Most Influential movies and TV Shows
This is a list of the movies and TV show that have influenced other movies and have found their way into the culture. From Jaws (we are going to need a bigger boat) to Battlestar Galactica (Frack this) many TV shows and movies have left their mark. If I left any out please say so.
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- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsRoy ScheiderRobert ShawRichard DreyfussWhen a killer shark unleashes chaos on a beach community off Cape Cod, it's up to a local sheriff, a marine biologist, and an old seafarer to hunt the beast down."We are going to need a bigger boat" How many times have you heard that or a variation of it.
- DirectorRichard DonnerStarsChristopher ReeveMargot KidderGene HackmanAn alien orphan is sent from his dying planet to Earth, where he grows up to become his adoptive home's first and greatest superhero.It is hard to remember, but before this movie superheros were just for young children. it is because of this movie we now have all of the other super hero movies.
- DirectorFred M. WilcoxStarsWalter PidgeonAnne FrancisLeslie NielsenA starship crew in the 23rd century goes to investigate the silence of a distant planet's colony, only to find just two survivors, a powerful robot, and the deadly secret of a lost civilization.Named by Gene Rodenberry as one of the infuences behind Star Trek
- CreatorGlen A. LarsonRonald D. MooreStarsEdward James OlmosMary McDonnellJamie BamberWhen an old enemy, the Cylons, resurface and obliterate the 12 colonies, the crew of the aged Galactica protect a small civilian fleet - the last of humanity - as they journey toward the fabled 13th colony, Earth.I am listing the New version of the show because it lasted longer than the fracking original so more people are aware of it.
- DirectorAlfred HitchcockStarsAnthony PerkinsJanet LeighVera MilesA Phoenix secretary embezzles $40,000 from her employer's client, goes on the run and checks into a remote motel run by a young man under the domination of his mother.I do not remember any direct quotes, but I do remeber a number of writers and directors saying it was this movie that influenced theirs.
- DirectorRidley ScottStarsSigourney WeaverTom SkerrittJohn HurtThe crew of a commercial spacecraft encounters a deadly lifeform after investigating a mysterious transmission of unknown origin.The original Alien is a masterpiece almost more a psychological thriller than a Sci-Fi movie.
- CreatorMichael LeesonStarsBill CosbyPhylicia RashadMalcolm-Jamal WarnerThe goings-on in the life of a successful African-American family.Bill Cosby showed that an African American family is more than just the stereotype in a time when most African Americans on TV were either poor living in the projects or the latest perpetrator to be arrested on the cop show. I remember all the heat the show got because he removed the African from African American.
- CreatorMadeleine SmithbergLizz WinsteadStarsJon StewartTrevor NoahStephen ColbertA comedy news show featuring humorous takes on top stories.Take a look at the casts of this show over the years and compare it to the current hits on TV and Movies. John Stewart is a King maker in the entertainment world.
- DirectorJohn G. AvildsenStarsSylvester StalloneTalia ShireBurt YoungA small-time Philadelphia boxer gets a supremely rare chance to fight the world heavyweight champion in a bout in which he strives to go the distance for his self-respect.A story about a boxer who lost in the end written by an actor nobody (at the time) that went on to gross around a quarter of a billion dollars.
- DirectorWilliam CottrellDavid HandWilfred JacksonStarsAdriana CaselottiHarry StockwellLucille La VerneExiled into the dangerous forest by her wicked stepmother, a princess is rescued by seven dwarf miners who make her part of their household.The first attempt at making a cartoon the feature and not just the opening act to a movie.
- StarsOprah WinfreyNate BerkusGayle KingOprah Winfrey hosts a live audience talk-show with celebrity guests and discusses daily stories.TV talk shows owe their existence to Oprah Winfrey. No she did not invent the medium what she did was raise the class and integrity to a level Springer could not match.
- CreatorJoe ConnellyBob MosherDick ConwayStarsJerry MathersHugh BeaumontBarbara BillingsleyThe misadventures of a suburban boy, family and friends.This show went on to become one of the most referenced by the people who hate the suburbs.
