24 Hours Worth of Movies to Watch Before You Die

24 Hours Worth of Movies to Watch Before You Die


Welcome to WatchMojo and today we’re counting down our picks for exactly 24 hours worth of movies to watch before you die. These are the movies that every movie fan - casual or otherwise - needs to experience at least once.

#13: “Back to the Future” (1985)

There’s a reason why every film that attempts to pull off time travel gets compared to “Back to the Future.” This iconic tale of the eccentric Doc Brown and Marty McFly has been completely ingrained in pop culture for decades now. Just cause it’s a movie for all ages doesn’t mean that it won’t challenge you with its mind-bending paradoxes. There aren’t many films that we’d consider ‘perfect,’ but seeing these two legendary characters going on their first adventure together is the type of bucket-list recommendation we’d make to anyone.

#12: “The Big Lebowski” (1998)

“The Big Lebowski” isn’t just a movie. No, watching this slacker masterpiece from the Coen brothers is like going to visit an old friend. Whether it’s the infinitely quotable one-liners, the totally bonkers plot, or basically any moment that John Goodman’s scene-stealing Walter Sobchak[a] is on-screen - this is the type of movie that film fans get excited about showing first-timers. It’s by no means a one-note comedy either. You might just learn a thing or two from The Dude’s unbreakably laid-back attitude. Even if you don’t, you’re bound to have a damn good time watching him try to solve the mystery of Bunny Lebowski’s kidnapping… and how it all ties into his favourite rug.

#11: “When Harry Met Sally…” (1989)

If you’re looking for the type of movie that stays with you once you’re finished watching, make room for a good old-fashioned romance. For our money, “When Harry Met Sally…” is about as charming a love story as you’ll see in the last 40 years of cinema. Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan deliver a truly imperfect love story that has been copied, repurposed, and regurgitated so many times… but never really surpassed. Crystal and Ryan’s on-screen chemistry is the gold standard for rom-coms. Over the years that this film covers, watching their connection blossom in such an organic way is truly, truly heartwarming.

#10: “Jurassic Park” (1993)

You surely knew this was coming eventually. What list of must-watch movies would be complete without stepping into the awe-inspiring and truly terrifying world of “Jurassic Park?” The idea of man playing god and messing with nature had been done before. It’s been done since, but no movie quite manages to bring about that jaw-dropping sense of wonder like Steven Spielberg's 1993 tour de force. The CGI and practical effects hold up remarkably well to this day. This film's many climactic set-pieces never stop being intense. There’s just something about hungry dinosaurs on the loose that sends shivers down our spines even now. And those raptors? Need we say more?

#9: “Field of Dreams” (1989)

Every great list of movies needs a sports classic. If you’re going to watch one, you’d better make it “Field of Dreams.” When Kevin Costner’s Ray Kinsella hears otherworldly voices urging him to build a baseball field in his backyard, he dedicates himself to a purpose that only he truly understands. It might sound like a cooky concept for a sports movie - but trust us, this is the type of film that will make you want to go out and run a mile. We’ve all watched heartwarming and inspirational sports movies before, but this one has a supernatural twist that raises the stakes to a different level entirely.

#8: “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” (1975)

We were torn between “Monty Python's Life of Brian” and this one. In the end, the sheer ridiculousness and laugh-out-loud nature of ‘The Holy Grail’ edges it ahead of it. From squires faking horse-noises with empty coconuts to the most aggressive rabbit ever committed to film, this offering from the legendary British comedy troupe is one of the most bizarre historical stories you will ever see. Nothing is off-limits, and the film’s logic is broken constantly without any explanation. It’s a movie so iconic within its field that even its throw-away lines have become pop culture staples. In other words, it’s the most essential comedy flick of the 20th century, bar none.

