Image of the two main characters of La La Land. CC BY-SA 2.0 (No changes made)
Celebrating Iconic Films
Many major films are celebrating special anniversaries in 2026 and here are a few of the cult classics to celebrate.
One of the Most Heartbreaking Films: La La Land, (2016)
“La La Land,” the beloved modern musical, is celebrating its 10 anniversary this year. A musical featuring themes of comedy, drama and romance. It stars Ryan Gosling as a jazz pianist named Sebastian and Emma Stone as an aspiring actress named Mia. Both meet each other and fall in love while trying to pursue their dreams. This film contains themes of dreams vs. reality and the sacrifices of ambition vs love. “La La Land,” has 242 wins and 307 nominations. One of the most iconic Oscar involved “La La Land.” When the presenters accidently announced, “La La Land,” as the Best Picture winner, when the award was initially for “Moonlight.”
“They worship everything and they value nothing.” Sebastian Wilder, Ryan Gosling’s character, said in the film.
The Best of Films Combining Sacrifice and Ambition: The Devil Wears Prada, (2006)
“The Devil Wears Prada,” is turning 20 years old this year, and it is still as popular as ever. This movie is based off of the 2003 novel by Lauren Weisberger. The film follows Andy, played by Anne Hathaway, who dreams of being a journalist. Although once she gets a job at a fashion magazine, she finds herself intimidated by her cruel editor, Miranda Priestly, played by Meryl Streep. “The Devil Wears Prada,” was such a success in the box office, it earned $326.5 million worldwide. Currently they are working on a sequel to be released in May of this year. This film contains themes of ambition, personal identity and sacrifice. “The Devil Wears Prada,” has 21 wins and 53 nominations. The Oscars nominated Meryl Streep for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
“Florals? For Spring? Groundbreaking.” Miranda Priestly, Meryl Streep’s character, said in the film.
Scream, (1996)
The cult classic horror movie, “Scream,” is celebrating its 30 birthday this year in December. “Scream,” takes place in the fictional town of Woodsboro, California. It follows highschooler Sidney Prescott, played by Neve Campbell, and her group of friends. Eventually who become the target of an unknown masked killer. “Scream,” is one of the most well-known horror movies of all time and it made such a major impact on modern horror that nobody can deny it. The film has themes of deconstructing basic and overused horror tropes, trauma, revenge and identity. “Scream,” has 12 wins and 11 nominations with it winning the Best Horror Film at the 1997 Saturn Award.
“You should never say who is there, don’t you watch scary movies?” Ghostface, Roger L. Jackson’s character, said in the film.
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, (1986)
“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” is celebrating 40 years of life this year and it is just as lively as ever. The film follows Ferris Bueller, played by Matthew Broderick, a senior in high school and his fun-packed day of skipping school. “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” is one of those cult classics that everybody’s seen and quoted at least once. It has themes of freedom, individuality, appreciating the moment and breaking free from expectations. This film has 3 wins and one nomination, with Matthew Broderick getting nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical at the 1987 Golden Globes. The film contained many famous and motivating quotes.
“Life moves pretty fast. If you do not stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it,” Ferris Bueller, played by Matthew Broderick, said in the film..
Rocky, (1976)
“Rocky,” the start of the iconic boxing franchise, is celebrating its first film’s 50 birthday this year. “Rocky,” is about a small-time boxer from Philadelphia who decides to take on the reigning world heavyweight champion, Apollo Creed, played by Carl Weathers. Includes themes of perseverance, the underdog spirit and the American Dream. “Rocky,” has 23 wins and 23 nominations, with its most exciting win being the Best Picture winner at the 1977 Oscars.
“It ain’t about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward” Rocky Balboa, played by Sylvester Stallone, said in the film.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (1966)
“The Good, the Bad and the Ugly,” is an iconic staple in the Spaghetti Western genre of films with a highly praised original score. It follows three gunslingers, Blondie, (The Good,) Angel Eyes, (The Bad,) and Tuco, (The Ugly.) Its focuses on their race to find buried gold during the Civil War and it includes themes of greed, morality and the brutality of war. “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly,” has two wins and five nominations, with actor Clint Eastwood being nominated for Best Action Performance at the 1968 Laurel Awards.
“If you work for a living, why do you kill yourself working?” Tuco, played by Eli Wallach, said in the film.
Godzilla: King of the Monsters! (1956)
“Godzilla: King of the Monsters!” is turning 70 years old, and it is just as well-known as it was when it first came out. This film is the heavily edited American version of Japan’s 1954, “Gojira.” A reporter named Steve Martin played by, Raymond Burr witnesses a giant, prehistoric reptile awakened by atomic bomb testing, where it goes on a rampage in Tokyo. Along with this, it is a powerful allegory for nuclear fear and destruction, with Godzilla being a strong allegory for the atomic bomb. Following the allegory, there are themes of nuclear anxiety, the destructive potential of humanity and the trauma of atomic warfare. “Godzilla: King of the Monsters!” had one nomination for Best Movie to Watch at the Drive-In at the 2008 TV Land Awards.
“This is Tokyo. Once a city of six million people.” Steve Martin, played by Raymond Burr, said.
It’s a Wonderful Life, (1946)
“It’s a Wonderful Life,” is a quintessential holiday film and it is celebrating its 80 year of touching everyone’s hearts during the holidays. Surrounding a man named George Bailey, played by James Stewart, who sacrifices his dreams to help his hometown of Bedford Falls, but once Christmas Eve hits, he wishes he had never been born. Sensing his despair, George Bailey’s guardian angel shows him what the world would look like if he hadn’t been alive to help, revealing to him how important he is to his friends and family and how much he has impacted the lives of others. General themes include sacrifice, community, hope and the crucial value of each individual. “It’s a Wonderful Life,” has 11 wins and seven nominations, with five of the nominations being presented at the 1947 Oscars and its most exciting nomination at the 1947 Oscars for Best Picture.
“Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings.” Zuzu Bailey, played by Karolyn Grimes, said.
Sabotage, (1936)
“Sabotage,” is celebrating its 90 year and it is still considered an iconic Alfred Hitchcock film. Loosely based on the 1907 novel, The Secret Agent, by Joseph Conrad. This dark thriller is about a cinema owner living in London, who is secretly a terrorist saboteur. When he orders his brother-in-law to deliver a bomb in a film canister, heartbreak, suspense and tragedy hit. There are themes of terrorism, moral compromise and espionage. “Sabotage,” does not have any awards or nominations.
“We’re not comedians,” Vladimir, played by Oscar Homolka, said.
We’re Not Comedians, (1926)
“For Heaven’s Sake,” is almost a century old and it can still get laughs out of people. “For Heaven’s Sake,” is a silent comedy and it is the 12-highest-grossing film of the silent era. It follows a rich but irresponsible playboy who falls in love with a poor minister’s daughter and attempts to help her father’s downtown mission. Winning Best Picture of the Month at the Photoplay Awards and was nominated in 2006 for Best DVD Collection at the Saturn Awards. This film includes themes of redemption, love at first sight and community uplift. “For Heaven’s Sake,” has one win and one nomination.
