The Top 250 Movies of the 1990s

1

The Shawshank Redemption https://www.flickchart.com/movie/2F21C46A61 1994, 142 min.

Frank Darabont  •   Starring: Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Bob Gunton

Based-on-20th-Century-Literature  •  Buddy Film  •  Drama

3

Fight Club https://www.flickchart.com/movie/EDD68D9DC8 1999, 139 min.

David Fincher  •   Starring: Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, Helena Bonham Carter

Based-on-20th-Century-Literature  •  Black Comedy  •  Comedy Drama

5

The Silence of the Lambs https://www.flickchart.com/movie/70BB133FB2 1991, 118 min.

Jonathan Demme  •   Starring: Jodie Foster, Scott Glenn, Anthony Hopkins

Based-on-20th-Century-Literature  •  Cannibal Film  •  Crime Thriller

7

Se7en https://www.flickchart.com/movie/914ABB106D 1995, 127 min.

David Fincher  •   Starring: Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Gwyneth Paltrow

Crime Thriller  •  Crime  •  Police Detective Film

9

Terminator 2: Judgment Day https://www.flickchart.com/movie/98B6BEAD97 1991, 137 min.

James Cameron  •   Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Robert Patrick

Action Thriller  •  Action  •  Cyberpunk / Tech Noir

11

Saving Private Ryan https://www.flickchart.com/movie/789A99D661 1998, 170 min.

Steven Spielberg  •   Starring: Tom Hanks, Tom Sizemore, Edward Burns

Combat Films  •  Drama  •  Ensemble Film

13

Jurassic Park https://www.flickchart.com/movie/D7E6B0DA68 1993, 127 min.

Steven Spielberg  •   Starring: Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Richard Attenborough

Action  •  Based-on-20th-Century-Literature  •  Fantasy

15

Toy Story https://www.flickchart.com/movie/C823687458 1995, 81 min.

John Lasseter  •   Starring: Don Rickles, Wallace Shawn, Jim Varney

Adventure  •  Animation  •  Comedy

17

Fargo https://www.flickchart.com/movie/74B77CE0BC 1996, 98 min.

Joel & Ethan Coen  •   Starring: Frances McDormand, William H. Macy, Steve Buscemi

Americana  •  Black Comedy  •  Crime Comedy

19

Groundhog Day https://www.flickchart.com/movie/2F61D17D40 1993, 101 min.

Harold Ramis  •   Starring: Bill Murray, Andie MacDowell, Chris Elliott

Comedy  •  Fantasy Comedy  •  Fantasy

21

The Lion King https://www.flickchart.com/movie/6E9C315079 1994, 89 min.

Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff  •   Starring: Matthew Broderick, Jeremy Irons, James Earl Jones

Adventure  •  Animated Musical  •  Animation

23

Office Space https://www.flickchart.com/movie/29CEAAC737 1999, 89 min.

Mike Judge  •   Starring: Stephen Root, Gary Cole, John C. McGinley

Black Comedy  •  Comedy  •  Workplace Comedy

25

12 Monkeys https://www.flickchart.com/movie/BF5CEF619B 1995, 129 min.

Terry Gilliam  •   Starring: Bruce Willis, Madeleine Stowe, Brad Pitt

Cyberpunk / Tech Noir  •  Dystopian Film  •  Mindbender

27

Chungking Express https://www.flickchart.com/movie/A0422B261B 1994, 98 min.

Wong Kar-Wai  •   Starring: Brigitte Lin, Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Faye Wong

Drama  •  Foreign Language Film  •  Romance

29

Miller's Crossing https://www.flickchart.com/movie/28CC9301A5 1990, 120 min.

Joel & Ethan Coen  •   Starring: Gabriel Byrne, Albert Finney, John Turturro

Crime Drama  •  Crime Thriller  •  Crime

31

The Green Mile https://www.flickchart.com/movie/D52F787A06 1999, 188 min.

Frank Darabont  •   Starring: Tom Hanks, David Morse, James Cromwell

Based-on-20th-Century-Literature  •  Drama  •  Fantasy

33

Heat https://www.flickchart.com/movie/A586C49013 1995, 188 min.

