Three Days of the Condor (1975), directed by Sydney Pollack, is a taut political thriller that keeps you on edge. Robert Redford delivers a stellar performance as Joe Turner, a CIA researcher thrust into a deadly conspiracy after his team is murdered.
Lethal Weapon 4 (1998), directed by Richard Donner, sends Riggs and Murtaugh against a Chinese crime lord who smuggles families into the country and uses them as slave labour. Mel Gibson plays Riggs, now facing fatherhood. Danny Glover plays Murtaugh, still too old for this.
Madagascar (2005), directed by Eric Darnell and Tom McGrath, is an animated film about four zoo animals who escape from New York and wash up on the island of Madagascar. Ben Stiller voices Alex the lion, a pampered star of the Central Park Zoo who has never seen the wild.
Jason Bourne (2016), directed by Paul Greengrass, brings back the lost agent. Matt Damon plays Bourne with hard eyes and quick fists. He fights in crowds and dark streets.
Lethal Weapon 3 (1992), directed by Richard Donner, follows Riggs and Murtaugh as they chase a former police officer who steals confiscated weapons and sells them on the streets. Mel Gibson plays Riggs, who meets his match in a tough internal affairs sergeant.
Lethal Weapon 2 (1989), directed by Richard Donner, sends Riggs and Murtaugh against South African diplomats who use their immunity to run a drug operation in Los Angeles. Mel Gibson plays Riggs, now steadier but still willing to cross any line.
The Incredibles (2004), directed by Brad Bird, shows a family of superheroes forced to hide. Craig T. Nelson voices Bob Parr, Mr Incredible, a strong dad who misses action. Holly Hunter acts as Helen, Elastigirl, who bends to keep kin safe.
Lethal Weapon (1987), directed by Richard Donner, pairs two Los Angeles police detectives who could not be more different. Mel Gibson plays Martin Riggs, a suicidal narcotics officer with nothing left to lose. Danny Glover plays Roger Murtaugh, a family man counting the days to retirement.
Schindler's List (1993), directed by Steven Spielberg, tells the true story of Oskar Schindler. He saves Jews from death camps in World War II. Liam Neeson plays Schindler with charm that turns to steel.
The Matrix (1999), directed by the Wachowskis, follows Thomas Anderson, a hacker called Neo. Keanu Reeves plays Neo with calm doubt that turns to power.
Dances with Wolves (1990), directed by Kevin Costner, follows Lieutenant John Dunbar. He joins the US Army on the frontier. Costner plays Dunbar with quiet resolve. He builds a post alone. Then he meets Sioux people.
A Beautiful Mind (2001), directed by Ron Howard, tells the life of John Nash, a gifted mathematician. Russell Crowe plays Nash with sharp mind and odd ways. He cracks codes and sees patterns.
Gladiator (2000), directed by Ridley Scott, follows Maximus, a Roman general betrayed and sold as a slave. Russell Crowe plays Maximus with fire and grief. He fights in the arena to seek justice.
The Pianist (2002), directed by Roman Polanski, tells the true story of Władysław Szpilman, a Jewish pianist in Warsaw during World War II. Adrien Brody plays Szpilman with thin hope and quiet skill.
The Green Mile (1999), directed by Frank Darabont, is based on the novel by Stephen King. Tom Hanks plays Paul Edgecomb, a death row prison guard in Louisiana during the 1930s. His life changes when a new prisoner arrives with a strange and gentle gift.
Saving Private Ryan (1998), directed by Steven Spielberg, opens with the D-Day landing on Omaha Beach. The camera shakes. Bullets hit sand and men. Blood colours the sea.
The Passion of the Christ (2004), directed by Mel Gibson, shows the last twelve hours of Jesus Christ's life. Jim Caviezel plays Jesus with deep feeling. He brings out the pain and strength in the role.
The Last Castle (2001), directed by Rod Lurie, is a gripping prison drama that blends intense character-driven storytelling with themes of honour and defiance.
Braveheart (1995), directed by Mel Gibson, tells the story of William Wallace, a Scottish fighter who leads his people against English rule in the late 13th century AD.
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003), directed by Peter Jackson, ends the epic tale of Frodo and the One Ring. Elijah Wood plays Frodo with growing weariness as the ring weighs on him.
Lost in Translation (2003), directed by Sofia Coppola, follows two Americans stranded in a Tokyo hotel. Bill Murray plays Bob Harris, an ageing film star shooting a whisky advert. Scarlett Johansson plays Charlotte, a young woman left alone while her husband works.
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002), directed by Peter Jackson, splits the fellowship and builds the war against evil. Elijah Wood plays Frodo as the ring pulls him down.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), directed by Peter Jackson, starts the great journey. Elijah Wood plays Frodo, a small hobbit with a big task.
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003), directed by Peter Weir, follows a British warship as it hunts a French vessel across the Atlantic and around South America during the Napoleonic Wars. Russell Crowe plays Captain Jack Aubrey, a born leader who will chase his enemy to the edge of the world.
The Shawshank Redemption (1994), directed by Frank Darabont, tells the story of Andy Dufresne, a banker sent to prison for a crime he did not commit.