10 Movies That Were Way Ahead of Their Time

Movies are often said to be the mirror of society as they depict the reality, trends and norms of the times. However, there are some movies which don’t only take a step forward but move leaps and bounds ahead of their times. So, let’s talk about 10 Movies that were way ahead of their time. These movies had unique & unmatched storytelling, visuals, characterization, social depiction or technology which made them a class apart and stand out amongst the other movies of that time. 

Metropolis (1927)

Anyone who has seen the 1927 film ‘Metropolis’ would definitely agree that movie was way ahead of its time. The silent movie is a Sci Fi Drama that depicts a modern futuristic city ‘Metropolis’. The movie is directed by Austrian filmmaker & writer Fritz Lang. The movie not only visually depicts modern times and technology but also provides a holistic view and commentary on modernization. Metropolis tells us the harsh truth and reality of humans in the race of modernization with beautiful & unmatched visuals.

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ was a revolutionary film in the Sci Fi genre. Many even consider this film as the best Sci Fi movie ever. The 1968 film was high on aesthetics, production and technology. It used some fairly new template in shooting and showcasing the movie. 2001: A Space Odyssey had no opening credits for actors, director, producers, writer and other artists & technicians. The norm was very new and uncommon in the 60’s and 70’s. The iconic Sci Fi film was written & directed by Stanley Kubrick.

The Snake Pit (1948)

Mental health is still a taboo in some parts of the world. Just think what would have been the situation in the 50’s. At that point most people were ignorant or insensitive about mental health issues. But with the arrival of ‘The Snake Pit’ things did improve a bit. This 1948 movie is directed by Anatole Litvak and is based on Mary Jane Ward’s novel. The movie showcases a woman’s life & struggles during her stay in a mental institution. The film was so impactful that it forced 13 States (in the United States) to change their laws and regulations regarding mental health issues. 

Jurassic Park (1993)

Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park changed the face of big budget cinema forever. His 1993 adventure epic inspired many filmmakers and creators to step into the arena of epic films. The movie was one of the first of its kind and was hugely successful at the Box Office too. The CGI and special effects of the movie can even give recently released films a run for their money. It had Sam Neill and Laura Dern in the main leads.

Citizen Kane (1941)

Orson Welles’ Citizen Kane is a goldmine for budding filmmakers. This movie is definitely one of those movies which has shaped the industry and has hugely impacted it. Released in 1941 ‘Citizen Kane’ was way ahead of its time and counterparts. Many critics and filmmakers consider this film as the filmmaking handbook of Hollywood. Be it the shots, editing, music, storytelling, everything what Orson Welles did was never done before with so much dedication and perfection.

Pyaasa (1957)

Thirst aka Pyaasa is regarded as one of the finest films ever made. The Indian movie is a true cinema classic. Its storyline and depiction of a talented poet was way ahead of its time. Pyaasa has been garnered with some of the most prestigious awards and accolades in the field (films). Legendary Indian actor & director Guru Dutt is the heart and soul of the movie. Apart from Dutt, the musical drama has actors like Waheeda Rehman, Mala Sinha, Rehman Khan and Johnny Walker in important roles.

The Shining (1980)

Another Stanley Kubrick film on our list. Kubrick was known for his out of the box, experimental and unique ventures. Be it his iconic film ‘Dr. Strangelove’ or his cult sci-fi film ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ Kubrick barely disappointed audiences. The Shining is a timeless flick which never fails to terrify the viewers. The movie is an inspiration and has inspired many horror movies. It still can compete with the modern day horror films.

Network (1976)

Sidney Lumet’s 1976 film ‘Network’ is a satirical drama which showcases the story of a cable network operator. The network operator strives to improve his network’s rating and is ready to go leaps and bounds for getting good ratings. For overcoming his low ratings the man can literally do anything. On the surface level the movie appears to be a simple satirical drama which will entertain you. But the movie has depth as it cleverly comments on the tv rating rat race. Which is more evident in the public eye in today’s world where people can literally do anything for headlines, TRP and ratings.

The Night of the Hunter (1955)

This movie was based on the novel of Davis Grubb and was directed by Charles Laughton. When initially released ‘The Night of the Hunter’ tanked at the box office and mostly had poor ratings from critics too. It was termed over melodramatic and a poorly edited film by many critics. However, with time the movie developed a small but separate fan base. With every passing decade the movie became more and more popular and established a cult classic status. Now the movie is celebrated as one of the scariest movies of all time.

Avatar (2009)

‘Avatar’ is the only 2000’s film featured in our list. The movie is a visual treat and spectacle meant for the theaters. The movie was written and directed by James Cameron so it had to be grand. But it’s not a typical big budget Hollywood Movie. The movie’s USP is its visuals and the technique used behind it. The production, set pieces and tools & techniques used for ‘Avatar’ were way ahead of its time. Let’s see how the second venture of this epic film turns out to be.

Also Read: Movies Like Interstellar For Those who like Unique Sci-fi Movies