21 Impressive And Important Movies That Literally Changed People's Lives

Yeah. movies can do that to you...

Damjan

• Published in Film & TV
• June 23, 2022

They say that art mimics life. Movies are definitely one of the most influential forms of art (although, we have to admit that the art part is widely disputed when it comes to modern movies).

Nevertheless, they are influential, and that's a fact. But are they just setting shallow trends or are they changing the way we think and our beliefs?

Images from a fantastic movie stay with you long after you've watched it. They have memorable people and gripping stories to tell.

They have the potential to change your life. Occasionally, a film comes along that changes the way you think about life and, in some cases, the way you live it.

This could be related to your age or stage of life. But it's frequently the potential of that particular film to ignite something inside you that you weren't aware was there.

And it doesn't have to be the whole movie. In fact, sometimes all it takes is a single scene to completely transform you.

While many of the films have wowed, inspired, and provided memorable entry into the cultural canon, just a few have had a significant impact on how people think, live, and work.

People share movies that changed them, and we have selected some of the most interesting answers:

1. Planet of the Apes

"In the early '90s when I was about 8 years old, I somehow caught the original Planet of the Apes on TV. Even by then, the movie was at least 25-ish years old, and the twist was old news...to anyone above a certain age. Being 8, I had never heard of this movie nor knew what to expect. Needless to say, when he comes upon the Statue of Liberty my mind was blown. I did not see that coming and was obsessed with the movie for like a month afterward."

—u/BotTester478

Here's the famous twist scene:

2. Jurassic Park

"Seeing that movie in the theater for the first time when it came out was truly mind-blowing. It was just such a massive leap forward."

—u/harmala 

"The magic and awe I felt the first few times I saw that movie are deeply engrained [in me], and I’ve been chasing that movie high ever since!"

—u/Trebondginger

"The scene when they first see the brontosaurus and the music [is] rising — gives me chills thinking about it. Still stands the test of time, but it was great to experience it at that point in time."

—u/mother_a_god

Because of the tale and special effects, it's mind-blowing.

Here's the scene from above:

3. The Truman Show

"I’d heard it referenced in pop culture a bunch and had built an image of what I thought it was. Needless to say, I was wrong, and it absolutely blew my mind."

—u/Joe_drei3

"I think about/am haunted by this movie every day. I always feel like someone’s watching me now. IT’S SO GOOD."

—u/ueffo

Why it's amazing: it's a one-of-a-kind story about a person who lives in a TV show but doesn't realise it.

Here is the trailer:

4. Arrival

"As a multilingual, I have had experience of how knowing different languages changes your perspective and values. Arrival really resonated with me deeply."

—u/volyund

"This movie literally blew my fucking mind. I actually had to go sit outside and contemplate the scope of what I had just seen."

—u/Aquaritek

"It's really the ending that makes the movie. When you realize what the aliens communicated to her, and her reaction to it, wow, gut punch. So subtle and yet so powerful. Good stuff."

—u/damnusernamewastaken

Why it's amazing: the ending shock, which reveals that the visions of Louise's daughter — who would die young — are actually visions of her daughter in the future.

Here's when the twist comes in:

5. Parasite

"I saw a very vague trailer when it came out. Didn't have any clue what was going on, but told my partner we HAD to see it. Fantastic movie!!! I wish I could experience watching it for the first time again."

—u/marisolm9

"The fact that the tone shift works AMAZINGLY well for the whole class-warfare message of the film makes this one even more mind-blowing. Genuinely no movie like it."

—u/Grootdrew

"This one is a masterpiece, honestly. The growing tension and complete twist in genre are so well executed!"

—u/WinnieJr1

It's remarkable for its abrupt shift in tone from moderate comedy to terror.

6. The Sixth Sense

"I saw this about 10 years after it came out, and managed to avoid knowing about the twist that whole time. [It] blew my mind. It’s was the first time I had experienced anything like that, and I’ve been chasing that thrill ever since. I didn’t go into it looking for a twist, so I was completely thrown."

—u/notheretoparticipate

"I completely understand ‘the chase’ — the chills I felt when I started to recognize, subconsciously, what was happening. I started getting teary-eyed with how good the reveal was. In fact, the scene with the mom was right before the reveal, and it was the one-two punch of back-to-back devastating scenes that hit so hard."

