Funniest 90s Movies

From David Fincher, starring Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, Meat Loaf, Zach Grenier
Rated R

Fight Club is a 1999 American film directed by David Fincher and based on the 1996 novel of the same name by Chuck Palahniuk. The film stars Brad Pitt and Edward Norton as the unnamed narrator and Tyler Durden, respectively. The film follows an unnamed narrator who is discontented with his white-collar job. He forms a "fight club" with soap maker Tyler Durden and becomes embroiled in a relationship with him and a destitute woman, Marla Singer. The narrator's battles with Tyler Durden eventually lead to a revolution against the corporate and consumerist culture of modern society. The film has since become a cult classic, and is noted for its social commentary on modern life, masculinity and nihilism.

From Robert Zemeckis, starring Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Gary Sinise, Sally Field
Rated PG-13

Forrest Gump tells the story of a gentle, kind-hearted, naive yet incredibly intelligent and strong-willed man from Alabama who, despite his mental and physical disabilities, embarks on an epic journey of self-discovery. Against all odds, Forrest rises to become a successful entrepreneur, a war hero, and a national celebrity, all while maintaining the innocence of a child. Along the way, he experiences the highs and lows of life and love, ultimately learning that life is like a box of chocolates - you never know what you're gonna get.

From Sam Mendes, starring Kevin Spacey, Annette Bening, Thora Birch, Wes Bentley
Rated R

American Beauty is a dark comedy-drama film starring Kevin Spacey, Annette Bening, Thora Birch, Mena Suvari, and Chris Cooper. Directed by Sam Mendes, the film tells the story of Lester Burnham (Spacey), an unhappy married man and father who is attracted to his daughter's best friend. As he begins to confront his personal problems, his life takes on an unexpected turn. Along the way, Lester discovers a newfound appreciation for life and beauty, which ultimately leads him to confront his own mortality. The film won five Academy Awards including Best Picture, Director, and Actor in a Leading Role.

From Harold Ramis, starring Bill Murray, Andie MacDowell, Chris Elliott, Stephen Tobolowsky
Rated PG

Groundhog Day is a 1993 comedy directed by Harold Ramis and starring Bill Murray. The film follows Phil Connors, a cynical Pittsburgh TV weatherman who, during an assignment covering the annual Groundhog Day event in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, finds himself in a time loop, repeating the same day continuously. As Phil experiences the same day over and over again, he begins to re-examine his life and priorities. Eventually, he makes the most of his situation, using his knowledge of the day’s events to help others. In the end, Phil is finally released from the loop, having learned valuable lessons about life and happiness.

From Directors: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, starring Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Julianne Moore, Steve Buscemi
Rated R

The Big Lebowski is a 1998 crime comedy film written and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen. The story follows Jeff "The Dude" Lebowski, a laid-back, unemployed Los Angeles slacker and avid bowler, as he is dragged into a convoluted plot involving a millionaire namesake and other eccentric characters. After the Dude's rug is destroyed in a twisted case of mistaken identity, he searches for recompense, crossing paths with various characters, including a wealthy but troubled artist, a German nihilist, and a mysterious abductor. The film was critically and commercially successful, grossing over $46 million in the United States and receiving positive reviews from critics. Its enduring popularity has made it a cult classic, with an extensive fan base known as "Lebowski Fest".

From Paul Thomas Anderson, starring Mark Wahlberg, Julianne Moore, Burt Reynolds, Luis Guzmán
Rated R

Boogie Nights is a 1997 American drama film written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. Set in Los Angeles's San Fernando Valley in the 1970s and 1980s, the film follows the rise and fall of a young, naive and talented nightclub dancer, Eddie Adams (Mark Wahlberg), whose stage name is "Dirk Diggler". Eddie is welcomed into the exclusive and glamorous world of adult entertainment, and is mentored by the legendary porn director Jack Horner (Burt Reynolds). As Eddie's career in porn takes off, he begins to encounter the pitfalls of fame and money, including drug addiction and the various problems that come with it. At the same time, his relationship with Jack is tested as they both come to terms with the changing face of the porn industry due to the emergence of videotape. Boogie Nights is an exploration of the moral and personal consequences of the porn industry, and a story of friendship, ambition, and redemption.

