20 Great movies that were ahead of their time

Movies are often seen as the reflection of the society in which they are made. However, some of them tend to break those existing rules and involve revolutionary ideas and innovations to showcase art. From dystopian futures to complex psychological depictions, these movies not only captivate viewers but also predict or inspire future trends. Using several methods like bold narratives, special effects, or challenging themes these types of movies have left an unforgettable mark and influenced many filmmakers. Here is a list of 20 movies that were ahead of their time.

20) 12 Angry Men (1957)

12 Angry Men, directed by Sydney Lumet is regarded as one of the iconic legal drama movies. The 1957 film's exploration of social themes like justice, prejudice, and critical thinking was way ahead of its time. Additionally, the character-driven narrative and social commentary set a standard for upcoming legal dramas in Hollywood.

19) Strange Days (1995)

Strange Days is directed by Katheryn Bigelow, who is known for movies like The Hurt Locker and Zero Dark Thirty. Co-written by James Cameron, this sci-fi thriller starred Ralph Fiennes as Leny Nero who owns a device that allows people to experience someone else's memories and emotions. Although the film wasn't perceived well at the time of its release, its use of themes like Virtual reality and surveillance introduced the audience to the impacts of technology making it a classic.

18) Nosferatu: A Symphony Of Horror (1922)

This silent German film, directed by F. W. Murnau is regarded as the pioneer of the vampire genre. It's one of the most unique and haunting adaptations of Bram Stoker's novel Dracula. Although it got into a lot of legal troubles, the film still remains an innovative take on the horror genre and has since influenced many films and filmmakers.

17) Alien (1979)

Alien was a groundbreaking movie ahead of its time. Directed by Ridley Scott, this sci-fi horror classic introduced audiences to the terrifying "xenomorph" and revolutionized the genre with its blend of suspense, horror, and futuristic elements. Sigourney Weaver's portrayal of Ripley as a strong female lead broke stereotypes and set new standards.

16) Metropolis (1927)

Another German silent film, Metropolis was directed by the legendary director Fritz Lang. This silent sci-fi masterpiece introduced groundbreaking visual effects and a dystopian vision of the future. Its themes of class struggle and technological advancement were revolutionary. Being ahead of its time, the movie has influenced many sci-fi films to come.

15) Blade Runner (1982)

Blade Runner was directed by Ridley Scott and stars Harrison Ford as Rick Deckard. This movie explored the themes of dystopian futures and Artificial Intelligence, influencing many future films. It is regarded as one of the classics in the sci-fi genre for its use of early visual effects and world-building.

14) Sneakers (1992)

Directed by Phil Alden Robinson, the film focuses on the themes of cybersecurity and hacking long before they became a threat to the general public. Starring Robert Redford as Martin Bishop, the movie follows a group of specialists who try to steal a black box. Its innovative plot and focus on ethical hacking predicted future digital anxieties giving us insight into the digital age.

13) 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

2001: A Space Odyssey is a classic sci-fi movie directed by Stanley Kubrick and is loved to this day. Starring Kier Dullea as David Bowman, this film revolutionized the way of storytelling and showcasing space adventure through its stunning visuals and design. It focused on the themes of artificial intelligence and space exploration, making it a benchmark in the genre.

12) Night of the Living Dead(1968)

Night Of The Living Dead is considered one of the early movies that introduce zombies. Directed by George A Romero, the film focuses on a group of people who get trapped because of the zombies. The themes of societal breakdown and human survival used in the movie resonated deeply, influencing countless horror films.

11) Seven Samurai (1954)

Seven Samurai is directed by one of the most renowned Japanese directors Akira Kurosawa. Starring legendary actor Toshiro Mifune, the movie focuses on a group of Samurai trying to protect a village. The film's innovative use of character development, dynamic cinematography, and intense battle scenes influenced many films across genres, setting a benchmark.

10) Children Of Men (2006)

Directed by Alfonso Cuaron, Children Of Men explores the themes of infertility, societal collapse, and hope amidst chaos. Cuaron's use of innovative long takes, immersive cinematography, and gripping narrative set new standards in filmmaking. The movie's poignant social commentary and masterful execution have resonated deeply with audiences.

9) Gattaca (1997)

Directed by Andrew Niccol, this dystopian sci-fi movie explores themes of genetic engineering, discrimination, and human potential. Starring Ethan Hawke as Vincent Freeman, its thought-provoking narrative and striking visuals challenged societal norms and sparked conversations about ethics in science. The film's portrayal of a future where genetic perfection dictates destiny remains relevant and impactful to this day.

8) Jaws (1975)

Directed by the renowned director Steven Spielberg Jaws is based on Peter Benchley's novel of the same name. The movie tells the story of a great white shark wreaking havoc in its vicinity. Spielberg used animatronics in the absence of CGI. Jaws remains a timeless classic, influencing the thriller genre and establishing Spielberg as a master filmmaker.

7) The Matrix (1999)

Directed by Lana And Lily Wachowski, this sci-fi classic introduced groundbreaking visual effects like bullet time and explored themes of reality, artificial intelligence, and human freedom. Starring Keanu Reeves as Neo, the film's innovative blend of cyberpunk aesthetics, philosophical depth, and action redefined the genre. The film's impact on pop culture, technology, and filmmaking remains significant in the sci-fi genre.

6) Akira (1988)

Katsuhiro Otomo's movie Akira is a monumental film due to its being one of the early anime movies that got international recognition. Set in a dystopian Tokyo, Akira explores themes of power, corruption, and human evolution. Its innovative storytelling and visual style influenced countless films, games, and pop culture.

5) Jurassic Park (1993)

Another gem directed by Steven Spielberg, Jurassic Park remains a classic favorite around the world of movie lovers. starring many renowned Hollywood stars, this sci-fi adventure film redefined visual effects with its seamless blend of CGI and animatronics, bringing dinosaurs to life in unprecedented ways. Its thrilling narrative, innovative technology, and memorable characters captivated audiences and set new standards of filmmaking. Since its release, it has inspired many new filmmakers and special effects artists.

4) Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (1988)

Directed by Rober Zemeckis this innovative live-action/animation hybrid seamlessly blended real actors with animated characters, setting new standards for visual effects. The movie's unique narrative, witty humor, and technical brilliance captivated audiences. Its fresh approach to combining animation and live-action influenced countless films and remains a testament to the potential of creative storytelling in cinema, making it a timeless classic.

3) Lord Of The Rings: Fellowship Of The Ring(2001)

Peter Jackson's timeless classic based on J. R. R. Tolkien set new standards of storytelling and visual effects. The way the movie used detailed narration of the novel with enhanced visual effects, added with Jackson's direction is commendable. The Lord Of The Rings franchise remains one of the best in its genre influencing future fantasy films and captivating audiences worldwide.

2) The Truman Show (1998)

Directed by Peter Weir, this satirical drama The Truman Show explores themes of reality TV, surveillance, and personal autonomy. Jim Carrey's portrayal of Truman Burbank, a man unknowingly living in a constructed reality, captivated audiences and sparked discussions about privacy and media ethics. The Truman Show was ahead of its time as it captured the future obsession of the public with reality TV.

1) Donnie Darko (2001)

Directed by Richard Kelly, Donnie Darko is a sci-fi psychological thriller that blends the genre of sci-fi with teen drama and horror. Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, this movie is remembered for its complex narrative and thought-provoking themes. It remains one of the most influential works on blended genre, influencing many filmmakers to this day.