1. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring 2001，IMDB Rating: 8.9, IMDB Votes: 2027524, ID: 0120737 Photo by wikimedia.org, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Peter Jackson’s ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring’ is a visually stunning and thematically profound masterpiece that captures the essence of J.R.R. Tolkien’s trilogy, standing tall on its own merits. This movie was a breakthrough for many of today’s biggest stars, marking the beginning of their illustrious careers.
2. The Devil Wears Prada 2006，IMDB Rating: 6.9, IMDB Votes: 476435, ID: 0458352 Photo by staticflickr.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ is a thought-provoking film that is both entertaining and darkly humorous. It’s a tribute to all concerned that what is little more than an extended sketch delivers such side-splitting laughs. This film was a significant breakthrough for Margot Robbie.
3. The 40 Year Old Virgin 2005，IMDB Rating: 7.1, IMDB Votes: 471677, ID: 0405422 Photo by staticflickr.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 ‘The 40 Year Old Virgin’ is a very funny, bawdy sex comedy that transcends the genre because of its three-dimensional characters and subtle acting. Despite being essentially a one-joke movie, it delivers side-splitting laughs without ever demeaning its protagonist. This film marked a significant breakthrough for Steve Carell.
4. The Hunger Games 2012，IMDB Rating: 7.2, IMDB Votes: 1012905, ID: 1392170 Photo by staticflickr.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 ‘The Hunger Games’ is a thrilling film that captures the dramatic violence, raw emotion, and ambitious scope of its source novel. Jennifer Lawrence’s performance as Katniss Everdeen is particularly praised. This film was a major breakthrough for Jennifer Lawrence.
5. The Wolf of Wall Street 2013，IMDB Rating: 8.2, IMDB Votes: 1604445, ID: 0993846 Photo by staticflickr.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’ is a big, unruly bacchanal of a movie that huffs and puffs and nearly blows its own house down, but holds together by sheer virtue of its furious filmmaking energy and a Leonardo DiCaprio star turn so electric it could wake the dead. This film was a significant breakthrough for Margot Robbie.
6. The Social Network 2010，IMDB Rating: 7.8, IMDB Votes: 765733, ID: 1285016 Photo by wikimedia.org, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 The Social Network, directed by David Fincher, is a compelling drama that explores the birth of Facebook and the contentious lawsuits that followed. The film’s narrative is driven by Jesse Eisenberg’s portrayal of Mark Zuckerberg, a character who is both fascinating and enigmatic. The movie’s success lies in its ability to engage the audience in a story of ambition, betrayal, and the price of success. It’s a breakthrough film that solidified Jesse Eisenberg’s status as a leading actor.
7. The Hangover 2009，IMDB Rating: 7.7, IMDB Votes: 854510, ID: 1119646 Photo by staticflickr.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 The Hangover, directed by Todd Phillips, is a comedy that delivers non-stop laughs from start to finish. The film’s strength lies in its clever script and the hilarious interplay among the cast, particularly Zach Galifianakis, whose performance is a standout. The Hangover is not just a comedy, it’s a film that launched Zach Galifianakis into stardom.
8. The Matrix 1999，IMDB Rating: 8.7, IMDB Votes: 2074504, ID: 0133093 Photo by goodfon.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 The Matrix, directed by the Wachowski siblings, is a groundbreaking film that blends science fiction and action in a way that had never been seen before. Its innovative special effects, compelling storyline, and Keanu Reeves’ performance as Neo make it a classic. The Matrix was a breakthrough film for Keanu Reeves, solidifying his status as an action star.
9. The Silence of the Lambs 1991，IMDB Rating: 8.6, IMDB Votes: 1565051, ID: 0102926 Photo by staticflickr.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 The Silence of the Lambs is a chilling thriller that delves into the mind of a serial killer. Anthony Hopkins’ portrayal of Hannibal Lecter is both terrifying and captivating, while Jodie Foster delivers a strong performance as Clarice Starling. This film was a breakthrough for both actors, earning them critical acclaim and recognition.
