8. Philadelphia
When Philadelphia hit screens in 1993, it was a landmark film for being one of the first to truly tackle issues of HIV/AIDS and homosexuality. Tom Hanks landed an Oscar for his gripping portrayal of closeted lawyer Andrew Beckett, in a groundbreaking performance that helped bring these hot-button issues to the forefront of the public consciousness. The film consists of Beckett suing his former firm in the wake of his dismissal for wrongful termination on the basis of AIDS discrimination. Hanks character won his case, being awarded back pay, pain and suffering and punitive damages to a total of nearly $5,000,000. The audience witnessed Becketts declining health and the toll AIDS takes on someone, and the film ends with his death. Philadelphia was vocal regarding issues such as safe sex and promiscuity, discrimination, same sex relationships and employer responsibility. It was a strong piece of cinema that still resonates today, in an admittedly much different social climate. But had Andrew Beckett not died at the end, much of that message would have been lost. Today, AIDS is no longer a death sentence, with pharmaceutical treatments being extremely effective at prolonging ones life and even allowing them to live a relatively normal existence. But viewers needed to see Beckett suffer and die in order for the message to truly be delivered in the strongest way.