Top 90s Movies: These landmark movies represent a decade of creative progress. We’ve compiled a list of the top 1990s movies, ranked them, and discussed one of our favorite periods in cinema.
The 1990s were defined by their simplicity and their cinema. The 90s movies had better stories, better actors, and socially relevant topics. There are modern movies as good as the ones from the 1990s, but there are fewer. Now, spectacular effects and clichéd romances are the standards.
The Top 90s Movies of All Time: The Best 90s Movies List
These are the Top 90s Movies ranked from best to worst. Even some must-see, sentimental honorable mentions are included.
Office Space (1999)
Before there was a TV show called The Office, either the British or American version, Office Space, written and produced by Mike Judge, made a hilarious and refreshingly true joke about corporate culture. When things eventually change, the story revolves around Peter Gibbons, a guy whose soul is being devoured by his dull job. Most people in their late 20s and 30s probably have one or two favorite quotes from this office comedy.
An excellent critique of cubicle society that makes you laugh so hard that you overlook some later, unimportant elements.
Clerks (1994)
Without Jay and Silent Bob, where would independent humor be? Thank goodness for Clerks, the useless but somehow relatable comedy set in a New Jersey convenience shop that launched their careers (I love New Jersey; I’m from New Jersey). Part of the reason the movie was shot in black and white and at the business Kevin Smith worked at was due to the limited budget.
This movie had a 230k budget, but it made 3.2 mil at the box office. A risky move that helped Jay and Silent Bob get their start.
Girl, Interrupted, (1999)
A movie from the 1990s we’ll never forget
Based on Susanna Kaysen’s best-selling memoirs, Girl, Interrupted stars Winona Ryder as Susanna Kaysen. A young woman living in a mental hospital in the 1960s must decide whether to accept the truth of the outside world or the people and ways she knows inside the walls of the facility.
Even if some of the scenes are a tad theatrical, this film ended the decade with good turns from Angelina Jolie, Ryder, and Brittany Murphy.
A. Malcolm X (1992)
An electrifying Denzel Washington is featured in Spike Lee’s biopic, which was largely adapted from Alex Haley’s autobiography. Malcolm X employs a strategy as intricate as its subject. Malcolm X was cited as one of the top ten films of the 1990s by both At the Movies’ Roger Ebert and co-host Martin Scorsese (filling in for the late Gene Siskel).
Empire Records (1995)
Great 90s films heavily included music.
There are a few reasons why this movie made the list, but narrative isn’t one of them. Sorry to let you down. Fair enough, though; the best aspect of the 1990s was the music, therefore it’s difficult to resist a 90s film that focuses entirely on that. Rene Zellweger and Liv Tyler both give excellent early performances as they struggle with their exaggerated issues as well as a few bigger ones.
A 90s movie with lots of quotes. I regret the things I didn’t do more than the things I did. My thoughts on Empire Records being included on this list of the top 90s movies.
The Girl (1991)
90s movies that continue to make us cry
Anna Chlumsky’s character Vada Sultenfuss lives with her father, Dan Aykroyd, who owns a funeral home. Given that her mother died while giving birth to her, it is understandable why she doesn’t feel like a typical teenage girl. She makes an entertaining duo to the very end with Macaulay Culkin’s portrayal of her best friend Thomas. The performances are particularly valued.
It might be difficult to discuss death and dying with children. The movie accomplishes this while maintaining its charm and moving forward without ever becoming overly depressing.
Awaiting exhalation (1996)
Top 90s Movies The Phoenix-set romantic drama starring Forrest Whitaker featured Whitney Houston, Angela Bassett, Loretta Devine, and Lela Rochon and was about four female friends and their relationships with men. Waiting to Exhale, which was based on a Terry McMillan novel, was a huge success, earning positive reviews and grossing more than four times its original budget at the box office. Even further, The Los Angeles Times referred to the image as a “social phenomenon.”
The Fourth of July (1996)
The best 90s films include Independence Day.
The sci-fi action movie Independence Day was co-written and directed by Roland Emmerich. Will Smith, Bill Pullman, Jeff Goldblum, Mary McDonnell, and Randy Quaid are just a handful of the ensemble cast members. The film depicts these many individuals who unite in the Nevada desert when an alien race attacks humans. On July 4th, this group and the rest of the world launch a global defense.
The movie started showing on July 2, the day the tale of the movie truly begins, even though it was initially released on July 3rd for a small group of people. It garnered mixed reviews, as with every ridiculous blockbuster, but it ultimately brought in $817.4 million, making it the highest-grossing movie of that year and the second highest of all time, only behind Jurassic Park. The first film in a planned series, its sequel, was released in 2016.
While the plot and characters are underdeveloped, the viewer is nonetheless satisfied by the action. It has all the qualities of a Hollywood blockbuster. A pleasant show that is intended to amuse, and it seems to last across generations.
Shout (1996)
What is your preferred spooky film? Top 90s Movies
the slasher horror genre being reinvented. Wes Craven reinvented a contemporary classic for us, and it manages to be both horrifying and mildly humorous.
Scream parodies every cliché from Halloween and even his own A Nightmare on Elm Street, making it one of the best horror films thanks to its unique perspective. It also combines dark humour and “whodunit” mystery with the gore and violence of the slasher film.
Not to add Matthew Lillard’s one-liners and unsettling ghost face mask. Must I say more?
The ultimate 90s horror movie, inspired by a ghost face mask that became a pop culture phenomenon, launched Neve Campbell’s career.
Goldeneye (1995)
Top 90s Movies The 1990s were like a breath of fresh air for James Bond. Goldeneye is a fantastic action thriller with the kind of set pieces that help define the Bond brand, directed with strength and wit by Martin Campbell (who would return ten years later for Casino Royale). There is also a lot of sex, humor, and energetic performances of the characters. Here, too, our hero is subtly critiqued in some ways, such as when M, played by Judi Dench, calls him “a sexist, misogynist dinosaur, a relic of the Cold War.”
The video game that came out two years after the movie Goldeneye is now considered interchangeable. The first-person shooter, widely regarded as one of the best games ever, had a greater cultural impact than the movie.
At least four of Bond’s most memorable antagonists appear in Goldeneye, including Boris Grishenko, General Ourumov, and Alec Trevelyan (all played by Sean Bean and Gottfried John) (Alan Cummings). Famke Janssen, who plays the villain Xenia Onatopp, who suffocates opponents with her thighs, sort of steals the show.
The Matrix (1999)
Red or the blue pill?
The best movies from the early 2000s would be those that came out this late in the 1990s, but because I’m not the one writing that article, we’re relying on a technicality. The Matrix is a visually inventive and stimulating film that portrays a dystopian world in which humanity’s future is unintentionally trapped inside a simulation. Human energy is being drained by the machines in control of it. garnered several excellent reviews and several Academy Awards. But the “bullet-time” capture, which only appeared to work in the first Matrix, was my favorite victory from this game.
We’ll stay with this sci-fi action cult favorite from the 1990s because we don’t know if the sequels are worthwhile.
A Beautiful America (1999)
Top 90s Movies It’s fair to say that 1999 was one of the greatest years in movie history. It appears every significant director was vying for the opportunity to say their final words before the millennium came to an end. Did Sam Mendes’ overly stylized and empathetic depiction of suburban life deserve to win the best picture that year? winner of a total of five.
A Few Good Men (1992)
Outstanding 90s films include You Can’t Handle the Truth.
This Sorkin movie, which was mostly written on a napkin from a bar, made him famous and had several memorable one-liners. Outstanding performances come from Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson, notably Nicholson, and Demi Moore.
It should come as no surprise that this movie completely charms us with dialogue given the work of its author.
L.A. Confidential (1997)
Three police officers try to investigate the corruption behind a 1950s murder that has not been solved in LA. James Ellroy is the author of this neo-noir, which has held up well as a crime noir.
