What you perceive as being “old” is a matter of opinion. Is a movie released in the 70s old? How about in the 90s? Perspectives will vary drastically. But it is probably safe to say that something that came out in the 90s is at least starting to get aged.
But just because a movie is aged, it certainly doesn’t mean it isn’t still amazing. There are some films that completely defy their age, being good enough to release today. Be it by using special effects that still hold up, or by focusing on characters that are still relatable, these are aging films that have managed to be timeless.
Jurassic Park (1993)
It is a bit of a cliché to point out that the original Jurassic Park, released in 1993, still somehow manages to hold up. Yes, some of the effects are starting to show their age, such as the brachiosaurus, but for the most part Jurassic Park is still incredible.
Many have even compared the tyrannosaurus from the original favourably to the newer films, and few will argue that the 1993 dinosaur is better. So a film nearly 30 years old manages to outclass modern releases. A demonstration that there is simply no substitute for skilled filmmaking.
Alien (1979)
Going back even further to the late 70s, when the internet didn’t exist, was not possible to make Election bets, we have Alien. Comparing the original Alien to the convoluted franchise nonsense of today is nothing short of heart-breaking. Alien was about discovering something completely unknown, trying to figure out what to do about it, and growing increasingly alarmed about what it might do next.
It didn’t matter where the Xenomorph came from, the point was that we didn’t know what it was capable of. The original got it right, and shame on anyone that thinks Prometheus does the original justice.
Saving Private Ryan (1998)
It is probably pushing it to say that Saving Private Ryan is old, but the film does still deserve special mention. It was the first epic that depicted war as it really is; chaotic, horrifying, unbelievably brutal and unforgivably traumatic. Many films that followed attempted to create what Saving Private Ryan did in 1998, almost none succeeded.
Schindler’s List (1993)
Let it never be forgotten that Schindler’s List came out the same year as Jurassic Park. How Steven Spielberg pulled this off is honestly a mystery, bordering on black magic. Both films are equally as impressive, though dramatically different in tone. Both will certainly draw emotional reactions, but in very different ways. Spielberg is virtually unmatched as a director, with no equal alive or dead.
12 Angry Men (1957)
Last we have a movie genuinely old, going back way before Jurassic Park; 12 Angry Men. Amazingly, it turns out that in the 50s everyone was already acutely aware of how flawed our justice systems are. The biggest difference is that in the 50s filmmakers were a great deal more elegant about expressing it. Yes, this film could be released today, with just a few minor tweaks.