Convert your normal friends into Kubrick weirdo's with this watch order

Turn your friends into a crazy Kubrick fan with this watchlist

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Stanley Kubrick is my favourite director of all time. His films have always been at the top of my top 10, top 5 and top 3. And whenever I meet someone who has limited knowledge of his filmography but recognises some imagery like, Jack Nicolson’s face poking through the split door, Hal-9000 apologising to Dave for not being able to complete a task or Texan waving his hat around while riding a bomb that will trigger that nuclear apocalypse, I get excited to show them all in context. I’ve had this interaction with numerous people and I believe I know the best way to introduce them to some of the best films ever made.

My method of exposing people to these films follows a bell curve. But rather than the opposite ends being the best and worst, I would rather bring people with the accessible greats and end with the more challenging greats. This way, people don’t either get bored at the start while you’re saying, “Trust me it gets better.” Or starting with the best and ending with the lesser known. So starting with the greats and ending with the greats while the middle shuffles around some of the earlier and lesser-known movies, I think this will be the best way to get someone to take the Kubrick pill. 

Note as well, I truly love almost all of these movies. So this list would be very different if I were listing from best to worst.

Introduction

To begin, I've selected a couple of movies that are pretty well-known but also touch on different genres that most people should find accessible. These three could easily be watched in any order depending on what types of movies the newbie likes to watch but these are pretty safe to show them. Let them pick either an action, thriller or horror movie to start.

Full Metal Jacket (1987)

In Vietnam The Wind Doesn't Blow It Sucks

Starting this list is Full Metal Jacket. One of Kubrick's contemporary films, an anti-war flick shows the duality and contradictions of fighting for peace. With an iconic and quotable performance from Army Guy during the first half and then transitioning into a familiar war movie from the perspective of a passive photographer. An extremely well-made, movie with enough to spark a discussion, I see this as a good safe introduction to Kubrick’s vast library.

Eyes Wide Shut (1999)

Cruise. Kidman. Kubrick

Next on the list is a film with some familiar faces in it. Kubrick’s last movie before his passing and out of this core 8 it’s seen as one of his weakest. Although, I think this is a strong start the Kubrick journey as we follow Tom Cruise through the snowy streets of New York in this erotic thriller/drama. We’ve got a fantastic performance from Nicole Kidman as she authentically bounces off Cruise (They were married at the time). Amazing production design, an intriguing mystery and one of my favourite endings out of all this list.

The Shining (1980)

Iconic terror from the No 1 bestselling writer.

My personal favourite out of Kubrick's entire filmography, The Shining is a horror classic. There is so much iconic imagery in this film from the carpet pattern, twins standing in a hallway, redrum, the elevator and the many many faces of Jack Nicholson. The Shining strikes the perfect balance of mystery, psychological scares and surrealism, there is nothing not to love about this movie. The best part about watching this with someone new is to get their reaction and thoughts on the ending, as we still get an ending of Danny and Wendy but are left to question everything that has happened to Jack.

Middle Section

Throughout the middle section, I've got a mix of great but lesser-known and (trust me this hurts to say as a Kubrick fanboy) mid films. Most listed here are Kubrick's earlier films going all the way back to his student film. But they are balanced out with a few from his core 8 and lesser-known greats amongst his earlier catalogue. Going through this section, we jump around enough to keep the person from getting bored.

Lolita (1962)

How did they ever make a movie of Lolita?

Starting the middle section with the beginning of The Kubrick 8, Lolita is a good gateway between the modern visionary we all know Kubrick for and the early stages of discovering his visual style. With an amazing tagline of “How did they ever make a film of Lolita”, this controversial and taboo novel by Vladamir Nabokov is about an older man falling for a 14-year-old. A story where you feel gross watching the lead, I think it’s good to get this one out of the way as it can be a hard sell. Nonetheless, a good transition to the middle section.

Fear and Desire (1952)

Trapped... 4 Desperate Men and a Strange Half-Animal Girl

Honestly, this is the one movie that I wouldn’t recommend from Kurbick's filmography. His student film that Kubrick tried to destroy which made rounds as bootlegs only to be later restored, Fear and Desire is a slog to get through. With a run time of only 62 minutes, the pacing and rather bland presentation make this movie feel twice its length. There are a few shots where you can see his photographer's eye at play and hints at where he will go in the future. But if I was showing the entire filmography, I would try to get this out of the way quickly.

Killers Kiss (1955)

EXPOSED! The Mobs, Molls and Mayhem of New York's Clip-Joint Jungle!

His second feature-length movie, this noir crime drama was made on a shoestring budget with some hardcore guerilla filmmaking. Although despite some shots that are still in my head, such as the mannequin warehouse fight but the story just doesn’t interest me. So I’m placing this after Fear and Desire to see growth from the student to a master director. As well, it's a lot more exciting, so this should get the person back on board.

