The Movies That Made Us

These blockbusters brought us together and gave us the time of our lives. Meet the actors, directors and industry insiders who made them happen.

The Movies That Made Us Season 1 release dates →

1. E4

   4. Die Hard

   Finale 6 years ago

   This box office titan took action movies to the next level, decked out with a relatable hero, a humorous rewrite and a well-played “yippee-ki-yay.”

2. E3

   3. Ghostbusters

   6 years ago

   A rickety script, tight timeline and effects issues almost busted this comedy. But thanks to Dan Aykroyd and company, the slimy shenanigans took off.

3. E2

   2. Home Alone

   6 years ago

   Mix a "comedy machine" with a novice director. Add a shutdown threat, rotating robbers and terrifying stunts to home in on a ho-ho-ho holiday megahit.

4. E1

   1. Dirty Dancing

   6 years ago

   Stepping on toes and tangling with rejection, the women behind this "girl's movie" touched millions despite co-star tension and a meager budget.

Get the story behind more generation-defining blockbusters as industry insiders lead the way with funny and entertaining deep dives.

The Movies That Made Us Season 2 release dates →

1. E4

   4. Forrest Gump

   Finale 5 years ago

   Life is like a box of chocolates — or a charming script unearthed by chance. Despite casting and budget woes, this humble tale became a '90s classic.

2. E3

   3. Jurassic Park

   5 years ago

   Crunch the numbers, then make way for a chubby T. rex and visual effects bad boys. This box office heavyweight disrupted the way movies are made.

3. E2

   2. Pretty Woman

   5 years ago

   Turning an unknown into a superstar and revamping the rom-com rules amid many rewrites, this megahit's success still leaves insiders pretty shocked.

4. E1

   1. Back to the Future

   5 years ago

   Vroom or bust: It took a sweet ride and a rising star — or two — to build a blockbuster from a half-baked idea and the ashes of multiple flops.

Chills, thrills and behind-the-scenes brawls: Insiders reveal the stories behind more of your favorite megahits in this funny, eye-opening docuseries.

The Movies That Made Us Season 3 release dates →

1. E6

   6. Coming to America

   Finale 5 years ago

   The happily ever after? It's on screen. Behind the scenes, this litigious, loveless foray involved fisticuffs, Nostradamus — and iconic Black talent.

2. E5

   5. Aliens

   5 years ago

   A hard-driving director, stressed crew, great expectations — and a tiny budget — made for a difficult birth in the case of this mother of all sequels.

3. E4

   4. Robocop

   5 years ago

   A painfully tight suit and budget, a passionate European auteur and on-set tensions fueled this blockbuster takedown of cutthroat corporate America.

4. E3

   3. Nightmare on Elm Street

   5 years ago

   With a studio on the line, an imaginative director in the pocket and an actorly demon in tow, this supernatural slasher hit raked in a surreal profit.

5. E2

   2. Friday the 13th

   5 years ago

   What began as a bald rip-off made a bloody splash as a splatter classic. Now the unlikely crew spills its guts about the highs, lows and gory effects.

6. E1

   1. Halloween

   5 years ago

   It took a young team's blood, sweat and tears — and a triple-threat visionary — to make this bloodless yet scarily influential horror masterpiece.