The 90s was a time of pop culture phenomenon, it brought us Beanie Babies, Tamagotchi virtual pets, oversized flannel, AOL accounts, pagers, Blockbuster movie rentals, RL Stine and feathered pony. Whether you like the 90s vibe or not, everyone can agree that it was unique and iconic. In addition to the fashion trends, gadgets and gadgets, many notable movies appeared in the decade as well; action movies became more exciting, the horror genre was revived and epic dramas dominated the box office. Thirty years later, these films remain iconic. Even if you weren’t born in the 90s, chances are you’ve heard or seen many of these masterpieces.
Updated October 4, 2022: If you consider yourself a 90s kid, you’ll be happy to hear that this article has been updated with new content.
The 90s was also a great decade for entertainment, not only did it produce some of the best music, but it also produced more iconic movies than any other decade in history. Many stand alone as unique icons of pop culture, and others represent the best in their respective genres.
14/14 Groundhog Day (1993)
This goofy comedy follows a self-centered weatherman (Bill Murray) who is forced to relive the same day over and over until he gets it right. At first, he indulges in self-destructive behaviors such as one-night stands, muggings, and overeating. Then, realizing the opportunity he has to impress, he begins to use his endless time helping others, until he eventually falls in love with his producer, Rita Hanson (Andie MacDowell), and breaks the circle. Ever since groundhog day, the concept has been borrowed by many other films, including: Before I fall, happy day of the dead, when we first met, and 50 first dates.
13/14 The Lion King (1994)
A Disney movie would inevitably end up on this list, and The lionking is arguably one of Disney’s most beloved animated films. This classic features a stunning score by Sir Elton John and a voice cast that includes household names such as James Earl Jones, Matthew Broderick, Jeremy Irons, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Moira Kelly and Whoopi Goldberg. In 2019, Disney The lionking back to the big screen with a photorealistic computer-animated remake, directed by Jon Favreau.
12/14 Good Will Hunting (1997)
Good Will Hunting is the story of Will Hunting (Matt Damon), a troubled teen with a genius IQ who accepts work as a janitor at MIT. After Will solves a college-level math problem, his intelligence is discovered by Professor Gerald Lambeau (Sellan Skarsgard), who offers to mentor Will. Soon after, Will is arrested for assaulting a police officer.
Professor Lambeau makes a deal for Will to get leniency, but he must agree to see therapist Sean Maguire (Robin Williams). The Oscar-winning screenplay was written by stars Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. The pair would reunite nearly 25 years later as co-writers (on their first screenplay since Goodwill Hunting) for Ridley Scott’s The last duel.
11/14 Brave Heart (1995)
brave heart follows the story of Scottish warrior William Wallace as he leads his countrymen in a rebellion to liberate Scotland from the tyrannical rule of King Edward I of England. This historical drama is a three-hour epic, but anyone who’s watched the entire movie knows it’s well worth the investment; towards the end the emotional and political effect is palpable. This masterpiece stars Mel Gibson, who was also the director and producer of the film.
10/14 The Matrix (1999)
The highly influential cyberpunk juggernaut is regarded as one of the greatest sci-fi films ever to hit the silver screen. The Matrix follows famed computer programmer and skilled hacker Neo (Keanu Reeves) as he embarks on a reality-defying journey into a dangerous underworld with a captivating stranger, eventually discovering that a nefarious cyber intelligence is changing his world.
Reeves is joined by Laurence Fishburne and Carrie-Anne Moss in the revolutionary special effects picture, with the trio helping to launch a lucrative and celebrated Matrix franchise that continues to amass a new and passionate fan base. The most recent installment of the pop culture phenomenon, The Matrix Resurrectionswas released in 2021 with Reeves and Moss reprising their iconic roles.
9/14 The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
The Shawshank Redemption is a prison drama based on the novella by Stephen King Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption. It follows Andy Dufresne, a wrongly convicted banker who must adjust to prison life. The film is a timeless classic that often appears on lists of the best films ever made. Ironically, it barely earned back its production budget when the film was released in 1994. Despite its low revenue, it remains one of the best films of the 90s due to its powerful performances, powerful and provocative storyline, and Morgan Freeman’s effortless and witty narration that keeps audiences captivated from start to finish.
