The Best Films of the 1990s
I’m not what you might call a ‘film buff’ however, I’m a Taurus so days of sitting in with Netflix is pretty much written in the stars for me and consequently I have watched more than my fair share of films. What I can say for certain after my many hours spent in front of the big screen is that the nineties is my favourite era of cinema and I was born in 99 so it wasn’t even what I grew up with. I took it upon myself to stay in all day and watch/rewatch some films from the nineties and compile a little list of a few of my faves, it was a really difficult task to cosy up in front of the screen with a bucket load of snacks, but I did it with all your interests at heart.
Before I go into it I must confess that I’m a chick flick gal at heart so I apologise in advance if my love for girl drama shines through, but I know that’s not for everyone so I thought the best way to put this together was by choosing a couple of films from a variety of genres in the hope that there’s something for everybody. I hope you’ve got your popcorn ready!
Action:
I’m not too familiar with the action genre but I have had many conversations about films where the title ‘The Matrix’ hasn’t come up; I still even hear references and see memes about the red and blue pills on a pretty regular basis so I think it’s safe to say that this film has had some influence. For those who haven’t seen it, the film is about how a man’s reality is not so much reality at all but instead a curated computer system, The Matrix. I know all these films are from a good couple of decades ago however I still won’t be sharing any spoilers, but I can say that I had a bit of an existential crisis post watching and it would be rude for me not to mention the beauty of Keanu Reeves as Neo. It’s a great watch, fast paced and my short attention span didn’t lose interest so I would definitely recommend.
Honourable Mentions:
Batman Forever
Conspiracy Theory
Total Recall
Golden Eye
Independence Day
Crime:
Thought I’d continue in alphabetical order of genre so next we have crime, or I could just give the name of a director that we all know… Quentin Tarantino. Pulp Fiction has been many a topic of conversation throughout my late teen and adult life, whether one of the group is dressing up as Mia for Halloween or a film major is telling me about “an underground film that I’ve probably not watched”, this film is a staple of the nineties and couldn’t not be mentioned on this list. Another nineties favourite of Mr Tarantino is Reservoir Dogs, it’s difficult for me to say too much because as I previously mentioned, chick flicks and dramas are more my gig but it’s one of those films that I’m glad I’ve watched, I enjoyed and I know at least five people who say that it’s their favourite film of all time so I had to include it really.
Honourable Mentions:
The Shawshank Redemption
Heat
Taxi
Seven
The Talented Mr Ripley
Comedy:
Now we’ve gotten to a genre that I definitely have more of a familiarity with whether it’s an easy watch or laugh out loud, I love a good comedy. And I can not write anything about nineties films without mentioning my absolute favourite chick flick of all time, one that I quote on a daily basis and one that still influences my fashion choices to this day. You guessed it, Clueless. In my own head I am Cher Horowitz living my lavish life in amazing clothes, even when I’m slobbing in my room in pyjamas. The fashion, the music, the slightly odd love story between step sibling, Brittany Murphy, this film is the epitome of the nineties and the blueprint for girly girl personalities everywhere, and no chick flick has topped it, not even Mean Girls (yeah I said it).
Honourable mentions:
Cry Baby
Drop Dead Fred
Ace Ventura
American Pie
10 Things I Hate About You
Drama:
I love a good bit of drama and I’m surprised I have gotten this far without mentioning one of my favourite actresses of all time, one who really peaked during the nineties, Winona Ryder. I don’t have it in my to like things in small doses, if I’m impressed by a performance in one film I then have to go on and watch every single film that that person has been in. What kicked off my Winona Ryder love was Girl Interrupted which also includes the previously mentioned Brittany Murphy. This film has a great mix of aesthetics, comedy, sadness and hard hitting drama. Jared Leto also dons a pretty impressive moustache here too. Some may say that this film was a little too influential in dark tumblr era of the mid 2010s but that just shows it’s impact, and what an impact this film has had.
Honourable Mentions:
Ghost
Mermaids
Romeo and Juliet
Cruel Intentions
The Bodyguard
Family:
The 1990s was a good era for a lot of genres but it is most definitely parent to three of the best family Halloween films to exist: The Witches, Hocus Pocus and a Nightmare Before Christmas, which I watch every year without fail and no child friendly yet slightly traumatising films have managed to top these which I think is enough said.
Honourable Mentions:
The Parent Trap
My Girl
The Secret Garden
The Little Rascals
Stuart Little
Horror:
The nineties needs a big thank you for creating the best horror franchise of all, Scream. My middle name was actually influenced by the actress who plays the seemingly immortal Sidney Prescott so maybe I’m a little biased but the scream movies are the perfect blend of horror, comedy and slightly cringe worthy romance which is what makes them so great and a definite cult classic.
Honourable Mentions:
The Craft
Misery
Psycho
Interview With a Vampire
I Know What you Did Last Summer
There’s a lot of films that have gone unmentioned and I can’t say everyone will agree with my choices but I tried to include something for all but there’s something that my mind will not be open to arguments for; the nineties is the best decade of film. I hope this has helped you find your next flick to sit down and watch and a reminder that you shouldn’t feel guilty about having a duvet day, have one now, I dare you!
Written by Leah Neve
I’m an English Literature and Creative Writing student with a great love for music, fashion and bringing awareness for mental health. I want to travel once I’m finished university as I am open to learning about different cultures and would also love to have my own blog about my experiences!