140 Favorite 90s Movies

Wazzup, home skillet! You must’ve left your pager in your other pair of Zubaz, ‘cuz the 1990s are trying to get in touch: The decade’s back, and it’s brought 140 friends!

Rotten Tomatoes, the Fresh prince of review aggregators, presents our list of the 140 Favorite ’90s Movies, ranging from Certified Fresh to Rotten, all reppin’ 10 years of cinema that upended the biz! Our selections cross the era’s cultural checkpoints, including the American independent golden era (Pulp Fiction, Good Will Hunting), animation renaissance (The Lion King, the Toy Story movies), slasher revival (Scream), and the full maturation of auteurs like Scorsese and Spielberg under the studio system…just as the same studios pumped out big, star-driven crass comedies (Happy Gilmore, There’s Something About Mary) and effects-driven blockbusters (Titanic, Independence Day).

So slap on that bracelet and resurrect your Tamagotchi bestie, because these aren’t just the best ’90s movies, dude — they’re totally essential! And if you’re looking for more blasts from the past, check out our list of 140 Favorite 80s Movies! Schwing! —Alex Vo

More Favorite Movies By Decade
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#140

Empire Records (1995)
31%

#140
Adjusted Score: 32926%
Critics Consensus: Despite a terrific soundtrack and a strong early performance from Renee Zellweger, Empire Records is mostly a silly and predictable teen dramedy.
Synopsis: Joe (Anthony LaPaglia) runs Empire Records, an independent Delaware store that employs a tight-knit group of music-savvy youths. Hearing that... [More]
Starring: Anthony LaPaglia, Rory Cochrane, Johnny Whitworth, Liv Tyler
Directed By: Allan Moyle

#139

Half Baked (1998)
28%

#139
Adjusted Score: 28725%
Critics Consensus: You'd have to be high to dig Half Baked's half baked production and scattershot sense of humor -- although maybe that was the point of this Dave Chapelle-led joint.
Synopsis: When a member of their crew gets arrested for killing a New York City police horse by feeding it junk... [More]
Starring: Dave Chappelle, Guillermo Díaz, Jim Breuer, Harland Williams
Directed By: Tamra Davis

#138

Showgirls (1995)
22%

#138
Adjusted Score: 27521%
Critics Consensus: Vile, contemptible, garish, and misogynistic -- and that might just be exactly Showgirls' point.
Synopsis: Nomi (Elizabeth Berkley) arrives in Las Vegas with only a suitcase and a dream of becoming a top showgirl. She... [More]
Starring: Elizabeth Berkley Lauren, Kyle MacLachlan, Gina Gershon, Glenn Plummer
Directed By: Paul Verhoeven

#137

Basic Instinct (1992)
56%

#137
Adjusted Score: 62746%
Critics Consensus: Unevenly echoing the work of Alfred Hitchcock, Basic Instinct contains a star-making performance from Sharon Stone but is ultimately undone by its problematic, overly lurid plot.
Synopsis: The mysterious Catherine Tramell (Sharon Stone), a beautiful crime novelist, becomes a suspect when she is linked to the brutal... [More]
Starring: Michael Douglas, Sharon Stone, George Dzundza, Jeanne Tripplehorn
Directed By: Paul Verhoeven

#136

Poetic Justice (1993)
34%

#136
Adjusted Score: 36405%
Critics Consensus: Poetic Justice is commendably ambitious and boasts a pair of appealing stars, but they're undermined by writer-director John Singleton's frustrating lack of discipline.
Synopsis: Still grieving after the murder of her boyfriend, hairdresser Justice (Janet Jackson) writes poetry to deal with the pain of... [More]
Starring: Janet Jackson, Tupac Shakur, Regina King, Joe Torry
Directed By: John Singleton

#135

Gummo (1997)
38%

#135
Adjusted Score: 41457%
Critics Consensus: Gummo's bold provocations may impress more iconoclastically inclined viewers, but others will find it hard to see past writer-director Harmony Korine's overwhelmingly sour storytelling perspective.
Synopsis: Teen friends Tummler (Nick Sutton) and Solomon (Jacob Reynolds) navigate the ruins of a tiny, tornado-ravaged town in Ohio that... [More]
Starring: Jacob Reynolds, Nick Sutton, Jacob Sewell, Darby Dougherty
Directed By: Harmony Korine

#134

Kids (1995)
46%

#134
Adjusted Score: 49742%
Critics Consensus: Kids isn't afraid to test viewers' limits, but the point of its nearly non-stop provocation is likely to be lost in all the repellent characters and unpleasant imagery.
Synopsis: Amoral teen Telly (Leo Fitzpatrick) has made it his goal to sleep with as many virgin girls as possible --... [More]
Starring: Leo Fitzpatrick, Justin Pierce, Chloë Sevigny, Sarah Henderson
Directed By: Larry Clark

#133

Dead Man (1995)
70%

#133
Adjusted Score: 73431%
Critics Consensus: While decidedly not for all tastes, Dead Man marks an alluring change of pace for writer-director Jim Jarmusch that demonstrates an assured command of challenging material.
Synopsis: Circumstances transform a mild-mannered accountant (Johnny Depp) into a notorious Old West gunslinger.... [More]
Starring: Johnny Depp, Gary Farmer, Lance Henriksen, Michael Wincott
Directed By: Jim Jarmusch

#132

The Rock (1996)
67%

#132
Adjusted Score: 71698%
Critics Consensus: For visceral thrills, it can't be beat. Just don't expect The Rock to engage your brain.
Synopsis: FBI chemical warfare expert Stanley Goodspeed (Nicolas Cage) is sent on an urgent mission with a former British spy, John... [More]
Starring: Sean Connery, Nicolas Cage, Ed Harris, Michael Biehn
Directed By: Michael Bay

#131
#131
Adjusted Score: 94647%
Critics Consensus: Full of creepy campfire scares, mock-doc The Blair Witch Project keeps audiences in the dark about its titular villain, proving once more that imagination can be as scary as anything onscreen.
Synopsis: Found video footage tells the tale of three film students (Heather Donahue, Joshua Leonard, Michael C. Williams) who've traveled to... [More]
Starring: Heather Donahue, Michael C. Williams, Joshua Leonard, Bob Griffith
Directed By: Daniel Myrick, Eduardo Sánchez

#130
#130
Adjusted Score: 81663%
Critics Consensus: Pump Up the Volume can be a bit overbearing, but this is one teen drama with the courage of its convictions -- and a killer soundtrack.
Synopsis: In Arizona, an introverted and insightful teenager, Mark Hunter (Christian Slater), finds an outlet for his viewpoints through a shortwave... [More]
Starring: Christian Slater, Samantha Mathis, Ellen Greene, Scott Paulin
Directed By: Allan Moyle

#129

Man Bites Dog (1992)
74%

#129
Adjusted Score: 74911%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
Synopsis: The activities of rampaging, indiscriminate serial killer Ben (Benoît Poelvoorde) are recorded by a willingly complicit documentary team, who eventually... [More]
Starring: Benoît Poelvoorde, Rémy Belvaux, André Bonzel, Jean-Marc Chenut
Directed By: Rémy Belvaux, André Bonzel

#128
#128
Adjusted Score: 53829%
Critics Consensus: Visually creative, but also aimless, repetitive, and devoid of character development.
Synopsis: Raoul Duke (Johnny Depp) and his attorney Dr. Gonzo (Benicio del Toro) drive a red convertible across the Mojave desert... [More]
Starring: Johnny Depp, Benicio del Toro, Craig Bierko, Ellen Barkin
Directed By: Terry Gilliam

#127
#127
Adjusted Score: 87147%
Critics Consensus: Benigni's earnest charm, when not overstepping its bounds into the unnecessarily treacly, offers the possibility of hope in the face of unflinching horror.
Synopsis: A gentle Jewish-Italian waiter, Guido Orefice (Roberto Benigni), meets Dora (Nicoletta Braschi), a pretty schoolteacher, and wins her over with... [More]
Starring: Roberto Benigni, Nicoletta Braschi, Giorgio Cantarini, Giustino Durano
Directed By: Roberto Benigni

#126

Space Jam (1996)
43%

#126
Adjusted Score: 48815%
Critics Consensus: While it's no slam dunk, Space Jam's silly, Looney Toons-laden slapstick and vivid animation will leave younger viewers satisfied -- though accompanying adults may be more annoyed than entertained.
Synopsis: Swackhammer (Danny DeVito), an evil alien theme park owner, needs a new attraction at Moron Mountain. When his gang, the... [More]
Starring: Michael Jordan, Wayne Knight, Theresa Randle, Larry Bird
Directed By: Joe Pytka