Conclusion
Guy Pearce, Kim Basinger, Russell Crowe, and Kevin Spacey are the cast members of L.A. Confidential. No real opponent is introduced until the film’s conclusion, but the main characters all appear to be fighting corruption.
A club for first wives (1996)
Top 90s Movies This girl-power comedy, which is based on Olivia Goldsmith’s 1992 best-selling book of the same name, is about divorcees who come together after a mutual friend dies. It has grown to be a fan favorite. Of course, the enterprise’s heart and soul are its incomparable leading ladies, and the best part is their vivacious song and dance number at the end. The same-named reboot series is set to debut on the upcoming streaming platform BET+.
Boogie Nights (1997)
We have a cult classic thanks to Paul Thomas Anderson. Eddie Adams, played by Mark Wahlberg, is hired by pornographer Jack Horner in the 1970s San Fernando Valley (Burt Reynolds). a fascinating cast of characters that exist at a pivotal juncture in the history of the adult cinema business.
Conclusion
Marky Mark makes the most of his breakthrough performance. Also playing one of his best parts is Burt Reynolds.
Pretty Woman (1990)
Top 1990s Films: Pretty Woman
The contemporary fable starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere, which started Roberts’ career. A tale of love that involves overcoming challenges to unite two disparate worlds.
one of the all-time top-grossing love comedies.
Magnolia (1999)
Top 90s Movies Not all drama is negative. A collage of interconnected stories in the style of Robert Altman, Paul Thomas Anderson’s ensemble sequel to Boogie Nights stars a never-better Tom Cruise and is nominated for an Oscar. Depending on who you ask, the conclusion is either brilliant or ridiculous. To be clear, we adore it.
What’s Eating Gilbert Grape,
What’s Eating Gilbert Grape is one of the 1990s films that everyone should watch.
Eating Gilbert Grape is the one to watch if you’re in the mood for a tearjerker and perhaps one of Leonardo DiCaprio’s best performances of his career—dare I say before he ever had a career. And although it can be difficult to watch at times, the performances and authenticity make it well worth it. Johnny Depp’s character, Gilbert Grape, is a small-town resident with a lot on his plate, including caring for his obese mother and controlling Leonardo DiCaprio’s character, his autistic younger brother, who frequently causes trouble.
The Top 90s Movies of All Time: The best 90s Movies ListThe entire company gives excellent performances, and it helped establish Leonardo DiCaprio and Johnny Depp’s careers.
Casino (1995)
Martin Scorsese’s epic crime sequel to GoodFellas features some bone-crunching violence, plenty of real style, and Sharon Stone’s most stunning performance of her remarkable career. She was nominated for both a Golden Globe and an Oscar.
Election (1999)
Top 90s Movies How many performers can consistently make you laugh while also kind of scaring the living daylights out of you? Reese Witherspoon won acclaim for her portrayal of the ambitious and ruthless high school student body president Tracy Flick in Alexander Payne’s delectable black comedy, which was based on the Tom Perrotta novel. Surprisingly, Election had a negative box office performance. Witherspoon received her first Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress after the critics praised it.
Reservoir Dogs (1992)
Best of the 1990s movies: Reservoir Dogs
The remaining thieves start to believe that there is an undercover police officer among them after a jewelry theft goes wrong. We’re all appreciative of this book and movie for properly introducing Quentin Tarantino to the public. Back in the day, the pseudonyms that each character used in the movie—Mr. White, Mr. Pink, Mr. Orange, etc.—made for some extremely cliché screen names.
The Top 90s Movies of All Time: The best 90s Movies List Oh, and besides the fact that this movie became a pop cultural phenomenon, spawning even Halloween costumes for two decades, Tarantino’s dialogue and storyline elevate it to the status of being the genuine “greatest” film of the 1990s.
