The term 'epic' is usually associated with motion pictures that are mounted on a monumental scale. However, the definition of the word has most certainly evolved.
While it signifies a film genre for sure, the masses use it rather colloquially when talking about big-budget full-length features today.
However, epic movies are not just tent-pole period or war dramas that dominate the box office; they are credits that are often reflective of the lead character's inner journey in more ways than one.
Since the term is used for projects that are larger-than-life and are based on an intricate subject, there are no doubts about the fact that one may have to set a good few hours aside to whole-heartedly relish an epic cinematic endeavor.
Sure these films are made for providing an unforgettable big-screen experience to the viewers but they are also known for incorporating a ton of themes, ideas, and ambitious concepts into their often unforgettable storytelling.
Therefore, if you're a genuine fan of cinema and are open to discovering true-blue epics from across the globe, be rest assured that the projects that we're going to be discussing today will both inspire and stir you in equal measure.
CrimeDrama
Director:
Francis Ford Coppola
Release Date:
Fri Mar 24 1972
Star Cast:
Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan
Budget:
$6,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$250,341,816
Since it was an epic tale of betrayal, power, family, and murder, Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather continues to remain an epic masterpiece unlike any other.
At this point, there isn't much left to say about the film that ardent film buffs across the world wouldn't already know.
The story follows an aging head of a mafia family, Don Vito Corleone, who hands over the reins of his complex and mammoth empire to his youngest son Michael.
Unbeknownst to him, this decision puts the lives of his beloved family members in extreme danger.
Based on the classic novel of the same title by Mario Puzo, the characters and punchlines of this revered Oscar-winning feature film continue to remain unmatched in fame even to this very day.
Recommended:
ActionDrama
Director:
Akira Kurosawa
Release Date:
Mon Nov 19 1956
Star Cast:
Toshirô Mifune, Takashi Shimura, Keiko Tsushima
Budget:
¥125,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$346,258
One of the greatest filmmakers of all time, Akira Kurosawa directed arguably the greatest samurai feature film to have ever been produced.
The story of the motion picture outlines the journey of a veteran samurai who brings together a formidable squad of six samurais to protect a village from the wicked bandits.
As the samurais try to teach the natives to defend themselves, the village is abruptly attacked by a pack of more than 40 relentless bandits.
Like in most of his projects, Kurosawa's dedication to the themes and characters is on full display here. A true fan of classic cinema is compelled to take the haunting finale shot in this timeless tale of duty home.
Recommended:
BiographyDramaHistory
Director:
Steven Spielberg
Release Date:
Fri Feb 4 1994
Star Cast:
Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Ben Kingsley
Budget:
$22,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$322,161,245
Based on Thomas Keneally’s bestselling historical non-fiction book 'Schindler’s Ark', this feature film is not only the finest work of director Steven Spielberg's career but also arguably the most acclaimed on-screen depiction of the Holocaust.
The story follows the journey of a German industrialist named Oskar Schindler, whose brave heart and deep soul help him save hundreds of Jewish refugees by providing them with a job at his factories.
Masterfully shot in black and white, this masterpiece is one of the most significant mainstream features to have ever been produced by Hollywood.
The staggering epic historical drama film is a landmark project in the lives of everyone involved with its filming. For the love of God and that of cinema, you simply cannot afford to miss out on Schindler's List.
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DramaHistory
Director:
Luchino Visconti
Release Date:
Fri Mar 29 1963
Star Cast:
Burt Lancaster, Alain Delon, Claudia Cardinale
Budget:
ITL 2,900,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$272,898
Based on the novel of the same title by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa, this epic historical drama motion picture has been helmed for the screen by Luchino Visconti.
The film tracks the journey of a noble aristocrat of unpaired integrity, who makes an undeniable effort to maintain his family and class amid the tempestuous social upheavals of 1860s Sicily.
A recipient of the Palme d’Or at the 1963 Cannes Film Festival, this classic piece of cinema has been acknowledged for its striking execution but, more importantly, for its superbly sketched and performed characters.
What also works in the film's favor is the fact that it's been headlined by stars like Burt Lancaster, Alain Delon, and Claudia Cardinale.
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AdventureBiographyDrama
Director:
David Lean
Release Date:
Tue Dec 11 1962
Star Cast:
Peter O'Toole, Alec Guinness, Anthony Quinn
Budget:
$15,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$45,720,631
This British epic historical drama motion picture is based on the life of T. E. Lawrence and his book 'Seven Pillars of Wisdom'.
The film traces the journey of a lieutenant in the British Army named Lawrence, who is asked by Colonel Brighton to assess their ally, Faisal.
Over time, Lawrence is so impressed with Faisal that he ends up asking for his help to topple the enemy.
The screenplay, visuals, and background score of Lawrence of Arabia inspired a number of filmmakers within Hollywood and beyond.
