Georges Méliès (1902)

A groundbreaking science fiction film, "A Trip to the Moon" tells the story of a group of astronomers who embark on an adventurous journey to the Moon. Led by Professor Barbenfouillis, they construct a giant cannon and fire themselves in a capsule to the lunar surface. Upon landing, they encounter various fantastical phenomena, including strange creatures known as Selenites. After a series of conflicts, they manage to escape and return to Earth, where they are celebrated as heroes. The film is famous for its innovative special effects, particularly the iconic image of the capsule landing in the Moon's eye.

Edwin S. Porter (1903)

This pioneering silent film depicts a thrilling train heist conducted by a band of outlaws. The narrative follows the robbers as they execute a daring hold-up, overpower the train's crew, and steal passengers' valuables. After the heist, the robbers flee into the wilderness, but a posse forms to pursue them. The film culminates in a climactic shootout, showcasing innovative techniques like cross-cutting and location shooting, which were groundbreaking at the time. "The Great Train Robbery" is often regarded as the first true narrative film and significantly influenced the development of cinematic storytelling.

Robert Wiene (1920)

Francis, a young man, recalls the terrifying events he and his fiancée, Jane, experienced in the town of Holstenwall. Dr. Caligari, a sinister hypnotist, arrives at a local fair with his somnambulist, Cesare, who has been asleep for 23 years. Cesare, under Caligari's control, predicts Alan's death, and the prophecy comes true. As more murders occur, Francis investigates and discovers that Caligari is using Cesare to commit the crimes. The film concludes with a twist, revealing that Francis's narrative might be the delusion of an asylum inmate, casting doubt on the entire story.

Paul Wegener & Carl Boese (1920)

In The Golem: How He Came into the World, a Prague rabbi creates a giant clay figure to protect the Jewish community from expulsion. Initially a servant, the Golem soon becomes uncontrollable, threatening the very people it was meant to save. Rooted in Jewish folklore and expressionist design, the film uses monumental sets and haunting imagery to tell a story about creation, faith, and the unintended consequences of wielding power beyond human limits.

John S. Robertson (1920)

In this adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s novella, Dr. Henry Jekyll (John Barrymore) is a respected scientist who conducts experiments to separate the good and evil aspects of his personality. He succeeds in transforming into the monstrous Mr. Hyde, who indulges in violent and immoral behavior. Jekyll’s struggle to control Hyde ultimately leads to tragic consequences, as the transformation becomes irreversible, and Hyde's actions grow increasingly destructive.

Victor Sjöström (1921)

In this spiritual and haunting silent classic, The Phantom Carriage follows a dying drunkard who, on New Year’s Eve, is visited by a ghostly driver collecting souls. Forced to relive key moments of his life, he faces the consequences of his actions and the pain he has caused others. Combining poetic storytelling with groundbreaking double exposures, the film influenced later masters like Ingmar Bergman and remains a foundational work of Scandinavian cinema.

Benjamin Christensen (1922)

In this visually arresting and genre-defying film, Häxan explores the history of witchcraft and superstition from the Middle Ages to the modern era. Blending dramatizations, documentary techniques, and surreal imagery, the film portrays the fear and persecution of women, the influence of the Church, and the psychological roots of hysteria. Provocative and bold, Häxan challenges religious dogma and remains one of the most innovative and controversial works of silent cinema.

Robert J. Flaherty (1922)

In the icy expanse of the Canadian Arctic, Nanook, an Inuk hunter, strives to provide for his family amidst unforgiving conditions. Capturing the daily life of the Inuit people, from building igloos to fishing and hunting, this groundbreaking film blurs the line between documentary and dramatization. Directed by Robert J. Flaherty, Nanook of the North is considered the first feature-length documentary and a landmark in nonfiction cinema. Released in 1922, it remains a fascinating window into early ethnographic filmmaking and the enduring human spirit.

F. W. Murnau (1922)

In this highly influential silent horror film, the mysterious Count Orlok summons Thomas Hutter to his remote Transylvanian castle. The eerie Orlok seeks to buy a house near Hutter and his wife, Ellen. After Orlok reveals his vampire nature, Hutter struggles to escape the castle, knowing that Ellen is in grave danger. Meanwhile, Orlok's servant, Knock, prepares for his master's arrival at his new home. The film explores themes of fear and the supernatural, establishing many of the visual and narrative conventions of the vampire genre.