Michael Mann  •   Starring: Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Val Kilmer

Action Thriller  •  Action  •  Caper

35

The Truman Show https://www.flickchart.com/movie/DADD4127EC 1998, 103 min.

Peter Weir  •   Starring: Jim Carrey, Laura Linney, Noah Emmerich

Comedy Drama  •  Drama  •  Media Satire

37

The Fifth Element https://www.flickchart.com/movie/2B13FACC76 1997, 126 min.

Luc Besson  •   Starring: Bruce Willis, Milla Jovovich, Ian Holm

Action  •  Adventure  •  Science Fiction

39

Aladdin https://www.flickchart.com/movie/D7F6957206 1992, 90 min.

Ron Clements, John Musker  •   Starring: Scott Weinger, Jonathan Freeman, Robin Williams

Adventure  •  Animated Musical  •  Animation

41

Glengarry Glen Ross https://www.flickchart.com/movie/452A4A07B6 1992, 100 min.

James Foley  •   Starring: Al Pacino, Jack Lemmon, Ed Harris

Based-on-Theatre  •  Drama  •  Ensemble Film

43

Edward Scissorhands https://www.flickchart.com/movie/F30E237A21 1990, 105 min.

Tim Burton  •   Starring: Johnny Depp, Winona Ryder, Dianne Wiest

Comedy Drama  •  Drama  •  Fantasy

45

Casino https://www.flickchart.com/movie/7ED92450F7 1995, 178 min.

Martin Scorsese  •   Starring: Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, Joe Pesci

Based-on-20th-Century-Literature  •  Crime Drama  •  Crime

47

Army of Darkness https://www.flickchart.com/movie/0214D89563 1992, 81 min.

Sam Raimi  •   Starring: Bruce Campbell, Marcus Gilbert, Ian Abercrombie

Comedy  •  Fantasy  •  Horror Comedy

49

Three Colors: Blue https://www.flickchart.com/movie/32CB69B0DF 1993, 98 min.

Krzysztof Kieslowski  •   Starring: Juliette Binoche, Benoit Regent, Florence Pernel

Drama  •  Foreign Language Film  •  Psychological Drama

51

La Haine https://www.flickchart.com/movie/33BF12FC03 1995, 96 min.

Mathieu Kassovitz  •   Starring: Vincent Cassel, Hubert Kounde, Saïd Taghmaoui

Crime Drama  •  Crime  •  Drama

53

Being John Malkovich https://www.flickchart.com/movie/35E60AF268 1999, 112 min.

Spike Jonze  •   Starring: John Cusack, Cameron Diaz, John Malkovich

Comedy  •  Fantasy Comedy  •  Fantasy

55

Tombstone https://www.flickchart.com/movie/02B874B2D7 1993, 134 min.

George P. Cosmatos  •   Starring: Kurt Russell, Val Kilmer, Sam Elliott

Revisionist Western  •  Western

57

Total Recall https://www.flickchart.com/movie/0E58E312A5 1990, 113 min.

Paul Verhoeven  •   Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rachel Ticotin, Sharon Stone

Action Thriller  •  Action  •  Adventure

59

Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels https://www.flickchart.com/movie/39B179AE18 1998, 107 min.

Guy Ritchie  •   Starring: Jason Flemyng, Dexter Fletcher, Nick Moran

Buddy Film  •  Caper  •  Comedy

61

Die Hard With a Vengeance https://www.flickchart.com/movie/C6DA5B538D 1995, 131 min.

John McTiernan  •   Starring: Bruce Willis, Jeremy Irons, Samuel L. Jackson

Action Thriller  •  Action  •  Buddy Film

63

Hard Boiled https://www.flickchart.com/movie/FAC4F37883 1992, 126 min.

John Woo  •   Starring: Chow Yun-Fat, Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Teresa Mo

Action Thriller  •  Action  •  Foreign Language Film

65

Wayne's World https://www.flickchart.com/movie/0F03C1B084 1992, 94 min.

Penelope Spheeris  •   Starring: Mike Myers, Dana Carvey, Rob Lowe

Absurd Comedy  •  Based-on-Television  •  Buddy Film

67

Hoop Dreams https://www.flickchart.com/movie/5BFE537D33 1994, 170 min.