However, there was a section of critics that did criticize the feature for its inaccurate depiction of certain historical events.
AdventureWestern
Director:
Sergio Leone
Release Date:
Fri Dec 29 1967
Star Cast:
Clint Eastwood, Eli Wallach, Lee Van Cleef
Budget:
$1,200,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$25,253,887
Director Sergio Leone's The Good, the Bad and the Ugly is a renowned Italian epic spaghetti Western film that features Clint Eastwood as "the Good", Lee Van Cleef as "the Bad", and Eli Wallach as "the Ugly", respectively.
Set during the time of the Civil War, the story follows two men, namely Blondie and Tuco, who end up forming an unreliable alliance while hunting for treasure.
Meanwhile, they also have to somehow outsmart an outlaw called Angel Eyes; someone who may be looking forward to plundering the riches for his selfish needs.
Known for its usage of long shots, close-up cinematography, iconic background score, and stylized gunfights, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly is credited with pushing the legendary Clint Eastwood to the cusp of stardom.
ActionDramaWar
Director:
Akira Kurosawa
Release Date:
Sat Jun 1 1985
Star Cast:
Tatsuya Nakadai, Akira Terao, Jinpachi Nezu
Budget:
$11,500,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$4,164,283
The plot of this epic historical drama feature has not only been derived from William Shakespeare's 'King Lear' but also from segments that are based on legends of the daimyō Mōri Motonari.
Co-written, directed, and edited by Akira Kurosawa, the story is set in Medieval Japan. It showcases a veteran warlord calling it a day and handing over the responsibility of his empire to his three sons.
However, he has no idea about how the newfound power will pollute his sons beyond measure and compel them to turn not only on each other but also on him.
Ran was a Japanese-French venture and is popularly known as the last epic to have been directed by the great filmmaker.
Even though Kurosawa had already helmed some of the finest movies in cinema history by the time Ran was released, it still managed to set the bar high and exceed expectations. Needless to mention, it is now cited as one of his finest projects.
DramaHistory
Director:
D.W. Griffith
Release Date:
Wed Oct 4 1916
Star Cast:
Lillian Gish, Robert Harron, Mae Marsh
Budget:
$385,907 (estimated)
Helmed by one of cinema's greatest pioneers D. W. Griffith, Intolerance was a dream project that aimed to showcase The Eternal Motherhood peeking at four different periods in the history of Earth; times during which the human civilization had to face the inevitable consequences of intolerance.
While the gigantic sets gave the film an edge over the other motion pictures produced at the time, it was the remarkable involvement of its cast and crew that brought this mammoth production to life.
Easily among the greatest movies of the Silent Era, Intolerance unsurprisingly had an influence on the European film movements.
In many ways, it continues to be one of the most breathtaking cinematic accomplishments of all time.
BiographyDramaHistory
Director:
Steve McQueen
Release Date:
Fri Nov 8 2013
Star Cast:
Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Kenneth Williams, Michael Fassbender
Budget:
$20,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$187,733,202
Named the 44th greatest film since 2000 in a BBC poll, this British-American epic historical drama film has officially been adapted from Solomon Northup's autobiography, 'Twelve Years a Slave'.
The film tells the stirring life story of a free African-American who is promised a fortnightly job but is, instead, sold into slavery.
An extremely unsettling and impactful epic on enslavement and liberation, this Academy Award-winning motion picture is not only a cathartic experience but it is also arguably the finest depiction of slavery in cinema history.
Actors Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Paul Dano deliver a fantastic performance each in this must-see feature.
DramaWar
Director:
Steven Spielberg
Release Date:
Fri Jul 24 1998
Star Cast:
Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, Tom Sizemore
Budget:
$70,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$482,349,603
Known for its graphic portrayal of war, this hugely successful Steven Spielberg directorial venture is credited with reviving the genre of epic war movies at the culmination of the 20th century.
The well-written motion picture traces the journey of Captain John Miller, who is entrusted with the task of searching for Private James Ryan during the Normandy invasion of World War II.
Thriving on Spielberg’s grand vision and its subsequent execution, Saving Private Ryan was a path-breaking film for most of its cast members.
The award-winning feature was appreciated by the viewers and critics alike for its mind-blowing cinematography, performances, and realism. Moreover, the fact that the project is inspired by a well-known war story gives it a definitive edge.
ActionAdventureDrama
Director:
Peter Jackson
Release Date:
Wed Dec 19 2001
Star Cast:
Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Orlando Bloom
Budget:
$93,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$898,523,656
The Lord of the Rings is a series of three epic fantasy adventure motion pictures that have been directed by Peter Jackson and are based on the novel written by J. R. R. Tolkien.
An international collaboration between New Zealand and the United States of America, the story of the series showcases its beloved protagonists fighting for the greater good and putting their friendship to the test as they go on mind-boggling adventures.
