Pulp Fiction (1994)

It’s rare to honestly say that a single work changed an artform, but Pulp Fiction’s journey from indie film to commercial hit really impacted how the industry viewed independent cinema. Thirty years later, Quentin Tarantino’s crime drama frequently appears on lists of the best films ever made, and for good reason. Pulp Fiction is violent, hilarious, and, when it chooses to be, profound. Its non-linear storytelling and dialogue-heavy screenplay may sound confusing or tiring, but in the hands of a masterful writer and director—plus a star-studded cast—each word, action, and shot is compelling.

The film that elevated Quentin Tarantino to a household name, Pulp Fiction remains one of Hollywood's most compelling crime thrillers over three decades later. The narrative's ability to shift focus could be confusing in lesser hands, but a game cast elevates a tightly constructed (and Oscar-winning) screenplay that is still inspiring new films today. It's also just a blast, an often funny and occasionally insightful story about humanity in all its desperate but lovable forms. A must-watch film for any cinephile, Pulp Fiction is one of the best films Tarantino has ever made.