Best Epic Movies

Last updated: September 11, 2024

From sweeping romantic sagas to unforgettable adventures like Lawrence of Arabia, some movies were just made for the big screen. But that doesn't mean you can't enjoy them at home, too. These memorable titles have defined eras of filmmaking and inspired many movie lovers (and movie makers). And who knows? Some might even lead to some great family discussions. For more exciting movies, try our favorite Sci-Fi Movies or our list of the Best Action Movies for Kids.

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Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope Poster: A collage of the major characters

MOVIE

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope

age 8+

Strong sci-fi violence, threat in George Lucas classic.

May 25, 1977 1977 PG (121 minutes)

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Star Wars: Episode VI - The Return of the Jedi movie poster: Silhouettes of Luke and Darth Vader dueling, with images of other characters around them

MOVIE

Star Wars: Episode VI - The Return of the Jedi

age 8+

Sci-fi violence, peril, deaths in Ewok-filled installment.

May 25, 1983 1983 PG (135 minutes)

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The Great Escape Poster Image

MOVIE

The Great Escape

age 8+

An exceptional story about teamwork.

July 4, 1963 1963 NR (172 minutes)

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Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back movie poster

MOVIE

Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back

age 9+

Intense sci-fi violence, emotional turmoil in great sequel.

May 21, 1980 1980 PG (124 minutes)

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The Ten Commandments Poster Image

MOVIE

The Ten Commandments

age 9+

Stirring, even if it's as much showbiz as Bible.

October 5, 1956 1956 G (219 minutes)

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Exodus movie poster: A drawing of hands emerging out of flames holding a rifle

MOVIE

Exodus

age 10+

Contentious historical epic on the founding of Israel.

December 15, 1960 1960 NR (208 minutes)

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Apollo 13 movie poster: Grainy close-up on Tom Hanks in an astronaut suit

MOVIE

Apollo 13

age 11+

Thrilling, heartwarming, scary, and superb.

June 30, 1995 1995 PG (140 minutes)

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Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark Poster Image

MOVIE

Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark

age 11+

Indy's first raucous adventure has peril, stereotypes.

June 12, 1981 1981 PG (115 minutes)

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Jodhaa Akbar movie poster: Headshots of the two lead characters, the Mughal emperor Akbar and the Rajput princess Jodhaa, hovering over a battleground with people on horses.

MOVIE

Jodhaa Akbar

age 11+

Bollywood epic promotes religious harmony; violent battles.

February 15, 2008 2008 NR (214 minutes)

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Mulan (2020) Poster Image

MOVIE

Mulan (2020)

age 11+

Martial arts epic is more intense, violent than original.

November 10, 2020 2020 PG-13 (115 minutes)

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Samson and Delilah movie poster: a woman with dark hair holds a dagger to a sleeping man's head to cut off his hair

MOVIE

Samson and Delilah

age 11+

1940s biblical epic has violence toward humans and animals.

December 21, 1949 1949 NR (134 minutes)

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The Bridge on the River Kwai Poster Image

MOVIE

The Bridge on the River Kwai

age 11+

Epic of WWII honor and sacrifice gone haywire.

December 18, 1957 1957 PG (161 minutes)

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The Duellists movie poster

MOVIE

The Duellists

age 11+

19th-century period drama has swordplay, guns, blood.

January 13, 1978 1978 PG (100 minutes)

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The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Poster Image

MOVIE

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

age 11+

Epic book adaptation is fabulous but also violent and scary.

December 19, 2001 2001 PG-13 (208 minutes)

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The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Poster Image

MOVIE

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

age 11+

Epic conclusion to fantasy trilogy, but very violent.

December 19, 2003 2003 PG-13 (200 minutes)

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The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Poster Image

MOVIE

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

age 11+

Outstanding adventure, but very violent battle scenes.

December 18, 2002 2002 PG-13 (179 minutes)

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2001: A Space Odyssey Poster Image

MOVIE

2001: A Space Odyssey

age 12+

Kubrick's sci-fi masterpiece is still relevant.

April 6, 1968 1968 G (141 minutes)

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An image of the bottom half of a person wearing black trousers and boots, with a hand holding a gun pointed towards the floor against a white background on the poster for Barry Lyndon.

MOVIE

Barry Lyndon

age 12+

Kubrick's epic adaptation has violence, nudity, drinking.

December 18, 1975 1975 PG (185 minutes)

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Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Poster Image

MOVIE

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

age 12+

Magical, award-winning martial arts fairy tale.

December 22, 2000 2000 PG-13 (120 minutes)

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Gandhi Poster Image

MOVIE

Gandhi

age 12+

Brilliant biopic engages, educates, and inspires.

December 8, 1982 1982 PG (190 minutes)

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