Not many genres have built a legacy as strong as the society. Since the 1980’s, stories of societies have often made for engaging movies. Whether it’s poetry professors, magical teachers or fight club organizers, the genre has created several characters. Given the massive number of movies in the genre, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films about societies that deserve to be celebrated.
1. Dead Poets Society
Teachers are inspiring figures that shaped my identity. I remember forming a strong bond with an English teacher that inspired me to become a famous writer. I grew up to cherish an English teacher that made me believe that there was nothing in the entire world that I couldn’t accomplish. His inspirational words of wisdom motivated me to pursue my dreams of film criticism. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the big roles that poetic teachers in societies play shaping students’ identity as powerfully as “Dead Poets Society”. Ever since its release in 1989, Peter Weir’s movie has stood the test of time as the greatest film ever made about secret societies. With the greatest film of his career, Weir used innovative cinematic techniques to capture poetic professors about whom students care. Weir has often had an aptitude for making engaging movies about secretive societies under pressure, and “Dead Poets Society” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. For instance, the “O Captain My Captain” scene in which Keating bids farewell towards his students standing atop chairs in a classroom with nostalgia is one of the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an great role by Robin Williams, who proved how great of an actor he once was before he tragically passed away. Ultimately, what makes “Dead Poets Society” my favourite film about societies of all-time is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies made during the 1980’s which are often outdated today, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about education which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 40 years after the release of a classic film about poetic teachers that play a pivotal role in the lives of students inspired to seize the day, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre making films about societies which deserve to be celebrated today.
2. The Breakfast Club
High school shaped my identity. I recall fond memories of attending a high school that put me under pressure. Being a shy teenager, I couldn’t ever fit in with any group in school. I was often denied the privilege of entering into school societies causing anxiety. As someone treasuring fond memories of a club in high school, I adored “The Breakfast Club”. Released in 1985, John Hughes’ movie captured teenagers forming secret school societies. Hughes is one of those filmmakers that always had an aptitude for capturing lives of teachers, and his strengths are evident in “The Breakfast Club”. For instance, the scene in which the five teenagers sit together in a circle sharing their views on teachers is one of the greatest moments of the coming-of-age genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Judd Nelson, who created one of the most iconic teen characters in cinematic history. Ultimately, what makes “The Breakfast Club” a classic is its universal appeal. Despite capturing the 1980’s, its themes resonate with adolescents today. It delivers a bold message about adolescence which would resonate with everyone. A bold portrait of adolescence, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that manufactured memorable movies earning audience.
3. Fight Club
Anxiety has shaped my personality. As far as I remember, I have always been an anxious person under intense pressure. This anxiety first began in high school when I faced painful pressure to succeed in a class that was cruel. No matter how hard I tried, I could never cope with anxiety that left me terrified. As someone that has faced anxiety causing adversity, I adored “Fight Club”. Released in 1999, David Fincher’s movie depicted the lives of terrorists forming fight club societies. Fincher used captivating voice-over narration to capture the mind of a psychopathic criminal forming a fight club organization. or instance, the scene in which Tyler Durden first creates the fight club causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Edward Norton, who embodied a disturbed member of a secret society. Ultimately, what makes “Fight Club” a timeless classic is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about the importance of mental health which would resonate with everyone. Unlike most David Fincher movies, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. As precious as fight clubs Tyler Durden seeks to create, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured unforgettable movies about secret societies which audiences always appreciate.
4. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Harry Potter is a magical franchise that has shaped my identity. The story about misunderstood boys who lived has always been a pivotal part of my childhood. I recall memories of reading J.K. Rowling’s book series during my childhood that shaped my identity. Societies have always been a recurring theme throughout the spellbinding series, and they are most evident in the fifth film “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix”. Released in 2007, David Yates’ movie offered a beautiful adaptation of the fifth Harry Potter book about societies. Yates used captivating montages capturing a group of teenagers forming magical societies to battle teachers that are frightening. For instance, the scene in which Harry first comes up with the idea for Dumbledore’s Army is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is Daniel Radcliffe, who embodied a magical wizard forming a secret society. Ultimately, what makes “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” a masterpiece is its appeal. Unlike most movies in the franchise, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about teamwork which would resonate with everyone. A beautiful adaptation of a book about wizards that are magical, it’s a breathtaking reminder about a genre manufacturing memorable movies audiences consider extremely special.
