The 12 Most Astonishing Movies We've Ever Watched

      These astonishing films may alter your perspective on reality, possibly even leading you to question the nature of your own existence. Whoa.

      Regardless, they’re sure to provide ample entertainment. Here’s our selection.

      **Planet of the Apes (1968)**

      20th Century Fox

      Adapted from Pierre Boulle’s 1963 novel, this film was co-written by Michael Wilson and Rod Serling, the creator of The Twilight Zone, who was adept at infusing genre tales with social insights.

      This film is captivating right from the premise: Human astronauts crash on a planet dominated by intelligent apes who treat humans as we treat animals.

      Just as you start to unpack the metaphorical layers concerning mankind's cruelty to one another, the movie delivers what we consider the ultimate twist ending.

      The sequel, **Escape From the Planet of the Apes (1971),** further complicates the narrative by bending the film’s timeline upon itself. The Apes franchise continues to this present day.

      **Star Wars (1977)**

      20th Century Fox – Credit: C/O

      Numerous remarkable sci-fi films preceded Star Wars, but its key innovation was to make everything appear vintage rather than futuristic. Unlike Star Trek’s idyllic future, it was famously set “a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away.”

      Hence, the spaceships often trembled, the hyperdrives malfunctioned, and the droids were decrepit. This ragtag nature of the rebellion presented Star Wars with a relatable, anti-pretentious vibe typical of the '70s, instantly making us cheer for the rebels.

      By lowering the expectations — these ships are meant to look shabby! — George Lucas crafted one of the most astonishing films ever, completely immersing us in a galaxy where we accepted imperfections, knowing our own lives are filled with flaws, from our car dents to the old jacket we can’t discard.

      Star Wars represented us. Or at least most of us. It mirrored our discontent with an Empire that appeared polished, efficient, and malevolent.

      Additionally, it was a storytelling marvel, beginning with the iconic shot of a large ship pursuing a smaller one. Even a toddler could differentiate the heroes from the villains, without needing parental guidance for the iconic yellow opening crawl.

      **Jurassic Park (1993)**

      Universal Pictures – Credit: C/O

      In 1993, watching this Steven Spielberg film in theaters, the simplest explanation for the realism of the dinosaurs was:

      You had stepped into a time machine disguised as a movie theater, now gazing through a gigantic window at actual dinosaurs, living their lives during the Jurassic era, around 200 million years ago.

      Until 1993, no other film matched Jurassic Park in blending practical effects and CGI. Even decades later, few films can achieve its breathtaking illusion of authenticity.

      **The Usual Suspects (1996)**

      Gramercy Pictures

      There are twists, and then there are unforgettable twists.

      After introducing the enigmatic Keyser Söze as one of cinema's most merciless villains, Christopher McQuarrie’s screenplay delivers an extraordinary cinematic surprise that compels you to rewatch the entire film.

      McQuarrie has honed his ability for clever twists in various collaborations with Tom Cruise, who appears in other entries on this list. Their upcoming project is **Mission: Impossible — the Final Reckoning**, set to hit theaters later this month.

      This film is also rich in cinematic homage, starting with a title that nods to **Casablanca**.

      **Dark City (1998)**

      New Line Cinema

      The late '90s saw many reality-bending films, but Alex Proyas’ **Dark City** crafted its dystopian narrative a whole year before **The Matrix**.

      Set in a stylized noir world reminiscent of the 1940s, it follows John Murdoch (Rufus Sewell), who awakens in a shabby motel room next to a murdered woman. He discovers he is married to singer Emma (Jennifer Connelly), who has recently cheated on him, and may or may not be a serial killer.

      It perpetually remains nighttime and he desperately seeks a place called Shell Beach — yet no one can remember how to get there. Meanwhile, he is hunted by eerie pale beings named the Strangers.

      After much internal debate, the filmmakers decided to include an explanatory voiceover by Kiefer Sutherland’s unsettling character, Dr. Daniel P. Schreber. This choice slightly diminishes the film’s mystique, perhaps making it less impactful.

      Despite its initial failure at the box office, Dark City is certainly worth watching for its performances, world-building, and fascinating atmosphere.

      **The Matrix (1999)**

      Warner Bros.

      The quintessential mind-bending film, **The Matrix** tapped into a distinctly '90s sentiment that, to paraphrase Laurence Fishburne’s Morpheus, "there’s something wrong with the world."

      At its core, the