Steve James  •   Starring: Spike Lee, Sheila Agee, Gene Pingatore

Biography  •  Culture and Society  •  Documentary

69

The Double Life of Veronique https://www.flickchart.com/movie/9DF026B6C1 1991, 98 min.

Krzysztof Kieslowski  •   Starring: Wladyslaw Kowalski, Irène Jacob, Halina Gryglaszewska

Drama  •  Foreign Language Film  •  Psychological Drama

71

Independence Day https://www.flickchart.com/movie/5C137A86A5 1996, 153 min.

Roland Emmerich  •   Starring: Will Smith, Bill Pullman, Jeff Goldblum

Action  •  Alien Invasion Films  •  Apocalyptic Film

73

The City of Lost Children https://www.flickchart.com/movie/3348899B42 1995, 112 min.

Marc Caro, Jean-Pierre Jeunet  •   Starring: Ron Perlman, Daniel Emilfork, Judith Vittet

Adventure  •  Cyberpunk / Tech Noir  •  Dystopian Film

75

Life Is Beautiful https://www.flickchart.com/movie/7B670871D4 1997, 116 min.

Roberto Benigni  •   Starring: Roberto Benigni, Nicoletta Braschi, Giorgio Cantarini

Comedy Drama  •  Drama  •  Foreign Language Film

77

Jackie Brown https://www.flickchart.com/movie/6A5425E2EF 1997, 154 min.

Quentin Tarantino  •   Starring: Pam Grier, Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Forster

Based-on-20th-Century-Literature  •  Crime Drama  •  Crime Thriller

79

True Lies https://www.flickchart.com/movie/4B60409A7A 1994, 141 min.

James Cameron  •   Starring: Jamie Lee Curtis, Bill Paxton, Tia Carrere

Action  •  Action Comedy  •  Action Thriller

81

Ed Wood https://www.flickchart.com/movie/7C373A1070 1994, 127 min.

Tim Burton  •   Starring: Martin Landau, Jeffrey Jones, Patricia Arquette

Based-on-20th-Century-Literature  •  Based-on-a-True-Story  •  Biopic

83

The Player https://www.flickchart.com/movie/EC04444E78 1992, 124 min.

Robert Altman  •   Starring: Tim Robbins, Whoopi Goldberg, Peter Gallagher

Comedy  •  Ensemble Film  •  Satire

85

Naked https://www.flickchart.com/movie/91319DB084 1993, 131 min.

Mike Leigh  •   Starring: Greg Cruttwell, Claire Skinner, David Thewlis

Black Comedy  •  Drama  •  Psychological Drama

87

Waiting for Guffman https://www.flickchart.com/movie/D76B622BFF 1996, 84 min.

Christopher Guest  •   Starring: Fred Willard, Catherine O'Hara, Parker Posey

Comedy  •  Mockumentary  •  Showbiz Comedy

89

Dead Alive https://www.flickchart.com/movie/8971D0B567 1992, 97 min.

Peter Jackson  •   Starring: Timothy Balme, Diana Penalver, Elizabeth Moody

Black Comedy  •  Body Horror  •  Horror Comedy

91

Delicatessen https://www.flickchart.com/movie/B2D9116804 1991, 99 min.

Marc Caro, Jean-Pierre Jeunet  •   Starring: Dominique Pinon, Marie-Laure Dougnac, Jean-Claude Dreyfus

Absurd Comedy  •  Black Comedy  •  Cannibal Film

93

The Hunt for Red October https://www.flickchart.com/movie/E716B1C87B 1990, 134 min.

John McTiernan  •   Starring: Sean Connery, Alec Baldwin, Sam Neill

Action Thriller  •  Action  •  Adventure

95

In the Name of the Father https://www.flickchart.com/movie/AF8B068307 1993, 133 min.

Jim Sheridan  •   Starring: Pete Postlethwaite, Daniel Day-Lewis, Emma Thompson

Based-on-a-True-Story  •  Biopic  •  Courtroom Drama

97

Short Cuts https://www.flickchart.com/movie/98FC0A8BA1 1993, 187 min.

