Italian neorealism was a hugely influential film movement that emerged in the aftermath of World War II. Rooted in the economic and social struggles of that era, neorealism sought to portray the harsh realities of everyday life, often focusing on the working class. The watchword for the movement was authenticity. Stylistically, these filmmakers aimed to present an unfiltered vision of society, achieved with the use of non-professional actors, natural lighting, and real locations.

Italian neorealism was relatively short-lived, petering out by the late 1950s, yet its impact was massive, with similar movements springing up around the globe. Even all these decades later, filmmakers continue to borrow some of its elements and preoccupations. With this in mind, this list looks at some of the core neorealist films that sum up all that the movement was about, the best of which remain compelling today.