Moviefone santa logo
Trending
'Masters of the Universe' Teaser
'Avengers: Doomsday' Teaser
'The Odyssey' Trailer
'Supergirl' Teaser
MoviesTV ShowsStreamingIn TheatersComing SoonMovie ChartsTV Show ChartsShowtimesHighlightsNewsCelebritiesWhat to WatchNew TrailersMovie TheatersMovie ReviewsVideosMoviefone TVMade In Hollywood
The SubstanceThe SubstanceConclaveConclaveThe AccountantThe AccountantA Real PainA Real PainFlowFlowZero DayZero DayThe White LotusThe White LotusParadiseParadiseSeveranceSeveranceYellowjacketsYellowjackets
Highlights
  1. News
  2. ›Features

12 Classic Movies That Are Way Overrated

Moviefone
November 14, 2018 - 1 min read
Google transparent preferred source badge

We get it: "The Godfather" and "Gone With the Wind" are classics. And great movies. But, not to everyone. Here are a few classic films that more people than you would think sometimes find to be waaaay overrated.

'Gone With the Wind' (1939)

Sure, it won a gazzilionty Oscars and is a pop culture touchstone, but... 1) It's racist. 2) It's sexist 3) It's loooong. (Still the longest film to win Best Picture at 3 hours and 58 minutes).

'The Grapes of Wrath' (1940)

Why haven't you seen this yet? 1) Forced to read the book in school. 2) Seems really *cough* dry. 3) Looks depressing as hell.

'Citizen Kane' (1941)

Yes, it's the "best movie of all time." So why haven't you watched it? 1) No movie can live up to that hype. 2) I already know what "Rosebud" is. 3) I saw "The Simpsons" parody so I'm good.

'Casablanca' (1942)

You're holding out because: 1) I already know all the lines: "We'll always have Paris," "Beginning of a beautiful friendship," etc. 2) Because everyone keeps telling me I need to watch it. 3) It feels like I've already seen it.

'Sunset Blvd.' (1950)

You've skipped this iconic movie about the dark side of Hollywood because: 1) I already know the "I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille" scene. 2) I like my movies about Hollywood to be upbeat and cheery. 3) I'm a struggling screenwriter; it just hits too close to home.

'The African Queen' (1951)

The movie that finally won Bogie an Oscar! Your excuse: 1. Bogart Schmogart! 2. Never did like Katharine Hepburn 3. Feel like I might get malaria just from watching it.  

'The Ten Commandments' (1956)

You haven't seen this epic because: 1) Bible epics = snooze city 2) Isn't it really, really long? (Yes, 3 hours, 40 minutes). 3) Not a Charlton Heston fan.  

'The Seventh Seal' (1957)

Film professors the world over are crying because you haven't seen this Ingmar Bergman classic. That's because: 1) Aren't Swedish movies really depressing? 2) It's about death... playing chess? 3) Symbolism just isn't my thing.

'Ben-Hur' (1959)

This Oscar-winning epic has chariot racing! Jesus! Homo-eroticism! And you won't watch it because: 1) It's hella long (3 hours 44 minutes). 2) I despise chariot races. 3) Again with Charlton Heston!

'To Kill a Mockingbird' (1962)

Atticus Finch himself is going to scold you for not seeing this. You tell him: 1) But I read the book! 2) Yes, sir, I'll watch it right away. 3) Aren't you a racist now?

'2001: A Space Odyssey' (1968)

Most film buffs love this Kubrick classic. As for you: 1) I'm just going to watch "The Shining" again. 2) I've heard it's really slow and the ending makes no sense. 3) I prefer my astronauts to be wisecracking potato farmers.

'The Godfather' (1972)

You will never attain the rank of die-hard film buff if you don't watch this. Your excuse: 1) I'm waiting to see it on the big screen. 2) I saw "Godfather III" and that was terrible, so... 3) I'm really more into rom-coms.

gone with the windthe godfatherclassic movies
FeaturesBest Movies EverMovies
Moviefone
Article by Moviefone
Moviefone Writers

From Our Partners

Global Grind - ‘Is God Is’ Trailer Drops & These Sisters Want All The Smoke
NewsOne - It Was Superman’s Movie, But Mister Terrific Stole The Show 
Global Grind - Your Ultimate Thanksgiving Movie Guide: 25 Films To Binge This Year

Related News

Carla Gugino to Play Vivien Leigh in New Biopic
Carla Gugino to Play Vivien Leigh in New Biopic
Natalie Dormer to Play Vivien Leigh in a New TV Series on Her Life
Natalie Dormer to Play Vivien Leigh in a New TV Series on Her Life
15 Oscar-Winning Movies You Say You'll Watch But Never Do
15 Oscar-Winning Movies You Say You'll Watch But Never Do
'Back to the Future' and 9 More Classic Movies They Should Never Remake
'Back to the Future' and 9 More Classic Movies They Should Never Remake
12 Classic Movies You Say You'll Watch (But Never Do)
12 Classic Movies You Say You'll Watch (But Never Do)

More News on Moviefone

'K-Pops!' Interview: Anderson .Paak and Kevin Woo
'K-Pops!' Interview: Anderson .Paak and Kevin Woo
'In the Blink of an Eye' Interviews: Rashida Jones and More
'In the Blink of an Eye' Interviews: Rashida Jones and More
'Operation Taco Gary's' Interview: Simon Rex
'Operation Taco Gary's' Interview: Simon Rex
Danielle Deadwyler to Star in New ‘X-Files’ Reboot
Danielle Deadwyler to Star in New ‘X-Files’ Reboot
Paramount Makes Surprise Win in Warner Bros. Bidding War
Paramount Makes Surprise Win in Warner Bros. Bidding War
'Man on the Run' Interview: Director Morgan Neville
'Man on the Run' Interview: Director Morgan Neville

Follow Moviefone

FacebookXInstagramYouTubeLinkedInRedditTikTokNewsletterWidgets

Latest Trailers

'Fantasy Life' Trailer2:16
'Fantasy Life' Trailer
'Is God Is' Trailer2:24
'Is God Is' Trailer
'Detective Hole' Season 1 Trailer2:00
'Detective Hole' Season 1 Trailer
'Backrooms' Teaser1:00
'Backrooms' Teaser
'Sunny Nights' Trailer2:10
'Sunny Nights' Trailer

Movie and TV Reviews

Top Movies

The Substance poster
The Substance
Have you ever dreamt of a better version of yourself?
71
Conclave poster
Conclave
What happens behind these walls will change everything.
72
The Accountant poster
The Accountant
Calculate your choices.
71

Top Series

Zero Day poster
Zero Day
Truth has been weaponized.
70
The White Lotus poster
The White Lotus
Same luxury. New reservations.
76
Paradise poster
Paradise
The truth lies outside.
74
Moviefone xmas logo
MoviesTV ShowsStreamingShowtimesWhat to WatchVideosNews
AboutContact UsSitemapTerms of ServicePrivacy Policy
FacebookXInstagramYouTubeLinkedInRedditTikTokNewsletterWidgets
Google preferred source badge
Copyright © 2026 Moviefone Media LLC
Asset 1This product uses the TMDb API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDb.