The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

Frank Darabont’s prison drama thrives on hope so stubborn it feels radical—Andy Dufresne’s 19-year escape is a slow-burn hymn to resilience. Morgan Freeman’s narration turns the walls of Shawshank into a cathedral of human endurance. It’s the one most people sleep on as 'just a crowd-pleaser,' but its emotional precision and final shot of redemption deserve a place among the all-time greats.