Robert Altman  •   Starring: Andie MacDowell, Bruce Davison, Chris Penn

Drama  •  Ensemble Film  •  Hyperlink Film

99

The Hudsucker Proxy https://www.flickchart.com/movie/85AA4568B4 1994, 111 min.

Joel & Ethan Coen  •   Starring: Tim Robbins, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Paul Newman

Comedy  •  Period Film  •  Screwball Comedy

101

Happy Gilmore https://www.flickchart.com/movie/6539449E9C 1996, 92 min.

Dennis Dugan  •   Starring: Adam Sandler, Julie Bowen, Christopher McDonald

Comedy  •  Slapstick  •  Sports Comedy

103

Mission: Impossible https://www.flickchart.com/movie/77395DD266 1996, 110 min.

Brian De Palma  •   Starring: Tom Cruise, Jon Voight, Emmanuelle Béart

Action Thriller  •  Action  •  Adventure

105

Dead Man https://www.flickchart.com/movie/5897068F22 1995, 121 min.

Jim Jarmusch  •   Starring: Johnny Depp, Gary Farmer, Lance Henriksen

Hybrid Western  •  Road Movie  •  Western

107

The Sweet Hereafter https://www.flickchart.com/movie/DE0EBEADF8 1997, 112 min.

Atom Egoyan  •   Starring: Ian Holm, Sarah Polley, David Hemblen

Disaster Film  •  Drama  •  Ensemble Film

109

Defending Your Life https://www.flickchart.com/movie/CD892E825B 1991, 112 min.

Albert Brooks  •   Starring: Albert Brooks, Meryl Streep, Rip Torn

Comedy  •  Fantasy Comedy  •  Fantasy

111

Dumb and Dumber https://www.flickchart.com/movie/1594E39674 1994, 113 min.

Bobby & Peter Farrelly  •   Starring: Jim Carrey, Jeff Daniels, Lauren Holly

Absurd Comedy  •  Buddy Film  •  Comedy

113

Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery https://www.flickchart.com/movie/AB9BC6D00D 1997, 94 min.

Jay Roach  •   Starring: Mike Myers, Elizabeth Hurley, Robert Wagner

Absurd Comedy  •  Comedy  •  Parody/Spoof

115

Heavenly Creatures https://www.flickchart.com/movie/9A7A53789E 1994, 108 min.

Peter Jackson  •   Starring: Melanie Lynskey, Kate Winslet, Sarah Peirse

Based-on-a-True-Story  •  Coming-of-Age  •  Crime Drama

117

Breaking the Waves https://www.flickchart.com/movie/3EC1BB4797 1996, 153 min.

Lars von Trier  •   Starring: Emily Watson, Stellan Skarsgård, Jean-Marc Barr

Drama  •  Erotic Drama  •  Magic Realism

119

My Cousin Vinny https://www.flickchart.com/movie/B4F04EE1D4 1992, 120 min.

Jonathan Lynn  •   Starring: Joe Pesci, Ralph Macchio, Marisa Tomei

Comedy of Manners  •  Comedy  •  Crime Comedy

121

Wild at Heart https://www.flickchart.com/movie/CA872D50A6 1990, 124 min.

David Lynch  •   Starring: Nicolas Cage, Diane Ladd, Isabella Rossellini

Black Comedy  •  Crime Thriller  •  Crime

123

There's Something About Mary https://www.flickchart.com/movie/9141072067 1998, 119 min.

Bobby & Peter Farrelly  •   Starring: Ben Stiller, Matt Dillon, Lee Evans

Comedy  •  Farce  •  Gross-Out Comedy

125

Boyz 'N the Hood https://www.flickchart.com/movie/2BE9F4D544 1991, 107 min.

John Singleton  •   Starring: Cuba Gooding Jr., Ice Cube, Angela Bassett

Coming-of-Age  •  Crime Drama  •  Crime

127

The Boondock Saints https://www.flickchart.com/movie/3F81511C16 1999, 108 min.

