The month of March is not usually associated with major summer or Christmas commercial releases, but over the decades it has been the starting point for some of the most influential films in audiovisual history.
From modern cinema classics to television fictions that redefined narrative.
Below, we review some of these films released in March, with a precise summary of their plot to understand why they remain relevant today.
The Godfather / 1972 – 54 years ago
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, The Godfather was released in March 1972 and is considered one of the best films in cinema history.
The plot follows the Corleone family, a powerful Italian-American organized crime organization, and focuses on the transformation of Michael Corleone, who goes from being a young man outside of family business to becoming a ruthless leader.
The film revolutionized mob cinema, offering a complex view of power, family loyalty, violence, and moral corruption.
Its influence extends to this day, both in cinematographic language and in the construction of criminal characters and narratives.
The Matrix / 1999 – 27 years ago
Released in March 1999, The Matrix marked a before and after in contemporary science fiction.
The film posits that humanity is trapped in a simulated reality created by intelligent machines to subdue human beings.
Neo, the protagonist, discovers the truth and joins a resistance fighting to free humanity.
Beyond its plot, The Matrix made an impact with its visual aesthetics, technical innovations, and philosophical depth, exploring concepts such as identity, freedom, and the control over being creators of our own destiny.
Its March release cemented its place as one of the most influential works in action and science fiction cinema.
Logan / 2017 – 9 years ago
Logan was released in March 2017 and represented a break within superhero cinema.
Set in a near future, the story features an aging, weary, and physically deteriorated Wolverine, living in hiding while caring for a weakened Professor X, until the appearance of a girl with similar abilities forces Logan back into action.
The film addresses themes such as sacrifice, fatherhood, decay, and redemption, offering a more mature and realistic approach to the genre.
It is considered one of the most mature comic book adaptations ever made.
Beauty and the Beast (live action) / 2017 – 9 years ago
The live-action adaptation of Beauty and the Beast was also released in March 2017.
Based on the classic Disney animated film, the film tells the story of Belle, an intelligent and independent young woman, and her relationship with a cursed beast who must learn to love to break a spell.
The film was a huge commercial success and solidified the trend of Disney live-action remakes, although not all of its live-action films have had the same success.
Its March release showed that this month can also be key for large family and romantic productions within fantasy cinema.