From Tim Burton, starring Johnny Depp, Martin Landau, Sarah Jessica Parker, Patricia Arquette
Rated R

Ed Wood is a biographical comedy-drama directed by Tim Burton about the improbable life of the eponymous cult filmmaker, Ed Wood (played by Johnny Depp). The film follows Ed Wood's attempts to make low-budget B-movies in Hollywood during the 1950s, despite lacking any filmmaking experience or technical knowledge. Throughout the film, Ed is aided by a cast of colorful characters, including a washed-up horror star Bela Lugosi (Martin Landau), a cross-dressing actor (Bill Murray) and a loyal group of friends (led by Sarah Jessica Parker). Despite having his films met with ridicule, Ed's unyielding optimism and perseverance make him an inspirational figure and a cult sensation. The film was nominated for two Oscars, including Best Supporting Actor for Martin Landau.

From Spike Jonze, starring John Cusack, Cameron Diaz, Catherine Keener, John Malkovich
Rated R

Being John Malkovich is a 1999 dark comedy film directed by Spike Jonze and written by Charlie Kaufman. The story follows Craig Schwartz (John Cusack), a puppeteer who finds a portal that leads directly into the mind of actor John Malkovich (John Malkovich). After entering the portal, Craig discovers that anyone can be inside Malkovich’s body for 15 minutes before they are spit out near the New Jersey turnpike. Craig devises a scheme to charge people money to enter the portal and experience being Malkovich. Eventually, Craig's wife Lotte (Cameron Diaz) discovers the portal and joins him in the business. Complicating matters further, Maxine (Catherine Keener), an animal-obsessed co-worker of Craig's, also discovers the portal and begins to fall in love with Malkovich. The film follows the characters as they struggle to negotiate their relationships and the implications of the portal.

From Kevin Smith, starring Brian O'Halloran, Jeff Anderson, Marilyn Ghigliotti, Lisa Spoonauer
Rated R

Clerks is a 1994 American black-and-white comedy film written, directed, produced, and co-edited by Kevin Smith. It follows Dante Hicks (Brian O'Halloran) and Randal Graves (Jeff Anderson), two store clerks working at a run-down convenience store in New Jersey on their day off. The film spans a single day in the characters' lives, depicting the various customers and events that occur throughout their day, from the mundane to the extraordinary. The film also features Jay (Jason Mewes) and Silent Bob (Smith), two other store clerks and slackers who are lifelong friends of Dante and Randal. Clerks was Smith's first feature film, and it was made on a budget of only $27,575, with money raised mostly by selling his comic book collection. The film gained a cult following in the years after its release and was a critical success. It was nominated for the prestigious Palme d'Or at the 1994 Cannes Film Festival and has since become a classic of independent film.

From Trey Parker, starring Trey Parker, Matt Stone, Mary Kay Bergman, Isaac Hayes
Rated R

South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut is a 1999 American adult animated musical comedy film directed by Trey Parker. The film follows four boys—Stan Marsh, Kyle Broflovski, Eric Cartman and Kenny McCormick—who try to sneak into an R-rated movie featuring Canadian actor Terrance and Philip and end up cursing profusely. The boys' parents pressure the United States to wage war against Canada and the two countries come to the brink of nuclear conflict. Meanwhile, the boys must save Terrance and Philip before they are executed by the U.S. military. The film is a parody of the American-Canadian culture clash, with its themes of censorship, hypocrisy, and immaturity. The film was a box office success, grossing over $83 million worldwide, and was the most successful film based on a television series at the time. It received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its soundtrack and animation style. South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut is the first and only South Park feature film.