10. The Terminator 1984，IMDB Rating: 8.1, IMDB Votes: 932978, ID: 0088247 Photo by goodfon.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 The Terminator, directed by James Cameron, is a sci-fi classic that combines thrilling action with a compelling storyline. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s portrayal of the relentless cyborg assassin is iconic. The Terminator was a breakthrough role for Schwarzenegger, launching him into international fame.
11. Die Hard 1988，IMDB Rating: 8.2, IMDB Votes: 953403, ID: 0095016 Photo by picryl.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Die Hard is an exhilarating action movie that highlights Bruce Willis’s breakthrough performance as John McClane, a New York City cop. The film’s practical sensibility and Willis’s outstanding performance make it timeless. This film was a pivotal moment in Willis’s career, propelling him to stardom and establishing his status as an action movie icon.
12. Pretty Woman 1990，IMDB Rating: 7.1, IMDB Votes: 368737, ID: 0100405 Photo by staticflickr.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Pretty Woman is a romantic comedy that features Julia Roberts in a role that skyrocketed her to superstardom. Her portrayal of Vivian Ward, a Hollywood escort, is both enchanting and relatable, making the film a delightful watch. The film’s success turned Roberts into a household name, cementing her place in Hollywood.
13. Good Will Hunting 1997，IMDB Rating: 8.3, IMDB Votes: 1083658, ID: 0119217 Photo by staticflickr.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Good Will Hunting is a touching drama that explores the life of a mathematical genius, Will Hunting, played by Matt Damon. This film marked a significant point in the careers of both Damon and Ben Affleck, who co-wrote the screenplay and won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.
14. Pulp Fiction 1994，IMDB Rating: 8.9, IMDB Votes: 2243568, ID: 0110912 Photo by staticflickr.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Pulp Fiction is a crime film that weaves together tales of crime and violence in Los Angeles. The film stars John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, and Uma Thurman, among others. The film’s success revitalized Travolta’s career and made household names of the previously lesser-known Jackson and Thurman.
15. Titanic 1997，IMDB Rating: 7.9, IMDB Votes: 1294917, ID: 0120338 Photo by wikimedia.org, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Titanic is a historical romance that narrates the tragic story of the ill-fated RMS Titanic. The film’s grandeur and emotional depth, combined with the performances of its cast, make it a cinematic masterpiece. Its success has left an indelible mark on the history of cinema.
16. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone 2001，IMDB Rating: 7.3, IMDB Votes: 1676, ID: 0304142 Photo by trustedreviews.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 The film that introduced us to the magical world of Hogwarts and the boy wizard, Harry Potter. The film was a commercial success and launched the careers of its young stars, particularly Daniel Radcliffe, who played the titular character. It was a breakthrough in terms of its visual effects and storytelling, captivating audiences worldwide.
17. The Dark Knight 2008，IMDB Rating: 9.0, IMDB Votes: 2900762, ID: 0468569 Photo by staticflickr.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 A defining moment in superhero cinema, ‘The Dark Knight’ is not just a movie, it’s a phenomenon. It was a breakthrough for Heath Ledger, who delivered an unforgettable performance as the Joker, earning him posthumous acclaim and an Oscar, solidifying his legacy.
18. The Avengers 2012，IMDB Rating: 8.0, IMDB Votes: 1469215, ID: 0848228 Photo by staticflickr.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 A game-changer in the superhero genre, ‘The Avengers’ assembled a team of heroes in a way never seen before on the big screen. It was a breakthrough for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, setting the stage for a series of successful sequels and spin-offs.
19. Black Panther 2018，IMDB Rating: 7.3, IMDB Votes: 845064, ID: 1825683 Photo by staticflickr.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 A cultural milestone, ‘Black Panther’ is more than just a superhero movie. It was a breakthrough for representation in Hollywood, with a predominantly black cast and a black director. The film was critically acclaimed and a commercial success, proving that diversity can thrive in blockbuster cinema.
20. La La Land 2016，IMDB Rating: 8.0, IMDB Votes: 682632, ID: 3783958 Photo by staticflickr.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 A love letter to the golden age of Hollywood, ‘La La Land’ is a musical masterpiece. It was a breakthrough for director Damien Chazelle and solidified the star status of Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling. The film’s success reignited interest in the musical genre, making it a modern classic.
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