90’s Movies: 40 Classics Every Movie Lover Should Know

The 90s films were marked by the emergence of great stars such as Julia Roberts and Tom Hanks, as well as directors who continue to release hits such as Quentin Tarantino, who revolutionizes the cinematographic market with each film. Therefore, remembering movies from the decade and getting to know its main titles is essential for movie lovers. Check out the must-see movies below:

Drama movies

The 90s drama movies fit in like movie classics. Scenes from feature films such as Pretty Woman and Titanic are still referenced and study materials for moviegoers around the world.

1. Titanic (1997)

Based on a true tragedy and one of the most famous novels in cinema, Titanic portrays the romance between Jack and Rose, young people from different social classes who fall in love aboard the ship Southampton, in 1912.

2. Schindler’s List (1993)

Schindler’s List is a drama that depicts the period of the Holocaust during World War II. The plot tells the story of a German businessman, Oskar Schindler, who saved a thousand Jews from the concentration camps, employing them in his pot factory. The film directed by Steven Spielberg won 7 Oscar categories.

3. Ghost: On the Other Side of Life (1990)

Who hasn’t seen the classic scene of the couple molding the ceramic vase in Ghost: On the Other Side of Life? This typical drama of movie sessions on TV marked a generation due to the romance that transcends barriers portrayed in the work. A film to warm the heart.

4. Pretty Woman (1990)

A Beautiful Woman is a typical romance. Edward, a businessman, meets prostitute Vivian during a trip to Los Angeles. Interested in the young woman, Edward hires her to spend the weekend with him, and things soon escalate into wild passion. Watch on Netflix.

5. A Place Called Notting Hill (1999)

Is love capable of overcoming differences? This 90’s movie proves it! In the drama, the life of a famous actress named Ana Scott is transformed when she falls in love with the owner of a simple bookstore who curiously only sells travel books, in Notting Hill. Available on Netflix and Telecine Play.

6. Central do Brasil (1998)

The film that earned actress Fernanda Montenegro an Oscar nomination cannot be missing from her list. The story brings the relationship of complicity between the retired teacher, Dora, and a 9-year-old boy who has just lost his mother and dreams of meeting his father. This is one of the 90s films that helped to put Brazilian cinema in the spotlight.

7. Edward Scissorhands (1990)

When watching a movie directed by Tim Burton, it’s important to keep one thing in mind: the director is known for creating environments that combine fantasy with the spooky. In the case of this work, the main plot revolves around an artificial man with scissor hands and a young woman in love, Kim.

8. American Beauty (1999)

This may seem like just another movie about an American family, but look closer! Within the walls of traditional families, secrets and discussions reign, which culminate in an unexpected ending that is still the reason for analysis by film critics.

9. Forrest Gump (1999)

Forrest is considered a below average kid. He unintentionally participates in important moments in American history, such as the Vietnam War, however, he presents them centered on friends, his mother and his love of life, Jeni. The film won a total of 38 awards, including 6 Oscars. This work is an essential part of any selection of 90s films.

10. Bridges of Madison (1995)

One weekend is enough for Francesca Johnson, played by Mary Streep, to experience the most intense love of her life. With an award-winning cast, the feature will make you rethink your relationships and the presence of love in her life.

Horror movies

It’s time to discover the scary side of the 90’s movies. Scream and The Blair Witch Project are examples of titles that amazed and still cause fear in the general public.

11. Interview with the Vampire (1994)

Interview with the Vampire stars movie greats: Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Antonio Banderas, Christian Slater and Kirsten Dunst. The story revolves around an interview conducted to compose the biography of a vampire over 200 years old. As he narrates his life, it is possible to discover the details of his transformation and adventures.

12. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

Imagine yourself newly formed and with a big case on your hands: the investigation of a criminal who skins his victims and that only a psychopath arrested for cannibalism is able to help solve. This is Clarice Starling’s situation in The Silence of the Lambs. Is she brave enough for that?

13. I Know What You Did Last Summer (1998)

About to leave their hometown, four teenagers gather for one last night of alcohol-fueled fun. As they leave, they accidentally run over a fisherman on the road and decide to make a pact: throw the body in the river and keep the secret. But a year later it all comes back to life when an anonymous note arrives.

14. Panic (1996)

In a terrifying metalanguage with several horror films, Scream presents us with a masked killer who starts to pursue a group of teenagers following the “laws” of what must happen in a horror movie. The work works all the clichés of the genre and achieves a great final result.

15. The Blair Witch Project (1999)

The Blair Witch Project is considered one of the scariest movies ever made. In the feature, a group of young people decide to enter a forest to produce a documentary about the legend of the Blair Witch. However, legends about the curses that guard the place may be more real than they realize.