Peter Jackson utilizes his undeniable cinematic talent to demonstrate themes such as the power of hope to establish the genre of adventure and fantasy as one of the most sought-after ones in the 21st century.
The movies in the franchise, which won a total of 17 Academy Awards, are considered to be culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant today.
DramaWar
Director:
Lewis Milestone
Release Date:
Sun Aug 24 1930
Star Cast:
Lew Ayres, Louis Wolheim, John Wray
Budget:
$1,200,000 (estimated)
Helmed for the screen by Lewis Milestone, All Quiet on the Western Front continues to be one of the best war epics in the history of motion pictures.
Its authentic and astounding portrayal of the First World War is as impactful today as it was when the film hit the screens back in 1930.
Based on the German novelist Erich Maria Remarque's novel of the same title, the story follows a young and inexperienced soldier who is compelled to face deep disillusionment after having witnessed the horrors inflicted during World War I.
Over the years, the courageous anti-war message that this movie constitutes has met with polarizing views. However, given the fact that All Quiet on the Western Front was released during the first half of the 20th century, its innovative use of sound technology truly set a benchmark at the time.
DramaRomanceWar
Director:
Victor Fleming, George Cukor, Sam Wood
Release Date:
Wed Jan 17 1940
Star Cast:
Clark Gable, Vivien Leigh, Thomas Mitchell
Budget:
$3,977,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$402,382,193
Director Victor Fleming's Gone with the Wind is an epic historical romance film that has been adapted from Margaret Mitchell's novel of the same name.
It follows the story of a manipulative woman and a roguish man involved in a cumbersome love affair in the American south during the Civil War and Reconstruction era.
Like most epic blockbusters, the production of this motion picture also had its fair share of complications. Be that as it may, it is today recognized as one of the finest films to have ever graced the silver screen.
It's not too difficult to make sense of its grandeur once you sit to watch it. Needless to mention, its production value, loyalty to its source material, and competent performances ensured that it turned out to be one of the biggest commercial hits in the history of Hollywood.
ActionAdventureFantasy
Director:
George Lucas
Release Date:
Wed May 25 1977
Star Cast:
Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher
Budget:
$11,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$775,398,007
Written and directed by George Lucas, this epic space opera film went on to become a pop culture phenomenon globally after having been released in 1977.
The story shows Princess Leia getting kidnapped by the dreadful Darth Vader. In order to free her harmlessly, Luke Skywalker pairs up with a Jedi Knight, a pilot, and two droids.
While in the middle of their daring endeavor, the team also aims to protect the galaxy from the belligerent Galactic Empire.
One of the most popular, profitable, amusing, and successful science fiction movies of all time, Star Wars: A New Hope (Episode IV) created a scintillating fictional universe; one that the viewers are not ready to let go of even today.
Drama
Director:
Paul Thomas Anderson
Release Date:
Fri Jan 25 2008
Star Cast:
Daniel Day-Lewis, Paul Dano, Ciarán Hinds
Budget:
$25,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$76,182,388
Loosely based on the novel 'Oil!' by Upton Sinclair, this epic period drama feature has been written and helmed by Paul Thomas Anderson.
The story traces how a ruthless oil prospector named Daniel Plainview leaves no stone unturned to become the most powerful oil tycoon. He even resorts to exploiting and using his adopted son to fulfill his ambition.
While the performances of both Daniel Day-Lewis and Paul Dano are the biggest takeaways of this motion picture, it will almost always be recognized for its terrific cinematography, direction, screenplay, background score, and setting.
ActionDramaHistory
Director:
Christopher Nolan
Release Date:
Fri Jul 21 2017
Star Cast:
Fionn Whitehead, Barry Keoghan, Mark Rylance
Budget:
$100,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$530,380,130
This unmissable war epic was a monumental cinematic achievement even for someone like Christopher Nolan who was already credited with directing several iconic modern-day blockbusters.
The staggering film tells the story of how soldiers from the British Empire, Belgium, and France try to evacuate from the town of Dunkirk during a tough battle with German forces during the Second World War.
Nolan takes the road less traveled and slices this war drama into three chapters: Air, Land, and Sea. With a back-and-forth narrative, the movie keeps everyone engaged with the claustrophobic chain of events in its screenplay.
Dunkirk relies on its haunting sound effects, cinematography, and musical core to make its way into the hearts of its viewers.
AdventureDramaWar
Director:
David Lean
Release Date:
Sat Dec 14 1957
Star Cast:
William Holden, Alec Guinness, Jack Hawkins
Budget:
$3,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$27,200,000
Directed by David Lean and based on Pierre Boulle's novel 'The Bridge over the River Kwai', this epic war film tells the story of Colonel Nicholson, who reluctantly agrees to camp commander Saito's proposal of getting the Prisoner of Wars of the Second World War to construct a railway bridge.
