While some movies instantly connect with their audiences and become enduring classics, other films take some time to get used to. In movies like Inglourious Basterds, the violence and gore might put off audiences at first, only for them to return to the film later on and appreciate the stylization and unforgettably tense sequences. Conversely, projects by directors like Christopher Nolan often have multiple timelines and convoluted elements that require rewatches to understand all the overlapping intricacies of the script. Regardless, these movies don’t just hold up across additional viewings but grow in the audience’s estimation.

There are many movies that get better with every rewatch, demonstrating their ability to stand the test of time as the years progress. Not all of these projects rub viewers the wrong way at first, but there are sometimes too many conflicting elements for the audience to appreciate them. When a film is compelling enough to warrant a rewatch, it’s an indication that the deeper themes and meanings within the story are worth exploring. Additionally, the central performances from the cast help viewers engage with the characters, even if the narrative is more difficult to navigate.

10

Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022)

Directed by Daniel Scheinert & Daniel Kwan

The movie Everything Everywhere All At Once features some of the best performances in A24 movies. Michelle Yeoh’s starring role as Evelyn earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress. Like most movies that use the multiverse as a story element, Everything Everywhere All At Once expertly crafts a litany of parallel universes. Each universe has its own distinct styles and rules. While this is a testament to the directors’ vision, it also can be overwhelming for first-time viewers.

With multiple watches, Everything Everywhere All At Once doesn’t just get easier to understand, but the emotional core of the story also becomes more clear. When the viewer isn’t distracted by trying to parse through every alternate reality, the relationship between Evelyn and Joy (Stephanie Hsu) shines. It’s their dynamic that gives the story meaning and helps both the characters and the audience start to make sense of the random chaos of the world.

9

Inglourious Basterds (2009)

Directed by Quentin Tarantino

Featuring all the bombastic violence that audiences have come to expect from a Quentin Tarantino film, Inglourious Basterds is a wild ride from start to finish. With one of the most unforgettable character introductions in movies, Inglourious Basterds takes its time, letting the audience soak in the tension alongside the characters as Hans Landa (Christoph Waltz) makes his blood-curdling speech. Though Inglourious Basterds is packed with iconic moments like this, they’re sometimes undercut by the level of gore in the film.

For some audiences, the violence might toe the line of being gratuitous, distracting from the incredible cinematic moments that Tarantino sets up throughout the project. Inglourious Basterds is part of the revisionist history genre and is chock full of entertainment value, making the audience laugh with its over-the-top storytelling and stylization. However, once the viewer is ready for these comedic beats, the most iconic moments of the movie stand out.

8

The Blair Witch Project (1999)

Directed by Eduardo Sánchez & Daniel Myrick

One of the landmark films within the found-footage genre, The Blair Witch Project is one of the most innovative horror movies of the ’90s, becoming highly influential within the genre. As the audience joins the characters in their investigation into the iconic murders, it’s impossible not to get immersed in the legends and lore that captivate the characters. Though The Blair Witch Project is terrifying, it’s well worth rewatching to discover the hidden Easter eggs the filmmakers dispersed throughout the movie.

Watching closely for the figures in the background of the sH๏τs only increases the terrifying tension of The Blair Witch Project.

One of the most enduring parts of The Blair Witch Project‘s legacy is the fact that the project grossed $248,639,099 worldwide against a microbudget (via Box Office Mojo). This demonstrates how much viewers instantly recognized the quality of The Blair Witch Project, which only increases in complexity with every viewing. Watching closely for the figures in the background of the sH๏τs only increases the terrifying tension of The Blair Witch Project.

7

Donnie Darko (2001)

Directed by Richard Kelly

Jake Gyllenhaal plays the тιтular Donnie Darko in this time-bending sci-fi thriller that shocked audiences and critics when it was first released. Playing with heady topics like the cyclical nature of reality and the consequences of avoiding fate, Donnie Darko takes the viewer down a rabbit hole of confusion and double meanings until its astounding conclusion. Though it doesn’t start out that way, Donnie Darko soon reveals itself to be a complex addition to the time travel genre.

Watching Donnie Darko multiple times helps the audience appreciate the layered plot elements instead of being intimidated by them. Gyllenhaal’s central performance as Donnie helps anchor the story, even when it becomes difficult to understand where the story is heading. Though nihilistic and dark, Donnie Darko is now heralded as a classic and is easy to watch many times to find something new to discover about the narrative. The movie is also notable for its biting critiques of the American nuclear family.

6

There Will Be Blood (2007)

Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson

Though it feels slightly strange to call There Will Be Blood one of the best rags-to-riches movies, this does describe Daniel Plainview’s character arc. Daniel Day-Lewis’ portrayal of Plainview is a once-in-a-lifetime performance that shakes viewers to their core. However, there’s no question that watching There Will Be Blood is a marathon, not a sprint, as the film chronicles many years and isn’t afraid to get dark. Following Plainview on his twisted journey can be tough to stomach the first time around.