#125

Hackers (1995)
33%

#125
Adjusted Score: 35845%
Critics Consensus: Hackers has a certain stylish appeal, but its slick visuals and appealing young cast can't compensate for a clichéd and disappointingly uninspired story.
Synopsis: A teenage hacker finds himself framed for the theft of millions of dollars from a major corporation. Master hacker Dade... [More]
Starring: Jonny Lee Miller, Angelina Jolie, Jesse Bradford, Matthew Lillard
Directed By: Iain Softley

#124

Happy Gilmore (1996)
62%

#124
Adjusted Score: 65352%
Critics Consensus: Those who enjoy Adam Sandler's schtick will find plenty to love in this gleefully juvenile take on professional golf; those who don't, however, will find it unfunny and forgettable.
Synopsis: All Happy Gilmore (Adam Sandler) has ever wanted is to be a professional hockey player. But he soon discovers he... [More]
Starring: Adam Sandler, Christopher McDonald, Julie Bowen, Frances Bay
Directed By: Dennis Dugan

#123
#123
Adjusted Score: 59190%
Critics Consensus: Drew Barrymore's effervescent charm is almost enough to make you forgive this teen comedy's incredibly silly storyline.
Synopsis: Josie Geller (Drew Barrymore), a baby-faced junior copywriter at the Chicago Sun-Times, must pose as a student at her former... [More]
Starring: Drew Barrymore, David Arquette, Michael Vartan, Molly Shannon
Directed By: Raja Gosnell

#122

Tommy Boy (1995)
40%

#122
Adjusted Score: 42762%
Critics Consensus: Though it benefits from the comic charms of its two leads, Tommy Boy too often feels like a familiar sketch stretched thin.
Synopsis: After his beloved father (Brian Dennehy) dies, dimwitted Tommy Callahan (Chris Farley) inherits a near-bankrupt automobile parts factory in Sandusky,... [More]
Starring: Chris Farley, David Spade, Brian Dennehy, Bo Derek
Directed By: Peter Segal

#121
#121
Adjusted Score: 75303%
Critics Consensus: Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger add strong performances to an unexpectedly clever script, elevating 10 Things (slightly) above typical teen fare.
Synopsis: Kat Stratford (Julia Stiles) is beautiful, smart and quite abrasive to most of her fellow teens, meaning that she doesn't... [More]
Starring: Heath Ledger, Julia Stiles, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Larisa Oleynik
Directed By: Gil Junger

#120

Hook (1991)
29%

#120
Adjusted Score: 34431%
Critics Consensus: The look of Hook is lively indeed but Steven Spielberg directs on autopilot here, giving in too quickly to his sentimental, syrupy qualities.
Synopsis: When his young children are abducted by his old nemesis, Capt. Hook (Dustin Hoffman), middle-aged lawyer Peter Banning (Robin Williams)... [More]
Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Robin Williams, Julia Roberts, Bob Hoskins
Directed By: Steven Spielberg

#119

Muriel's Wedding (1994)
81%

#119
Adjusted Score: 83954%
Critics Consensus: Heartfelt and quirky, though at times broad, Muriel's Wedding mixes awkward comedy, oddball Australian characters, and a nostalgia-heavy soundtrack.
Synopsis: Socially awkward Muriel Heslop (Toni Collette) wants nothing more than to get married. Unfortunately, due to her oppressive politician father... [More]
Starring: Toni Collette, Bill Hunter, Rachel Griffiths, Jeanie Drynan
Directed By: P.J. Hogan

#118

Singles (1992)
79%

#118
Adjusted Score: 83232%
Critics Consensus: Smart, funny, and engagingly scruffy, Singles is a clear-eyed look at modern romance that doubles as a credible grunge-era time capsule.
Synopsis: In Seattle during the era of grunge music, the lives and relationships of a group of young people, all living... [More]
Starring: Bridget Fonda, Matt Dillon, Campbell Scott, Kyra Sedgwick
Directed By: Cameron Crowe

#117

Mortal Kombat (1995)
47%

#117
Adjusted Score: 49762%
Critics Consensus: Despite an effective otherwordly atmosphere and appropriately cheesy visuals, Mortal Kombat suffers from its poorly constructed plot, laughable dialogue, and subpar acting.
Synopsis: Lord Rayden (Christopher Lambert) handpicks three martial artists -- federal agent Sonya Blade (Bridgette Wilson), Shaolin monk Lui Kang (Robin... [More]
Starring: Robin Shou, Linden Ashby, Bridgette Wilson-Sampras, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa
Directed By: Paul W.S. Anderson

#116

Sister Act (1992)
75%

#116
Adjusted Score: 76817%
Critics Consensus: Looking for a sweet musical comedy about a witness to a crime hiding out from killers in a convent? There's nun better than Sister Act.
Synopsis: When lively lounge singer Deloris Van Cartier (Whoopi Goldberg) sees her mobster beau, Vince LaRocca (Harvey Keitel), commit murder, she... [More]
Starring: Whoopi Goldberg, Maggie Smith, Kathy Najimy, Wendy Makkena
Directed By: Emile Ardolino

#115

He Got Game (1998)
80%

#115
Adjusted Score: 83553%
Critics Consensus: Though not without its flaws, He Got Game finds Spike Lee near the top of his game, combining trenchant commentary with his signature visuals and a strong performance from Denzel Washington.
Synopsis: Jake Shuttleworth (Denzel Washington) has spent the last six years in prison after accidentally killing his wife during a violent... [More]
Starring: Denzel Washington, Ray Allen, Milla Jovovich, Rosario Dawson
Directed By: Spike Lee

#114

Boys Don't Cry (1999)
90%

#114
Adjusted Score: 93739%
Critics Consensus: Harrowing yet stirring, Boys Don't Cry powerfully commemorates the life -- and brutally unjust death -- of transgender teen Brandon Teena.
Synopsis: Young female-to-male transgender Brandon Teena (Hilary Swank) leaves his hometown under threat when his ex-girlfriend's brother discovers that he's biologically... [More]
Starring: Hilary Swank, Chloë Sevigny, Peter Sarsgaard, Brendan Sexton III
Directed By: Kimberly Peirce

#113
#113
Adjusted Score: 84015%
Critics Consensus: Not all of its many intriguing ideas are developed, but The City of Lost Children is an engrossing, disturbing, profoundly memorable experience.
Synopsis: Old and decrepit Krank (Daniel Emilfork) has lost his capacity for dreaming and is attempting to fight death by stealing... [More]
Starring: Ron Perlman, Daniel Emilfork, Judith Vittet, Dominique Pinon
Directed By: Marc Caro, Jean-Pierre Jeunet

#112

American Beauty (1999)
87%

#112
Adjusted Score: 96832%
Critics Consensus: Flawlessly cast and brimming with dark, acid wit, American Beauty is a smart, provocative high point of late '90s mainstream Hollywood film.
Synopsis: Lester Burnham (Kevin Spacey) is a gainfully employed suburban husband and father. Fed up with his boring, stagnant existence, he... [More]
Starring: Kevin Spacey, Annette Bening, Thora Birch, Wes Bentley
Directed By: Sam Mendes

#111

Sátántangó (1994)
100%

#111
Adjusted Score: 100895%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
Synopsis: In Bela Tarr's seven-hour episodic film, inhabitants of a small village in Hungary deal with the effects of the fall... [More]
Starring: Mihaly Vig, Putyi Horvath, János Derzsi, Miklós B. Székely
Directed By: Béla Tarr

#110
#110
Adjusted Score: 84950%
Critics Consensus: A tantalizing glimpse of a talented director and his stars all at the top of their respective games, Gus Van Sant's loose reworking of Henry IV is smart, sad and audacious.
Synopsis: In this loose adaptation of Shakespeare's "Henry IV," Mike Waters (River Phoenix) is a gay hustler afflicted with narcolepsy. Scott... [More]
Starring: River Phoenix, Keanu Reeves, James Russo, William Richert
Directed By: Gus Van Sant

#109
#109
Adjusted Score: 99935%
Critics Consensus: This adaptation of David Mamet's play is every bit as compelling and witty as its source material, thanks in large part to a clever script and a bevy of powerhouse actors.
Synopsis: When an office full of New York City real estate salesmen is given the news that all but the top... [More]
Starring: Al Pacino, Jack Lemmon, Alec Baldwin, Ed Harris
Directed By: James Foley

#108

The Birdcage (1996)
84%

#108
Adjusted Score: 87906%
Critics Consensus: Mike Nichols wrangles agreeably amusing performances from Robin Williams and Nathan Lane in this fun, if not quite essential, remake of the French comedy La Cage aux Folles.
Synopsis: In this remake of the classic French farce "La Cage aux Folles," engaged couple Val Goldman (Dan Futterman) and Barbara... [More]
Starring: Robin Williams, Gene Hackman, Nathan Lane, Dianne Wiest
Directed By: Mike Nichols

