10 FILMS EVERYONE SHOULD SEE AT LEAST ONCE
THE LEDGER 10 / FILM
VOL. 01 / ISSUE 004
Not the ten greatest movies ever made. Ten movies that, for one reason or another, I think everybody should experience at least once.There are few conversations more dangerous than asking somebody to name the greatest movies ever made. Because immediately, somebody is angry. You left something off. You put something too high. Something is too low. “That movie is overrated.” “You seriously haven’t seen that?” And before you know it, what started as a conversation about movies has somehow become a full-scale investigation into your credibility as a human being.
So let’s establish something immediately: This is not a list of the ten greatest movies ever made. I’m not even sure that list is possible.
How do you compare a comedy to a crime drama? A blockbuster to a quiet character study? A movie made in 1972 to one made fifty years later? You don’t. At least, I don’t. So I wanted to ask a different question. What movies should everybody experience at least once? Not necessarily because they’re perfect.Not necessarily because they’re my ten favorites.And definitely not because everyone has to love them. But because they did something. Maybe they changed filmmaking. Maybe they became part of our culture. Maybe they created moments people are still talking about decades later. Maybe they showed us something movies could do that audiences hadn’t experienced quite like that before.Or maybe they’re simply two hours or three that remind you why we go to the movies in the first place.That’s the standard. And yes. I already know I’m leaving something off.
That’s half the fun. So let’s argue.
10. Rocky
1976 • John G. Avildsen • Sports/Drama
THE CASE
Sylvester Stallone wrote the screenplay in three days. It entered a complicated production process after Stallone refused to allow the film to be made without him in the lead role. It received 10 Academy Award nominations and won three, including Best Picture It has been ranked by numerous publications
Why does somebody need to experience this movie?
In my opinion there are movies you appreciate because they’re technically impressive, and then there are movies you remember because of how they made you feel. This is one of those movies. What makes it essential isn’t just the story. It’s essential because it gives you a real story about the underdog, is relatable, it’s real it’s real in many degrees. Even if you’ve seen a hundred movies influenced by it since, there’s something about going back to the source and realizing just how much of its DNA is still everywhere.
THE LEDGER VERDICT:
See it for: Considering the time it was made in. You weren’t really getting movies like it. So it was very much ahead of its time for both its genre and the entirety of its production.
9. The Karate Kid
1984 • John G. Avildsen • Martial Arts/Drama
THE CASE
You’ve probably seen this movie even if you’ve never actually seen this movie. It is the first film in the karate kid franchise. The film stars Ralph Macchio, Pat Morita, Elisabeth Shue & William Zabka.
Pat Morita, who was previously known mostly for comedic roles, and was in fact a stand-up comedian, earned himself a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. The film is widely credited for popularizing karate in the United States. In 2025, the film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant.
THE LEDGER VERDICT
See it for: it’s intriguing storytelling. From the way it was shot. The Acting is great. another film that was definitely a kickstart platform for the other films that would follow it.
I can already hear somebody asking how this is only number eight. Relax. We have seven movies left.
8. Good Will Hunting
1997 • Gus Van Sant • Drama
THE CASE
This film is incredibly good & one you should at least see once. The film received widespread critical acclaim, particularly for Robin Williams' performance and Affleck and Damon's screenplay. At the 70th Academy Awards it received 9 nominations & one Best Supporting Actor (Robin Williams) & Best Original Screenplay,(Ben Affleck & Matt Damon). It really tells a compelling story. When where you don’t want worry about anything else that’s actually going on outside what’s going on in this film & story. The feelings you’ll feel while you watch it are real. It is well worth your time to watch it.
THE LEDGER VERDICT
See it for: everything about it is awesome from the score. To story. the Acting is incredible. It’s an all-time Robin Williams performance if you’re a fan of his. Definitely worth watching at least once in your life.
7. North By Northwest
1959 • Alfred Hitchcock• Spy/Thriller
North By Northwest is a suspense thriller about Roger Thornhill (Cary Grant), a successful New York advertising executive who is suddenly mistaken for a mysterious government agent named George Kaplan. After being kidnapped and framed for murder, Thornhill goes on the run across the country while trying to uncover why he has been targeted. Along the way, he meets the mysterious Eve Kendall (Eva Marie Saint), whose true loyalties are initially unclear.
THE CASE
In 1995, the Library of Congress selected North by Northwest for preservation in the National Film Registry having being deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". It’s a good film to watch if you appreciate film in every era. Cary Grant as Roger Thornhill & Eva Marie Saint as Eve Kendall. Stars of their time both deliver excellent performances in this film.
THE LEDGER VERDICT
See it for: It’s widely regarded as one of the best films ever made and it’s thoroughly entertaining and well worth the watch if this is a genre of film, you enjoy and appreciate older films.
6. The Princess Bride
1987 • Rob Reiner • Fantasy/Adventure/ Comedy
THE CASE
Starring Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin , Andrè The Giant & Billy Crystal. In 2016, the film was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the United States national film registry as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant”. In the story, a grandfather reads a novel called The Princess Bride to his sick grandson, who reluctantly listens & it takes you in to the wild of the story being read.
THE LEDGER VERDICT
See it for: For me as a Wrestling fan seeing Andrè The Giant outside of that world it’s always unique & cool. To me he always felt like he was a myth. But he was very real. & he was great in that movie. Also a big fan of Robin Wright & Mandy Patinkin. As well as a big fan of Rob Reiners movies. Definitely an all-time classic one & well worth the watch.
