The Matrix (1999)

Directed by the Wachowski siblings, The Matrix grossed $463 million worldwide and introduced the "bullet time" visual effects technique that was imitated in hundreds of subsequent films. Keanu Reeves and Laurence Fishburne star in a story combining Hong Kong action choreography, cyberpunk philosophy, and groundbreaking computer effects that won 4 Academy Awards. The film launched a $1.6 billion trilogy and was selected by UNESCO for preservation as a work of cultural significance.