Kids (1995)
The production of Kids by Larry Clark and Harmony Korine caused some harm to this decade. It was one of those movies that you could never watch again, but because it was so honest and direct, you were grateful for its existence. It follows a group of teens as they skateboard, drink, smoke, have a lot of sex, and head-stomp strangers in New York City over the course of one day. When it was first released, movie had an NC-17 rating and caused a lot of debate. Despite allegations of pornography and threats of child obscenity, the first year’s box office was tremendously successful, earning nearly 7 million.
Titanic (1997)
James Cameron’s three-hour romantic epic, which takes place aboard the Titanic’s doomed voyage, won 11 Oscars and became a worldwide phenomenon. The tragic tale of Rose and Jack, two star-crossed lovers from different worlds (she was rich; he was poor), resonated with viewers and is currently the third highest-grossing film of all time (it is preceded by James Cameron’s “Avatar” and “Avengers: Endgame”). Maybe it was the chemistry between Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio, who were both relative unknowns at the time. Or the unquestionably moving narrative? Or perhaps it was because James Cameron had to spend a fortune on props, costumes, and a dive to film the real Titanic? Whatever it was, “Titanic” was the decade’s biggest box office hit.
How Stella Regained Her Groove (1998)
Kevin Rodney Sullivan’s dramedy, which is based on Terry McMillan’s book of the same name, stars Angela Bassett as a stockbroker who falls in love with a hot 20-something (Taye Diggs in his film debut) while on vacation in Jamaica. Regina King and Whoopi Goldberg complete the supporting cast.
Mr. Scissorhands (1990)
It’s impossible to watch Tim Burton’s fairy tale about a kind outsider and not be completely enchanted. Beautiful German Expressionism-inspired production design and one of Danny Elfman’s best scores greatly enhance the Christmastime classic.
Mary Has Something About Her (1998)
The foundation of Peter and Bobby Farrelly’s most famous and likely best comedy is vulgar and offensive. Starring are Ben Stiller, Matt Dillon, Lee Evans, and Chris Elliott as men who are driven to win the love of a beautiful woman (Cameron Diaz). Innovative R-rated antics follow.
World of Wayne (1992)
Mike Myers and Dana Carvey are party time, excellent, in Penelope Spheeris’ shrewd laugh riot, despite the fact that most SNL movies are notoriously bad (It’s Pat might be at the top of a list of the worst movies of the decade). then a worthwhile sequel follows.
Seattle’s insomnia (1993)
Stars In this romantic comedy about a widower and a reporter who fall in love over the airwaves, Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, and director/co-writer Nora Ephron are in top form. Sleepless in Seattle, which received two Oscar nominations, was well-liked by critics and a dominant force at the box office, grossing roughly ten times as much as its initial investment globally.
A British patient (1996)
Who could argue that Fargo deserved to win this year’s Best Picture Oscar in retrospect? However, the widescreen epic romance directed by Anthony Minghella, which is a respectable classic in and of itself, won the award. A post-war drama based on Michael Ondaatje’s novel, starring Ralph Fiennes, Kristin Scott Thomas, and Juliette Binoche, it is set in the vastness of the Sahara.
Five Elements (1997)
The less said about Lucy (the movie where Scarlett Johansson transforms into a USB port!) or Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets, the better. However, Luc Besson’s global success has a wildness that is just wild enough. In the science fiction thriller Leeloo, Bruce Willis, Milla Jovovich, and Gary Oldman play sexy, frequently scantily dressed super-weapons.
Jermaine McGuire (1996)
The often-quoted dramedy by Cameron Crowe features a self-centered lead character who experiences a moral crisis and is inspired by the great films of Frank Capra. Tom Cruise portrays a modest but tenacious sports agent. Renée Zellweger has a standout performance in Jerry Maguire, and Cuba Gooding Jr. won awards for his portrayal of a vivacious Arizona Cardinals wide receiver.
Dog reservoir (1992)
Reservoir Dogs is a movie about a heist, but we never see the heist itself because of financial restraints; instead, we mostly see the aftermath. In fact, it makes the movie better. The process is everything, not the result. The reward is in the action movie.