Fred C. Newmeyer and Sam Taylor (1923)

In this classic silent comedy, a small-town boy (Harold Lloyd) moves to the big city to make a name for himself, hoping to marry his sweetheart (Mildred Davis) once he becomes successful. He works as a clerk in a department store and, to impress his boss and bring in customers, he arranges a publicity stunt where a friend will climb the outside of the building. When his friend can't make it, Harold is forced to perform the daring climb himself, leading to a series of hair-raising and hilarious situations. The film is best known for the iconic scene where Harold dangles from a clock on the side of a skyscraper.

Raoul Walsh (1924)

In this epic silent adventure film, a clever and roguish thief named Ahmed (Douglas Fairbanks) vies for the hand of the beautiful Princess (Julanne Johnston). To win her love, he embarks on a quest to retrieve the rarest treasures from distant lands, competing against other suitors. Along the way, he faces various magical and perilous challenges, including acquiring a magic rope, a flying carpet, and an invisibility cloak. Ahmed ultimately saves Baghdad from an invading Mongol army and wins the Princess's heart, proving that "Happiness must be earned."

Dziga Vertov (1924)

A cinematographic poem that lays the foundation of the Kino-Eye principles, showcasing the incredible force of its theories. The film presents a series of vignettes capturing daily life in the Soviet Union, emphasizing the activities of the Young Pioneers—a youth organization engaged in pasting propaganda posters, distributing handbills, promoting cooperative buying, and assisting the needy. The innovative use of techniques like reverse motion, extreme close-ups, and dynamic editing underscores the belief in the camera's ability to reveal the truth in ways the human eye cannot.

Marcel L’Herbier (1924)

In this avant-garde French masterpiece, L’Inhumaine tells the story of a mysterious opera singer admired and desired by many, including a scientist who attempts to win her through futuristic invention. Blending melodrama, science fiction, and modernist design, the film is a visual experiment featuring set pieces by renowned artists and architects. A unique fusion of cinematic narrative and the aesthetics of the 1920s avant-garde, L’Inhumaine stands as an early exploration of the relationship between emotion, technology, and spectacle.

Harry O. Hoyt (1925)

Based on Arthur Conan Doyle's novel, this silent film follows Professor Challenger, who claims that living dinosaurs exist in a remote area of the Amazon. Journalist Edward Malone joins an expedition to rescue explorer Maple White, who is stranded on a plateau filled with prehistoric creatures. The group, including renowned hunter John Roxton, encounters various dinosaurs and other dangers. Eventually, they manage to bring a Brontosaurus back to London, only for it to escape and cause havoc in the city.

Sergei Eisenstein (1925)

"Battleship Potemkin" is a dramatized account of the 1905 mutiny by the crew of the Russian battleship Potemkin against their oppressive officers. This event, set against the broader backdrop of the Russian Revolution, escalates into a large-scale demonstration in the port city of Odessa, culminating in a brutal massacre by Tsarist forces on the Odessa Steps. The film is renowned for its innovative use of montage editing and remains a seminal work in the history of cinema.

Fred Niblo (1925)

A grand silent epic about the life of Judah Ben-Hur, a Jewish prince wrongfully accused of treason by his childhood friend, Messala. Ben-Hur's journey for vengeance leads him to a fateful encounter with Jesus Christ, intertwining the stories of personal redemption and faith. Directed by Fred Niblo in 1925, the film features one of the most iconic chariot race scenes in cinema history.

Ewald André Dupont (1925)

This German silent drama tells the story of Boss Huller, a trapeze artist who abandons his wife and child for a passionate affair with a younger partner, Bertha-Marie. The love triangle between Huller, Bertha-Marie, and a rival trapeze artist, Artinelli, leads to devastating consequences. Directed by Ewald André Dupont in 1925, Variety is known for its innovative use of camerawork and its exploration of jealousy and obsession.