#107

American Pie (1999)
61%

#107
Adjusted Score: 67278%
Critics Consensus: So embarrassing it's believable, American Pie succeeds in bringing back the teen movie genre.
Synopsis: A riotous and raunchy exploration of the most eagerly anticipated -- and most humiliating -- rite of adulthood, known as... [More]
Starring: Jason Biggs, Shannon Elizabeth, Alyson Hannigan, Chris Klein
Directed By: Paul Weitz

#106

Babe (1995)
97%

#106
Adjusted Score: 101936%
Critics Consensus: The rare family-friendly feature with a heart as big as its special effects budget, Babe offers timeless entertainment for viewers of all ages.
Synopsis: Gentle farmer Arthur Hoggett (James Cromwell) wins a piglet named Babe (Christine Cavanaugh) at a county fair. Narrowly escaping his... [More]
Starring: James Cromwell, Magda Szubanski, Hugo Weaving, Mary Acres
Directed By: Chris Noonan

#105
#105
Adjusted Score: 98869%
Critics Consensus: Visually thrilling and rich with emotion, Raise the Red Lantern offers an engrossing period drama anchored by an outstanding performance from Gong Li.
Synopsis: Teenage Songlian (Gong Li), whose family has been devastated by the recent death of her father, becomes the third concubine... [More]
Starring: Gong Li, Jingwu Ma, Saifei He, Cao Cuifeng
Directed By: Yimou Zhang

#104

House Party (1990)
94%

#104
Adjusted Score: 95912%
Critics Consensus: House Party is a light, entertaining teen comedy with an infectious energy.
Synopsis: Play's parents are out of town, and he's planning the house party to end all house parties. His best friend,... [More]
Starring: Robin Harris, Christopher Reid, Christopher Martin, Martin Lawrence
Directed By: Reginald Hudlin

#103
#103
Adjusted Score: 83598%
Critics Consensus: An entertaining Jackie Chan stunt-fest in which the impressive action sequences overcome the low production value and by-the-numbers plot.
Synopsis: Hong Kong policeman Keung (Jackie Chan) arrives in New York for the wedding of his uncle Bill (Bill Tung), a... [More]
Starring: Jackie Chan, Anita Mui, Bill Tung, Françoise Yip
Directed By: Stanley Tong

#102

Army of Darkness (1992)
68%

#102
Adjusted Score: 75852%
Critics Consensus: Some of the evil magic is gone as this trilogy capper dispenses with most of the scares, but Bruce Campbell's hammy charm and Sam Raimi's homage to classic visual effects make for a fun enough adventure.
Synopsis: 3rd Evil Dead movie. Ash (Bruce Campbell) finds himself trapped in medieval times. He must quest for the Necronomicon, a... [More]
Starring: Bruce Campbell, Embeth Davidtz, Marcus Gilbert, Ian Abercrombie
Directed By: Sam Raimi

#101
#101
Adjusted Score: 75302%
Critics Consensus: Visually inventive and gleefully over the top, Luc Besson's The Fifth Element is a fantastic piece of pop sci-fi that never takes itself too seriously.
Synopsis: In the 23rd century, a New York City cabbie, Korben Dallas (Bruce Willis), finds the fate of the world in... [More]
Starring: Bruce Willis, Gary Oldman, Ian Holm, Milla Jovovich
Directed By: Luc Besson

#100
#100
Adjusted Score: 80491%
Critics Consensus: Sleepless in Seattle is a cute classic with a very light touch and real chemistry between the two leads -- even when spending an entire movie apart.
Synopsis: After the death of his wife, Sam Baldwin (Tom Hanks) moves to Seattle with his son, Jonah (Ross Malinger). When... [More]
Starring: Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, Bill Pullman, Ross Malinger
Directed By: Nora Ephron

#99
#99
Adjusted Score: 102039%
Critics Consensus: Hugh Grant ably snatches up the bouquet of leading man status with Four Weddings and a Funeral, a sparkling romantic comedy given real charm by its chummy ensemble and Richard Curtis' sharp-witted screenplay.
Synopsis: Lovable Englishman Charles (Hugh Grant) and his group of friends seem to be unlucky in love. When Charles meets a... [More]
Starring: Hugh Grant, Andie MacDowell, Kristin Scott Thomas, Simon Callow
Directed By: Mike Newell

#98
#98
Adjusted Score: 102359%
Critics Consensus: Almodovar weaves together a magnificent tapestry of femininity with an affectionate wink to classics of theater and cinema in this poignant story of love, loss and compassion.
Synopsis: New friends help a woman (Cecilia Roth) struggling to get her life in order after her son's (Eloy Azorín) death.... [More]
Starring: Cecilia Roth, Eloy Azorín, Marisa Paredes, Penélope Cruz
Directed By: Pedro Almodóvar

#97

Men in Black (1997)
91%

#97
Adjusted Score: 97147%
Critics Consensus: Thanks to a smart script, spectacular set pieces, and charismatic performances from its leads, Men in Black is an entirely satisfying summer blockbuster hit.
Synopsis: They are the best-kept secret in the universe. Working for a highly funded yet unofficial government agency, Kay (Tommy Lee... [More]
Starring: Tommy Lee Jones, Will Smith, Linda Fiorentino, Vincent D'Onofrio
Directed By: Barry Sonnenfeld

#96
#96
Adjusted Score: 91549%
Critics Consensus: James L. Brooks and Jack Nicholson, doing what they do best, combine smart dialogue and flawless acting to squeeze fresh entertainment value out of the romantic-comedy genre.
Synopsis: Melvin Udall (Jack Nicholson) is an obsessive-compulsive writer of romantic fiction who's rude to everyone he meets, including his gay... [More]
Starring: Jack Nicholson, Helen Hunt, Greg Kinnear, Cuba Gooding Jr.
Directed By: James L. Brooks

#95
#95
Adjusted Score: 77456%
Critics Consensus: A light and goofy comedy which provides laughs, largely due to performances and screenwriting by Myers.
Synopsis: A world-class playboy and part-time special agent, Powers is defrosted after 30 years in a cryogenic freeze to match wits... [More]
Starring: Mike Myers, Elizabeth Hurley, Michael York, Mimi Rogers
Directed By: Jay Roach

#94

Demolition Man (1993)
63%

#94
Adjusted Score: 66576%
Critics Consensus: A better-than-average sci-fi shoot-em-up with a satirical undercurrent, Demolition Man is bolstered by strong performances by Sylvester Stallone, Wesley Snipes, and Sandra Bullock.
Synopsis: With innocent victims caught in the crossfire in Los Angeles' intensifying war on crime, both cop John Spartan (Sylvester Stallone)... [More]
Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Wesley Snipes, Sandra Bullock, Nigel Hawthorne
Directed By: Marco Brambilla

#93
#93
Adjusted Score: 86312%
Critics Consensus: The Thin Red Line is a daringly philosophical World War II film with an enormous cast of eager stars.
Synopsis: In 1942, Private Witt (Jim Caviezel) is a U.S. Army absconder living peacefully with the locals of a small South... [More]
Starring: Sean Penn, Adrien Brody, Jim Caviezel, Ben Chaplin
Directed By: Terrence Malick

#92

The Crow (1994)
84%

#92
Adjusted Score: 88190%
Critics Consensus: Filled with style and dark, lurid energy, The Crow is an action-packed visual feast that also has a soul in the performance of the late Brandon Lee.
Synopsis: The night before his wedding, musician Eric Draven (Brandon Lee) and his fiancée are brutally murdered by members of a... [More]
Starring: Brandon Lee, Ernie Hudson, Michael Wincott, David Patrick Kelly
Directed By: Alex Proyas

#91

Run Lola Run (1998)
93%

#91
Adjusted Score: 97864%
Critics Consensus: More fun than a barrel of Jean-Paul Sartre, pic's energy riffs on an engaging love story and really human performances while offering a series of what-ifs and a blood-stirring soundtrack.
Synopsis: In this visually and conceptually impressive film, two-bit Berlin criminal Manni (Moritz Bleibtreu) delivers some smuggled loot for his boss,... [More]
Starring: Franka Potente, Moritz Bleibtreu, Herbert Knaup, Armin Rohde
Directed By: Tom Tykwer

#90
#90
Adjusted Score: 89140%
Critics Consensus: American History X doesn't contend with its subject matter as fully as it could, but Edward Norton's performance gives this hard-hitting drama crucial weight.
Synopsis: Living a life marked by violence and racism, neo-Nazi Derek Vinyard (Edward Norton) finally goes to prison after killing two... [More]
Starring: Ed Norton, Edward Furlong, Fairuza Balk, Beverly D'Angelo
Directed By: Tony Kaye

