27 Classic Movies That Turn 50 Years Old This Year

Quick, can you think of your favorite movie from 1968? There were so many big hits that year. Can you believe all of the movies released in 1968 are turning 50 this year? We can't believe that it has been 50 years since Barbara Streisand graced us in Funny Girl, scientists went to space in 2001: A Space Odyssey or the first Planet of the Apes came out. Here is a list of many great films that turn 50 this year. How many of these movies have you seen? Which ones did you manage to see in the theater? 1. 2001: A Space Odyssey This science fiction film is considered one of the most influential movies of all time. It is about a group of scientists trying to go to Jupiter and how a computer on board starts taking over. This movie was truly ahead of its time. 2. Barbarella Another sci-fi movie from this year was Barbarella. Many consider it to be so bad it is good. It stars Jane Fonda as an astronaut from the 41st century. If you want a laugh, check out this movie. 3. Bullitt Steve McQueen was a hunk in these days. He was in Bullitt, which was a police thriller that put his character against the mob. It has one of the best chase scenes ever. Do you remember it? 4. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang A classic, but not as well known Disney movie. Dick Van Dyke stars in this film where he plays an inventor who turns a broken down car into a fancy vehicle for his kids and they go on a magical, musical adventure together. 5. Funny Girl After Funny Girl was a hit on Broadway, Barbara Streisand returned to play her famous role in a movie. She won an Oscar for her performance as Fanny Brice. 6. The Lion in Winter Katharine Hepburn tied with Barbara Streisand, winning an Oscar for her role in The Lion in Winter. This was a historical drama about Britain's King Henry II and his imprisoned wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine. Anthony Hopkins also starred in this movie and it was his first major role. 7. Night of the Living Dead If you are a fan of horror movies, you have to watch this classic. At the time, it was scary and gory, but these days it seems kind of funny. However, horror fans really loved this movie and it won several awards. 8. The Odd Couple This movie has been remade, but the original odd couple was Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon. The film was based on a play and follows two friends who try to live together but are as different as they can possibly be. Hilarious antics ensue. Read onto the NEXT page for more comedies, dramas, and horror movies from 1968! 9. Oliver! Fun fact: this was the only G-rated movie to win Best Picture at the Oscars. It was a family-friendly musical about a group of orphans in London. 10. Once Upon a Time in the West If you love Westerns, you've probably seen this movie. Henry Fonda, who generally played hero roles, was actually the villain in this movie about a mysterious man who joined forces with a desperado to protect a damsel in distress. 11. Planet of the Apes There have been many new versions of this movie, where primates rule the world, but some prefer the original. 12. The Producers This film by Mel Brooks was actually not very well received when it first came out. It was one movie that got more popular as time went on and even had a remake done later on. There is also a Broadway play based on this movie about Broadway producers trying to put on a flop and keep the money for themselves. 13. Romeo and Juliet A movie based on this famous Shakespeare play was released 50 years ago. This version starred Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting. 14. Rosemary's Baby If you're a horror fan, you know this movie very well too. Rosemary's Baby was a terrifying movie about a woman who was raped by a demon and becomes pregnant. Yikes, this is still one of the scariest movies around. 15. The Thomas Crown Affair This was another popular Steve McQueen movie where he played a businessman involved in the heist of a Boston bank. 16. Charly Cliff Robertson plays Charly, a disabled man who joins a radical medical experiment which turns him into a genius. 17. Faces This drama was about a married couple who splits up and starts dating people much younger. Naturally, drama ensues. Have we gotten to your favorite yet? Keep reading on the NEXT page... 18. Flesh This artsy drama is about a heroin junkie who turns to prostitution to support his wife's addiction. Dark stuff, but this movie won an award during its time. 19. If... This movie has a strange title, but it is about a rebellious teen who starts a revolution of change in his English public school. This was one of those artsy dramas. 20. Petulia This drama romance film was based on a novel. It is about a recently divorced doctor who falls for a socialite stuck in an abusive relationship and they must figure out how to proceed. 21. Pretty Poison This crime comedy is about a mentally disturbed man who convinces a pretty young cheerleader that she is a secret agent. They go off and commit crimes together. 22. Rachel, Rachel This film is based on a 1966 novel called "A Jest of God" about a spinster living with her widowed mother. When a man from her past returns, she has a lot of decisions to make. 23. The Swimmer This movie starring Burt Lancaster is about a man who spends one day swimming in various pools in his neighborhood. His neighborhood interactions end up telling his life story. Keep reading for more amazing movies that turn 50 this year! 24. Targets This horror film is about a psychotic Vietnam War veteran who goes on a killing spree. The tagline was horrifying: "TARGETS are people...and you could be one of them!" 25. Yellow Submarine In this animated movie about the Beatles, the make-believe city of Pepperland is attacked by the Blue Meanies who hate music and the Beatles must save the day. 26. The Love Bug If you love the iconic Volkswagen Beetle, you've probably seen this movie. This Bug has a mind of its own and becomes a race car champion. 27. Hang 'Em High This Clint Eastwood classic is about an innocent man who almost gets lynched and then returns to seek revenge. Which movies are your favorites on this list? Can you believe all of these movies turn 50 years old this year? If you enjoyed this article, please SHARE with your friends who love movies!