20 Modern Movies That Are Destined to Become Timeless Classics
Every generation leaves behind a set of films that become lasting parts of cinema history. Over the past two decades, certain movies have already earned that place. They redefined genres, delivered unforgettable moments, and shifted the way audiences think about cinema. Considering that they’ve already garnered critical praise, major awards, and lasting influence, these titles have all the markings of future classics.
Get Out (2017)
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Get Out has razor-sharp commentary, unlike any modern horror. Jordan Peele turned social unease into a nightmare, and Daniel Kaluuya delivered a breakout performance. Peele’s script won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, which made him the first Black writer to take that honor. Critics hailed it as one of the smartest horror films in decades.
Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
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Fury Road has been widely studied in film schools as a masterclass in visual storytelling. George Miller staged chase sequences that played like art, and Charlize Theron’s Furiosa became an instant icon. The film stormed the 2016 Oscars with six wins, including Best Editing and Best Production Design.
La La Land (2016)
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In the opening scene of La La Land, a freeway turns into a dance floor, and that’s all you need to know about the film’s energy and optimism. Damien Chazelle’s musical went on to earn 14 Oscar nominations—tying the all-time record—and won six. Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone’s chemistry grounded the romance, while Justin Hurwitz’s score carried the film’s emotional weight.
Hereditary (2018)
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Hereditary crawled under people’s skin and refused to leave. Ari Aster redefined family tragedy through horror, and Toni Collette gave one of the decade’s most intense performances. While the Academy ignored it, critics’ groups across the world named Collette’s role award-worthy. Its box office success for indie distributor A24 proved audiences craved bold horror.
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
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Into the Spider-Verse redefined animation. Its comic-book textures and kinetic style gave superhero films new energy, and Miles Morales won fans across generations. The movie won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, the Golden Globe, and the BAFTA in the same category.
The Lighthouse (2019)
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“Why’d you spill your beans?” became an internet staple, but the film’s artistry went deeper. Robert Eggers shot in black and white, which gave the film an eerie, timeless quality. It cleaned up at indie awards and built cult status quickly.
John Wick (2014)
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Nobody expected a revenge story about a dog to spark a global franchise, but John Wick did exactly that. Keanu Reeves reignited his career, and the film introduced balletic “gun-fu” combat that inspired countless imitators. While it didn’t earn awards, it built a billion-dollar franchise across sequels, spinoffs, and games.
Parasite (2019)
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Parasite made Academy Awards history as the first non-English Best Picture winner. Bong Joon-ho also won Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best International Feature, taking home four Oscars in one night. Its sharp take on inequality made it a global hit and pulled in $262 million worldwide.
The Social Network (2010)
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Aaron Sorkin’s script is fast-paced, and David Fincher’s direction gives it sharp focus. The Social Network won three Academy Awards: Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Editing, and Best Original Score. Jesse Eisenberg’s portrayal of Mark Zuckerberg became a defining role in his career.
Moonlight (2016)
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Moonlight made history when it won Best Picture after the infamous Oscars envelope mix-up. Barry Jenkins’ film also earned Oscars for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor for Mahershala Ali. Its intimate story about Chiron’s life struck audiences for its beauty and honesty.
Inception (2010)
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Christopher Nolan bent reality and left audiences questioning dreams. Inception grossed over $830 million and won four Academy Awards, including Best Cinematography and Best Visual Effects. Leonardo DiCaprio anchored a cast that helped sell the concept to mainstream audiences. Its ambiguous ending still sparks debate.
The Shape of Water (2017)
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Guillermo del Toro’s fantasy romance won four Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director, along with the Golden Lion at Venice. Sally Hawkins’ performance charmed critics, and the production design dazzled voters. Audiences embraced its unusual love story, and it grossed over $195 million worldwide.
Baby Driver (2017)
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Baby Driver put music in the driver’s seat. Edgar Wright synchronized car chases with songs, and the film played like a feature-length music video. It scored three Oscar nominations, including Best Editing and Best Sound Mixing. Its soundtrack went platinum, and the movie made over $225 million worldwide.
Boyhood (2014)
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Boyhood made headlines when it won the Golden Globe for Best Drama and picked up six Oscar nominations. Patricia Arquette also took home Best Supporting Actress, but awards only tell part of the story. Richard Linklater spent 12 years filming the same cast, thus allowing Ellar Coltrane to age naturally on screen.
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
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Fans still talk about the “I love you 3000” line and the roar that shook theaters during the climactic battle. Avengers: Endgame became more than a film because audiences treated it like a global gathering. Only afterward came the staggering numbers, with $2.79 billion earned worldwide and a brief reign as the highest-grossing movie ever. Its Oscar nomination for Best Visual Effects confirmed that spectacle matched sentiment.
1917 (2019)
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Sam Mendes’ war epic stunned audiences with its one-shot presentation. 1917 won three Oscars, including Best Cinematography for Roger Deakins, and it grossed $384 million worldwide. The film also won the Golden Globe for Best Drama and Best Director. Its immersive storytelling made it a standout in war cinema, and its technical achievement secured its spot as a film future directors will study.
A Quiet Place (2018)
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A Quiet Place follows a family forced to live in silence to survive. John Krasinski directed and starred alongside Emily Blunt, whose performance earned her a Screen Actors Guild Award. The film was praised for its inventive use of sound and tense atmosphere. While it didn’t win, it received an Academy Award nomination for Best Sound Editing.
Deadpool (2016)
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Deadpool smashed records as the highest-grossing R-rated film at the time, raking in $782 million worldwide. Ryan Reynolds’ passion project scored two Golden Globe nominations and rewrote the rules for superhero movies. Fans quoted it endlessly, and the film’s irreverent style influenced the genre’s direction. Its financial success also paved the way for more adult-oriented comic book adaptations.
Annihilation (2018)
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Alex Garland’s sci-fi drama confused studios but thrilled fans. The movie underperformed in theaters but gained prestige as a streaming hit. Critics praised its ambition, and it won multiple Saturn Award nominations for science fiction and visual effects. Its reputation grew online as fans dissected its imagery and meaning.
Lady Bird (2017)
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Lady Bird became one of the most acclaimed coming-of-age films ever. Greta Gerwig earned Oscar nominations for Best Director and Best Original Screenplay, while Saoirse Ronan and Laurie Metcalf also landed nominations. The film scored a Golden Globe for Best Comedy and briefly held a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score. Its wit, warmth, and honesty guarantee its place as a modern teen classic.