#89

Three Kings (1999)
94%

#89
Adjusted Score: 100447%
Critics Consensus: Three Kings successfully blends elements of action, drama, and comedy into a thoughtful, exciting movie on the Gulf War.
Synopsis: Just after the end of the Gulf War, four American soldiers decide to steal a cache of Saddam Hussein's hidden... [More]
Starring: George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, Ice Cube, Spike Jonze
Directed By: David O. Russell

#88
#88
Adjusted Score: 66114%
Critics Consensus: A pulpy crime drama/vampire film hybrid, From Dusk Till Dawn is an uneven but often deliriously enjoyable B-movie.
Synopsis: On the run from a bank robbery that left several police officers dead, Seth Gecko (George Clooney) and his paranoid,... [More]
Starring: Harvey Keitel, George Clooney, Quentin Tarantino, Juliette Lewis
Directed By: Robert Rodriguez

#87
#87
Adjusted Score: 105492%
Critics Consensus: The Nightmare Before Christmas is a stunningly original and visually delightful work of stop-motion animation.
Synopsis: The film follows the misadventures of Jack Skellington, Halloweentown's beloved pumpkin king, who has become bored with the same annual... [More]
Starring: Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon, Catherine O'Hara, William Hickey
Directed By: Henry Selick

#86

Pi (1998)
88%

#86
Adjusted Score: 91070%
Critics Consensus: Dramatically gripping and frighteningly smart, this Lynchian thriller does wonders with its unlikely subject and shoestring budget.
Synopsis: A paranoid mathematician searches for a key number that will unlock the universal patterns found in nature. Pushed to his... [More]
Starring: Sean Gullette, Mark Margolis, Ben Shenkman, Pamela Hart
Directed By: Darren Aronofsky

#85
#85
Adjusted Score: 78622%
Critics Consensus: Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels is a grimy, twisted, and funny twist on the Tarantino hip gangster formula.
Synopsis: Eddy (Nick Moran) convinces three friends to pool funds for a high-stakes poker game against local crime boss Hatchet Harry... [More]
Starring: Jason Flemyng, Dexter Fletcher, Nick Moran, Jason Statham
Directed By: Guy Ritchie

#84

Wayne's World (1992)
79%

#84
Adjusted Score: 87757%
Critics Consensus: An oddball comedy that revels in its silliness and memorable catch phrases, Wayne's World is also fondly regarded because of its endearing characters.
Synopsis: A big screen spin-off of the "Saturday Night Live" skit. Rob Lowe plays a producer that wants to take the... [More]
Starring: Mike Myers, Dana Carvey, Rob Lowe, Tia Carrere
Directed By: Penelope Spheeris

#83
#83
Adjusted Score: 96514%
Critics Consensus: An outstanding sophomore feature, Welcome to the Dollhouse sees writer-director Todd Solondz mining suburban teen angst for black, biting comedy.
Synopsis: Middle-school student Dawn Weiner (Heather Matarazzo) faces degradation at school -- where she is teased constantly -- and at home.... [More]
Starring: Heather Matarazzo, Daria Kalinina, Matthew Faber, Angela Pietropinto
Directed By: Todd Solondz

#82
#82
Adjusted Score: 99236%
Critics Consensus: Featuring an excellent ensemble cast, a precise feel for the 1970s, and a killer soundtrack, Dazed and Confused is a funny, affectionate, and clear-eyed look at high school life.
Synopsis: This coming-of-age film follows the mayhem of group of rowdy teenagers in Austin, Texas, celebrating the last day of high... [More]
Starring: Jason London, Wiley Wiggins, Sasha Jenson, Rory Cochrane
Directed By: Richard Linklater

#81

The Piano (1993)
90%

#81
Adjusted Score: 96555%
Critics Consensus: Powered by Holly Hunter's main performance, The Piano is a truth-seeking romance played in the key of erotic passion.
Synopsis: After a long voyage from Scotland, pianist Ada McGrath (Holly Hunter) and her young daughter, Flora (Anna Paquin), are left... [More]
Starring: Holly Hunter, Harvey Keitel, Sam Neill, Anna Paquin
Directed By: Jane Campion

#80

Three Colors: Red (1994)
100%

#80
Adjusted Score: 104025%
Critics Consensus: A complex, stirring, and beautifully realized portrait of interconnected lives, Red is the captivating conclusion to a remarkable trilogy.
Synopsis: Part-time model Valentine (Irène Jacob) meets a retired judge (Jean-Louis Trintignant) who lives in her neighborhood after she runs over... [More]
Starring: Irène Jacob, Jean-Louis Trintignant, Jean-Pierre Lorit, Frédérique Feder
Directed By: Krzysztof Kieslowski

#79
#79
Adjusted Score: 89059%
Critics Consensus: There's Something About Mary proves that unrelentingly, unabashedly puerile humor doesn't necessarily come at the expense of a film's heart.
Synopsis: Ted's (Ben Stiller) dream prom date with Mary (Cameron Diaz) never happens due to an embarrassing injury at her home.... [More]
Starring: Cameron Diaz, Matt Dillon, Ben Stiller, Lee Evans
Directed By: Robert Farrelly, Peter Farrelly

#78
#78
Adjusted Score: 101141%
Critics Consensus: Endlessly witty, visually rapturous, and sweetly romantic, Shakespeare in Love is a delightful romantic comedy that succeeds on nearly every level.
Synopsis: "Shakespeare in Love" is a romantic comedy for the 1990s set in the 1590s. It imaginatively unfolds the witty, sexy... [More]
Starring: Joseph Fiennes, Gwyneth Paltrow, Geoffrey Rush, Judi Dench
Directed By: John Madden

#77

Braveheart (1995)
76%

#77
Adjusted Score: 85617%
Critics Consensus: Distractingly violent and historically dodgy, Mel Gibson's Braveheart justifies its epic length by delivering enough sweeping action, drama, and romance to match its ambition.
Synopsis: Tells the story of the legendary thirteenth century Scottish hero named William Wallace (Mel Gibson). Wallace rallies the Scottish against... [More]
Starring: Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau, Patrick McGoohan, Catherine McCormack
Directed By: Mel Gibson

#76

The Sandlot (1993)
65%

#76
Adjusted Score: 70609%
Critics Consensus: It may be shamelessly derivative and overly nostalgic, but The Sandlot is nevertheless a genuinely sweet and funny coming-of-age adventure.
Synopsis: When Scottie Smalls (Thomas Guiry) moves to a new neighborhood, he manages to make friends with a group of kids... [More]
Starring: Tom Guiry, Mike Vitar, Patrick Renna, Chauncey Leopardi
Directed By: David M. Evans

#75

Out of Sight (1998)
94%

#75
Adjusted Score: 100313%
Critics Consensus: Steven Soderbergh's intelligently crafted adaptation of the Elmore Leonard novel is witty, sexy, thoroughly entertaining, and a star-making turn for George Clooney.
Synopsis: Meet Jack Foley (George Clooney), the most successful bank robber in the country. On the day he busts out of... [More]
Starring: George Clooney, Jennifer Lopez, Ving Rhames, Don Cheadle
Directed By: Steven Soderbergh

#74

Aladdin (1992)
95%

#74
Adjusted Score: 101947%
Critics Consensus: A highly entertaining entry in Disney's renaissance era," Aladdin is beautifully drawn, with near-classic songs and a cast of scene-stealing characters.
Synopsis: When street rat Aladdin frees a genie from a lamp, he finds his wishes granted. However, he soon finds that... [More]
Starring: Scott Weinger, Robin Williams, Linda Larkin, Jonathan Freeman
Directed By: Ron Clements, John Musker

#73

Tombstone (1993)
73%

#73
Adjusted Score: 77109%
Critics Consensus: If you're seeking a stylish modern western with a solid story and a well-chosen ensemble cast, Tombstone is your huckleberry.
Synopsis: Wyatt Earp (Kurt Russell) and his brothers, Morgan (Bill Paxton) and Virgil (Sam Elliott), have left their gunslinger ways behind... [More]
Starring: Kurt Russell, Val Kilmer, Michael Biehn, Powers Boothe
Directed By: George P. Cosmatos

#72

Casino (1995)
78%

#72
Adjusted Score: 83160%
Critics Consensus: Impressive ambition and bravura performances from an outstanding cast help Casino pay off in spite of a familiar narrative that may strike some viewers as a safe bet for director Martin Scorsese.
Synopsis: In early-1970s Las Vegas, low-level mobster Sam "Ace" Rothstein (Robert De Niro) gets tapped by his bosses to head the... [More]
Starring: Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, Joe Pesci, James Woods
Directed By: Martin Scorsese

