The 10 Best 90s Movies to Watch Right Now

The best sassy, sad, and feel-good movies of the decade

By
Molly McLaughlin
Molly McLaughlin
Molly McLaughlin
Senior Editor & Content Strategist
Molly K. McLaughlin has been a technology editor and writer for over a dozen years. She runs product reviews for Lifewire, overseeing the process from hands-on testing to publishing.
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Updated on February 28, 2023
Reviewed by
Kayla Dube
Kayla Dube headshot
Reviewed by Kayla Dube
  • J. Everette Light Career Center
Kayla Dube has 4+ years' experience in videography and filmmaking. She frequently works in production with indie film companies.
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The nineties featured an array of new and reimagined film genres and gave rise to many of our favorite memes and movie lines. We said we'd give you the 10 best movies. Well, the Dude abides.

01
of 10

A Rare Glimpse of Gen X: Reality Bites (1994)

"Reality Bites" 25th Anniversary - 2019 Tribeca Film Festival

Theo Wargo / Getty Images for Tribeca Film Festival

IMDb Rating: 6.6/10

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance

Starring: Winona Ryder, Ethan Hawke, Janeane Garofalo

Director: Ben Stiller

Motion Picture Rating: PG-13

Running Time: 1 hour, 39 minutes

Jaded 20-somethings who are unemployed or underemployed? Gen X gets its shot in the spotlight with this movie about a group of friends navigating post-college life with mixed success. And there's even a scam involving a gas card.

02
of 10

Proof That Paul Rudd Doesn't Age: Clueless (1995)

Stacey Dash And Alicia Silverstone In 'Clueless'
Archive Photos / Getty Images

IMDb Rating: 6.8/10

Genre: Comedy, Romance

Starring: Alicia Silverstone, Stacey Dash, Brittany Murphy 

Director: Amy Heckerling

Motion Picture Rating: PG-13

Running Time: 1 hour, 37 minutes

Seriously, does Paul Rudd look any older than he did in the mid-nineties? He plays the ex-stepbrother of Cher (Alicia Silverstone) in this loose adaptation of Jane Austen's Emma. Watch it for the utter nineties fashion and the catchphrases. (I don't think so!)

03
of 10

Best Use of Large Rodent as Villain: Groundhog Day (1993)

Bill Murray In 'Groundhog Day'
Archive Photos / Getty Images

IMDb Rating: 8.0/10

Genre: Comedy, Fantasy, Romance

Starring: Bill Murray, Andie MacDowell, Chris Elliott

Director: Harold Ramis

Motion Picture Rating: PG

Running Time: 1 hour, 41 minutes

If someone is going to endlessly repeat one day, it may as well be Bill Murray, playing cynical Phil Connors. Punxsutawney Phil predicts a short winter, a blizzard hits the town, and Phil Connors learns to play piano, among many other things.

04
of 10

Best Movie Based on an SNL Skit: Wayne's World (1992)

Wayne's World scene with Garth (Dana Carvey) and Wayne (Mike Meyers)

IMDb

IMDb Rating: 7.0/10

Genre: Comedy, Music

Starring: Mike Myers, Dana Carvey, Rob Lowe 

Director: Penelope Spheeris

Motion Picture Rating: PG-13

Running Time: 1 hour, 34 minutes

While many SNL skits should have stayed that way, Wayne's World is a rare success. It also repopularized Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody," featuring it in a driving-while-headbanging scene. "We're not worthy!"

05
of 10

Best Case of Mistaken Identity: The Big Lebowski (1998)

Moore And Bridges At Big Lebowski Party
Catherine McGann / Getty Images

IMDb Rating: 8.1/10

Genre: Comedy, Crime, Sport

Starring: Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Julianne Moore

Director: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen (uncredited)

Motion Picture Rating: R

Running Time: 1 hour, 57 minutes

Narrated by Sam Elliot sporting an epic mustache, this movie has everything: nihilists, toes, wandering daughters, and so much more. Fun fact: Jeff Bridges supplied much of his wardrobe from his own closet. Dude.

06
of 10

Best Use of a Wall Hanging: The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

Morgan Freeman, Frank Darabont and Tim Robbins attend the 20th anniversary screening of "The Shawshank Redemption" at the AMPAS Samuel Goldwyn Theater on November 18, 2014 in Beverly Hills, California.

Paul Archuleta / FilmMagic / Getty

IMDb Rating: 9.3/10

Genre: Drama

Starring: Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Bob Gunton

Director: Frank Darabont

Motion Picture Rating: R

Running Time: 2 hours, 22 minutes

This decades-spanning movie, based on a Stephen King short story, might not pass the Bechdel test, but it's hard not to watch it whenever it's on TV. A friendship between two inmates is the centerpiece of the film, but Rita Hayworth also plays a big role.

07
of 10

Best Prison Cuisine: Goodfellas (1990)

Ray Liotta And Robert De Niro In 'Goodfellas'
Archive Photos / Getty Images

IMDb Rating: 8.7/10

Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama

Starring: Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci

Director: Martin Scorsese

Motion Picture Rating: R

Running Time: 2 hours, 26 minutes

Based on the book Wiseguys, Goodfellas tells the story of a man who goes from mobster to informant. He spends time in prison but eats like a king thanks to the mafia's influence. You'll never look at garlic the same way again.

08
of 10

Calmest Crime Investigation: Fargo (1996)

Frances McDormand In 'Fargo'
Archive Photos / Getty Images

IMDb Rating: 8.1/10

Genre: Comedy

Starring: William H. Macy, Frances McDormand, Steve Buscemi

Director: Joel Coen

Motion Picture Rating: R

Running Time: 1 hour, 38 minutes

It put Fargo, North Dakota, on the map, though much of the action takes place in Minnesota. This movie has an incredible cast, well-drawn characters, and a gripping plot. 

09
of 10

Cringiest Voicemail Message of All Time: Swingers (1996)

First Annual Spike TV's Guys Choice - Show
FilmMagic / Getty Images

IMDb Rating: 7.2/10

Genre: Comedy, Drama

Starring: Vince Vaughn, Heather Graham, Jon Favreau 

Director: Doug Liman

Motion Picture Rating: R

Running Time: 1 hour, 36 minutes

If you hate leaving phone messages, you'll likely be relieved that you've never left one like Mike Peters does after getting a number from Nikki, who does not know what she's in for (he's been pining for his ex for six months).

10
of 10

Most Meme-Able: Friday (1995)

Ice Cube Surprises Fans At 20th Anniversary Re-Release Special Screening Of His Hit Cult-Comedy "Friday" Presented By Fathom Events.

Tibrina Hobson / WireImage / Getty

IMDb Rating: 7.3/10

Genre: Comedy, Drama

Starring: Ice Cube, Chris Tucker, Nia Long

Director: F. Gary Gray

Motion Picture Rating: R

Running Time: 1 hour, 31 minutes

In response to violent flicks showing only the bad, Friday is Ice Cube's take on a film about life in the hood, highlighting some of the positives. The movie has many memorable characters, including a drug dealer getting high on his own supply, his scary supplier, and of course, Felisha (often spelled Felicia in memes).

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