5 movies we'd love to see return to the big screen

Movies have always been rightly appreciated as timeless works of art. The allure of re-watching some of our favorite films has always been a core tenet of silver screen features, although somehow watching a movie in the cinema always feels different. Not only has leaving home to see a film become a tradition, popcorn, previews, strangers, and all, but with the tremendous technological advancements over the years, theatres provide an unsurpassed visual and sonic experience.

Whether you missed out on seeing a film during its run in cinemas or simply want to recapture the feelings of watching a film or sequence on the big screen, “flashback cinema” delivers as advertised. Further, it’s a brilliant ploy to re-engage movie audiences worldwide after the pandemic nearly levelled the industry.

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The Rise of IMAX

The IMAX format has provided a means for audiences to experience film differently than ever before. Now, with directors like Christopher Nolan using the actual IMAX cameras to film these motion pictures, experiencing the final product on IMAX screens is a singular experience that cannot be duplicated in any other setting. It is no coincidence that many films returning to theatres are capitalizing on this technology to fill seats, with Nolan’s work being at the front and centre of the movement. Interstellar is currently being re-screened in many countries worldwide, while The Dark Knight is slated to pop up in theatres in 2025 as well.

With all this in mind, let’s take a look at 5 films that moviegoers would be ecstatic to get back in theatres at some point in the near future.

1) Dunkirk (2017)

This list would not be complete without including a film from Christopher Nolan’s work. Dunkirk is a 2017 historical war film that depicts the Dunkirk evacuation of World War II. It tells the story from three perspectives: land, sea, and air. Not only is it a relatively lesser-known battle historically (compared to Normandy, etc), but it highlights the good nature of humanity against tremendous odds.

As it was filmed in the IMAX format, experiencing it in its full glory is an absolute treat, and ultimately a wholly different experience than watching it on a television screen or any other format. Re-releasing the film could also grow its legend, as it’s arguably the most glossed-over work in Nolan’s filmography.

2) The Matrix (1999)

The Matrix is a groundbreaking film that went on to smash several records and spark concerted philosophical debate about our existence and experience as humans. The 1999 sci-fi action film directed by the Wachowskis depicted the story of a war between humans and the machines, with the former attempting to break out of a simulation created to make humankind subservient.

Not only is the plot more relevant than ever, but many iconic scenes and sequences would benefit from a re-release in theatres. As an additional benefit, it would also be an opportunity to introduce younger cinephiles to the lore that captured almost universal attention for years after the movie's release.

3) Jurassic Park (1993)

Jurassic Park has cemented itself as one of the most important blockbusters in the history of modern cinema. The story and subject matter are accessible to all ages, and the nostalgia the film brings out in audiences is unmatched. Further, despite it being the oldest entry on this list, director Steven Spielberg was able to capture the dinosaurs in a more convincing way than the newer movies that followed in his illustrious footsteps. With the upcoming release of Jurassic World Rebirth on July 4, 2025, this one seems like a no-brainer.

4) Blade Runner 2049

Dennis Villeneuve has carved himself out a lane as one of the most visionary directors of the 2000s. While remakes of classic films are generally extremely divisive, Villeneuve’s take on the Blade Runner mythology was well received, and his efforts on the film were given their due praise. As the movie's subject matter grows increasingly relevant, Blade Runner 2049 is another great candidate for this list, one that carries the essence of the original while adding modern touches to make it more easily palatable for today’s moviegoers.

5) Top Gun: Maverick (2022)

It’s no exaggeration to claim that Top Gun: Maverick single-handedly turned the tide for the film industry at a crossroads where theatres were close to becoming a thing of the past. The Tom Cruise-helmed sequel to the original 1986 hit, which launched his career, is a technical marvel, capturing fighter jets and dogfighting in a fashion that was truly never seen before.

While Tom Cruise is no stranger to being all in when it comes to the action and stunts in his movies, the entire supporting cast was also subject to hours of training in the jets so that the flight sequences would translate to audiences in the best possible fashion. The results were resounding, with the film blowing moviegoers out of the water. While the film was great, it’s a different experience in theatres, and deserves another run for audiences worldwide.