The 9 best 90s movies to watch this summer

Every year and each decade, there are so many great films that are produced and released to us eager viewers. But there’s something really special about the 90s movies. During that time, so many amazing films came out, and summer time means more time to watch your favorite films, especially the ones that give you all the nostalgic feels!

Well, we’ve got a list for you that will take you back to the amazing era. It was so hard to narrow it down to just nine movies! But here, you’ll find some of the classics that deserve to be on the watch-list. There’s something for everyone – from action, to comedy, to romance. These are some of the best 90s movies.

The 9 best 90s movies to watch this summer

The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

This psychological horror is an adaptation of the novel of the same name by author Thomas Harris. It stars Jodie Foster as Clarice Starling, a young FBI trainee who is hunting serial killer “Buffalo Bill.” The murderer is played by Ted Levine, and his character skins his female victims. To catch him Clarice seeks the advice of the imprisoned Dr. Hannibal Lecter, played by Anthony Hopkins, who is a brilliant psychiatrist and cannibalistic serial killer.

The movie produced $272.7 million worldwide, becoming the fifth-highest grossing film of 1991 globally. It is one of three productions to win the Big Five Academy Awards which include Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Hopkins), Best Actress (Foster), and Best Adapted Screenplay.

Malcolm X (1992)

This wonderful biographical drama takes us into the life of the famous Black activist. The film is directed and co-written by Spike Lee, and stars Denzel Washington in the titular role. The story showcases Malcolm X’s criminal career and incarceration, his conversion to Islam, and his assassination on Feb. 21, 1965. The movie was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.”

Forrest Gump (1994)

When you think of actor Tom Hanks, it’s hard not to associate him with this amazing movie! The comedy-drama takes us into the life of slow-witted and kind Forrest Gump, played by Hanks. We go through several decades of his life where he’s witness to and influences several defining historical events in the 20th century of the U.S. And thanks to his ever supportive mother, played by Sally Field, he never thought of himself as disadvantaged and proves he can do anything he puts his mind to.

Speed (1994)

One of my absolute favorites on the list is Speed! The action thriller film was done so well and keeps you in suspense the whole time. Leading stars Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock blow you away with their acting and chemistry on screen. There’s really no other adrenaline-filled movie like it. The story mainly focuses on a group of passengers on a bus that’s rigged by a terrorist to explode it if they speed falls below 50 miles per hour.

Clueless (1995)

A highly popular coming-of-age story is Clueless! The teen comedy stars Alicia Silverstone as Cher, Brittany Murphy as Tai, and Paul Rudd as Josh. Cher is shallow, rich, and socially successful being at the top of her Beverly Hills high school. She decides to give klutzy new student Tai a makeover, but she becomes more popular than she is. Cher realizes that her disapproving ex-stepbrother Josh was right about how misguided she was – and falls for him. The film is considered to be one of the best teen films of all time, and has developed a cult following and a continuing legacy.

The First Wives Club (1996)

The 90s was the era of romantic comedies, that’s when it was the peak. The First Wives Club was definitely a part of that. The film is based on the novel by Olivia Goldsmith and is one of the most popular movies out there. Bette Midler, Goldie Hawn, and Diane Keaton star as three divorcées who seek retribution on their ex-husbands for having left them for younger women. The friendship between the trio and the onscreen chemistry of the actresses really help bring the production to life.

Scream (1996)

Fans of horror films are more than familiar with the very first Scream movie. And even many who aren’t big fans of the genre usually enjoy this one. The slasher film stars David Arquette, Courtney Cox, Neve Campbell, Drew Barrymore, among others. It follows Sidney (Campbell), a high school student who becomes the target of a mysterious killer in a Halloween costume known as Ghostface. The movie was the catapult of a whole franchise, with new sequels still being produced today.

Titanic (1997)

Do we even need to explain why this James Cameron movie is on the list? I don’t know if there’s anyone out there who hasn’t seen Titanic. And if you’re one of the few, go check it out now (it’s now streaming on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video)! Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet absolutely shine as the loving couple Jack and Rose. The combination of the love story with the heartbreaking play of the real-life tragedy of what happened to the ship and its passengers gripped audiences all over the world.

With an initial worldwide gross of over $1.84 billion, Titanic was the first film to reach the billion-dollar mark. It remained in that spot until Cameron’s other film, Avatar, surpassed it. It’s tied with with movie Ben-Hur for the most Academy Award wins, holding 11 Oscars.

The Matrix (1999)

This science fiction action depicts a dystopian future where humanity is unknowingly trapped inside a simulated reality, the Matrix. Intelligent machines were created to distract humans and use their bodies as an energy source. When Thomas Anderson, played by Keanu Reeves, discovers the truth, he joins a rebellion against the machines. The film won four Oscars and became an instant pop culture phenomenon upon its release.

More 90s movies to watch this summer

I told you it was so hard to narrow the list down to just nine films! The 90s had so many great ones. Here are a few more that most definitely deserve a shoutout:

• Edward Scissorhands (1990)
• Pretty Woman (1990)
• Father of the Bride (1991)
• Wayne’s World (1992)
• Aladdin (1992)
• The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
• Jurassic Park (1993)
• Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
• The Lion King (1994)
• Braveheart (1995)
• Sense & Sensibility (1995)
• Toy Story 1 (1995)
• Romeo and Juliet (1996)
• Men in Black (1997)
• The Parent Trap (1998)
• 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
• Toy Story 2 (1999)

Which movie on the list is your favorite? Are there any that we missed? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!