1995 Top Movies

From David Fincher, starring Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt, Kevin Spacey, Andrew Kevin Walker
Rated R

Se7en is a 1995 American mystery-thriller film directed by David Fincher and written by Andrew Kevin Walker. It stars Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Kevin Spacey. Set in a nameless city, the story follows David Mills (Pitt) and William Somerset (Freeman), two detectives investigating a series of homicides that are based on the seven deadly sins. As the film progresses, the detectives come to realize that a serial killer is targeting victims in accordance with the sins, and a cat-and-mouse game ensues as they try to capture the killer before he can complete his plan. The film features a dark and gritty atmosphere, themes of nihilism and fate, and a twist ending that has been discussed and debated by audiences for years.

From Bryan Singer, starring Kevin Spacey, Gabriel Byrne, Chazz Palminteri, Stephen Baldwin
Rated R

The Usual Suspects is a 1995 neo-noir mystery thriller directed by Bryan Singer and written by Christopher McQuarrie. The film follows the interrogation of Roger "Verbal" Kint, a small-time con artist, after a massacre on a ship docked at the Port of Los Angeles. Through flashbacks, Verbal recounts his and his cohorts' involvement in the events leading up to the massacre and their encounter with a mysterious criminal mastermind known as Keyser Söze. The film also features Kevin Spacey, Gabriel Byrne, Benicio del Toro, Chazz Palminteri, Kevin Pollak, Pete Postlethwaite, and Stephen Baldwin in supporting roles. The Usual Suspects received positive reviews from critics, who praised its writing and twist ending. It won two Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actor (Spacey) and Best Original Screenplay (McQuarrie). The Usual Suspects has since become a cult classic, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest films of all time.

From Mel Gibson, starring Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau, Patrick McGoohan, Angus Macfadyen
Rated R

Braveheart is an epic historical drama directed by and starring Mel Gibson. The film follows the story of William Wallace, a Scottish commoner who leads a rebellion against England during the 13th century. William rallies his fellow Scots to fight for their freedom, and the rebellion quickly grows in size and strength. Despite facing overwhelming odds, William and his men fight bravely and eventually defeat the English army at the Battle of Stirling Bridge. In the end, William sacrifices his life for the cause and earns the title of Scotland's national hero.

From Michael Mann, starring Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Val Kilmer, Jon Voight
Rated R

Heat is a 1995 American crime thriller film directed by Michael Mann and starring Al Pacino and Robert De Niro. The story follows Neil McCauley, a professional thief, and Lt. Vincent Hanna, an LAPD detective, as they attempt to catch each other in a cat and mouse game of crime and pursuit. At the same time, Neil and his crew of criminals attempt a major heist, while Vincent and his unit of detectives try to stop them from succeeding. The film culminates in a violent confrontation between the two sides. Ultimately, Neil is forced to make a difficult decision, as he is faced with sacrificing his personal life to stay ahead of the law. Heat is widely acclaimed for its performances, directing, and cinematography. It is often considered one of the greatest films of the 1990s, and is credited as an influence for numerous subsequent crime films.

From John Lasseter, starring Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles, Jim Varney
Rated G

Toy Story is a 1995 computer-animated comedy film by Pixar. It follows the adventure of a group of toys who come to life when humans are not around. The main characters are Woody, a pull-string cowboy doll, and Buzz Lightyear, an astronaut action figure. Together, they embark on a mission to return to their owner Andy's room. Along the way, they face obstacles such as the malicious toy Sid, and the allure of a toy store from which Buzz and Woody try to escape. Toy Story is a heartwarming and humorous story of friendship and loyalty that is loved by both children and adults.

From Martin Scorsese, starring Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, Joe Pesci, James Woods
Rated R

Casino is a 1995 American crime film directed by Martin Scorsese, starring Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, and Joe Pesci. Set in 1970s Las Vegas, the film tells the story of Sam "Ace" Rothstein, a casino operator who is hired to oversee the day-to-day operations of the Tangiers Casino. Along with his partner, Nicky Santoro, Ace attempts to keep the business running smoothly despite being surrounded by mobsters, double-crosses, and a volatile atmosphere. With his wife Ginger and her former lover Lester Diamond, Ace tries to keep the casino's profits high while avoiding the pitfalls of organized crime and corruption. The story is narrated by Ace as he reflects on his experiences with the mob and his ultimate downfall.

From Terry Gilliam, starring Bruce Willis, Madeleine Stowe, Brad Pitt, Joseph Melito
Rated R

12 Monkeys is a 1995 science fiction film directed by Terry Gilliam and starring Bruce Willis, Madeleine Stowe, and Brad Pitt. The movie follows the story of a time traveler from the year 2035, sent back to the year 1996 in an effort to prevent a deadly virus from wiping out humanity. With the help of a psychiatrist and a mental patient, he must unravel the mystery of the virus before it's too late. Along the way, he discovers that the virus is part of a much larger conspiracy involving the Army of the Twelve Monkeys, and of course, he must find a way to stop them. Through surreal images, dark humor, and a clever narrative, 12 Monkeys creates a unique and engrossing world full of suspense and intrigue.

