The 90s was a time of pop culture phenomenon, it brought us Beanie Babies, Tamagotchi virtual pets, oversized flannel, AOL accounts, beepers, Blockbuster movie rentals, R.L. Stine, and feathered bangs. Whether one digs the ’90s vibe or not, everyone can agree that it was unique and iconic. Besides the fashion trends, gadgets, and gizmos, many notable movies also emerged during the decade; action films became more exciting, the horror genre was revitalized, and epic dramas dominated the box office. Thirty years later, these movies remain iconic. Even if you weren’t born in the 90s, chances are you’ve heard of or seen many of these masterpieces.
Updated October 4th, 2022: If you consider yourself a ’90s child, you’ll be happy to know this article was updated with fresh content.
The 90s was also a great decade for entertainment, not only did it produce some of the greatest music, but it also churned out more iconic movies than any other decade in history. Many stand alone as unique pop-culture icons, and others represent the best in their respective genres.
14 Groundhog Day (1993)
Columbia Pictures
This goofy comedy follows a self-absorbed weatherman (Bill Murray) who finds himself forced to relive the same day over and over until he gets it right. At first, he indulges in self-destructive behavior such as one-night stands, robbery, and excessive eating. Then, he realizes the opportunity he has to make an impact and begins to use his endless time as a way to help others until eventually, he falls in love with his producer, Rita Hanson (Andie MacDowell), and breaks the loop. Since Groundhog Day, the concept has been borrowed by many other films, including Before I Fall, Happy Death Day, When We First Met, and 50 First Dates.
13 The Lion King (1994)
Disney & Buena Vista Pictures
A Disney movie would inevitably end up on this list, and The Lion King is perhaps one of Disney’s most beloved animated films. This classic features a stunning score by Sir Elton John and a voice cast that includes notable names like James Earl Jones, Matthew Broderick, Jeremy Irons, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Moira Kelly, and Whoopi Goldberg. In 2019, Disney brought The Lion King to the big screen once again with a photorealistic computer-animated remake directed by Jon Favreau.
12 Good Will Hunting (1997)
Miramax Films
Good Will Hunting is the story of Will Hunting (Matt Damon), a troubled teen with a genius-level IQ who accepts work as a janitor at MIT. After Will solves a university-level math problem, his intelligence is discovered by Professor Gerald Lambeau (Stellan Skarsgard) who offers to mentor Will. Shortly thereafter Will is arrested for assaulting a police officer.
Professor Lambeau secures a deal for Will to get leniency, however, 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 as co-writers nearly 25 years later (on their first screenplay since Good Will Hunting) for Ridley Scott’s The Last Duel.
11 Braveheart (1995)
Icon Productions
Braveheart follows the story of Scottish warrior William Wallace as he leads his countrymen in a rebellion to free Scotland from the tyrannical rule of King Edward I of England. This historical drama is a three-hour epic, but anyone who has sat through the entire movie knows that it’s well worth the investment; by 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 The Matrix (1999)
Warner Bros. Pictures
Regarded as one of the finest sci-fi films to ever grace the silver screen, the highly-influential cyberpunk juggernaut The Matrix famously follows computer programmer and skilled hacker Neo (Keanu Reeves) as he embarks on a reality-defying journey to a dangerous underworld along with a captivating stranger, ultimately discovering a nefarious cyber-intelligence is altering his world.
Reeves is joined by Laurence Fishburne and Carrie-Anne Moss in the revolutionary special effects picture, with the trio helping launch a lucrative and celebrated Matrix franchise that continues amassing a new and passionate fanbase. The most recent installment of the pop culture phenomenon, The Matrix Resurrections, was released in 2021 with Reeves and Moss reprising their iconic roles.
9 The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Castle Rock Entertainment
The Shawshank Redemption is a prison drama based on the Stephen King novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption. It follows Andy Dufresne, a wrongfully convicted banker who must adjust to prison life. The film is a timeless classic that is quite often included on lists of the greatest films ever made. Ironically, upon the theatrical release of the film in 1994, it barely recouped its production budget. Despite its low earnings, it remains one of the best movies of the 90s because of its powerhouse performances, powerful and provocative storyline, and Morgan Freeman’s effortless and witty narration that keeps the audience engaged from beginning to end.
