There are two kinds of movies. There are those that are bad or only good enough for a single viewing. Then, there are the films that you can’t help but watch again and again. These are the films that always seem to be on cable, and when you’re flipping through the channels, you watch them no matter how many times you’ve seen them in the past. You know more than half of the lines and when the best parts are coming up. It’s a wonderful thing, and today, we’re going to talk about the 35 movies that will never, ever get old.
While this type of list is subjective, we think that there are films on here that many people enjoy. There are great dramas, like “Titanic” and “Goodfellas” that are just so thrilling and interesting that we can’t get enough. There’s also a fair share of new and older comedies that we can’t help but watch. Films like “Christmas Vacation,” “Home Alone” and “Clueless” are just a few. Many great directors make incredible films. You’ll see movies from Martin Scorcese, Quentin Tarintino and Steven Spielberg on this list.
To create this list, the staff at 24/7 Tempo talked about their favorite films so we could discover the most beloved movies. We also looked at film scores on sites like the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes to see which films audiences loved the most. Granted, not every movie will have a 100% likeability, but they’re generally enjoyed by audiences. While we consider these to be the 35 best overall movies that will never, ever get old, you can also break down the greatest films by decade. Start with our list of the best 50s movies that will never get old.
“Titanic”
- Year Released: 1997
- Starring: Leonardo Dicaprio, Kate Winslet
- IMDB Rating: 7.9/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer: 88%
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 69%
There are many reasons why “Titanic” is one of the movies that will never, ever get old. The movie has it all. The first half is filled with romance and amazing characters. The second half is a disaster movie like we’ve never seen before. It was so surreal to see how the Titanic sank all those years ago. It’s equal parts fascinating and incredibly sad. The movie is so well-made that we just want to watch it over and over, and it’s worth it every time.
“Inglourious Basterds”
- Year Released: 2009
- Starring: Brad Pitt, Christoph Waltz
- IMDB Rating: 8.4/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer: 89%
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 88%
Director Quentin Tarantino could see every one of his movies on this list, but this is one of his most engaging films. There’s so much to pay attention to here that it takes several views to grasp everything that goes on. The acting is also top-notch, especially when it comes to Christoph Waltz, who nails the evil bad guy, and it’s enjoyable to watch.
“Goodfellas”
- Year Released: 1990
- Starring: Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro
- IMDB Rating: 8.7/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer: 95%
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 97%
There have been several gangster films over the years that have defined the genre, and “Goodfellas” is one of them. There’s so much packed into this film, from the violence to the dialogue to the great acting of Pesci and Liotta. This also happens to be one of the best movies of Martin Scorsese’s career, though it’s far from his only great film. You can tune into this movie at any point during its runtime and have a great time.
“No Country For Old Men”
- Year Released: 2007
- Starring: Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem
- IMDB Rating: 8.2/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer: 93%
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 86%
There’s a reason some movies earn Oscars, and this film proves its greatness every time you watch it. A fun bad guy always makes a great movie even better, and Javier Bardem knocks it out of the park. There’s some deep drama in this film, plus memorable dialogue and action set pieces. It’s one of the movies that will never, ever get old because we’re forced to think about what we would do in similar situations.
“The Hangover”
- Year Released: 2009
- Starring: Zach Galifianakis, Bradley Cooper
- IMDB Rating: 7.7/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer: 79%
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 84%
This movie is a cult classic because of the trio of actors that made such a great team. In addition to being a comedy, it’s a bit of a mystery movie, which makes it that much more fascinating. This is Bradley Cooper at his finest, and it’s so fun to watch.
“Mean Girls”
- Year Released: 2004
- Starring: Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams
- IMDB Rating: 7.1/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer: 84%
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 66%
Don’t let the Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score fool you, the original 2004 “Mean Girls” is a film worth watching repeatedly. Writer Tina Fey really put her best stuff into this film and it’s quite funny. The movie isn’t just for young girls either. There’s something to enjoy for everyone. It also reminds us of a more innocent time when Lindsay Lohan was the Hollywood it-girl. You can watch this movie repeatedly and always find a new joke to enjoy.
