33 '90s Movies You Have to Watch or We Can't Be Friends
There's no better way to kick off the new year than to revisit your favorites from years' past. The '90s, specifically, because who doesn't love a "Ghost," "Point Break," "Titanic" or "Jurassic Park"? If you haven't watched these classics, we can't be pals.
'Edward Scissorhands' (1990)
Back when the team of Tim Burton and Johnny Depp was still fresh and new, this charmingly-strange fable about a boy with scissors for hands completely won us over.
'Ghost' (1990)
This was always a tearjerker, but ever since Swayze left this world too soon, it gets harder to watch. Especially since, unlike Demi Moore's perfect single tear, we tend to ugly cry.
'Goodfellas' (1990)
If you see only one Martin Scorsese movie in your lifetime, make it this mob masterpiece.
'Home Alone' (1990)
If you were a kid in the '90s, this movie was everything. Defending your house from thieves seemed like a whole lot more fun that going to Paris with your family.
'Pretty Woman' (1990)
The ultimate makeover movie from the late Garry Marshall, in which a hooker finds true love, a rich guy, and then finally gets that Beverly Hills shopping spree (without the snooty attitude from the sales clerk).
'Boyz 'n the Hood' (1991)
John Singleton's directorial debut about life in South Central L.A. marked the acting debuts of Ice Cube and Morris Chestnut. It earned Singleton Oscar nominations for Best Director and Best Screenplay.
'Point Break' (1991)
Accept no substitutes! This over-the-top action film about bank-robbing surfers led by the philosophical Bodhi (Patrick Swayze) has, as Lori Petty says at one point, "too much testosterone." And that's why we love it.
'Thelma and Louise' (1991)
Road trips would never be the same after Thelma (Geena Davis) and Louise (Susan Sarandon) led police on a multi-state chase. You can do the tiny bottles of tequila, but good luck with that Grand Canyon finale.
'Terminator 2: Judgment Day' (1991)
Forget the recent installments in this DOA franchise. Just re-watch this ass-kicking sequel with Ah-nuld now a good guy, an impossibly badass Linda Hamilton, and mind-blowing special effects.
'Wayne's World' (1992)
Admit it: Every time you're driving and "Bohemian Rhapsody" comes on the radio, you jam out just like Wayne and Garth.
'Dazed and Confused' (1993)
We get older, but Richard Linklater's fantastic ensemble piece about high school kids stays the same.
'The Fugitive' (1993)
Proving that Harrison Ford was a force (ha!) to be reckoned with in the '90s, this blockbuster adaptation of the '60s TV series was nominated for seven Oscars, with Tommy Lee Jones winning Best Supporting Actor.
'Jurassic Park' (1993)
Bringing giant dinosaurs back to life for a theme park: What could go wrong? Everything and anything in this first (and best) film in this mega-bucks franchise.
'The Lion King' (1994)
This majestic animated epic remains one of our favorite Disney films of all time.
'Dumb and Dumber' (1994)
As Jim Carrey '90s joints go, it was a Sophie's choice between this classic and "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective." As much as we love watching characters talk out of their butts while solving a missing dolphins case, the edge goes to this movie, which gave us the finest tuxedos in the history of ever.
'Pulp Fiction' (1994)
"And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know I am the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon you." What serious Tarantino fan doesn't have this at least half memorized?
'The Shawshank Redemption' (1994)
One of the greatest stories about hope and friendship endures, even if the famous oak tree from the movie did not.
'Speed' (1994)
Keanu Reeves is a one-man SWAT team. Sandra Bullock is the wildcat behind the wheel of a bus that will blow up if it drops below 50 MPH. This combo is an action classic that you have to watch whenever it is on cable. Which is a lot.
'Forrest Gump' (1994)
No one was prepared for how big "Forrest Gump" would be. It made such a dent on pop-culture that, weeks after its release, Siskel and Ebert did a special about "why Gump, why now?" You can blame Tom Hanks' Oscar-winning performance and the manipulative (but effective) story. You can also blame these things for a decade of enduring your friends' bad Gump impersonations.
'Clueless' (1995)
There are people who've never seen this brilliant high school comedy? As if!
'Friday' (1995)
Ice Cube and Chris Tucker (in his first major role) spend a lot of time on the porch and saying "Bye, Felicia" in this hilarious comedy that inspired two sequels.
'Seven' (1995)
"What's in the box?" We'll never, ever forget that ending.
'The Usual Suspects' (1995)
One of the smartest crime dramas of the '90s still holds up, even after you know the big twist. Kevin Spacey rightly won an Oscar for his role as Verbal Kint.
'Scream' (1996)
Kevin Williamson and Wes Craven's ode to horror movies helped reinvent the slasher genre. Regardless, it delivered some of the biggest shocks since "Psycho" -- not to mention the essential rules for surviving a horror movie.
'Good Will Hunting' (1997)
This heart-tugging film is proof that giant bear hugs are the answer to everything.
'Titanic' (1997)
Nearly 20 years later, we're still debating the physics of floating doors and getting teary every time Jack and Rose are in the same room.
'The Big Lebowski' (1998)
If you haven't seen the Coen Bros. cult classic, then you can definitely not attend Lebowski Fest. Or call yourself a film fan.
'Out of Sight' (1998)
Steven Soderbergh's funny, cool caper boasted one of the most sizzling onscreen pairings of all time, thanks to Jennifer Lopez and George Clooney.
'The Wedding Singer' (1998)
Even if you normally avoid Adam Sandler, it's hard to resist this '80s-set comedy. Here, Sandler gets left at the altar, falls for Drew Barrymore and -- with Billy Idol's help -- saves her from a DeLorean-driving jerk.
'10 Things I Hate About You' (1999)
A movie we've seen so often, we can practically quote it by heart: "I hate it when you make me laugh, even worse when you make me cry. I hate it when you're not around, and the fact that you didn't call. But mostly I hate the way I don't hate you. Not even close, not even a little bit, not even at all."
'She's All That' (1999)
Freddie Prinze, Jr.? Check. Rachael Leigh Cook? Check. A synchronized dance sequence to end all synchronized dance sequences?! Check AND mate.
'Fight Club' (1999)
The most nihilistic black comedy ever about smoking hot guys beating the s**t out of each other. Which is why we love it so.
'The Matrix' (1999)
Sure, Luke Cage and Superman are bullet-proof, but can they literally stop bullets? Keanu can.
