While new film releases are always exciting and most-often worthy looking forward to, it’s also special to go back in time and celebrate films of the past.2023 is not only shaping up to be a good year for new releasesbut is also the year so many incredible films celebrate big anniversaries. From films that are just hitting double digits to films turning 70, there’s plenty to celebrate – or watch for the first time, no judgment!
RELATED:The Best Films of 2022
The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
Martin Scorsese’s acclaimedThe Wolf of Wall Streetturns 10 years old on December 25th. Based onJordan Belfort’s autobiography and starringLeonardo DiCaprioin the titular role,the film told the story of Belfort’s time on Wall Streetfrom his perspective and was loudly proclaimed one of the best films of 2013 by critics.
Kill Bill: Volume 1 (2003)
Kill Billreunited directorQuentin TarantinowithUma Thurman, just shy of 10 years after their work inPulp Fiction. Thurman stars as “The Bride” who seeks revenge on a group of assassins who tried to kill her.Kill Billcelebrates 20 years on October 10th and was the highest-grossing premiere of a Tarantino film at the time of its release.
The Big Lebowski (1998)
Though it acquired mixed reviews upon its release, theCoen Brothers’The Big Lebowskihas gone on to become a cult favoriteand will be celebrating 25 years on March 6th. The film is a crime-comedy that follows a man named Jeffrey “the dude” Lebowski who is mistaken for a millionaire of the same name and seeking him out as payback for his rug that was destructed in the mix-up.
Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Saving Private Ryanhas been widely regarded as one of the greatest war films of all time and is among the best of directorSteven Spielberg’s expansive work. Turning 25 years old on July 24th, the film follows Captain Miller (Tom Hanks) and his team during World War II as they search for Private Ryan (Matt Damon), the last remaining brother of four.
Jurassic Park (1993)
Yet another classic Spielberg film hits a significant milestone withJurassic Parkturning 30 on June 11th. The whimsical, action-packed, dinosaur-filled flick became the highest-grossing film of all time upon its release and received particular praise for its use of special effects. It also spawned two trilogies: the original run andJurassic Worldwhich just finished out its trilogy with the release ofJurassic World: Dominion.
Schindler’s List (1993)
2023 is seemingly a big year for Spielberg films as his World War II epicSchindler’s Listalso turns 30 years old on December 15th. The film follows Oskar Schindler who saved over a thousand Polish-Jewish refugees from the holocaust by hiring them to work in factories.Schindler’s Listwas nominated for twelve Academy Awards and took home seven of them.
Sleepless in Seattle (1993)
This classicNora Ephronfilm gave us one of the best on-screen pairings to ever grace the rom-com genre:Tom HanksandMeg Ryan(who would later go on to star inYou’ve Got Mailtogether.) Sleepless in Seattle turns the big 3-0 on June 25th and is a must-watch for all romance lovers. It follows Hanks' Sam, a widow, and his son Jonah who calls into a radio show on behalf of his father, capturing the attention of Ryan’s Annie.
Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
Mrs. Doubtfire(played by the belovedRobin Williams) captured the hearts of audiences everywhere when it premiered and continues to do so 30 years later. It hits its big milestone on November 24th and remains one of Williams' most cherished roles as he plays a recently divorced man who dresses as an elderly housekeeper to visit his children.
Beetlejuice (1988)
Tim Burton’sBeetlejuiceis a classic horror-comedy withMichael Keatonas the titular Beetlejuice. It was the film that skyrocketedWinona Ryder’s career (who was only fifteen at the time of filming,) and is an essential 80s film that celebrates 35 years on March 30th. It follows a recently deceased couple (Geena DavisandAlec Baldwin) who are haunting their home and seek out the help of the ghost with most to scare off the new buyers.
Die Hard (1988)
Ah,Die Hard, theChristmas movie that isn’t quite a Christmas movie. StarringBruce Willisas a detective, the film follows him on Christmas Eve as he visits his estranged wife and is caught up in a terrorist attack. The film spawned an action-packed franchise that received critical acclaim and even scored some Academy Award nominations and the original turns 35 on July 15th.