Sooner than later, the project turns into an obsession for him and, ultimately, paves the way for a number of striking events to follow.
The Bridge on the River Kwai opened overwhelmingly positive reviews and turned out to be the highest-grossing feature film of 1957. The film won 7 Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
Western
Director:
Sergio Leone
Release Date:
Fri Jul 4 1969
Star Cast:
Henry Fonda, Charles Bronson, Claudia Cardinale
Budget:
$5,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$5,435,312
Filmmaker Sergio Leone's epic Spaghetti Western film aims to tell the story of a widow who signs up an outlaw and an enigmatic man to help defend her land from a ruthless cattleman.
Headlined by popular movie stars such as Henry Fonda, Charles Bronson, Jason Robards, and Claudia Cardinale, Once Upon a Time in the West portrays life in the West in the most vivid manner cinematically possible.
For a change, the actors were surprisingly cast against their type in this historic motion picture that has been included on Time's list of the 100 greatest films of the 20th century and Empire's compilation of the 500 greatest movies of all time.
AdventureBiographyDrama
Director:
Stanley Kubrick, Anthony Mann
Release Date:
Thu Nov 17 1960
Star Cast:
Kirk Douglas, Laurence Olivier, Jean Simmons
Budget:
$12,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$1,844,917
One of the best movies set in ancient Rome, Spartacus tells the story of Thracian Spartacus, who was born and raised to be a slave.
However, things go haywire when he decides to rebel against the atrocities that his owners inflict upon him. Furthermore, his life is faced with numerous changes after he is sold to a gladiator trainer named Batiatus.
Even though there was a disagreement between filmmaker Stanley Kubrick and his cinematographer during filming, it didn't really hamper the overall quality of the product.
Spartacus, which employed over 50,000 extras for its several battle sequences, continues to be a must-watch epic for the ardent fans of the genre.
BiographyDramaMusic
Director:
Milos Forman
Release Date:
Wed Sep 19 1984
Star Cast:
F. Murray Abraham, Tom Hulce, Elizabeth Berridge
Budget:
$18,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$52,066,791
Adapted by Peter Shaffer from his stage play of the same name, this epic period biographical drama film has been helmed proficiently by Miloš Forman. The story aims to cast a light on how Antonio Salieri starts to envy the incomparable musician in Mozart.
However, after having somehow deduced that he perhaps receives some sort of divine help in his groundbreaking compositions, Salieri decides to turn against the Almighty.
While the fictional rivalry between Mozart and the Italian composer is a delight to catch in Amadeus, it is overall an amazingly funny and charming project.
Also, the makers must be given due credit for being able to bring this risky magnum opus to life with élan on the silver screen.
AdventureSci-Fi
Director:
Stanley Kubrick
Release Date:
Sun May 12 1968
Star Cast:
Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood, William Sylvester
Budget:
$12,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$66,452,425
Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey thrives on its boundless imagination and is one of the greatest science fiction epics to have ever been brought to life on the big screen.
The motion picture tracks how after having discovered a monolith on the lunar surface, Discovery One and its revolutionary supercomputer set out to unearth its source.
However, what the monoliths could be is based on the average viewer's interpretation. Besides this, there are several other unanswered questions that Kubrick hopes his audience to make sense of on their own.
Inspired by Arthur C. Clarke's short story 'The Sentinel', 2001: A Space Odyssey's beauty lies in the fact that the concepts that it covers will always come across as new and enigmatic, no matter how many times one has revisited the classic.
AdventureDramaWar
Director:
Stanley Kubrick
Release Date:
Thu Dec 18 1975
Star Cast:
Ryan O'Neal, Marisa Berenson, Patrick Magee
Budget:
$11,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$245,878
Written and directed by Stanley Kubrick and based on William Makepeace Thackeray's novel 'The Luck of Barry Lyndon', this period drama film traces the journey of an Irish rogue who makes his way to the zenith of 18th-century British society after having gotten into an affair with a rich widow.
Instead of telling a usual "heroic" story, Kubrick sketches one of the most unlikable protagonists to spearhead things in his epic.
Barry Lyndon, which is divided into two segments, is a remarkable achievement in terms of its groundbreaking cinematography and character development.
Furthermore, the titular character and his antics are going to be a pleasure for the viewers to examine even today.
AdventureDrama
Director:
William Wyler
Release Date:
Wed Nov 18 1959
Star Cast:
Charlton Heston, Jack Hawkins, Stephen Boyd
Budget:
$15,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$74,437,720
Adapted from Lew Wallace's novel Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ, this William Wyler directorial venture comprised hundreds of artists and craftsmen and thousands of animals and extras in its storytelling.
It is not surprising then that it turned out to be one of the finest gladiator feature films to have ever been made.
The movie tracks the journey of a nobleman, Judah Ben-Hur, who is sentenced to be confined to years of slavery after being accused of treason by his adopted brother Messala.