From James L. Brooks, starring Jack Nicholson, Helen Hunt, Greg Kinnear, Cuba Gooding Jr.
Rated PG-13

As Good as It Gets is a 1997 romantic comedy-drama film directed by James L. Brooks and starring Jack Nicholson, Helen Hunt, and Greg Kinnear. The film follows Melvin Udall, a misanthropic and obsessive-compulsive writer, as he is forced to confront his own emotional limitations when an unlikely connection is formed with an and single mother and a gay artist. Through these relationships, Melvin learns to overcome his biases and to accept and appreciate the people in his life. The film was a critical and commercial success, earning numerous award nominations and wins, including two Academy Awards for Best Actor (Jack Nicholson) and Best Actress (Helen Hunt).

From Mike Judge, starring Ron Livingston, Jennifer Aniston, David Herman, Ajay Naidu
Rated R

Office Space is a 1999 American comedy film that follows the story of Peter Gibbons, an unfulfilled employee at a corporate software company, who reluctantly reaches his breaking point and decides to stand up for himself and his friends against the oppressive forces of his employer. Along the way, Peter finds a way to rebel against his bosses, while also dealing with his relationships with his girlfriend and best friends. With the help of a consultant, Peter and his friends are able to exploit a loophole in the company's software to generate extra money for themselves without their employers ever knowing. In the end, Peter is able to stick it to his boss and restore his self-respect.

From Richard Linklater, starring Jason London, Wiley Wiggins, Matthew McConaughey, Rory Cochrane
Rated R

"Dazed and Confused" is a 1993 coming-of-age dramedy directed by Richard Linklater. Set in the summer of 1976, the movie follows the lives of high school and junior high students in Austin, Texas as they face the end of another school year. The film follows the students as they go through their last day of school, spend time together with friends, and experience their first taste of freedom. The movie explores the characters' relationships, their efforts to find a place in the world, and the struggles of teenage life. The cast includes Jason London, Ben Affleck, Milla Jovovich, and Matthew McConaughey.

From Tom DiCillo, starring Steve Buscemi, Catherine Keener, Dermot Mulroney, Danielle von Zerneck
Rated R

Living in Oblivion is a 1995 independent movie directed by Tom DiCillo and starring Steve Buscemi, Catherine Keener, and Dermot Mulroney. It follows the chaotic production of a low-budget independent film, and the various misadventures that the cast and crew endure during the shoot. The movie focuses on Nick Reve (Buscemi), the Director of the film, as he struggles with a lack of funding, incompetent crew members, and his own frustrations with being a filmmaker. As he deals with the constant problems, he meets a variety of eccentric characters, including an egomaniacal actor (Mulroney), an over-eager production assistant (Keener), and an estranged child star. The movie culminates with Nick having to make a crucial decision which will determine the fate of his movie, and his career as a filmmaker. Living in Oblivion is a darkly comic look at the behind-the-scenes life of independent filmmakers, and a unique exploration of the creative process. It is a highly acclaimed cult classic, and has been praised for its witty dialogue, sharp insights into the film industry, and unique cinematography.

From Wes Craven, starring Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Skeet Ulrich
Rated R

From Milos Forman, starring Jim Carrey, Danny DeVito, Gerry Becker, Greyson Erik Pendry
Rated R

From Christopher Guest, starring Christopher Guest, Fred Willard, Catherine O'Hara, Parker Posey
Rated R

From James Cameron, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tom Arnold, Bill Paxton
Rated R

From Kevin Smith, starring Ben Affleck, Joey Lauren Adams, Ethan Suplee, Scott Mosier
Rated R

From Doug Liman, starring Vince Vaughn, Heather Graham, Jon Favreau, Ron Livingston
Rated R

From Doug Liman, starring Sarah Polley, Jay Mohr, Scott Wolf, Taye Diggs
Rated R

From Jim Mallon, starring Trace Beaulieu, Michael J. Nelson, Jim Mallon, Kevin Murphy
Rated PG-13

From Peter Cattaneo, starring Robert Carlyle, Tom Wilkinson, Mark Addy, Wim Snape
Rated R

From Peter Segal, starring Chris Farley, David Spade, Brian Dennehy, Bo Derek
Rated PG-13

From Chris Columbus, starring Robin Williams, Sally Field, Pierce Brosnan, Harvey Fierstein
Rated PG-13