WAIT….. Before we get to the top five, this is where I remind everyone of the rules.These aren’t necessarily my all-time favorite films. They aren’t necessarily the five films I’d take to a desert island & I’m not arguing they’re objectively better than every movie that didn’t make the list. The question is: If someone told me they wanted to understand why people fall in love with movies, what would I tell them to watch? That’s what we’re ranking.
Okay. Continue yelling at me.
5. Forrest Gump
1994• Robert Zemeckis • Comedy/ Drama
In December 2011, Forrest Gump was selected for preservation in the Library of Congress’ National film registry The Registry said that the film was honored for its technological innovations (the digital insertion of Gump seamlessly into vintage archival footage), its resonance within the culture that has elevated Gump (and what he represents in terms of American innocence) to the status of folk hero, and its attempt to engage both playfully and seriously with contentious aspects of the era's traumatic history."
THE LEDGER VERDICT
See it for: Tom Hanks delivers an incredible performance in this movie. If you haven’t seen it, I suggest you do. It’ll also explain why you see somebody Bubba Gump Shrimp establishments in a lot of popular cities across the United States to this day.
4. Mary Poppins
1964 • Robert Stevenson • Musical/Comedy
Beneath the magic, the film is really about family and connection. Mary’s influence gradually helps George Banks realize that his obsession with work and order has caused him to miss what matters most: being present for his children & family. It’s well worth the time and a fun film for the whole family to watch.
THE LEDGER VERDICT
See it for: It stars Julie Andrews as Mary Poppins and Dick Van Dyke as Bert. Both given incredible performances. It’s a really fun film watch. It’s certainly an all-time Disney Classic & we’ll have to make some list in the Disney category.
3. Black Panther
2016 • Ryan Coogler • Superhero
At its core, Black Panther is about leadership, identity, legacy, responsibility, and how people respond to injustice. Incredible performances from Chadwick Boseman & Micheal B Jordan. Telling a compelling story throughout the film. It’s truly must watch if you haven’t seen it already.
From the score to the soundtrack of the film as well it’s sooooooooooooooooooo good.
THE LEDGER VERDICT
See it for: Everything I just mentioned. It’s really well worth watching. Even if you’re not super into Superhero films. It’s a film with incredible heart. The late great Chadwick Boseman delivers every time he’s on screen. As well as Micheal B Jordan & Angela Bassett giving incredible performances in the film. It’s one that’s worth your time watching.
2. The Godfather
1964 • Robert Stevenson • Crime/Drama
The family is led by Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando), a respected and feared crime boss. His youngest son, Michael (Al Pacino), is a decorated war veteran who initially wants nothing to do with the family business. But after an assassination attempt leaves his father badly wounded, Michael becomes increasingly involved. It’s a pop culture classic. People ask, do you like 1? 2? 3? The most…… That can be as conversation for another time. W
THE LEDGER VERDICT
See it for: Its stellar cast. Storytelling. At its core, The Godfather is about family, loyalty, power, legacy, and moral corruption & particularly how Michael’s desire to protect his family ultimately changes who he is
My #2 on this list absolutely was almost #1. But I had to leave this at #2. But there’s one movie left. And if I could only choose one movie to explain why this entire list exists…
1. Iron Man
2008 • Jon Favreau • Superhero
It’s stellar cast & Storytelling. Delivers. Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), a brilliant, wealthy weapons manufacturer whose life changes after he is kidnapped by terrorists while demonstrating a new missile in Afghanistan. Seriously injured and held captive, Tony secretly builds a crude armored suit to escape. After returning home, he realizes that weapons made by his company are falling into the wrong hands. He announces that Stark Industries will stop manufacturing weapons and begins developing a more advanced version of his armored suit.
Won’t give it all away. But it’s well worth your time to watch once. Because you get to see how this one movie was the starting point of a Billion $ franchise that we now know as the MCU. Marvelous cinematic Universe.) I think it’s well worth your time watching. Also a big RDJ fan. Dude is one of the greatest actors of our time in my opinion & his quality of work shows it in everything he’s been in.
THE LEDGER VERDICT
See it for: At its core, Iron Man is about transformation, accountability, and purpose & Tony Stark goes from a self-centered weapons billionaire to someone willing to put himself in danger to correct the damage his work has caused. It’s relatable even though its fiction. It strikes a chord in me every time I watch it.
I’m not telling you this is the greatest movie ever made.I’m not even telling you it’ll become your favorite. I’m saying that if somebody asked me to name one movie that represents what movies can be, this is the one I’d show them. Why does it endure? What does it make you feel? Why does it work for someone watching it for the first time today? Why is this the movie you would put in front of somebody who wants to understand the magic of film? Because maybe that’s what makes a movie essential. Not that everybody agrees it’s great. But that years later, we’re still watching it.Still referencing it. Still arguing about it. Still showing it to somebody who hasn’t seen it yet. And still hoping that when the lights go down and the movie begins… they feel some version of what we felt the first time.
YOUR TURN
Now comes the fun part.
What movie absolutely HAS to be on this list? And more importantly: What’s the one movie you think everybody should experience at least once. Because I’m almost positive I left off somebody’s number one.
Here’s our Top 10. Let’s hear yours…
THE LEDGER 10-
10. Rocky
9. The Karate Kid
8. Good Will Hunting
7. North By Northwest
6. The Princess Bride
5. Forrest Gump
4. Mary Poppins
3. Black Panther
2. The Godfather
1. Iron Man