Buster Keaton (1925)

In this slapstick comedy, Buster Keaton plays Jimmie Shannon, a man who must get married by 7 p.m. on his 27th birthday to inherit a fortune. His frantic search for a bride leads to a series of comic mishaps and misunderstandings, culminating in a chaotic chase involving hundreds of prospective brides. Directed by and starring Buster Keaton, Seven Chances is a classic example of Keaton’s physical comedy and inventive storytelling.

Rupert Julian (1925)

At the Paris Opera House, a mysterious and disfigured composer known as the Phantom (Lon Chaney) terrorizes the opera's inhabitants. Obsessed with the young and talented Christine Daaé (Mary Philbin), the Phantom manipulates events to make her the star of the opera. His love for Christine leads to a series of tragic and dramatic events, including the infamous dropping of the chandelier. Christine, torn between her fear of the Phantom and her love for Raoul (Norman Kerry), ultimately finds herself in the Phantom's underground lair, where a final confrontation ensues.

Buster Keaton and Clyde Bruckman (1926)

During the American Civil War, Johnnie Gray (Buster Keaton) is an engineer who loves his train, "The General," and his fiancée, Annabelle Lee (Marion Mack). When Union spies steal his beloved locomotive with Annabelle aboard, Johnnie must single-handedly recapture the train and return it through enemy lines. Along the way, he discovers a plan for a Union attack and manages to warn the Confederate forces, leading to their victory. His bravery earns him a commission as a lieutenant. The film is celebrated for its comedic timing and impressive stunts, solidifying Keaton's reputation as a master of silent film comedy.

Teinosuke Kinugasa (1926)

In A Page of Madness, a former sailor takes a job as a janitor in a mental asylum to be close to his institutionalized wife. With no intertitles and a fractured narrative, the film plunges into the subjective, often surreal perceptions of madness. A landmark of Japanese avant-garde cinema, it was thought lost for decades and remains a radical exploration of mental illness, memory, and visual storytelling.

F. W. Murnau (1926)

In this stunning adaptation of Goethe’s Faust, an aging scholar makes a pact with Mephistopheles to regain youth and knowledge, but is quickly drawn into a tragic spiral of temptation, love, and damnation. Murnau’s film is renowned for its extraordinary visual effects, elaborate set design, and poetic imagery, combining theatrical grandeur with emotional depth. Faust stands as one of the crowning achievements of German silent cinema.

Walter Ruttmann (1927)

A visual symphony capturing a single day in the life of a vibrant European capital. Without dialogue or traditional narrative, the film juxtaposes urban rhythms—trains, crowds, industry, leisure—through rapid montage and innovative cinematography. It stands as a landmark of city symphony films, blending documentary and avant-garde aesthetics.

Josef von Sternberg (1927)

A notorious gangster rises to power in a violent, prohibition-era metropolis. He befriends a reformed alcoholic and falls for a woman already involved with a rival. Tensions build as loyalties shift and the underworld closes in. The narrative unfolds with atmospheric visuals and stylized violence, heralding the gangster genre's early cinematic form.

Fritz Lang (1927)

Set in a futuristic urban dystopia, "Metropolis" follows the story of Freder, the son of the city's master, Joh Fredersen, and Maria, a compassionate figure who aims to bridge the vast gap between the city's wealthy elite and the oppressed working class. Freder discovers the harsh conditions under which the workers live and joins Maria in her quest to mediate between the classes, emphasizing that "The mediator between the head and the hands must be the heart."

Alfred Hitchcock (1927)

A serial killer known as "The Avenger" is on the loose in London, targeting young blonde women. One night, a mysterious man (Ivor Novello) arrives at the house of Mr. and Mrs. Bunting, looking for a room to rent. The Buntings' daughter, Daisy, a blonde model, becomes involved with the lodger, much to the dismay of her boyfriend, Joe, a detective. As suspicions about the lodger's identity grow, Joe becomes convinced that he is the killer. Tensions rise, culminating in a dramatic finale where the lodger's innocence or guilt is revealed amidst a furious mob.

Carl Theodor Dreyer (1928)

A haunting and intense depiction of the trial and execution of Joan of Arc. The film focuses on the final hours of Joan's life, capturing her spiritual rapture and the hypocrisy of her ecclesiastical judges. Employing expressionistic lighting, interconnected sets, and intimate close-ups, the film immerses viewers in Joan's torment and subjective experience. This silent masterpiece is celebrated for its emotional depth and innovative visual style.

