1

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

Image: Couleur

E.T. , released in 1982, is undoubtedly one of Steven Spielberg's best films and one of the most iconic in the history of cinema. The story follows an alien lost on Earth who forms a pure and heartfelt friendship with a human boy, who will go to great lengths to help him return home.

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is an endearing adventure film that marked the ‘80s and taught us the importance of empathy and embracing each other's differences.

2

The Wizard of Oz

Image: MGM, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Somewhere over the rainbow is one of the most iconic films we’ve ever seen: The Wizard of Oz (1939). This film marked a turning point in Hollywood , with the angelic Judy Garland leading a troupe of magical beings on a journey to the Emerald City and the dreaded Oz.

A tornado sweeps Dorothy into a technicolor dreamscape populated by munchkins, a cowardly lion, a tin man, a scarecrow, and a wicked witch, prompting a journey down the Yellow Brick Road. Their adventure is largely one of self-discovery : the Lion finds his courage, the Scarecrow his brains, the Tin Man his heart, and Dorothy finally returns to Kansas.

3

Back to the Future

Image: dtavres

A time machine in a DeLorean? Sign me up! What would '80s cinema be without this fabulous trilogy, where a teenager (Michael J. Fox) and a scientist (Christopher Lloyd) share all kinds of adventures together?

First, they travel to the past, then to the future, and finally, to the Wild West. Three movies that took the box office by storm and remain great entertainment for all ages .

4

Lawrence of Arabia

Image: Jack de Nijs for Anefo / Anefo, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

This Oscar-winning epic biographical adventure drama, based on the life of British army officer and archaeologist, T. E. Lawrence, transports us to Egypt in 1917. Released in 1962, Lawrence of Arabia stars Peter O'Toole, Alec Guinness, Anthony Quinn, and Omar Sharif.

During World War I, Lawrence is sent to support Prince Faisal in his war against the Turks. His adventure across the desert earns him the respect of his army for his courage and his deep appreciation for Arab culture.

5

The NeverEnding Story

Image: _marioosh

For many, this movie left a huge mark on their childhood. Who wasn’t amazed by that enormous flying albino creature called Falkor? Based on the acclaimed novel by German author Michael Ende, The NeverEnding Story (1984) introduces us to Bastian, a shy boy who discovers a mysterious book telling the story of the destruction of the world of Fantasia.

The protagonist’s adventure begins when he realizes he can save this world, inhabited by extraordinary beings, by finding a way to get inside the story.

6

The African Queen

Image: Copyright 1952 United Artists Corp., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Two great classic movie stars, Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn, adrift on a small steamboat in German East Africa during the First World War— this is the epitome of adventure .

The African Queen , directed by the brilliant John Huston and released in 1951, earned Bogart the Oscar for Best Actor and the film the status of an instant classic.

7

Stand by Me

Image: Johannes Plenio

This coming-of-age film, based on a Stephen King story , is perhaps one of the best portrayals ever made of the end of childhood.

The adventures experienced by the four friends in Stand by Me (1986) may not be as spectacular as those of the characters in other films on this list. They don’t have to face fantastic creatures or fight in a war, but they do encounter, for example, an angry dog, a speeding train, hungry leeches, and a dead body lying on the riverbank. It’s a journey of discovery and transformation , filled with tension and drama.

8

Ben-Hur

Image: Reynold Brown, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

This flagship blockbuster of Hollywood’s golden era tells the story of the son of a noble Jerusalem family who is betrayed by a childhood friend and condemned to the galleys, where he is held prisoner for three years. Ben-Hur then vows to regain his freedom and plots his revenge.

Released in 1959 and starring the legendary Charlton Heston, Ben-Hur was one of the most expensive films in cinema history. A classic among classics, its three-and-a-half-hour running time is packed with adventure scenes.