However, he decides to make a swashbuckling comeback and seek revenge by competing with his sibling in a race.
This religious epic motion picture was appreciated for its musical score, heart-stopping chariot race sequence, ambitious stunts, and terrific set designs.
Drama
Director:
Laurence Olivier
Release Date:
Fri Jun 11 1948
Star Cast:
Laurence Olivier, Jean Simmons, John Laurie
Budget:
£500,000 (estimated)
The first British film to take the Academy Award for Best Picture home, Hamlet is quite simply the crown jewel of Laurence Olivier's "Shakespeare Trilogy."
The film tells the story of its titular character Hamlet, who pledges to slaughter Claudius, who is responsible for the death of his beloved father.
Even though he goes on to lose his dear ones, Hamlet's relentless quest for revenge doesn't let him stop for anyone or anything. But, will the man actually succeed?
A winner of the Academy Award for Best Actor and the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival, Olivier's Hamlet was lauded for being able to bring the iconic William Shakespeare play to life.
BiographyDramaHistory
Director:
Edward Zwick
Release Date:
Fri Feb 16 1990
Star Cast:
Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington, Cary Elwes
Budget:
$18,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$26,979,166
The screenplay of this epic historical war drama flick was based on the books 'Lay This Laurel' by Lincoln Kirstein and 'One Gallant Rush' by Peter Burchard.
The story follows the eye-opening journey of a white officer named Robert Shaw, who faces stark opposition from his colleagues and fellow officers for leading a battalion of black soldiers.
Even though the Edward Zwick-helmed feature failed to set the box office ablaze, it was nominated for 5 deserving Academy Awards.
While Matthew Broderick was lauded for his mature character projection, it was more than evident that Denzel Washington was the one who was going to have a super-successful career as a cine star following the release of the film.
ActionAdventureSci-Fi
Director:
Christopher Nolan
Release Date:
Fri Jul 16 2010
Star Cast:
Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Elliot Page
Budget:
$160,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$839,030,630
The incredible Christopher Nolan has to be arguably the most celebrated filmmaker of the 21st century. Not only have his movies opened to tremendous critical acclaim but they have also managed to mint money at the box office.
Inception, which hit the screens worldwide in 2010, is no different. The highly ambitious psychological action epic tells the story of a thief who goes on to steal corporate secrets through the use of dream-sharing technology.
Sooner than later, he is given the inverse and tough task of planting an idea into the mind of a C.E.O. However, his devastating past comes into the picture and ends up complicating things.
It is one thing to envision an epic like Inception and another to bring it to life with the conviction and promise that Nolan did. The filmmaker overcomes the odds in style and utilizes the film's complex plot to its fullest potential.
Needless to say, the gamble pays off wonderfully and its product is a wonderfully architected motion picture that's going to stand the test of time.
BiographyDramaHistory
Director:
Richard Attenborough
Release Date:
Fri Feb 25 1983
Star Cast:
Ben Kingsley, John Gielgud, Rohini Hattangadi
Budget:
$22,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$52,767,889
Based on the inspiring life of the face of Indian independence, Mahatma Gandhi, this Richard Attenborough-helmed motion picture stars Ben Kingsley in the titular role.
The story of this epic follows Gandhi's nationwide campaign of non-violent resistance against British rule; a movement that, ultimately, led to the long-due independence of India.
The film received 11 nominations at the Academy Awards and ended up winning in the Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Director categories.
Gandhi was jointly presented by the Indian Directorate of Film Festivals and the Ministry of Defence at the Independence Day Film Festival to celebrate the 70th year of India's independence in 2016.
DramaRomanceWar
Director:
Anthony Minghella
Release Date:
Fri Dec 6 1996
Star Cast:
Ralph Fiennes, Juliette Binoche, Willem Dafoe
Budget:
$27,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$231,976,425
Helmed for the screen by Anthony Minghella, this epic romantic war drama is based on the novel of the same name by Michael Ondaatje.
The story follows a nurse named Hana, who is tasked with caring for a plane crash victim who seems to be on his deathbed. While having constant interactions with him, she finds a way to heal herself.
Hailed by many film pundits as "the Casablanca of the late 20th Century", The English Patient went on to cement its place as one of the finest screen adaptations of all time.
The feature film managed to receive 12 nominations at the 69th Academy Awards. It won 9 trophies including that of Best Director, Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Editing.
ActionSci-Fi
Director:
Lana Wachowski, Lilly Wachowski
Release Date:
Wed Mar 31 1999
Star Cast:
Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss
Budget:
$63,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$467,222,728
Not a lot of movies in our story today know themselves as well as The Matrix does. The iconic science fiction film is an unbelievably smart big-budget project that tells a stirring story without dumbing down its narrative.