#71

Speed (1994)
95%

#71
Adjusted Score: 100261%
Critics Consensus: A terrific popcorn thriller, Speed is taut, tense, and energetic, with outstanding performances from Keanu Reeves, Dennis Hopper, and Sandra Bullock.
Synopsis: Los Angeles police officer Jack (Keanu Reeves) angers retired bomb squad member Howard Payne (Dennis Hopper) by foiling his attempt... [More]
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Dennis Hopper, Sandra Bullock, Joe Morton
Directed By: Jan de Bont

#70

Home Alone (1990)
66%

#70
Adjusted Score: 75895%
Critics Consensus: Home Alone's uneven but frequently funny premise, stretched unreasonably thin, is buoyed by Macaulay Culkin's cute performance and strong supporting stars.
Synopsis: When bratty 8-year-old Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) acts out the night before a family trip to Paris, his mother (Catherine... [More]
Starring: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, Catherine O'Hara
Directed By: Chris Columbus

#69

Falling Down (1993)
75%

#69
Adjusted Score: 79959%
Critics Consensus: Falling Down's popcorn-friendly take on its complex themes proves disquieting -- and ultimately fitting for a bleakly entertaining picture of one man's angry break with reality.
Synopsis: A middle-aged man dealing with both unemployment and divorce, William Foster (Michael Douglas) is having a bad day. When his... [More]
Starring: Michael Douglas, Robert Duvall, Barbara Hershey, Rachel Ticotin
Directed By: Joel Schumacher

#68

Reality Bites (1994)
63%

#68
Adjusted Score: 66862%
Critics Consensus: Reality Bites may be too slick to fulfill its promise as a profound statement on Generation X, but an appealing ensemble and romantic sizzle make for an entertaining dive into the ennui of youth.
Synopsis: After college, Lelaina (Winona Ryder) films a documentary about herself and friends as they flounder in their attempts to forge... [More]
Starring: Winona Ryder, Ethan Hawke, Ben Stiller, Janeane Garofalo
Directed By: Ben Stiller

#67
#67
Adjusted Score: 78457%
Critics Consensus: Baz Luhrmann's visual aesthetic is as divisive as it is fresh and inventive.
Synopsis: Baz Luhrmann helped adapt this classic Shakespearean romantic tragedy for the screen, updating the setting to a post-modern city named... [More]
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Claire Danes, Brian Dennehy, John Leguizamo
Directed By: Baz Luhrmann

#66

The Crying Game (1992)
95%

#66
Adjusted Score: 101444%
Critics Consensus: The Crying Game is famous for its shocking twist, but this thoughtful, haunting mystery grips the viewer from start to finish.
Synopsis: Irish Republican Army member Fergus (Stephen Rea) forms an unexpected bond with Jody (Forest Whitaker), a kidnapped British soldier in... [More]
Starring: Stephen Rea, Miranda Richardson, Forest Whitaker, Jim Broadbent
Directed By: Neil Jordan

#65
#65
Adjusted Score: 99100%
Critics Consensus: A stunning feat of modern animation, Ghost in the Shell offers a thoughtful, complex treat for anime fans, as well as a perfect introduction for viewers new to the medium.
Synopsis: In this Japanese animation, cyborg federal agent Maj. Motoko Kusanagi (Mimi Woods) trails "The Puppet Master" (Abe Lasser), who illegally... [More]
Starring: Richard Epcar, Mimi Woods, William Frederick Knight, Tom Wyner
Directed By: Mamoru Oshii

#64

True Romance (1993)
93%

#64
Adjusted Score: 98491%
Critics Consensus: Fueled by Quentin Tarantino's savvy screenplay and a gallery of oddball performances, Tony Scott's True Romance is a funny and violent action jaunt in the best sense.
Synopsis: A comic-book nerd and Elvis fanatic Clarence (Christian Slater) and a prostitute named Alabama (Patricia Arquette) fall in love. Clarence... [More]
Starring: Christian Slater, Patricia Arquette, Dennis Hopper, Val Kilmer
Directed By: Tony Scott

#63

Independence Day (1996)
68%

#63
Adjusted Score: 73412%
Critics Consensus: The plot is thin and so is character development, but as a thrilling, spectacle-filled summer movie, Independence Day delivers.
Synopsis: In the epic adventure film "Independence Day," strange phenomena surface around the globe. The skies ignite. Terror races through the... [More]
Starring: Will Smith, Bill Pullman, Jeff Goldblum, Mary McDonnell
Directed By: Roland Emmerich

#62

Point Break (1991)
69%

#62
Adjusted Score: 75617%
Critics Consensus: Absurd, over-the-top, and often wildly entertaining, Point Break is here to show you that the human spirit is still alive.
Synopsis: After a string of bizarre bank robberies in Southern California, with the crooks donning masks of various former presidents, a... [More]
Starring: Patrick Swayze, Keanu Reeves, Gary Busey, Lori Petty
Directed By: Kathryn Bigelow

#61

Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
70%

#61
Adjusted Score: 74746%
Critics Consensus: On paper, Mrs. Doubtfire might seem excessively broad or sentimental, but Robin Williams shines so brightly in the title role that the end result is difficult to resist.
Synopsis: Troubled that he has little access to his children, divorced Daniel Hillard (Robin Williams) hatches an elaborate plan. With help... [More]
Starring: Robin Williams, Sally Field, Pierce Brosnan, Harvey Fierstein
Directed By: Chris Columbus

#60

Election (1999)
92%

#60
Adjusted Score: 97544%
Critics Consensus: Election successfully combines dark humor and intelligent writing in this very witty and enjoyable film.
Synopsis: Jim McAllister (Matthew Broderick), a well-liked high school government teacher, can't help but notice that successful student Tracy Flick (Reese... [More]
Starring: Matthew Broderick, Reese Witherspoon, Chris Klein, Jessica Campbell
Directed By: Alexander Payne

#59

The Player (1992)
97%

#59
Adjusted Score: 102840%
Critics Consensus: Bitingly cynical without succumbing to bitterness, The Player is one of the all-time great Hollywood satires -- and an ensemble-driven highlight of the Altman oeuvre.
Synopsis: Certain that the anonymous threats he's been receiving are the work of David Kahane (Vincent D'Onofrio), producer Griffin Mill (Tim... [More]
Starring: Tim Robbins, Greta Scacchi, Fred Ward, Whoopi Goldberg
Directed By: Robert Altman

#58
#58
Adjusted Score: 88063%
Critics Consensus: Breaking the Waves offers a remarkable testament to writer-director Lars von Trier's insight and filmmaking skill -- and announces Emily Watson as a startling talent.
Synopsis: In a small and religious coastal town, a simple, devoutly religious Scottish woman, Bess McNeill (Emily Watson), finds a partner... [More]
Starring: Emily Watson, Stellan Skarsgård, Katrin Cartlidge, Jean-Marc Barr
Directed By: Lars von Trier

#57

Forrest Gump (1994)
76%

#57
Adjusted Score: 87937%
Critics Consensus: Tom Hanks' rigorously earnest performance keeps Forrest Gump sincere even when it gets glib with American history, making for a whimsical odyssey of debatable wisdom but undeniable heart.
Synopsis: Slow-witted Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks) has never thought of himself as disadvantaged, and thanks to his supportive mother (Sally Field),... [More]
Starring: Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Gary Sinise, Mykelti Williamson
Directed By: Robert Zemeckis

#56

Face/Off (1997)
93%

#56
Adjusted Score: 99454%
Critics Consensus: John Travolta and Nicolas Cage play cat-and-mouse (and literally play each other) against a beautifully stylized backdrop of typically elegant, over-the-top John Woo violence.
Synopsis: Obsessed with bringing terrorist Castor Troy (Nicolas Cage) to justice, FBI agent Sean Archer (John Travolta) tracks down Troy, who... [More]
Starring: John Travolta, Nicolas Cage, Joan Allen, Alessandro Nivola
Directed By: John Woo

#55

Swingers (1996)
88%

#55
Adjusted Score: 91429%
Critics Consensus: Funny, heartfelt, and effortlessly cool, Swingers made stars out of Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau, established Doug Liman as a director to watch.
Synopsis: A transplanted New Yorker attempting to acclimate to Los Angeles, Mike Peters (Jon Favreau), is struggling to both boost his... [More]
Starring: Jon Favreau, Vince Vaughn, Ron Livingston, Patrick Van Horn
Directed By: Doug Liman

