By Herman M. Lagon
Movies hold a unique power to tell stories that stay with us, weaving emotions, memories, and reflections on life into each frame. My top 20 list is no accident—it is a compilation of films that have left deep impressions, entertained me beyond the screen, and, in many cases, reshaped my outlook on life. This list is shared with the hope that readers may consider these films part of their viewing repertoire while celebrating the warmth and reflection of the Yuletide season. Each film represents more than mere entertainment; they are pathways to understanding perspectives that resonate in the authentic, often chaotic world we navigate. While the list might be long [in fact, I have 200 top films, and the list is organic], each has a unique place in this tapestry, drawn from diverse genres, cultures, and times.
My top films, Braveheart and Schindler’s List, have influential opening acts. Braveheart represents epic bravery, while Schindler’s List depicts the Holocaust’s unimaginable horror and moral complexity. They symbolize courage, sacrifice, and humanity’s resilience in extreme situations. These films don’t sugarcoat reality but present it in raw, unvarnished form, leaving an indelible impact.
Then there’s Forrest Gump, which, much like life itself, swings between laughter and tears. Gump’s story underscores how life’s path is unpredictable and shaped by chance and choice. The simplicity of Forrest’s perspective allows us to see how even the smallest acts of kindness can alter the course of lives. This film reminds us that ordinary people, driven by good intentions, often accomplish extraordinary things. Its success with audiences globally highlights how universal and relatable the story of an “average” man can be.
Tom Hanks’ immersive narratives continue with The Green Mile and Cast Away, exploring loneliness and redemption. Where The Green Mile deals with forgiveness and the supernatural within the confines of a prison, Cast Away leaves us on an isolated island, making us confront the raw human need for connection and survival. Hanks’ performances make these films unforgettable, and while the stories themselves are extraordinary, they touch on universal themes of friendship, loss, and the search for purpose.
Similarly, Shawshank Redemption and Finding Nemo could not be more different in tone, yet both tell of hope against all odds. The former deals with the harshness of life in prison and the indomitable spirit that overcomes it, while the cartoon Finding Nemo takes us on an oceanic adventure in search of family. They remind us that the struggle for freedom and family is not confined to any genre—it speaks to all ages, from children to adults.
Sci-fi and fantasy offer different escapes but are no less impactful. The Matrix and John Wick Series deliver adrenaline with existential undertones. Both deal with worlds controlled by hidden forces, artificial intelligence, or criminal underworlds and question how much of life is within our control. They are more than action-packed; they are philosophical journeys wrapped in thrilling scenes, urging us to question the boundaries of reality.
No list of mine could exclude The Lord of the Rings Trilogy and Star Wars Series, films that pioneered epic storytelling and visuals, creating worlds that feel as real as our own. From the power of friendship in Middle Earth to the struggle between the Force’s light and dark sides, they have defined what it means to build a universe. These films provide escapism and reflect our world’s power, loyalty, and courage struggles.
James Cameron’s Avatar and Titanic are stunning and moving. While Avatar imagines a utopian planet with a stark warning on environmental destruction, Titanic recounts one of history’s most tragic romances against a devastating disaster. Both explore human ambition and vulnerability, shedding light on the eternal struggle between our dreams and the reality that sometimes shatters them.
The narratives in 12 Years a Slave and Three Idiots are grounded in raw social realities. The former powerfully recounts the horrors of slavery and resilience, while Three Idiots humorously challenges academic achievement pressure. Each film tackles the systems we’re born into and how individuals navigate—or resist—these pressures to maintain dignity and find joy.
With films like Magnifico, Heneral Luna, Joker (Phoenix), and Ender’s Game, we delve into stories that span genres but share a deep, unflinching look at society and the psyche. Magnifico’s childlike innocence shows how the human spirit can overcome poverty and illness. Heneral Luna fiercely depicts Filipino valor, revealing the complexities of loyalty, courage, and betrayal. On the other hand, Joker and Ender’s Game question morality and mental health by showing how society shapes—or distorts—individual destinies and the thin line between sanity and survival.
The likes of On the Job and Miracle in Cell No. 7 remind us that stories of hardship and resilience are not confined to Western cinema. On the Job offers a gritty look at corruption and survival in the Philippine prison system, where moral choices become blurred. Meanwhile, Miracle in Cell No. 7 pulls at the heartstrings with its tale of innocence wronged, forcing us to confront the deep ties between family and forgiveness.
The psychological tension in Black Swan and the revolutionary tones in Les Misérables show us the extremes of human ambition and redemption. Black Swan is a haunting ballet drama about perfection’s obsession. The operatic Les Misérables masterfully balances justice and compassion, reminding us that freedom is costly. The films Dead Man Walking and Bohemian Rhapsody also address forgiveness, art, and fate. Sean Penn’s Dead Man Walking explores punishment and redemption, while Bohemian Rhapsody honors Queens’ Freddie Mercury and creative freedom’s ups and downs.
Paired with The Dark Knight, Captain Phillips, and Coco form an incredibly diverse trio that dives conversely into bravery, family, and identity. Captain Phillips highlights the fragility of human resilience under threat, while the animated Walt-Disney-produced Coco brings us into the colorful tapestry of family legacy and memory in Mexican culture. The DC-charged Dark Knight leaves us pondering justice and what defines a hero, challenging the line between villainy and heroism.
The Star Trek Series and In Pursuit of Happyness inspire through exploration and perseverance—the former delves into human curiosity, portraying a future where diversity unites us. Will Smith’s masterpiece In Pursuit of Happyness reminds us that resilience and grit can triumph over circumstance, mainly when fueled by love and purpose. Stand and Deliver and Troy take us back to stories of defying expectations and the honor that comes with sacrifice. Stand and Deliver recounts a teacher’s dedication to transforming his students’ lives through math, while Troy brings us an epic of glory, love, and fate that leaves a lasting mark on our understanding of heroism and consequence.
In The Rite and Inside Out, the supernatural and the psychological explore our inner fears and joys. The Rite explores faith and the struggle against personal demons, while Inside Out shows how our emotions affect our well-being. Hotel Rwanda and The Emperor’s Club remind us of integrity, justice, and the cost of doing the right thing. Hotel Rwanda illuminates genocide and urges compassion. The Emperor’s Club also conveys the importance of character and legacy.
In The Breakfast Club and Don’t Look Up, we are treated to social commentary through humor or satire. The 1985-set The Breakfast Club explores the stereotypes that continue to divide and the humanity that unites us, while Don’t Look Up Up holds a mirror to society’s apathy, reminding us of the urgency of awareness.
Finally, Anthony Hopkins Silence of the Lambs and Leonardo de Caprio’s The Great Gatsby round out the list, diving into the depths of human complexity. Silence of the Lambs is chilling yet fascinating, revealing the fragility of the mind, while The Great Gatsby is a timeless critique of the American Dream, drenched in ambition and tragedy.
Compiling my top 20 [and my top 200 that I will soon feature] made me realize it’s not just about the big names or high-budget productions. These films serve as entertainment and guides, reminding us to see life’s grand and minute events with a lens of curiosity, compassion, and understanding. In the spirit of the Yuletide season, I hope these stories inspire joy, reflection, and connection as they celebrate our collective joy, grief, resilience, and dreams. Movies, after all, are far more than what they appear; they are expressions of a shared human experience.
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Doc H fondly describes himself as a “student of and for life” who, like many others, aspires to a life-giving and why-driven world grounded in social justice and the pursuit of happiness. His views do not necessarily reflect those of the institutions he is employed or connected with.