9

Indiana Jones

Image: Intricate Explorer

Who hasn’t fantasized about being Indiana Jones? Traveling to exotic countries, embarking on dangerous adventures involving mythological objects, and wearing a hat that won’t fall off no matter what you do are things no one can resist.

With his unwavering sense of honor, compassionate nature, effortless charm, and witty one-liners, Indiana Jones is the quintessential adventure hero . Along with Harrison Ford’s brilliant performance, this iconic saga showed us just how epic a college professor can be.

10

The Treasure of the Sierra Madre

Image: Hans

This 1948 modern western, directed by John Huston, is based on an adventure novel set in the United States in the 1920s, long after the California gold rush.

A group of American drifters, including Fred C. Dobbs (Humphrey Bogart), embark on a journey into the Mexican mountains in search of gold. However, ambition and envy gradually create more problems than any other obstacle along the way. It’s a fun adventure in the desert and a classic fable about man's greed .

11

The Goonies

Image: Nadjib BR

Based on a story by Steven Spielberg , this film is an homage to all adventure films and novels. The possible existence of a great pirate treasure in the depths of an abandoned restaurant seems like the solution to all of Mikey's family problems.

With the help of his inseparable friends, he embarks on an incredible journey. Since its release in 1985, The Goonies has become one of the most influential movies of the genre . Well, let’s be honest: it’s based on an unbeatable formula: friendship, adventure, humor, danger, and reward.

12

Into the Wild

Image: Juho Luomala

This one is a bit different from the rest of the films on this list, but it is an adventure nonetheless. Directed by Sean Penn, Into the Wild (2007) portrays a true story based on Jon Krakauer's novel about Christopher McCandless' diary entries.

Under the name Alexander Supertramp, 24-year-old Christopher sets out into Alaska with a clear purpose: to connect with nature, stripped of his material possessions. While not as flashy an adventure as Indiana Jones, it is a transformative experience that requires great will and courage.

1

Sweet Child O' Mine - Guns N’ Roses

Image: Kyle Buss

Fans of Guns N’ Roses will tell you how fast "Sweet Child O’ Mine" was written. In under an hour, the band developed the accompaniment for a melody one of them had come up with—a hand-warming riff that guitarist Slash was playfully improvising. That same riff, by-now famous guitar melody, opens the song.

Hearing the result, Axl Rose wrote lyrics inspired by his then-girlfriend, Erin Everly, whose smile, it seemed to him, reminded him of childhood memories. Remarkably, he completed the poem in a single day. Later, while recording in the studio, the band made another on-the-spot call: they decided to include a sung line that Axl Rose had been repeating while searching for an ending to the song, "Where do we go now?"

2

Billie Jean - Michael Jackson

Image: Call Me Fred

Michael Jackson didn’t shy away from saying that he always knew "Billie Jean" was going to be a hit. While writing it, he was aware that he had hit material in his hands, and he worked on it accordingly. Thanks to his rigorous daily vocal training during the production of Thriller , Jackson recorded the main vocal in a single take. The song was mixed 91 times , while he and producer Quincy Jones strived for perfection. In the end, they settled on mix number two—the version we know today.

But here is the most impressive anecdote behind "Billie Jean." Jackson was driving his Rolls-Royce between recording sessions, obsessed with finding the best ideas for his song. He was so absorbed that he didn’t notice the underside of his car had caught fire —until a passing biker alerted him.

3

You Give Love a Bad Name - Bon Jovi

Image: Benjamin Farren

Can you imagine the iconic opening vocals of "You Give Love a Bad Name" belted out by any other voice than Jon Bon Jovi’s? A female voice, perhaps? Surprisingly, the melody was originally written by hitmaker Desmond Child for Bonnie Tyler . Her version, titled "If You Were a Woman (And I Was a Man)," featured different lyrics, and was released earlier that same year in 1986.

