What do you think?
Rate this book
501 Must-See Movies
"501 Must See Movies" is essential reading for both the film buff and those who simply enjoy going to the movies. Many of the unrivalled classics are here, but perhaps seen from a new perspective by dynamic young critics, together with some unexpected and new discoveries.
544 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2004
16 people are currently reading
355 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
June 7, 2015
Amazingly I have seen all the films in the Horror section except for one.
December 20, 2017
# of movies in this book I've seen: 33
Clearly, I could definitely use this book. My tastes in movies tends to lean towards the romantic comedy sort so this was a bit of an eye-opener to me. There are movies from everyone in this book. From action to horror to western to romance, it's all there. This offers not only standard production information but also a brief description of the plot and highlights of the movie's cinematography, acting, and production. It's nice to have a little bit of a critique in there that still allows you to form your own opinion of said movie. For example, I'm probably going to skip most of the movies in the action/adventure and horror sections because I hate those genres, but this still made me consider them for a brief moment. If you like movies, this is definitely something you should pick up. My friend Grace could probably live very comfortably in our video rental store, and she completely devoured this book.
Clearly, I could definitely use this book. My tastes in movies tends to lean towards the romantic comedy sort so this was a bit of an eye-opener to me. There are movies from everyone in this book. From action to horror to western to romance, it's all there. This offers not only standard production information but also a brief description of the plot and highlights of the movie's cinematography, acting, and production. It's nice to have a little bit of a critique in there that still allows you to form your own opinion of said movie. For example, I'm probably going to skip most of the movies in the action/adventure and horror sections because I hate those genres, but this still made me consider them for a brief moment. If you like movies, this is definitely something you should pick up. My friend Grace could probably live very comfortably in our video rental store, and she completely devoured this book.
February 13, 2012
While I did not read every movie description, I did learn a lot. I made a nice list of movies that I want to see now, thanks to this book. Excited to start watching.
While I did think some movies were missing from the list (most notably Fight Club), there were a lot of great movies listed.
While I did think some movies were missing from the list (most notably Fight Club), there were a lot of great movies listed.
July 5, 2017
This book is basically a chain chain chain of spoilers which are, granted, way more frequent than typos (is this good or bad news?), but don't be fooled: these are common too. Moreover: some passable movies (Speed, The Blair Which Project, Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex* (*But Were Afraid to Ask)...) are included to the detriment of more essential ones (A Streetcar Named Desire, Hair, Love and Death...).
I love it when a random quote from a book can be used to describe it, be it finely or loosely. From Dr Strangelove's review: "The [book] treads a dangerously fine line between horrific bad taste and powerful satire."
I love it when a random quote from a book can be used to describe it, be it finely or loosely. From Dr Strangelove's review: "The [book] treads a dangerously fine line between horrific bad taste and powerful satire."
April 22, 2012
A great book for all movie lovers. You can find interesting facts about movies discussed here and you can also use it to choose which movie you want to watch next.
The book is divided into chapters/movie genres and discusses the best movies (according to the authors) from every genre. The films are organized in genres according to the date of filming, starting from the earliest filmed movies to the most recent.
Photos in the book good too...
The book is divided into chapters/movie genres and discusses the best movies (according to the authors) from every genre. The films are organized in genres according to the date of filming, starting from the earliest filmed movies to the most recent.
Photos in the book good too...
November 8, 2023
(Read in 2008, review from 2023)
A very useful book for any veteran or aspiring cinephiles. Received as a gift in high school and it introduced me to a ton of new movies to check out. I will say it more heavily favors classic, pre-1990 movies but I guess that's to be expected for a book written in the early 2000s.
A very useful book for any veteran or aspiring cinephiles. Received as a gift in high school and it introduced me to a ton of new movies to check out. I will say it more heavily favors classic, pre-1990 movies but I guess that's to be expected for a book written in the early 2000s.
July 16, 2017
A decent list of movies, organized by genre. A useful reference for what you may or may not have watched.
October 2, 2023
A very individual selection of movies to see is arranged in a picturesque book enriched with brief information about screenings offered.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 24, 2023
Thank you Harry, I did read the entire thing <3
December 26, 2024
This was fun to go thru to see what movies I've already seen on this list and add to my want to see list as well! There are some I never even heard of either but the descriptions made me want to!
June 30, 2025
This is a pretty good guide to largely main stream English language movies made from silent days (some) to the early 2000s.
The vast majority of the films are American and British with a few foreign language flicks thrown in to make it look like a well-rounded collection, which it isn’t.