Spartacus (1960)

Electrifying Excitement!

I struggle to call this a Kubrick film as he was a work-for-hire on it but it does have its moments. One of his longer epics, there are moments in this movie that make it feel pretty cheap (instantly think of the scene near the pond, which looks like a backlot set)but then it is also contrasted with some alright action scenes for the time. The story is a classic hero journey based on the real-life legend but I feel like the presentation is pretty dry when comparing it to some modern adaptions. So when you go to show this to your friend, take advantage of the intermission, they will most likely need it.

Paths of Glory (1957)

Never has the screen thrust so deeply into the guts of war!

In contrast to Spartacus, we’ll jump to one of his best films outside the 8, Paths of Glory. Starring again, Ant Mans Dad as the lead, Paths of Glory has a similar structure to Full Metal Jacket. The first half follows one story in an isolated location and then switches to another side of the story taking on a different tone. It’s a fantastic war movie with some beautiful shots and character moments. Then switches to a court drama that leaves you on the edge of your seat as you watch Douglas fight for his men. Two stories in one that I believe still holds up and is a good way to ramp up into the end middle section of this list.

Dr. Strangelove or: how I learned to stop worrying and love the bomb (1964)

"Gentlemen, you can't fight in here! This is the War Room!"

To round off this section, we end with Dr. Strangelove or: how I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (also my favourite title out of all his films), as Kubrick has his dark sense of satirical sense of humour on full display with this comedy. As a crazed military general orders a nuke to be launched, a group of men discuss plans to stop it. We watch back and forth ideologies and banter because a large group of characters, is smart, funny and a different change of pace before reaching the final set of films.

Finish on a high

The last round of films are the ones I would consider to be some of his best. If this was a best-of list, I would bring The Shining up here but as mentioned this is to have your Kubrick virgin friend leaving the series on a high. From a classic noir, a beautiful period piece, a dystopian crime drama and a science fiction masterpiece, we're ending on a varied range of genres. And, I can only hope, after this, they leave with an appreciation for one of the greatest directors of all time.

The Killing (1956)

These 5 Men Had a $2,000,000 Secret Until One of them told this Woman!

I’m bringing back one more of his earlier films, my personal favourite from his earlier catalogue, The Killing. A short and sweet movie about a heist set in an interesting location of a race track. I’m bringing this up now because I think modern audiences will still find this engaging enough. It hits the nail on the head with how to make a heist movie, you understand what everyone’s role is, you know what needs to be done for the plan to work and we get an ironic twist of fate at the end. One of his lighter films before we enter his more intense movies.

Barry Lyndon (1975)

At long last Redmond Barry become a gentleman -- and that was his tragedy.

A historical epic which I believe is what he wanted from Spartacus. I put this movie towards the end because if the person has made it this far then watching this should be a walk in the park. A 3 hour period masterpiece where every frame is a work of art. A slower-paced character drama following the rise and fall of Barry Lyndon, every scene has something memorable in it. Whether it's the shot composition, the score peaking at the right moment, putting a handkerchief in a ladies' brazier, a dual, or someone writing letters by candlelight, nothing from this movie feels of its time. If someone were to watch this now, it feels like it could fall alongside some of the modern Scorcese or Denis Villeneuve films.

A Clockwork Orange (1971)

Being the adventures of a young man... who can't resist pretty girls... or a bit of the old ultra-violence... went to jail, was re-conditioned... and came out a different young man... or was he?

Tackling another one of the more controversial movies I would avoid something near the start so as to not put people off and I believe this movie is too good to get lost in amongst the middle section. A brilliant film about control, expectations of youth and what it means to have free will with a groovy visual style that blends 70’s and futurism. With amazing sets, iconic costumes and soundtrack, I see this movie as a challenging watch but accessible enough to follow to get people hooked on Alex’s rise and fall and rise again. Despite the subject matter and acts towards the start of the movie, this is a movie that will leave newbies enthralled.

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

An epic drama of adventure and exploration

A very close second as my favourite Kubrick movie but without a doubt, in my opinion, I believe 2001 is the greatest movie of all time. A brilliant perfect balance of entertainment, intrigue, visual spectacle and pretentiousness, ending the list with this thought-provoking masterpiece so the person leaves with a sense of awe. It’s one of my favourite movies to show people so you can have deep discussions about the meaning of the ending, the evolution of the human race, life beyond our species and the use of AI to complete tasks without error. I believe this is the perfect movie to finish on as I think it encapsulates all the best qualities of Kubricks still as a director. And by this point, if the person isn't in love with Kurbick or is stunned by what they've just witnessed... I would recommend new friends.

Convert your friends into a Kubrick fan short