Lisa O
The 1960s and ’70s era brought to life groundbreaking movies that broke the rules, had mind-blowing special effects, and talked about tough social issues. From George Lucas’s Star Wars, which took us to a galaxy far, far away, to Francis Ford Coppola’s intense crime drama The Godfather, here are 15 movies every baby boomer loved.
Star Wars — 1977
Star Wars by George Lucas started a legendary space saga that blew audiences away and shook up the movie world. Set in a galaxy far, far away, it follows Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) as he joins forces with Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), the rogue smuggler Han Solo (Harrison Ford), and the wise old Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness) to take on the evil Galactic Empire and its big bad, Darth Vader.
The Graduate — 1967
The Graduate features Dustin Hoffman as a lost 21-year-old graduate who gets tangled up in an affair with the married Mrs. Robinson (Bancroft) while also dating her daughter (Ross). Based on Charles Webb’s 1963 novel of the same name, it has one of the most iconic soundtracks ever, highlighted by Simon & Garfunkel’s timeless hit “Mrs. Robinson.”
The Godfather — 1972
This all-time classic — and one of the greatest movies ever — stars a young Al Pacino as Michael Corleone, the unlikely but brilliant heir to his father Vito Corleone’s (Brando) powerful mob empire. The Godfather isn’t just one of the highest-rated films ever; it’s a favorite across generations — even Gen Z is hooked.
The Shawshank Redemption — 1994
Based on Stephen King’s short novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption, this iconic film tells the story of two inmates who build an unforgettable friendship. One of them, Andy Dufresne, ends up helping the warden with a money-laundering scheme—only to turn it to his advantage later. It’s the kind of movie you can enjoy with your kids, grandkids, or even your parents.
Forrest Gump — 1994
Forrest Gump (Hanks) might not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but he knows what love is — and he’s got a knack for stumbling into good fortune. This 1995 Best Picture winner tells the story of American history from the 1950s to the 1970s through Forrest’s eyes as he does everything he can to be with Jenny (Robin Wright), the love of his life.
Shaft — 1971
In this classic Blaxploitation action-crime thriller, based on Ernest Tidyman’s novel, Richard Roundtree takes center stage as the smooth-talking, tough-as-nails detective John Shaft. Hired by a very powerful mob boss to track down and rescue his kidnapped daughter, Shaft dives deep into the gritty streets, facing dangerous criminals and corrupt cops along the way.
Rocky — 1976
In Rocky (1976), a down-on-his-luck, small-time boxer gets a once-in-a-lifetime shot to fight the world heavyweight champion. Starring Sylvester Stallone in his breakout role, this film launched one of the most iconic American franchises ever. Rocky Balboa became the first boomer action hero, inspiring generations of fans to “go the distance” and never give up.
Rosemary’s Baby — 1968
In Rosemary’s Baby (1968), a young couple moves into a creepy old apartment building, hoping to start a family. But soon, some seriously weird neighbors surround them, and Rosemary (Mia Farrow) begins to suspect that something is terribly wrong with her pregnancy. As her fears grow, she starts to believe that the child she’s carrying might not be of this world at all.
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid — 1969
Set in Wyoming in the early 1900s, this movie follows Butch Cassidy (Newman) and the Sundance Kid (Redford), two outlaws running a gang. After a series of shootouts, bank heists, and a love affair, they decide it’s time to ditch the law and escape to distant Bolivia. While no one openly calls it a story about boomer values, it’s pretty clear that it’s a metaphor for the 1960s’ push to break away from the old rules and create something new.
Dr No — 1962
Just as many baby boomers were hitting their teenage years, the first Bond movie dropped, showing them a world of adventure, travel, romance, and fighting for the greater good. Its Cold War credentials were rock solid — Bond was firmly on the anti-communist side — which gave kids the chance to dream of having fun while battling America’s Soviet foes. And, of course, who could forget the unforgettable scene of Ursula Andress emerging from the ocean?
2001: A Space Odyssey — 1968
Directed by Stanley Kubrick, it’s a game-changer movie in science fiction cinema, famous for its mind-blowing special effects, deep philosophical themes, and mysterious storytelling. The film takes us through humanity’s evolution, from the discovery of a strange monolith that seems to shape human development to a space mission led by Dr. Dave Bowman (Keir Dullea) and the eerie, sentient computer HAL 9000.
All the President’s Men — 1976
All the President’s Men is a thrilling political drama based on the real-life story of journalists Carl Bernstein (Dustin Hoffman) and Bob Woodward (Robert Redford) from The Washington Post, who blew the lid off the Watergate scandal. The movie takes you through their investigation, uncovering major corruption at the highest levels of the U.S. government and eventually forcing President Nixon to step down.
Dirty Harry — 1971
Dirty Harry, directed by Don Siegel, brought Clint Eastwood into the spotlight as Inspector Harry Callahan, a tough-as-nails San Francisco cop who’ll do whatever it takes to catch the ruthless killer Scorpio. Famous for its moral gray areas and gritty take on urban crime, the film raised big questions about justice and police ethics. Eastwood’s legendary portrayal of Callahan, especially with his iconic line, “Do you feel lucky, punk?” solidified him as a true action movie legend.
Bullitt — 1968
Bullitt, directed by Peter Yates, is an absolute classic action-thriller with Steve McQueen as Frank Bullitt, a San Francisco cop who’s got the job of protecting a key witness. When the witness gets taken out, Bullitt dives into a world of corruption and conspiracy to get to the truth. The movie is best remembered for its legendary car chase through the streets of San Francisco, showing off McQueen’s smooth, cool vibe and mad skills behind the wheel.
