10 Classic 1960s Movies That Were Ahead Of Their Time

The 1960s were a period of tumult and change across the world, and this was definitely echoed in iconic art that was created during the decade. From music, to fashion, to film and television, artists pushed the boundaries and limits of their disciplines by exploring controversial themes and experimenting with new techniques to comment on them, in the process.

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Among these, film was one of the most adventurous, with several projects from this decade inspiring the future generation of filmmakers. Several classic films of the 1960s have held up to today’s standards. In fact, many pioneered the method for much of modern film. For example, Stanley Kramer’s Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, discussed important societal issues of race and interracial relationships, while artistic French new wave movies like The Umbrella’s of Cherbourg, used technicolor and experimental cinematography to expand the visual capabilities of film. In these instances, these 1960s classics propelled cinema into a more open-minded and adventurous future.

10 Paris Blues (1961)

Directed By Martin Ritt

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Paris Blues ApprovedRomanceDramaMusic

Paris Blues, released in 1961, follows two American jazz musicians in Paris as they navigate the complexities of romance and ambition after encountering two American tourists. The film explores themes of love, identity, and the pull between personal relationships and professional aspirations in the vibrant Paris jazz scene.

Director Martin Ritt Release Date September 27, 1961 Writers Irene Kamp , Jack Sher Cast Joanne Woodward , Paul Newman , Sidney Poitier , Diahann Carroll , Louis Armstrong , Barbara Laage , André Luguet , Marie Versini , Serge Reggiani , Moustache , Aaron Bridgers , Guy Pedersen , Roger Blin , Hélène Dieudonné Runtime 98 minutes Expand

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Paris Blues is a classic film from the 1960s that delves into the complexities of relationships, love, and cultural differences in a poignant and thoughtful way. Martin Ritt’s film follows two expatriates, Ram (Paul Newman) and Eddie (Sidney Poitier), who are living in Paris to pursue their dreams of being jazz musicians. However, the two fall in love with American tourists who tempt them for their return to the United States. Paris Blues is a heartfelt story about the complications of romance in 1960s society.

For example, Eddie’s identity as a Black man makes the stakes of his return to the United States higher. In Paris, Eddie is treated with more freedom due to cultural differences. At the time of the film’s release, issues of race were often shied away from. Additionally, Ram and Eddie’s romances are rooted in realism, challenged by real problems and, at times, messy, while most romantic films up until this point were idealistic and dreamy. Not to mention, both leads deliver strong performances that stray from the theatrical style of many actors at the time.

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9 Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner (1967)

Directed By David Lean

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Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner ApprovedComedyDrama

Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner is a seminal film directed by Stanley Kramer, starring Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, and Sidney Poitier. It confronts the complex social dynamics of interracial marriage during the 1960s. The plot centers around a young interracial couple who face the challenge of gaining acceptance from their families. The film is recognized for its bold thematic exploration and performances amidst the civil rights movement.

Director Stanley Kramer Release Date December 12, 1967 Writers William Rose Cast Spencer Tracy , Sidney Poitier , Katharine Hepburn , Katharine Houghton , Cecil Kellaway , Beah Richards , Roy Glenn , Isabel Sanford Main Genre Comedy Runtime 108 Minutes Expand

Another career-defining Sidney Poitier film of the ’60s is, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner. In the film, Poitier plays John Prentice, a man who has fallen in love with Joey Drayton (Katharine Houghton), a white woman. Though the two are happily engaged, things become rocky for the couple when Joey’s parents aren’t supportive of the prospects of their interracial marriage.

Award Show	Award Title
Academy Awards	Best Actress (Katharine Hepburn)
Academy Awards	Best Original Screenplay
Academy Awards	Best Picture (Nominated)
BAFTA	Best Actor in a Leading Role (Spencer Tracy)
BAFTA	Best Actress in a Leading Role (Katharine Hepburn)

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Beyond its impressive cast, the subject of the film was considered taboo for its time, and highly controversial. Though much has changed over the years since its release, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner is, unfortunately, still reflective of the challenges interracial couples may face today. Though it is a romantic drama, David Lean’s award-winning film removes the rose-colored glasses of love and embraces the ugly, complicated, and messy parts of society and relationship dynamics. For these reasons, the film set the bedrock for many future films to make social commentary on sensitive subjects, advocating for progressive change.

