Established in 1923, Warner Bros. Studios quickly made a name for itself by inventing technology that allowed video and sound to be combined to make “talkie” films. Founded by the four Warner brothers, Harry, Albert, Sam, and Jack, the studio changed the face of film and established much of what we know Hollywood to be today.
While the brothers’ history is fascinating in its own right, we aren’t here to discuss it. However, if you are interested in learning more, the captivating docuseries 100 Years of Warner Bros.: The Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of is currently streaming on Max.
Over the past century, this studio has put out a multitude of films, each more captivating than the next. With such a wide selection, we had a tough time narrowing the list down to just a few films.
Without further ado, here are our 20 Warner Bros. Studios Films You Don’t Want to Miss.
1. Casablanca (1942)
Probably considered one of the most iconic films of all time, Casablanca is one that everyone should see at some point in their lifetime. At this point in history, everyone knows exactly who Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman were.
Their dynamic in this film has us yearning for a love so powerful it’s a sacrifice to give it up for something much more noble. After all, Rick loves Ilsa, but he also knows that her husband’s fight against the Germans during WWII is much more important to the greater good.
Aside from the story, this film is beautifully shot and has some of the most compelling performances by actors in the history of cinema. To this day, Casablanca remains one of the best in what is now considered Old Hollywood.
2. A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)
Later on in his career, Marlon Brando would be well-known for his turn as Don Vito Corleone in The Godfather Part I. However, in 1951, Brando made a name for himself as Stanley Kowalski.
The famous story, based on Tennessee Williams’s play A Streetcar Named Desire, centers on Stanley’s strenuous relationship with his wife Stella when Stella’s sister Blanche moves in with them. The dynamic of Brando, Vivien Leigh, and Kim Hunter forces the emotions off the screen and into our hearts.
This film was an early indication of how well Warner Bros. Studios would do with taking content established in another form of entertainment or media and making it into a cultural staple.
3. My Fair Lady (1964)
Early on in its history, Warner Bros. Studios decided it would stand out amongst other film studios by making musical-based stories. The studio quickly became known for spectacular choreography and performances at the base of such films.
One of the most popular musical films created by the studio is My Fair Lady, starring Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison. This story follows Henry Huggins as he attempts to take a Cockney working-class girl under his wing and perfect her enunciation and speaking patterns.
The chemistry between Hepburn and Harrison makes this off-beat romantic comedy truly sing. We find ourselves drawn to the charming reliability of both Henry and Eliza as their stories intertwine and evolve.
4. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
An early work of the famed Stanley Kubrick, 2001: A Space Odyssey, captivates viewers with its focus on the ambiance of space. Unlike most films, this one doesn’t have much in the way of a soundtrack.
That eerie background silence makes the vastness of space feel that much more real. Despite its release in the late ’60s, this film stands the test of time for its futuristic elements regarding technology, artificial intelligence, science fiction, and human nature.
If you are a fan of science fiction, time travel, and space, this is one film you won’t want to miss.
5. Dirty Harry (1971)
Before we worried about police brutality and lawmen taking situations into their own hands, there was Dirty Harry. Despite the renegade lawman feel of Harry Callahan’s story. this film still stands due to the performances of Clint Eastwood and company.
When Harry Callahan is put in charge of finding a rooftop killer before a young girl dies, his emotions get the better of him. This leads to an intense battle between Harry and the suspect as he’s apprehended, released, and eventually killed.
You truly can’t say you understand Eastwood’s career in Hollywood without his most quintessential role. The way he embodies the passion and ferocity of Callahan is a master class in acting.
6. Blazing Saddles (1974)
One of Mel Brooks’ seminal classic films, Blazing Saddles, has continued to turn heads and make people laugh even half a century after its release. With anti-racism themes and hilarious buffoonery, Brooks takes a serious topic and makes it memorable with punch lines and physical comedy.
Cleavon Little brings the crafty Bart to life with a comical dynamic that can only be completed by the talents of his screen partner, Gene Wilder, as Jim. These two talented actors ensure viewers remember this classic through their passion and heart for the subject material, representation, and overall message about acceptance and respect.
In fact, the message that racism is one of the most ridiculous notions in the world is something that people today might need a reminder of. If nothing else, take time out of your day to laugh your face off at this timeless adventure.
7. Superman: The Movie (1978)
When people think of Superman, odds are the first image they conjure is of Christopher Reeve donning the blue suit. Superman: The Movie put Reeve on the map as an actor worth watching and also gave comic book fans a taste of their favorite hero on the big screen.