Troy Duffy  •   Starring: Willem Dafoe, Sean Patrick Flanery, Norman Reedus

Action  •  Crime  •  Crime Drama

129

Secrets & Lies https://www.flickchart.com/movie/D20A9A3CCE 1996, 142 min.

Mike Leigh  •   Starring: Timothy Spall, Phyllis Logan, Brenda Blethyn

Drama  •  Family Drama  •  Reunion Films

131

Donnie Brasco https://www.flickchart.com/movie/CDB0867E62 1997, 127 min.

Mike Newell  •   Starring: Al Pacino, Johnny Depp, Michael Madsen

Based-on-a-True-Story  •  Crime  •  Crime Drama

133

Jerry Maguire https://www.flickchart.com/movie/D3754D02FA 1996, 139 min.

Cameron Crowe  •   Starring: Tom Cruise, Cuba Gooding Jr., Renée Zellweger

Comedy Drama  •  Drama  •  Romance

135

Lone Star https://www.flickchart.com/movie/675B36085F 1996, 135 min.

John Sayles  •   Starring: Chris Cooper, Elizabeth Peña, Clifton James

Drama  •  Mystery  •  Romance

137

Audition https://www.flickchart.com/movie/C96BFF87D9 1999, 115 min.

Takashi Miike  •   Starring: Ryo Ishibashi, Miyuki Matsuda, Eihi Shiina

Foreign Language Film  •  Horror  •  Sadistic Horror

139

Starship Troopers https://www.flickchart.com/movie/B0AF7BD59E 1997, 129 min.

Paul Verhoeven  •   Starring: Casper Van Dien, Dina Meyer, Denise Richards

Action Thriller  •  Action  •  Adventure

141

Out of Sight https://www.flickchart.com/movie/407EA3A6CB 1998, 123 min.

Steven Soderbergh  •   Starring: George Clooney, Ving Rhames, Don Cheadle

Based-on-20th-Century-Literature  •  Caper  •  Comedy

143

Happiness https://www.flickchart.com/movie/B8C84B3E45 1998, 134 min.

Todd Solondz  •   Starring: Dylan Baker, Lara Flynn Boyle, Cynthia Stevenson

Black Comedy  •  Comedy Drama  •  Drama

145

Hard Eight https://www.flickchart.com/movie/B3712CA12B 1996, 101 min.

Paul Thomas Anderson  •   Starring: Gwyneth Paltrow, F. William Parker, Philip Baker Hall

Crime Drama  •  Crime  •  Drama

147

Rounders https://www.flickchart.com/movie/B1D7BC8D3A 1998, 121 min.

John Dahl  •   Starring: Matt Damon, Edward Norton, Gretchen Mol

Buddy Film  •  Drama  •  Post-Noir

149

Twin Peaks https://www.flickchart.com/movie/2EE037303B 1990, 116 min.

David Lynch  •   Starring: Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Ontkean, Mädchen Amick

Crime  •  Crime Drama  •  Drama

151

The Fisher King https://www.flickchart.com/movie/1BD07AFF06 1991, 137 min.

Terry Gilliam  •   Starring: Jeff Bridges, Robin Williams, Amanda Plummer

Buddy Film  •  Comedy Drama  •  Drama

153

Mallrats https://www.flickchart.com/movie/5ED86937AC 1995, 94 min.

Kevin Smith  •   Starring: Shannen Doherty, Jeremy London, Jason Lee

Buddy Film  •  Comedy  •  Comedy of Manners

155

Jacob's Ladder https://www.flickchart.com/movie/52F34CF59F 1990, 113 min.

Adrian Lyne  •   Starring: Tim Robbins, Ving Rhames, Elizabeth Peña

Drama  •  Horror  •  Mindbender

157

The Limey https://www.flickchart.com/movie/6A0A293A9D 1999, 89 min.

Steven Soderbergh  •   Starring: Terence Stamp, Peter Fonda, Lesley Ann Warren

Crime Drama  •  Crime  •  Drama

159

Carlito's Way https://www.flickchart.com/movie/974AC1BBAC 1993, 141 min.

Brian De Palma  •   Starring: Sean Penn, Penelope Ann Miller, John Leguizamo

Crime Drama  •  Crime  •  Drama

161

Chasing Amy https://www.flickchart.com/movie/97FB6C7EA0 1997, 113 min.

