Many people, like myself, are fascinated by, and obsessed with, movies. They keep us invested until the very end with awesome characters, phenomenal acting, and famous lines. Here's a list of 13 movies that I see as iconic, and unlike anything that came before or after them. Some were box office failures and some were unpopular with critics, while others were smash hits. Either way, sit back, relax, pop some popcorn, and watch all of these as soon as possible. In no particular order -

1. Good Will Hunting (1997)

Ben Affleck and Matt Damon pair up to write, produce, and star in their own film. Throw Robin Williams in the mix and you achieve cinematic excellence. Set in the south of Boston, GWH is a brilliantly hilarious story about unexpected math prodigy, Will Hunting (Damon), his best friend (Affleck), and his therapist (Williams) hoping to unearth his painful past. Robin Williams won Best Supporting Actor in 1998 for his role in the film, and rightfully so, as he delivers a monologue that will give you chills. Must watch.

2. The Princess Bride (1987)

Starring as Buttercup, Robin Wright (also known as Claire Underwood on "House of Cards") delivers a charming performance in her first big screen role. Perhaps the most commonly referenced film of all time, "The Princess Bride" is cinematically beautiful, suspenseful, hysterical, and has some of the most memorable characters of the age. Inigo Montoya, a vengeful Spaniard, Fezzik, a warmhearted giant played by none other than Andre The Giant, Vizzini the Sicilian (Wallace Shawn), the daring and charming Westley (Carey Elwes), and Billy Crystal as the old and sprightly Miracle Max. Together they give us what is to some the greatest love story told on screen. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll want to take up fencing, and you'll want to permanently place Peter Falk on reserve as your personal storyteller (may he rest in peace.) Do not let another day go by without watching this movie.

3. The Indiana Jones franchise

Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) is arguably the coolest movie hero ever. The hat, the whip, the ladies, this archaeology professor-turned-crime fighter has it made. The Indy movies brought a new meaning to stunt work and special effects as Dr. Jones travels around the globe fighting Nazis, cannibalistic tribes, then Nazis again, all while working to maintain the integrity of valuable artifacts that "belong in a museum." Worth the few hours it will take to watch the series straight through.

4. When Harry Met Sally (1989)

Anyone who says they love romantic comedies isn't a true fan until they've seen and appreciated this movie. A side note: said fans are hopefully not basing their idealization of "funny love" off of modern rom-coms, because frankly, they're all crap compared to this film. Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan are perhaps one of the funniest duos in romantic movie history, bringing a new meaning to fate and the friendzone. "I'll have what she's having."

5. Fight Club (1999)

I can guarantee one thing, you have probably never seen anything like this film starring Edward Norton and Brad Pitt, and you probably never will again. A depressed insomniac (Norton) spends his sleepless days crashing support groups, attempting to make any level of human connection and confirm that there are in fact other miserable people in existence. One night, he meets a salesman named Tyler (Pitt) and the two form an unusual partnership. They open an underground fight club where other men discarded from society can duke it out in the ring. Helena Bonham Carter as you've never seen her before plays a messed-up distraction named Marla. Unusual, riveting, and dark, "Fight Club" will make you question everything.

6. Contact (1997)

Jodie Foster and Matthew McConaughey star in this 1997 film. Foster plays a passionate scientist named Ellie with a veracious interest in other worlds, stemming from a young age and a love for her father. There aren't many words to describe this film, simply because it is so well done and unlike any alien movie you've ever seen. "Contact" will send chills down your spine and completely blow your mind. Slow to start, but worth the wait for the weirdest (in a good way) ending ever.

7. The Sixth Sense (1999)

Speaking of unexpected endings... Bruce Willis and Haley Joel Osment star in this psychological thriller that is, in a word, creepy. Osment delivers a captivating performance as 9-year-old Cole, bringing fame to the iconic and chilling confession "I see dead people." Willis plays his therapist who becomes increasingly invested in the lives of Cole and his mother. The film, however, is most famous for its twist ending, which I guarantee you will not see coming.

8. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

Another mind-bender, this legendary film will make you paranoid like no other, and think twice before walking alone at night. Before crime TV was a thing, "The Silence of the Lambs" brought chilling insight into the minds of killers. Jodie Foster stars as Clarice Starling, a budding FBI agent who forms a twisted partnership with cannibalistic genius Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins delivers a performance that will make your blood run cold). As her dependence on a sadistic Lecter increases, Sterling relentlessly searches for a demented serial killer dubbed "Buffalo Bill" (Ted Levine). Completely terrifying, a movie with brilliant acting and unforgettable characters.

9. The Toy Story movies

These movies were initially pretty advanced as far as realistic computer animation, and they shocked audiences everywhere. Disney/Pixar had a hit with this heartwarming story of toys coming to life. The general concept sounds pretty frightening, but in actuality, you will develop such an investment in the characters and their infallible dedication to their owner, Andy, that you won't want to stop watching. Tom Hanks and Tim Allen breathe life into the iconic characters of Woody, a lionhearted cowboy doll, and Buzz Lightyear, a brave space ranger toy, and make all three films hilarious, interesting, and memorable.

10. The Harry Potter films

Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint star in one of the highest grossing film franchises in history. Based on the iconic book series penned by author, J.K. Rowling, the films bring to life the wizarding world. Characters like Harry Potter (Radcliffe), Hermione Granger (Watson), and Ron Weasley (Grint) team up against foes like Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton) and the infamous Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes), with the help of allies like Albus Dumbledore (Richard Harris, Michael Gambon) and Neville Longbottom (Matthew Lewis). Unlike many book series-turned-film series, you can get away with watching the movies (there are eight in total) without having read the books. You will still leave with all the details of the plot, a love for the characters, and a desire to take up Quidditch.

11. Titanic (1997)

Depicting the real 1912 sinking of the infamous White Star Liner, the film stars Kate Winslet as beautiful socialite, Rose, who is sick of the uppity snobs who surround her. She craves adventures, and the cross-continental cruise on the mammoth ship brings just that, coming equipped with a spunky and cunning third class man, Jack (portrayed by a young and up-and-coming Leonardo DiCaprio). The tale of forbidden romance and class wars will make you want to take a cruise, fall madly in love, and then immediately get off the boat. The breathtaking special effects in the movie were much ahead of its time, depicting the haunting true story of lives torn apart in icy Atlantic waters. Get ready for a time investment of roughly 3 1/2 hours, but it's worth every. single. minute.

12. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

Another lengthy movie, this time portraying the lives of several inmates at the fictional Shawshank Prison. Morgan Freeman,Tim Robbins, and others made the film one of the most famous of all time. Based on a novel by Stephen King, the film tells a beautiful, painful, and uplifting story about life, love, loss, and friendship. Watch today, because "get busy living or get busy dying."

13. Star Wars

Last but certainly not least, and arguably the most iconic film series of the 20th century, "Star Wars" is brought to you by both George Lucas and Walt Disney Studios. Seven films in total have been made filling every second with action-packed, space-themed wonder. When the films were initially released, nobody had ever seen anything like them before, sparking a galactic-themed frenzy. Geeks rejoiced until liking space-themed things was no longer geeky, it became trendy. Over decades, "Star Wars" became classic, a brand, and the highest grossing film franchise in American history, the entire industry worth billions. Star-studded (Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, and Carrie Fisher to name a few) and high-tech, this series is definitely worth the watch.