Dissatisfied with the final result of Tyler’s song, Child decided to take the same seed of an anthem and team up with Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora to rework it. The result was a powerhouse anthem that propelled Bon Jovi to the top of the charts. It also marked a radical change in the band’s career, which veered from then on to a more radio-friendly, arena-rock sound that would define their style.

4

Don’t Stop Believin’ - Journey

Image: Kristina Chuprina

If you strip this '80s rock anthem of its drums, bass, guitar, and even its melody, you’re left with a simple yet powerful plea: "Don’t stop believing." Those words have a heartfelt origin. When Jonathan Cain was invited to join Journey, he started working on a song, first deciding that he was going to name it after the words his father would repeat to him over the phone while he was still a struggling musician in L.A.: "Don’t stop believing or you are done , dude."

Cain wrote the emotional chorus first before sharing the project with the band to complete it together. That’s why it’s said that the song was written "backward ." The arrangements were carefully crafted to build up to the climactic final chorus. If you pay attention, this one doesn’t appear until near the end of the song—a structure that sets it apart.

5

We Didn't Start the Fire - Billy Joel

Image: David Clode

119 significant events are mentioned in the famous 1989 song by "Piano Man" Billy Joel. A rapid-fire history lesson, covering science, sports, music, politics, cultural icons, movies, and so many more, is uttered to assemble an image of the 40 years the artist had lived until then—from 1949 to 1989. The story of how he stumbled upon the idea for this musical whirlwind is just as fascinating.

Legend has it that Joel was in the studio one day when Sean Lennon, John Lennon’s son , visited with a young friend. The 20-year-old started complaining about the hardships of growing up in the ‘80s, and Joel replied that the ‘60s weren’t exactly easy either. This sparked a discussion where each mentioned world-relevant events they had lived through. Inspired, Joel jotted down the events and began piecing them together, eventually crafting the iconic song.

6

I Will Always Love You - Dolly Parton

Image: Wes McFee

"I Will Always Love You," immortalized by Whitney Houston ’s rendition for The Bodyguard (1992), was actually written 18 years earlier by Dolly Parton. Although it became a romantic power ballad in the voice of Houston, the original version hadn’t been written with romance or heartbreak in mind—it was a heartfelt farewell.

In 1972, after having become a performing regular in The Porter Wagoner Show , Dolly Parton decided it was time to leave and pursue her own path. Her deep appreciation for Wagoner and her love for her colleague drove her to write a sweet, sincere song to express her feelings. Explaining that, despite needing to move on, and regardless of where life took her, she would always love him. Touched by the song, Wagoner loved it and asked to produce it himself.

7

Maniac - Michael Sembello

Image: David Monje

"Maniac," made famous for its inclusion in the Flashdance (1983) soundtrack, is another example of a song that started with a very different theme. Its original name was still "Maniac," yes. But it wasn’t originally about a passionate dancer—it was about a serial killer.

Dennis Matkosky, the song’s author, had seen in the news a story about a psychotic criminal and conjured in his mind a song that warned of his deeds . Together with his friend Michael Sembello, they finished that version for their own amusement. The demo ended up being one of the songs used in the set of Flashdance for being upbeat, catchy, and danceable. Director Adrian Lyne grew so fond of it that he asked Matkosky and Sembello to rewrite the lyrics to better suit the film. The reworked song became a global hit, reaching the top 10 of pop charts in multiple countries that year.

8

Shout - The Isley Brothers

Image: Brett Sayles

If hearing the song "Shout" by The Isley Brothers makes you think of a festive event where a band interacts with a dancing audience, it means the song retained its original spirit. The iconic phrase "Jump up and shout now" was part of a series of playful instructions the band improvised during a live performance. At the time, they were covering "Lonely Teardrops," a Jackie Wilson hit, and went off on a tangent building on the climax of that song.

The band began shouting ad-libbed lines , encouraging the crowd to participate. That responsorial dynamic became the foundation of "Shout," and evolved further through subsequent performances. Once the song was written down and recorded, it became a timeless classic. Today, this 1959 hit remains a staple at celebrations around the world.