Returning to There Will Be Blood with the knowledge that Plainview is going down this road no matter what allows the audience to sink into the story’s world and be swept away by Day-Lewis.

However, returning to There Will Be Blood with the knowledge that Plainview is going down this road no matter what allows the audience to sink into the story’s world and be swept away by Day-Lewis. Even though There Will Be Blood is considered Paul Thomas Anderson’s masterpiece, the film ultimately lost Best Picture at the Oscars to No Country For Old Men. However, both movies have aged extremely well, only growing in critical and audience admiration since their release.

5

A Star Is Born (2018)

Directed by Bradley Cooper

There have been many adaptations of the iconic story of A Star Is Born, and Bradley Cooper’s latest addition to the canon earns its place. Starring Cooper and Lady Gaga in the central roles of Jackson Maine and Ally Campana, the 2018 A Star Is Born follows the same beats as the previous movies. However, it imbues the story with many exciting modern elements as well. Additionally, it’s impossible to ignore the fact that Gaga and Cooper’s chemistry is a driving force behind the story’s power.

Upon a first-time viewing, it’s easy to go into A Star Is Born prepared to judge it based on the works that came before it. While it’s impossible not to compare and contrast the different takes on the narrative, it isn’t fair to the 2018 iteration to expect it to live up to the high standards set by previous versions. Cooper and Gaga work hard to distinguish the movie and make it its own narrative. After watching the film again, their efforts to differentiate it become more obvious.

4

Mulholland Drive (2001)

Directed by David Lynch

One of David Lynch’s best movies, Mulholland Drive, is a surrealist narrative that challenges the audience’s expectations at every turn. Fans of the noir genre and old Hollywood history will fall in love with Mulholland Drive, even if it’s difficult to figure out exactly what it’s about the first time around. Though the meaning becomes clearer when watching the film again, one of the best parts of Lynch’s vision is that he isn’t afraid to leave plot points open-ended and never explains them.

Lynch’s lack of explanation allows viewers to return to Mulholland Drive with fresh eyes, allowing the story to wash over them, uncovering new pieces of the puzzle.

Though this tendency to let his movies speak for themselves can be frustrating after watching a particularly confusing piece of his filmography, it can be a good thing. Lynch’s lack of explanation allows viewers to return to Mulholland Drive with fresh eyes, allowing the story to wash over them, uncovering new pieces of the puzzle. Naomi Watts and Laura Harring are incredible in their dual roles in Mulholland Drive, making you care deeply about them even when the story is unclear.

3

Total Recall (1990)

Directed by Paul Verhoeven

Though it can sometimes be difficult to take Arnold Schwarzenegger seriously onscreen, he does an excellent job in Total Recall, playing with the tropes of the action genre to great effect. Total Recall might seem like the narrative would be trope-filled and forgettable on the surface, but diving into the film shows this couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, with every viewing of Total Recall, the audience’s interpretation of the story shifts, opening up new ways to engage with the story.

Schwarzenegger’s character, Doug/Carl, is never quite sure what version of reality to believe as Total Recall continuously plays with the concepts of memory loss and that his experiences might all have been a dream. At the end of the film, the audience is just as uncertain as he is, making it all the more compelling to revisit Total Recall. Watching the movie opens the door for the viewer’s mind to be changed by picking up on hidden details.

2

Starship Troopers (1997)

Directed by Paul Verhoeven

The satirical and often misunderstood sci-fi war movie Starship Troopers has become a cult classic in the years since the film was first released. Initially interpreted as a pro-fascism movie instead of a searing critique of it, Starship Troopers plays much better with contemporary audiences who are more prepared for a story that’s winking at the viewer. Upon multiple viewings, Starship Troopers reveals itself to be a thoughtful and subversive piece of cinema.

In some ways, Starship Troopers was well ahead of its time in terms of cultural and political critiques, especially in regard to the militarization of American society. Though there are some aspects of Starship Troopers that are dated, as the cartoonish violence and visual effects are of their time, this doesn’t detract from the movie’s overall message. Starship Troopers has a lot in common with modern additions to the sci-fi genre and shouldn’t be forgotten.

1

Fargo (1996)

Directed by Joel & Ethan Coen

For those unfamiliar with the Coen Brothers’ style, it’s likely that Fargo will come off as pretty off-putting. The matter-of-fact tone that defines so many of the Coen Brothers’ movies is part of Fargo and sharply contrasts the frightening and violent moments in the story. Though the film is undeniably a classic and an essential piece of the directors’ filmography, the world of Fargo takes some getting used to. The characters all have their own specific ways of moving through the narrative, and this grows on you over time.

In successive viewings, the inherent merits of Fargo become apparent. The performances by Frances McDormand, William H. Macy, and Steve Buscemi are darkly comic and give the viewer a window into the offbeat logic and construction of the story. Additionally, today, since the Fargo TV show has been airing for so many years, it’s easy to watch the original movie with preconceived notions. However, its originality and quality don’t take long to uncover.