8 Breakfast At Tiffany’s (1961)

Directed By Blake Edwards

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8/10 Breakfast at Tiffany’s pg-13ComedyDocumentaryDramaRomance

Breakfast at Tiffany’s is a romantic comedy film by director Blake Edwards and is based on Truman Capote’s 1958 novella. The 1961 film stars Buddy Ebsen, Audrey Hepburn, Patricia Neal, and George Peppard. The plot revolves around Holly Golightly as she falls in love and the trials and tribulations that come along with it. 

Director Blake Edwards Release Date October 6, 1961 Cast Audrey Hepburn , George Peppard , Patricia Neal , Buddy Ebsen , Martin Balsam , José Luis de Villalonga Studio(s) Paramount Pictures Distributor(s) Paramount Pictures Writers Truman Capote , George Axelrod Runtime 115minutes Expand

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Few classic heroines are more recognizable than Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Holly Golightly, one of Audrey Hepburn’s best movies. Today, she is iconified for her style influence of the little black dress, up-do, and dark shades. The 1961 film, based on Truman Capote’s best-selling novel, follows a young New York socialite with a troubled past, who falls in love with her new neighbor, Paul Varjack (George Peppard) when he moves into the building.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s is a product of its time (casting Mickey Rooney as Mr. Yunioshi), yet there are many aspects of the film that can be considered modern. Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard’s performances are grounded in realism, with all the sentimentality of a romance film, but portrayed subtlety. Even in times of duress, Holly Golightly strays from the overly melodramatic archetype of the female romantic lead. The film delves into risqué themes that were often shied away from in Hollywood, such as Holly and Paul being escorts and living Bohemian lifestyles full of infidelity and run-ins with the law.

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7 The Graduate (1967)

Directed By Mike Nicols

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7/10 The Graduate PGRomanceComedyDrama

In The Graduate, Dustin Hoffman stars as college student Benjamin Braddock, who becomes involved in an affair with an older woman, Mrs. Robinson, played by Anne Bancroft. The film explores themes of alienation and the generation gap in 1960s America, and features a memorable soundtrack by Simon & Garfunkel.

Director Mike Nichols Release Date December 21, 1967 Cast Dustin Hoffman , Katharine Ross , Murray Hamilton , Anne Bancroft , William Daniels Runtime 106 minutes Studio(s) United Artists Distributor(s) United Artists Writers Calder Willingham , Buck Henry Expand

The Graduate is another defining film of the decade that is still considered a modern classic today. Mike Nicol’s coming-of-age film tells the story of a recent college graduate, Benjamin Braddock (Dustin Hoffman), struggling to find his place in the real world. Along the way, he seeks comfort in the arms of an older woman, and then her daughter.

Related The Graduate: 10 Ways This Movie Inspired Filmmaking Forever

From the iconic Mrs. Robinson to Dustin Hoffman’s legendary performance, The Graduate left its mark on Hollywood, changing the filmmaking landscape.

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This film is a rare coming-of-age for the 1960s, focusing on the challenges of adolescence and adulthood that stem from societal pressures to be perfect. Though Benjamin is a college graduate with a bright future career-wise, he still feels lost. The iconic ending of The Graduate sticks to this theme, as Benjamin and his young bride settle back into their unsatisfying reality despite their union. Unlike many films about romance, The Graduate leaves audiences with the message that you cannot find fulfillment by jumping into a relationship. Its adult themes of infidelity and promiscuity are also rare for its time.

6 Rosemary’s Baby (1968)

Directed By Roman Polanski

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10/10 Rosemary’s Baby RHorrorDrama

Directed by Roman Polanski and starring Mia Farrow, Rosemary’s Baby chronicles the chilling tale of Rosemary Woodhouse, the wife of an actor who, after finding out she is pregnant, begins to suspect that her unborn child is something far more sinister than a normal baby. John Cassavetes, Ruth Gordon, Sidney Blackmer, and Maurice Evans also star. 

