Top 20 Movies of the 60s

20. Easy Rider (1969, Dennis Hopper)

A cult movie that could be held responsible for the high number of bikers in the 60s and 70s (I know that my father was one of them). The film uses unique techniques to follow the story of bikers in search of America. Still has many followers today and is iconic of the 60s and the biker culture that followed its release.

19. True Grit (1969, Henry Hathaway)

Arguable John Wayne’s greatest performance as Marshall Reuben Cogburn, a callous man helping a young woman to find her father’s murderer. This is a true Western and just about as good as they come. Although not set in the 60s, and therefore not holding many iconic features of the time of its release, it was still a terrific film upon its release and still well loved to this day, making it one of the best things to come out of the 1960s.

18. Cool Hand Luke (1967, Stuart Rosenberg)

One of many films defining Paul Newman as the coolest man that ever lived. This is a movie that holds up to at least 50 views with its brilliant storytelling and sublime performances, not only by Paul Newman but by George Kennedy who won an Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. Another classic of the 60s which well deserves to be in this list, and on retrospect I wish I’d put it higher in this chart.

17. Goldfinger (1964, Guy Hamilton)

Considered by many to be the best Bond movie, and although it isn’t my personal favourite, I can see why. This is a slickly directed movie with cool dialogue and a glossy shine to the cinematography. One may even say it’s golden! Sean Connery is also, to many, the best Bond and it isn’t surprising given his performance as the coolest spy around.

16. A Hard Day’s Night (1964, Richard Lester)

Where would a 60s countdown be without The Beatles? This is probably their best movie and it’s certainly my favourite. The film was nominated for two Oscars: Best Original Screenplay and Best Music, which isn’t surprising considering The Beatles’ success at this time. They took the entire world by storm and their shuffle into the movies was seamless and equally satisfying as their music career.

15. The Sound Of Music (1965, Robert Wise)

Some would call this the greatest musical of all time and although I wouldn’t completely agree with that statement, it’s definitely in the top ten. Unfortunately it hasn’t made it into the top ten in this chart of the best movies of the 1960s as it does lack that 60s vibe being one of the most straight-laced and by-the-book films ever made, but nonetheless it’s still a classic and still a brilliant movie.

14. Breathless (1960, Jean-Luc Godard)

A French film otherwise known as ‘A Bout De Souffle’ which is often said to be the film that lead the French New Wave movement of the 50s and 60s. Jean-Luc Godard in particular is famous for his work in that period directing New Wave movies, but this is probably his most famous. It’s constantly referred to as one of the coolest films around and a stylistic and slick movie, so it’s no wonder it fits in with the vibe of the 60s and therefore deserves to be in this countdown.

13. Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961, Blake Edwards)

One of the greatest romantic movies around but also kicked off an impressive career during the 1960s for Audrey Hepburn that was only to be followed by greats such as ‘My Fair Lady’ and ‘Two for the Road’. The film came in the middle of her success and after other romantic movies such as ‘Roman Holiday’. Therefore this movie effectively crowned her as the queen of romantic comedies during the 50s and 60s. The film also won two Oscars, both for the music used.

12. Alfie (1966, Lewis Gilbert)

Easily Michael Caine’s greatest performance as Alfie Elkins, a slick, womanising sex God who carelessly lets his life slip away. The film follows the character, who is unusually unlikable for a protagonist, however, with the use of breaking down the ‘fourth wall’ and having Alfie talk through the camera, a bond is created between Alfie and the audience. It’s this kind of filmmaking which makes Alfie a seminal piece of work and a film that could be watched over and over, if not only for Caine’s beautiful performance but for the stunning cinematography and the depiction of the city of London.

11. Dr Strangelove or: How I learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964, Stanley Kubrick)

This hilarious movie definitely deserves to be in this countdown being one of Kubrick’s best work. It stars the brilliant Peter Sellers playing three parts and it was also nominated for four Academy Awards including Best Picture. It’s the story of a crazed General who decides to launch an attack on Russia. Although slightly controversial with its humorous reference to Nazis working for the President, the film is still very enjoyable to watch and laugh out loud funny.

