If you’re looking for Hollywood classics, this list should feed your soul with some good ‘ol cross-generational movies. We’ve featured classics of the Golden Era, from rom-com and psychological thriller to murder mystery and courtroom drama. These movies have set the benchmark not just for their era but for many decades after their release. It was these movies that gave the actors, directors, and writers their legendary stature in the film industry, which lives up to this very day.

The Godfather
Despite being released more than 40 years ago, this all-time favorite gets quoted in many movies, books, and series. The mafia trilogy is adapted from Mario Puzo’s book that traces the story of an Italian-American Corleone crime family. The Godfather dominated the 1973 Academy Awards, and the sequel took home six Oscars in 1975.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s
This movie turned Audrey Hepburn into a fashion icon. She’s looked up for inspiration even today, after nearly 50 years since the movie was released. The classic movie is highly spoken of for its remarkably high fashion quotient, and we wouldn’t debate why. Breakfast at Tiffany’s won many nominations and two Academy Awards for Best Original Score and Best Original Song for Moon River.

12 Angry Men
If courtroom drama is your thing, this movie should definitely be on your must-watch list. The movie puts across a strong message about a human’s strength of character, which is, more often than not, driven by personal issues. And there couldn’t have been a better portrayal of the subject. The story is about a young boy held for a murder trial, in which the jury has to come to a consensus.

Citizen Kane
This was one of the highly anticipated movies of 1941, owing most of its credit to Orson Welles, who made it to the cover of Time magazine at the age of 23. Welles directed and co-wrote the screenplay for Citizen Kane alongside Herman J. Mankiewicz, and that gave rise to the biggest Hollywood controversy. No list of best classic movies of all time is complete without this masterpiece.

Psycho
This 1960 movie is a spine-chilling thriller that set new highs for the genre for many years to come. The movie tracks the story of Marion Crane, a secretary who tries to flee after stealing from her employer. She checks into a modest motel to maintain a low profile, and the aftermath starts from here. Janet Leigh won the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress and Robert Bloch and Joseph Stefano took home the Edgar Award for Best Motion Picture Screenplay.

Roman Holiday
Yet another classic that stars Audrey Hepburn, and this one won her the Oscar for Best Actress in 1954. The Academy Awards of that year were dominated by this movie with 10 nominations. Roman Holiday is based on the true story of British Princess Margaret and her adventures in this Italian city.

Rebecca
Rebecca was Alfred Hitchcock’s first American project and was graced with accolades and awards in 1941. Hands down, he is the most phenomenal and widely known filmmaker in the history of cinema. This psychological thriller was adapted from Daphne Du Maurier’s gothic novel The Rebecca Notebook: and Other Memories, and it won the Academy Award for Best Picture and Best Cinematography. While there have been many adapted versions of this movie, the 1941 version is a true romantic mystery that has no shortage of drama, clash, and bang.