While Reeve is the first name thought of due to his portrayal of the lead character, there are also fantastically memorable performances from Marlon Brando as Jor-El, Gene Hackman as Lex Luther, and Margot Kidder as Lois Lane. This truly stacked cast makes this early addition to what is now a popular genre, a film you want to watch again and again.
The dynamic between Reeve and Hackman is especially compelling, forcing us to believe these two men truly are enemies. Reeve’s charisma is equally matched by Kidder’s charm, making us root for the Superman and Lois relationship.
8. The Shining (1980)
While Stephen King himself might not be too keen on this adaptation of his book, The Shining is still a film worth watching. Whether you’re familiar with the source material or not, the performances put a chill down your spine and a bit of fear in your heart.
Think about it: an alcoholic writer drags his family, played by the talented Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall, to a desolate hotel where a series of odd, terrifying, and strange characters fill their days of isolation. How is that not creepy as all get out? To add to it, the cinematography helps bring Kubrick’s vision of psychological torture to life.
At the end of the day, this film will leave you questioning your own sanity while the Grady twins and REDRUM will live in your mind rent-free forever. “Come and play with us. Come and play with us, Danny. Forever… and ever… and ever.”
9. The Goonies (1985)
Today, the actors Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, Corey Feldman, and Ke Huy Quan are synonymous with illustrious careers. But when The Goonies was released in 1985, they weren’t as well-known and much younger.
This fantastical adventure of intrigue, mystery, and the might of children’s imaginations has withstood the test of time because it is the quintessential David vs. Goliath-esque film. After all, who doesn’t want to root for a group of kids on the adventure of a lifetime in order to save their homes from The Man?
Even after 40 years, this film still keeps us on the edge of our seats and takes our breath away with every twist and turn. So, grab your flashlight and your sense of adventure and join the gang in a hunt for buried treasure.
10. Batman (1989)
Much in the same vein as Superman: The Movie, this theatrical release gave comic book fans a version of their favorite caped vigilante anti-hero on the big screen. Batman boasted a strong cast, from Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne/Batman to Jack Nicholson as The Joker to Michael Gough as Alfred.
This film started a long history of Batman swinging in to save the day from a variety of creative minds. While the 1989 film wasn’t the first of this DC Comics superhero, it was one of the first to be gritty and darker in nature, thanks to Tim Burton’s gothic vibe for the city.
Keaton and Nicholson contrast the previously cast Adam West and Cesar Romero’s campy, light take on the iconic roles. It is the version of the Gotham-centered tale that everyone should see due to its perfect balance between serious and humorous.
11. Goodfellas (1990)
Today, the names Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Ray Liotta are almost exclusively synonymous with top-ranking mobster films. These three iconic actors helm the large ensemble cast of the 1990 classic Goodfellas, which cemented their status as icons of cinema.
Telling the sordid tale of a young associate trying to make it big in a mafia family is nothing new, but somehow, Liotta’s performance stands out among the crowd. It probably helps that De Niro and Pesci were common scene partners throughout the film, bringing all their stellar performances to another plane.
Told in testimony format, the story unfolds naturally, pulling audiences in from the start. On top of that, the cinematography, costuming, soundtrack, and timely visuals make this film a must-see for lovers of a good mobster tale.
12. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
A film based on a popular Stephen King novella, The Shawshank Redemption, tells the story of Andy Dufresne. On the surface, it seems as though this film is just another prison-centered story.
However, Dufresne and Red’s journey from being imprisoned to being free ends up being about so much more. This film challenges audiences to consider their innate prejudices against people down on their luck, what true freedom means, and the value of true friendship.
With memorable moments, heart-stopping performances, and cinematic excellence, this film will always be an adventure worth taking. Not to mention, anything with Morgan Freeman’s soothing, rich voice deserves its place on everyone’s list.
13. L.A. Confidential (1997)
While the plot of L.A. Confidential is compelling enough to merit a spot on this list, that isn’t the only reason everyone should see this masterpiece. No, besides the plot, people should tune in for the characters themselves—in all their complex, complicated glory.
Whether it’s Guy Pierce, Russell Crowe, or Kevin Spacey’s policemen characters, Kim Basinger’s hooker, or Danny DeVito’s compelling tabloid magnate audiences are drawn in almost immediately. We remember this film because we connect and relate to each of these characters for a variety of different reasons.
Set in the 1950s, this film sets the stage almost perfectly to pull everyone into the gritty, corrupt city of Los Angeles as crime takes hold and the LAPD fights to keep everything in check. If you love crime dramas, this is one you don’t want to miss.
14. Ocean’s Eleven (2001)
Centered in the Vegas Casino world, Ocean’s Eleven is one of those films that everyone knows even if they haven’t seen it. That is due in large part to the extremely talented cast of Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Matt Damon, Andy Garcia, and Julia Roberts.