8/14 The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Almost every horror movie buff has seen The Silence of the Lambs, and for good reason. Jodie Foster stars as Clarice Starling, an FBI intern who is asked to kill imprisoned serial killer Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Sir Anthony Hopkins), who is believed to have information about another serial killer roaming the streets. Foster and Hopkins play beautifully with each other in scenes that are terrifying to watch. The film is one of only three in history to ever win the ‘big five’ awards at the Oscars. Anyone who has seen the film knows Hannibal Lecter’s most chilling quote: “A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti.”
7/14 Apollo13 (1995)
Apollo 13 is a 1995 American docudrama film based on the true story of the Apollo 13 moon mission. Astronauts Jim Lovell (Tom Hanks), Fred Haise (Bill Paxton), and Jack Swigert (Kevin Bacon) find themselves in life-threatening circumstances when an oxygen tank explodes. The spaceship shuttle’s planned moon landing is canceled and the crew must fight for their lives as they try to return safely to Earth. Nominated for nine Academy Awards, Ron Howard’s film remains one of the best portrayals of NASA and space travel to this day.
6/14 Privately Saving Ryan (1998)
Hailed as one of the greatest cinematic triumphs of all time, Steven Spielberg’s heartbreaking epic war drama Saving Private Ryan features an excellent cast of Hollywood greats led by Tom Hanks and Matt Damon, and chronicles the harrowing events surrounding the Normandy landings and the graphic attack on Omaha Beach during World War II.
Damon appears as the titular character, who is bravely sought after by Army Rangers Captain John H. Miller (Hanks) and his loyal team after his brothers are killed and he goes missing in action. The influential and groundbreaking Spielberg hit was a box-office success, deservedly winning five Academy Awards (including Best Director for the legendary filmmaker), and is often regarded as one of Spielberg’s finest creations.
5/14 Jurassic Park (1993)
If you weren’t afraid or in awe of dinosaurs before you looked Jurassic Park, you probably developed a fear of them after watching this 1993 American sci-fi action movie from famed director Steven Spielberg. This huge blockbuster remains popular today with five current films in the franchise and the sixth film released earlier this year.
The film’s outstanding cast (particularly Sam Neill, Jeff Goldblum, and Laura Dern) are fully committed to the film’s epic, prodigious energy. The three legacy actors reprise their roles for Jurassic World: Dominion, which was released to great fanfare on June 10, 2022.
4/14 Titanic (1997)
Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet give heartbreaking performances in this visually stunning historical drama. Loosely based on the sinking of the Titanic on April 15, 1912, Titanic had huge success at the Academy Awards and at the box office, winning 11 Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director (James Cameron), Best Cinematography and Best Visual Effects.
So far only Lord of the Rings: Return of the King the number of Academy Awards won by a single film. Its central relationship, epic scale, incredible effects, and memorable music help make it one of the best films of the 90s.
3/14 Pulp Fiction (1994)
Pulp Fiction is arguably Quentin Tarantino’s most popular film. Told out of order in a nonlinear jumble, Pulp Fiction was the 1994 Palme d’Or winner at the Cannes Film Festival. One can even watch clips of the movie in chronological order, but that’s only recommended if you’ve seen the original version of the film in all its glory; because the way it plays with time is essential to its nature. Quentin Tarantino received a slew of awards for his film-changing masterpiece, including the Oscar and the BAFTA Award for Best Original Screenplay, which is still widely cited today.
2/14 Schindler’s List (1993)
Schindler’s List tells the story of Polish Oskar Schindler (played by Liam Neeson before becoming an unlikely action superstar), a businessman who employs and helps the victims of Jews amid the turmoil of World War II. This historical drama has a near-perfect score of 98% on Rotten Tomatoes and an audience rating of 97%, inspiring critics and audiences alike despite its whopping three hours and 15 minutes of running time. Director and producer Steven Spielberg purposely shot this film in black and white to capture the documentary footage of the time, and the rare burst of color continues to have an emotional impact to this day.
1/14 Goodfellas (1990)
Goodfellas is a Martin Scorsese-directed adaptation of crime writer Nicholas Pileggi .’s book Sensible guy. It tells the life of the former mafia man turned informant Henry Hill. Goodfellas is without a doubt a contender for Martin Scorsese’s best movie and the best movie of the 90’s. It’s a work of art from every angle, the excellent performances by the late and great Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci, the eclectic soundtrack and especially the realism in the story. Goodfellas was going to lay the groundwork for every Mafia movie to come after that.