Even so, this caper doesn’t transcend its genre-movie trappings to become something more, unlike Quentin Tarantino’s best work, as crackling and head-turning as the filmmaking may be. Reservoir Dogs feels like a wildly talented young filmmaker getting ready for bigger and better things when you watch it in 2019.
It’s the best there is (1997)
Since The Silence of the Lambs, Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt won Best Actor and Best Actress at the Academy Awards for James L. Brooks’ acclaimed rom-com. They are fantastic as an unlikely couple who make each other’s lives better in unexpected, significant ways. Titanic won the Best Picture Oscar, but As Good As It Gets won the Golden Globe for Best Picture (Musical or Comedy).
Turn it on (1996)
The F. Gary Gray-directed action/crime drama, which also starred Jada Pinkett Smith, Vivica A. Fox, and Kimberly Elise, was a turning point in the careers of Queen Latifah and its other cast members. Four female LA friends who plan to rob a bank are the main characters of this thriller. Set It Off, which was released 25 years ago, continues to be a top-tier genre film with likable, sympathetic characters. It has been appropriately compared by many to Thelma & Louise.
Se7en (1995)
Frequently stylized as Se7en, David Fincher’s chilling police drama stars Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt as detectives working together on a case of brutal ritual killings. Seven is genuinely unsettling and creepy stuff, from the painstakingly created opening titles to the heart-stopping climax (don’t let anyone give away the ending for you). Handle carefully.
The Runaway (1993)
A Hitchcockian thriller about a falsely accused man and an aggressive manhunt, which was Harrison Ford’s best and most well-liked film since Witness, was a critical and financial success.
Seventh Sense (1999)
Night Shyamalan’s ghost story, a legendary blockbuster that actually lives up to its hype, still has the power to frighten viewers more than 20 years later. The Sixth Sense was a worldwide phenomenon because it encouraged us to explore the shadowy recesses of our imagination. It was a beautiful and expertly performed white-knuckler worthy of comparisons to Hitchcock. This movie received six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, and dominated the box office in North America for five weeks. It’s urgent that you watch The Sixth Sense right away to avoid having the twist ending revealed to you if you are one of the seven or eight people out there who are unaware of it. Go now! Hurry!
The Truman Program (1999)
There is no getting around the fact that Jim Carrey, one of the greatest comedic masters of all time, frequently dominated the 1990s. He played a man whose entire life has been the most popular show on international television in Peter Weir’s sublime, romantic dramedy, at least up until Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. The emotionally compelling, highly entertaining film, which was released just as Survivor and reality TV were beginning to dominate, also turned out to be foresighted.
Gorgeous Woman (1990)
Julia Roberts’ career took off after a breakthrough performance in Mystic Pizza thanks to Garry Marshall’s fan favorite. On Rodeo Drive, she portrays a hooker with a golden heart in a fairy tale (and less reputable corners of LA). The affluent businessman who is seduced by her tenacious charm is Richard Gere. Pretty Woman, which is still Disney’s highest-earning R-rated release, earned over thirty times its budget and earned Roberts a Golden Globe and an Oscar nomination.
Sensibility and Sense (1995)
The pinnacle of Jane Austen’s adaptations on the big screen continues to be Ang Lee’s Sense & Sensibility. The Oscar-winning adaptation of Jane Austen’s 1811 tale of two suddenly penniless sisters choosing their respective suitors stars Emma Thompson. Alan Rickman and Kate Winslet are co-stars.
A. Malcolm X (1992)
An electrifying Denzel Washington is featured in Spike Lee’s biopic, which was largely adapted from Alex Haley’s autobiography. Malcolm X employs a strategy as intricate as its subject. Malcolm X was cited as one of the top ten films of the 1990s by both At the Movies’ Roger Ebert and co-host Martin Scorsese (filling in for the late Gene Siskel).
Conclusion
The Top 90s Movies of All Time: The best 90s Movies ListIt became one of the most contentious movies of the decade and featured one of the largest ensembles of amateurs ever assembled. It was everyone’s “first” of really anything, even 52-year-old Larry Clark’s debut film.
