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One film from each

If you only ever watch one film from a franchise, watch this one. Eight picks that need nothing before them and resolve on their own.

8 picks · 17h 37m in total

Most franchise recommendations assume you are signing up for the whole thing. This one assumes the opposite.

Every film here has two properties: it requires nothing you have not seen, and it finishes. You can watch any of them tonight, know nothing about the surrounding series, and come away with a complete film.

  1. 01

    Guardians of the Galaxy

    2014 · 2h 1m · MCU

    The only MCU film that needs nothing before it. New characters, new corner of the galaxy, self-contained ending.

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  2. 02

    The Dark Knight

    2008 · 2h 32m · DC

    Works without Batman Begins. Most people saw it that way and it did not hurt them.

    Open
  3. 03

    Star Wars: A New Hope

    1977 · 2h 1m · Star Wars

    Designed as a standalone in 1977, because nobody was certain there would be more. It still ends like one.

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  4. 04

    Alien

    1979 · 1h 57m · Alien

    A haunted-house film on a spaceship. Everything after it is optional and most of it contradicts something.

    Open
  5. 05

    Mad Max: Fury Road

    2015 · 2h 0m · Mad Max

    Two hours of one chase, with no assumed knowledge whatsoever. The best action film of the century by common agreement.

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  6. 06

    Raiders of the Lost Ark

    1981 · 1h 55m · Indiana Jones

    Complete in itself, and the sequels never surpass it. If you watch one adventure film, this is the one.

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  7. 07

    The Matrix

    1999 · 2h 16m · The Matrix

    Resolves entirely. The sequels reopen a story that had shut cleanly.

    Open
  8. 08

    The Godfather

    1972 · 2h 55m · The Godfather

    Part II is the better film to some, but the first is the one that stands alone. Three hours, no prerequisites.

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