King Vidor (1928)

John Sims arrives in New York City with dreams of greatness, finding work as a clerk in a vast office filled with identical desks. He falls in love with Mary, and they marry, but life's pressures—financial strain, family tragedy, and the relentless anonymity of the metropolis—begin to erode his ambitions. As he struggles with despair and the expectations of society, his personal journey becomes a poignant meditation on the pursuit of success and the quiet dignity of ordinary lives.

Josef von Sternberg (1928)

Bill Roberts, a stoker on a steamship, disembarks for a night ashore in New York. He rescues a woman named Mae, who had attempted suicide by drowning. As they spend time together, they start to form a bond, but they face various challenges, including interference from Bill's shipmates and Mae's troubled past. The film explores themes of redemption and love amidst the gritty backdrop of the New York waterfront.

Fritz Lang (1929)

In this groundbreaking science fiction film, "Woman in the Moon," Professor Georg Manfeldt theorizes the existence of gold on the Moon, but his ideas are ridiculed. Years later, he convinces entrepreneur Helius to fund an expedition to the Moon. A diverse crew, including the professor, Helius, and a stowaway, Friede, embark on a lunar mission. Once on the Moon, they discover gold but face internal conflicts and external threats, including betrayal and sabotage. The film is notable for its realistic portrayal of space travel and introduced the concept of the countdown before a rocket launch.

Victor Halperin (1932)

A young woman is lured into a dark ritual on a remote Haitian plantation, where ancient practices blur the line between life and death. Under the spell of a malevolent master, she becomes the object of control, obsession, and supernatural possession. Steeped in exotic atmosphere and gothic dread, this eerie tale introduced the zombie to the cinematic imagination.

Frederick Stephani & Ray Taylor (1936)

In this thrilling sci-fi adventure, Flash Gordon, a daring polo player, is unexpectedly thrown into a fight for Earth's survival. Alongside his companions, Dale Arden and Dr. Hans Zarkov, Flash is transported to the planet Mongo, where they face the tyrannical ruler, Ming the Merciless. As they navigate the dangers of this strange new world, Flash must rally unlikely allies from different kingdoms to overthrow Ming's brutal regime and save Earth from destruction. This 1936 serial is celebrated for its imaginative settings, exciting action, and heroic characters.

Edgar G. Ulmer (1945)

A down-on-his-luck pianist hitchhiking across the country becomes entangled in a deadly web of mistaken identity, manipulation, and moral collapse. What begins as a simple journey spirals into noir-infused fatalism, marked by a chilling femme fatale and a mounting sense of doom. Filmed on a shoestring budget, this lean, shadowy thriller has become a cult classic for its raw tension and existential grit.

Bernard Vorhaus (1948)

A young widow, Christine Faber, begins to believe she is being contacted by the spirit of her deceased husband. She seeks the help of a mysterious psychic, Alexis, who seems to possess uncanny knowledge about her life. As Christine becomes more involved with Alexis, her sister and a skeptical lawyer uncover shocking truths about the supposed medium and his true intentions. Directed by Bernard Vorhaus, this 1948 film is a blend of film noir and supernatural thriller, known for its eerie atmosphere and suspenseful plot.

Ida Lupino (1953)

Two friends on a road trip pick up a hitchhiker—only to realize too late that he is a deranged killer. Held hostage in the desolate desert, they face a psychological and physical ordeal with no easy way out. Taut, minimalist, and relentless, this suspenseful noir was directed by one of the few women in 1950s Hollywood and remains a striking example of true-crime storytelling stripped to its rawest form.

Fred F. Sears (1957)

When a giant bird from outer space descends upon Earth, it wreaks havoc and destruction across North America. The bird's immense size and near-invulnerability make it a formidable foe, as it attacks cities and military installations. A scientist and his team must devise a plan to stop the monstrous creature before it can cause further devastation. Directed by Fred F. Sears, this 1957 sci-fi monster movie is known for its campy special effects and has achieved cult status for its entertainingly over-the-top premise.

