The best modern movies made in black and white
Color motion pictures became the norm by the mid-1950s, but that doesn’t mean black-and-white films were no longer being made. In fact, the black-and-white horror movie “The Lighthouse” hit theaters earlier this month, making it one of many modern films made in black and white for financial, artistic or setting-related reasons over the last few decades. Considering only live-action films presented entirely or almost entirely without color, and released in or after 1970, here are the 25 best modern movies made in black and white.
“Multiple Maniacs” (1970)
“Multiple Maniacs” made only about $33,000 at the box office — but that’s nearly six times what John Waters spent making the 1970 black comedy-horror film. The film’s director, producer, screenwriter, editor, cinematographer and composer subsequently made numerous movies that have received more attention than “Multiple Maniacs,” but to this day it is still his best reviewed.
“Paper Moon” (1973)
In addition to being shot in black and white (to reflect its 1930s setting), Peter Bogdanovich’s “Paper Moon” is most notable for featuring a father-daughter protagonist duo played by Ryan O’Neal and his real-life daughter, Tatum. She was only 9 years old when the 1973 dramedy was filmed, and the following year she became the youngest person to ever win a competitive Oscar upon nabbing the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress at age 10. “Paper Moon” earned two additional nods at the event: Best Sound and Best Adapted Screenplay (Alvin Sargent).
