Since the dawn of the prominence of cinema in the 1920’s, movies have become a prominent part of media, and a means of entertainment one can always have a good time with. Whether you’re in the mood to watch something explode, or see a touching story, movies have it all. However, a common question comes up every now and then: What’s the best movie of each genre? It’s hard to pinpoint the best film of all time, so one has to look at each genre and find out a bigger group of the best depending on which type of film ones wishes to watch. Everybody has mixed feelings on this highly debated topic, but surely the following movies can constitute as agreed upon classics.

Horror

The Exorcist, 1973– Directed by William Friedkin.

When a teenage girl is seemingly possessed by a demon, her mother calls 2 priests for help who then attempt an exorcism. It was nominated for 10 Academy Awards including Best Picture (was also the first horror film to be nominated for such), and won 2 for Best Sound Mixing and Best Adapted Screenplay. It was a success not just critically, but made over $441 million worldwide. To this day, it is considered to be one of the best horror films of all time by Entertainment Weekly, Movies.com, viewers of AMC in 2006 and other publications. It was also ranked #3 on Bravo’s “100 scariest movie moments”, and in 2010 the Library of Congress selected it to be preserved in the National Film Registry as historically and aesthetically significant.

Comedy

Monty Python and the Holy Grail, 1975 – Directed by Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones.

King Arthur and his knights (of the round table), go on a quest for the Holy Grail, faced with multiple comedic obstacles. A parody of King Arthur’s search for the Holy Grail, the Monty Python crew made their first legitimate film. It was an instant success, grossing the most of any British film in the US in 1975. It now has a cult status, and catalyzed the popularity of Monty Python in America, established all the members’ careers, and spawned a Broadway Musical was nominated for twelve Tony’s including Best Musical, and won three for Best Musical, Best Performance by a Featured Actress, and Best Direction of a Musical.

Action/Adventure

Indiana Jones (Original trilogy), 1981/1984/1989 – Directed by Steven Spielberg.

All three films center on the titular archaeologist going on adventures to help claim something of importance, while facing multiple obstacles along the way. The first movie, “Raiders of the Lost Ark” made over $8,000,000 in theaters, the second movie, “Temple of Doom” made over $25,000,000, and the third movie, “The Last Crusade” made over $29,000,000. Each movie won several awards such as several Oscars, Golden Screen Awards, and BAFTAs.

Romance

The Princess Bride, 1987 – Directed by Rob Reiner.

In a story told to a grandchild from his grandfather, a princess falls in love with a farm boy, only to find out an infamous pirate known to never take hostages kills him. Many years later she is soon to be wed to a prince whom she doesn’t love back, only to be saved after being kidnapped by 3 outlaws, also by a mysterious masked man dressed in black. It grossed over $30,000,000, and won several awards such as a Saturn Award, a Hugo, a People’s Choice, and a Young Artist award. It also now lives on in fandom and cult status;

being shown on one night only shows to be viewed by fans dressed up as their favorite characters shouting out beloved quotes.

Sci-Fi/Thriller

Alien, 1979 – Directed by Ridley Scott.

While on its way back to earth, a ship with a crew of 7 is stopped, due to a distress signal being sent to it from a nearby planet. The crew ventures onto it, only to find a species of alien that kills people. It made over $104,000,000, and earned an Oscar, a Golden Globe, and several other awards. It spawned a few sequels, and a large multi-franchise cross over. To this day, it is considered to be not only one of the best science fiction films ever, but one of the best thriller films ever as well.

Documentary

Super Size Me, 2004 – Directed by and starring Morgan Spurlock.

Spurlock shows how the constant diet of fast food makes your body sick, and exposes the terrible process behind the food. It grossed about $11,000,000, and earned several awards including an Oscar nomination, but was more known to help millions by exposing what people were eating. It caused change in McDonald’s practice, shown in schools regularly, and still affects the food industry in America to this day.

Drama

The Godfather, 1972 – Directed by Francis Ford Coppola.

A movie about a crime family; this is one title that everybody knows regardless of whether or not they’ve seen it. Not only is it a drama, but a classic. It was the highest grossing film of 1972, making over $81,000,000, earning several awards such as an Oscar, a Golden Globe, a Grammy, a Golden Screen, and many more. This film is

regarded as one of the greatest if not the greatest film of all time, spawned an equally incredible sequel (the first of its kind), and molds cinema to this day.