Psycho was a 1960 American psychological horror film directed by Alfred Hitchcock. The movie is now considered to be Hitchcock's best film and has received immense praise from international film critics. In fact, it's actually been said to be one of the greatest films of all time. The film paved the way for setting a new level of violence, sexuality, and a new form of deviant behavior in American films. The movie is centered around a secretary who finds herself at a tucked-away hotel after robbing her employer. The story evolves into a gruesome journey over the quest for the stolen money and the secretary's ill endeavors. The film made $50 million at the box office, only having a budget of $806,947.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly was produced in 1966, directed by Sergio Leone and starring Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef, and Eli Wallach. The film is an Italian Spaghetti Western, a subgenre that developed by American and international critics to describe western films produced by Italians. Leone's film is best known for his use of long-shots and close-up cinematography. In addition, Leone employed new methods of displaying violence and intense gunfights. The plot tells the stories of three gunslingers fighting for a fortune of buried Confederate gold. The film takes place during the chaos of the American Civil War and highlights a variety of duels and battles on the way. It was a true financial success, making $25.1 million at the box office, working off a budget of $1.2 million. 

2001: A Space Odyssey was the first epic science fiction film of its time, produced by the famous director Stanley Kubrick. Kubrick’s intention was to make the film heavily centered around science. The space exploration displayed in the film is realistic, simulating a legitimate mission to space. This was something never seen before in previous films. The movie revolves around a voyage to Jupiter, after the crew discovers a mysterious black structure. The crew’s computer system began displaying strange messages, causing a debacle between the crew members and the trusted computer system, Hal. The film revolves around major themes, such as human evolution, artificial intelligence, and the thought of extraterrestrial life in space. The film hit theatres on April 3, 1968, and grossed a whopping $60 million despite a comparatively meager $12 million production budget.

Any film directed by David Lean and Sam Spiegel is bound to be successful, and their work on Lawrence of Arabia did not disappoint. It was inspired by the real-life character Thomas Edward Lawrence, telling the incredible tale of his experiences with the Ottoman Empire's provinces of Greater Syria and Hejaz during WWI. The film also depicts his attacks against Damascus, Aqaba as well as his engagements with the Arab National Council. The British epic historical drama has themes that include his emotional struggles with the violence of war, his own identity, and the shaky alliance he makes between Britain and Arabia. The film was released in 1962, and it earned a whopping $70 million in the box office. The fact that the budget was $15 million just goes to prove that David Lean is truly a legend.

Dr. Strangelove Or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb was directed, produced, and co-written by Stanley Kubrick. The story revolves around a US Air Force general who commands a first-strike nuclear attack against the Soviet Union. The president of the United States, his advisors, the Royal Air Force, and joint Chiefs of Staff then try to recall the bombers in an attempt to prevent a nuclear apocalypse. The film also shows separate scenes that revolve around the pilots as they try to follow their orders and bomb the Soviet Union.

Dr. Strangelove Or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb had prominent themes of Cold War satirization and sexual undertones. It was released on January 29, 1964 and earned $9.4 million in the box office across North America alone. With a budget of $1.8 million, that's not bad at all.

Sidney Arthur Lumet was born on June 25, 1924, and laid to rest on April 9, 2011. He was an American producer, director, and screenwriter who was able to create 50 successful films throughout his career. Some of the works that got him critical recognition were 12 Angry Men in 1957, Dog Day Afternoon in 1975, Network in 1976, The Verdict 1982 and The Prince of the City in 1981.

Lumet was one of the most significant and prolific filmmakers of the modern era. He consistently released more than one movie per year from his directorial debut in 1957. His dynamic storytelling, strong direction of actors, and social realism influenced many creatives that came after him.

He has received a lot of nominations from major award bodies, but it was his movie The Network, released in 1976, that won him the most accolades. This film received ten nominations and four Academy Awards.

Stanley Kubrick is an American Film Director, screenwriter, and producer born on July 26, 1928. As one of the most influential filmmakers in cinematic history, Kubrick's most famous work includes major Hollywood films like Spartacus, Paths of Glory, and The Killing. His films are mostly adaptations of short stories or novels that cover a plethora of genres. Kubrick is known for his dark humor, exquisite scientific realism, extensive set designs, unique cinematography and evocative use of background music.

Probably his best work is found in 2001: A Space Odyssey, which was released in 1968. The level of scientific realism and innovative special effects proved to be unprecedented by all the films released in its time. It also earned him his first and only Oscar for Best Visual Effects.

Born on July 7, 1901, Vittorio De Sica was an Italian actor, director, and a leading figure in the neorealist movement. Some of his notable works – like The Bicycle Thieves, Il Giardino Dei Finzi Contini, Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow, and The Sciuscià – won Academy Awards. His work on Bicycle Thieves and Sciuscià helped establish the permanent Best Foreign Film Award category at the Oscars. These two join are essential viewing within the classic cinema canon.