#54

Galaxy Quest (1999)
90%

#54
Adjusted Score: 96334%
Critics Consensus: Intelligent and humorous satire with an excellent cast -- no previous Trekkie knowledge needed to enjoy this one.
Synopsis: The stars of a 1970s sci-fi show - now scraping a living through re-runs and sci-fi conventions - are beamed... [More]
Starring: Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman, Tony Shalhoub
Directed By: Dean Parisot

#53

Total Recall (1990)
82%

#53
Adjusted Score: 88138%
Critics Consensus: Under Paul Verhoeven's frenetic direction, Total Recall is a fast-paced rush of violence, gore, and humor that never slacks.
Synopsis: Douglas Quaid (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is a bored construction worker in the year 2084 who dreams of visiting the colonized Mars.... [More]
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rachel Ticotin, Sharon Stone, Ronny Cox
Directed By: Paul Verhoeven

#52

Dumb & Dumber (1994)
68%

#52
Adjusted Score: 71359%
Critics Consensus: A relentlessly stupid comedy elevated by its main actors: Jim Carrey goes bonkers and Jeff Daniels carries himself admirably in an against-type performance.
Synopsis: Imbecilic best friends Lloyd Christmas (Jim Carrey) and Harry Dunne (Jeff Daniels) stumble across a suitcase full of money left... [More]
Starring: Jim Carrey, Jeff Daniels, Lauren Holly, Teri Garr
Directed By: Peter Farrelly, Robert Farrelly

#51

The Fugitive (1993)
96%

#51
Adjusted Score: 103939%
Critics Consensus: Exhilarating and intense, this high-impact chase thriller is a model of taut and efficient formula filmmaking, and it features Harrison Ford at his frantic best.
Synopsis: Wrongfully accused of murdering his wife, Richard Kimble (Harrison Ford) escapes from the law in an attempt to find her... [More]
Starring: Harrison Ford, Tommy Lee Jones, Sela Ward, Julianne Moore
Directed By: Andrew Davis

#50

The Sixth Sense (1999)
86%

#50
Adjusted Score: 94139%
Critics Consensus: M Night Shayamalan's The Sixth Sense is a twisty ghost story with all the style of a classical Hollywood picture, but all the chills of a modern horror flick.
Synopsis: Young Cole Sear (Haley Joel Osment) is haunted by a dark secret: he is visited by ghosts. Cole is frightened... [More]
Starring: Bruce Willis, Haley Joel Osment, Toni Collette, Olivia Williams
Directed By: M. Night Shyamalan

#49

Ed Wood (1994)
92%

#49
Adjusted Score: 97014%
Critics Consensus: Tim Burton and Johnny Depp team up to fete the life and work of cult hero Ed Wood, with typically strange and wonderful results.
Synopsis: Because of his eccentric habits and bafflingly strange films, director Ed Wood (Johnny Depp) is a Hollywood outcast. Nevertheless, with... [More]
Starring: Johnny Depp, Martin Landau, Sarah Jessica Parker, Patricia Arquette
Directed By: Tim Burton

#48

Trainspotting (1996)
90%

#48
Adjusted Score: 96121%
Critics Consensus: A brutal, often times funny, other times terrifying portrayal of drug addiction in Edinburgh. Not for the faint of heart, but well worth viewing as a realistic and entertaining reminder of the horrors of drug use.
Synopsis: Heroin addict Mark Renton (Ewan McGregor) stumbles through bad ideas and sobriety attempts with his unreliable friends -- Sick Boy... [More]
Starring: Ewan McGregor, Ewen Bremner, Jonny Lee Miller, Kevin McKidd
Directed By: Danny Boyle

#47

Magnolia (1999)
82%

#47
Adjusted Score: 93171%
Critics Consensus: An eruption of feeling that's as overwhelming as it is overwrought, Paul Thomas Anderson's Magnolia reaches a fevered crescendo and sustains it thanks to its fearlessly committed ensemble.
Synopsis: On one random day in the San Fernando Valley, a dying father, a young wife, a male caretaker, a famous... [More]
Starring: Jason Robards, Julianne Moore, Tom Cruise, Philip Seymour Hoffman
Directed By: Paul Thomas Anderson

#46
#46
Adjusted Score: 92926%
Critics Consensus: Expertly shot and edited, The Usual Suspects gives the audience a simple plot and then piles on layers of deceit, twists, and violence before pulling out the rug from underneath.
Synopsis: "The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist," says con man Kint (Kevin Spacey),... [More]
Starring: Stephen Baldwin, Gabriel Byrne, Chazz Palminteri, Kevin Pollak
Directed By: Bryan Singer

#45

Reservoir Dogs (1992)
90%

#45
Adjusted Score: 97249%
Critics Consensus: Thrumming with intelligence and energy, Reservoir Dogs opens Quentin Tarantino's filmmaking career with hard-hitting style.
Synopsis: A group of thieves assemble to pull of the perfect diamond heist. It turns into a bloody ambush when one... [More]
Starring: Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, Chris Penn
Directed By: Quentin Tarantino

#44

The Truman Show (1998)
94%

#44
Adjusted Score: 104167%
Critics Consensus: A funny, tender, and thought-provoking film, The Truman Show is all the more noteworthy for its remarkably prescient vision of runaway celebrity culture and a nation with an insatiable thirst for the private details of ordinary lives.
Synopsis: He doesn't know it, but everything in Truman Burbank's (Jim Carrey) life is part of a massive TV set. Executive... [More]
Starring: Jim Carrey, Laura Linney, Noah Emmerich, Natascha McElhone
Directed By: Peter Weir

#43
#43
Adjusted Score: 94199%
Critics Consensus: The first collaboration between Johnny Depp and Tim Burton, Edward Scissorhands is a magical modern fairy tale with gothic overtones and a sweet center.
Synopsis: A scientist (Vincent Price) builds an animated human being -- the gentle Edward (Johnny Depp). The scientist dies before he... [More]
Starring: Johnny Depp, Winona Ryder, Dianne Wiest, Anthony Michael Hall
Directed By: Tim Burton

#42
#42
Adjusted Score: 103971%
Critics Consensus: Enchanting, sweepingly romantic, and featuring plenty of wonderful musical numbers, Beauty and the Beast is one of Disney's most elegant animated offerings.
Synopsis: An arrogant young prince (Robby Benson) and his castle's servants fall under the spell of a wicked enchantress, who turns... [More]
Starring: Paige O'Hara, Robby Benson, Richard White, Jerry Orbach
Directed By: Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise

#41

Seven (1995)
83%

#41
Adjusted Score: 94207%
Critics Consensus: A brutal, relentlessly grimy shocker with taut performances, slick gore effects, and a haunting finale.
Synopsis: When retiring police Detective William Somerset (Morgan Freeman) tackles a final case with the aid of newly transferred David Mills... [More]
Starring: Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Gwyneth Paltrow, R. Lee Ermey
Directed By: David Fincher

#40
#40
Adjusted Score: 100616%
Critics Consensus: Smart, funny, and highly original, Being John Malkovich supports its wild premise with skillful direction and a stellar ensemble cast.
Synopsis: In this quirky cult-favorite comedy, unemployed New York City puppeteer Craig Schwartz (John Cusack) reluctantly takes a temp job as... [More]
Starring: John Cusack, Cameron Diaz, Catherine Keener, Orson Bean
Directed By: Spike Jonze

#39

Boogie Nights (1997)
93%

#39
Adjusted Score: 97840%
Critics Consensus: Grounded in strong characters, bold themes, and subtle storytelling, Boogie Nights is a groundbreaking film both for director P.T. Anderson and star Mark Wahlberg.
Synopsis: In the San Fernando Valley in 1977, teenage busboy Eddie Adams (Mark Wahlberg) gets discovered by porn director Jack Horner... [More]
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Burt Reynolds, Julianne Moore, John C. Reilly
Directed By: Paul Thomas Anderson

#38

The Professional (1994)
74%

#38
Adjusted Score: 78437%
Critics Consensus: Pivoting on the unusual relationship between seasoned hitman and his 12-year-old apprentice -- a breakout turn by young Natalie Portman -- Luc Besson's Léon is a stylish and oddly affecting thriller.
Synopsis: Mathilda (Natalie Portman) is only 12 years old, but is already familiar with the dark side of life: her abusive... [More]
Starring: Jean Reno, Gary Oldman, Natalie Portman, Danny Aiello
Directed By: Luc Besson

#37
#37
Adjusted Score: 92602%
Critics Consensus: Even if all it had to offer were writer-director Wong Kar-wai's thrillingly distinctive visuals, Chungking Express would be well worth watching; happily, its thoughtfully drawn characters and naturalistic performances also pack a potent dramatic wallop.
Synopsis: Every day, Cop 223 (Takeshi Kaneshiro) buys a can of pineapple with an expiration date of May 1, symbolizing the... [More]
Starring: Brigitte Lin, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Faye Wong
Directed By: Kar-Wai Wong