Director Roman Polanski Release Date June 12, 1968 Studio(s) Paramount Pictures Cast Ralph Bellamy , Mia Farrow , Sidney Blackmer , Ruth Gordon , John Cassavetes Runtime 137 minutes Distributor(s) Paramount Pictures Writers Roman Polanski Expand

Rosemary’s Baby is a genre-defining psychological thriller that made waves in the 60s for its incredible acting performances and demented plot line. This thriller is about a young couple who move into a new luxury apartment in New York. When the wife, Rosemary (Mia Farrow), falls pregnant, she begins to experience strange symptoms. Polanski’s film is still considered a classic because of Rosemary’s Baby‘s terrifying ending.

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Rosemary’s Baby is another instance of phenomenal acting that leans into realism. Perhaps this is what makes Rosemary’s gruesome fate scarier for audiences, as it is revealed that her baby is Satan. Mia Farrow’s performance as Rosemary is one of the most famous examples of acting in a thriller, and though the monster does not appear until the end, her breakdown over the unknown is haunting. Additionally, the film’s writing and stylistic cinematography are highly effective at developing tension as the film progresses. Today, Rosemary’s Baby inspires many horror films of modern day and remains a well-respected psychological thriller.

5 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

Directed By Stanley Kubrick

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10 8.2/10 2001: A Space Odyssey GAdventureMysterySci-Fi

2001: A Space Odyssey is one of Stanley Kubrick’s most well-known films. A science-fiction epic, the film tells the story of the journey of Discovery One, a spacecraft operated by a group of scientists, astronauts, and a sentient computer, on a mission to Jupiter to investigate a mysterious monolith. Considered one of the greatest films ever made, Kubrick combines sparse dialogue with the heavy use of scoring and ambiguous imagery to create something that eschews conventional filmmaking. 

Director Stanley Kubrick Release Date April 3, 1968 Cast Keir Dullea , Gary Lockwood , William Sylvester , Daniel Richter , Leonard Rossiter , Margaret Tyzack Runtime 149 minutes Studio(s) Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Distributor(s) Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Writers Stanley Kubrick , Arthur C. Clarke Expand
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Another genre-defining film of the 1960s is Stanley Kubrick’s, 2001: A Space Odyssey, which has inspired many science fiction films since. Full of twists and turns, it follows a group of space travelers who embark on a mission to discover a mysterious object found on the moon. However, their trip is riddled with challenges as they adventure deeper into the depths of unexplored space.

A piece of glass was made with a split down the center to create the effect of the “Stargate Portal” in which the astronaut, David Bowman, would enter the wormhole sequence of the film. This special effect went on to be used as VFX for other films after.

2001: A Space Odyssey is known for its deeply complex and complicated storyline, which asks larger questions about humanity itself. For a sci-fi film of its time, Kubrick’s film was ambitious due to its special effects, setting, cinematography, and detailed plot. The film was all the more impressive due to Kubrick’s accurate imagining of space, even though the U.S. had not traveled to the moon yet. With scenes like 2001‘s famous opening shot and the entrance to the wormhole, cinematography and advanced VFX were used on a scale that had not been done yet by a film of its kind.

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4 Lawrence Of Arabia (1962)

Directed By David Lean

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9.7/10 Lawrence of Arabia PGWarBiographyAdventureHistoryDrama

The 1962 epic Lawrence of Arabia is a historical movie based on the life of a real-life British officer who played a key role in the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire during World War I. Starring Peter O’Toole, Alec Guinness, and Anthony Quinn, the Oscar-winning film displays the man’s disillusionment with war and its politics.