- DirectorAlfred HitchcockStarsJames StewartGrace KellyWendell CoreyA wheelchair-bound photographer spies on his neighbors from his Greenwich Village courtyard apartment window and, despite the skepticism of his fashion-model girlfriend, becomes convinced one of them has committed murder.How many times has this movie been remade?
- CreatorJack WebbStarsJack WebbBen AlexanderOlan SouleSgt. Joe Friday and his partners methodically investigate crimes in Los Angeles.The archetype for most cop shows. A format where the crime is the story rather than the characters lives. Think Law & Order.
- CreatorMarshall HerskovitzEdward ZwickStarsTimothy BusfieldPolly DraperMel HarrisSeven tricenarians living in Philadelphia struggle with everyday adult angst.Love it or hate it this show took the whinny format movies of the times and created a format for whinny introspective self-absorbed people everywhere. Think Grays anatomy, Private Practice, ER, or any other show like that.
- CreatorAnthony E. ZuikerStarsWilliam PetersenLaurence FishburneTed DansonIn Las Vegas, a squad of forensic investigators are trained to solve crimes by meticulously examining the evidence. They employ advanced technology and their rationality to detect the perpetrators.CBS should just change its name to the CSI Network who many versions do they have? From CSI came NCIS, Criminal Minds and the many shows formulated like it.
- CreatorJoan Ganz CooneyLloyd Morrisett Jr.StarsJim HensonFrank OzCaroll SpinneyOn a special inner city street, the inhabitants, human and muppet, teach preschool subjects with comedy, cartoons, games, and songs.Learning with felt
- StarsDick ClarkCharlie O'DonnellPeaches JohnsonDick Clark hosts a daily to weekly dance show that features the latest hit music for the attending teens to dance to. In addition, the show has performances by popular musicians and audience members rate songs.This show introduced both Rock & Roll and integration to white America
Note: I could not find the listing for Bandstand without the word new. - DirectorVictor FlemingKing VidorStarsJudy GarlandFrank MorganRay BolgerYoung Dorothy Gale and her dog Toto are swept away by a tornado from their Kansas farm to the magical Land of Oz, and embark on a quest with three new friends to see the Wizard, who can return her to her home and fulfill the others' wishes.This movie like a few others transcends time and is true Americana.
- StarsJohnny CarsonEd McMahonDoc SeverinsenHost Johnny Carson performs comedy routines and chats with various celebrities.Every talk show host wants to be like Johnny.
- DirectorFrank CapraStarsJames StewartDonna ReedLionel BarrymoreAn angel is sent from Heaven to help a desperately frustrated businessman by showing him what life would have been like if he had never existed.Call it sappy call it overplayed because of a copyright snafu this movie became a Christmas tradition.
- CreatorNorman LearStarsCarroll O'ConnorJean StapletonRob ReinerA working class man constantly squabbles with his family over the important issues of the day.This show showed a different side of America and during its run influenced the culture of the times. Archie was a racist with an old fashion way of looking at things that no longer fit in the America of the times; if it ever really did.
- DirectorMichael CurtizStarsHumphrey BogartIngrid BergmanPaul HenreidA cynical expatriate American cafe owner struggles to decide whether or not to help his former lover and her fugitive husband escape the Nazis in French Morocco.It could be the invention of cool or the idea of the protagonist not getting the girl.
- CreatorCharles Marquis WarrenClyde WareStarsJames ArnessMilburn StoneAmanda BlakeMarshal Matt Dillon keeps the peace in rough-and-tumble Dodge City.The essential western drama originally a radio drama.
- DirectorLeo McCareyStarsCary GrantDeborah KerrRichard DenningA couple falls in love and agrees to meet in six months at the Empire State Building - but will it happen?Classic chick-flick and mentioned in many other movies.
- DirectorCatherine HardwickeStarsKristen StewartRobert PattinsonBilly BurkeWhen Bella Swan moves to a small town in the Pacific Northwest, she falls in love with Edward Cullen, a mysterious classmate who reveals himself to be a 108-year-old vampire.As much as I hate this movie (which is a lot) it is hard to deny the impact it is having in the culture.