#36

Heat (1995)
83%

#36
Adjusted Score: 94624%
Critics Consensus: Though Al Pacino and Robert De Niro share but a handful of screen minutes together, Heat is an engrossing crime drama that draws compelling performances from its stars -- and confirms Michael Mann's mastery of the genre.
Synopsis: Master criminal Neil McCauley (Robert De Niro) is trying to control the rogue actions of one of his men, while... [More]
Starring: Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Val Kilmer, Jon Voight
Directed By: Michael Mann

#35

Pretty Woman (1990)
65%

#35
Adjusted Score: 71232%
Critics Consensus: Pretty Woman may be a yuppie fantasy, but the film's slick comedy, soundtrack, and casting can overcome misgivings.
Synopsis: In this modern update on Cinderella, a prostitute and a wealthy businessman fall hard for one another, forming an unlikely... [More]
Starring: Richard Gere, Julia Roberts, Ralph Bellamy, Jason Alexander
Directed By: Garry Marshall

#34

Office Space (1999)
81%

#34
Adjusted Score: 85811%
Critics Consensus: Mike Judge lampoons the office grind with its inspired mix of sharp dialogue and witty one-liners.
Synopsis: Corporate drone Peter Gibbons (Ron Livingston) hates his soul-killing job at software company Initech. While undergoing hypnotherapy, Peter is left... [More]
Starring: Ron Livingston, Jennifer Aniston, David Herman, Ajay Naidu
Directed By: Mike Judge

#33

Clerks (1994)
90%

#33
Adjusted Score: 93942%
Critics Consensus: With its quirky characters and clever, quotable dialogue, Clerks is the ultimate clarion call for slackers everywhere to unite and, uh, do something we guess?
Synopsis: Dante (Brian O'Halloran) is called in to cover a shift at his New Jersey convenience store on his day off.... [More]
Starring: Brian O'Halloran, Jeff Anderson, Marilyn Ghigliotti, Lisa Spoonauer
Directed By: Kevin Smith

#32
#32
Adjusted Score: 109115%
Critics Consensus: Director Jonathan Demme's smart, taut thriller teeters on the edge between psychological study and all-out horror, and benefits greatly from stellar performances by Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster.
Synopsis: Jodie Foster stars as Clarice Starling, a top student at the FBI's training academy. Jack Crawford (Scott Glenn) wants Clarice... [More]
Starring: Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Scott Glenn, Ted Levine
Directed By: Jonathan Demme

#31
#31
Adjusted Score: 102993%
Critics Consensus: It follows a predictable narrative arc, but Good Will Hunting adds enough quirks to the journey -- and is loaded with enough powerful performances -- that it remains an entertaining, emotionally rich drama.
Synopsis: Will Hunting (Matt Damon) has a genius-level IQ but chooses to work as a janitor at MIT. When he solves... [More]
Starring: Matt Damon, Robin Williams, Ben Affleck, Minnie Driver
Directed By: Gus Van Sant

#30

Toy Story (1995)
100%

#30
Adjusted Score: 107026%
Critics Consensus: Entertaining as it is innovative, Toy Story reinvigorated animation while heralding the arrival of Pixar as a family-friendly force to be reckoned with.
Synopsis: Woody (Tom Hanks), a good-hearted cowboy doll who belongs to a young boy named Andy (John Morris), sees his position... [More]
Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles, Jim Varney
Directed By: John Lasseter

#29
#29
Adjusted Score: 101068%
Critics Consensus: With its epic story and breathtaking visuals, Princess Mononoke is a landmark in the world of animation.
Synopsis: A prince becomes involved in the struggle between a forest princess and the encroachment of mechanization.... [More]
Starring: Claire Danes, Billy Bob Thornton, Gillian Anderson, Billy Crudup
Directed By: Hayao Miyazaki

#28

Groundhog Day (1993)
94%

#28
Adjusted Score: 108430%
Critics Consensus: Smart, sweet, and inventive, Groundhog Day highlights Murray's dramatic gifts while still leaving plenty of room for laughs.
Synopsis: Phil (Bill Murray), a weatherman, is out to cover the annual emergence of the groundhog from its hole. He gets... [More]
Starring: Bill Murray, Andie MacDowell, Chris Elliott, Stephen Tobolowsky
Directed By: Harold Ramis

#27

Fargo (1996)
94%

#27
Adjusted Score: 101624%
Critics Consensus: Violent, quirky, and darkly funny, Fargo delivers an original crime story and a wonderful performance by McDormand.
Synopsis: "Fargo" is a reality-based crime drama set in Minnesota in 1987. Jerry Lundegaard (William H. Macy) is a car salesman... [More]
Starring: Frances McDormand, Steve Buscemi, William H. Macy, Peter Stormare
Directed By: Joel Coen

#26

Gattaca (1997)
82%

#26
Adjusted Score: 86149%
Critics Consensus: Intelligent and scientifically provocative, Gattaca is an absorbing sci fi drama that poses important interesting ethical questions about the nature of science.
Synopsis: Vincent Freeman (Ethan Hawke) has always fantasized about traveling into outer space, but is grounded by his status as a... [More]
Starring: Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman, Jude Law, Gore Vidal
Directed By: Andrew Niccol

#25
#25
Adjusted Score: 92438%
Critics Consensus: Though it suffers from excessive length and ambition, director Minghella's adaptation of the Michael Ondaatje novel is complex, powerful, and moving.
Synopsis: The sweeping expanses of the Sahara are the setting for a passionate love affair in this adaptation of Michael Ondaatje's... [More]
Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Juliette Binoche, Willem Dafoe, Kristin Scott Thomas
Directed By: Anthony Minghella

#24

Boyz N the Hood (1991)
96%

#24
Adjusted Score: 102024%
Critics Consensus: Well-acted and thematically rich, Boyz N the Hood observes Black America with far more depth and compassion than many of the like-minded films its success inspired.
Synopsis: Tre (Cuba Gooding Jr.) is sent to live with his father, Furious Styles (Larry Fishburne), in tough South Central Los... [More]
Starring: Laurence Fishburne, Ice Cube, Cuba Gooding Jr., Nia Long
Directed By: John Singleton

#23

Unforgiven (1992)
96%

#23
Adjusted Score: 105964%
Critics Consensus: As both director and star, Clint Eastwood strips away decades of Hollywood varnish applied to the Wild West, and emerges with a series of harshly eloquent statements about the nature of violence.
Synopsis: When prostitute Delilah Fitzgerald (Anna Thomson) is disfigured by a pair of cowboys in Big Whiskey, Wyoming, her fellow brothel... [More]
Starring: Clint Eastwood, Gene Hackman, Morgan Freeman, Richard Harris
Directed By: Clint Eastwood

#22

Rushmore (1998)
90%

#22
Adjusted Score: 96450%
Critics Consensus: This cult favorite is a quirky coming of age story, with fine, off-kilter performances from Jason Schwartzman and Bill Murray.
Synopsis: When a beautiful first-grade teacher (Olivia Williams) arrives at a prep school, she soon attracts the attention of an ambitious... [More]
Starring: Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, Olivia Williams, Seymour Cassel
Directed By: Wes Anderson

#21

Hoop Dreams (1994)
98%

#21
Adjusted Score: 102025%
Critics Consensus: One of the most critically acclaimed documentaries of all time, Hoop Dreams is a rich, complex, heartbreaking, and ultimately deeply rewarding film that uses high school hoops as a jumping-off point to explore issues of race, class, and education in modern America.
Synopsis: Every school day, African-American teenagers William Gates and Arthur Agee travel 90 minutes each way from inner-city Chicago to St.... [More]
Starring: Steve James, William Gates, Arthur Agee, Sheila Agee
Directed By: Steve James

#20

The Iron Giant (1999)
96%

#20
Adjusted Score: 103068%
Critics Consensus: The endearing Iron Giant tackles ambitious topics and complex human relationships with a steady hand and beautifully animated direction from Brad Bird.
Synopsis: In this animated adaptation of Ted Hughes' Cold War fable, a giant alien robot (Vin Diesel) crash-lands near the small... [More]
Starring: Jennifer Aniston, Eli Marienthal, Harry Connick Jr., Vin Diesel
Directed By: Brad Bird

#19

Scream (1996)
81%

#19
Adjusted Score: 86964%
Critics Consensus: Horror icon Wes Craven's subversive deconstruction of the genre is sly, witty, and surprisingly effective as a slasher film itself, even if it's a little too cheeky for some.
Synopsis: The sleepy little town of Woodsboro just woke up screaming. There's a killer in their midst who's seen a few... [More]
Starring: Neve Campbell, David Arquette, Courteney Cox, Matthew Lillard
Directed By: Wes Craven