“Jurassic Park”
- Year Released: 1993
- Starring: Sam Neill, Jeff Goldblum
- IMDB Rating: 8.2/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer: 92%
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 91%
Anyone alive in 1993, when “Jurassic Park” was released, likely remembers the thrill of seeing these dinosaurs alive and walking around on screen. This Steven Spielberg film is one of his finest, and it never gets old. If you aren’t amazed by the T-rex, then it’s the velociraptors in the kitchen that get you going. There’s something for everyone in this film.
“Independence Day”
- Year Released: 1996
- Starring: Jeff Goldblum, Will Smith
- IMDB Rating: 7.0/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer: 68%
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 75%
When you think of the best alien invasion movies of all time, “Independence Day” must be at the top of the list. The film was revolutionary for the time and it really boosted actor Will Smith to another level. Just about everyone remembers the shock when New York and other major cities were destroyed by the alien ships, and it’s a scene that always impresses.
“Clueless”
- Year Released: 1995
- Starring: Alicia Silverstone, Paul Rudd
- IMDB Rating: 6.9/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer: 81%
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 76%
There’s just something about this movie that makes us want to watch it every time we’re flipping through the channels. Alicia Silverstone commands the screen and portrays her character with perfection. This movie is filled with nostalgia and it’s a blast to look back at how we acted during the 90s. Plus, we get a chance to watch the wonder of actress Brittany Murphy and early Paul Rudd, and it’s a lot of fun.
“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”
- Year Released: 1989
- Starring: Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo
- IMDB Rating: 7.5/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer: 70%
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 86%
Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. This is the best Christmas movie of all time. It’s also one of the best Chevy Chase movies in existence. There are so many memorable lines and colorful characters in this film, which is why people watch it every year. The movie is simply timeless and it reminds us of our family traditions around the holidays. Plus, it’s just funny, and many of the jokes never get old, no matter how many times we’ve heard them.
“The Princess Bride”
- Year Released: 1987
- Starring: Cary Elwes, Robin Wright
- IMDB Rating: 8.0/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer: 96%
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 94%
This postmodern fairy tale is beloved by people of all ages. It’s one of the movies that will never, ever get old because its story is wonderful, and the characters are unforgettable. This is also a very romantic movie, and that really sticks with a lot of people. The film is funny, dramatic and charming at all the right points. The movie is also quite short, at just over 90 minutes, so it’s easy to watch it over and over.
“Home Alone”
- Year Released: 1990
- Starring: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci
- IMDB Rating: 7.7/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer: 66%
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 80%
There’s a lot to like about “Home Alone” and “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.” Both are fun holiday movies that have a lot of imagination and comedy mixed in. We love the first film because it was such a refreshing take on the holiday genre. Once again, Joe Pesci makes the list because it’s so fun to see him and Daniel Stern get beat up throughout the film. There’s a lot to enjoy in this film which is why we watch it annually.
“Back to the Future”
- Year Released: 1985
- Starring: Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd
- IMDB Rating: 8.5/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer: 93%
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 95%
People really enjoy this film for many reasons. For one, you have a young Michael J. Fox during the prime of his career, and he’s very charismatic. There’s also the hilarious Christoper Lloyd as the doctor. In addition to the acting, it’s also fascinating to think about what we could do if we could go back in time, and this movie allows us to live out a bit of that fantasy.
“Caddyshack”
- Year Released: 1980
- Starring: Chevy Chase, Rodney Dangerfield
- IMDB Rating: 7.2/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer: 72%
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 87%
You don’t have to love playing golf to enjoy this sports comedy with some of the decade’s most famous comedians. You can start watching this movie at any point, and you’ll get a chuckle, but you may want to keep the kids away. If you watch this movie for any reason, it should be for the pool scene.
“Edward Scissorhands”
- Year Released: 1990
- Starring: Johnny Depp, Winona Ryder
- IMDB Rating: 7.9/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer: 89%
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 91%
Most of Tim Burton’s films could make it on this list, but one that we love to watch time and time again is this fantasy film starring Johnny Depp. This story is so hard to believe, yet we are sucked in and love every minute of it. The film ramps up at the end and has a very epic finale. This is also some of the best acting of Johnny Depp’s career.
