The 90s gave us a lot of movies in several different genres, with many classic movies also making a huge splash in the theatres. Numerous movie franchises were also created within this decade, along with the launch of iconic directors such as Tarantino. As the decade progressed, we also saw the first shay attempts at CGI and the gradual improvement with time and experience.
Many movies of this era also gave rise to some of the most iconic pop culture moments of the 90s. While the influence and attraction of each 90s movie will take up too much time and space, below are a few examples to give you an idea of these works:
Jurassic Park (1993)
While the modern reboots of the classic Jurassic Park movie have several technological benefits, the 1993 original is still considered to be the best of the lot. This is one of the most iconic 90s movies, seeing as it’s spawned a lucrative franchise that’s still running today.
Just one of the aspects in which the original movie is miles better than the newer version is the character portrayal. All the characters in the 1993 offering are well-rounded ones, so we actually feel a range of emotions on their behalf. The scene with the velociraptors in the kitchen is an especially masterful one, managing to create tension and worry no matter how many times you watch it. It’s hence not surprising that many would categorize this movie as one of the top science fiction movies of all time.
Forrest Gump (1994)
Many movie critics might dismiss this movie as a feel-good history lesson from the 20th century. However, Forrest Gump is quite a cynical and eye-opening movie when you think about it. There’s a childlike, innocent character that’s confronted with the ups and downs of America in the past century.
Tom Hanks plays the iconic main character, giving rise to many memes and catchphrases that are popular even today. Think of memes that portray the phrases ‘Run, Forrest, run!’, or the well-known picture of Forrest sitting on a bench and talking about life being like a box of chocolates. At the end of it all, Forrest remains quite an endearing guide through major historical events such as the Vietnam War, the HIV crisis, and the Hurricane Carmen.
Clerks (1994)
Fair warning: this is a black-and-white movie made by a struggling indie filmmaker. The lack of color was due to the limited budget of Kevin Smith, seeing as this was his first offering. This venture was quite a brave one, as it wasn’t just a first for the filmmaker but also a comedy. Many Hollywood comedies just don’t seem authentic, but many closely identify the movie Clerks with the setting of the real New Jersey. This work was filmed in a convenience store at night, which as where Smith worked during the day. When it finally did hit the screens, though, this movie left a wave that helped to revive independent cinema and give it the place it deserved in the 90s. This only goes to show what hard work and determination can do for you.
Toy Story (1994)
Toy Story marked the rise of Disney’s animation renaissance, which was finally successful in the 90s to a certain extent. This was the result of partnering up with a little company known as Pixar. The story itself is funny, enjoyable, yet weirdly touching in the way that toys get attached to their owners.
Apart from the story, which was an interesting one on its own, the main reason behind the success of Toy Story was probably the animation style that helped to push its popularity to the top. Hand-drawn animation officially became a thing of the past, while Pixar managed to achieve a brilliant storyline as well.
The Blair Witch Project (1999)
If we compare budgets to the gross earnings, The Blair Witch Project is probably one of the most lucrative and successful firms in the history of the 90s. It was in the horror genre, but with a game-changing format. Instead of having a setting where a monster would come and terrorize the main characters, this movie consisted of a found-footage formula. This soon became a trend that is still being used today.
The movie is intriguing enough to capture our attention, although the brilliant marketing campaign behind it is also responsible for its popularity. This amrketng claimed that the footage card, and the results from a grown male’s. You might want to get their prmsision for using their shoes or even your feet from time to time.
Plus, we now have several parodies and sequels of the movie, which is one indicator of its major impact. True, the same footage formula trend didn’t catch on for a few more years, but it’s still being explored today.
Scream (1996)
Horror movies in the 90s were fading in their popularity, even being derided by many audiences. However, Scream was one of those clever movies that manage to reset the whole genre and presents it in a fresh way.
The movie seemed to follow a typical premise, where some teens are stalked by a killer. It also used several horror movie tropes to draw you in. However, the dark comedic events and twists make this movie memorable for anyone who had the stomach to watch it in the 90s.
With the self-awareness of this genre, it’s very refreshing to see characters being aware of the tropes and clichés they have to use. While this is technically a slasher film, it ends up showing everyone how much fun we could have with these movies.
Conclusion
The 1990s was certainly a golden decade for music movies and even fashion to some extent. Some of the options above could be great for rewatching or even viewing for the first time if you missed it back then. While you’re at it, check out these remakes that are better than the original.