#18
#18
Adjusted Score: 103210%
Critics Consensus: Anchored by another winning performance from Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg's unflinchingly realistic war film virtually redefines the genre.
Synopsis: Captain John Miller (Tom Hanks) takes his men behind enemy lines to find Private James Ryan, whose three brothers have... [More]
Starring: Tom Hanks, Edward Burns, Tom Sizemore, Jeremy Davies
Directed By: Steven Spielberg

#17
#17
Adjusted Score: 110712%
Critics Consensus: Taut pacing, brilliantly dense writing and Oscar-worthy acting combine to produce a smart, popcorn-friendly thrill ride.
Synopsis: Three policemen, each with his own motives and obsessions, tackle the corruption surrounding an unsolved murder at a downtown Los... [More]
Starring: Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, James Cromwell
Directed By: Curtis Hanson

#16

Goodfellas (1990)
95%

#16
Adjusted Score: 109404%
Critics Consensus: Hard-hitting and stylish, GoodFellas is a gangster classic -- and arguably the high point of Martin Scorsese's career.
Synopsis: A young man grows up in the mob and works very hard to advance himself through the ranks. He enjoys... [More]
Starring: Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci, Lorraine Bracco
Directed By: Martin Scorsese

#15
#15
Adjusted Score: 98772%
Critics Consensus: T2 features thrilling action sequences and eye-popping visual effects, but what takes this sci-fi/ action landmark to the next level is the depth of the human (and cyborg) characters.
Synopsis: In this sequel set eleven years after "The Terminator," young John Connor (Edward Furlong), the key to civilization's victory over... [More]
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Edward Furlong, Robert Patrick
Directed By: James Cameron

#14

Clueless (1995)
81%

#14
Adjusted Score: 90033%
Critics Consensus: A funny and clever reshaping of Emma, Clueless offers a soft satire that pokes as much fun at teen films as it does at the Beverly Hills glitterati.
Synopsis: Shallow, rich and socially successful Cher (Alicia Silverstone) is at the top of her Beverly Hills high school's pecking scale.... [More]
Starring: Alicia Silverstone, Stacey Dash, Brittany Murphy, Paul Rudd
Directed By: Amy Heckerling

#13

Friday (1995)
76%

#13
Adjusted Score: 77424%
Critics Consensus: What Friday might lack in taut construction or directorial flair, it more than makes up with its vibrant (albeit consistently crass) humor and the charming, energetic performances of its leads.
Synopsis: It's Friday and Craig Jones (Ice Cube) has just gotten fired for stealing cardboard boxes. To make matters worse, rent... [More]
Starring: Ice Cube, Chris Tucker, Nia Long, Tommy Tiny Lister
Directed By: F. Gary Gray

#12

Fight Club (1999)
80%

#12
Adjusted Score: 89437%
Critics Consensus: Solid acting, amazing direction, and elaborate production design make Fight Club a wild ride.
Synopsis: A depressed man (Edward Norton) suffering from insomnia meets a strange soap salesman named Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt) and soon... [More]
Starring: Brad Pitt, Ed Norton, Helena Bonham Carter, Meat Loaf
Directed By: David Fincher

#11

Schindler's List (1993)
98%

#11
Adjusted Score: 111578%
Critics Consensus: Schindler's List blends the abject horror of the Holocaust with Steven Spielberg's signature tender humanism to create the director's dramatic masterpiece.
Synopsis: Businessman Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson) arrives in Krakow in 1939, ready to make his fortune from World War II, which... [More]
Starring: Liam Neeson, Ben Kingsley, Ralph Fiennes, Caroline Goodall
Directed By: Steven Spielberg

#10

The Matrix (1999)
83%

#10
Adjusted Score: 93678%
Critics Consensus: Thanks to the Wachowskis' imaginative vision, The Matrix is a smartly crafted combination of spectacular action and groundbreaking special effects.
Synopsis: Neo (Keanu Reeves) believes that Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne), an elusive figure considered to be the most dangerous man alive, can... [More]
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving
Directed By: Lilly Wachowski, Lana Wachowski

#9

Thelma & Louise (1991)
86%

#9
Adjusted Score: 100234%
Critics Consensus: Driven by ride-or-die chemistry between Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon while director Ridley Scott provides scorching visuals fit for a postcard, Thelma & Louise is a feminist adventure that's equal parts provocative and rollicking.
Synopsis: Meek housewife Thelma (Geena Davis) joins her friend Louise (Susan Sarandon), an independent waitress, on a short fishing trip. However,... [More]
Starring: Susan Sarandon, Geena Davis, Harvey Keitel, Michael Madsen
Directed By: Ridley Scott

#8

Toy Story 2 (1999)
100%

#8
Adjusted Score: 108598%
Critics Consensus: The rare sequel that arguably improves on its predecessor, Toy Story 2 uses inventive storytelling, gorgeous animation, and a talented cast to deliver another rich moviegoing experience for all ages.
Synopsis: Woody (Tom Hanks) is stolen from his home by toy dealer Al McWhiggin (Wayne Knight), leaving Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen)... [More]
Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Kelsey Grammer
Directed By: Ash Brannon, John Lasseter, Lee Unkrich

#7

Jurassic Park (1993)
92%

#7
Adjusted Score: 106118%
Critics Consensus: Jurassic Park is a spectacle of special effects and life-like animatronics, with some of Spielberg's best sequences of sustained awe and sheer terror since Jaws.
Synopsis: In Steven Spielberg's massive blockbuster, paleontologists Alan Grant (Sam Neill) and Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern) and mathematician Ian Malcolm (Jeff... [More]
Starring: Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Richard Attenborough
Directed By: Steven Spielberg

#6

Before Sunrise (1995)
100%

#6
Adjusted Score: 103180%
Critics Consensus: Thought-provoking and beautifully filmed, Before Sunrise is an intelligent, unabashedly romantic look at modern love, led by marvelously natural performances from Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy.
Synopsis: On his way to Vienna, American Jesse (Ethan Hawke) meets Celine (Julie Delpy), a student returning to Paris. After long... [More]
Starring: Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy, Erni Mangold, Hanno Poeschl
Directed By: Richard Linklater

#5

The Big Lebowski (1998)
80%

#5
Adjusted Score: 92245%
Critics Consensus: The Big Lebowski's shaggy dog story won't satisfy everybody, but those who abide will be treated to a rambling succession of comic delights, with Jeff Bridges' laconic performance really tying the movie together.
Synopsis: Jeff Bridges plays Jeff Lebowski who insists on being called "the Dude," a laid-back, easygoing burnout who happens to have... [More]
Starring: Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Julianne Moore, Steve Buscemi
Directed By: Joel Coen

#4

Titanic (1997)
88%

#4
Adjusted Score: 106596%
Critics Consensus: A mostly unqualified triumph for James Cameron, who offers a dizzying blend of spectacular visuals and old-fashioned melodrama.
Synopsis: James Cameron's "Titanic" is an epic, action-packed romance set against the ill-fated maiden voyage of the R.M.S. Titanic; the pride... [More]
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Billy Zane, Kathy Bates
Directed By: James Cameron

#3

The Lion King (1994)
92%

#3
Adjusted Score: 102450%
Critics Consensus: Emotionally stirring, richly drawn, and beautifully animated, The Lion King is a pride within Disney's pantheon of classic family films.
Synopsis: This Disney animated feature follows the adventures of the young lion Simba (Jonathan Taylor Thomas), the heir of his father,... [More]
Starring: Matthew Broderick, Jeremy Irons, James Earl Jones, Madge Sinclair
Directed By: Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff

#2
#2
Adjusted Score: 99533%
Critics Consensus: Steeped in old-fashioned storytelling and given evergreen humanity by Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins, The Shawshank Redemption chronicles the hardship of incarceration patiently enough to come by its uplift honestly.
Synopsis: Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) is sentenced to two consecutive life terms in prison for the murders of his wife and... [More]
Starring: Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Bob Gunton, William Sadler
Directed By: Frank Darabont

#1

Pulp Fiction (1994)
92%

#1
Adjusted Score: 105911%
Critics Consensus: Injecting its compendium of crime tales with the patois of everyday conversation, Pulp Fiction is a cinematic shot of adrenaline that cements writer-director Quentin Tarantino as an audacious purveyor of killer kino.
Synopsis: Vincent Vega (John Travolta) and Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson) are hitmen with a penchant for philosophical discussions. In this... [More]
Starring: John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman, Harvey Keitel
Directed By: Quentin Tarantino

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