“War of the Worlds”
- Year Released: 2005
- Starring: Tom Cruise, Dakota Fanning
- IMDB Rating: 6.5/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer: 76%
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 42%
While there have been many versions of “War of the Worlds,” going back to the original radio play, there’s something really exciting about this Tom Cruise version. The aliens are very scary here, and there’s an incredible scene near the beginning where the alien machines attack. The special effects are incredible. Don’t let the low Rotten Tomatoes score fool you; this is a movie we love to watch whenever we get the chance.
“Tommy Boy”
- Year Released: 1995
- Starring: Chris Farley, David Spade
- IMDB Rating: 7.1/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer: 40%
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 90%
“Tommy Boy” is the quintessential Chris Farley film. This movie is full of one-liners that we love to recite to our friends, and the chemistry between Farley and David Spade is without comparison. This is another flick that you can tune into at any time and immediately have a good time, and it’s certainly one of the movies that will never, ever get old.
“Signs”
- Year Released: 2002
- Starring: Mel Gibson, Rory Culkin
- IMDB Rating: 6.8/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer: 75%
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 67%
In our opinion, we could have put several of director M. Night Shyamalan’s films on this list, but we think “Signs” is the one that really captures our imagination. Plus, it shows us what it might be like if there was an alien invasion and it’s hard to look away.
“Inside Man”
- Year Released: 2006
- Starring: Denzel Washington, Clive Owen
- IMDB Rating: 7.6/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer: 86%
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 85%
There have been many bank robbery films over the years, but most don’t set themselves apart like Spike Lee’s “Inside Man.” The writing in this film is incredible and the plot is unreal. Denzel Washington has been in many of the movies that will never, ever get old, and this is undoubtedly one of his best. There are tons of twists and turns, so it’s worth rewatching to try to catch everything.
“Old School”
- Year Released: 2003
- Starring: Luke Wilson, Vince Vaughn
- IMDB Rating: 7.0/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer: 60%
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 86%
When it comes to memorable comedies, “Old School” is at the top of the list. This is an ensemble comedy with some of the biggest stars of the time. This movie was directed by Todd Phillips, who directed other films on this list, and it’s one of his best.
“Fargo”
- Year Released: 1996
- Starring: Steve Buscemi, William H. Macy
- IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer: 94%
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 92%
One of the most talked about films of the 90s was the crime drama “Fargo.” In addition to the weaving storylines and interesting characters, there is that unmistakable North Dakota accent that makes the film that much more interesting. This is a movie that’s just too good to pass up when flipping through the channels.
“Napoleon Dynamite”
- Year Released: 2004
- Starring: Jon Heder, Jon Gries
- IMDB Rating: 7.0/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer: 72%
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 74%
One of the most talked about movies of the early 2000s was “Napoleon Dynamite.” It was such a breath of fresh air to have such a novel comedy come about and take the nation by storm. The great thing about the movie is that it’s timeless, and you can enjoy it every year. Granted, the movie is not for everyone, but if you like it, you probably watch it regularly.
“Dumb and Dumber”
- Year Released: 1994
- Starring: Jim Carrey, Jeff Daniels
- IMDB Rating: 7.3/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer: 68%
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 84%
Another comedy that took the world by storm was “Dumb and Dumber,” which starred Jim Carrey at his peak. This movie is filled with great one-liners and famous moments, and it’s a very fun film. It also happens to be one of those movies that seems to be on cable all of the time, and that’s a good thing. This is a comedy that everyone can enjoy, and most people do.
“Cloverfield”
- Year Released: 2008
- Starring: Michael Stahl-David, Mike Vogel
- IMDB Rating: 7.0/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer: 78%
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 68%
One of the most surprising films of 2008 was the monster movie “Cloverfield.” This movie was shrouded in secrecy until its release and it was a wild ride. The movie was one of the most famous “found footage” films in history and it reminds us of how crazy it would be if a giant monster roamed the streets. It never seems to get old to see it.
“Final Destination”
- Year Released: 2000
- Starring: Devon Sawa, Ali Larter, Kerr Smith
- IMDB Rating: 6.7/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer: 36%
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 68%
Don’t let the Rotten Tomatoes score fool you on this one. “Final Destination” was one of the wildest horror movies of the decade. The deaths are so interesting and unique that we just have to watch them over and over. It’s no surprise there have been so many sequels.
