Universal Picturesis one of the most successful and largest studios in Hollywood. Located in Burbank, California, the Universal lot is home to some of the most iconic and historic movie sets of all time. From the Bates Motel and the set ofAlfred Hitchcock’s 1960 horror/thrillerclassicPsychoto dozens of props from Steven Spielberg’s films, the Universal lot has it all. Throughout the 20th Century, the studio has helped make some of the world’s favorite movies includingE.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Jurassic Park, Jaws, The Mummy, Back to the Future, Apollo 13,and so many more.
One of the most recent films Universal Pictures released was the great Christopher Nolan’s newest movie,Oppenheimer. It tells the true story of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the man credited for leading the Manhattan Project and developing the atomic bomb. He was a brilliant man who accomplished so much throughout his life yet was beaten down by the media and government as well as tormented by his own guilt and fear for the future of the world. The film has received incredible success and acclaim breaking box office records within just one week of its domestic release.
The number of incredible movies Universal Pictures has released is countless. Here are 20 of the best films Universal Pictures released in the 20th Century.
20E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Director Steven Spielbergis credited as one of the greatest filmmakers of all time. His attention to detail, incredible cult classic and box office track records, and caring and genuine attitude make him one of Hollywood’s favorites. The list of timeless movies he’s made is endless, but one of his most popular pictures of all time is the 1982 sci-fi/adventure filmE.T. the Extra-Terresterial, starring Henry Thomas, Drew Barrymore, and Robert MacNaughton. This story of a young boy named Elliot, who became best friends with an alien who touched down on earth, is one that people still gravitate towards today.
Related:Oppenheimer Breaks Into the Highest-Grossing-R Rated Movies
19Jurassic Park
Another huge success for filmmaker Steven Spielberg is theJurassic Parkfranchise. Spielberg was able to take a topic that seems larger than life and find a way to put it on the big screen. Through the use of great writing, directing, acting, and major technological advancements in the film industry, audiences were transported into the world of Jurassic Park while watching this movie. Both thrilling and innovative this movie has stood the test of time, and we continue to see spin-offs of the movie made today.
Jawscompletely changed the world when it was released in the summer of 1975, breaking box office records and becoming the first big summer blockbuster. The story follows a police chief on Amity Island in New York, who does everything in his power to put an end to a killer shark tormenting the community. The gruesome and violent scenes in the film scared audiences so badly, it created a shift in pop culture and is responsible for the way the public views sharks to this day. Director Steven Spielberg says that he has some regrets about making the film in regard to the way the world preserved sharks after the movie was released, perSmithsonian Magazine, but regardless the movie is a cult classic that will be watched for decades to come.
17The Mummy
The 1999 filmThe Mummystars the incredible Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, Arnold Vosloo, and Oded Fehr.The Mummyhas been told through various adaptions since 1932, when director Karl Freund decided to put this story on the screen. Universal Pictures produced and distributed the film in the 1930s and has continued to support the story with its involvement in the 1999 version. Fraser has gone on to receive incredible success, having received the Academy Award for Best Actor in early-2023 for his incredible and heartbreaking performance inThe Whale.
16Apollo 13
Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton, Ed Harris, and Kevin Bacon are just four of the immensely talented actors who make up the cast ofApollo 13.This Ron Howard movie was released in 1995 and has remained a cult classic film. Earning over $300 million at the box office and earning a 96% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, the movie is fantastic. Based on the true story of the events that took place on the Apollo 13 lunar mission, this drama/history picture received nine Academy Award nominations.
15The Flintstones
Although this film may not have received the same critical acclaim as other movies on this list, it is undeniable thatThe Flintstoneshelped shape pop culture and made a huge impact on society. We can still see references made to these iconic characters in the media to this day. The animated family/comedy showThe Flintstoneswas first released in 1960 and ran for six seasons, and in 1994, Universal Pictures released a live action adaptation.The film stars John Goodman, Rosie O’Donnell, and Rick Moranis.
14Schindler’s List
The list of incredible films Steven Spielberg has made in partner with Universal Pictures continues with arguably his greatest film of all time,Schindler’s List.This movie is so profound and impactful, it’s hard to compare it to anything else out there. Based on the true story of Oskar Schindler and set in Europe during World War II, we see the tragic journey of how one man was able to save hundreds of lives during the Holocaust. Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Ben Kingsley, Embeth Davidtz, and Caroline Goodball star in the film, all giving performances of a lifetime. In addition to the amazing acting and storytelling, one of the most impressive aspects of the film is the score composed by thegreat John Williams.
13American Pie
The film franchiseAmerican Pieis another excellent piece of storytelling that has made its way into pop culture and mainstream media. Jason Biggs, Seann William Scott, Chris Klein, Alyson Hannigan, Tara Reid, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Natasha Lyonne, Shannon Elizabeth, Meena Suvari, Jennifer Coolidge, Thomas Ian Nicholas, and Eugene Levy make up the star-studded cast ofAmerican Pie.There are three films in the series currently, the first being released in 1999, while the most recentAmerican Weddingwas released in 2003.
12To Kill a Mockingbird
One of the greatest stories in American literature is none other than Harper Lee’s sensational novelTo Kill a Mockingbird.The book was originally published in 1960 and deals with forever relevant and important topics such as coming of age, trust, loss of innocence, racism, and so much more. The film adaption of the story was released in 1962, and stars Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch, Mary Badham as Scout, Philip Alfrod as Jem, Brock Peters as Tom Robinson, and John Megna as Dill Harris. This story is a part of history and a book and film everyone should experience at least once.
11Sophie’s Choice
Meryl Streep has helped shape the way Hollywood looks at actresses, and paved the way for women in the industry. Aside from her countless awards and accolades, she is an inspiration for people everywhere. She is a powerhouse in the film industry and always conducts herself with the highest level of professionalism and class.Sophie’s Choiceis a heartbreaking drama about a woman struggling with trauma and years of regret. It is considered to be one of Streep’s greatest performances to date, which she received one of her three Oscar wins for.
