So, inspired by Gianna's List of 100 Movies Every Film Buff Should See, I've compiled my own list of 100 movies you may not have seen for one reason or other. I tried to stay away from AFI's top 100 films, as well as Gianna's list of recommendations. Not all are "unknown" or even "unappreciated" films, but all are worth a glance if you've missed them.
2001 - Trippy, weird, and supremely cool! Don't expect it to make sense.
28 Days Later - One of the best horror movies I've seen in a long time.
84 Charing Cross Road - A sweet, simple, completely forgotten film.
A Hard Day’s Night - A hugely influential film - and really funny (but use the subtitles!)
About a Boy - Hugh Grant gives a stellar performance here
After Hours - The best film to watch after a bad day.
All of Me - Silly, funny film from the 80s.
All Quiet on the Western Front - Early Best Picture winner, but I bet you haven't seen it!
Almost Famous - Great script, great music, great performances.
Amelie - French film about the single most adorable human ever.
Arsenic & Old Lace - Cary Grant gives his best comedic performance. Ever.
Babette’s Feast - For anyone who loves food.
Barton Fink - Complex and confusing, but gorgeous and thought provoking.
Blood Simple - Another great Coen brothers movie. Their first - and possibly best.
Born on the 4th of July - It's a shame how underrated an actor Tom Cruise is.
Brazil - Watch the director's cut. You'll still be confused, but also amazed.
Central Station - Overshadowed by "Life is Beautiful," but so very touching.
Charade - Audrey Hepburn. Cary Grant. Need I say more?
Clash of the Titans - Bad, but awesomely so.
Crimes & Misdemeanors - Woody Allen's best. The ending is perfect.
Deathtrap - Twisty & turny. It'll keep you guessing.
Diabolique - So often ripped off, this was completely shocking in its day.
Die Hard - Best. Action. Movie. Ever.
Dog Day Afternoon - Pacino when he could still act.
Dogma - Kevin Smith's best, even with Linda Fiorentino and the Crap Monster.
Elmer Gantry - Burt Lancaster's hair could've won the Oscar alone.
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off - A perfectly light, fluffy confection of a movie.
Finding Nemo - Not just for kids. This is powerfully moving as well as funny.
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes - Marilyn Monroe saves the day with reasoning. How's that?
Get Shorty - A great film for anyone who loves movies.
Groundhog Day - So underrated in its time, thankfully is better appreciated now.
Hairspray (1988 & 2007) - Both wonderful in their own right. It's Madison time!
Harvey - Classic Jimmy Stewart.
Heathers - Dated, but still awesome.
High & Low - A Kirosawa film? Yep.
Hot Fuzz - Another classic send up from Simon Pegg.
How to Succeed in Business… - VERY dated, but so freakin' cute!
In America - Such a beautiful film. Bring your hankie!
In Cold Blood - Bleak, stark, and cold.
Inside Man - Really great caper movie.
Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang - Great tongue in cheek action flick.
Limbo - The Great John Sayles sticks to his guns and gives a move which lives up to its name.
Little Shop of Horrors - An early indication that musicals were not finished - despite "Annie"'s best efforts.
Lost in Translation - Not for everyone, but a beautiful piece about two people forming a connection.
Malcolm X - Spike Lee's best.
Michael Clayton - Slow and somber, George Clooney is amazing in this.
Midnight Run - Often overlooked, this film is too funny and quite sweet.
Mr. Deeds Goes to Town - Adorable. Just adorable.
Notorious - My favorite Hitchcock.
O Brother, Where Art Thou? - Endlessly quotable.
Ocean’s 11 - Groovy!
Open Water - a great low budget "horror" film. uncompromising.
Paper Moon - Beautiful black & white film with tremendous performances.
Parenthood - Another forgotten gem.
Passion of Joan of Arc - Amazing what was accomplished in its day.
Persepolis - Gorgeous animation and an important story for all to see.
Pinnochio - Not one of Disney's "princess" movies, so it's often forgotten how amazing this is.
Primary Colors - A great commentary on politics.
Reversal of Fortune - Great scripting and direction with a great "who dunnit" story.
Run Lola Run - Frenetic and fun.
Running on Empty - A small film about 60's radicals raising a family on the lam.
Say Anything - Cameron Crowe's best.
Seabiscuit - Dismissed as not as good as the book, this is quite wonderful.
Sense & Sensibility - There are no words. If you haven't seen it, do it now!
Shall We Dance? (1996/ Japanese) - Adorable & touching.
Shallow Grave - Another great twisty, turny one that keeps you guessing.
Shaun of the Dead - Great Zombie send up.
Sleeping Beauty - Disney goes all hip and cinematic.
Snatch - Hip and fun comic caper movie.
Stagecoach - Yes, it's John Wayne, but it's also good.... I was surprised, too!
Swing Time - My favorite Astaire & Rogers picture.
Talented Mr. Ripley - So underrated in its time. A beautifully shot and crafted film with one of Matt Damon's best performances.
The African Queen - Charming, funny & filled with adventure.
The Apartment - Sad & sweet, romantic & funny. This film has it all!
The Bicycle Thief - A classic.
The Bishop’s Wife - Simply oozing charm. Stay far away from the remake.
The Bourne Trilogy - Action flicks don't get any smarter or better shot.
The Butcher Boy - Little-seen Neil Jordan film. Not for everyone, though.
The Great Dictator - A Charlie Chaplin talkie about World War II.
The Great Escape - The perfect Sunday Afternoon movie.
The Lady Eve - One of my very favorites. Henry Fonda & Barbara Stanwyck heat things up.
The Lives of Others - A quiet little film that sticks with you.
The Manchurian Candidate - The original please. Really ground-breaking - even watching it now.
The Professional - As amazing as everyone says.
The Pursuit of Happyness - Surprisingly mature film. It makes me cry buckets.
The Red Violin - Completely unique film whose main character is a musical instrument.
The Return of the Seacaucus 7 - John Sayles first film and just a good time.
The "Road" Pictures - Hope & Crosby were great together. See at least one.
This is Spinal Tap - What's wrong with being sexy?
Times of Harvey Milk - Great, affecting documentary about the slain activist.
Tootsie - Possibly the funniest film ever.
Truly, Madly, Deeply - Great romantic comedy with Alan Rickman.
United 93 - Not one everyone is rushing to see, but extremely well crafted.
Visions of Light - Everyone who loves movies should appreciate this documentary on cinematographers.
Wag the Dog - Robert DeNiro's best performance? I think so.
Waking Ned Devine - Movies don't get much more adorable.
Wallace & Grommit: The Curse of the Wererabbit - a towering achievement in stop-motion animation.
Whale Rider- A tremendous performance by Keisha Castle Hughes makes this a must watch.
White Heat - Made it Ma, top of the world!
Zelig - Black & White Woody Allen. A great pre-cursor to Forrest Gump.
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Great to see films like 84 Charing Cross Road, Deathtrap, Red Violin, Parenthood, Midnight Run and Truly Madly Deeply on the list. This is what I love about 'marginal' must see lists. These films get so neglected. Charing Cross and Truly Madly are charming and sublime. Midnight Run is a very unjustly overlooked action/comedy. Deathrap and Red Violin are wonderful in their storytelling. And Parenthood is,in my opinion, one of the best films about the American family dynamic.
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