True Americana: The Greatest Films About America

Growing Up: Stand by Me (1986)

"I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was twelve. Jesus, does anyone?"
Anyone who had a childhood growing up in America can connect with this movie. Sadly it only becomes more real to you with age when those days are long gone.

The Sandlot (1993)

Baseball is America's pass time and I think it's the most beautiful sport on the planet to play. There's something nostalgic about it too, like you can feel the history of the game when you watch it. The Sandlot is the story of us and even more powerful from the perspective of children. The 4th of July scene is a standout that can't help, but put a smile on my face.

E.T. the Extra Terrestrial (1982)

This is one of my favorite films so I'm a little biased. It may seem odd to include a film about an illegal alien on this list (thank you I'll be here all week be sure to tip your waitresses), but I can't think of a film that captures American suburbia and childhood better than E.T. Spielberg is really "America's director" he's shaped the way people see the country around the world. I feel the same way at E.T.'s Halloween scene as I do about the Sandlot's 4th of July scene.

Boyhood (2014)

I shouldn't even have to explain this one, but the focus is literally a boy growing up in America. He's sees the Iraq War begin, watches Dragon Ball Z, and is part of the Harry Potter mania of the 00's. Decades like the 80's and 90's have definitive pop culture movies like The Breakfast Club Clueless, but we're still figuring out the cliches and pop culture of the 00's. Boyhood will without a doubt be remembered as one of the decades definitive films.... despite coming out in 2014, but that's besides the point.

A Christmas Story (1983)

If you don't know at least 52 different quotes from this movie, you're not a real American and your family doesn't love you.

Coming of Age: American Graffiti (1973)

George Lucas jokes aside, the dialogue in this movie is on point and the characters are all amazingly well crafted. Its easy to tell this film was made because the filmmakers missed these days. They were easier times when Ron Howard had hair and all you wanted to do at night was cruise. The soundtrack is the film's stand out, this movie really is a time machine.

Napoleon Dynamite (2004)

I liked this movies a lot when I first saw it, but then I went to Idaho and now its one of my favorite films. Much like Boyhood this is how people are going to remember the 00's which were honestly a really awkward time. Nothing says awkward loneliness like Idaho and nothing captures it better than Napoleon Dynamite. If only coach had put Uncle Rico in on that final quarter, they would have been state champs. He can throw a football a quarter mile.

Almost Famous (2000)

It's about music, it's about youth, it's about America and I am a golden god!

Rumble Fish (1983)

Probably one of the films on here you haven't heard of. Its based on a S.E. Hinton novel who is more famous for the young American classic The Outsiders which is my favorite book. Francis Ford Coppola directed adaptations of both books and while The Outsiders is incredibly well cast, it comes off as a little melodramatic. Rumble Fish on the other hand is incredibly unique and uses sound and visuals like no other film I've seen. Film making achievements aside, unlike these other tales of youth this story is not a happy one and shows a darker side of an American trying to escape to something better.

A Portrait of the Past: Glory (1989)

It is a good thing to honor men who fight in wars and their cause rather than the war itself. These men fought for the greatest cause, the belief that all men are created equal.

Singin' in the Rain (1952)

Hollywood is a big part of America's image and Singin' in the Rain is the definitive old Hollywood movie. This is the list's most joyful movie, I smile just thinking about it.

O' Brother Where Art Thou (2000)

Yes your parent's favorite movie soundtrack. I cut out a lot of films from the list so it wouldn't be too bloated, but a good majority were about the Great Depression which I believe was the time that defined America. You could also include nearly every Coen Brothers movie on this list, they are the true directors of Americana.

The Grapes of Wrath (1940)

America's journey has been a struggle and no film demonstrates that better than The Grapes of Wrath. Tom Joad could also easily be a member of the next category of real American heroes.

The Color Purple (1985)

This film captures the heart and soul of black America. We see it at its hateful and we see it at its most loving. In the end love wins over hate.

Real American Heroes: It's a Wonderful LIfe (1946)

This is a film that has genuinely made the world a better place. It inspires something in people to love and work for what they love just like George Bailey.

Forrest Gump (1994)

Having grown up in the South this film was like the Bible. We literally had tests specifically on this film in my high school U.S. history class. Its a journey across American history though the eyes of someone pure and there's something spectacular about that.

To Kill A Mockingbird (1962)

Every man can only hope to be as good of a father as Atticus when they have children.

