Movies can do more than entertain people. Some films change the way audiences think, introduce new styles of filmmaking and even influence society outside the cinema. Over the years, a small number of movies have had such a strong impact that their influence can still be seen today.
Here are Top 10 Movies That Changed Hollywood and Cinema Forever
10. Fight Club (1999)
Fight Club became known for its story about loneliness, consumerism and the struggles of modern life. The movie follows a man who feels empty despite having a comfortable life and eventually creates a violent way to escape his problems.
The film also became controversial because some viewers began to admire Tyler Durden instead of seeing him as a warning about destructive behavior. Its influence continued beyond the movie and helped start discussions about masculinity and the dangers of following extreme ideas.
9. Ocean’s Eleven (2001)
Steven Soderbergh's Ocean’s Eleven showed that a big Hollywood movie could be entertaining without depending on comic book characters. The film combined a large cast, comedy and a stylish heist story to create a successful blockbuster.
It also helped show that audiences could enjoy a major Hollywood production because of its characters and filmmaking rather than only its special effects.
8. Top Gun (1986)
Top Gun gave audiences an exciting look at fighter pilots and presented an idealized image of the U.S. Navy. The movie became a major hit and had an influence beyond Hollywood.
The Navy worked closely with the filmmakers and provided aircraft, ships and other military equipment for the production. The movie was also linked to an increase in Navy recruitment, although claims that enlistment increased by 500% were later found to be incorrect.
7. Memento (2000)
Christopher Nolan's Memento used an unusual storytelling style to tell the story of a man dealing with memory loss. The movie moves backward and forward through events, making the audience experience some of the same confusion as the main character.
Its structure showed how filmmakers could play with time and storytelling in new ways. Nolan later continued experimenting with time and narrative in movies such as Inception.
6. Bambi (1942)
Disney's Bambi changed the way many people viewed animals and hunting. The death of Bambi's mother made the hunter appear as the main threat and created a strong emotional response toward wildlife.
The movie also helped create the term "Bambi effect," which describes people's tendency to feel more sympathy for cute animals than animals they consider less attractive. Disney later used Bambi in fire prevention campaigns.
5. The Matrix (1999)
The Matrix became one of the most influential science fiction movies of its time. The film combined ideas from different types of cinema with a futuristic story and introduced audiences to a new visual style.
Its famous "bullet time" effect became one of Hollywood's most recognizable visual techniques and was copied in many movies and other forms of entertainment.
4. Psycho (1960)
Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho changed horror movies in several important ways. The film introduced audiences to darker themes involving violence, sexuality, psychological problems and identity.
Its famous motel and shower scenes became major moments in film history, while Norman Bates became one of cinema's most recognizable troubled characters. Psycho also helped establish many of the ideas that later became common in the slasher genre.
3. Toy Story (1995)
Toy Story showed what computer-generated animation could achieve when Pixar released its first feature-length movie. The film demonstrated that CGI could be used to create a complete animated story while still keeping the characters and story at the center.
Its success helped open the door for the future of computer animation and changed the way animated movies were made.
2. Pulp Fiction (1994)
Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction became known for its unusual storytelling, memorable characters and large number of pop culture references. Instead of telling the story in a traditional order, the movie played with time and changed the way audiences experienced a crime story.
Its style became highly influential and helped redefine what a modern independent-style Hollywood movie could look like.
1. Philadelphia (1993)
Philadelphia had an impact that went far beyond entertainment. Starring Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington, the movie follows an attorney who is fired after his employer discovers that he is gay and has AIDS.
At a time when HIV, AIDS and homosexuality were heavily stigmatized, the film brought these subjects to a mainstream Hollywood audience. It helped create greater awareness around HIV and AIDS, homophobia and workplace discrimination and became an important film in changing public conversations around these issues.
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