Top 30 Best Movies of the 90s

There might not have been a brighter movie star in the 1990s than Robin Williams. In a career full of hilarious and heartfelt performances, the legendary comedian’s dual role in “Mrs. Doubtfire” makes a decent case for being his finest hour. He stars as Daniel Hillard, an unemployed and recently divorced actor who assumes the identity of a Scottish housekeeper to spend more time with his kids and become a better father. Thanks to his flair for theatrics and improvisation, Mrs. Doubtfire remains one of Williams’ most endearing characters. His antics make it a near perfect comedy, but “Mrs Doubtfire” is elevated by its dramatic tension, as the film never shies away from addressing topics that many viewers know all too well.

Although “Alien” and “Blade Runner” had already made him an in-demand filmmaker, Ridley Scott all but solidified his legacy with this road trip dramedy. On the run from the law when an attempted assault turns deadly, best friends Thelma & Louise find their fates growing closer in the rearview mirror. Each roadblock the two women encounter tests how much further they’re willing to go for each other, but their devotion helps the film beyond its potentially dark story. “Thelma & Louise” succeeds off the strength of its leads’ unrivaled chemistry, with Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon both receiving Oscar nominations for their work. Scott was rightfully recognized with a nomination himself, and the film ultimately took home a gold statuette for its genre-defying screenplay.

With cinematography recalling shades of Norman Rockwell and Edward Hopper, among others, “L.A. Confidential” is like a canvas of noirish paintings effortlessly transplanted into the late 90s. A lesser movie would be content to stop there. But this whodunit backs up its luscious style with a superbly crafted mystery that pits a trio of L.A. detectives against each other as their own motives get in the way of finding the truth. In fact, there are so many moving pieces that it may take a few additional viewings to fully unpack. That’s more than fine by us, as the intriguing ensemble, led by relative unknowns Guy Pearce and Russell Crowe, and compelling twists make it a must watch, especially for genre aficionados.

So much has been made of this supernatural horror movie’s startling twist ending that you’d think people would ignore the rest of it in their appraisals. Thankfully, they haven’t, as “The Sixth Sense” and its humane portrayal of life after death leaves viewers with plenty to ruminate on. Following a psychologist who attempts to help a boy that can communicate with the departed, the interactions between Bruce Willis and Haley Joel Osment are candid and decidedly unglamorous. Thanks to M. Night Shyamalan’s careful handling of difficult ideas, moments of quiet reflection make the burden of Cole Sear’s ability more terrifying than any jump scare ever could. Like Willis’ Malcolm Crowe, “The Sixth Sense,” makes you uncomfortable with your surroundings, but that’s why it’s so effective.

Harrison Ford commandeered pop culture throughout the late ‘70s and early ‘80s as the embodiment of both Han Solo and Indiana Jones. Dr. Richard Kimble may not have a blaster or a whip, but Ford brings the same level of commitment to the role of the wrongfully accused surgeon searching for his wife’s one-armed killer. “The Fugitive” is admittedly more pressed for time than the TV series that inspired it. But with Tommy Lee Jones keeping pace with Ford as U.S. Marshal Gerard, it finds the best use for every minute until Kimble’s furious quest for vengeance is complete. It makes for one of the most daring and suspenseful chases in movie history, one that could give Hitchcock himself a run for his money.

Several important figures have gotten the biopic treatment, but few manage to honor their subject to the degree that this one does. Based on Malcolm X’s own autobiography, Spike Lee’s retelling of the controversial civil rights leader’s life and times is one of the most ambitious movies of its kind. Across three-and-a-half hours, Lee gracefully captures Malcolm’s time in prison, his conversion to Islam, his untimely assassination, and everything in between. Denzel Washington gives the performance of a lifetime, tapping into his character’s imperfections while also emboldening the audience to trust in Malcolm’s convictions. How it didn’t win him an Oscar is beyond us, as “Malcolm X” offers universal lessons that only grow stronger with time, making it an epic in the truest sense.

