When an incredible movie comes to theaters, people tend to go see it a couple of times, buy the DVD afterward,stream it on Netflixwith a friend, and even sit down to watch it again on cable years later. Rewatching movies is a very comforting thing to do because people already know the plot, the character dynamics, and what emotions to expect. Typically, when watching a movie for a second, third, or fourth time, even a major fan will notice something new they had never seen before. This brings a sense of thrill due to the fan feeling like they have found a hidden Easter egg within the film. However, what would happen if we took our favorite movies, even our favorite childhood movies, and wiped them from our brain? Would we still love them today in comparison to everything else that is out there?
Even with the major milestones reached in Hollywood —CGI effects evolving, casting becoming more diverse, risqué and violent scenes seeming more realistic, to name a few — there are still plenty of films that fans would love to erase from their memories only to watch again with fresh eyes. From the iconic one-liners to the unique storylines, here are 15 movies that we wish we could see again for the very first time.
15Casablanca (1942)
Set during World War II, this film broke ground on what it truly means to go through love and loss. Rick, an anti-hero passively fighting for justice, became an icon for Americans during this time period. From his memorable one-liners to his ultimate sacrifice (putting the woman he loves on a plane knowing he will never see her again), he set the stage for male protagonists. In 1989, just a year after the creation of the organization,Casablancawas one of the first films inducted into the National Film Registry.
14Rocky (1976)
The titular underdog inRockypaved the way for sports movies to focus on the weaker character or team. His determination to train and his humble approach to the fight set a unique tone for athletes. Unlike his opponent, he was not cocky, nor did he think would really win. He confided in a woman, Adrian, that he did not believe he would be victorious, but he promised to try his best. The fact that Rocky was not declared the winner, yet he was still proud of himself anyway, made fans realize that endings where the underdog loses do not have to be sad. The important thing is that they do their best and are pleased with how far they have come.
13Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)
John Hughes' creation of teen comedy and drama films remains unmatched. The genre is wildly popular, but there is very little comparison to his iconic 80s movies, particularlyFerris Bueller’s Day Off. Ferris' day of playing hooky is one thatevery teenager dreams of. From driving a sports car with his best friend and girlfriend to going to a baseball game and later singing in a parade, the trio sets the standard for the perfect day out. The relationships between the characters are just innocent and inclusive enough to make any fan feel as if they could join the group. By getting to watch this film for the very first time, teens may realize how relationships can thrive without judgment and jealousy.
Related:How John Hughes Inspired a Genre and a Generation
12Jurassic Park (1993)
Before the whole franchise became a multi-billion-dollar success, it all started withJurassic Parkbeing thefirst ever movieto integrate computer-generated creatures into live scenes with actors. The design of the dinosaurs in the first film relied more on the physical animatronic creation than Computer-Generated Imagery, but that changed with the evolution of technology. This film made dinosaurs roaming the world in modern day truly believable. It further emphasized the realness factor by turning the concept into a capitalized moneymaker. The first film of the trilogy bridged a way for rather wild and obscene concepts to come to life.
11Forrest Gump (1994)
Aside from being one of the most quotable movies,Forrest Gumpis a rollercoaster that can never be replicated. A boy breaking through his own leg braces and discovering his superior running abilities becomes a decorated army soldier who later succeeds in the shrimping business. Afterward, a passive stock market deal makes him a millionaire, but he splits his fortunes with the family of his late best friend. Forrest goes through all of this and more while being in love with his childhood crush, Jenny. By the end of the film, Forrest gets everything he deserves in an unexpected way. The conversation for a sequel was quickly shut down due to the original saying all it had to about Forrest’s life, love, and happiness.
10Pokémon: The First Movie (English Adaptation 1999)
Perhaps it is the nostalgia of the successful anime film or the fact that the 2D creatures can bring an audience to tears that makesPokémon: The First Movieone to admire. After following the story of Ash and his friends for over a year, fans around the world were enamored with the young Pokémon trainer by the time the film was released. The origin of Mewtwo was incredible, and fans were able to sympathize with the villainous character. However, during the final battle, when all seemed lost, tears were flowing from the Pokémon and the audience alike. Sadness turned into relief, and life with love turned into a lesson for Mewtwo.
9The Matrix (1999)
The Matrixredefined the entire science fiction genre with its use of special effects and technology. The film was released during a heightened time of technology being revolutionized, so the concept of artificial intelligence going wrong weighed heavily on people. From the brilliant acting and fight scenes to the special effects used to make reality look skewed in a believable way, this film and franchise set the tone for alternate realities seeming plausible. Even today, people often find themselves referencing or just thinking about this film when something seems odd in their own reality.
Related:Explained: The Philosophy of The Matrix Movies
8The Green Mile (1999)
Based on Stephen King’s book,The Green Mile, this film hits hard on modern day concepts. Police brutality, racism, and the death penalty are just a few themes within the movie, but they should not outshine the themes of friendship, supernatural abilities, and trust. Seeming larger than life, John Coffey teaches the other prisoners as well as the guards the hardships a black man faces in the 1930s. He has accepted long ago that society sees him as a threat rather than a gentle giant who wants to help and heal others. His lessons live on with Paul as well as with his true fans.
7Mean Girls (2004)
The typical mean girl trope is everywhere, butMean Girlspushed the stereotype to the extreme with the typical dumb blonde, the cruel queen bee of the group, and the insecure best friend. Even with her unique friends, Janis and Damian, Cady did not stand a chance against the popular trio. This female-centered film makes the antics of high school laughable. Bullying and made up hierarchies take place within the brick and mortar walls every day, but the portrayal of how Regina makes everyone feel less than is skewed to the point of amusement. One cannot help but laugh at how she, as well as much of the student body, truly believes the world revolves around her.
6The Polar Express (2004)
Christmas movies tend to bring a certain comforting and warm feeling with their storylines; they make audiences want to snuggle up under a blanket while snow softly covers the yard. If the waiters fromThe Polar Expressare serving up their infamous hot chocolate, that would make for a perfect night. This book-to-movie adaptation creates the adventure many children desire. A solo adventure to the North Pole to discover Santa, his workshop, and all the elves are real seems like a dream come true. Because the film is computer-animated, it is easy to suspend disbelief as you travel with the nameless protagonist.