Roger Corman (1958)

Two fugitive brothers, Chris and Lee, are shipwrecked on a remote island inhabited exclusively by women. While one of them falls in love with one of the mysterious islanders, the other desperately seeks a way to escape. However, they soon discover that the island hides dark secrets, including ancient rituals and a feared sea deity. Directed by Roger Corman, this 1958 film blends adventure, exoticism, and a haunting mythical atmosphere in a story filled with tension and mystery.

Roger Corman (1959)

In the beatnik culture of 1950s Los Angeles, a socially awkward busboy named Walter Paisley desperately yearns to be part of the artistic elite. After accidentally killing a cat and covering it in clay to pass off as a sculpture, he gains unexpected fame. Encouraged by the praise, Walter resorts to more sinister means to create his "art," leading to a macabre series of events. Directed by Roger Corman, this 1959 dark comedy satirizes the art world and remains a cult classic for its blend of humor and horror.

Crane Wilbur (1959)

A renowned mystery writer rents a secluded mansion with a dark past, where a series of murders attributed to a masked killer known as "The Bat" once took place. When new murders begin occurring, the writer, along with her houseguests, must unravel the mystery and identify the killer before they become the next victims. Directed by Crane Wilbur and starring Vincent Price and Agnes Moorehead, this 1959 thriller is celebrated for its suspenseful atmosphere and classic whodunit elements.

Tom Graeff (1959)

A group of alien teenagers land on Earth with plans to use the planet as a breeding ground for their gargantuan lobster-like creatures. One of the aliens, Derek, rebels against his mission after befriending a human girl and learning about Earth's inhabitants. As he tries to stop his fellow aliens from carrying out their deadly plan, he faces off against the ruthless leader, Thor. Directed by Tom Graeff, this 1959 sci-fi film is a cult favorite, known for its low-budget charm and imaginative storyline.

Ray Kellogg (1959)

In a small Texas town, a series of mysterious car accidents and disappearances are linked to a giant Gila monster that has been terrorizing the countryside. As the monster wreaks havoc, a young mechanic and aspiring rock 'n' roll singer takes it upon himself to stop the creature and save his community. Directed by Ray Kellogg, this 1959 sci-fi horror film is a quintessential example of mid-century monster movies, celebrated for its campy special effects and nostalgic charm.

Ed Wood (1959)

Aliens invade Earth with a scheme to resurrect the dead and create an unstoppable army of zombies and vampires. Their goal is to prevent humanity from developing a weapon that could destroy the universe. As chaos ensues, a group of Earthlings must band together to thwart the extraterrestrial threat. Directed by Ed Wood, this 1959 film is often hailed as one of the best "so bad it's good" movies, gaining a cult following for its unique charm and earnestness.

Mikhail Karzhukov and Aleksandr Kozyr (1959)

In a dystopian future, two rival nations launch space expeditions to colonize Mars. Facing extraterrestrial dangers, the missions must resolve their differences to survive. This Soviet film, co-directed by Mikhail Karzhukov and Aleksandr Kozyr, is known for its special effects and early depiction of the space race.

William Castle (1959)

Millionaire Frederick Loren invites five guests to spend a night in a supposedly haunted mansion, promising each of them $10,000 if they can endure the entire night. As the night progresses, the guests encounter a series of terrifying and unexplained phenomena, leading them to question whether the house is truly haunted or if there is a more sinister plot at play. Directed by William Castle, this 1959 classic is celebrated for its atmospheric suspense and inventive scares.

Roger Corman (1960)

In this dark comedy horror film, a clumsy young florist's assistant nurtures a strange and unusual plant that he discovers has a taste for human blood. As the plant, named Audrey Jr., grows, it begins to demand more and more, leading to a series of bizarre and comical events. Directed by Roger Corman, this 1960 film has become a beloved cult classic, known for its quirky humor and memorable characters.

Edgar G. Ulmer (1960)

A criminal mastermind breaks a notorious safecracker out of prison with a daring plan to use a stolen experimental device that can render a person invisible. The duo aims to pull off a series of high-stakes robberies using the device, but they soon discover that the side effects of invisibility are more dangerous than they anticipated. Directed by Edgar G. Ulmer, this 1960 sci-fi thriller is noted for its unique premise and suspenseful execution.

