It’s no mistake that most of these are big budget action and/or science fiction films, and that’s because those are the kind that take a step above and beyond with visual effects and more. But of course there are some classics that also have to be mentioned as groundbreakers in their respective genres.
These movies are judged as being ahead of their time primarily because of their technical and visual effects achievements. Most of these became the staple for referencing great visual effects after they came out. It’s not necessarily that their subject matter or content was not accepted until years later.
10. Psycho (1960)
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock
This film set the standard for every horror thriller to come after 1960. It defined the genre and has since become an unforgettable horror classic. It shocked people with its chocolate blood and still scares the living daylights out of many today.
9. Jaws (1975)
Directed by Steven Spielberg
Starring a giant mechanical shark, it was one of the first films to really become a blockbuster in Hollywood history. Although when you think about this nowadays, it’s not that amazing, but back in 1975, you’d be so scared that you wouldn’t even go swimming. That’s the power of a good movie that’s so ahead of its time it becomes real to everyone who watches it.
8. Star Wars (1977)
Directed by George Lucas
No one ever imagined anything like that was capable back in 1977. I’m sure everyone has seen the many “the making of” featurettes showing their use of miniatures and other incredible gimmicks. I mean, this was 1977, and the technical achievements they pulled off are even amazing today. It’s fucking Star Wars, dude!
7. Tron (1982)
Directed by Steven Lisberger
It’s been constantly referred to as the first CGI film that set the standard for all future CGI movies to come. For 1982, what they were able to do and the funky graphical backgrounds were an incredible visual achievement. If you’re a geek by any means, this movie is a staple in your collection guaranteed.
6. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
Directed by James Cameron
Timeless visual effects that stand up to even today’s standards. For being able to not only make a completely smooth shape-shifting metallic robot (that kicks some serious ass) as well as having everyone believe Arnold really was the Terminator, they did a hell of job of setting the visual effects standards for many years to come.
5. Jurassic Park (1993)
Directed by Steven Spielberg
Who would’ve thought you could’ve created dinosaurs that looked that lifelike back in 1993? Even using the animatronics system that they did, this was a far step ahead of anything at the time. Then the stories surrounding how horrifically real the dinosaurs were fueled its popularity even more. And the best part is that they look better in this movie than in any more recent CGI creations.
4. The Fifth Element (1997)
Directed by Luc Besson
Sure many may argue against this (calling it cheap) but I’ll stand by my belief that it’s very futuristic visual effects were seamless and much more advanced than anything otherwise seen in any other movie in 1997. Nothing has ever topped that taxicab chase sequence throughout the future city—it looked flawless then and looks flawless now.
3. Starship Troopers (1997)
Directed by Paul Verhoeven
The bugs in this movie are even better looking than plenty of current day films. Ten years later and the visual effects in “Starship Troopers” are still some of the best around in comparison.
2. The Matrix (1999)
Directed by The Wachowski Brothers
Groundbreaking and revolutionary—I don't think I need to mention how much this film changed the cinematic world after its release, as everyone knows that story by heart. I’m sure this one will still be referred to as visually better than most films even years down the road, too.
1. Metropolis (1927)
Directed by Fritz Lang
This film has become the reference for nearly every science fiction film ever made. Despite being silent and set to music, you can pick up and watch this movie at any time and still be amazed by it. “Metropolis” was many, many years ahead of its time, and coincidentally is set many, many years ahead of its time.
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