9

You’re So Vain - Carly Simon

Image: Dinielle De Veyra

A song with the famous line "You're so vain, you probably think this song is about you," has sparked decades of speculation about who inspired it. Mick Jagger, James Taylor, and Warren Beatty were all rumored to be the subject behind Carly Simon’s famous song. The singer and songwriter delighted in keeping the identity of any precise man a secret, and at some point declared that it had been written about a type of man in general.

However, in 2003, for a charity auction organized by Martha's Vineyard Possible Dreams organization, Simon decided to offer one big treasure to the highest bidder: The truth behind the song. Her friend Dick Ebersol paid $50,000 for the revelation. Under sworn secrecy, Simon revealed the person to Ebersol. He kept the secret, only telling the public that he found the answer "very surprising."

10

Walk the Line - Johnny Cash

Image: Simon Migaj

"I Walk the Line" was Johnny Cash's declaration of commitment and faithfulness, a song written for his first wife, Vivian Liberto. As he prepared to embark on long tours, Cash penned this song as a vow to assure her that he would remain true to her.

Beyond the inspiration for the lyrics, the song showed an array of singularities that made it stand out back in 1956. For example, each iteration of a verse is sung in a different key, a unique technique that can be heard in the gradual shifts of Cash’s voice. The low hum before each verse is Cash’s preparation for singing in each corresponding key. He also innovated by attaching a piece of paper to his guitar’s end which he would hit while playing, simulating the sound of a snare drum that can be heard in the song.

1

Amazon: From books to everything

You might remember ordering a book via Amazon as one of the first transactions in our online lives. Amazon was just a modest virtual bookstore when it launched in 1994. In fact, Jeff Bezos allegedly named his company after the South American rainforest because he wanted it to be the biggest bookstore in the entire world.

Over time, it evolved into a global e-commerce and technology powerhouse that fundamentally changed consumer behavior and logistics. Amazon popularized one-click ordering, introduced personalized product recommendations, and pioneered fast home delivery, turning long weekly waits into a one-day or same-day process.

2

eBay: The auction that went global

eBay officially started in 1995 when founder Pierre Omidyar sold a broken laser pointer for $14.83 to a collector on his experimental auction site, showcasing that practically anything could be sold. It then revolutionized global commerce by turning the internet into a giant, peer-to-peer garage sale where ordinary people could buy and sell unique items from anywhere in the world.

Before eBay, selling goods to a mass audience required a physical storefront or a large wholesale budget, but eBay let anyone list household items, collectibles, or crafts directly from a home computer. To reassure the skeptics, it also pioneered a mutual feedback and rating system that held buyers and sellers accountable, proving that strangers could safely trade goods online.

3

Google: The search that changed everything

We wonder what navigating the internet would even be like without the famous Google search. Even though its name has to do with a mistake (it's the misspelled version of "googol," which is the number one followed by 100 zeros), since its launch in 1998, it's transformed the internet from a chaotic library into an organized system — fundamentally changing how humanity finds information , navigates the physical world, and handles daily tasks.

Google replaced slow directory browsing and keyword-stuffed portals with a clean, minimalist homepage. Its targeted advertising networks reshaped how businesses find customers and how digital content is funded online. Google Maps (launched in 2005) replaced static paper maps and slow early web tools with a fluid "slippy map," changing how we travel and get anywhere, forever.

4

Spotify: The moment music became endless

Spotify was founded in Sweden in 2006 and launched in 2008. It officially entered the American market in 2011, revolutionizing the music industry forever. The years between its founding and U.S. launch included extensive licensing negotiations with music rights holders.