“Election”’s satirical take on high school life was already groundbreaking for its time. But hindsight has made it one of the more relevant movies of the last few decades. Growing annoyed by obnoxious overachiever Tracy Flick, high school teacher Jim McAllister decides to upend her campaign for student council by convincing a popular jock to run against her. Prescient themes like sabotage, self-righteousness, and the indifference of voters run amok as the election is thrown for several amusing loops. Matthew Broderick and Reese Witherspoon both give pitch perfect performances, delivering blows to each other’s egos that become increasingly harder to take. But it’s the film’s willingness to jab at democracy and its various loopholes that makes it a flick we’ll definitely continue to pick.

Not every space story needs a scary alien to take your breath away. And we mean that literally. Just as the real Apollo 13 mission was aborted due to a depleted oxygen supply, this exhilarating recreation of the disaster-turned-triumph will leave you unsure of when to stop and catch a breath. With its painstaking attention to detail, “Apollo 13” is a claustrophobic reminder of what astronauts put at risk and how little we really know about surviving in space. But an all-star cast led by the likes of Tom Hanks ensures that it works equally as a moving tribute to those who work tirelessly to bring these people home. Simply put, failure to revisit this film any chance we get is not an option.

Sure, it’s probably best remembered for Jack Nicholson’s climactic proclamation. But one thing “A Few Good Men” can be declared guilty of is making such an iconic moment worth the wait. Starring Tom Cruise as a lawyer defending two Marines charged with murder, it’s an intricately woven examination of unquestioning obedience and the lengths one is willing to go to seek justice. As Lieutenant Kaffee[a] dives deeper into the conspiracy at the heart of the crime, the courtroom becomes a veritable battleground, with the honor and integrity of everyone involved at stake. The hard-hitting dialogue of screenwriter Aaron Sorkin leaves no loose ends, making “A Few Good Men” not only an above average legal drama, but one of the best the genre has to offer.

To say that horror maestro Wes Craven was betting the house on “Scream” might be the understatement of the decade. But, much like the comically uncoordinated Ghostface, Craven had seen enough movies to know how to turn the genre completely on its head. With the central killer preying upon a group of teens who should really be able to see his tricks coming, Craven is borderline diabolical in his use of humor to deconstruct slasher tropes. And yet, “Scream” is also an earnest and genuine thriller in its own right. With a cast chock full of up-and-comers and plenty of scares to boot, it's a celebration of horror’s past that helped carve out a bold new path for its future.

We’re gonna have to break a few rules here and talk about “Fight Club.” The story of an unnamed protagonist and his friend Tyler Durden as they form the eponymous organization, “Fight Club” spoke to an entire generation. Despite its title, “Fight Club” is more about ideas, particularly finding meaning and purpose in a society that seems designed to strip them away from us. Its commentary on consumerism and male identity remains timely today. Plus, it has a ton of quotable lines and plenty of unexpected developments. “Fight Club” may have come at the tail end of the ‘90s, but it still managed to make a big impact among a great decade of film.

There were other hood dramas before “Boyz n the Hood,” but it was this movie that helped popularize them. The film follows several young Black men in Los Angeles as they find themselves caught between the lucrative benefits of a dangerous criminal life and the more difficult pursuit of legitimate education and careers. Full of breakout performances from actors like Cuba Gooding Jr. and Ice Cube, “Boyz n the Hood” brought attention not only to its actors and director, John Singleton, but also to the kind of people and communities which they portrayed on screen.

What if you kept living the same day over and over again? “Groundhog Day” sees a sarcastic and cynical news anchor, Phil Connors, trapped in Pennsylvania on the titular day, and forced to relive it in a time loop. Phil’s repeated loops alternate between comedic, hopeful, and despairing, though he eventually finds peace through helping others - even if they won’t remember it. “Groundhog Day” is the perfect blend of comedy and hope, with a dash of romance too. Plus, the film has practically become a synonym for the concept of time loops.

Written by and starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, “Good Will Hunting” follows Will, a self-taught genius with anger issues. Will undergoes court-mandated therapy sessions, while also struggling with his love life and what to do about his future. Will’s developing bonds with both his love interest and his therapist - played by a top-of-his-game Robin Williams - are absolute magic to watch. The exploration of his past trauma, as well as his defense mechanisms, is heartbreaking and relatable. Featuring a stellar cast with break-out roles and returning veterans, “Good Will Hunting” is an outstanding drama that will make you laugh and cry in equal measure.

