There are many great films that everyone should watch at least once. But sometimes once is enough.
Whether it’s a suspenseful storyline, an emotional rollercoaster ride, or a surprise ending that can’t be unseen, here are 20 movies people say they loved but will never watch again.
1. The Shawshank Redemption
“The Shawshank Redemption is one of my favorite films. Very well written, the acting is excellent. But the scene where Andy gets beat up is brutal and that’s the main reason I can’t watch the movie again. It’s just ferocious, and it was hard to see it on screen.
But even though it was hard to watch, I’m still glad I saw the movie. It’s just so well done and convincing. I would recommend it to everyone, although I don’t think I can watch it again.”
Steve Morrow
2. Se7en
“I saw Se7en over 20 years ago, but I still remember certain scenes clearly. Few films can leave such a mark. It has a rather shocking and incredible storyline with a dark and unsettling mood. Acting is top notch. The end totally blew me away.
Some people say they could watch it over and over again, but for me the ending is too heartbreaking to sit down and relive all those feelings. I’m glad I saw this movie and highly recommend it.”
Nicole Graham
3. Radiance
“Great storyline and acting. But it’s still haunting him!”
Katie Still
4. Final destination
“One movie I liked but won’t watch again is Final Destination. It was scary, exciting and kept me on my toes all the time. But after that experience, I developed an aversion to horror films like Final Destination. The flickering lights, the looming danger and the imminent death make these films predictable, and for me it takes away the excitement and anticipation of watching or re-watching.”
Jude Uccella
5. Dear Zachary: A letter to a son about his father
“If you’ve watched Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father, you’ll understand why everyone should watch it, but not watch it twice.
This true-crime documentary by Kurt Kuenne began as a touching tribute to his murdered friend. Eventually, after Quann sent copies of his film to more than 400 members of the Canadian Parliament, he changed the Canadian federal law regarding the protection of children in the custody of a person accused of a serious crime (aka the “Zachary Law”).
It’s an important story that shows that people can fight injustice and really make a difference.”
Amanda Kay
6. My dog Skip
“Any film with a dog as the main character. As a result, the dog dies. Is always. But I need to see him at least once. My Dog Skip was the first one I remember.”
Stephanie Alfaro
7. Pan’s Labyrinth
“Most famous for its creepy monsters and quirky characters – who can forget a beast with its eyes in its palms? “Pan’s Labyrinth is Guillermo del Toro’s masterpiece, in which fairy tales and dreams coexist with the grim realities of the Spanish Civil War.
Del Toro does such an amazing job of seamlessly blending the young heroine’s dark tales with the realities of fascism and war raging outside of her dream world that Pan’s Labyrinth is irritating and contradictory to even the most inexperienced viewer.
This haunting reality makes it a movie you’ll remember for years to come, though you probably won’t want to watch it again. Maybe that’s why it’s worth visiting again.”
Carly Rojas Avila
8. Requiem for a Dream
“Requiem for a Dream highlights the realities of the world we live in, what people will do to get high, and the issues that motivate us to take certain actions. It shows how anyone, from the youth on the streets to the elderly taking diet pills, is addicted.
The concept of the film is mesmerizing, the music is impressive and the acting is incredible. This movie is eye-opening and one of those movies that you should watch at least once, but it’s not easy to repeat and you probably don’t want to.”
Sanjana
“It’s a great film with an important message, but it’s unsettling. So much so that I dreamed about it for the next few days and the thought of it made me sad. I can’t and won’t watch it again.”
Chhavi Agarwal
9. Irish
“If you have watched The Irishman, you will understand that this is a memorable film and does not need to be watched twice. With actors like Robert De Niro and Al Pacino, this movie has no shortage of great acting and storytelling.
The film is a “true crime” that explores the life of Frank Sheeran and his life as a hitman for a powerful crime family. The main reason I won’t watch this movie again is that it’s 3.5 hours long. Even though the storyline is gripping and the movie is consistently gripping, spending so much time in front of the TV is very painful.”
LaToya Downs
10. Green Mile
“Anyone who has watched The Green Mile will agree that this is a film you will never forget. It touches your heart and takes you on a journey you don’t expect.
Some movies move you so much that you refuse to watch them again. That’s what the Green Mile did to me. I was so mesmerized and captivated and also moved to tears.
The Green Mile takes you to a death row prison with a special prisoner and his final days on death row. The Green Mile is an incredible film and I won’t be watching it twice because of the emotional journey it took me.”
Victoria
11. Start
“This is a great film and I enjoyed watching it. There were many twists and turns and it was hard to keep track at times. I’ve watched similar movies that get you so hooked you don’t want to watch them again, and Inception is no different.
Leonardo DiCaprio is nice to watch because he always tries to do his best, but it’s one of those films that leaves a strange feeling two or three days after it ends.”
Tim
12. Pay Upfront
“A beautiful story and lessons on how to live with an open heart and kindness. But the unexpected and tragic ending did not allow me to revise it again. Admittedly, this film was “emotionally manipulative” as the critics said, but I think the overall theme and heart in the film still made it good.”
Elaine Davis
13. Batman: The Dark Knight
“Heath Ledger did an amazing job as the Joker (literally, one of the best I’ve seen), but his portrayal of the villain was quite unsettling – especially the explosion scene in the hospital when he casually walks out in a nurse’s uniform. It was almost like a horror movie for me.”
Ling
14. Message in a bottle
“I love Kevin Costner, he’s a phenomenal actor, but Nicholas Sparks’ ending leaves a lot to be desired. Sad endings are the worst!
kristen
15. Unforgivable
The Unforgivable, starring Sandra Bullock, is a powerful film that keeps you on your toes all the time. The story of a woman released from prison, who bears the burden of an unforgivable crime, and all the while looking for her sister.
The plot is gripping and full of heartache. I would not call this film tearful, but a film where you will cry ugly. I really liked the story, but I couldn’t go through the emotional plot again.”
Emily Herrig
16. Twilight Series
“It was great to watch as a teenager, but films should be watched as a teenager and only once! The books had more depth, and the characters in the movie didn’t do it justice.
Young adults are easy to follow, which is probably why he’s so popular, but other than that, he’s very disappointing!”
Lavinia D
17. Hut
“This is a really amazing movie, but it really touches your hearts, especially if you have kids! I’m glad I watched it because it has a really powerful message, but I can’t watch it again. It left me pretty torn!”
Kayla Butcher
18. Citizen Kane
Citizen Kane is considered by some to be the greatest film of all time. Orson Welles, the cast, acting, filming and story are all superb. Once you see and appreciate it, with a reveal at the end, it will save you the hassle of going back and revisiting this two-hour classic.”
Paul Scarfon
19. Village
“It has such a twisted ending that it makes no sense to revise it. This turn is everything.”
Taryn Scarfon
20. Romeo + Juliet (1996)
“This modern remake, featuring two of the biggest stars of the 90s, was a box office hit. At the same time, everyone knows how the story ended, so it was not worth revisiting it again.
Lauren Tingley
Andrew Herrig is the founder of Wealthy Nickel, where he writes about personal finance, jobs, and entrepreneurship. As an avid real estate investor and owner of several businesses, he has a passion for helping others create wealth and shares his family’s experiences on his blog. Andrew’s advisory board has been featured on CNBC, Entrepreneur, Fox News, MSN and more.