When it arrived, it offered its signature "freemium" model, helping disrupt the paid-download era dominated by Apple’s iTunes Store, with streaming becoming the new blueprint for music consumption . This transition shifted how recorded music generates revenue, with many artists increasingly relying on multiple income streams, including touring, merchandise, vinyl and other physical products, and unique experiences. Getting a song placed in a commercial or video game can provide another source of income, with synchronization deals offering upfront fees and, in some cases, additional royalties.

5

Facebook: When friends went online

Chances are you have a Facebook account and possibly even reconnected with a long-lost friend (or love) on the platform. There’s no doubting it: Facebook revolutionized the way we live by turning personal relationships, daily communication, and digital identity into a massive global network since its launch in 2004.

It replaced many habits: physical letters, landline calls, and basic emails gave way to instant messages, wall posts, and digital timelines. The need to use our real names and photos when creating our profiles helped people build a single, permanent online identity to stay connected across different life stages. After introducing features such as the News Feed, Like button, and Facebook Ads, the platform surpassed 3 billion monthly active users in 2023, changing how we connect, communicate, and consume information online.

6

YouTube: When everyone became a broadcaster

Do you remember the first video you ever watched on YouTube? Incredibly, the platform was originally conceived as a video-dating site with the idea of singles filming what they wanted in a partner, alongside the slogan "Tune In, Hook Up," before becoming something else entirely by democratizing broadcasting.

Before YouTube, traditional media and television networks controlled video distribution and production. Now, anyone with an internet connection and a basic camera could instantly share their voice, art, or daily life with a global audience. The platform created the profession of "YouTubers," allowing independent creators to build direct relationships and careers outside of mainstream media. From cat videos to cooking lessons , YouTube has not only changed what we watch, but also who gets to be seen.

7

Netflix: Goodbye, "next week at 9"

What show are you watching? Anything you’d recommend? Netflix has made these questions commonplace by changing how the world watches entertainment, replacing fixed TV schedules with its iconic DVD-by-mail rental service beginning in 1998, and its instant, on-demand service beginning in 2007. Viewers gained the freedom to watch movies and shows anytime, and suddenly traditional weekly TV schedules and cable bundles began to lose their grip on daily routines, making "next week at 9" a thing of the past .

In addition, releasing entire seasons at once popularized "binge-watching." Shows like House of Cards and Orange Is the New Black helped prove that original online content could rival traditional networks.

8

Instagram: When photos took over

For those of us who started using it from the beginning, we might still have a favorite filter. Instagram changed the way we live by turning everyday visual sharing into a global culture . Launched in October 2010, the app transformed quiet photo albums into public, fast-paced feeds (where one could say everything tends to be quite perfect, too).

Among the key areas it’s impacted are travel, where photos of scenic views and trendy cafes can now influence our vacation choices and hotel selections; going out to eat, since meals are styled for cameras before anyone takes a bite; and modern selfie culture, including the push for an idealized personal brand and the rise of "influencers."

9

Zoom: Created before video calls became unavoidable

The idea of video calls existed long before Zoom, but Zoom’s launch in 2013 helped transform video conferencing into a global lifeline for work, education, and socializing during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

Daily meeting participants rose from 10 million in December 2019 to 300 million by April 2020. Since then, many offices have moved into living rooms, schools have replaced homework with virtual rooms, and "Zooming" has become a standard verb for happy hours, family gatherings, and even weddings, keeping people close during lockdowns or long-distance, and transforming the way we communicate ever since.

10

TikTok: When strangers became the feed

You’ve heard of "TikTok challenges" or maybe even filmed one or two. Although TikTok is another social media platform, it has helped change social media by putting a greater emphasis on its "For You" feed, where an algorithm serves up highly personalized content rather than simply showing posts from the accounts you follow.

In other words, the app shows content from strangers based on users’ behavior; its endless, easy-to-navigate feed keeps them engaged with rapid, bite-sized videos; and competitors like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts have adopted similar short-form video formats. It has become especially popular among younger users and highly influential in music discovery, trends, and brand marketing. Talk about a revolution, one TikTok at a time.