The Movies That Defined Each Decade Since The '60s

The Movies That Defined Each Decade Since The '60s


August 13, 2025 | Jesse Singer

The Movies That Defined Each Decade Since The '60s


Updated August 13, 2025

Decades on the Big Screen: A Time Travel Through Film

Movies (especially the good ones) don’t just entertain—they capture the spirit of their time. From counterculture revolutions to digital frontiers, certain films define an era like nothing else

In this cinematic journey, we’ll hop from decade to decade, spotlighting the iconic movies that shaped culture, pushed boundaries, and gave voice to the times in which they were released. Let's rewind history, one film at a time?

1960s: "Psycho" (1960)

Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho changed horror forever—and pushed censors to their limit. Its infamous shower scene shocked audiences and introduced a new kind of psychological terror. Audiences in 1960 had never seen anything like it, and its influence is still felt today in thrillers and slasher films alike.

1960s: The Shower - Psycho (5/12) Movie CLIP (1960) HD, Movieclips

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1960s: "Dr. Strangelove" (1964)

Stanley Kubrick’s Dr. Strangelove took Cold War paranoia and turned it into biting satire. With dark humor and political absurdity, it showed how nuclear annihilation could be terrifying—and hilarious. It was a bold move during tense times, and it paid off brilliantly.

1960s: DR. STRANGELOVE Clip - "Code Red" (1964) Stanley Kubrick, JoBlo Movie Clips

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1960s: "The Graduate" (1967)

With its moody Simon & Garfunkel soundtrack and biting generational angst, The Graduate captured the disillusionment of the late ’60s. Dustin Hoffman’s awkward antihero reflected a youth culture feeling adrift in the American Dream. And that ending? Ambiguous perfection.

1960s: The Graduate Starring Dustin Hoffman | Most Iconic Scenes, StudiocanalUK

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1960s: "Easy Rider" (1969)

Counterculture found its movie anthem in Easy Rider. A low-budget road film that became a sensation—embodying the freedom, rebellion, and the "haze" of the ’60s. Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper made indie cinema cool—and the establishment very nervous.

1960s: Easy Rider: The end of the road (HD CLIP), Binge Society

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1970s: "The Godfather" (1972)

The Godfather wasn’t just a movie—it was an event. Francis Ford Coppola’s epic redefined the gangster genre and still stands atop the podium of Mafia movies. And it turned Marlon Brando into an icon (again). It made crime look operatic, poetic—and horrifying. The ’70s had arrived with power and drama.

1970s: THE GODFATHER | "Offer He Can't Refuse" Clip | Paramount Movies, Paramount Movies

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1970s: "Jaws" (1975)

Steven Spielberg’s Jaws didn’t just scare swimmers—it invented the summer blockbuster. With its suspenseful pacing and iconic score, it created mass panic and massive ticket sales. Suddenly, Hollywood realized big thrills meant big business. Some of us still won't go in the water because of this movie.

1970s: Jaws - Best Scenes, Movieclips

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1970s: "Rocky" (1976)

Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky was the underdog story America didn’t know it needed. Part sports drama, part American dream, it punched through cynicism and inspired millions. Sometimes, a simple story told right becomes a cultural force (and a whole bunch of sequels).

1970s: ROCKY™ (1976) | It's Thanksgiving | MGM Studios, Amazon MGM Studios

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1970s: "Star Wars" (1977)

A galaxy far, far away launched a pop culture empire right here on Earth. Jaws might've created the "blockbuster" but Star Wars was THE blockbuster—kicking off the age of summer megahits and transforming sci-fi into a mainstream spectacle.

1970s: STAR WARS: A NEW HOPE Clip - "Rescue" (1977), JoBlo Movie Clips

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1980s: "Raiders of the Lost Ark" (1981)

Raiders of the Lost Ark gave us Indiana Jones—and reminded us that adventure could be smart, thrilling, and fun. Spielberg and Lucas hit cinematic gold, blending old-school serials with modern flair. It redefined action movies.

1980s: INDIANA JONES AND THE RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK | Official Trailer | Paramount Movies, Paramount Movies

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1980s: "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" (1982)

Yup, Steven Spielberg again. His E.T. was pure magic. A heartfelt blend of suburban life and cosmic wonder, the film became an emotional touchstone for a generation. Who didn’t tear up when E.T. said, “I’ll be right here”?

1980s: E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial | E.T. Phone Home in 4K HDR, Universal Pictures

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1980s: "The Breakfast Club" (1985)

Teen angst got real in The Breakfast Club. John Hughes took five high school stereotypes and turned them into complex, relatable characters. It became the voice of ’80s youth, all set to an awesome Simple Minds track.

1980s: The Breakfast Club (Molly Ringwald, Judd Nelson) | The Great Escape | Extended Preview, Universal Pictures All-Access

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1980s: "Die Hard" (1988)

Yippee-ki-yay, action cinema. Die Hard turned Bruce Willis into a star and created the modern action hero—gritty, flawed, and relatable. It also gave us one of the greatest villains (Alan Rickman’s Hans Gruber) and countless (and we mean countless) imitators.

1980s: DIE HARD Final Scene (1988), JoBlo Movie Clips

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1990s: "Jurassic Park" (1993)

Jurassic Park roared onto screens with groundbreaking visual effects and a perfect blend of wonder and terror. Spielberg (again) captured the awe of dinosaurs and the danger of unchecked science, all while redefining blockbuster spectacle.