As the story kicks off, we see a beautiful stranger leading computer hacker Neo to a forbidden underworld. While there, he learns that the life he is familiar with is nothing but a deception of an evil cyber-intelligence.
Considered to be one of the finest sci-fi movies to have ever been made, The Matrix is a close-to-perfect blend of humanism and science. Its slow-motion 3D moves, fight and chase sequences were truly ahead of their time.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to claim that this action epic may perhaps never age.
ActionAdventureFantasy
Director:
James Cameron
Release Date:
Fri Dec 18 2009
Star Cast:
Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver
Budget:
$237,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$2,923,706,026
Directed, written, produced, and co-edited by James Cameron, this epic science fiction feature film has been credited with incorporating quite a few subtle cultural, social, political, and religious themes in its jaw-dropping storytelling.
Our protagonist, Jake, is a paraplegic Marine who has been dispatched to the moon Pandora on an extraordinary mission.
After having reached there, he gets into a dilemma about following the orders he has been given or defending the world that he now feels is his home.
The film banks heavily on its groundbreaking array of special effects and new motion capture filming techniques to make an impact.
It is not surprising then that it went on to surpass Cameron's own Titanic to become the highest-grossing title in the world at the time.
DramaRomance
Director:
James Cameron
Release Date:
Fri Dec 19 1997
Star Cast:
Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Billy Zane
Budget:
$200,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$2,264,743,305
Director James Cameron’s magnum opus Titanic needs no introduction whatsoever. One of the most loved and ambitious motion pictures in modern history, it aims to tell the story of the unfortunate sinking of the RMS Titanic.
While striving to tell an epic disaster story, Cameron masterfully develops a timeless love saga that ended up turning its lead actors into global superstars following the film's blockbuster theatrical outing.
Touted to be the most expensive mainstream project at the time, Titanic has a lot going in its favor. Not only did the makers use an actual reconstruction of the ship and its deck but they also ensured that each of the departments delivered big time.
Needless to say, the hard work of the entire cast and crew bore fruit as the movie went on to become the first in cinema history to amass more than $2 billion worldwide.
DramaRomance
Director:
Robert Zemeckis
Release Date:
Wed Jul 6 1994
Star Cast:
Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Gary Sinise
Budget:
$55,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$678,226,465
Based on a book of the same name by Winston Groom, Forrest Gump is an epic comedy-drama romance movie that's been headlined by Hollywood legend Tom Hanks.
Directed by Robert Zemeckis, it tells the story of a man with a low IQ and a big heart who finds himself participating in some of America's biggest historical events.
In the end, the only thing that he wishes for is to be reunited with his childhood love Jenny.
The way several significant events have been included in its ambitious narrative proves beyond a doubt that this Academy Award-winner will always be seen as an epic in its own right.
A lot many interpretations have been made over the years about the political symbolism and the titular character of Forrest Gump.
BiographyDramaHistory
Director:
Bernardo Bertolucci
Release Date:
Fri Apr 15 1988
Star Cast:
John Lone, Joan Chen, Peter O'Toole
Budget:
£23,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$43,993,869
This epic biographical motion picture has been directed with great efficiency by Bernardo Bertolucci. It is based on 'From Emperor to Citizen: The Autobiography of Aisin-Gioro Puyi' by Puyi.
The story tracks the tumultuous and, yet, adventurous journey of the last emperor of China, Aisin Gioro Puyi. The young emperor, who's had a sheltered upbringing, sees his world turn upside down following the historical Chinese revolution.
Although the performances are rock-solid in this feature, it is its visual appeal that manages to hold your attention right from the first scene to the last.
The Last Emperor premiered at the Tokyo International Film Festival in 1987 and won 9 well-deserved Academy Awards.
AdventureDramaWestern
Director:
Kevin Costner
Release Date:
Wed Nov 21 1990
Star Cast:
Kevin Costner, Mary McDonnell, Graham Greene
Budget:
$22,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$424,208,848
Starring, directed, and produced by Kevin Costner in his directorial debut, this epic Western drama motion picture is a film adaptation of Michael Blake's novel of the same name.
The story follows the life-altering journey of Lt John J Dunbar, who is designated to be present at a western Civil War outpost following a grave injury that he suffers.
His life finds new meaning and changes for good after he gets familiar with the Lakota tribe of American Indians and his new surroundings.
One of the top-grossing movies of 1990, Dances With Wolves is a thought-provoking attempt at taking a look at the American West through the lens of the Native American folk.
Drama
Director:
Martin Scorsese
Release Date:
Fri Aug 12 1988
Star Cast:
Willem Dafoe, Harvey Keitel, Barbara Hershey
Budget:
$7,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$8,865,702
A rather underrated Martin Scorsese project, this epic religious drama film has been adapted from Nikos Kazantzakis' controversial novel of the same name.