Director David Lean Release Date December 11, 1962 Cast Alec Guinness , Omar Sharif , Peter O’Toole , Jack Hawkins , Anthony Quinn Runtime 228 minutes Main Genre Adventure Studio(s) Columbia Pictures Distributor(s) Columbia Pictures Writers Robert Bolt , Michael Wilson Expand

Another epic from this decade is Lawrence of Arabia, which was also considered a marvel for its time. David Lean’s film tells the story of T.E. Lawrence (Peter O’Toole), an English officer who helped assemble several Arab tribes to fight the Turkish during World War I. The film is highly regarded as one of the best epics in cinema and has inspired many films since its release.

Lawrence of Arabia was ahead of its time for a number of reasons, but mainly due to its technical genius. Besides its impressive cast and famous music score, the film pushed boundaries with its sweeping landscapes, impressive shots, and attention to visual detail. In fact, it was the first time a film used a 70mm camera to achieve large-scale visuals and establish location shots. Since then, epics have taken inspiration from Lawrence of Arabia’s visually stunning cinematography and set design.

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3 The Sound Of Music (1965)

Directed By Robert Wise

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The Sound of Music GDramaMusical

The Sound of Music is a musical movie adaptation of the stage play from 1959, which tells the story of the Trapp Family Singers. The classic 1965 musical follows Maria, a young woman who becomes the governess for a family of seven children in Austria just before World War II. It features beloved songs such as “Do-Re-Mi” and “My Favorite Things”.

Director Robert Wise Release Date March 2, 1965 Cast Julie Andrews , Christopher Plummer , Richard Haydn , Peggy Wood , Charmian Carr , Elanor Parker Runtime 174 minutes Studio(s) 20th Century Distributor(s) 20th Century Writers Ernest Lehman , Howard Lindsay , Russel Crouse Expand

The Sound of Music is considered an epic in the world of musical theater, and Robert Wise’s 1965 screen adaptation made sure to do the stage production justice. The Sound of Music follows the true story of Maria Von Trapp (Julie Andrews), as she becomes a governess to the wealthy Von Trapp family in Saltzburg. Unfortunately, things become dangerous for the family when Hitler seizes control of Austria.

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The Sound of Music has stood the test of time as one of the best musicals. Overall, the story of the film delves into much darker topics than many lighthearted musical movies, embracing both the joys and challenges of the real-life family. Additionally, the technicolor visuals in The Sound of Music are an impressive feat in cinema. Similar to Lawrence of Arabia, wide shots show off the stunning landscapes of Saltzburg. For example, the opening overhead shot of Maria in the hills of Saltzburg was a visual spectacle not often used in films till that point.

2 The Umbrellas Of Cherbourg (1964)

Directed by Jacques Demy

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The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, is another notable movie musical from the 1960s. However, French New Wave director, Jacques Demy, decided to stray from the traditional musicals of its time and took a more experimental approach. In this film, a young woman living in Cherbourg, Genevieve (Catherine Deneuve), must make a difficult decision when she falls pregnant as her lover leaves for war.

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Though the film is known for its cheery color and gorgeous visuals, the storyline of The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, is much more serious. Subject-wise, the film was controversial for its depiction of teenage pregnancy, abortion, and premarital relations.The Umbrellas of Cherbourg can also be considered a piece of feminist thought, showing the difficulties of both mother and daughter as single women in a conservative, male-led society. The film is also groundbreaking for its highly stylized and creative cinematography, attention to color palettes, and experimental soundtrack.

1 Daisies (1966)

Directed By Věra Chytilová

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Daisies is a highly influential experimental film created by Věra Chytilová. The film, which lives in a space between surrealism and fantasy, tells the story of two young Czech girls who decide to rebel against their restrictive, conservative society by embarking on a set of pranks and mischief.

Similar to The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, Daisies is also dreamlike in its colorful set design, cinematography, and costuming. Notably, the two leads, known as “The Marias” (Ivana Karbanová and Jitka Cerhová), are dressed as marionette dolls in several scenes, signifying that as girls they often feel like dolls being controlled by others. Chytilová’s film is openly feminist, challenging the conventions of traditional cinema by allowing its female leads to behave poorly and with complete freedom. Today, the echoes of Daisies can be found in many modern films.

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