1990s: Jurassic Park (1993) - Welcome to Jurassic Park Scene | Movieclips, Movieclips

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1990s: "Pulp Fiction" (1994)

Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction broke all the rules—and made it cool to do so. Nonlinear storytelling, obscure pop culture references, and a Royale with Cheese helped define the edgy, ironic vibe of the ’90s. It was a game-changer for indie cinema.

1990s: PULP FICTION Clip - "Say What Again!" (1994) Samuel L. Jackson, JoBlo Movie Clips

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1990s: "Toy Story" (1995)

Pixar’s Toy Story was the first fully computer-animated feature—and it blew our minds. A heartfelt buddy story wrapped in cutting-edge tech, it launched Pixar’s reign and proved animated films could be funny, smart, and emotionally rich.

1990s: TOY STORY Opening Scene (1995) Pixar, JoBlo Animated Videos

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1990s: "Titanic" (1997)

James Cameron’s Titanic was an emotional juggernaut—and the highest-grossing film of the decade. A mix of epic romance and historical tragedy, it turned Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet into global stars and made My Heart Will Go On unforgettable (which is a good or a bad thing, depending on who you ask).

1990s: "Titanic" (1997)Titanic | "Spit Like a Man" Full Scene (Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet) | Paramount Movies, Paramount Movies

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2000s: "Gladiator" (2000)

Gladiator resurrected the historical epic and turned Russell Crowe into a household name. With sweeping battle scenes and a tragic hero, it brought Roman grandeur to the 21st century in spectacular fashion. Yes, we were entertained.

2000s: GLADIATOR | Official Trailer | Paramount Movies, Paramount Movies

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2000s: "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" (2001)

Fantasy went mainstream with The Fellowship of the Ring. Peter Jackson brought Tolkien’s epic to life with breathtaking visuals and a depth rarely seen in genre films. It kicked off a trilogy that ruled the early 2000s—and changed the game for adaptations.

2000s: Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) - The Fellowship Assembles Scene | Movieclips, Movieclips

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2000s: "The Bourne Identity" (2002)

Jason Bourne fought his way into action movie history with The Bourne IdentityGritty, grounded, and fast-paced, it gave spy thrillers a makeover and influenced everything from Bond to Batman in the years to follow.

2000s: The Bourne Identity | Bourne vs. Sniper, Universal Pictures

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2000s: "The Dark Knight" (2008)

Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight wasn’t just a superhero movie—it was a gritty, philosophical crime saga. Heath Ledger’s Joker became one of cinema’s most haunting villains, and the film proved comic book stories could have serious cinematic weight.

2000s: THE DARK KNIGHT "Joker" Clip Compilation #1 (2008) Heath Ledger, JoBlo Superheroes

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2010s: "Inception" (2010)

Inception bent minds and blew box offices wide open. With its layered dreams, spinning tops, and thrilling ambiguity, Christopher Nolan gave audiences an intelligent action film that begged for repeat viewings. The 2010s loved a good brain-twister.

2010s: Inception (2010) Official Trailer #1 - Christopher Nolan Movie HD, Rotten Tomatoes Classic Trailers

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2010s: "Frozen" (2013)

Disney broke the mold with Frozen—a princess story where sisterhood trumped romance. It captured hearts and ears (thanks, “Let It Go”) and kicked off a new wave of female-driven animated stories.

2010s: FROZEN | Disney's Frozen - 2013 | Official Disney UK, Disney UK

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2010s: "Mad Max: Fury Road" (2015)

High-octane chaos, feminist subtext, and jaw-dropping stunt workMad Max: Fury Road wasn’t just a reboot, it was a shot of adrenaline to action cinema. George Miller’s post-apocalyptic vision became an instant modern classic.

2010s: Mad Max: Fury Road - Official Main Trailer [HD], Warner Bros.

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2010s: "Get Out" (2017)

Jordan Peele’s Get Out was horror with something to say. Blending satire, suspense, and social commentary, it tackled racism in America with a chilling twist. It wasn’t just scary—it was smart, stylish, and conversation-starting.

2010s: Get Out Official Trailer 1 (2017) - Daniel Kaluuya Movie, Rotten Tomatoes Trailers

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2020s: "Dune: Part One" (2021)

Denis Villeneuve’s Dune turned a dense sci-fi classic into a stunning cinematic experience. With epic world-building and haunting visuals, it made spice and sandworms cool again—and proved that smart sci-fi still has a place on the big screen.

2020s: Dune | Official Main Trailer, Warner Bros.

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2020s: "Everything Everywhere All at Once" (2022)

With multiverse madness, googly eyes, and heartfelt family dramaEverything Everywhere All at Once became a sensation. Quirky, genre-blending, and deeply emotional, it defined a decade where chaos, identity, and connection took center stage.

2020s: Everything Everywhere All At Once | Official Trailer HD | A24, A24

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2020s: "Top Gun: Maverick" (2022)

Nostalgia flew into the danger zone with Top Gun: Maverick. A sequel decades in the making, it honored the original while raising the bar for practical stunts and emotional stakes. Turns out, Maverick still has it.

2020s: Top Gun: Maverick | NEW Official Trailer (2022 Movie) - Tom Cruise, Paramount Pictures

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2020s: "Barbie" (2023)

Barbie went from toy shelf to feminist manifesto. Greta Gerwig’s neon-pink satire took on gender roles, capitalism, and existential identity crises—all while making audiences laugh and cry. It proved blockbuster films could be both smart and Silly.

2020s: Barbie | Main Trailer, Warner Bros.

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Sources: 1, 2, 3


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