The story tracks the awe-inspiring journey of Jesus Christ as he faces hardships like most human beings, until his final temptation on the cross.
Just like its source material, the motion picture also faced backlash from a few Christian religious groups that were not too pleased with the projection of Christ in its screenplay.
However, the performances of Willem Dafoe and Barbara Hershey were unanimously appreciated by film pundits.
ActionAdventureDrama
Director:
Alejandro G. Iñárritu
Release Date:
Fri Jan 8 2016
Star Cast:
Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, Will Poulter
Budget:
$135,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$532,950,503
Partially based on Michael Punke's novel of the same name, this Alejandro González Iñárritu directorial venture tells the spectacular story of legendary frontiersman Hugh Glass, who is badly harmed in a bear attack and is abandoned by his hunting crew.
Fighting all odds, his survival skills and appetite for vengeance keep him alive as he goes on a relentless pursuit of a companion who doubled-crossed him.
Although it was criticized for being a tad lengthy, The Revenant turned out to be a global box office smash with praises coming in for its cinematography, Alejandro's direction, and DiCaprio and Hardy's superb performances, respectively.
AdventureDramaSci-Fi
Director:
Christopher Nolan
Release Date:
Fri Nov 7 2014
Star Cast:
Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain
Budget:
$165,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$731,079,637
Co-written, directed, and produced by Christopher Nolan, Interstellar is an epic science fiction flick that is set in a dystopian future.
The story follows the exquisite journey of a farmer and ex-NASA pilot, who is invited to pilot a spacecraft along with a crew of researchers when Earth becomes uninhabitable in the future.
Their mission requires them to find a new planet for humans.
Acknowledged by many astronomers for its scientific precision and depiction of theoretical astrophysics, this critically and commercially successful venture has gone on to develop a cult following ever since it hit the cinemas in 2014.
ActionAdventureDrama
Director:
Ridley Scott
Release Date:
Fri May 5 2000
Star Cast:
Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen
Budget:
$103,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$503,162,313
Filmmaker Ridley Scott was able to reinvent the genre of "sword-and-sandals" films with the release of his epic historical drama venture Gladiator.
Inspired by Daniel P. Mannix's book 'Those About to Die', the story traces how Maximus is demoted in rank after Commodus takes over power.
As a result of the aforementioned event, Maximus is left with little or no option but to fight till death as a true-blue gladiator.
The film, which comprises outstanding sequences of armed combat, banks on its advanced special effects and expanded budget to make an impact.
It won several Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Russell Crowe.
DramaRomanceWar
Director:
David Lean
Release Date:
Fri Dec 31 1965
Star Cast:
Omar Sharif, Julie Christie, Geraldine Chaplin
Budget:
$11,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$111,922,142
Based on a novel of the same name by Boris Pasternak, this epic historical romance film has been directed by David Lean.
It follows the life of a Russian physician and poet who, although wedded, falls head over heels in love with a political activist's missis.
In addition, the film also showcases the hardships that he has to endure during both the First World War and the October Revolution.
Lean's amazing direction helps bring his sentimental side to the fore with utmost grace in this motion picture.
Aside from its detailed set designs, one should also watch it for the brilliant finale where the entire story comes together beautifully and the emotions heighten.
BiographyDramaHistory
Director:
Mel Gibson
Release Date:
Wed May 24 1995
Star Cast:
Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau, Patrick McGoohan
Budget:
$72,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$213,216,216
Directed by and starring Mel Gibson in the lead, this wonderful epic historical war drama motion picture depicts the life and heroics of William Wallace.
A true-blue Scottish rebel, William vows to battle King Edward I of England after he kills his beloved bride just a day after their wedding.
In his rather ambitious and revolutionary endeavors, he is accompanied by his loyal men.
This critical and commercial blockbuster, which won the Best Picture and Best Director awards at the Oscars, is a brave depiction of a genuine historic tragedy.
It underlines that freedom and loyalty are the two biggest treasures that have been taken for granted by humanity since time immemorial.
DramaRomanceWar
Director:
Sergey Bondarchuk
Release Date:
Sun Apr 28 1968
Star Cast:
Lyudmila Saveleva, Vyacheslav Tikhonov, Sergey Bondarchuk
Budget:
RUR 8,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$148,503
Directed by Sergei Bondarchuk and based on Leo Tolstoy's novel of the same name, War and Peace is one of those unique epic motion pictures that were released in four parts between 1966 and 1967.
The film attempts to bring to the fore Napoleon's stormy relations with Russia including his disastrous 1812 invasion. It uses this particular backdrop to cast a light on the personal lives of five aristocratic Russian families.
Starring Sergei Bondarchuk, Vyacheslav Tikhonov, and Ludmila Savelyeva in crucial roles, it is often considered by many to be the grandest epic feature to have ever been made for the big screen.
Needless to say, War and Peace was the most expensive motion picture to have been produced in the Soviet Union at the time.
