The Baby Boomers were born between 1955 and 1964. Currently, most Baby Boomers are between 60 and 69 years old. Gen-X is the generation right after, followed by Millennials and Gen-Z. Regarding entertainment, the Baby Boomers are a generation full of actors, scriptwriters, and directors behind tons of amazing projects.
Popular hobbies and activities that Baby Boomers fill their calendars with include gardening, political activism, golfing, fishing, aerobic exercise classes, and more. Aside from these, one of the best hobbies for Baby Boomers happens to be binge-watching intriguing movies.
We know of some epic films that keep Baby Boomers interested from start to finish. To gather this list of top films every Baby Boomer should watch, 24/7 Tempo consulted several entertainment sources. These include Movie Web, IMDb, ScreenRant, Movie Maker Magazine, and Rotten Tomatoes. For more Baby Boomer content, click here for cyber safety tips that will help you avoid online scams.
“Easy Rider” (1969)
IMDb user rating: 7.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 82%
Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 84%
Director: Dennis Hopper
The Baby Boomer generation collectively enjoyed “Easy Rider” when it first premiered back in 1969. The adventure-western told the story of two hippies who rode Harley motorcycles to get from point A to point B. When they decided they were ready to start pursuing spiritual elevation, they went on a cross country road trip together.
The purpose of the trip was to uncover new internal truths. The road trip ensued after they finished a drug deal in Southern California. Along the way, they came face-to-face with bigoted strangers who made them question themselves and their unconventional lifestyles.
A Clockwork Orange (1971)
IMDb user rating: 8.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 93%
Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 87%
Director: Stanley Kubrick
“A Clockwork Orange” first premiered in 1971. It told the story of a group of young adults who were obsessed with illegal substances. It focused on themes of violence, freedom, torture, and revenge. This quintessential Baby Boomers movie won several awards.
Some of the accolades include the Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Director, and the Saturn Award for Best DVD or Blu-ray Collection. The sci-fi crime drama was originally given an X rating for moviegoers, but after its re-release in 1972, it obtained an R-rating instead.
“The Graduate” (1967)
IMDb user rating: 8/10
Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 90%
Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 86%
Director: Mike Nichols
Loads of Baby Boomers can agree that “The Graduate” from 1967 was a movie that defined that generation. It told the story of a college grad who moved back in with his parents after finishing his studies. With no direction in life and tons of confusion about his next steps, it was easy for him to get caught up by the allure of a seductive older woman.
Keep in mind that he was a 21-year-old. The older woman was named was Mrs. Robinson – and she was certainly an aggressor. When the grad started developing unexpected feelings for Mrs. Robinson’s daughter, his situation got far more complicated. The movie starred Dustin Hoffman as the young man and Anne Bancroft as Mrs. Robinson.
“Jaws” (1975)
IMDb user rating: 8.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 90%
Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 97%
Director: Steven Spielberg
Back in 1975, “Jaws” was a groundbreaking movie. The thriller adventure starts off with a young woman getting eaten by a shark while skinny-dipping near Amity Island. The intro scene was enough to captivate audiences everywhere. Baby Boomers were on the edge of their seats watching “Jaws” in the mid-70s with all of its intense moments and grizzly attack scenes.
“Jaws” raked in a handful of awards including the Academy Award for Best Sound Mixing, the People’s Choice Award for Favorite Movie, and the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score.
“Funny Girl” (1968)
IMDb user rating: 7.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 85%
Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 94%
Director: William Wyler
“Funny Girl” is a 1968 movie that will forever be adored by Baby Boomers. The movie, which stars Barbra Streisand as Fanny Brice, is a musical-drama. Brice spent the majority of the film doing everything she could to make it to the top on Broadway. Her comedic talents and vocal abilities helped her stand out among the competition.
By that same token, her romantic connection added another layer of stress to her situation. Her husband was stuck facing time behind bars for his own mistakes. This is a movie that resonates with anyone who has the desire to thrive as a celebrity, regardless of their age range.
“The Godfather” (1972)
IMDb user rating: 9.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 98%
Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 97%
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
There is no denying that 1972 was a big year. That’s because “The Godfather” hit theaters. The crime movie is almost three hours long telling the story of intense mob drama. The plot surrounds a powerful Italian-American family who isn’t scared to break the law.
The cast lineup is full of impressive names like Al Pacino, Marlon Brando, James Caan, Diane Keaton, and Robert De Niro. Part 2 hit theaters in 1974, and Part 3 followed in 1990.
“Apocalypse Now” (1979)
IMDb user rating: 8.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 94%
Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 97%
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
“Apocalypse Now” is a quintessential Baby Boomer movie that came out in 1979. The war-action movie is set in 1970’s Vietnam with another impressive lineup of cast members. Some of the famous faces you’ll see include Harrison Ford, Laurence Fishburne, Martin Sheen, Marlon Brando, and Dennis Hopper. It focuses on a dedicated Captain’s journey to find and kill a Colonel who lost his sanity.
