The 5 Best Films Of The 90s

The last decade of the 20th century was a golden age in the movie industry; one that empathized with characters in a whole new way and caught the spirit of change that dominated the time. There’s no better way to illustrate this than with a list of films that defined the decade.

5. Con Air (1997)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 10: Nicolas Cage attends — Jamie McCarthy/GettyImages

In the 1990s, Hollywood was churning out action spectaculars, featuring stellar actors and impressive storytelling. 1997 hit Con Air is a shining example, taking viewers along for the ride with Cameron Poe (Nicolas Cage), a Marine who was put behind bars for manslaughter when all he was trying to do was protect his pregnant wife.

4. Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994)

PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 05: Hugh Grant and Anna Elisabet Eberstein attend the Men — Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/GettyImages

This British rom-com tells the story of Charles (Hugh Grant), his friends, and their adventures in romance. Writer Richard Curtis’s unapologetic approach to the romantic comedy genre hit its peak in Four Weddings, earning international success and critical acclaim.

“Is it raining? I hadn’t noticed” is a ridiculous phrase and Andie MacDowell’s character is as cold and hard as a kitchen table. But we dare you not to cry at John Hannah’s recital of “Funeral Blues” as he grieves for his late partner Gareth (Simon Callow).

3. Titanic (1997)

Leonardo DiCaprio at the Mann Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage) — Steve Granitz/GettyImages

Titanic is a tragic story of fictional romance woven through history. James Cameron’s blockbuster movie remains a classic favorite to this day. Set to Celine Dion’s captivating theme, “My Heart Will Go On,” the recreation of the infamous sinking of the HMS Titanic in the Atlantic in 1912 was a spectacular technical achievement. Let’s not forget Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Rose’s (Kate Winslet) forbidden love affair that made the movie a worldwide sensation.

2. Trainspotting (1996)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 25: Director Danny Boyle visits Build to discuss the movie — Michael Loccisano/GettyImages

Danny Boyle’s Trainspotting is a black-comedy crime movie that follows a group of drug addicts in a poor area of Edinburgh and their attempts to make it through the absurdities of life. Aside from heroin addiction, the film tackles urban poverty in Edinburgh.

Ewan McGregor proved to be a show-stopper with his impressive performance, and Robert Carlyle's enraged portrayal of Begbie was equally memorable.

1. Pulp Fiction (1994)

SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 04: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been converted to black and white.) Actor John Travolta attends the American Cinematheque Presents a John Travolta Double Feature of — Amanda Edwards/GettyImages

Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction cemented his position as the quintessential filmmaker of the ‘90s. From its unforgettable opening moments, the film’s dark humor and extreme violence blended into a strangely perfect mix that made it a major commercial success.

The chemistry of the cast was nothing short of amazing, John Travolta, Bruce Willis, Uma Thurman, and Samuel L. Jackson breathing life into their exciting characters. What can we say? Here’s hoping these forces reunite one day for a phenomenal follow-up.