Kurt Maetzig (1960)

A mysterious artifact found in the desert reveals clues about a threat originating from Venus. An international expedition sets off to the planet to uncover the truth, only to find something far more unsettling: the remnants of an extinct civilization and a dire warning. Directed by Kurt Maetzig, this 1960 East German–Polish co-production stands out for its serious, science-driven approach to science fiction, with striking visuals and a deeply pacifist message.

Antonio Margheriti (1961)

A scientist discovers a planet on a collision course with Earth. Further investigation reveals the planet is actually an alien spacecraft with hostile intentions. This 1961 Italian sci-fi film, directed by Antonio Margheriti, is notable for its innovative special effects.

William Marshall (1961)

During a space mission, astronaut Frank Chapman is pulled onto a tiny planet invisible to Earth’s radar. There, he discovers a miniature civilization trapped in a technological and philosophical conflict. As he adapts to his new environment—and size—Frank becomes entangled in a struggle with interplanetary consequences. Directed by William Marshall, this 1961 film is a low-budget science fiction gem, known for its introspective tone and imaginative storytelling.

Herk Harvey (1962)

After a traumatic car accident, a woman moves to a new town to start fresh, only to be haunted by strange visions and an eerie presence that seems to follow her wherever she goes. As she struggles to maintain her sanity, she is drawn to an abandoned carnival that holds the key to her mysterious plight. Directed by Herk Harvey, this 1962 cult classic is renowned for its haunting atmosphere and psychological horror.

Joseph Green (1962)

After a horrific car accident, Dr. Bill Cortner manages to save his fiancée's severed head and keeps it alive in a laboratory. Obsessed with finding her a new body, he begins a macabre search for potential victims. Meanwhile, the disembodied head, now telepathic, begins to plot revenge against the doctor. Directed by Joseph Green, this 1962 sci-fi horror film is known for its campy style and unsettling premise.

Roger Corman (1963)

Set in 19th century France, a young officer in Napoleon's army, Lt. Andre Duvalier, becomes separated from his regiment and encounters a mysterious woman named Helene. She leads him to a decrepit castle ruled by the enigmatic Baron Von Leppe, who seems to be haunted by the ghost of his deceased wife. As Duvalier delves deeper into the castle's dark secrets, he uncovers a twisted tale of betrayal and revenge. Directed by Roger Corman, this 1963 gothic horror film stars Boris Karloff and a young Jack Nicholson, offering a blend of eerie atmosphere and classic horror elements.

Francis Ford Coppola (1963)

After the sudden death of her husband, a scheming widow travels to the family estate in Ireland, hoping to secure her inheritance. However, she soon finds herself entangled in a web of dark secrets, madness, and murder. As the family gathers for an annual memorial, a mysterious killer begins to stalk the estate, revealing long-buried truths. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, this 1963 horror-thriller is notable for its atmospheric tension and psychological depth.

Ubaldo Ragona, Sidney Salkow (1964)

In a post-apocalyptic world, Dr. Robert Morgan is the last known survivor of a global pandemic that has turned humanity into vampire-like creatures. By day, he hunts the infected and searches for a cure, while by night he barricades himself in his home to survive their attacks. As he struggles with loneliness and despair, he discovers that he may not be as alone as he thought. Directed by Ubaldo Ragona and Sidney Salkow, this 1964 film is an adaptation of Richard Matheson's novel "I Am Legend," exploring themes of isolation and survival.

George A. Romero (1968)

A group of people take refuge in a deserted farmhouse in rural Pennsylvania as the dead inexplicably return to life and begin to attack the living. As the night progresses, tensions rise within the group, and they must overcome their differences to survive the relentless onslaught of zombies. Directed by George A. Romero, this 1968 classic redefined the horror genre and introduced the world to the modern concept of the zombie apocalypse.

Noriaki Yuasa (1968)

Gamera, the giant flying turtle, returns to battle alien invaders known as the Viras, who plan to conquer Earth. As Gamera fights the invaders, two young humans get caught in the conflict. Directed by Noriaki Yuasa in 1968, this installment of the Gamera series is known for its exciting battles and special effects.

John Hayes (1977)

A group of scientists discovers that Earth faces an imminent catastrophe after intercepting a series of extraterrestrial signals. As they try to warn the world, they face skepticism and obstacles. Directed by John Hayes, this 1977 film blends science fiction and suspense in a narrative about humanity's survival.