Whether you consider yourself a bona fide film buff or just know what you like, everyone has a special list of films that they will never tire of watching. Yet there are certain films that enjoy a wide and often unexpected appeal among those that understand the finer points of filmmaking and these so-called `classics` tend to avoid that common cinematic fate of being forgotten within a year of release. Certain directors seem to have something of a Midas touch when it comes to producing classics whereas other top films are the result of unique collaborations that are never repeated. An obvious example of the former is the work of Quentin Tarantino with the vast majority of his films achieving cult classic status, including Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs and, more recently, the two-volume Kill Bill, a blood-spattered tale of a female assassin`s revenge.

Classic films are by no means restricted to the cult movies and indeed every genre has its masterpieces. Within the romance category, some of the best include the famous love triangle of Casablanca with its dramatic ending; the unconventional love story of Pretty Women; and the charming An Affair to Remember with Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr. More recent movie love stories tend to offer quirkier characters and unusual perspectives and some of the best modern romances might not even be considered romantic films: think Amelie, Juno and Slumdog Millionaire.

Action films sometimes seem to flood the cinemas and nowadays there seem to be no shortage of big-budget drivel crammed with special effects and little more. Yet some of the best films ever made fall into this category and deserve to be savoured. The Indiana Jones films, especially the original trilogy, are certainly up there with their exhilarating adventures and subtle humour. Also making the list is the original Die Hard, which still manages to impress despite the various follow-ups becoming progressively more tedious. No list of classic action films would be complete without at least one appearance from 007 and the title of best Bond film is unlikely to ever find a consensus. However, for those new to the series, a fantastic place to start is the excellent Goldfinger, starring Sean Connery.

Film fans of all tastes can appreciate a truly classic film when they see one and often owning the DVD is not enough. Collecting movie memorabilia is a popular way to express our love for the cinematic greats and there are some excellent pieces available if you know where to look. Film fans can express their passion with collector`s edition DVD sets, t-shirts or on-set photographs of their favourite stars in action. One of the most popular items sourced by movie enthusiasts today are classic film posters. These look great framed and given pride of place in a bedroom or study. Thanks to the rise of the internet it is now much easier to locate film posters and other online from web-based retailers and online auction sites. It is a good idea to do some research before buying to establish how rare the piece you have your eye on is. With this information it is far easier to decide on your maximum price and to stick to it.