Epic movies are, by definition, the biggest films cinema has to offer. Their sheer scale doesn't always guarantee greatness, but there's an undeniable ambition behind every epic ever made. You can criticize a bloated runtime or a meandering plot, but you can't say these films were easy to produce. For every epic that stumbles, there are those that achieve true, awe-inspiring greatness.
Epics have been a staple of cinema for decades, and the last 80 years have produced staggering films on a grand scale. Sweeping dramas, massive war films, and grandiose biopics all have standout representatives from this period. While some favorites inevitably miss the cut, we can confidently declare these ten movies as the greatest epics of the last 80 years.
10. 'Dunkirk' (2017)
War movies are often epics by nature, and World War II has inspired some of the most powerful. Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk is an overwhelming visual and aural experience, much like his other epics. What sets it apart is how Nolan weaves a cumulative narrative through interlocking stories told over different timeframes. The film follows the real-life evacuation of Allied forces from Dunkirk, told from three perspectives: land, sea, and air. On land, soldier Tommy (Fionn Whitehead) endures German bombing over a week. At sea, civilian boat captain Dawson (Mark Rylance) heads into the fray over a day. In the air, pilot Farrier (Tom Hardy) engages in a daring dogfight over just one hour. It's a masterclass in tension and scale.
9. 'Malcolm X' (1992)
Spike Lee's Malcolm X is his most epic film, bringing the volatile life of the civil rights activist to the screen with fiery passion. Denzel Washington delivers a powerhouse performance that captures the spirit of his subject. The film chronicles Malcolm's life from crime and incarceration to his conversion to the Nation of Islam, pilgrimage to Mecca, and rise as a leader. Lee uses distinct visual styles for different eras and even shot actual location footage in Mecca. Despite controversy from production through release, it's an electric epic that doesn't sugarcoat Malcolm's complex legacy.
8. 'Schindler's List' (1993)
Steven Spielberg chronicles one of history's darkest chapters while showing the impact one person can have. Schindler's List was seen as a major evolution for Spielberg, who poured his passion into telling Oskar Schindler's story during the Holocaust as a tribute to his Jewish heritage. Schindler (Liam Neeson) starts as a Nazi industrialist seeking fortune, but after witnessing the Kraków Ghetto liquidation, he suffers a crisis of conscience and employs Jewish citizens to save them from concentration camps. Spielberg uses his skills to make the violence visceral without being exploitative, thrusting the Nazi genocide back into cultural conversation with devastating emotional force.
7. 'There Will Be Blood' (2007)
Paul Thomas Anderson's sweeping tale of American greed, There Will Be Blood, has no moral complexity in its protagonist. Oil monger Daniel Plainview, played by Daniel Day-Lewis in another Oscar-winning performance, is a villain—contemptible, manipulative, and driven by ambition. Yet he's frighteningly compelling. Plainview starts as a silver miner who sees a future in oil, setting about procuring land and clashing with a local preacher. It's a film about the corrosive nature of capitalism, anchored by Anderson's nuance and Day-Lewis's ability to make a vile man captivating.
6. 'Lawrence of Arabia' (1962)
David Lean's Lawrence of Arabia remains the gold standard for epic filmmaking. Peter O'Toole stars as T.E. Lawrence, a British officer who unites Arab tribes during World War I. The film's sweeping desert landscapes, stunning cinematography, and complex character study set a benchmark. It's a film about identity, war, and the folly of empire, all wrapped in a visually breathtaking package that still feels monumental today.
5. 'The Godfather Part II' (1974)
Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather Part II is both a sequel and a prequel, telling the story of a young Vito Corleone (Robert De Niro) and his son Michael (Al Pacino) as he consolidates power. It's a sprawling epic of family, crime, and the American Dream, with parallel narratives that enrich each other. The film won six Oscars, including Best Picture, and is often considered superior to the original for its depth and ambition.
4. 'Seven Samurai' (1954)
Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai is a foundational epic that influenced countless films. Set in 16th-century Japan, it follows a village of farmers who hire seven samurai to defend against bandits. The film's three-hour runtime is filled with action, character development, and themes of honor and sacrifice. Its structure and battle sequences have been copied endlessly, but nothing matches the original's power.
3. 'Gone with the Wind' (1939)
Though released just over 80 years ago, Gone with the Wind remains a towering epic. Set during the American Civil War and Reconstruction, it follows Scarlett O'Hara's struggle to survive and find love. Its sweeping romance, historical backdrop, and iconic performances make it a landmark. Despite its problematic portrayal of the Old South, its cinematic ambition is undeniable.
2. 'The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King' (2003)
Peter Jackson's The Return of the King is the culmination of the greatest fantasy epic ever filmed. It won 11 Oscars, including Best Picture, and features massive battles, emotional stakes, and a satisfying conclusion to Frodo's journey. The film's scale—from the Battle of Pelennor Fields to the destruction of the Ring—is breathtaking. It's a testament to what epic cinema can achieve when ambition meets execution.
1. 'Ben-Hur' (1959)
William Wyler's Ben-Hur is the ultimate epic. Its chariot race remains one of cinema's most thrilling sequences, and the film's story of betrayal, redemption, and faith is timeless. Starring Charlton Heston, it won 11 Oscars, a record tied only by Titanic and The Return of the King. Its scale, from the sea battle to the crucifixion, is unmatched. For sheer spectacle and emotional depth, Ben-Hur stands as the greatest epic of the last 80 years.
