12 Timeless Movies That Remain Enjoyable to View

      We’ve all seen classic films that are undeniably exceptional yet not particularly enjoyable. These timeless classics effortlessly withstand the passage of time.

      **Notorious (1947)**

      Alfred Hitchcock’s thrilling film features Cary Grant as T.R. Devlin, a suave U.S. agent who enlists the infamous Alicia Huberman (the captivating Ingrid Bergman) for his clandestine missions. As love ensues, chaos unfolds.

      The film is remarkable for its complex heroine, whose integrity is scrutinized by nearly every character until the very end.

      Her most admirable trait? She remains indifferent.

      **The Sweet Smell of Success (1957)**

      This tale revolves around powerful columnist J.J. Hunsecker (Burt Lancaster) and merciless press agent Sidney Falco (Tony Curtis), with the alluring backdrop of Broadway in the 1950s.

      The unpredictable plot, which involves Hunsecker’s younger sister Susan (Susan Harrison) and a jazz guitarist, crafts one of the most engrossing narratives about the entertainment industry.

      It makes today’s troubling media atmosphere seem almost refined.

      **The Apartment (1960)**

      Throughout this intelligent and perceptive comedy, you may find yourself repeatedly exclaiming: This was made in 1960? The premise—a young clerk who lends his apartment to executives for secretive affairs with vulnerable women—feels grim even by today’s standards.

      Yet, you can’t help but root for the enchanting Shirley MacLaine and the reluctantly heroic Jack Lemmon. There’s a very contemporary allegory here regarding standing up against authority.

      MacLaine, Lemmon, director Billy Wilder, and screenwriter IAL Diamond collaborated again three years later for **Irma la Douce**, revisiting some of the themes from **The Apartment**.

      **Psycho (1960)**

      **Psycho** will shatter any notion that classic films are boring. From the outset, Janet Leigh’s Marion Crane is a seemingly good girl turned rogue, stealing from her drunk boss to escape across the Arizona desert to her no-good boyfriend. It’s thrilling even before she encounters the film’s namesake psycho.

      While the ending may feel anticlimactic, remember that **Psycho** was released at a time when the concept of a "psycho" was relatively unknown. It ensured that the term wouldn’t be forgotten.

      **Singing in the Rain (1952)**

      Though presented in color, don’t let that sway your opinion.

      If you prefer to recall the delightful songs and flawless dance sequences, that’s perfectly fine. However, **Singing in the Rain** is also a timeless satirical take on Hollywood’s obsession with trends and superficiality. Lina Lamont’s clueless assertion, “I gave an exclusive to every newspaper in town!” is even more amusing in 2023, where every news story claims to be both “breaking” and “exclusive.”

      **All About Eve (1950)**

      Bette Davis portrays a Broadway star who refuses to relinquish the limelight, with Anne Baxter as Eve Harrington, a cunning schemer eager to take her place. This dynamic has been replicated countless times since, from **The Devil Wears Prada** to **Showgirls**, but none have done it as masterfully as **All About Eve**.

      It also marks one of Marilyn Monroe’s early appearances. Consider the significance of the line, “Fasten your seat belts, it's going to be a bumpy night!” arriving shortly after commercial air travel began.

      **The General (1926)**

      Buster Keaton’s character aiding the Confederate Army hasn't aged well, but everything else is timeless. This brilliant silent film, which initially flopped, continues to impress with its meticulous slapstick and endlessly clever gags. Prepare to laugh with joy and relief.

      Keaton, known as “the great stone face,” performs dangerously funny stunts without changing his expression — a skill he honed while being tossed around vaudeville stages by his father. (Okay, that aspect hasn’t aged so well either.)

      **Casablanca (1942)**

      **Casablanca** is so engaging, clever, and humorous that even today’s youth continue to create memes from it.

      The line “I’m shocked, shocked” remains as amusing as it was in 1942, with the chemistry between Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman standing out as one of the most compelling ever depicted.

      When people express their love for classic films, this is likely the one they envision. It’s flawless from start to finish.

      **Double Indemnity (1944)**

      Easily the most entertaining film ever made about insurance, this noir classic sizzles with moments like the anklet scene — or the “how fast was I going” moment — featuring Fred McMurray as an insurance agent and Barbara Stanwyck as a scheming client.

      **The Postman Always Rings Twice (1944)**

      If you yearn for the supposedly