Few films are truly timeless. But every once in a while, a movie comes along that lodges itself in the hearts and minds of audiences across demographics. In 1997, that feature was Titanic.
Set aboard the R.M.S. Titanic, this drama directed by James Cameron delved into the romance between a poor American artist named Jack Dawson (Leonardo DiCaprio) and a wealthy young woman named Rose DeWitt Bukater (Kate Winslet), who is engaged to be married to her douchebag fiancé Caledon Hockley (Billy Zane). It’s a Romeo and Juliet-style tale that’s action-packed and endlessly rewatchable.
Though we all know how this story ends — with 1,500 people dropping to their deaths in the frigid waters of the North Atlantic on April 15, 1912 — we can’t help but relive it again and again and again.
From Jack proclaiming “I’m the king of the world!” to Rose’s request that Jack draw her “like one of your French girls” to that epic kiss on the bow of the ship, every frame of this film is sensual, emotional, and memorable. There are even a few laughs to be had before the tear-jerking part of the film kicks in.
In honor of the film turning 25 (and the tragedy’s 110th anniversary), we decided to enumerate all the reasons why we’ll never let go.
Cover Photo: Paramount
Titanic Rewind
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It Was an Emotional Rollercoaster
OK, so maybe you didn’t cry when Jack dropped off the raft (what are you, heartless?) but you definitely rode the wave (whoops, see what we did there?) of emotions in this film.
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It Was (Mostly) Historically Accurate
At the time it was made in the late ‘90s, it was as historically accurate as any film had been about the sinking of the Titanic.
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It Had a Sense of Humor
Despite its morbid subject matter, the screenplay had quite a few jokes in it, like this beaut from Jack: “I don’t know about you, but I intend to write a strongly worded letter to the White Star Line about all of this.”
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The Broke Guy Won the Girl
Jack may not have a nickel to his name, but he has a heart of gold, and that makes him every poor dude’s hero.
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Kate Winslet Got Naked
Except for the necklace, of course.
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It Featured Baby-Faced Leonardo DiCaprio
He sure was a pretty boy – with charm to spare!
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It Put Toxic Masculinity in Its Place
Good riddance, Cal.
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It Was All About YOLO Before YOLO Was a Thing
As Jack said, “I figure life‘s a gift and I don’t intend on wasting it. You don’t know what hand you’re gonna get dealt next. You learn to take life as it comes at you…to make each day count.”
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It Gave Us That Celine Dion Earworm
We know you can’t resist belting out, "My heart will go on!"
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It Made the Phrase ‘It’s Been 84 Years’ a Meme
Here's to timeless slang.