“Seven” details the lives of two detectives as they investigate a string of grisly ritualistic crimes themed around the 7 deadly sins. A sense of mystery pervades David Fincher’s film, as even after the villain is caught, there are plenty of surprises in store. “Se7en” takes a look at the uglier side of humanity, and its grim aesthetic exudes that. The movie isn’t for the faint of heart, yet those with the stomach for it will find an excellent thriller. The murderer is right about one thing – these events have fascinated us for years.

Does anyone dislike this movie? “Forrest Gump” follows the title character during his life across the latter half of the 20th century. His unwitting luck and effect on major events are very endearing, as are his friendships and relationships that he makes along the way. The film has so many unforgettable quotes and scenes, not to mention a standout performance by Tom Hanks as Forrest. It’s no wonder it won so many awards, including Best Picture at the Oscars. Still, in our opinion, it wasn’t even the best movie that year!

Speaking of Tom Hanks, the actor also stars in this incredible Steven Spielberg film. Set during World War II, “Saving Private Ryan” follows a squad of American soldiers as they search for the titular private, his mother’s last surviving son. Its graphic and harrowing depiction of war is almost unmatched in cinema. The D-Day landings scene alone would be enough to put it on our list, but the ensemble cast and many great set pieces elevate it even further. It is, quite simply, one of the greatest war movies ever made.

Al Pacino and Robert De Niro in the same movie is always great, but “Heat” is so much more than two legendary actors. De Niro plays the leader of a gang of thieves, whose brazen robberies have him pursued by Pacino’s detective. The game of cat and mouse is thrilling, with both parties getting one up on the other. Along with the top-shelf acting, “Heat” delivers some of the most intense and frighteningly realistic shootouts around. It’s one of the most well-executed thrillers featuring a battle between a lawman and a criminal besides “The Dark Knight.” It’s that good!

Truman Burbank lives in a sleepy seaside town and has a seemingly perfect life. However, it’s all a lie – his life has been a carefully orchestrated TV show since the day he was born. He gradually comes to realize this and tries to escape his massive set/prison. “The Truman Show” features satire on reality television and entertainment in general that have only become more relevant as time has gone on. However, the film also speaks to deeper themes, on truth, rebellion, and the American Dream. Truman’s search for truth is one many of us experience in our own lives.

One of the greatest movies of the 90s is set more in the 70s and 80s. Chronicling the career of adult film star Dirk Diggler, as well as his friends and coworkers, “Boogie Nights” feels like a time capsule of the period and lifestyle it depicts, while also heightening the experience in subtle ways. The characters are complex and relatable, the scenes are memorable, and the tone veers between comedic and violent with ease. While its content is decidedly adult, there are some universal themes at work here that everyone should experience. If nothing else, the soundtrack is a must listen!

There are dinosaur movies, and then there’s “Jurassic Park!” You all know the drill – dinosaur zoo, visitors need to escape when they run amok, “What has science done?!” The plot’s not complex, but it’s in the execution that “Jurassic Park” manages to be one of the finest disaster films ever. The characters are all well-realized and entertaining, so when they’re in danger, you actually care! The effects hold up decades later and the direction helps create perfect tension. The music is iconic and sweeps you off your feet! “Jurassic Park” basically helped everyone realize what paleontologists and kids already knew – dinosaurs are awesome!

As tempted as we were to include “Fargo,” which is also spectacular, another Coen Brothers movie won out. Sometimes a story doesn’t need a hero – sometimes it needs a dude. The Dude, to be precise. “The Big Lebowski” follows the Dude and the many colorful characters he encounters as he becomes embroiled in a kidnapping plot. “The Big Lebowski” is an experience unlike any other, filled with dream sequences, strange characters, and more iconic lines than a quarter of our list put together! “The Big Lebowski,” like the Dude himself, abides in our collective consciousness – and we take comfort in that.

