5 Best Movies That You Should Watch Now

They often tell us about the present, past, or possible future events. You can learn life lessons and still unwind to a movie masterpiece.

For many people, finding the right film can be challenging. There are millions of movies out there, with many claiming to be a breath of fresh air. You don't have to worry about making a wrong pick, here are five best movies that you should watch now.

Raiders of the Lost Ark

None of the Indiana Jones movies matches up to the Raiders of the Lost Ark. It combines the best elements of comedy, action, adventure, and drama, making for one of the greatest films ever. Harrison Ford plays the role of the main protagonist, Indiana Jones, and does it brilliantly. Steven Spielberg sits in the director's chair earning an Academy Award nomination for his work.

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The Plot

Indiana Jones is an American archeologist who the Nazi soldiers tasked with recovering the Lost Ark of the Covenant. They look to build a super army using the powers of this biblical relic. Jones takes it upon himself to thwart their plans, beginning a race to finding the Ark.

This cinematic perfection holds a place in popular culture. From the gun to sword fight scene, Jones iconic hat, and an ever recognizable theme song, you get a classic.

The Reception

Raiders of the Lost Ark was the first installment in the Indiana Jones franchise. Its commercial and critical success led to three other movies in the franchise. This flick took home over 300 million at the box office, receiving five academy awards in 1982.

12 Years a Slave

We have director Steve McQueen to thank for this cinematic masterpiece. 12 Years a Slave is one of the best movies of all time and based on a true story. Solomon Northup is the protagonist of this film, with top actor Chiwetel Ejiofor playing this historical character. Other stars that graced the set of this masterpiece include the following.

Lupita Nyong'o;

Brad Pit;

Benedict Cumberbatch;

Michael Fassbender, and more.

The source material for this movie is Solomon Northup's 1853 slave memoir of the same name.

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The Plot

Viewers get to follow the events that lead to Solomon Northup's enslavement. The themes discussed in 12 Years a Slave include social injustice, institutional racism, and more. Despite being born a free man, two men kidnap and force Northup into slavery. He had to work on a plantation for twelve years before gaining his freedom.

Northrup had to conceal his true status and the events leading to his enslavement. The film is intriguing, throwing viewers into a world of suspense and betrayal.

The Reception

12 years a slave received critical acclaim, earning over 180 million dollars on a budget of under 22 million dollars. Lupita Nyong'o won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress due to her exceptional portrayal of Patsey. This movie also took home 2 other Oscars; Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Picture.

The God Father

This flick is a simple story about a crime family, focusing on power transfer to a younger generation. Marlon Brando plays the role of the God Father, while Al Pacino plays the role of his son, Michael Corleone. It's the first installment in a trilogy, setting up one of the most profitable franchises in Hollywood history.

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The Plot

The events of the God father take place from 1945 to 1955. You get to follow the story of Michael Corleone's rise to power to become the mafia's ruthless boss. Originally, he never wanted anything to do with the family business, but certain events force him onto the murderous path. The God Father promises exceptional storytelling, with an excellent shift in focus from father to son.

The Reception

The God Father was a box office success and critics also giving it high ratings. It's spawned multiple cultural references and inspired the production of many other crime thrillers. The movie is a recipient of three Academy Awards and 10 nominations at the 45th event.

Citizen Kane (1941)

Many critics consider Citizen Kane to be the best movie of all time and one of the best pieces of writing ever. Its cinematography, music, narration, and editing are widely praised attributes of this iconic film. Critics see it as a pacesetter, as it's the pioneering model for today's industry standards. Orson Welles stars in this movie, while also directing, producing, and co-writing this masterpiece.

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The Plot

It tells a simple story of a reporter Jerry Thompson, who looks to decipher the meaning of a tycoon's last word, Rosebud". He goes about interviewing Kane's family and associates to solve the mystery. After which, his inquiries into this elite's life uncover a story of a complex man's rise to fame from obscurity.

The Reception

There was a scandal surrounding the release of this movie, putting a damper on sales. On the accolades scene, Citizen Kane pulled in nine Academy Award category nominations. It won one of these awards being Best Writing (Original Screenplay). Also, numerous critics and film Institutes have gone on to name it the best movie ever made.

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

2001: A Space Odyssey is Stanley Kubrick's brainchild. He sits in the director's and producer's chair while co-writing the screenplay with Arthur C. Clarke. It's regarded as one of the best and most influential movies of all time, greatly influencing today's culture.

This sci-fi flick's central themes include human evolution, artificial intelligence, and existentialism. It stars Gary Lockwood, Keir Dullea, and many other industry veterans.

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The Plot

The film touches on the evolution of man as a species and the possibility of aliens. It follows the story of five astronauts on a mysterious mission to Jupiter. Their AI, HAL, begins to malfunction before going rogue on the humans. 2001: A Space Odyssey tells a simple story pitting man versus machine against the backdrop of space.

The Reception

This cinematic masterpiece took home an Academy Award from its four nominations. Its amazing visual effects and accurate portrayal of space travel are some of its strong points. You can experience the thrill of transversing our solar system right from your screen.

Final Thoughts

The best movies of all time don't limit themselves to just providing entertainment value. They become a part of popular culture spawning multiple references and other cinematic works. Are you looking for the best movies of all time? Selecting any of the listed picks will make for exciting and entertaining viewing.

Jessica Tanner

Update 21 February 2021