—u/prescience6631

The twist that the hero has been dead the entire time is mind-blowing.

Here's the trailer for the film:

7. Memento

"I just watched it the first time after seeing the DVD in my dad's collection forever (watched it on my dad’s HBO Max account), and it was mind-blowing. You know from the get there’s a lot of shit to figure out, so the whole time you’re just spouting some wild theories, and it’s a fun watch."

—u/dougielou

"Just an incredible mental roller coaster."

—u/nothing_fits

"That ending that just hits like a sledgehammer once you realize the implications."

—u/Aeshaetter

Why it's incredible: both for the way it's told in reverse scene order and for the twist that Lenny is the one who murdered his wife.

8. The Prestige

"The Prestige is the only movie I've immediately rewatched the second I first finished it."

—u/Thomsbobombs

"I remember watching this as a young teen thinking it was the wildest thing I'd ever seen. I remember at the time nobody cared, and I tried explaining it but couldn't, LOL. I still feel like it's a highly under-appreciated movie."

—u/Xanderious

Why is it so amazing? Because it has a twist in which Borden is actually two individuals...

...as well as its outstanding final monologue.

Here's the final scene:

9. Fight Club

"The first viewing of Fight Club was awesome. I’d never seen a film with that kind of twist before."

—u/skrezzo

"This is the one that affected me like no other film when I saw it in the theaters. So much so, I didn't want it to end."

—u/dirtymoney

"I remember watching it like two months ago and after finishing it, just going outside and looking at the sky with a completely different outlook on the world and modern society."

—u/MattKnight99

The shock that Tyler and the Narrator are the same person is mind-blowing...

...as well as its brilliant final line/mindf*ck ending:

Here's when the twist comes in:

10. Se7en

"The final 30 mins of this film had me completely perplexed. The ending was quite chilling and brutal. The fact that Kevin Spacey was not in the opening credits made him a huge surprise for me when he was shown."

—u/Dr_Lecter1623

"When I first saw Se7en, my wife was pregnant with our first child and was at her mom's for the weekend. After the end, I called her blubbering and asking if she was OK."

—u/Adezar

Why it's incredible: for the outstanding performances and the shocking conclusion, in which David discovers his wife's skull is in the box and that he is destined to complete the seventh sin.

Here's the famous "What's in the Box?" scene:

11. The Usual Suspects

"Another one which was completely mind-blowing; never saw the ending coming."

—u/Dr_Lecter1623

"Great film. [It] builds the characters and the tension. The ending was totally unexpected."

—u/RonNumber

Why it's amazing: the twist that Verbal is actually Keyser Söze, which pretty much set the bar for movie twists and villain reveals...

...as well as the final scene/line.

Here's the reveal and the conclusion:

12. About Time

"It isn't mind-blowing in the typical sense. There is some time-bending in there, but what blew my mind was how well they portrayed the notion that it isn't about the amount of time you have, but the how you spend your time that really matters. I watched it at a time I was feeling pretty low, and it very effectively reminded me that I needed to live life with more intention and not be an idle passenger watching time pass."

—u/Oregonja

Why it's incredible: for flawlessly mixing science fiction/time travel and humour, and for giving everyone an existential crisis.

Here is the trailer:

13. Schindler's List

"Learning about it in school was one thing, but seeing it? It was heartbreaking. For the first time, I understood from an emotional empathy [standpoint] rather than an intellectual perspective."

—u/DameLibrio

"I saw it in theaters when I was in sixth grade. One of the only movies that has stuck with me for life."

—u/strawcat

"I can never watch this movie again. Watched it one time in history class in high school — I cried my eyes out. It is so good though."

—u/Ms_Libra

Why it's incredible: it's a heartbreaking masterpiece based on a true story.

Watch the trailer:

14. Inception

"There will never be another experience that comes close to watching Inception in theaters. I have since watched it at least eight times with friends and family. Don’t think I’ll ever get tired of it."

—u/nativecoke

The plot is SUPER-trippy, which is why it's mind-blowing. It's almost as though it coined the phrase "mind-blowing."

Watch the trailer:

15. Avengers: Endgame

"Not in an 'OMG, this is so well written' or 'I never saw that coming' type of way. But as a kid, I never imagined I would see a superhero movie like that.

