Can You Believe These 10 Iconic Movies Turn 30 in 2024?

If you’re a Millennial, prepare to feel old. If you’re from Gen Z, stop reading this and go watch The Shawshank Redemption. We’ll wait.

Forrest Gump

Still one of the most iconic movies ever, Forrest Gump follows the life of the slow-thinking but strong-hearted Forrest as he accidentally stumbles his way through every historical and cultural milestone of the 60s, 70s and 80s.

Iconic Line: 'Run, Forrest! Run!'

Fun Fact: This was Haley Joel Osment’s first film. He was discovered when the casting director saw him in a Pizza Hut commercial.

The Lion King

One of the highlights of Disney ’s long history, this animated classic is a loose retelling of Shakespeare’s Hamlet.

When his father Mufasa is murdered, young lion cub Simba believes it to be his fault. Simba flees from his family and grows up in exile – but he soon realizes that by running from his past he has also been running from himself.

Iconic Line: 'Remember who you are. You are my son, and the one true king.'

Fun Fact: A week before the film was released, it was shown to Elton John (who wrote the music). Seeing that 'Can You Feel The Love Tonight' had been cut, John lobbied to have the song put back in. He was successful, and later won an Academy Award for the number.

The River Wild

Meryl Streep and David Strathairn star as a strained married couple who take a whitewater rafting trip with their young son. The trip turns deadly when they are taken hostage by dangerous fugitives.

Iconic Line: 'I am a nice guy. Just a different kind of nice guy.'

Fun Fact: Carrie Fisher (Star Wars ) did an uncredited pass at the script.

Wolf

Jack Nicholson is at his most Nicholson-ish in this movie about a man slowly turning into a werewolf. He isn’t horrified by the changes, and uses them to take back control in his life.

Iconic Line: 'Not all who are bitten change. There must be something wild within.'

Fun Fact: Christopher Plummer got a bit carried away during filming, and actually slapped Michelle Pfeiffer during their scene together.

The Mask

Meek pushover Stanley Ipkiss is leading an uninspired life – until he finds a mask inhabited by the spirit of the Norse trickster God Loki. When he puts on the mask, Stanley turns into a cartoonish and lustful playboy. Unfortunately, his new personality also leads him to steal from the mob.

Iconic Line: 'Ssssmokin!'

Fun Fact: Rick Moranis, Robin Williams, Martin Short, and Nicolas Cage were all in the running to play Stanley Ipkiss.

The Shawshank Redemption

Andy Dufresne is sentenced to life in prison for a horrific crime he didn’t commit. Over 19 years in Shawshank State Prison, he somehow manages to hold onto his sense of hope – leading to one of the most uplifting endings in movie history.

Iconic Line: 'Get busy livin’, or get busy dyin’.'

Fun Fact: Although it is now considered one of the greatest movies of all time, Shawshank was a flop in theaters.

Speed

Still one of the best action movies of all time (FIGHT ME), Speed tells the story of a cat-and-mouse game between a mad bomber (Dennis Hopper) and NYPD cop Jack (Keanu Reeves ). When the bomber places an explosive device on a city bus, Jack must keep the vehicle going over 50 miles an hour or it will blow up.

Iconic Line: 'Hey, get your ass behind the yellow line!'

Fun Fact: Joss Whedon did an uncredited pass at the script. Many of the quips are his.

Pulp Fiction

Quentin Tarantino changed the game forever with this homage to pulp noir. The plot weaves together violent characters like hitmen Vincent Vega (John Travolta) and Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson ) and boxer Butch Coolidge (Bruce Willis). By the end of the film, all the different threads come together in a symphony of violence.

Iconic Line: 'Say 'what' again. Say 'what' again, I dare you, I double dare you motherfucker, say ‘what’ one more goddamn time!'

Fun Fact: There are 265 F-bombs in Pulp Fiction.

The Santa Clause

Tim Allen plays Scott, a divorced dad trying to connect with his son when Santa Claus falls off his roof and dies. At the urging of his son, Scott reluctantly dons the Santa suit and finishes delivering presents. But he soon discovers that he has triggered the 'Santa Clause', and now has a job for life.

Iconic Line: 'Do you want this doll or not? Go back to sleep.'

Fun Fact: The original Santa is played by Tim Allen’s actual stunt double, Steve Lucescu.

Dumb and Dumber

Let’s wrap it up with the love-it-or-hate-it comedy about best friends Lloyd (Jim Carrey ) and Harry (Jeff Daniels). They’ve got good hearts, but they’re dumb as a bag of hammers.

When Lloyd and Harry find a suitcase of cash has been left behind in their car, they set off to return it to its owner – not realizing that the money is connected to a kidnapping.

Iconic Line: 'She gave me a bunch of crap about me not listening to her, or something. I don't know, I wasn't really paying attention.'

Fun Fact: No joke – the Farrelly brothers really wanted Gary Oldman and Nicolas Cage to play Lloyd and Harry.