As a teenager: The Matrix*, Spider-man*, Nosferatu*, Amadeus, The Princess Bride, Blade Runner*
As an (alleged) adult: Groundhog Day, Hamlet (1996), Ran, The Searchers, Solaris*, Lawrence of Arabia
*In each case, the answer to “which one?” is “the real one.” (Usually the first live-action one, or at least the first well-known one, as with Ben-Hur.)
Idk if I’ve already mentioned dark knight trilogy, but rises especially got me. I teared up when wayne manor was converted to an orphanage. It was so good. I didn’t want it to end, which rarely happens with me
The Secret World of Arrietty was definitely one for me. I got choked up at the very end where he mentions he never saw her again. Most things don’t affect me like that. I didn’t cry over Old Yeller or the Yearling, but this got me for some reason.
The Matrix. I was just so blown away by the spectacular action scenes. No wander why other movies tried so desperately to imitate it.
Endgame. I was so blown to how much emotional impact it had on me. Seriously, I never expected that from a superheroes movie.
The Rescuers Down Under. The animation is just beautiful. The characters are so fun and charming. While I was watching it, I kept wandering “Why does Disney just want to forget they made this movie?”
I was 11 when I first saw Pacific rim, its blatant acceptance of how cheesy it is is one of the many reasons it’s still my favorite movie despite what it lacks in other departments.
Anyone who is friends with me on Discord will know from my pfp and blurb that I love Inception. Also Nolan’s other works such as The Prestige, Interstellar and Dunkirk. All of those had me riveted to the screen.
I think if you talk about a movie afterwards, that shows it had an impact.
Also bonus mention, Madagascar 2. Little me was so blown away that I did not bite my ice-cream once and in fact let it melt all over me with not a care because I was so astounded by the amazing cinema-going experience unfolding before my eyes.
This was the last movie I saw in theaters before covid. My great grandfather was drafted into serving in WWI and it actually was as brutal as the movie depicts.