It won the Grand Prix in the Moscow International Film Festival, the Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film, and the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, respectively.
DramaRomanceWar
Director:
Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger
Release Date:
Wed Aug 30 1944
Star Cast:
Roger Livesey, Deborah Kerr, Anton Walbrook
Budget:
£188,812 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$30,129
Written, produced, and directed by the renowned British filmmaking team of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, this epic romantic drama war film stars Roger Livesey, Deborah Kerr, and Anton Walbrook in crucial roles.
It tracks the journey of a soldier, who, right from the Boer War through the Second World War, continues to rise through the ranks in the British military.
Appreciated for its excellent direction, writing, performances, and pioneering Technicolor cinematography, The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp is a sophisticated satire on the British Army.
Many commentators are of the opinion that it is, in fact, the finest epic produced by the United Kingdom to date.
BiographyDramaHistory
Director:
Andrei Tarkovsky
Star Cast:
Anatoliy Solonitsyn, Ivan Lapikov, Nikolay Grinko
Budget:
RUR 1,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$172,676
Partially based on the life of the 15th-century Russian painter Andrei Rublev, this Soviet epic biographical historical drama film has been helmed by Andrei Tarkovsky.
The plot traces how the iconic artist Andrei Rublev is compelled to take a vow of silence as he is upset after having witnessed a horrifying conflict.
Even though he keeps from painting for quite some time, he tries to recover and find peace so that he is able to gather the strength to paint again.
Andrei Rublev is a film that aims to paint a realistic portrait of medieval Russia by emphasizing the themes of artistic freedom, religion, and political ambiguity.
Additionally, the motion picture bravely manages to present the idea of the development of art under a repressive regime.
ActionAdventureBiography
Director:
Werner Herzog
Release Date:
Sun Apr 3 1977
Star Cast:
Klaus Kinski, Ruy Guerra, Helena Rojo
Budget:
$370,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$37,041
Director Werner Herzog's Aguirre, The Wrath of God is not your conventional epic simply because it wasn't filmed like one.
Instead, minimalist techniques were used to create a surreal and complex mainstream war feature that could successfully capture the extreme notion of going insane.
The story follows the merciless and insane Don Lope de Aguirre and a Spanish expedition that he leads in search of El Dorado in the 16th century.
The motion picture received favorable reviews from critics upon its theatrical release and has gone on to amass a cult international following since.
DramaRomanceWar
Director:
K. Asif
Release Date:
Fri Aug 5 1960
Star Cast:
Prithviraj Kapoor, Madhubala, Dilip Kumar
Budget:
₹15,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$161,434
Mughal-E-Azam, whose budget for a single song exceeded the usual cost for an entire Bollywood film of the period, is arguably the greatest Indian epic historical drama flick of all time.
Directed remarkably by K. Asif, the story showcases an emperor's son Salim falling head over heels in love with a gorgeous courtesan.
Even though he sees a future with her, his stern father has contrasting beliefs. It was reported that the viewers stood in queues all day long to get tickets for this humongous blockbuster.
Widely regarded as a milestone of its genre, Mughal-E-Azam was the highest-grossing Indian movie at its time of release.
AdventureDramaFamily
Director:
Cecil B. DeMille
Release Date:
Fri Oct 5 1956
Star Cast:
Charlton Heston, Yul Brynner, Anne Baxter
Budget:
$13,282,712 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$65,500,755
Director Cecil B. DeMille’s epic feature film, The Ten Commandments, is a fantastic take on what the genre could feel like in the near future.
Arguably the most expensive motion picture produced at the time, it traces the journey of Moses who is protected by Pharaoh's daughter when he sets adrift on the Nile River in a basket.
However, after he grows up, he learns about his true identity and pledges to free the Hebrews from the shackles of slavery.
Thousands of extras worked religiously to ensure that this project saw the light of day. The massive sets that were constructed in Egypt and Mount Sinai were aided by the inclusion of a fitting musical score.
Add to that the fact that the performances of the entire cast managed to impress the critics as much as the film's scale.
AdventureDrama
Director:
Werner Herzog
Release Date:
Sun Oct 10 1982
Star Cast:
Klaus Kinski, Claudia Cardinale, José Lewgoy
Budget:
DEM 14,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$2,874
No epic movie can be brought to life if there is a lack of faith and ambition in its top-notch execution. Fitzcarraldo is a unique West German epic adventure-drama feature that bypasses all possible interpretations of passion and obsession.
It follows the ambitious journey of Brian Sweeney Fitzgerald; a more than determined individual who wants nothing more than to build an opera house in the middle of an inaccessible jungle.
Hailed by François Truffaut as one of the most important filmmakers in the world at the time, writer-director Werner Herzog exceeds expectations as he successfully goes on to demonstrate that a great number of sacrifices are needed to bring a dream alive.