Are you a black-and-white movie fan or interested in the classics? Same! Watching black and white films is an entirely different experience than movies in vibrant colors. Our kids thought of these classic movies as archaic, but as they got older, they became more open and less judgmental as they found some of the greatest stories, like Schindler’s List, best displayed in black and white.Â
Of course, they loved It’s a Wonderful Life and expressed it as worthy of a watch. Like most things, he was right. After someone asked Redditors for their black-and-white favorites, these films were top-voted.
1. 12 Angry Men (1957)
One Redditor explained they could not recommend 12 Angry Men enough. People believe it sucks when describing the entire premise occurring in one room, “but it’s still one of my favorite movies.” They continued it’s a “testament to how you can have riveting action with just dialogue, not throwing around explosions and fight scenes.”
2. Doctor Strangelove (1964)
Many agreed with the statement that there are so many scenes in that movie where Peter Sellers kills them every single time.
One added, “I’ve seen this movie at least 50 times. His facial expressions alone when he’s talking to Brigadier-General Jack D. Ripper and the General is explaining how women stole his essence.” They concluded It’s insane how talented Sellers was.”
3. To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
To Kill a Mockingbird was listed as an excellent movie worth a watch today. Another user explained it was well-known to be shot in black-and-white intentionally, noting color film was already available at the production time.Â
4. Casablanca (1942)
This Redditor made me laugh out loud with their confession, “I thought it was full of cliche phrases and scenes when I watched it. Then I realized they INVENTED phrases everyone else quoted.”
Many users in the thread agreed that they love the dialogue in Casablanca. One quoted, “Victor: Thank you, I try. Rick: We all try. You succeed! I use it in casual conversation when the opportunity arises.”
5. Psycho (1960)
“To be completely honest, one of the reasons I hadn’t watched Alfred Hitchcock movies was because I had a weird feeling of obsolescence because of old times and black and white films. I couldn’t be more wrong,” admitted one moviegoer.
They elaborated they’d not been more intrigued by a movie in forever. “I couldn’t take my eyes off the screen and was always at the edge of my seat. Completely recommended.”
6. Schindler’s List (1993)
Many Redditors agreed with the sentiment of it being the best movie they’ll only ever watch once. One clarified, “My wife and I call it a once-every-ten-years kind of movie. This film is some heavy stuff. The black and white make the rare color parts hit even harder. Truly a masterpiece.”
7. Some Like it Hot (1959)
One noted, “For those who haven’t seen it, Jack Lemmon said this film had one of the best scenes he ever did on film. And Some Like It Hot is also Marilyn Monroe’s best movie.” Others expressed that it isn’t just the best black-and-white film but one of their favorite movies of all time.
8. Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)
Arsenic and Old Lace with Cary Grant was praised highly as a black-and-white film worthy of current viewing. One Redditor elaborated, “One of the BEST films ever, in my opinion!
And funnier because the role of the killer always being told he looks like Boris Karloff — and going into murderous rages over it — was originally played by Boris Karloff.”
9. Seven Samurai (1954)
Seven Samurai is an epic Japanese drama directed by the legendary Akira Kurosawa. While it was heavily praised, others suggested that his films, The Bad Sleep Well, Ikiru, and High and Low, were standouts.Â
Popular Reading: 10 Dreadful TV Shows People Sat Through Hoping They’d Get Better
10. Young Frankenstein (1974)
Finally, several people in the thread loved Mel Brook’s classic Young Frankenstein. Users explained that Gene Wilder and Mel Brooks were excellent before quoting their favorite lines, including, “Are you saying that I put an abnormal brain into a seven-and-a-half foot long, fifty-four-inch wide GORILLA?”
11. Citizen Kane
One pointed to Citizen Kane as a must to include among the top black-and-white films, and we agree. “Rosebud” symbolically represents his lost character, terrifically played by Orson Welles. This film is a highly stylized work of art recognized among the top films ever.
What do you think? Did Redditors nominate the best black-and-white films, or is your favorite missing?
10 Annoying Things That Movies Never Portray Realistically
Photo Credit: Adobe Stock
Movies are often seen as a way to escape reality, but some things are portrayed so unrealistically that it’s just plain annoying. From car chases to romance, here are some of the most annoying things movies never portray realistically.
10 Crazy Conspiracy Theories People Believe To Be 100% True About Movies
Image Credit: Universal Pictures
Have you heard any fascinating conspiracy theories about the most influential films in Hollywood? I had listened to a few but found a fun online post asking for examples. So here are the top-voted responses for your entertainment.
10 Awful Movies People Love and Savor
Image Credit: 20th Century Fox
What movie do you enjoy that you will 100% agree is such a bad movie that it’s good? I’ll go first and admit I love the Twilight saga. All five movies, soundtracks, and instrumental movie scores are a part of my life. But I know it’s terrible. After someone asked the internet for other examples of these films, these are the top-voted movies.Â
10 Worst Characters in the Twilight Saga Ranked
Image Credit: Summit Entertainment
It’s time for a good dose of Twilight hate. What is it about this saga that fans love to hate so much? Could it be the weird story, mediocre acting, or Bella’s stupid twitchy face? Whatever it is, fans love to bash their favorite films, and today, they’ve ranked the top ten worst characters from the books and movies for your giggling pleasure.Â
12 Best Stephen King Adaptations Close to the Source Material
Image Credit: United Artists
Are you a Stephen King fan searching for his best movie adaptions? You’ve got company. Someone recently asked, “Is there a consensus on the best Stephen King adaptation? I know there have been some stinkers. But in terms of the actual best and sticking to the source material, which are they?” Here are the top-voted movies.
What do you think? Did Redditors nominate the best black-and-white films, or is your favorite missing? The internet inspires this article and does not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of The Cents of Money.
This article first appeared on The Cents of Money.
You left out Citizen Kane on purpose and wholly discredited this list.
Paul,
I will add it, and Citizen Kane deserves to be on that list!
Thank you!
Best,
Linda