Why These Stories Define Our Culture
In an era of endless streaming options and overwhelming content choices, the most influential movies and TV series stand out as cultural landmarks that shaped how we tell stories and understand the world. These aren’t just entertainment pieces—they’re works of art that have fundamentally shaped how we tell stories, understand human nature, and view the world around us.
These iconic productions have transcended their original medium to become part of our collective consciousness. They’ve influenced countless creators, sparked global conversations, and continue to reveal new layers of meaning with each viewing. Whether you’re a casual viewer or a serious cinephile, these works represent essential viewing that will enrich your understanding of storytelling, culture, and the human experience.
The impact of these productions extends far beyond box office numbers or ratings. They’ve influenced fashion, language, social movements, and even political discourse. References to these works appear in everyday conversation, academic papers, and other creative works, making them cultural touchstones that connect generations.
The most influential movies and TV series aren’t just entertainment—they’re cultural milestones.
If you’re exploring the most influential movies and TV series, these are essential to start with
From film schools to Reddit threads, discussions of the most influential movies and TV series are everywhere.
Classic Era: The Most Influential Movies That Shaped Cinema
The Godfather Trilogy (1972-1990)
Francis Ford Coppola’s epic saga redefined not just crime cinema, but filmmaking itself. Released in 1972, the first film adapted Mario Puzo’s novel into a compelling exploration of power, family ties, and the darker side of the American Dream. The sequel, widely considered superior to the original, expanded the narrative both forward and backward in time, creating a complex portrait of generational change.
What makes The Godfather essential viewing isn’t just its perfect casting or memorable quotes, but its profound exploration of moral decay. Watching Michael Corleone’s transformation from war hero to ruthless don provides insights into how power corrupts and how family loyalty can become a prison. The cinematography, particularly Gordon Willis’s shadowy lighting, created a visual language that influenced decades of filmmakers.
Casablanca (1942)
Set against the backdrop of World War II, this romantic drama remains one of cinema’s most quoted and beloved films. Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman’s chemistry creates an emotional core that transcends its wartime setting, exploring themes of sacrifice, moral courage, and the complexity of human relationships.
The film’s enduring appeal lies in its perfect balance of entertainment and substance. Every character serves a purpose, every line of dialogue contributes to the larger narrative, and the moral dilemmas faced by the characters remain relevant today. The famous “Play it again, Sam” scene (though that’s not the actual quote) has become cultural shorthand for nostalgia and lost love.
Citizen Kane (1941)
Orson Welles’ directorial debut continues to top critics’ lists as the greatest film ever made, and for good reason. Beyond its innovative cinematography—including deep focus photography and creative use of lighting—the film presents a complex character study that examines the hollowness of material success.
The non-linear narrative structure, told through flashbacks and multiple perspectives, was revolutionary for its time and influenced countless filmmakers. The film’s exploration of media manipulation and the corrupting influence of wealth feels remarkably contemporary, making it essential viewing for understanding both film history and modern society.
Modern Legends: The Most Influential Movies and TV Series of Recent Decades
Pulp Fiction (1994)
Quentin Tarantino’s breakout hit didn’t just revitalize independent cinema—it completely restructured how stories could be told on film. Its non-linear storytelling, dialogue rich with pop culture references, and fusion of multiple genres left a lasting impact on a whole generation of filmmakers and writers.
Beyond its stylistic innovations, Pulp Fiction demonstrated that audiences were hungry for intelligent, unconventional storytelling. The film’s structure, jumping between different time periods and characters, requires active engagement from viewers, treating them as intelligent participants rather than passive consumers. This approach paved the way for complex narratives in both film and television.
The Matrix (1999)
The Wachowski sisters created more than a sci-fi action film—they crafted a philosophical exploration of reality, consciousness, and human agency wrapped in groundbreaking special effects. The “bullet time” effects were immediately iconic, but the film’s deeper questions about the nature of reality and choice continue to resonate in our increasingly digital world.
The Matrix’s influence extends beyond cinema into philosophy, technology discussions, and popular culture. Its concepts of simulated reality and choosing between comfortable illusion and difficult truth have become metaphors used in political and social discourse worldwide.
Parasite (2019)
Bong Joon-ho’s thriller made history as the first non-English language film to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards, but its significance goes far deeper. The film’s masterful blend of genres—comedy, thriller, horror, social commentary—creates a unique viewing experience that addresses universal themes of class inequality and social mobility.
What makes Parasite essential viewing is its perfect balance of entertainment and social commentary. The film never feels preachy, yet it provides sharp insights into economic inequality that transcend cultural boundaries. Its success opened doors for international cinema and proved that great storytelling is truly universal.
From film schools to Reddit threads, discussions of the most influential movies and TV series are everywhere.
Television’s Golden Age: Series That Changed Everything
Breaking Bad (2008-2013)
Vince Gilligan’s crime drama perfected the antihero narrative that has become television’s signature storytelling approach. Walter White’s transformation from sympathetic high school chemistry teacher to ruthless drug kingpin provides a masterclass in character development and moral complexity.
The series demonstrated television’s ability to tell complex, feature-film-quality stories over extended periods. Each season builds upon the last, creating a complete narrative arc that explores themes of masculinity, mortality, family, and the consequences of our choices. The show’s meticulous attention to detail, from scientific accuracy to character motivation, set new standards for television production.
The Sopranos (1999-2007)
David Chase’s HBO drama fundamentally changed television by bringing cinematic production values and complex character development to the small screen. Tony Soprano’s struggles with family, therapy, and his criminal empire created a template for the morally ambiguous protagonists that now dominate prestige television.