“Annie Hall” (1977)
IMDb user rating: 8/10
Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 92%
Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 97%
Director: Woody Allen
Romantic comedies of the 70s were wonderful to watch for plenty of Baby Boomers. “Annie Hall” is no exception to the rule. The movie stars Diane Keaton in the titular role alongside Woody Allen, Shelley Duvall, Paul Simon, and Carol Kane. It focuses on a comedian in the midst a deep analyzation of his failed relationship with a nightclub singer. He still has lingering feelings for the woman who got away. Viewers get a glimpse into the complex timeline of their love story from start to finish.
“The Sound of Music” (1965)
IMDb user rating: 8.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 92%
Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 97%
Director: Robert Wise
“The Sound of Music” is one of the most classic and iconic movies of all time. The Baby Boomers were welcome to enjoy “The Sound of Music” when it first premiered so many decades ago during their childhood. Julie Andrews took the lead in the movie as a woman hired to work as a governess.
She was placed in charge of a group of children after their mother passed away. This movie is full of many unforgettable songs including “My Favorite Things,” “Do Re Mi,” and “Sixteen Going on Seventeen.”
“Dirty Harry” (1971)
IMDb user rating: 7.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 90%
Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 89%
Director: Don Siegel and Clint Eastwood
“Dirty Harry” premiered in 1971 for Baby Boomers to enjoy. The action-thriller stars Clint Eastwood, Andrew Robinson, and John Vernon in leading roles. It tells the story of a determined police officer doing everything in his power to track down a rooftop killer.
When the murderer kidnaps a young girl, the officer’s instinctual level of motivation amplifies. This is the type of movie that left viewers at the edge of their seats in the early 70s – and it seemingly still has that power over audiences now.
“2001: A Space Odyssey” (1968)
IMDb user rating: 8.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 89%
Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 92%
Director: Stanley Kubrick
In 1968, “2001: A Space Odyssey” hit theaters. This beloved Baby Boomer movie classifies as a sci-fi-adventure film. It’s all about a group of astronauts and their anxiety as they realize they’re in a life or death situation. After getting sent out on a mysterious mission, they start questioning if they’ll ever make it back home.
“2001: A Space Odyssey” won a handful of noteworthy awards including the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects, the Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, and the BAFTA Award for Best Cinematography. The cast included William Sylvester, Gary Lockwood, and Keir Dullea.
“To Kill a Mockingbird” (1962)
IMDb user rating: 8.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 92%
Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 93%
Director: Robert Mulligan
Loads of middle school and high school students watch “To Kill a Mockingbird” from 1962 each year. The reason why? Kids are forced to read the book version of the story for class every year. They know the movie will provide a little more visual stimulation and understanding.
This Baby Boomer movie stars Gregory Peck, Mary Badham, and Philip Alford in the leading roles. It told the story of Scout Finch, Atticus Finch, and Tom Robinson as they dealt with the issues of racial inequality and stereotyping in their local town.
“American Graffiti” (1973)
IMDb user rating: 7.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 84%
Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 95%
Director: George Lucas
In 1973, “American Graffiti” hit theaters this Baby Boomer movie classifies as a comedy-musical. It’s about a group of friends making the most out of their last day of summer vacation. Although the movie premiered in 1973, the story takes place in 1962. “American Graffiti” won the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture Musical or Comedy and the National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Screenplay. Harrison Ford, Ron Howard, and Paul Le Mat make up the leading members of the cast.
“Saturday Night Fever” (1977)
IMDb user rating: 6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 72%
Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 82%
Director: John Badham
“Saturday Night Fever” is a Baby Boomer movie that hit theaters in 1977. The movie stars John Travolta in the leading role of Tony Manero. Manero is a lonely character who doesn’t feel hopeful or excited about his day-to-day life. He lives at home with his parents, he works as a store clerk, and he doesn’t have a love life.
Everything turns around for him once he starts hanging out at the local disco with his friends on the weekends. He quickly realizes he has a passion for disco music and dancing. As a reminder, disco music became popular in the late 60s to early 70s. It was adored in cities like New York and Philadelphia until it eventually spread throughout the entire United States.
“Mary Poppins” (1964)
IMDb user rating: 7.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 86%
Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 96%
Director: Robert Stevenson
“Mary Poppins” premiered in 1964 as a treasured film for Baby Boomers to appreciate. Julie Andrews led the way in the titular role alongside actors like a Dick Van Dyke, Matthew Gerber, and Karen Dotrice. “Mary Poppins” tells the story of a couple of siblings in need of a new nanny.
When a woman named Mary magically shows up on their doorstep, unexplainable adventures start unfolding before their eyes. “Mary Poppins” won several words including the Academy Award for Best Actress, the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy, and the Writers Guild of America Award for Best Written Musical. On the topic of award-winning films, click here to uncover movies that won the most Oscars.