It is nice though to see The Seventh Seal (Sweden 1957), A bout de soufflé (France 1960), Raise the Red Lantern (China 1991), and a personal favourite In the Mood for Love (Hong Kong/ France 2000) with erotic tension barely kept under control (and a fabulous soundtrack).
The films are grouped thematically, with comedy, musical, romance, science fiction and fantasy and so forth, so the films are organised. The descriptions, which are a bit on the short side, talk about plot, production, performances and sometimes have a bit of analysis and commentary. Going back to In the Mood for Love, here is the problem for our neighbouring apartment dwellers:
Overall, a goodly guide to mainstream cinema from the USA and Great Britain from the mid-thirties to the early 2000s with some silent and foreign outliers thrown in.
For the record I have seen 386 of the 501 films.
The vast majority of the films are American and British with a few foreign language flicks thrown in to make it look like a well-rounded collection, which it isn’t.
It is nice though to see The Seventh Seal (Sweden 1957), A bout de soufflé (France 1960), Raise the Red Lantern (China 1991), and a personal favourite In the Mood for Love (Hong Kong/ France 2000) with erotic tension barely kept under control (and a fabulous soundtrack).
The films are grouped thematically, with comedy, musical, romance, science fiction and fantasy and so forth, so the films are organised. The descriptions, which are a bit on the short side, talk about plot, production, performances and sometimes have a bit of analysis and commentary. Going back to In the Mood for Love, here is the problem for our neighbouring apartment dwellers:
Drawn to each other first out of lust and then from escalating desire, this honourable pair faces, every day, the double pain of rejection by their spouses and the new, unrequited love scenario into which they have put themselves. (p323)The only Australian films I could find are a couple of Baz Luhrmann’s: Romeo + Juliet (1996) and Moulin Rouge (2002), which are not really quite Australian in theme, perhaps more universal.
Overall, a goodly guide to mainstream cinema from the USA and Great Britain from the mid-thirties to the early 2000s with some silent and foreign outliers thrown in.
For the record I have seen 386 of the 501 films.
November 13, 2012
A great list for beginners or film-fanatics. As with all books of this ilk, the nature is subjective, so I'm aware that some films I think should be included are not, while others that are included I don't think warrant inclusion at all. However, I do like that it's weighted towards classics, and while there are some modern films, there's not much past the 90s. Half the fun is discovering what you've already seen, what you'd want to see, and finding new directors, cinematographers, etc. I also like how it's divided into genres, from Drama to Comedy to Sci-Fi to Action to War and so on. Also gives info on Awards Won, stars, directors and other info along with a blurb on each film. A very handy book, great for coffee tables or for starting heated discussions.
April 18, 2013
Just as the movies that are listed in here, this is a must-buy book for people who love movies for what they are: art and expression transferred to film.
Each film is categorized by genre and one can look for their favorite type of movie in the carefully divided sections. But this film book just isn't for what you are used to seeing.
You can have new favorites, new movies in general that will amaze, surprise, and fill you with wonder.
I kinda wish the list was longer though but that is my opinion. I would have loved to read about a lot more movies that I may or may not have seen.
You may not find all of your personal favorites in this list. But that is the point as this book will show you the way for your next newest love called the movie.
Each film is categorized by genre and one can look for their favorite type of movie in the carefully divided sections. But this film book just isn't for what you are used to seeing.
You can have new favorites, new movies in general that will amaze, surprise, and fill you with wonder.
I kinda wish the list was longer though but that is my opinion. I would have loved to read about a lot more movies that I may or may not have seen.
You may not find all of your personal favorites in this list. But that is the point as this book will show you the way for your next newest love called the movie.
August 19, 2022
Solid compilation of movies to see with only a few clunkers in the bunch--some of the more contemporary choices are a bit strained (Young Guns is not a classic western). But on the whole, well chosen and a nice intro for film novices and even for more flick savvy folks like myself there were a few surprises--films that I may have been only vaguely aware of are now on my watch for list (Dead of Night, The Iron Horse, Run of the Arrow). Broken in film genre's (Western, Romance, Sci-Fi, Mystery/Thriller), each film is given a tight synopsis with credits and academy award nominations and wins. Nice to have laying around for the occasional dip or dive into.
November 5, 2013
It’s no secret that I love lists and Audrey Hepburn, so I considered it a real accomplishment when I was able to walk by this book on a few different bookstore visits without buying it. But, then I had a weak moment and snatched it up. I had a blast going through this fun book with its beautiful movie stills and information. The movies are broken into 10 different genres and I have watched a total if 188. For as many movies as I watch I was surprised the number wasn’t higher. Here’s my take on each of the categories.
