Paramount Pictures was first founded on this day, May 8^th in 1912. Over their 101 years in the business, they have provided us with cinematic greatness and some of the biggest blockbusters of all time. Here are twelve of our favourites to celebrate the day.

1. The Godfather

Without a shadow of a doubt, the greatest gangster film ever made.

2. Sunset Boulevard

Ready for your close-up?

3. Psycho

One of the great horror game changers, Psycho literally shocked audiences on its release.

4. Indiana Jones – Raiders of the Lost Ark

Sorry Indy, but there are snakes...

5. Braveheart

Mel Gibson’s show stealer, an epic directorial venture and a very underrated film. Even if it is wildly inaccurate.

6. Forrest Gump

You would have to a heart of stone to question its inclusion in the list...

7. Fatal Attraction

Perhaps not one of Paramount’s finest films, but it is certainly one of its most iconic. Two words. Bunny boiler.

8. Gladiator

Oliver Reid’s final film, that wonderful soundtrack and an epic performance from Russell Crowe make Gladiator one of the essentials.

9. Top Gun

The need. The need for speed.

10. American Beauty

Everyone knew about that scene in the bathtub before they even saw the film, but that Kevin Spacey performance blew everyone away.

11. Iron Man

Say what you like, but Iron Man paved the way for those Avengers films. And it helped that Robert Downey Jr. was in it.

12. Star Trek

Space. The final frontier. These are the voyages of the reworked Enterprise.