Cool Hand Luke (1967)

Luke embodies the spirit of America. He'll never stop fighting and he'll never give up. He's also the coolest dude to ever eat 50 eggs.

The Blues Brothers (1980)

Heroes? Without a doubt. These brothers are on a mission from God.

Rural America: Field of Dreams (1989)

I always liked a quote that said Field of Dreams was a religious movie, but the religion was baseball. A lot of folks think this movie is really overrated, but I get chills every time I watch it. The scene where he plays catch with his father is an emotional experience that I thought I couldn't have from a movie.

Raising Arizona (1987)

If America were to be describe by a genre of film I'd probably pick dark comedy. This is why the Coen bros. excel at making Americana films.

What's Eating Gilbert Grape (1993)

A good deal of the films on this list are romanticized visions of America, which again is why I can understand why someone wouldn't like Field of Dreams. This movie is a real portrait of Americans, no gloss or romanticism.

Urban/Suburban American: Midnight Cowboy (1969)

I went to New York City once and from my all the film's I've watched this movie still captures the feeling of that city the best despite being made 45 years ago. In this film New York and America are characters themselves.

Friday (1995)

"Ohhh...I'm suing y'all! Ohh, I'm hurt...ohh my neck! My back! My neck and my back! Ohh...I want a hundred and fifty THOUSAND! But we can settle out of court right now, for twenty bucks."
Drug culture and weed especially are an undeniable part of Americana. This movie captures how carefree the 90's could be despite a guy named Big Worm trying to hunt you down and kill you.

Rain Man (1988

Again the theme of America though innocent eyes continues and in a place of ultimate excess like Las Vegas. Also one of the great American road trip movies.

The American Dream- Dead of Alive?: Easy Rider (1969)

George: You know, this used to be a helluva good country. I can't understand what's gone wrong with it.
Billy: Huh. Man, everybody got chicken, that's what happened, man. Hey, we can't even get into like, uh, second-rate hotel, I mean, a second-rate motel. You dig? They think we're gonna cut their throat or something, man. They're scared, man.
George: Oh, they're not scared of you. They're scared of what you represent to 'em.
Billy: Hey man. All we represent to them, man, is somebody needs a haircut.
George: Oh no. What you represent to them is freedom.
Billy: What the hell's wrong with freedom, man? That's what it's all about.
George: Oh yeah, that's right, that's what it's all about, all right. But talkin' about it and bein' it - that's two different things. I mean, it's real hard to be free when you are bought and sold in the marketplace. 'Course, don't ever tell anybody that they're not free 'cause then they're gonna get real busy killin' and maimin' to prove to you that they are. Oh yeah, they're gonna talk to you, and talk to you, and talk to you about individual freedom, but they see a free individual, it's gonna scare 'em.
Billy: Mmmm, well, that don't make 'em runnin' scared.
George: No, it makes 'em dangerous.

American Beauty (1999)

Lester is an American dreamer and what's so interesting about him is that has his dream right in front of him and he turns it down, he says no because it was just too beautiful.

MASH (1970)

If I could I would put the TV show on here, the movie is funny sure but the show perfected the formula set out by the movie and added much needed heart that the emotional dry movie lacked. That being said MASH is a truly innovative movie that needs to be recognized and also the only film on found a place on list to not be set in America.

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)

Is the American dream real or is it dead? If anyone can find it, it'd be Hunter S. Thompson.

The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

The majority of these movies are about low income Americans who are good people that live for their family's well being. This movie is about a millionaire, maniac asshole who snorts cocaine out of hooker buttholes. I really hesitated to put this film on the list because , but then I realized if that isn't the American dream then what is.

Blame Canada: South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut (1999)

This film is everything I love about being an American. God bless America.
If you're interested here are some other lists I've made:
My favorite movie characters: http://imgur.com/a/o4LhV
My top 22 favorite films: http://imgur.com/a/yCCDq
Best Horror Films by year: http://imgur.com/a/FeDTi
Best Musical Films by year: http://imgur.com/a/OIhzP
Ranking the Films of Tim Burton: http://imgur.com/a/Lb1N7
Ranking the Films of Tim Burton: http://imgur.com/a/eKUGH
Ranking the Halloween Franchise: http://imgur.com/a/CDR4i
Ranking the Friday the 13th Franchise: http://imgur.com/a/ga3wc
Ranking the Nightmare on Elm Street Franchise: http://imgur.com/a/uYv7d