The 1990s were a terrific decade for movies, but there are some true standout тιтles that I would hold onto over the other classics of the era. Following the rather tame 1980s, the 1990s introduced an exciting new era of movies, where indie directors were making their voices heard and more challenging films were being made.

While there are some great forgotten movies from the 1990s, there are also some that have maintained iconic status and continue to be revisited by fans. From the big Oscar winners of the decade to the ’90s movies that were ahead of their time, there is a wide collection of truly great pieces of art.

However, looking at the entire decade, there are some special тιтles that rise above the rest. Were the decade of cinema to be erased from existence, these are the ’90s movies I would save to hold onto their brilliance forever.

10

Fargo (1996)

Fargo is one of the best examples of the kind of bold and creative work that was being done at this time, which brought excitement to the 90s. The Coen Brothers’ crime movie follows a kind-hearted and pregnant Minnesota cop investigating a series of murders all revolving around a strange kidnapping case.

Fargo‘s false claims of being a true story is a perfect reflection of how the Coens sought to defy audience expectations and break storytelling rules. From the main character who appears more than 30 minutes into the movie to the wild mix of brutal violence and silly humor, it is a completely unique experience.

While Quentin Tarantino brought a sense of irony and pop culture cool to the crime genre in the 90s, the Coens made their own mark with a quirkiness only they can pull off. Though they made many classics before and after Fargo, this may be the Coens’ true masterpiece.

9

Scream (1996)

By the beginning of the 1990s, the slasher movie genre had largely faded from popularity. The ’80s cheesy approach to the genre felt outdated, and even beloved franchises like Halloween and Friday the 13th were no longer popular. With one movie, Scream reinvented the entire approach.

The movie takes a premise that is fairly familiar within this type of film, with a group of teens becoming targeted by a masked killer. However, Scream took that idea and developed a story that picked apart the tropes and expectations of the slasher genre, including having characters who reference famous horror movies.

It is funny and fresh, but also nails the horror elements, with the legendary Wes Craven at the helm. Ghostface has also become one of the most iconic horror movie killers of all time, despite it being a new character under that mask in every subsequent Scream movie.

8

Clueless (1995)

The ’90s were a great decade for teen movies, and Clueless stands out as the best of the impressive collection. The film is a loose adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma, bringing the story into a modern Beverly Hills high school. The story follows Cher (Alicia Silverstone), who discovers her talents as a matchmaker.

There is likely no film that better captures the era of the 90s than Clueless. From the fashion to the slang to the pop culture references, the movie is like a time capsule of the decade. Impressively, it has also remained timeless thanks to its sharp humor and well-rounded characters.

Anyone watching Clueless would be able to relate to the depiction of teenagers and the struggles of their lives, while also being entertained by the world the movie inhabits.

7

Before Sunrise (1995)

One of the best movie trilogies of all time made its debut in the 1990s. Before Sunrise might not seem like the kind of movie that spawns a franchise, but it remains one of the most compelling movies of the decade. It follows two young strangers who meet on a train in Europe and end up spending the day together.

It is a very simple movie as the audience follows Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Celine (Julie Delpy) as they talk about a variety of subjects, get to know each other, and fall in love. Director Richard Linklater makes it endlessly compelling and intimate, bolstered by two great lead performances.

Before Sunrise was followed by two sequels, each being released and taking part nearly a decade after the previous movie. Before Sunset and Before Midnight pick up the stories of Jesse and Celine, showing where they are now. It makes for an unforgettable series, and it all started in 1995.

6

The Silence Of The Lambs (1991)

While horror movies of the 1990s changed with Scream, The Silence of the Lambs elevated the genre years earlier. Based on the popular novel, Jodie Foster stars as young FBI agent Clarice Starling, whose hunt for a serial killer leads her to seek advice from imprisoned cannibal Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins).

