discovers a carnivorous plant that eats human blood.
Reddit users particularly commented on the special effects in ‘Little Shop of Horrors,’ noting that they still look good today even though they were produced in a time before digital effects existed.
'Cool Hand Luke' Contains Timeless Political Themes
Cool Hand Luke was lauded upon its release in 1967, gaining critical acclaim and several Oscar Nominations. It is an anti-establishment drama about a prisoner in Florida who refuses to surrender to the prison camp.
This film was a box office success when it came out, partially because it had a strong anti-authoritarian message during the time of the Vietnam War. But its themes have held up over time, as American audiences will always connect with the general message of individualism.
'Back to the Future' Has Time Traveled Smoothly
Back to the Future is a 1985 science fiction comedy about a teenager who accidentally travels into the past and has to find his way back to present time.
Many Reddit users commented that despite the film’s age, their kids today love the movie and its sequels. Back to the Future is renowned for being enjoyable for both children and adults. It’s won many awards and was even added to the National Film Registry by the US Library of Congress.
'The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly' Is An Iconic Western
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly is a 1966 “spaghetti” Western. It stars Clint Eastwood and is directed by Sergio Leone. The film is known for being an iconic Western, and for its soundtrack, which, uniquely, was composed before the film was produced.
Many Reddit users admired the movie’s score, and user KirbyBucketts even called the film a masterpiece. Another user wrote, “It's pretty much the pinnacle of the western genre.”
'Raiders of the Lost Ark' Will Always Be Nostalgic
A final favorite for Redditors is Raiders of the Lost Ark. Directed by Steven Spielberg, written by George Lucas, and starring Harrison Ford, this movie was bound to be a classic.
Though some users commented that certain jokes may not have aged well due to not being politically correct, the entertainment value of the movie holds up well. Even when ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ was released in 1981, it had a nostalgic element, as it is essentially a modernization of old adventure stories. It’s a movie sure to provide entertainment to families for generations to come.