“Titanic” is one of the highest-grossing and critically acclaimed movies of all time! Of course, it’s one of the best 90s movies! In case you weren’t alive during the time or were just out of touch, “Titanic” is a fictionalized account of the real-life sinking of the RMS Titanic. It primarily follows Rose and Jack, two lovers from different social classes who meet and fall in love on the doomed ship’s voyage. It’s a disaster movie, a period drama, and a romance film all rolled up into one! This combination, along with James Cameron’s Oscar-winning direction, excellent performances, stellar effects, and much more helped make it one of the biggest movies ever made. But, like the ship itself, the movie isn’t unsinkable.

FBI trainee Clarice Starling is sent to cannibal psychiatrist Dr. Hannibal Lecter for help in locating Buffalo Bill. The hunt for Bill is fraught with danger, as are the tense and fascinating interviews between Clarice and Hannibal. “The Silence of the Lambs'' is among the most intense and influential thrillers ever made, with outstanding performances, great dialogue, unforgettable villains, and suspense and horror around every corner. It’s no surprise that director Jonathan Demme’s film won the “Big Five” at the Oscars — Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Adapted Screenplay. Like the wines Dr. Lecter favors, the film has aged well and it’s just as captivating today.

No, it’s not a glitch in the matrix, this movie really came out in the 90s! “The Matrix” revolutionized action movies with its jaw-dropping special effects and exceptional fights. But it also was no slouch when it comes to its story. The film’s look at a world where humans are controlled by machines who have placed them in the titular artificial reality got everyone thinking about our own reality, along with other big questions. Few movies can get you this pumped, look this cool, and make you think. Even now, watching “The Matrix” still elicits the same reaction – “Whoa!”

Before James Cameron destroyed box office records with “Titanic,” he blew away everyone with this unparalleled action movie! Two robot assassins are sent back to the past in this sequel – one to protect John Connor, humanity’s future leader, and the other to terminate him. Everything about this film, from its action scenes, to its one-liners, to its imagery is iconic and lands perfectly. “T2” is a sequel so good it basically helped popularize sequels, as well as the use of computer effects! Even if action movies aren’t your thing, you’d have to be more robotic than a terminator not to feel something for this film.

Prison can be a grim experience and “The Shawshank Redemption” certainly doesn’t shy away from that. The film follows Andy Dufresne, a likely innocent inmate during his decades of imprisonment, and the friends and enemies he makes during his incarceration. But amid the darkest moments, Andy and the film show that there can still be hope. While audiences slept on it initially, “The Shawshank Redemption” has gradually become regarded as not just a classic of the 90s, but also one of cinema’s greatest. You either get busy living, or you get busy dying, and you’re not living your best life if you haven’t seen “Shawshank.”

Based on real events during the Second World War, “Schindler’s List” depicts the efforts of Oskar Schindler, a German war profiteer, as he attempts to save the lives of Jewish citizens through employing them in his factory. “Schindler’s List” conveys one of the most awful events in human history, with stark, yet beautiful filmmaking and powerful performances. As with most media involving the Holocaust, it can be hard to watch, particularly more than once. But the fact that it’s based on true events only makes it more worthy of attention.

There are few gangster movies that are even in the same league as “The Godfather” films, and “Goodfellas” is right up there with them. Based on the life of real mob member Henry Hill, “Goodfellas” is outstanding from top to bottom. The cast is stacked with huge actors who deliver some of their best performances (particularly an Oscar-winning Joe Pesci). The camerawork is exceptional. The story is well-told, grips you throughout, and the script has iconic line after iconic line. Director Martin Scorsese is at the top of his game with “Goodfellas.” It’s one of the most influential films of the last few decades and certainly one of the best of the 90s, though not quite our number one.

As phenomenal as Quentin Tarantino’s debut film “Reservoir Dogs” was, he delivered what many consider to be his magnum opus with his sophomore movie. Told out of chronological order and following a group of interrelated criminals through several violent and unpredictable events, the film is anything but traditional and started plenty of trends of its own. Featuring an all-star ensemble cast and Tarantino’s signature naturalistic, yet insanely quotable dialogue, “Pulp Fiction” has a little something for everyone. There’s romance, suspense, action, comedy, and mystery. It’s the choice bits of cinema thrown in a blender to make a delicious smoothie of a movie and the greatest 90s film of them all!


Is there a great movie from the 90s that time has forgotten? Let us know down in the comments!


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