8 The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Orion Pictures
Nearly every horror movie fanatic has seen The Silence of the Lambs, and for good reason. Jodie Foster stars as Clarice Starling, an FBI trainee asked to interview imprisoned serial killer Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Sir Anthony Hopkins) who is believed to have information on another serial killer roaming the streets. Foster and Hopkins play beautifully off each other, in scenes that are haunting to watch. The film is one of only three in history to ever sweep the “big five” awards at the Oscars. Anyone who has seen the movie will be familiar with Hannibal Lecter’s most bone-chilling quote: “A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti.”
7 Apollo 13 (1995)
Universal Pictures
Apollo 13 is a 1995 American space docudrama film based on the true story of the lunar mission of Apollo 13. 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 scheduled moon landing is called off 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 Saving Private Ryan (1998)
DreamWorks
Lauded as one of the greatest cinematic triumphs of all time, Steven Spielberg’s heartrending epic war drama Saving Private Ryan features a superb cast of Hollywood greats led by Tom Hanks and Matt Damon, and recounts the harrowing events surrounding the Normandy landings and graphic Omaha Beach assault 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 squad after his brothers are killed and he goes missing in action. The influential and groundbreaking Spielberg hit was a box office success and rightfully nabbed five Academy Awards (including Best Director for the legendary filmmaker), and is often regarded as one of Spielberg’s finest creations.
5 Jurassic Park (1993)
If you weren’t afraid of or in awe of dinosaurs before you watched Jurassic Park, you likely developed a fear of them after watching this 1993 American sci-fi action film by famed director Steven Spielberg. This massive blockbuster continues to be popular today with five current movies in the franchise and the sixth film having been released earlier this year.
The film’s excellent ensemble cast (especially Sam Neill, Jeff Goldblum, and Laura Dern) commits entirely to the movie’s epic, wondrous energy. The three legacy actors reprised their roles for Jurassic World: Dominion, which was released to huge fanfare on June 10, 2022.
4 Titanic (1997)
Paramount Pictures
Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet give heartbreaking performances in this visually stunning historical drama. Loosely based on the sinking of the Titanic on April 15th, 1912, Titanic had sweeping success at the Academy Awards and the box office, winning a massive 11 Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director (James Cameron), Best Cinematography, and Best Visual Effects.
To date, only Lord of the Rings: Return of the King has been able to match the number of Academy Awards won by a single film. The central relationship, epic scale, incredible effects, and memorable music contribute to it being one of the greatest film’s of the ’90s.
3 Pulp Fiction (1994)
Pulp Fiction is perhaps Quentin Tarantino’s most popular film. Told out of order in a non-linear jumble, Pulp Fiction was the Palme d’Or winner of 1994 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 cut of the film in all its glory; as the way it plays with time is essential to its nature. Quentin Tarantino received a slew of awards for his cinema-changing masterpiece including the Oscar and BAFTA Award for Best Original Screenplay which is still quoted frequently today.
2 Schindler’s List (1993)
Amblin Entertainment
Schindler’s List tells the story of the Polish Oskar Schindler (played by Liam Neeson before becoming an unlikely action superstar), a businessman who employs and tries to help victimized Jews amidst the turmoil of World War II. This historical drama has a nearly perfect rating of 98% on Rotten Tomatoes and an audience score of 97%, inspiring critics and audiences alike despite its whopping running time of three hours and 15 minutes. Director and producer Steven Spielberg purposefully filmed this movie in black and white to capture the documentary footage of the era, and the rare burst of color remains emotionally impactful to this day.
1 Goodfellas (1990)
Goodfellas is a Martin Scorsese-directed adaptation of crime-writer Nicholas Pileggi’s book Wiseguy. It chronicles the life of former mafia man turned informant Henry Hill. Goodfellas is no doubt a contender for Martin Scorsese’s best film and the best movie to come out of the 90s. It is a work of art from every angle, the outstanding performances by the late and great Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, and Joe Pesci, the eclectic soundtrack, and most importantly the realism in the narrative. Goodfellas would go on to lay the groundwork for every mob movie that would come after.