#7: “Good Will Hunting” (1997)

The unlikely genius trope has been done many, many times before - but arguably never better than in this debut script-writing effort from future stars Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. The pair went from total unknowns to household names on the back of this Oscar-winning hit - the tale of a self-destructive janitor who just so happens to possess an earth-shattering intellect. Supporting performances from Robin Williams, Minnie Driver, and Stellan Skarsgård provide the icing on top, but it’s Damon’s titular protagonist that gives us the real soul of the movie. It’s a coming-of-age story, a comedy, a dive into a mentor and pupil relationship, and so much more.

#6: “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” (2018)

Looking for a visual thrill-ride that doesn’t skimp on the substance? Well, “Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse” might just be the surprise package you’re searching for. Though it’s very clearly a superhero flick, we’d be quite comfortable recommending this one to anyone who enjoys a well-written, well-paced, and truly hilarious action movie. Even movie-watchers who aren’t necessarily into animated films will find lots to enjoy here. It’s an origin story, but not done like anything you’ve ever seen before. Forget everything you’ve ever known about Spider-Man, Peter Parker, and the world he lives in… this is a true trailblazer for the comic book movie genre.

#5: “Singin' in the Rain” (1952)

If you’ve got a soft spot for the classics, you’ve surely at least heard of Gene Kelly’s career-defining turn in the musical masterpiece, “Singin' in the Rain.” Until you’ve actually watched this one and recognised the many iconic songs that make up its soundtrack, you don’t know what you’re in for. This isn’t just a one-note musical either. This is a film that barely puts a foot wrong in its one-hundred-and-three minute run-time - featuring some of cinema’s most iconic dance scenes before eventually culminating in the song that gave the movie its title. The word ‘classic’ is thrown around a lot, but here, it’s well-deserved.

#4: “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope” (1977)

If you fall into the camp of people who haven’t watched the original “Star Wars” trilogy, boy, do we wish we were in your shoes. Seeing this George Lucas creation for the first time is the type of movie-watching experience that you’ll spend the rest of your life chasing. Of course, the entry point for the series is one of the greatest introductions to a franchise imaginable. From setting the stage for heroes like Han Solo, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Princess Leia, and, Luke Skywalker, to introducing perhaps the most iconic villain in movie history, Darth Vader, “A New Hope” masterfully draws you into a world that still has as much relevance today as it did all those years ago.

#3: “Everything Everywhere All at Once” (2022)

Mind-bending epics like “Everything Everywhere All at Once” don’t come around as often as they should, but there’s a good reason for that. To even try to explain the plot of this 2022 future classic would be to do it a disservice. This is a movie that truly needs to be seen to be believed. It’s part sci-fi, fantasy, comedy, action, and psychological thriller. At its core, this far-reaching story boils down to a pretty simple tale about family. And while packing all of these elements into one film may sound daunting, watching this Michelle Yeoh-led cast pull it off so well gives us hope for the world.

#2: “Groundhog Day” (1993)

Ever feel like you’re living the same day over and over again? Well, Bill Murray’s Phil Connors does exactly that in this unique and infinitely re-watchable tale about a man who simply cannot move on with his life until he finds what he truly wants. It might sound like a sappy rom-com concept, but this movie hits every single nail directly on the head. It’s the type of concept that we’ve probably already toyed with before. Yet, watching a comedy legend like Murray live out his day over and over makes it feel like you yourself are directing his actions. This movie takes this idea and stretches it as far as it will go without ever becoming a bloated mess…

#1: “Toy Story” (1995)

No matter what age you are, if you haven’t sat down and indulged in a couple of hours watching Woody, Buzz, and the gang going on their adventures, you truly need to remedy that. “Toy Story” is the first in a franchise of movies that are all honestly great in their own way. It's the opening movie that cemented these plastic heroes as pop culture icons. Talking toys may seem like a juvenile idea, but you’ll find more to love in these inanimate objects than in most other characters you’ll watch this year. The plot is so simple that you can’t help but relate to it. With a star-studded cast giving these roles their all, this one definitely falls into the must-watch category.

If you had time for just one more movie to cap off your final moments on this Earth, which one would you choose? Let us know in the comments.




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