The series tackled serious themes—mental health, family dysfunction, the decline of traditional values—while maintaining dark humor and compelling storytelling. Its influence can be seen in virtually every drama series that followed, from Mad Men to Better Call Saul.
Friends (1994-2004)
While often dismissed as lightweight entertainment, Friends created a cultural phenomenon that continues decades after its finale. The series perfectly captured the experience of young adulthood in urban America, creating characters and situations that resonated globally.
The show’s portrayal of chosen family—friends as the family you create rather than the one you’re born into—reflected changing social dynamics and remains relevant as traditional family structures continue evolving. Its impact on fashion, language, and social expectations about friendship and relationships cannot be overstated.
Game of Thrones (2011-2019)
Despite its controversial final seasons, HBO’s fantasy epic proved that television audiences would embrace complex, adult-oriented genre storytelling. The series’ production values rivaled major motion pictures, while its willingness to kill major characters and subvert traditional narrative expectations kept viewers constantly engaged.
The show’s cultural impact extended far beyond television, influencing everything from tourism in filming locations to political discourse about power and leadership. It demonstrated the global appetite for sophisticated fantasy storytelling and paved the way for other big-budget genre series.
The most influential movies and TV series aren’t just entertainment—they’re cultural milestones.
For a curated list of critically acclaimed and historically significant movies, check out this IMDb list of the most influential films that have left a lasting legacy in cinema.
Curious about how influential TV series are ranked by experts? Explore Collider’s list of the most influential TV shows and see how your favorites compare.
International Cinema: Global Perspectives
Seven Samurai (1954)
Akira Kurosawa’s epic adventure film influenced countless Western films, most notably The Magnificent Seven, but its impact goes far beyond inspiring remakes. The film’s exploration of honor, sacrifice, and social class created a template for action cinema that remains influential today.
Kurosawa’s innovative cinematography, including his use of multiple cameras and telephoto lenses, revolutionized film technique. The three-and-a-half-hour runtime allows for deep character development rarely seen in action films, creating emotional investment that makes the climactic battles genuinely affecting.
8½ (1963)
Federico Fellini’s surreal masterpiece about a film director experiencing creative block remains one of cinema’s most honest explorations of the artistic process. The film’s blend of reality and fantasy, memory and imagination, created a new visual language for depicting internal psychological states.
The film’s influence on subsequent filmmakers, from Woody Allen to Charlie Kaufman, demonstrates its lasting impact on how cinema can explore consciousness and creativity. Its meta-fictional approach—a film about making films—was revolutionary for its time and remains sophisticated today.
The most influential movies and TV series aren’t just entertainment—they’re cultural milestones
Money Heist (La Casa de Papel) (2017-2021)
This Spanish thriller became Netflix’s most-watched non-English series, proving that international content could achieve global success in the streaming era. The series’ complex narrative structure, combining heist thriller elements with political commentary and character development, created a new template for international television.
The show’s success opened doors for other non-English content on global platforms and demonstrated that audiences were ready for diverse storytelling perspectives. Its cultural impact, from the iconic red jumpsuit and Dalí mask to the song “Bella Ciao,” shows how modern media can create truly global cultural phenomena.
Building Your Viewing Journey
Creating a Strategic Approach
Don’t attempt to consume all these works in rapid succession. Instead, create a viewing schedule that allows you to fully appreciate each work’s unique contributions. Consider alternating between different genres, time periods, and mediums to avoid fatigue and maintain fresh perspectives.
Start with works that align with your current interests, then gradually expand into unfamiliar territory. If you typically watch contemporary content, begin with more recent classics before moving to older films. If you prefer movies, start there before exploring television series.
Understanding Historical Context
Explore the historical and cultural background of each piece before viewing it. Understanding the social conditions, technological limitations, and artistic movements of each era enhances appreciation and provides insights into why certain works had such significant impact.
If you’re exploring the most influential movies and TV series, these are essential to start with.
Consider the technical innovations each work introduced. Understanding how Citizen Kane’s deep focus photography was achieved, or how The Matrix’s bullet-time effects were created, adds another layer of appreciation for these artistic achievements.
Engaging with Communities
Join online discussions, film clubs, or academic courses that explore these works. Different perspectives and interpretations enrich your understanding and reveal details you might miss watching alone. Many universities offer free online courses exploring film history and analysis.
Document your viewing experience through reviews, discussions, or simply personal notes. This helps process complex themes and creates a personal record of your cultural education journey.
The Lasting Impact
These iconic movies and series represent humanity’s greatest achievements in visual storytelling. They’ve shaped cultural conversations, influenced artistic expression, and provided shared reference points that connect people across generations and cultures.
Watching these works isn’t just entertainment—it’s cultural education that provides context for understanding contemporary media, social discussions, and artistic expression. They offer insights into human nature, social dynamics, and the power of storytelling that remain relevant regardless of technological changes or social evolution.
The time invested in experiencing these masterpieces pays dividends in cultural literacy, artistic appreciation, and deeper understanding of the human experience. They provide a foundation for appreciating not just other films and series, but all forms of artistic expression.
The most influential movies and TV series aren’t just entertainment—they’re cultural milestones.
If you’re exploring the most influential movies and TV series, these are essential to start with
From film schools to Reddit threads, discussions of the most influential movies and TV series are everywhere.
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Call-to-Action: Which iconic movie or series will you watch first? Share your viewing plans in the comments below, and let us know which of these classics has had the biggest impact on your understanding of storytelling and culture!
