Movies Every Home Theater Should Have

No home theater is complete without an impressive movie collection. While technology continues to to advance and the visual quality of our favorite flicks changes, we purchase those same movies with every update to keep our library fresh. There are certain movies that people consider "must haves"--usually heart-wrenching masterpieces like Schindler’s List or cinematic legends like Citizen Kane. But a movie’s notoriety doesn't always mean it will earn a spot on your shelf. Sometimes, when it comes to a home theater collection, it's all about the bang! The special effects, the thrilling soundtracks; some movies must be seen over and over again--no matter what critics might say. So, which movies do we recommend? Here are some of our staff favorites in no particular order.

Copyright Universal Studios, 1993

Jurassic Park (1993)
We now know (sadly) that there's no way to extract dino DNA from a piece of amber, but that doesn't mean we don't want to go back to Jurassic Park every once in awhile. While the movie franchise expanded into a trilogy (and soon, a quadrilogy) there's nothing like the original movie. With impressive special effects and a soundtrack by score master John Williams (Star Wars, Indiana Jones), this movie is one to watch with full surround sound. If you can't see your glass of water  tremble when the T. Rex roars, you're not doing it right.

Watch the official Jurassic Park Trailer

Copyright DreamWorks, 1998

Saving Private Ryan  (1998) 

Considered one of the greatest war movies of all time, Saving Private Ryan needs the audio quality of a stereo system to bring the battle to you. While it is gory, it is also an honest picture regarding the horrors of war. While rooting on Tom Hanks and his soldiers as they hunt down Nazis and look for Private Ryan, you'll also want to make sure your seat is soft and comfortable. The movie is long at 169 minutes, but the flick is well worth it.

Watch the official Private Ryan Trailer

Copyright Alfred Hitchcock, 1960

Psycho (1960)
A&E’s Bates Motel series is creating a new audience of Norman Bates fans, but the black and white horror classic is what really belongs in your collection . Alfred Hitchcock created a slew of noteworthy movies, but Psycho, based on the life of serial killer Ed Gein, is the Hitchcock film people most often recall. While the shower scene is usually the main topic of conversation when it comes to this film, many don't remember exactly how twisted Norman Bates was. Let’s just say, he was the original mama’s boy.

Watch the official Psycho Trailer

Copyright Tri-Star Pictures, 1991

Terminator 2 (1991)
You know the catchphrase and remember the music, but Terminator 2 was also known for it’s groundbreaking special effects. The robotics and the liquid metal transformation of the movie’s villain (the T-1000) created an all-to-real world where machines have taken over. Considering the advancements Google is making with their technology, the future portrayed in the Terminator movies might not be as far away as you think.

Watch the official Terminator 2 Trailer

Copyright Disney, 2010

TRON: Legacy (2010)
Say what you will about the original TRON, but this Disney movie was the birth of computer animated movies. The sequel to TRON, which came over 20 years later, was a visual and musical spectacle worthy of any sound system and a 3-D television. With a soundtrack by the techno duo Daft Punk and incredible graphics in the blue-toned world of The Grid, TRON: Legacy is a fun movie viewers of any age can enjoy.

Watch the official Tron Legacy Trailer

With the summer movie season approaching, we’re sure we will be adding quite a few movies to the list, but for now it’s a good starting point.