(Article originally found here on Manolution)Looking for a list of must-see movies for guys which goes beyond explosions, tits and fast cars? If you occasionally want more than a brainless shoot-em up, this list is for you.

This article is my attempt to compile a list of the most important 25 movies for dudes. I’m not talking about the manliest movies, explosions and tits aren’t required to make this list… but they do help. I.E you won’t find a single Michael Bay movie on this page.

Here’s the main rule for this list: If you can’t really call yourself a dude without having seen it, but a girl can call herself a chick without ever having heard of it, then it’s good to go. This doesn’t mean girls don’t love it, just that it’s not required for them.

Also, I’ve tried to keep this list to only the best of the required dude movies. I’m sure you will all take exception; post your outrage in the comments below. In no particular order:

Heat

You’re not a real dude if you don’t love a good heist movie. And when it comes to heist movies no one has ever come close to Heat. If you haven’t seen it move this to the top of your Netflix list.

Full Metal Jacket

If you only ever watch one war movie in your life, make it Full Metal Jacket. If you watch two, you’ll want to fit Apocalypse now in there. I’ll warn you now though; this isn’t exactly a light “feel-good” movie. But I can promise you’ll be hooked from the very first scene.

The Usual Suspects

Up until the ending you’ll think that this was a really great movie. After the ending you’ll think it’s one of the greatest movies ever made. I’ve literally watched this movie more than three dozen times, and I still love it.

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

My all-time favorite movie and one of the best movies ever made. It’s not quite as fast-paced as the movies these days, but you’ll never get bored (except for maybe in the middle with the photo montage). The guy who wrote this also wrote my second favorite move The Princess Bride, but that one’s not exactly manly, just great.

Sexy Beast

I’m not sure how to explain this movie. Just watch it, but make sure there aren’t any children within earshot.

The Big Lebowski

How can you make a list of movies for dudes, without the movie about the Dude? If you haven’t seen this one you’re clearly out of your element; mix yourself a Caucasian (white Russian) and find the man in you.

Caddyshack

Bill Murray and Chevy Chase in the first-ever movie with Rodney Dangerfield, what more could you ask for? Ohh, and it’s about golf.

Fight Club

I would be shocked if a single person who reads this article hasn’t seen Fight Club. If that person is you you’ve failed at life.

Swingers

It’s money. This movie not only changed the way the world talked, it also made a couple of LA dives so popular you couldn’t get a seat for years after its release. If you’re a film-buff watch “the making of” on the DVD, it will blow your mind.

Dirty Harry

Even if you haven’t seen the movie, you probably know the name, the picture and the line: “You’ve got to ask yourself one question: do I feel lucky? Well… do ya? Punk?” There’s a reason Clint Eastwood is one of the biggest stars in the world, this movie will show you why he got to where he is.

First Blood

For the last time, the first Rambo movie is not called Rambo, it’s First Blood. Rambo is just the name of the character, John Rambo to be precise. To be honest, this movie isn’t really all that great, but you can’t be a dude without at least seeing it once. That and it pretty much invented the action movie genre as we know it.

Predator

Not only does it have big guns, aliens, explosions and Arnold Schwarzenegger, it’s one of the first (and best) sci-fi action movies ever made.

Terminator 2

Easily the best of all Terminator movies, T2 was, and still is, an epic action masterpiece. If you haven’t seen it you must be blind. If you have, watch it again. You can never have too much Evil T1000 in your life.

Rocky

On top of being a movie about boxing, this is an astounding piece of art; anyone who says otherwise is simply a hater. I have a hard time finding a single flaw with this movie.

Die Hard (all of them)

Bruce Willis makes these movies great. Without him they would have been just another 80’s action movie, with him they are truly epic. Surprisingly my personal favorite is the third, but I wouldn’t take my word on that one being the best of the series. The only thing I can be 100% positive of, the fourth is easily at the bottom of the list.

Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels

Pretty much everyone knows the name Guy Ritchie. For a long time you could feel cool just by knowing his name, and it all started with his first feature film Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. To be honest, I like this movie far more than Snatch. Useless fact: Guy Ritchie decided to start making movies after watching Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid as a kid.

Reservoir Dogs

This is not the best Tarantino movie ever made, that title easily goes to Pulp Fiction. But Pulp is a movie to be watched and loved by all (not just dudes), while Reservoir Dogs is much more of a dude-only film. Expect lots of talking and a killer sound track.

Stand by Me

The quintessential male coming of age movie. Hands-down the best thing Stephen King ever wrote. P.S. I’m excluding The Shining from my previous comment as the book wasn’t as good as Stand by Me, it was Stanley Kubrick who made the movie into one of the greatest horror stories ever told.

Indiana Jones (the first three)

I don’t need to explain why this is on the list, do I?

The Boondock Saints

This unknown filmaker named Troy Duffy came up with the idea, wrote the script and directed one of the greatest movies to come out of the 90’s. It’s truly epic, has plenty of replay value and has a lot of people getting shot in the face. Just be warned: it’s best to pretend the sequel doesn’t exist. To date this is the only thing thing Duffy has ever done, aside from the sequel (brutal) and a TV Series I’ve never heard of, named Captain Jackson.

Honorable Mention

Point Break

Definitely a movie every guy must see, but it’s not exactly one of the better movies ever made. It’s fun, and involves bank robberies has surfing and skydiving. That’s really all you need to know.

Desperado

Much like Point Break, this movie is awesome, but not really on the same level of quality as the movies actually on the list.

Enter the Dragon

This movie is just ok, until you realize that Bruce Lee is actually doing everything you see, and has slowed down his movement for the film. The guy was nearly a god, and every scrap of film you can find with him in it is worth watching.

Dusk Till Dawn

Another Rodriguez movie and this one is a cult classic for good reason. Just about the entire movie takes place a bar/strip club called “Titty Twister” populated by vampires. Ohh, and there’s a cock-gun. What more do you need?

Anything John Wayne

He’s the duke, and if you ever find yourself with a choice putting your manliness at risk just ask yourself:
WWJWD

Anything Bond

James Bond is the role model for most men growing up. He has the toys, the girls, the witty remarks and always looks like the money. Unfortunately the character is typically stronger than the actual movies. You should watch them, all of them, but they’re not exactly crucial films.

That’s it for my list. Before you begin the flaming try to remember: If the movie is as loved by girls as guys, it won’t make the list (such as The Godfather). It also has to be a truly great movie, not just a fun or action-filled one (such as The Rock). Post away.

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