11 Classic 90s Films You Can Stream Now
Boyz N The Hood (1991)
This coming-of-age drama follows Tre Styles (Cuba Gooding Jr) as he is sent to live with his dad (Laurence Fishburne) in South Central LA. Writer-director John Singleton drew on his own experiences to capture the boom years of gang culture and create one of the most culturally significant movies of the 90s. He became the first African-American and youngest person ever nominated for the Best Director gong.
Watch it here
Fight Club (1999)
After a friendship forms between soap salesman Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt) and the movie’s unnamed narrator (Edward Norton), the pair start an underground fight club. As Tyler’s behaviour becomes more anarchistic and violent, Project Mayhem is formed and things start to spiral out of control, forcing Norton’s narrator to assess the reality of what’s happening. With its political and social commentary, and innovative cinematic style, Fight Club is rightly regarded as one of the most influential movies of the 90s.
Watch it here
Goodfellas (1990)
This iconic gangster drama stars Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta and Joe Pesci – two of whom recently hooked up again with Martin Scorsese for The Irishman. Goodfellas tracks the rise and fall of prominent mob member Henry Hill and his associates. Widely considered a high point of Scorsese’s magnificent career, this is the film that re-established the gangster genre, capturing the ugliness and depravity of mafia life as well as the glitz and glamour.
Watch it here
Groundhog Day (1993)
It wouldn’t be a 90s roundup without some Bill Murray. In Groundhog Day, Murray plays Phil Connors, a cynical, grumpy weatherman tasked with covering an annual Groundhog Day event in small-town Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Much to his chagrin, he gets stuck in a time loop, doomed to repeat the same day over and over again. He takes the opportunity to behave without consequence before realising he ought to use his infinite time to do a bit of good. Funny and uplifting, this is outstanding family-friendly viewing.
Watch it here
Heat (1995)
After a heist goes wrong and leaves three security guards dead, LAPD detective Vincent Hanna (Al Pacino) must hunt down masterful pro thief Neil McCauley (Robert De Niro). Faced with a looming arrest, McCauley wants to pull off one final job, but Hanna is determined to catch him in the act. Based loosely on a real story, this box-office hit from Miami Vice director Michael Mann follows a classic cop-robber narrative, loaded with set-piece gun fights and car chases.
Watch it here
Jurassic Park (1993)
The first – and best – installment in what has become a six-film franchise. Based on a Michael Crichton novel and directed by Steven Spielberg, it is set on Isla Nublar, where a group of scientists funded by wealthy businessman John Hammond (Richard Attenborough) have brought dinosaurs back from extinction. The launch of a theme park-style attraction based around the creatures sparks a catastrophic series of events that casts everyone on the island into a fight for their survival against some of history’s most dangerous reptiles.
Watch it here
LA Confidential (1997)
After an armed robbery leaves six people, including an ex-policeman, dead, the public demand justice. With the LAPD under scrutiny as new evidence about the case is uncovered, three officers work to bring the truth behind the crime to light. What they don't expect is their trails to lead them to uncover bigger truths about the force and their colleagues. A tale of corruption and redemption iset n 50s LA, this neo-noir classic is a must watch, based on a bestseller by James Ellroy.
Watch it here
Reservoir Dogs (1992)
Written and directed by Quentin Tarantino, Reservoir Dogs is low-budget American crime drama at its best. This cult classic follows a group of criminals who have been put together to pull off a jewellery heist. When they’re ambushed by police, the six men – who have never met before – are led to believe the heist was a setup, meaning one of the gang is an undercover cop. With great performances from the likes of Harvey Keitel, Steve Buscemi, Michael Madsen and Tim Roth, it’s a stunning directorial debut that established Tarantino in Hollywood.
Watch it here
The Silence Of The Lambs (1991)
This might be the high watermark of 90s horror. FBI trainee Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) must seek the advice of renowned psychologist – and notorious serial killer – Dr Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins), currently residing in a maximum security prison. With the help of Lecter, Starling attempts to apprehend Buffalo Bill, a killer who skins his female victims. Gripping, thrilling and creepy, The Silence Of The Lambs is one of the few horror films to land the Best Picture Oscar.
Watch it here
The Fugitive (1993)
Harrison Ford is Dr Richard Kimble, a prominent surgeon wrongly arrested for the murder of his wife. Kimble pleads innocent but a lack of supporting evidence means he is found guilty and sentenced to death. After some fellow death-row prisoners escape mid-transportation, Kimble flees custody and attempts to hunt down the real murderer before he’s caught. What follows is a classic cat-and-mouse chase.
Watch it here
The Matrix (1999)
Sneaking in just before the turn of the millennium, The Matrix is set in a futuristic, dystopian world where machines have successfully trapped humans in a simulated reality – the eponymous Matrix – that serves as a distraction while their bodies are tapped for energy. Keanu Reeves is Thomas Anderson, aka Neo, a computer programmer turned hacker who is shown the truth and becomes part of the rebellion. There have already been a couple of sequels and the fourth film in the series is now set to drop next year.
Watch it here
DISCLAIMER: We endeavour to always credit the correct original source of every image we use. If you think a credit may be incorrect, please contact us at [email protected].
