We all know the type: someone casually drops a line about “Casablanca” or “Pulp Fiction,” nodding knowingly, only to realize they’ve never actually seen the movie. According to a survey conducted by LoveFilm, these 10 classic films have earned legendary status over the years, yet a surprising number of people haven’t actually watched them from start to finish. From iconic lines to unforgettable scenes, they’re cultural touchstones—but don’t be fooled: claiming to have seen them is often easier than actually sitting through them.
The Godfather (1972)
Source: IMDb
The survey conducted by the British video rental service found that Coppola’s gangster epic is the picture most people lie about having seen. Its towering reputation—often called the greatest movie ever made—makes it a conversation piece at parties and film classes alike. Many know the quotes and iconic scenes from pop culture references, which makes pretending easy. But sitting through the slow-burn family drama from start to finish is something fewer viewers have actually done.
Goodfellas (1990)
Source: IMDb
LOVEFiLM’s survey also flagged Martin Scorsese’s crime masterpiece as a movie people often pretend to have seen. Its legendary storytelling and unforgettable moments make it feel familiar even to those who have never watched it. Scenes like the long Copacabana tracking shot and Henry Hill’s rise and fall are widely recognized through clips and references. The film’s reputation alone has cemented it as a must-mention classic, even for those who only know it in passing.
Taxi Driver (1976)
Source: IMDb
According to the same LOVEFiLM survey, many people admit they lie about having seen Martin Scorsese’s gritty New York classic. Its dark portrait of loneliness and urban decay is endlessly quoted and referenced, from “You talkin’ to me?” to the moody shots of a rain-soaked city. Plenty know the film’s reputation for intensity but skip the uncomfortable ride itself.
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Source: IMDb
The LOVEFiLM survey also singled out Stanley Kubrick’s sci-fi landmark as a movie many people lie about watching. Its breathtaking visuals and philosophical themes have shaped decades of science fiction, making it a cultural touchstone even for those who never sat through the entire journey. Iconic moments like the eerie HAL 9000 and the wordless opening are familiar from countless homages. For many, quoting “I’m sorry, Dave” is easier than experiencing the film’s slow, hypnotic pace firsthand.
This Is Spinal Tap (1984)
Source: IMDb
LOVEFiLM’s survey highlighted this mockumentary as another film people often say they’ve seen when they really haven’t. Rob Reiner’s satire of rock bands is so thoroughly quoted—”These go to eleven” being the most famous line—that many feel they already know it without watching.
Blade Runner (1982)
Source: IMDb
The LOVEFiLM survey identified Ridley Scott’s sci-fi classic as a film many claim to have seen but often haven’t. Its dystopian visuals, neon-lit cityscapes, and the philosophical questions about humanity have made it endlessly referenced in pop culture. Many people recognize the imagery and famous lines without ever sitting through the full, slow-burning story.
The Great Escape (1963)
Source: IMDb
LOVEFiLM’s survey shows that many people also lie about having seen this World War II classic. Its thrilling prison break story, unforgettable theme music, and star-studded cast make it instantly recognizable. Even those who have never watched it often know the dramatic motorcycle chase or daring escapes from clips and references. The movie’s legendary reputation keeps it talked about, even among viewers who haven’t actually seen it.
Casablanca (1942)
Source: IMDb
According to LOVEFiLM’s survey, this classic romantic drama is another film people often claim to have seen. Its iconic lines like “Here’s looking at you, kid” and unforgettable scenes have been referenced so much that they feel instantly familiar. Even viewers who haven’t watched the full story can picture the smoky cafés and dramatic airport farewell.
Reservoir Dogs (1992)
Source: IMDb
The LOVEFiLM survey also pointed to Quentin Tarantino’s debut as a film many claim to have watched without ever pressing play. Celebrated as a defining moment for indie cinema, it’s packed with sharp dialogue and tense stand-offs everyone references. Its influence on later crime movies makes it feel familiar even to those who only know it through quotes and memes. Dropping the title in conversation seems to be more impressive than actually enduring its gritty violence and talk-heavy pacing.
Apocalypse Now (1979)
Source: IMDb
The LOVEFiLM survey named Francis Ford Coppola’s Vietnam War epic as a film many people claim to have seen without actually doing so. Its legendary production troubles and unforgettable lines are deeply embedded in pop culture, giving it an aura of must-see importance. The hallucinatory visuals and brooding atmosphere are familiar through clips and references even to those who never made it past the opening sequence. For plenty of would-be cinephiles, it is easier to talk about its mythic status than to experience the full, surreal descent into darkness.