10. The Producers (1968, Mel Brooks)

Another highly amusing movie involving Nazis. This is Mel Brooks’ best work in my eyes and another terrific performance by Gene Wilder. This is another laugh out loud funny movie that will definitely have you rolling around on the floor laughing. The film was also not-so-recently adapted into a musical starring Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane which was subsequently based on the Broadway musical version. Being a fan of musicals I much prefer the newest film version, but then that wasn’t made in the 60s, was it?

9. 8 ½ (1963, Federico Fellini)

Although the film is called 8 ½ it only rates number 9 in this chart. The film won two Academy Awards upon its release, one for Best Foreign Language Film (being Italian) and the other for Best Costume Design. A lot of the most influential film directors and critics would hail this as the greatest movie ever made, and although it is beautifully directed with some terrific performances, it doesn’t rate as high as the name says!

8. The Great Escape (1963, John Sturges)

Not a single Christmas has gone by without this film being played in our house and it’s no wonder. Although the film isn’t the most festive, it is a brilliant movie and I personally don’t need an excuse to watch it but there’s nothing better than finishing your Christmas meal and letting it digest in your tummy while you watch one of the greatest movies ever made.

7. Lawrence of Arabia (1962, David Lean)

This film won an outstanding seven Oscars, including Best Picture, which is not surprising considering the amazing work by David Lean. This is, quite simply, a masterpiece by the director of ‘Brief Encounter’, ‘Great Expectations’ and Doctor Zhivago’ to name a few of his classic works. This epic movie has a host of stars and veterans of the screen like Peter O’Toole, Anthony Quinn and Alec Baldwin to name but a few. This is an absolute classic!

6. The Italian Job (1969, Peter Collinson)

Barely making it into the 60s, this comic caper became a classic in its own right and inspired a generation of mini-lovers. The cars are still iconic of the film and many fans of the film buy minis simply because of The Italian Job! Not to focus too much on the cars used in the film, but minis are also extremely relatable to the 1960s, making this film very reminiscent of that era and therefore the perfect choice for this chart.

5. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966, Segio Leone)

This trilogy of Westerns, starting with ‘A Fistful of Dollars’ is what made Clint Eastwood who he is and he himself is often related directly to the Western genre (see ‘Back to the Future: Part III’). The film is also brilliantly directed and defines what all good Westerns should be like. Another personal favourite of mine.

4. Bonnie and Clyde (1967, Arthur Penn)

This film is iconic of the 60s since it started a fashion craze of women following Faye Dunaway’s look in the movie. People everywhere went crazy for this movie, as it’s obvious to see from watching it, it’s an instant classic. This is another film that should be in everybody’s DVD collection since the performances by the actors are incredible and the movie itself has an incredibly well written screenplay!

3. The Apartment (1960, Billy Wilder)

Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine show brilliant partnership and onscreen chemistry in this classic by Billy Wilder. The film won five Oscars including Best Director and Best Picture and it’s definitely deserving. The film is often said to be one of the greatest ever made and I would undoubtedly agree. Very humorous in parts and beautifully affecting in others, this film has everything you want in a movie, including brilliant performances.

2. The Graduate (1967, Mike Nichols)

Another movie which captures the 60s vibe with the fashions and general look of the movie. Supported by a brilliant soundtrack by Simon and Garfunkel, this movie is another classic which has been much parodied since, giving more and more meaning to that saying: “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery”. The performances, particularly by Dustin Hoffman as a young graduate, are amazing and further illuminate the movie beyond its brilliant direction.

1. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968, Stanley Kubrick)

Yet another mention of Mr Kubrick and my personal favourite of all of his movies. This sublime piece of direction helps this movie to being one of the greatest movies ever made and although some would say it’s the longest seeming movie around, I love it. It’s a perfect example of the ideology in the 60s and the idea of where we’d be as a race in the year 2001, and considering that, it’s rather funny to watch. However, this remains one of my favourite movies of all time and I hope you enjoy it too because it’s number one in this countdown of the best movies of the 1960s.