12 Movies from the 1960s That Remain Enjoyable to Watch

      Numerous classic films from the past certainly have their place in movie history, but they can sometimes feel like a chore to watch. Here are some films from the 1960s that are truly enjoyable experiences.

      **The Apartment (1960)**

      United Artists – Credit: C/O

      You’ll find yourself repeatedly wondering: They made this in 1960? The premise — a young clerk who lends his apartment to executives for secret meetings with vulnerable women — seems dark even by today’s standards.

      Yet, the film is still a delight, as you quickly start rooting for the charming Shirley MacLaine and the reluctantly heroic Jack Lemmon (above). It’s not hard to spot the modern metaphor about standing up to authority.

      MacLaine, Lemmon, director Billy Wilder, and screenwriter IAL Diamond came together again three years later for Irma la Douce, which revisited themes from The Apartment.

      **Breathless (1960)**

      Société Nouvelle de Cinématographie – Credit: C/O

      This classic by Jean-Luc Godard serves as a critique of the film medium — the plot feels almost secondary, and the jump cuts highlight its artificiality. Alternatively, you can simply enjoy it as a fun journey through Coolsville. Each frame is stunning.

      Breathless remains one of those old films that feels more current than anything released today.

      **Psycho (1960)**

      Paramount – Credit: C/O

      Psycho will dispel any notions that older films are lackluster and boring. It’s an absorbing thriller right from the start: Janet Leigh’s Marion Crane is a decent woman who steals from her drunken boss to escape across the Arizona desert to her irresponsible boyfriend. Then she encounters the film's titular psycho.

      While the explanatory finale may disappoint, the film moves swiftly toward its climax. Keep in mind that when Psycho premiered, many audiences were unfamiliar with the term "psycho."

      Psycho ensured they wouldn’t forget it.

      **West Side Story (1961)**

      United Artists – Credit: C/O

      A vibrant musical infused with genuine emotional stakes, West Side Story (directed by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins) envelops you in a whirlwind of color, dance, and music, lifting your spirits from any gloom.

      The exceptional cast features Richard Beymer as Tony, Rita Moreno (right) as Anita, and Natalie Wood (left) as Maria.

      Inspired by Romeo and Juliet, it’s a breathtaking film from start to finish.

      **Lolita (1962)**

      MGM – Credit: C/O

      Essentially the epitome of a film that couldn’t be produced today. We can’t even mention the title without triggering filters on some sites that share our content. Nonetheless, the film is enjoyable due to how adeptly director Stanley Kubrick mixes dark humor, tragedy, and drama while staying within decent limits.

      Adapted from the allegedly unadaptable Vladimir Nabokov novel that notably avoids using explicit language, the film presents James Mason as the pitiful Humbert, who continuously seeks understanding and sympathy for his shameful desires, receiving only disgust — particularly from the audience. Kubrick skillfully allows the facts to convey their impact without overtly guiding our emotions.

      Sue Lyon, who was 15 when the film was released, portrays the 12-year-old title character with grace and spirit, effectively illustrating the tragic nature of her circumstance without melodrama. Peter Sellers adds a delightfully malicious touch as Quilty, Humbert's primary adversary, who is equally reprehensible yet even more cunning.

      **A Hard Day's Night (1964)**

      United Artists – Credit: C/O

      A complete charmer, this depiction of 36 hours in the crazy lives of John, Paul, George, and Ringo captures the height of Beatlemania.

      Instead of opting for a documentary-style approach, the Fab Four entertain us with humor, playfully poking fun at their own fame.

      Directed by Richard Lester, it garnered two Academy Award nominations, including one for Alun Owen’s screenplay, which succeeded in maintaining a light and spontaneous feel.

      **Dr. Strangelove or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb**

      Columbia Pictures – Credit: C/O

      Stanley Kubrick delivers his sharpest wit in this satire of a war-obsessed world where civility masks a fervent desire to annihilate opponents.

      The film boasts a remarkable ensemble of Kubrick's regulars, featuring Sterling Hayden and Peter Sellers in multiple roles.

      Sellers also gets to deliver the film's most iconic line: “Gentlemen — you can’t fight in here! This is the War Room!”

      The American Film Institute ranked it as the third funniest American film.

      **Valley of the Dolls (1967)**

      20th Century Fox – Credit: C/O

      We didn’t claim we were listing the best films of the 1960s —