There are some movies that just seem to stand the test of time. There isn’t an exact formula to movies that do this; some are big budget films with special effects, while others are fairly basic in nature. In fact, movies that have stood the test of time are those that aren’t just cultural touchstones, but also films that people love to watch. For example, movies like “Gone With The Wind” and “”Citizen Cane” aren’t just looked at as important films in the history of cinema, but also movies that remain watchable decades after they are made.

So what are some of the movies that have stood the test of time both by technological and enjoyment standards? How about the 1957 film “12 Angry Men”? Show that to any 15 year old who has never seen a black and white film and watch them become entranced with the basic, yet powerful, story. Same goes for “To Kill A Mockingbird” and “Sunset Boulevard”. If you want to talk about a director who is still influential 30 years after his death, you need to talk about Hitchcock. A film like “Psycho” had more twist, turns and generally frighting moments then most movies do today. In terms of suspense, you can’t get much better then “Rear Window” or “North By Northwest”.

In terms of comedy, there are few films that have stood the test of time like “Some Like It Hot”. Fifty years after it’s release, it’s still viewed as one of the funniest, and most daring, comedies of all time. In addition, “Dr. Strangelove” is still a beloved film that is as relevant today as it was during the Cold War.

So what modern films will we look back at in 50 years that stood the test of time? How about “The Shawshank Redemption”, “Goodfellas” and “American Beauty”? There are also 80′s film’s like “E.T.” and “Raiders of the Lost Ark” which will no doubt stand the test of time. And, of course, you have the Pixar films like “Toy Story”, “The Incredibles” and “Wall-E” which will no doubt be watched decades from now.