Movie classics are generally defined as films from the past that still hold up today. These timeless movies remain as enjoyable today as they were upon release.

Every now and then, a modern movie is released and dubbed an “instant classic.” Sometimes, we are too quick to judge, but that’s not the case with these films.

These are the modern movies that are bona fide classics.

Spotlight

There was a lot of star power at the 88th Academy Awards. This is where Leo finally took home an Oscar! That same movie, The Revenant, would win Alejandro G. Iñárritu the Academy Award for Best Directing.

However, the film would lose out to Spotlight for Best Picture, and for good reason.

Focused on the story of the abuse cover-up scandal of the Catholic Church of Boston, Spotlight takes us through the investigation done by the Boston Globe’s Spotlight team at breakneck speed, never letting its foot off the gas as we’re left holding our breath in amazement and frustration as we learn what happened to the victims.

Django Unchained

The fact that Django Unchained feels underrated is a crime.

It lacks the recognition and appeal of Tarantino’s other works, but it’s still an excellent take on the western genre (a Southern, if you will), with the style and flair you know and love from Quentin Tarantino.

Christoph Waltz proves that Inglorious Basterds wasn’t a one-time fluke, Jamie Foxx is the perfect protagonist, and Leonardo DiCaprio feels like he can barely contain his excitement whenever he’s on screen.

That final shoot-out is unforgettable, too.

Parasite

The movie that helped put foreign language films, and Korean cinema in particular, on the map when it won Best Picture at the 92nd Academy Awards.

Parasite was recently recognized as the best movie of the 21st century thus far, according to a poll by the New York Times.

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Dune

I’m lumping in both parts as they’re telling one story.

Director Denis Villeneuve succeeds at the possible, delivering an incredible adaptation of the classic sci-fi novel.

Dune is a cinematic masterpiece that borders on being a work of art.

The Dark Knight

It feels a little silly to look back today and wonder if The Dark Knight was overrated.

That’s less about the movie itself and more about the current state of comic book movies in general. They’ve become something much bigger and, in the eyes of many, the driving force behind the current state of the business, for better or worse.

It’s also a reflection on how we, as moviegoers, tend to turn on popular movies out of what feels like boredom. Yes, The Dark Knight is still great, and it holds up extraordinarily well today. To say otherwise is just silly.

The Departed

Speaking of holding up well, I’m impressed with how entertaining The Departed remains today.

It’s the perfect balance of tension, drama, and a little splash of style and humor that makes it a perfect movie.

Did we need that love triangle? Not necessarily, despite it adding to a somewhat bloated runtime (151 minutes), the movie still flies by.

Blade Runner 2049

Speaking of Denis Villeneuve, his sequel to the 1980s classic proves that sometimes, an unwanted sequel is something we really need.

Blade Runner 2049 captures the magic of the original film, respects the source material, and takes advantage of modern filmmaking. This is what Blade Runner should have always been.

Mad Max: Fury Road

Speaking of sequels, we didn’t realize we always wanted, 2015’s Mad Max: Fury Road is a visual masterpiece from beginning to end.

It’s a non-stop thrill ride whose narrative is as engaging as its cinematography.

Interstellar

You can argue that most of Christopher Nolan’s filmography belongs on this list; I was amazed at how well Inception holds up.

Having said that, nothing is quite like Interstellar, and I will confidently say that it’s his magnum opus. It’s an emotional, devastating, and beautiful theatrical experience that proves Nolan is head over heels above most other filmmakers in the industry today.

Whiplash

There aren’t many perfect movies, but I’d argue Whiplash deserves to be in the conversation.

In an era where even the best films suffer from bloated runtimes and stretched-out narratives, Whiplash is a tour de force with incredible performances that runs at a crisp 106 minutes.

Zodiac

One of the biggest crimes of 2007 was the complete lack of respect for David Fincher’s Zodiac.

A chronicle following the infamous San Francisco serial killer, Zodiac doubles not only as a haunting true story but also a thrilling look at the people involved in the case, particularly Jake Gyllenhaal’s Robert Graysmith.

It’s a shame that it didn’t get any award buzz.

The Social Network

I’m double-dipping here again, but for good reason. While Fincher’s direction helps make the movie about Facebook succeed, it’s really about Aaron Sorkin’s writing.

His ability to write a compelling narrative that intertwines the founding of the social media site alongside the lawsuits he’s involved with is surprisingly gripping.

Hereditary

It’s not often the horror genre can break into mainstream success; this year, we’ve seen The Substance and Demi Moore earn their flowers during award season.

Unfortunately, the same couldn’t be said for Hereditary, which features Toni Collette’s best performance in her career. Yes, the movie will scare your pants off, but if you’re brave enough, it’s well worth it.

 

Get Out

A lot of people weren’t sure what to expect when one half of Key & Peele decided to make a horror movie. It turns out that Jordan Peele knew exactly what he was doing.

Some may argue that Get Out was overhyped upon release, but I’ll gladly tell those people to argue with a wall. Get Out works because it’s so intelligently written and directed. This, along with Hereditary, are the blueprints for modern horror.

No Country for Old Men

No Country for Old Men is a one-of-a-kind film that focuses solely on its characters. There is no moody soundtrack to enhance the tension, no action sequels to keep you entertained, just excellent writing, award-winning acting, and brilliant direction from The Coen Brothers.

Javier Bardem’s Anton Chigurh remains one of the most ruthless, cold, and frightening villains in cinematic history.

There Will Be Blood

We were eating well in 2007. There Will Be Blood would be a shoo-in for Best Picture in any other year. Alas, it had to go up against No Country For Old Men, but I would have been happy with either movie winning the industry’s biggest prize.

Daniel Day-Lewis has earned three Academy Awards in his career; this might be his best performance.

John Wick

I’ve mentioned a lot of critically acclaimed, thought-provoking movies thus far, but not every film dubbed a masterpiece falls into that category. Sometimes, you just need to be a super entertaining movie.

That’s what John Wick is. One of the most stylish action movies ever made, John Wick‘s success helped launch a franchise that is still strong today.

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