Most people who have experienced the 90s might say that it was a golden age for music as well as movies in the United States. We would wait with bated breath for a promising movie to hit the theaters, rush to watch it when it hit the TV screen, and also buy the VHS tapes if we absolutely loved the work. Having a huge VHS tape collection was something to be proud of back then, while the movies themselves made a lot of waves at the box office.
Of course, the 90s had its share of movie flops. However, this was also the decade that produced Titanic, Home Alone, and several other works that define our childhood and are still considered as classic today. Some of the best animated movies also come in that category. Let’s have a look at just some of the most memorable names to fulfill our nostalgia now:
Titanic (1997)
Titanic wasn’t just a movie made and released in the 90s; it was a whole international trend that swept the globe. While film fanatics might not want to regard it as one of the best-ever movies of the 90s, there’s no doubt that it’s one of the most memorable ones. Well into the 21st century, the phrase ‘draw me like one of your French girls’ is now a popular meme even if the young generations don’t know its origin.
The magnitude of this cinematic work is also worth remembering; there was Titanic merchandise everywhere you looked. People would visit the movie theaters again and again, experiencing the same awe and crying in the same manner every single time. Plus this was the movie that basically launched the careers of Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio.
It’s also worth remembering that Titanic broke several records on the way to becoming the highest-ever grossing movie until that time. It maintained this record until Avatar came along, but the feat itself is quite impressive.
Home Alone (1990)
This is another movie that almost everyone has seen at some point in the 90s. With the not-so-subtle reds and green everywhere and the tinkly music, watching this one always gives us the Christmas vibes. Even today, many people will curl up with a mug of hot chocolate and a blanket to rewatch the first two Home Alone movies around Christmas time.
The storyline here is also enjoyable and never boring; Kevin McAllister turned his toys and several household items into weapons in order to defend his home against a couple of scheming thieves. While some parents might not want their kids watching such violence today, it was considered pretty standard fare back in the 90s.
Clueless (1995)
This movie was pretty edgy for its time, but it still symbolizes the 90s for a lot of people. Alicia Silverstone delivers one of her best performances to date, doing wonders for her career as the well-meaning Cher Horowitz. She also has a squad of one-percenters, but makes a refreshing turnabout from the typical mean, spoilt bully that such characters usually are in movies.
Other memorable aspects about this movie include the bold fashion, such as Cher’s plaid yellow suit and her friend’s top hat. The lingo as well as a then-unknown Paul Rudd are just two other factors that make this one of the top teen movies to watch during any weekend.
10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
This movie might have the simple label of a romantic comedy, but it’s definitely one of the most0remembered movies of the 90s (even though it was released at the very tail-end of the decade). The cast alone is enough to get us intrigued even if we haven’t watched the movie today: Julia Stiles, Heath Ledger, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt are all present in their young versions and giving a stellar performance.
Some say that this movie is basically a modernization of the Shakespeare play ‘The Taming of the Shrew’. The setting is an American high school in the late 90s, while the story revolved around two very different sisters, their love interests, and a strict father who’s just trying his best. We don’t think anything could get much more 90s than this.
This movie was a success right from the start; on the first weekend after it was released, it stood second at the domestic box office. It was a success in both the financial as well as the critical aspect. Plus, the roles for Stiles, Gordon-Levitt, and Ledger were breakthrough ones that earned them several nominations for teen awards. Fans of Heath Ledger would especially appreciate the chance to see him act the role of a bad boy.
Independence Day (1996)
If your movie night isn’t complete without one of the best post apocalyptic movies in the mix, Independence Day might be a good fit. While it might not have much to offer in terms of a solid plot, character development, or even plausibility, this movie is an attractive one for fans of science fiction and action.
The premise is quite simple; hostile aliens try to take over the Earth while a militant Will Smith, politicians, scientists, and even laymen try to fight them off. Almost every landmark within the United States is shattered to smithereens, which seems to be a staple in Emmerich’s (the director) work.
The Sixth Sense (1999)
Apart from the loud and colorful offerings of the 90s, the latter part of this decade also gave us one of the most memorable classic horror films of all time. Many of us might recognize the phrase ‘I see dead people’ as originating from this movie. The ending was a surprising twist back in the day, but has been overused enough since then to be almost predictable now.
Even so, the twist that The Sixth Sense offers has been the subject of much debate and criticism. If you haven’t seen the movie before, watch it now and then re-watch to see if the narrative holds up!
Conclusion
The movies we’ve discussed above are memorable not just for their stories, but also the actors they launched as well as the classic catchphrases. While this might be far from an exhaustive list, it should be enough to get you excited about a 90s-themed movie night or a whole party centered on movies of the 90s. If you have kids to entertain, these top children’s movies of the 90s might help you put together a decent, fun, and relatively clean list.