From Terry Zwigoff, starring Robert Crumb, Aline Kominsky-Crumb, Charles Crumb, Maxon Crumb
Rated R

Crumb is a 1994 documentary film directed by Terry Zwigoff and focuses on the life of underground cartoonist Robert Crumb and his family. The film chronicles Crumb's rise to fame and notoriety within the comic book industry and explores his eccentric personality, revealing the sources of his inspiration and his complex relationships with his family. Throughout the film, Zwigoff interviews Crumb and his brothers, as well as delves into the family's past, examining the troubled childhood that shaped Crumb's art and personality. The film earned universal acclaim from critics, and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.

From Ron Howard, starring Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton, Kevin Bacon, Gary Sinise
Rated PG

Apollo 13 is a 1995 American docudrama space adventure film directed by Ron Howard. It stars Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, Bill Paxton, Gary Sinise, Kathleen Quinlan, and Ed Harris. It tells the true story of the ill-fated 1970 Apollo 13 lunar mission and the struggles of the astronauts on board to return safely to Earth. After an explosion on board the spacecraft, the astronauts must find a way to survive the harrowing journey home and battle the many dangers and hazards in space. With courage and ingenuity, the crew ultimately triumphs over the odds and returns safely to Earth.

From John McTiernan, starring Bruce Willis, Jeremy Irons, Samuel L. Jackson, Graham Greene
Rated R

Die Hard with a Vengeance is a 1995 action thriller directed by John McTiernan, and the third installment in the Die Hard film series. The movie stars Bruce Willis as John McClane, a New York City detective, who once again finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time. This time, an international terrorist named Simon Gruber (Jeremy Irons) is wreaking havoc in the city and has set McClane up as a patsy. Simon forces McClane to team up with an uncooperative streetwise civilian, Zeus Carver (Samuel L. Jackson), to complete a series of seemingly impossible tasks. In order to save New York City from destruction, McClane and Carver must battle their way through a series of explosive, high-stakes missions and help to stop Gruber's evil plan.

From Tim Robbins, starring Susan Sarandon, Sean Penn, Robert Prosky, Raymond J. Barry
Rated R

Dead Man Walking is a 1995 American drama film directed by Tim Robbins and starring Susan Sarandon and Sean Penn. It tells the story of a Roman Catholic nun, Sister Helen Prejean (played by Sarandon) as she accompanies a convicted murderer, Matthew Poncelet (played by Penn), on death row. The story explores the human dimensions of the death penalty as Sister Helen, a devout Catholic, struggles to reconcile her faith with her growing belief that Poncelet may have been wrongly convicted. Through her interactions with Poncelet, she gradually comes to terms with her own beliefs about the death penalty and her role in his execution. The film received critical acclaim and won two Academy Awards, including Best Actress for Sarandon.

From Mike Figgis, starring Nicolas Cage, Elisabeth Shue, Julian Sands, Richard Lewis
Rated R

Leaving Las Vegas tells the story of Ben Sanderson (Nicolas Cage), an alcoholic who has made the conscious decision to drink himself to death. After losing his job and his wife, Ben moves to Las Vegas and takes up residence on the Strip, where he meets and falls in love with a prostitute named Sera (Elisabeth Shue). Despite their mutual relationship, both Sera and Ben remain determined to stay on their own destructive paths. Meanwhile, Ben's drinking continues to spiral out of control, leading to a devastating, yet ultimately hopeful, conclusion.

From Directors: Marc Caro, Jean-Pierre Jeunet, starring Ron Perlman, Daniel Emilfork, Judith Vittet, Dominique Pinon
Rated R

The City of Lost Children is a 1995 French film directed by Marc Caro and Jean-Pierre Jeunet. It tells the story of Krank, an evil scientist who is unable to dream, so he steals the dreams of children in a steampunk-inspired city. In an attempt to find a cure for his condition, Krank enlists the help of the one-eyed orphan Miette and the strongman, One, who is searching for his lost brother. Together, they embark on a journey through a bizarre and surreal world filled with strange creatures and mysterious characters. Along the way, they discover the true source of Krank's power and must battle against a powerful force that threatens to destroy the city. In the end, the power of love and friendship triumphs over evil.

From Scott Kalvert, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Lorraine Bracco, Marilyn Sokol, James Madio
Rated R

From Danny Boyle, starring Kerry Fox, Christopher Eccleston, Ewan McGregor, Ken Stott
Rated R

From Tony Scott, starring Gene Hackman, Denzel Washington, Matt Craven, George Dzundza
Rated R

From Oliver Stone, starring Anthony Hopkins, Joan Allen, Powers Boothe, Ed Harris
Rated R

From Kathryn Bigelow, starring Ralph Fiennes, Angela Bassett, Juliette Lewis, Tom Sizemore
Rated R

From Robert Rodriguez, starring Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Joaquim de Almeida, Cheech Marin
Rated R

From John Carpenter, starring Sam Neill, Jürgen Prochnow, Julie Carmen, David Warner
Rated R

From Larry Clark, starring Leo Fitzpatrick, Justin Pierce, Chloë Sevigny, Sarah Henderson
Rated Not Rated

From Woody Allen, starring Woody Allen, Mira Sorvino, Pamela Blair, Rene Ceballos
Rated R

From George Huang, starring Kevin Spacey, Frank Whaley, Michelle Forbes, Benicio Del Toro
Rated R

From Amy Heckerling, starring Alicia Silverstone, Stacey Dash, Brittany Murphy, Paul Rudd
Rated PG-13

From Barry Sonnenfeld, starring Gene Hackman, Rene Russo, Danny DeVito, John Travolta
Rated R