The upcoming release of Accepted is expected to offer viewers insider knowledge into a famous prep school, and whilst, the movie’s trailer garners up that pre-college excitement many teenagers feel. It fails to give viewers a rundown of how they must socially prepare for college, including that all-important film knowledge that will dominate many of their conversations and icebreakers.
Lucky for fans, Reddit users have been compiling a list of must-see movies that will see viewers impress their new college roommates. Whether it’s a classic comedy or a memorable shower scene, here are ten movies you have to watch before flying the nest!
American Pie (1999)
American Pie made waves when it was first released in 1999 and has since become a comedy classic that viewers reference daily due to its outrageous nature. The movie follows Jim and his three friends as they attempt to lose their virginity before prom night, but that often results in many awkward scenes that perfectly capture that teenage need to experiment.
The movie challenged the censored coming-of-age flicks that dominated teen movies at that time and offered viewers a rude but representative picture of teen life. American Pie spoke directly to its targeted audience and continues to resonate with many younger viewers today due to its crude humor. One Redditor explained how it isn’t just an iconic movie but also the perfect pre-college watch as it reflects viewers’ “current situation in life” whilst also being the blueprint for many pie-themed college jokes.
Spirited Away (2001)
Spirited Away is considered one of the best anime movies of all time, with fans finding a whole new world after watching their first Studio Ghibli flick. The movie is a fantasy adventure story that follows Chihiro as she attempts to rescue her parents, who have turned into pigs, the animated flick targets both younger and older viewers seeking a wholesome watch.
Spirited Away encourages viewers to see the beauty in animation as well as in international cinema by creating an innovative story executed through stunning scenes that showcase Japanese culture. The movie is a must-see for students who may be studying abroad as it encourages an appreciation for different cultures and film styles that for many fans, like errorami “was just so perfect […] like a world straight out of the dreams [they] had as a kid”.
Psycho (1960)
Psycho continues to terrify generations of movie lovers and is essentially one of the most well-known and respected movies to grace the silver screen. The horror flick stirred up fear on and offscreen for some viewers who were in favor of the censorship rules that dominated Hollywood in the 1960s, but Hitchcock created something that was both violent and sexual in a bid to return cinema to what it should be: freedom of expression.
The movie built suspense through its intricately written characters and provided viewers with an iconic shower scene which some consider the most famous bit of cinema to date. Its success continues to be echoed by many die-hard movie fans, including njgreenwood, who explained that “Hitchcock is a master filmmaker [that] filmmakers are still emulating” today.
The Silence Of The Lambs (1991)
The Silence Of The Lambs is one of the best classic horror movies of all time and still provides viewers with haunting chills. Clarice Starling is an FBI agent assigned to a case where she seeks the help of a seriously dangerous killer known as Hannibal Lecter, the movie creates a complex psychological thriller by abandoning cheap tricks seen so commonly in horror flicks.
The Silence Of The Lambs tells an intricate story that highlights many important topics, including the treatment of women within male-dominated workplaces and the psychological reasons people may kill. Through unusual camera angles, low-key lighting, and haunting performances from both Jodie Foster and Antony Hopkins, the movie has proven to be a memorable horror that continues to haunt fans like Inkshooter who explained how it’s “definitely one of the scariest movies [they’ve] ever seen”.
Goodfellas (1990)
Goodfellas is considered one of Martin Scorsese’s best films and continues to be highly regarded within cinema due to the movie’s immersive nature. The crime drama follows Henry Hill and his friends as they progress through the criminal world and go from petty thieves to full-blown gangsters to be feared.
According to mwmani, “Goodfellas is endlessly quotable”, with the movie being a combination of well-written dialogue alongside some standout lines of improvisation. From slick cinematography to its incredible cast, Goodfellas exceeded the conventions of a ‘good’ movie, resulting in many fans still talking about it today, with some even reciting the very famous “do I amuse you?” line”.
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is one of the best coming-of-age movies of the 80s, the flick follows Ferris as he ropes in his girlfriend and best friend for a day of skiving, exploring, and mayhem. The movie took something as simplistic as a sick day and created a movie that viewers could either relate to or live vicariously through, which is one of the main reasons why it was such a hit!
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off offers viewers a sleek escape from everyday life and even prompts some viewers to feign sickness themselves so they could enjoy other fast-paced flicks littered with witty jokes. One Redditor explained how the movie is one of their “favorites and the funniest [they] can think of”, with many fans still referring to those ‘sick’ days, especially when faced with a party-induced college hangover.
Full Metal Jacket (1987)
Full Metal Jacket is known as an all-time great war movie that left its stamp within the world of cinema, especially when one wants to look well versed in front of their new college roommates. Stanley Kubrick put his famous artistic twist on a serious issue, providing viewers with an intense drama littered with black comedy and insightful social commentary.
Through mind-blowing camera work, an incredible soundtrack, and a brilliant script based solely on satire, the movie proved to show the dehumanizing effects of war whilst also providing insight into military life. WretchedMonkey explained how Full Metal Jacket “will help prepare [its viewers] for life” due to its many lessons about victory, respect, and failure, which are all prominent within college life alongside references to this must-see classic.
Pulp Fiction (1994)
Pulp Fiction is possibly the most well-known cult classic to date and reminds fans of just how talented Quentin Tarantino is as a filmmaker. The movie follows a series of strangers living in LA as their dealings with crime soon see them all intertwined and ultimately leads to sheer chaos fuelled by expletives, witty comebacks, and violence.
According to Reddit user lady_suit, those viewers who have not seen Pulp Fiction should be considered a “lost cause”, with the movie often finding itself into film-related conversations. This innovative flick is largely considered a masterpiece that relies heavily on intricately written dialogue that simultaneously humanizes the criminals as well as adding to its complex action.
The Graduate (1967)
There are many things about The Graduate that still hold up today, which is why it is continually recommended to those who sheepishly admit they have never seen this cinematic masterpiece. At first, The Graduate appears to be a comedy about a younger man being seduced into an affair by an older married woman, but Benjamin’s character also showcases the uncertainty one may face when graduating from college.
One Redditor shared that “The Graduate is an excellent companion to some of the feelings [one] may be encountering in college”, whilst also providing fans with a knowledge of spectacular filmmaking that will impress those new college buddies.
Dazed And Confused (1993)
Dazed And Confused isn’t just an iconic must-see movie but also one that happens to take place just before the characters embark on their own college experience, making it a great college-themed classic. This fun flick garnered a large following as viewers felt it accurately represented teenage life and avoided playing into tropes that haunted coming-of-age movies of its time.
Dazed And Confused provides fans with an exciting viewing experience that might not be a hit with parents but is representative of young people even today, with many college kids, including mystifiedheavy, still quoting the very famous “alright, alright, alright”.
