![Researchers in Italy have found that "The Wizard of Oz" (1939) is the most influential movie of all time. [Image Insomnia Cured Here/Flickr]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2018/11/30/660x290/b_502x220x82/researchers-in-italy-have-found-that-the-wizard-of-oz-1939-is-the-most-influential-movie-of-all-time-image-insomnia-cured-hereflickr_2155363.jpg "Researchers in Italy have found that \"The Wizard of Oz\" (1939) is the most influential movie of all time. [Image Insomnia Cured Here/Flickr]")
Many people consider a Film to be successful due to its box office takings, or the critical acclaim the movie receives. However, it turns out some movies are more influential on the people that watched them than others.
Researchers from the University of Turin in Italy came up with a different way to measure the success of 47,000 popular films by finding out how they influence people. Using their new method they came up with the list of the top five movies below. According to The Guardian, the team used references from the IMDb website as well as data relating to the film's year of release, its genre and in which country it was produced.
Pulling back the curtain: Wizard of Oz named most influential film https://t.co/SWTVjYXAW4
— Zaki Nusseibeh (@Zakinus) November 30, 2018
As reported by Newsweek, researchers also took note of the actors and directors involved in each film to analyse the patterns and trends. According to the study, the most influential movies were made mostly in the US and prior to 1980.
They picked out the top 20, five of which are detailed below, with trailers, in case you missed the film. According to their study, which The Guardian notes was published in Applied Network Science, it turns out “The Wizard of Oz” thoroughly beat out “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope."
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
Top of the list is “The Wizard of Oz,” the tale of Dorothy and Toto being whisked off to Oz by a Tornado. Everyone remembers those famous words, “We’re not in Kansas anymore, Toto.” The story of Dorothy and her strange companions, the Lion, the Tin Man and the Scarecrow are emblazoned on every child’s mind since the film came out in 1939. The film starred a young Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Frank Morgan, Bert Lahr, Billie Burke, Jack Haley and Margaret Hamilton.
Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
Next in line is a “Star Wars” film, which featured the Imperial Forces, under Darth Vader (David Prowse) holding Princess Leia (the late Carrie Fisher) hostage to try to stop the rebellion against the Galactic Empire. Han Solo (Harrison) for, captain of the Millennium Falcon joins with Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), R2-D2 and C-3PO to rescue the princess, give aid to the Rebel Alliance and generally restore justice and freedom to the Galaxy.