The two lead performances are electric, as Foster makes for a grounded yet inspiring hero, while Hopkins creates one of the greatest cinematic villains of all time. Director Jonathan Demme deserves most of the credit for crafting an unbearably tense and captivating crime story that entertains and repulses the audience.

The Silence of the Lambs is one of the rare horror movies to win at the Oscars, even taking home the Best Picture trophy. To this day, it is a film that can put the audience on the edge of their seats.

5

The Lion King (1994)

There are, of course, many iconic animated movies from the 1990s. From the beginning of Pixar with Toy Story to cult classics like The Iron Giant, many of these films are still perfect. It was also the time of the Disney Renaissance, and The Lion King remains the best movie of that era.

As Disney had been rediscovering their magic with the likes of Aladdin and Beauty and the Beast, the studio reached new heights with the ambitious and brilliant tale of Simba and his journey of discovering his place in the Circle of Life.

The movie is filled with the kind of things everyone wants from a Disney project. There is family-friendly humor, heartbreaking emotion, wonderful songs, entertaining characters, and vibrant animation. It remains a perfect movie for the whole family to enjoy together.

4

Pulp Fiction (1994)

Quentin Tarantino is certainly one of the most important filmmakers of the 1990s, and one who influenced countless filmmakers that followed. A big part of that influence came from the release of Pulp Fiction, one of the most explosive movies of the era.

Pulp Fiction‘s non-linear storytelling explores an ensemble of colorful characters all interconnected in Los Angeles’ criminal underbelly. Tarantino infused the movie with a dark sense of humor, mixing shocking violence with pop culture conversations that felt new and fresh in Hollywood.

The cast of the movie adds to the excitement. John Travolta delivers one of the best Hollywood comebacks, Uma Thurman is endlessly alluring, and Samuel L. Jackson cemented himself as a star. On top of it all, Pulp Fiction‘s quotable dialogue makes it one of those movies that can be revisited time and time again.

3

The Matrix (1999)

Keanu Reeves is among the greatest action heroes of the 1990s, with Point Break and Speed putting him in contention early on. However, Reeves ended the decade with an action movie that would completely revolutionize action movies.

The Matrix was a bold and ambitious mix of action and sci-fi with Reeves playing Neo, a hacker who is exposed to the shocking truth that his reality is a lie. As impressive as the Wachowkis are in their storytelling in The Matrix, their filmmaking style is really what made it legendary.

Using a mix of epic shootouts and inventive martial arts, the action sequences in The Matrix are mind-blowing and hugely entertaining. The bullet-time technique of capturing the action has been copied many times since, but never as effectively.

2

Dazed And Confused (1993)

Dazed and Confused is a 90s movie that explores life as a teenager in the 1970s. However, like Clueless, its depiction of these formative years is authentic and relatable for any audience. The movie follows a group of students on the last day of school as they look for a way to party and kick off the summer fun.

Once again, director Richard Linklater’s laidback approach makes for an engrossing experience. It is funny and entertaining, but it never feels like the movie is reaching for big set pieces. Instead, it simply shows real characters hanging out.

The cast of Dazed and Confused is populated with future stars, like Ben Affleck and Matthew McConaughey. The ensemble brings the movie to life and makes it feel like you are hanging out with people you’ve known for years.

1

Jurᴀssic Park (1993)

Blockbuster filmmaking took on a new scale in the 1990s, and Jurᴀssic Park was a big influence on that. It was a mᴀssive tentpole film that became the highest-grossing movie of all time for a period. However, it also showed how such movies, under the guidance of a master filmmaker, can be masterpieces.

Steven Spielberg broke new ground in terms of visual effects in bringing dinosaurs to life in Jurᴀssic Park. It was a film that delivered the kind of spectacle that makes people excited about going to the movies. However, it was also filled with strong characters, interesting themes, and a lot of heart.

There are few movies of this scale that hold up as well decades later. Even the visual effects in Jurᴀssic Park compare favorably to what is seen in modern movies. It also launched a mᴀssively popular franchise that is still going strong today despite never topping the original.