10 Films to Watch Before Going to Film College


As an individual attending college, you might be conflicted about what to read to prepare for what’s to come. This applies to almost every field, where some supplementary resources are used to get you started. However, for film school majors, the situation is quite different. The medium of study isn’t book-heavy. Instead, it revolves around media, films, and cinematography. This is a much more compelling alternative, as students won’t have to bore themselves with compulsory reading.

Hence, a list of recommended movies is essential to venture into the film industry. Whether it’s the directing, acting, cinematography, or special effects, the list below reflects movies that have left a long-lasting impact on the entire industry. This list should be utilized as a go-to for best movies for film students.

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1. Battleship Potemkin (1925)
Battleship Potemkin takes its name from an actual Russian battleship. As it revolves around uprisings and politics, one would assume the director would deviate from actual life events. The director, Eisenstein, is now known for his ability to derive empathy and intellectual contact through art.

2. The Jazz Singer (1927)
The story circulates around a young man who belongs to a Jewish family. The story builds up to illustrate how an immigrant family rejects their son for wanting to become a Jazz singer on Broadway. The Jazz Singer is a monumental movie known for being the first feature-length movie with synchronized dialogue.  

3. Citizen Kane (1941)
The cinematics in Citizen Kane blew many away. To this day, it’s the most praised movie of all time.

4. The Godfather (1972)
Movies for film students cannot be devoid of The Godfather. Often known as the most fantastic film of all time, it still stands as a masterpiece of its own kind. No words are enough to describe this movie. It is one of the movies every filmmaker should see.

5. Annie Hall (1977)
An outstanding movie that impacted the romantic comedy sector, Annie Hall, is impressive. It is famous for its cultural references, quick wit, and even surpassed Star Wars, both released in the same year.

6. Star Wars: A New Hope (1977)
Star Wars is undeniably a classic known as the movie that changed the audience’s view of science fiction. It fearlessly portrays the creative element behind the film. Throughout the history of science fiction development, this movie was definitely a turning point.

7. The Shining (1980)
As one of the ultimate horror movies, The Shining is not solely known for its ability to instill fear. Instead, its cinematography and calibration have been so elegant that numerous emotions and elements are portrayed throughout the film. That includes abuse, anxiety, strength, humanity, and humiliation.

8. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
As part of the movies film students must watch, The Shawshank Redemption cannot be swept under the rug. Known for it addressing complex issues such as the prison industry, racism, and the police, it sheds light on issues that many were afraid to converse on.

9. Pulp Fiction (1994)
Tarantino himself is a genius to many. His filming style gave birth to many movies every film major should watch. Pulp Fiction stands out. It is known for its unconventionalness, postmodernism, and self-reflexivity.

10. Parasite (2019)
This particular movie broke stereotypical beliefs about the art of filmmaking. The director chose to illustrate two movies in one, portraying themes early on in the movie. Moreover, it does not follow the conventional structure of a film, and the plot twists throughout make it all the better.

Conclusion: 10 Films to Watch Before Going to Film College
Each and every movie stands out in its unique way. However, the movies listed above should be utilized as a film studies movie list. These are creations that made an impact on the entire industry, the audience, and technology. Most of them brought on novel concepts and designs that have still stuck around.

Remember that they’re not identical, and each has its particular elements. For example, some illustrate the creativity behind specific photographic techniques. Others highlight social issues that are rarely debated. Hence, they demonstrate a director or filmmaker’s power once the proper methods and innovation are utilized. 

Author’s Bio 
Sven Eggers
As a film major, Sven has spent his early years developing short films and practicing photographic techniques. However, he now enjoys his time writing short stories and working as a movie critic. His reviews are a few of the most transparent and enlightening pieces, dwelling on elements one would often disregard.