“The Break-Up”
- Year Released: 2006
- Starring: Jennifer Aniston, Vince Vaughn
- IMDB Rating: 5.8/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer: 34%
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 46%
This is another one of Vince Vaughn’s greatest films of his career and it’s truly underrated. There is a lot of great stuff in this film and in addition to the wacky dialogue and funny lines, there’s a lot of heart and good drama. It’s worth watching the film repeatedly if only to learn what not to do in a relationship.
“Panic Room”
- Year Released: 2002
- Starring: Jodie Foster, Jared Leto
- IMDB Rating: 6.8/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer: 76%
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 64%
This is one of the most thrilling movies of all time. It’s a home invasion drama that is filled with great dialogue and intriguing ideas, and it’s a great ride from start to finish. Jodie Foster always finds the best roles.
“Batman Returns”
- Year Released: 1992
- Starring: Michael Keaton, Danny DeVito
- IMDB Rating: 7.1/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer: 82%
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 73%
While people have differing opinions, this is considered by many to be one of the best of the earlier Batman films. It’s darker in tone but that just adds to the excitement. Plus, it features some of the best villains in the series. There’s a lot to love and it’s a lot of fun to watch.
“My Cousin Vinny”
- Year Released: 1992
- Starring: Joe Pesci, Marisa Tomei
- IMDB Rating: 7.6/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer: 87%
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 87%
One of the themes on this list is Joe Pesci. He was in so many great films during the 90s and 2000s, and this was easily his best comedy. This is equal parts slapstick comedy and courtroom drama, and the film is full of interesting characters. It simply never gets old.
“Sideways”
- Year Released: 2004
- Starring: Paul Giamatti, Thomas Haden Church
- IMDB Rating: 7.5/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer: 97%
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 79%
This is another movie that’s not for everyone, but if you like this kind of high-brow comedy then “Sideways” is probably one of your favorites. This is actor Paul Giamatti at the top of his game and it’s no wonder the film won so many awards. The dialogue in this one is really fun and it’s worth repeat viewings.
“Die Hard”
- Year Released: 1988
- Starring: Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman
- IMDB Rating: 8.2/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer: 94%
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 94%
Like it or not, this is another film that many of us love to watch every Christmas season. It’s one of Bruce Willis’ most memorable films. It’s loaded with action, snappy dialogue and a great villain. Even if you’ve seen this one 100 times, it’s still awesome every time.
“Falling Down”
- Year Released: 1993
- Starring: Michael Douglas, Robert Duvall
- IMDB Rating: 7.6/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer: 75%
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 84%
“Falling Down” is a tough movie to watch, but it’s also intriguing in the fact that many of us can imagine going a little crazy after life kicks us when we’re down. Michael Douglas does an incredible job in this one and it’s worth viewing whenever it’s on TV, which isn’t often.
“Planes, Trains and Automobiles”
- Year Released: 1987
- Starring: Steve Martin, John Candy
- IMDB Rating: 7.6/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer: 92%
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 87%
This is another movie that many people watch every single year, especially around Thanksgiving, and it simply never loses its luster. Steve Martin and John Candy are simply hilarious, and they have a great chemistry that cannot be duplicated. This is also worth watching before any road trip.
“Casino”
- Year Released: 1995
- Starring: Joe Pesci, Robert De Niro
- IMDB Rating: 8.2/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer: 78%
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 93%
It’s hard for a three-hour movie to stay engaging the entire time, but “Casino” makes it happen. This is another masterpiece by Martin Scorsese, and it’s almost as good as “Goodfellas.” Joe Pesci knocks it out of the park and we always want to tune in time and time again to watch his violent antics. On top of it all, the movie is based on the realities of Old Vegas, and that makes the film all that more fascinating.
“The Dark Knight”
- Year Released: 2008
- Starring: Heath Ledger, Christian Bale
- IMDB Rating: 9.0/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer: 94%
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 94%
If you only watch one superhero movie, make it “The Dark Knight.” This Christopher Nolan-directed masterpiece is the best Batman film ever, and it’s full of action and suspense. Perhaps the one reason why it’s one of the movies that will never, ever get old is because of Heath Ledger as The Joker. He is simply mesmerizing, and you’ll always notice something different. While we’ve been spoiled by incredible movies like “The Dark Knight,” not all films in this genre are created equal. To see what we mean, check out our list of the worst superhero movies of all time.