I don't want to spoil it for anyone, but there were moments in the final act where I shed nerd tears of joy because it was so awesome. It blew my mind that they were able to pull such a thing off."

—u/IknowNothing6942069

"And also just all the movies that came before it. It's like a series where every episode is a movie. Twenty years in the making, and they gave the fans everything they wanted."

—u/LardHop

Why it's incredible: it's a) the highest-grossing film of all time, and b) the culmination of 21 Marvel Cinematic Universe flicks.

Watch the trailer:

16. Star Wars: Rogue One

"The heroes died at the end."

—u/-myBIGD

"As a huge Star Wars fan seeing it for the first time, it took me until Jyn's big speech to the Rebels for me to think, None of these new characters are in the Original Trilogy or even mentioned. I wonder how they'll explain that. Then like 10 minutes later, I was like, Oh shit, they're all going to die."

—u/Jedi_Knight19

"This was like a glimpse of what Star Wars could be. It’s an entire fleshed-out and interesting universe, a backdrop for any kind of story."

—u/TraffickingInMemes

Why it's incredible: for reinvigorating the Star Wars franchise and for its shocking conclusion.

Watch the trailer:

17. Gravity

"This blew my mind in the sense that it felt real. It was so damned intense I found myself holding my breath, and once she lands back on Earth it’s like a rebirth. It’s really beautiful."

—u/Professor_Quackers

What it's known for: having an aesthetically spectacular climax and a tragic (and stressful) ending.

Watch the trailer:

18. Frailty

"Not sure how many have seen this movie. It blew my mind, and I am hoping there are people out there that will back me up."

—u/pamela9792

"Almost no one has seen this movie. It's a fucking masterpiece."

—u/podotash

"My fave is when he says, 'You're not a demon, are you?' Still gives me chills."

—u/pamela9792

Why it's amazing: it's a highly underappreciated thriller.

Watch the trailer:

19. The Matrix series

"I find it amazing how a movie can change one’s life entirely. For me it was The Matrix.

Yes, all three of them, which is apparently an unpopular opinion. The second movie especially. Two quotes that really hit home and pulled me out from some particularly dark times in my life: 'I stand here before you now truly unafraid ... not because of the path that lies ahead of me, but because of the path that lies behind me … I remember that which matters most. We are still here!'

And, “You didn’t come here to make the choice. You’ve already made it. You’re here to understand why you’ve made that choice.' Both of these are ideas that helped me turn my life around, reinvent who I am, and build a life I feel comfortable living."

—u/Nancy_Bluerain

They're mind-blowing because they're among the best science fiction films ever made.

Trailer for the first film:

20. Children of Men

"I was blown away by the level of detail that was put in this movie. So many scenes with subtle background stuff happening that feeds into the overall plot/setting.

The amazing long takes made a lot of these details possible, too, since it wasn't just some two-second cut in which they were visible."

—u/extropia

"I was big into cinematography at that time because of skateboarding and my job. There's one scene in there that is like five minutes long, all one dynamic camera shot, and it is gloriously done.

There are hundreds of extras; it goes across a few city blocks and then through a few floors of an apartment building. It really is otherworldly."

—u/Savings_Inflation_77

Why it's incredible: the cinematography, particularly the long takes and the way blood sprayed on the camera

Take a look at the scene u/Savings Inflation 77 mentioned:

21. And finally, Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope

"Star Wars on opening weekend back in '77. Now known as A New Hope. Nobody had ever seen anything like it. It was a glimpse into a universe we didn’t know existed.

It wasn’t a movie. It was a new reality. A sense of 'otherness,' like this came from outside the human race. It was alien."

—u/f0k4ppl3

"When you think about what Lucas pulled off, it's amazing. If you forget all the movies you've seen since then, you realize how wildly innovative that was.

And if you remember all the movies you've seen since then, you realize how transformative that was. It wasn't just the animation. It was the way the story, the animation, and the acting all played off each other.

If you watch literally any other movie from before Star Wars, you will see it."

—u/FaliedSalve

Why it's amazing: the special effects and how it reinvented the sci-fi genre.

Our lives are all about learning, and we often credit our families, friends, and mentors as guiding lights and people responsible for all we've learned and what we've become.

And it is only natural. They are our biggest influences.

However, it turns out that movies we watch also have some influence. Who would've figured?

Damjan