Kevin Smith  •   Starring: Joey Lauren Adams, Jason Mewes, Kevin Smith

Comedy Drama  •  Romance  •  Romantic Comedy

163

As Good As It Gets https://www.flickchart.com/movie/E5ABF425E4 1997, 139 min.

James L. Brooks  •   Starring: Jack Nicholson, Helen Hunt, Greg Kinnear

Comedy Drama  •  Drama  •  Romance

165

Galaxy Quest https://www.flickchart.com/movie/920DA2FC98 1999, 102 min.

Dean Parisot  •   Starring: Tim Allen, Alan Rickman, Tony Shalhoub

Comedy  •  Sci-Fi Comedy  •  Science Fiction

167

Akira Kurosawa's Dreams https://www.flickchart.com/movie/199C0CF8A9 1990, 119 min.

Akira Kurosawa  •   Starring: Akira Terao, Mitsunori Isaki, Chishu Ryu

Adventure  •  Anthology Film  •  Drama

169

Naked Lunch https://www.flickchart.com/movie/D690D04666 1991, 115 min.

David Cronenberg  •   Starring: Peter Weller, Judy Davis, Ian Holm

Addiction Drama  •  Avant-garde / Experimental  •  Based-on-20th-Century-Literature

171

The Straight Story https://www.flickchart.com/movie/87B950F964 1999, 112 min.

David Lynch  •   Starring: Richard Farnsworth, Sissy Spacek, James Cada

Americana  •  Drama  •  Road Movie

173

10 Things I Hate About You https://www.flickchart.com/movie/023CA0A5F0 1999, 97 min.

Gil Junger  •   Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Heath Ledger, Julia Stiles

Based-on-Shakespeare  •  Comedy  •  Romance

175

Sneakers https://www.flickchart.com/movie/E8530A8A03 1992, 126 min.

Phil Alden Robinson  •   Starring: Robert Redford, Dan Aykroyd, Ben Kingsley

Action  •  Action Comedy  •  Action Thriller

177

A League of Their Own https://www.flickchart.com/movie/9EF8A5B5E7 1992, 128 min.

Penny Marshall  •   Starring: Geena Davis, Tom Hanks, Lori Petty

Americana  •  Comedy Drama  •  Drama

179

Philadelphia https://www.flickchart.com/movie/27848A064A 1993, 125 min.

Jonathan Demme  •   Starring: Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington, Jason Robards

Courtroom Drama  •  Drama  •  Gay and Lesbian Film

181

Bullets Over Broadway https://www.flickchart.com/movie/D6C0E5BDC3 1994, 98 min.

Woody Allen  •   Starring: Chazz Palminteri, Jennifer Tilly, Dianne Wiest

Comedy  •  Gangster Film  •  Satire

183

The Ice Storm https://www.flickchart.com/movie/7788D48242 1997, 112 min.

Ang Lee  •   Starring: Kevin Kline, Joan Allen, Sigourney Weaver

Based-on-20th-Century-Literature  •  Drama  •  Ensemble Film

185

The Celebration https://www.flickchart.com/movie/E3996CA3C8 1998, 105 min.

Thomas Vinterberg  •   Starring: Ulrich Thomsen, Thomas Bo Larsen, Klaus Bondam

Comedy Drama  •  Dogme 95  •  Drama

187

Baraka https://www.flickchart.com/movie/D75B5A56E8 1992, 96 min.

Ron Fricke

Avant-garde / Experimental  •  Documentary

189

Election https://www.flickchart.com/movie/16A5DB20FA 1999, 103 min.

Alexander Payne  •   Starring: Matthew Broderick, Reese Witherspoon, Mark Harelik

Americana  •  Black Comedy  •  Comedy Drama

191

Man Bites Dog https://www.flickchart.com/movie/1F19D396BA 1992, 95 min.

Rémy Belvaux, André Bonzel, Benoît Poelvoorde  •   Starring: Benoît Poelvoorde, Rémy Belvaux, André Bonzel

Black Comedy  •  Crime Comedy  •  Crime

193