5. The Matrix
The Matrix is a spectacular science-fiction film that impressed my teacher. Several years ago, my teacher was once a huge fan of Neo. Fond of Morpheus, he would always love to discuss a great science-fiction film that he considered to be precious. Secret societies have always played a pivotal role in the Matrix franchise, and they are most evident in the first movie “The Matrix”. Released in 1999, the Wachowskis’ movie offered a powerful portrait of secret science-fiction societies. The Wachowskis effectively used unreliable narration capturing the journey of a hero joining a mysterious Matrix organization. For instance, the scene in which Neo is first recruited into the Matrix by Morpheus causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Laurence Fishburne, who embodied the leader of a secret Matrix organization. Ultimately, what makes “The Matrix” a science-fiction classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most science-fiction films, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about teamwork which would resonate with everyone. As bold as the red pill, it’s a great reminder of a genre making unforgettable movies that commonly thrill.
6. Batman Begins
Few superheroes have gained a fan following as huge as Batman. With his intimidating presence, strong gadgetry and powerful authority, Batman has built a lasting legacy. Secret societies have often played a pivotal role in the superhero’s identity. In 2005, Christopher Nolan honoured the iconic comic-book hero in his movie “Batman Begins”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Batman Begins” stand out is its depiction of terrorist societies. Nolan uses captivating flashbacks capturing the journey of a hero discovering secret societies that are frightening. Assisted by Christian Bale who is extraordinary in the lead role, Nolan honoured Batman’s commemorated legacy. A captivating tribute towards the caped crusader, it’s a compelling reminder of a commemorated genre manufacturing great movies which audiences treasure.
7. Eyes Wide Shut
Few filmmakers in Hollywood have built a legacy that’s as iconic as Stanley Kubrick. Since his rise to fame in the 1970’s, Kubrick built a huge fan following. Secret societies have often played a pivotal role in Kubrick’s movies, and they are clearly evident in “Eyes Wide Shut”. Released in 1999, Kubrick’s most provocative movie captured the formation of a sexual secret society. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Eyes Wide Shut” stand out is its depiction of sexual societies. Kubrick used captivating symbolism capturing a man joining a secret sexual organization. Assisted by Tom Cruise who is extraordinary in the lead role, Kubrick created a drama that’s engaging. A powerful portrait of infidelity causing couples keeping eyes wide shut to face demise, it’s a bold reminder of a genre making movies audiences prize.
8. The Hunger Games
The Hunger Games is a legendary book about secret societies that people treasure. Since its publication in 2008, Suzanne Collins’ book has earned a huge fan following. In 2012, Gary Ross honoured the book about competitive games in his movie “The Hunger Games”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “The Hunger Games” stand out is its feminist point-of-view. Ross uses captivating montages capturing an impoverished girl facing games that are frightening. Assisted by Jennifer Lawrence who is amazing in the lead role, Ross created a captivating adaptation of a celebrated book about secret societies. As strong as Katniss’ desire to become a feminist hero, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured unforgettable movies about secretive societies which always give audiences dreams to commonly follow.
9. Judas and the Black Messiah
Fred Hampton is a legendary African-American politician that formed secret societies. During the 1960’s, Hampton was an African-American social activist that fought racism. In 2021, Shaka King honoured the iconic leader that changed America in his movie “Judas and the Black Messiah”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Judas and the Black Messiah” stand out is its depiction of racism. King uses captivating montages capturing hardships that a black political leader during the segregation era was facing. Assisted by Daniel Kaluuya who is sensational in the lead role, King honoured an iconic leader in America. 60 years after Fred Hampton became a political leader that changed America, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre manufactured great movies about societies attracting audiences towards Cinema.
10. Mission: Impossible
Few movies ever made about secret societies seeking to accomplish an impossible mission are as beloved as “Mission: Impossible”. Released in 1996, Brian De Palma’s movie captured secret mission societies. De Palma used montages capturing hardships a spy on an impossible mission is facing. Assisted by Tom Cruise who is exceptional in the lead role, De Palma created an espionage blockbuster that’s engaging. Although I admired the movie, it has aged poorly. The film’s depiction of spy societies mistreating members causing adversity has tarnished its legacy. Nevertheless, it’s a strong addition to the genre. As strong as missions Ethan Hunt seeks to accomplish, it’s a powerful reminder of a genre making memorable movies about societies which I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong love of filmmaking that I always cherish.
The Film Buff 