Good movies bring art to life, combining audio and visuals (and occasionally smells, as in the case of 1959’s disastrous AromaRama and 1960’s Smell-O-Vision, may they forever rest in peace) in ways that push the limits of human imagination. They require little effort to watch, yet have the power to change a life. They represent eras, cultures and states of mind. Of course, for the less philosophically inclined, they provide good reason to cuddle on date night or kick it with your friends. No matter your reason for choosing a movie, they’re accessible in a way that books — which take hours to read — and great works of art — often hidden in private collections or distant museums — are not.

This week, we pick our 50 favorite dramas. Why start here? Dramas encapsulate many of film’s best aspects. They pull back the veneer of everyday existence to get at the core of life’s big questions. Some make us laugh; some make us cry; some manage to make us do both — when it comes to a good drama, the only certainty is that you’ll walk away a little more enlightened.

Now, without further ado, grab some popcorn, sit back, and dim the lights. The show’s about to start.

Methodology: like our books piece, the selections for our Definitive Men’s Movie Collection represent our favorites, “considered in the light of how much they changed our lives, and might change yours.” If it makes you feel any better that your favorite flick didn’t make the cut, consider that one of our auditors, in a moment of weakness, tried to get Nick Cage’s Ghostrider on the docket. Taste is subjective, so take this for what it’s worth.

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