The 1990s were a remarkable time in pop culture. It seems that every medium, from music to film and fashion were pushing the boundaries of what had been done before. While we may look back on the grunge flannels and day-glo colors with a sigh and a headshake, secretly we all loved the 1990s. In the world of popular film, the 90s brought us many unique classics that will never be forgotten. Here are some of the most memorable films of that era.
Trainspotting (1996)
Trainspotting is a certified cult classic that simply will not exit our subconscious. This is one of those films that has a message to deliver and it certainly succeeds in that mission. Across this 90 minute saga, the viewer is transported to the underbelly of Scotland society where an insane cast of miscreants try to survive their own self-inflicted shortcomings. The main character Renton wants to clean himself up and ultimately leave this world, but his journey is plagued with challenges. Trainspotting is a raw and unfiltered look into this seedy life, and a film that is worth rewatching.
Rounders (1998)
Over the years there have been many celebrated poker films, but Rounders is at the top of the list. The film stars up and coming actors Matt Damon and Edward Norton in a memorable tale of an aspiring poker player who abandons his studies at law school to face off against the Russian criminal underworld. Damon was a 90s darling, and this is one of his most celebrated films of the era alongside classics like Good Will Hunting.
Among card players worldwide, Rounders is a beloved film. With the resurgence of interest in poker, Rounders has come back into the mainstream consciousness recently. It is considered a film with a huge influence as it helped spread the game during the original “poker boom” of the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Jurassic Park (1993)
Directors pray that their films could have a fraction of the lasting strength that Jurassic Park enjoys to this day. Upon its release in 1993, it absolutely smashed the box offices. On a $63 million dollar budget, it returned over $1 billion worldwide.
From start to finish, everything about this film is memorable. The CGI effects of the dinosaurs were realistic and terrifying, leading to many tense moments like the memorable T-Rex jeep attack, or the raptors on the hunt in the kitchen. With all-star performances from Sam Neill, Jeff Goldblum and Wayne Knight of Seinfeld fame, this film is just as exciting today as it was when it first released.
GoldenEye (1995)
As the first Bond film starring Pierce Brosnan, GoldenEye marked a new era for the beloved English spy thriller series. Along with the usual moments of wit, women, and spycraft, this film saw James Bond return with many memorable stunts. Coming in at just over 2 hours of adventure, we saw Bond bungee jump from a 700 ft dam, driving a motorbike over the side of a cliff, and the famous tank hijack scene.
The legacy that this film has left in pop culture is impressive to say the least. It set a new standard for what James Bond films could be, with high paced action instead of slow methodical scenes, a formula that lives on to this day. The video game adaptation, GoldenEye 007 for the N64, is continuously ranked as one of the best games of all time. Regardless if you’re a fan of this classic spy series or not, GoldenEye is absolutely worth rewatching.
Groundhog Day (1993)
Among a list of high-impact and overly-dramatic films, Groundhog Day is a subtle tale that has left its DNA all over Hollywood. Starring Bill Murray, one of the most beloved comedy actors of all time, this film is the 1990s answer to It’s a Wonderful Life. Main character Phil Connors is stuck in what can only be described as a “time loop” where he is doomed to repeat the same day over and over until he comes to an existential realization about his life and experiences. Grandiose description aside, what this film really shows is an honest and heartfelt look into the human condition.
Along the way, we see the main character exploiting his situation to do a series of irresponsible acts including binge eating, theft, and others before he eventually decides to focus his infinite free time on becoming a better person and helping those around him. This situation changes his outlook on life and he succeeds in becoming a more loving person, eventually breaking free of his continuous prison. While it was only a modest success at the box office, Groundhog Day has a wonderful message and has managed to stay with us for decades.