We all secretly have dreams of living a life filled with excitement, grandeur, and more money than necessary. Despite not wanting to fall down the path of these characters, we can’t help but feel drawn to them because of their charm, charisma, and all-around likeability.
In fact, the film is so well done that it spawned a couple of sequels and a spin-off with an all-female cast. We keep coming back to this film any time we want a bit more adventure and excitement in our lives.
15. V for Vendetta (2006)
“Remember, remember the 5th of November.” While this line comes from a famous poem about the 1605 Gunpowder Plot, it is also synonymous with the film V for Vendetta.
Much like the plot in 1605, this film centers on a political plot to use terrorist acts to ignite a revolution against the totalitarian regime. Headed by V, played by Hugo Weaving, the political plot draws the attention of Evey Hammond, played by Natalie Portman, who becomes enamored with V’s mission.
The plot itself is timely as we continue to find ourselves in a world filled with various examples of political unrest. We love this film because the visuals captivate us and inspire us to take a more active role in the world around us—perhaps not in the same manner as V.
16. Zodiac (2007)
The case of the Zodiac Killer has always captivated our interest and attention for the mysterious identity of the killer to this day. In 2007, a film about the investigation was released titled Zodiac.
Led by Mark Ruffalo, Jake Gyllenhaal, Robert Downey Jr., and Chloe Sevigny, this film is a gritty cop drama no one should pass up. Our minds try to piece together the plethora of clues, but to no avail– we are left just as confused and misguided as the investigators themselves.
The performances might be what draws us in from the start, but the reason we stick around is the cinematography and the intrigue.
17. Inception (2010)
Even if we didn’t see Inception the year it was released, we at least knew about it. This film and references to it were everywhere in 2010/2011.
To this day, people talk reverently about the film because it messes with our perceptions and forces us to rethink the things we believe to be true. With a cast consisting of Leonardo DiCaprio, Cillian Murphy, Joseph Gordan-Levitt, Tom Hardy, Elliot Page, and Marion Cotillard, our minds go on an epic journey as the story twists and turns to find what is real.
If this film teaches us anything, it’s that our minds can sometimes betray us and that we should always question everything we know. Not to mention, we all know Christopher Nolan knows how to take us on a journey with the stories he tells.
18. Gravity (2013)
What happens if you are an astronaut and your mission goes horribly wrong, and you find yourself stranded, floating through space? This question and so much more are answered through the complex storytelling of Gravity.
The pair, consisting of Dr. Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) and Matt Kowalsky (George Clooney), are on their first shuttle mission and last before retirement, respectively, when their shuttle explodes, leaving them without a structure to protect them from the dangers of space. So, how do they survive and get back home to Earth?
This film uses beautiful cinematography and a well-formulated soundtrack to bring the urgency of their situation to life. From the moment they become stranded, we find ourselves on the edge of our seats and holding our breath in the hope they’ll survive and be rescued.
19. Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
Not since the Joy Luck Club in 1993 has a major studio released a film centered on the Chinese American experience with a majority Chinese cast. That is what caught the attention of most moviegoers when Crazy Rich Asians was first released.
However, the film offers us so much more than just a cultural introduction. The characters are all complex, multi-faceted people just trying to find happiness and purpose in their lives in spite of family and societal pressures.
This film opened the door for more mainstream films to feature Chinese characters and stories. Come for the education; stay for the charm and relatability of the core characters.
20. Barbie (2023)
The summer of 2023 was an exciting time for those who love films. One of the best films released during that time centered on a doll brand brought to life in the most female-positive light possible. We are, of course, talking about Barbie.
Unexpectedly, Ryan Gosling as Ken and Margot Robbie as Barbie charm audiences with a reversal of gender stereotypes and roles. Typically, we expect women to want everything they can get from a guy like Ken, but this film proves that Barbie desperately wants more out of life than just being a trophy on the arm of a beautiful man.
It is the whimsical, satirical film we needed when it was released, and people are still talking about that speech from America Ferrera’s character. No matter your gender or your interests, there is something to enjoy from this bright, joyful, but also very real film.
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There are still so many others we couldn’t fit on our list. Which Warner Bros. Studios films do you love? Let us know in the comments!
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Mads Misasi
Mads is a part-time entertainment journalist and full-time marketing content creator. They love reading the latest in Queer novels -- especially romance ones and watching the latest dramas, sci-fi/fantasy, Star Wars, and romcom films/TV shows. You can join the conversation by following them on Twitter: @dorothynyc89.
