12 Timeless Movies from the 1960s That Remain Enjoyable to Watch

      Not every classic film retains its entertainment value — some can feel like an assignment. However, these 1960s films continue to provide enjoyment even after all these years.

      The Apartment (1960)

      United Artists – Credit: C/O

      Throughout this sharp comedy, you’ll find yourself repeating, “They made this in 1960?” Its premise — a young clerk lends his apartment to higher-ups for secret rendezvous with vulnerable women — is bleak by even today’s standards.

      Yet the film remains delightful as you quickly find yourself cheering for the charming Shirley MacLaine and the reluctantly heroic Jack Lemmon (above). There’s a contemporary metaphor here about resisting oppressive authority that is hard to miss.

      MacLaine, Lemmon, director Billy Wilder, and screenwriter IAL Diamond teamed up three years later for Irma la Douce, which explored some of the themes present in The Apartment.

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      Breathless (1960)

      Société Nouvelle de Cinématographie – Credit: C/O

      This classic by Jean-Luc Godard serves as a commentary on filmmaking itself — the plot is nearly inconsequential, and the jump cuts reveal the artificial nature of everything — or you might simply appreciate it as an effortless jaunt through Coolsville. Every shot is stunning.

      Breathless is one of those classic films that still feels cooler than anything produced today.

      It remains highly relevant even in contemporary times — acclaimed director Richard Linklater has an upcoming project centered on the making of Breathless.

      Psycho (1960)

      Paramount – Credit: C/O

      Psycho will dispel the notion that older movies are stale and uneventful. It's a gripping thriller from the outset: Janet Leigh’s Marion Crane is a good girl turned bad who steals from her drunken boss to escape across the Arizona desert to her irresponsible boyfriend. However, she encounters the film's titular psycho.

      While the explanatory ending may disappoint some, the film moves briskly right up until the end. Keep in mind that when Psycho debuted, many viewers were unfamiliar with the term "psycho."

      Psycho ensured they wouldn’t forget.

      West Side Story (1961)

      United Artists – Credit: C/O

      This powerful musical, directed by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins, combines vibrant colors, dance, and song, whisking you away from any mundane feelings you might have.

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

      With inspiration drawn from Romeo and Juliet, it is breathtaking from start to finish.

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      L—-a (1962)

      MGM – Credit: C/O

      This film epitomizes a movie that couldn’t be made in today’s climate. We can’t even mention the title without triggering filters on some sites that feature our articles. Nonetheless, the film is a joy to watch due to director Stanley Kubrick's deft balance of dark humor, tragedy, and drama while maintaining a semblance of decency.

      Based on the supposedly unfilmable novel by Vladimir Nabokov, which uniquely avoids using any vulgar language, the film stars James Mason as the lamentable Humbert, who seeks understanding and sympathy for his abhorrent inclinations but is met with revulsion — particularly from the audience. Kubrick skillfully refrains from forcing interpretations on viewers — the story's essence stands on its own.

      Sue Lyon, who was just 15 at the film's release, portrays the 12-year-old protagonist with grace and energy, portraying the tragic nature of her predicament without excessive melodrama. Peter Sellers injects a dose of wicked fun as Quilty, Humbert’s chief adversary, who is equally repugnant yet even more cunning.

      A Hard Day's Night (1964)

      United Artists – Credit: C/O

      This delightful depiction of 36 hours in the chaotic lives of John, Paul, George, and Ringo captures Beatlemania at its height.

      Rather than adopting a documentary-style approach, the Fab Four aim to entertain us, humorously poking fun at their own celebrity.

      Directed by Richard Lester, it received two Academy Award nominations, one for Alun Owen’s screenplay, which manages to create a light and spontaneous feel.

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

      Columbia Pictures – Credit: C/O

      In this satire of a war-obsessed world, Stanley Kubrick showcases his darkest, most acerbic humor, juxtaposing civility and a supposedly honorable purpose with a fervent thirst to annihilate adversaries.

      The film also features a stellar cast of Kubrick regulars, including Sterling Hayden and Peter Sellers in various roles.

      Sellers delivers the film’s most iconic line: