heroic movie have provided audiences with cinematic specs since the art form began . These gravid - scurf characteristic include some of the most ambitious movies ever made . They tell howling news report against extravagant backdrops teeming with life thanks to punctilious attention to costume , impeccable molding alternative , and prompt melodious scores .
From genre classics likeLawrence of Arabiato recent blockbusters likeOppenheimer , the greatest epic film of all clock time weave tales of unparalleled scale of measurement , make story along the elbow room . These essential epics span a variety of subgenres and time periods , ensuring that there ’s something for every eccentric of viewer .
10. The Ten Commandments (1956)
Director Cecil B. DeMille’sThe Ten Commandmentsremains one of themost popular flick of all timebased on box function pay , with the 1956 epic religious dramatic play depicting the story of the biblical human body Moses ( Charlton Heston ) . The film was base on Dorothy Clarke Wilson ’s 1949 novelPrince of Egyptand follows Moses ’ journeying toward liberating the enslaved Hebrews before leading them to the promised solid ground and receiving the Ten Commandments along the way .
doubtlessly DeMille ’s magnum opus , The Ten Commandmentsbenefitted from being filmed on location in Egypt , Mount Sinai , and the Sinai Peninsula , where one of the bombastic exterior set to ever exist was build . The awe - inspiring lot were complemented by groundbreaking special effects , including the parting of the Red Sea . Even audience who are n’t fans of faith - based play will likely appreciate the fantastic efforts that went into creating this epic .
9. Spartacus (1960)
Kirk Douglas stars as the deed part in music director Stanley Kubrick ’s larger-than-life diachronic dramaSpartacus . It revolve around the friend ’s experience as a slave who ’s sold to a gladiator . After ascertain how to agitate and pour down in the field , Thracian Spartacus finally renegade against his owner , inspiring other slaves from other Ithiel Town to do the same and finally leading an revolt against Rome .
Despite being a labor where he did not have full esthetic ascendence , Spartacusended up being one of the most important films from Kubrick ’s vocation , not just for its massive scale , but for its historic role in helpingend the blacklisting for the Hollywood Ten . Today , the thrilling spectacle survive as an incredible saga of freedom and courage , with the character reference ’s battle cry , “ I am Spartacus , ” cement its spot in pop music culture .
8. All Quiet on the Western Front (1930)
Although itsmore pop Netflix remakemay be intimate to viewers now , the 1930 version ofAll Quiet on the Western Frontis arguably still well , at least when it add up to faithfulness to the source fabric . Directed by Lewis Milestone , the pre - Code anti - war film is base on the 1929 novel by Erich Maria Remarque . It follows a group of German schoolboy who become soldier during World War I and , lead by the solemn Paul Bäumer ( Lew Ayres ) , face the barbarous realities of war .
The authoritative war movie challenges notions of valorousness and glorification associated with scrap , which is much more venturesome and remarkable considering when it was resign . Idealism spurred by propaganda is represented by the jolly along masses and loyal marches off to battle , and is contrasted with the unforgiving oceanic abyss war and unflinching combat sequences .
7. Gone with the Wind (1939)
Director Victor Fleming’sGone with the Windis an epical historical Latinian language that could n’t be made again today due toits knotty portrayal of slavery . The 1939 plastic film is revolve around on the storey of a Southern belle , Scarlett O’Hara ( Vivien Leigh ) , who populate an enviable life on a Georgia plantation and soon becomes romantically mat with the already - married Ashley Wilkes ( Leslie Howard ) . She eventually have matrimonial to the charming Rhett Butler ( Clark Gable ) .
As one of thelongest Hollywood movies ever made , go with the Windchronicles different stages of Scarlett ’s animation , showcasing how it ’s unavoidably transformed not just by her romanticist interests , but by the Civil War and Reconstruction eras . The celluloid is full of profuse imaging have elegant mansions where fancy parties are held for the great unwashed wearing glamorous outfits . In the background signal , however , are the one - dimensional Black handmaiden .
6. Ben-Hur (1959)
Ben - Huris a truthful standout in the genre that is still counted among the greatest cinematic spectacle ever made . Directed by William Wyler and based on Lew Wallace ’s 1880 novelBen - Hur : A Tale of the Christ , the 1959 religious epic poem follow the life history of Judah Ben - Hur ( Charlton Heston ) . Once a Jewish prince , the protagonist is squeeze into slavery after a staring treason that terminate with the persecution of his family . He before long climbs the ranks to attempt retribution .
The intimate tale of retaliation is set against a sweeping backdrop that is the Roman Empire . Ben - Hurmade good consumption of its $ 15 million budgetto create the largest rigid pieces cinema had get wind up to that head . Hundreds of doer indefatigably created thousands of costume , statues , and friezes for the motion-picture show . There were also 200 camels , 2,500 horses , and 10,000 extra present for the shooting , which hold out 12 to 14 hour daily and would take almost eight months to complete . On top of all of that is the iconic nine - moment chariot scene , which was a cinematic triumph by itself , and facilitate the moving picture become an indelible part of story .
5. Oppenheimer (2023)
Oppenheimeris already proving to be among conductor Christopher Nolan ’s best works , with the 2023 epic biographic thriller earning 13 Oscar nominations this yr . The film is centered on theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer ( masterfully played by Cillian Murphy ) and his journey to becoming the “ father of the nuclear turkey . ” Chronicling his winding path in academe , his purpose in the Manhattan Project , and his downfall in front of the Senate , it ’s Nolan ’s long cinema to date , clocking in at three hours .
Every consequence of its 180 - minute runtime is well - spent , asOppenheimeris a visually stunning feast that weave its disjoined plot line together with comfort . Nolan ’s enjoyment of the IMAX and Panavision camerasresults in an immersive work of art that also features a phenomenal ensemble shape who all inhabit together in New Mexico while shooting . There are also celebrated practical effects , particularly the use of real explosives to demonstrate the Trinity nuclear trial run .
4. Ran (1985)
Legendary Nipponese director Akira Kurosawa had adapt Shakespeare ’s whole kit and boodle in the past tense , but it ’s 1985’sRanthat is remembered as a straggle epic that portray the source cloth like never before . Based on The Bard’sKing Lear , Ran , one of thebest Japanese movies ever , transports the story to feudal Japan , where the aging warlord Hidetora Ichimonji ( Tatsuya Nakadai ) decides to divide his realm among his three son . Eldest son Taro ( Akira Terao ) is choose to harness , while Jiro ( Jinpachi Nezu ) and Saburo ( Daisuke Ryu ) are tasked with commanding their own castling . Saburo Johnny against his sire ’s choices and causes chaos within the kingdom .
Ran‘s story about the consequences of unchecked ambition is told through gorgeous landscape painting full of violent warfare . The celluloid welfare from Kurosawa ’s masterly direction , which makes every well - choreograph military blockade and massive struggle feel like a well - made symphony . The movie is also striking thanks to its enjoyment of vibrant colors , with contrasting hue making each moment all the more vivid and unforgettable .
3. Titanic (1997)
Titanicis an epic romance movie that needs no founding . Not just one of thebest pic of the 1990s , but often mention alongside the greatest of all time , James Cameron ’s box office blockbuster trance hearing and critics around the world with its story invigorate by the sinking of the real - liveliness RMS Titanic . It tells the fictional dear tarradiddle of Jack Dawson ( Leonardo DiCaprio ) and Rose DeWitt Bukater ( Kate Winslet ) , two passengers from dissimilar social classes who form a deep connexion .
From the grandeur of the ship ’s DoI to the cutting - border diversion of the ship ’s sinking feeling , it was immediately percipient when it first premiere that Cameron made splendid function of thehuge $ 200 million production budgetfor the picture show . DiCaprio and Winslet ’s off the chart on - CRT screen chemistry also contributed to the pic ’s achiever , as it ’s ultimately call back for being an aroused and tragic lovemaking story for the ages .
2. The Godfather: Part II (1974)
Director Francis Ford Coppola’sThe Godfather trilogy is among the bestand most influential works in flick , but many believe it peaked withThe Godfather : Part II . Still free-base on the eponymous 1969 novel by Mario Puzo , Part IIserves as both a subsequence and prequel for the 1972 motion-picture show , accompany two storyline . The first electric arc focuses on the new and inexperient Don of the home , Michael Corleone ( Al Pacino ) , and the 2nd establish the raise of his father , Vito Corleone ( Robert De Niro ) , from his beginning in Sicily to his success in New York City .
With an even farseeing runtime than the first movie , The Godfather : Part IIbuilds on the already expansive gangster account to make a in truth heroic mob picture . The Corleone family ’s empire feels both howling and vulnerable under Michael ’s leaders , and Vito ’s backstory only adds more depth and subtlety to the intricate narrative . The complex body part of these two intergenerational arcs make the motion picture feel like an extravagant dramatic play that certainly top its predecessor .
1. Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
The pic that has undoubtedly become synonymous with the epic musical genre , manager David Lean’sLawrence of Arabiais a renowned biographic drama centered on British Lieutenant T.E. Lawrence ( Peter O’Toole ) . It depicts the character ’s transformative arc from initially serving as a intimacy to becoming imply in the rebellion against the Ottoman Empire during the First World War . It specifically pore on the attacks against Aqaba and Damascus , which are evince in staggering scale .
Lawrence of Arabiarelies heavily on practical effects and an unimaginable level of meticulousness and attainment to choreograph its huge scenes set in the Arabian desert . vital here and now like the guerilla ambush and the attack on Aqaba helped the photographic film become the music genre - defining masterpiece that it is . Of naturally , it ’s also an cozy eccentric sketch that explores its protagonist ’s inner conflict as he struggles to reconcile his superordinate ’ orders with the world in front of him .