16. IT – A Masterpiece of Fear (1990)

In the city of Derry, a monster is known to terrorize children in the form of an evil clown. Divided into two parts, the film narrates the involvement of 7 children with the thing and then presents how they deal with the situation as adults. This work released for TV was the first adaptation of the book It: the thing, by Stephen King.

17. The Sixth Sense (1999)

The Sixth Sense can be described as a mix of horror film and drama as it tackles familiar issues throughout the story. The plot unfolds through the relationship between a child who claims to see dead people and a disturbed child psychologist. You can watch the movie on Netflix.

18. Bride of Chucky (1998)

The fourth film in the Chucky assassin toy series appears as the direct sequel to the third feature. In this one, Tiffany, ex-girlfriend of the serial killer known as Chucky, manages to rescue the doll and bring her love’s soul back to him, but romance doesn’t go exactly as planned. She finds out the outcome of the case by enjoying the movie.

19. House on the Hill (1999)

When businessman Stephen Price decides to fulfill his wife’s exotic request for a birthday party in an abandoned house, he discovers the history of Dr. Vannacutt. Inspired, the businessman proposes a challenge to five people: spend an entire night in the house in exchange for 1 million dollars.

20. Young Witches (1996)

Upon moving to San Francisco, Sarah Bailey befriends three witch-practicing girls and joins them in magic. However, realizing that her friends’ intentions are not the best, she decides to walk away. Now, you will have to face them. Available on Netflix.

children’s movies

When it comes to 90s children’s movies, the decade was responsible for the release of favorites among children, particularly from Disney studios. Animations like Toy Story and The Lion King continue to gain sequels and fill movie theaters everywhere.

21. Toy Story (1995)

One of Disney Pixar’s most famous franchises, Toy Story, is part of the great 90’s movies. In this animated film, the toys in boy Andy’s room come to life and tell us what happens when they are alone. It’s a perfect movie to watch with the family.

22. The Lion King (1994)

In 2019, The Lion King movie returned to the big screen with an impressive live action, yet animation is still number 1 in the hearts of fans. The story of the lion that braves the jungle to retake the position that is rightfully his and avenge his father still moves generations.

23. Beauty and the Beast (1991)

Meet Bela, a girl who loves books and lives with her father, Maurice. One day, during a work trip, Maurice ends up trapped in the Beast’s castle. To save her father, Bela switches places with him, becoming a hostage. What she didn’t know is that the castle’s secrets had a great love in store for her.

24. Anastasia (1997)

In the midst of the Russian Revolution and under the dangers launched by Rasputin, Princess Anastasia loses her grandmother and ends up in an orphanage, with no memory. Years later, the princess’ grandmother offers a reward to anyone who finds the princess, who now lives in an orphanage and is named Anya.

25. Aladdin (1992)

A magic lamp, a fun genie, a street kid and a princess are the combination that makes Aladdin one of the special 90’s movies. More than a traditional princess movie, the feature addresses friendship, romance and the dangers of greed with beautiful music.

26. A Bug’s Life (1998)

Flik is an ant who can’t stand the common day to day life of the anthill. When he accidentally destroys all the food gathered to secure a pact with the locusts, he’s forced to go looking for help to save his home and his friends from the dangerous insects.

27. Tarzan (1999)

Tarzan is a young man raised in the forest along with animals. Upon witnessing an attack by baboons and saving the beautiful Jane, he discovers that he is not the only one of his kind. With her, Tarzan will learn human ways and discover romantic love. The 90’s movie is on Netflix.

28. Mulan (1998)

Mulan is a princess who breaks the mold. Afraid of her old father having to serve in the army during a war at the time of the Han Dynasty, the young woman decides to disguise herself as a man and represent her family in the face of confrontations. Available on Netflix.

29. Hercules (1997)

Unlike the original myth, in which Hercules is the son of Zeus and a mortal, in the 90s animated film Hercules is the misfit son of Zeus and Hera, who was captured by Hades and forced to live among humans. Upon discovering his divine origin, he sets out on an adventure to prove to the gods that he deserves to live among them.

30. Goofy: The Movie (1995)

Anyone who loves the Disney universe is sure to love this story starring Goofy and his son, Max. In the animation, Goofy is worried about Max’s behavior at school and, to get closer to his son, plans a trip for the two of them. What he didn’t know is that, on the same day, Max had finally got a date with the girl of his dreams.

Comedy movies

The comedies of the 90s became even better known due to television. As the vast majority are films for the whole family, they began to be shown constantly on open and closed TV channels. So you’ve probably seen at least half of the list below, which always…