See what I thought on my blog http://stacybuckeye.wordpress.com/201...
See what I thought on my blog http://stacybuckeye.wordpress.com/201...
December 11, 2009
Interesting in that the must-sees of each genre --horror, musicals, drama etc-- are crafted by a different film critic (or editor or journalist or whatever you want to call them).
It is interesting to note when one film makes it on the horror person's list when it could have easily made it under sci-fi... the rationale fpr such a placement is understood by simple analysis of the film. Consistently written without the abusive use of film-school jargon and intellectual snobbery which permeates even newspaper film reviews.
It is interesting to note when one film makes it on the horror person's list when it could have easily made it under sci-fi... the rationale fpr such a placement is understood by simple analysis of the film. Consistently written without the abusive use of film-school jargon and intellectual snobbery which permeates even newspaper film reviews.
December 20, 2015
I bought this book in the bargain bin of Borders before they closed down #ripBorders #istillloveyou. This book was PROBABLY/VERYLIKELY/MOSTDEFINITELY the best $9 I've ever spent. I have an obsession with list-making and as a precocious high schooler, I neurotically highlighted and underlined the crap out of this book. I didn't know too much about movies back then and I can't say I'm much better more than 10 years later, but it's been my mission to watch the movies on this list. Without it, I never would have seen It Happened One Night and what a tragedy that would have been!
March 18, 2013
to any avid film watcher, this book is a good book to give you small useful information about the book. it gives small plot details without giving too much away, however unless you want to see every awesome movie ever made, this book can be incredibly boring. its not really set out in an interesting way, I didn't find myself drawn to it as much as I usually am. if I am bored ill pick it up, but I won't fully read it I will just flick through it.
June 15, 2014
This was a gift and date-night idea I bought to share with my husband. We went through it, put coded post-its on all the movies, so we could tell if:
We'd seen it (together or apart).
We'd like to see it again with each other.
We'd like to see it at all (neither of us hadn't seen it).
The whole "Western" chapter was a bit of a "miss" for us, but it was fun to go through the movies and realize what we were both missing that the other had enjoyed.
We'd seen it (together or apart).
We'd like to see it again with each other.
We'd like to see it at all (neither of us hadn't seen it).
The whole "Western" chapter was a bit of a "miss" for us, but it was fun to go through the movies and realize what we were both missing that the other had enjoyed.
June 9, 2014
This is my go-to book whenever (which is rare, lately) I don't know what to read. I also add little star stickers to each book that I have read, to mark the path of my accomplishments. Silly, but helpful. I really enjoy it. Once (if ever) I complete all 501 books, I will then move to the "1001 Books you must read before you die"... right now, I'll stick at the 501. Baby steps. Baby steps. LOL!
November 3, 2013
Awesome compilation of movies--classics all the way up to 2004. So it is a little dated now, but only in the most recent of film releases. The classics make up a large bulk of the 'must-see' films, and as a movie geek, I must say that most, if not all, movies today are rooted in these timeless films. A must read for film fanatics!
November 12, 2012
My goal is to watch every movie in this book (with the exception of some in the horror section- I'm cool with monster movies but demon possession freaks me to high heaven). We will see how it goes.
Movies that should be included but Are Not:
The Rare Breed
The Court Jester
Father Goose
Movies that should be included but Are Not:
The Rare Breed
The Court Jester
Father Goose
August 26, 2013
Each passage for each different film is equally fascinating and a must-have for all film-buffs but if you're not a big film buff you could just skip over to your favourite genre. There's something for everybody.
Read
January 27, 2016I got this for my mom for her birthday, but ended up taking a good look though it myself. A lot of movies I'd like to see. Also, it has helpful reviews and states why the movies are good. I'm hoping my mom will watch some of the more "bloody" ones now because they're such good movies!
November 12, 2012
Some of the recommended movies I would much rather I not waste my time on, but in the context of popular culture (movies that get referenced in pop culture, that is), these were some of the best.
August 8, 2010
I must say I have seen quite a few of these. As my nephew discovered, the movie titles are the British ones, ie. the Harry Potter Book One.
Read
July 27, 2011i don't think all of these are must sees but it's still an awesome book to have if you like movies
September 17, 2013
Some significant movies were skipped,but overall it's a useful movie guide.
January 10, 2014
Really like this as their in some not so obvious picks in here as well as the classics (godfather, citizen Kane etc.)
Read
May 1, 2015Awesome book
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews