Funniest Movies Of The 90s

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

Fight Club is a 1999 American psychological thriller film directed by David Fincher and starring Brad Pitt and Edward Norton. The film follows an unnamed protagonist (Norton) as he struggles with insomnia and forms a "fight club" with soap maker Tyler Durden (Pitt). The club becomes an underground movement to protest consumerism and is eventually hijacked by Durden for increasingly violent and dangerous activities. The film also features Helena Bonham Carter and Jared Leto. The film examines modern day masculinity and consumerism, as well as various social, political, and philosophical topics. It has become a cult classic and is widely regarded as one of the greatest films of the 1990s. It has also spawned a successful franchise, including a graphic novel, video game, and film sequel.

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

Forrest Gump is a 1994 American comedy-drama film directed by Robert Zemeckis and written by Eric Roth. The film stars Tom Hanks as Forrest Gump, a naïve and slow-witted but kind-hearted man from Alabama who witnesses, and in some cases influences, some of the defining events of the latter half of the 20th century in the United States. Through a series of flashbacks, Forrest's story is told as he encounters many historical figures and eventually starts a successful shrimp fishing business. He also finds love with his childhood sweetheart Jenny. Forrest's story serves as a reminder that anyone can achieve anything with love, perseverance, and determination.

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

American Beauty is a 1999 drama film directed by Sam Mendes and written by Alan Ball. The film follows Lester Burnham, a depressed suburban father who is going through a mid-life crisis. He quits his job, begins working out, and starts smoking marijuana. He falls for his teenage daughter's best friend and fantasizes about her. Meanwhile, his wife is having an affair with a real estate colleague, and his daughter is dealing with her own issues of sexuality and rebellion. In the end, Lester finds the beauty within himself and his family, and ultimately chooses life.

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

Groundhog Day is a 1993 American comedy film directed by Harold Ramis and starring Bill Murray as Phil Connors, a cynical television weatherman who is sent on assignment to the small town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania to report on the annual Groundhog Day festivities. While there, he finds himself stuck in a time loop, waking up on the same day and living the same day over and over again. With each repetition, Phil becomes increasingly suicidal, until he realizes that by helping others and changing his outlook, he can break through the cycle. Eventually, Phil comes to embrace life and is ultimately rewarded with his freedom.

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

The Big Lebowski is a 1998 American crime comedy film written, produced, and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen. It stars Jeff Bridges as Jeffrey "The Dude" Lebowski, a Los Angeles slacker and avid bowler. He is assaulted as a result of mistaken identity, then learns that a millionaire (also named Jeffrey Lebowski) was the intended victim. The millionaire Lebowski's trophy wife is kidnapped, and he commissions The Dude to deliver the ransom to secure her release; the plan goes awry when the Dude's friend Walter Sobchak (John Goodman) schemes to keep the ransom money. The film is loosely inspired by the work of Raymond Chandler and follows the exploits of the Dude and his friends, all of whom live in the Los Angeles area. The primary conflict arises between the Dude and the other characters, who are initially divided into two camps: one that follows Walter and his ill-conceived schemes, and another that includes The Dude's close friend, pacifist Vietnam War veteran, and convert to Judaism Donny Kerabatsos (Steve Buscemi). The Big Lebowski received mixed reviews at the time of its release and underperformed in theaters. However, it has since become

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 1977 and following the burgeoning porn industry in the San Fernando Valley, the film follows porn star Eddie Adams (Mark Wahlberg) as he rises to stardom under the guidance of pornographer Jack Horner (Burt Reynolds). Along the way, Eddie befriends porn veterans Amber Waves (Julianne Moore), Rollergirl (Heather Graham), and Buck Swope (Don Cheadle). As their careers take off and their lives become increasingly tumultuous, Eddie and his friends must learn to navigate their newfound fame. Featuring an ensemble cast of vivid characters and a distinctive blend of comedy and drama, Boogie Nights is a classic of modern independent cinema.

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

Ed Wood is a biographical comedy-drama film directed by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp as the title character, the eponymous cult filmmaker. The film follows the life and career of Edward D. Wood Jr., a director of low-budget films in the 1950s and early 1960s. The film chronicles the struggles he faced while making some of the most notoriously bad films ever made and his relationships with the eccentric people around him, including actor Bela Lugosi (played by Martin Landau) and future wife Kathy O'Hara (played by Sarah Jessica Parker). Despite the bad reviews, Ed Wood perseveres and embraces his own unique style of filmmaking, ultimately winning the admiration of critics and fans alike.

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

Being John Malkovich is a 1999 black comedy film directed by Spike Jonze and written by Charlie Kaufman. The film stars John Cusack as Craig Schwartz, a struggling puppeteer who discovers a portal that leads into the mind of actor John Malkovich. After sharing his discovery with his pet-obsessed wife Lotte, played by Cameron Diaz, and co-worker Maxine, played by Catherine Keener, they use the portal to enter Malkovich’s mind, eventually turning it into a profitable business venture. However, the trio’s plan creates a strange love triangle involving Craig, Lotte, and Maxine’s husband, Dr. Lester, played by Orson Bean. The film follows the characters as they deal with the bizarre situation, exploring themes such as identity, love, and mortality.

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

Clerks is a black-and-white independent comedy film written and directed by Kevin Smith. It follows the story of two store clerks, Dante Hicks (Brian O'Halloran) and Randal Graves (Jeff Anderson). The two men work at a Quick Stop convenience store and a video rental store respectively in the fictional town of Leonardo, New Jersey. The film follows their day-to-day lives as they banter, deal with customers, and discuss the overall meaninglessness of their lives. Throughout the course of the movie, the two clerks experience a series of bizarre events, including a dead customer in the store, a visit from a bizarre ex-girlfriend, and a hockey stick fight. The film is often seen as a snapshot of Generation X culture and the struggles of young adults in the 90s.

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 based on the Comedy Central animated television series South Park. The film was written, produced and directed by the show's creators, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, and stars their regular television cast. The film follows four boys—Stan Marsh, Kyle Broflovski, Eric Cartman and Kenny McCormick—who sneak into an R-rated movie featuring Canadian actors, Terrance and Phillip, and start swearing profusely. The boys' parents pressure the United States to wage war against Canada for corrupting their children, and the Canadian government responds by parachuting a villainous "Feminist Studio Executrix" in order to convert the nation into a gender-neutral utopia. Stan, Kyle and Cartman must save Terrance and Phillip, while the other boys must stop the Feminem Executrix in order to end the war with Canada and bring harmony to the world.

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 American romantic comedy-drama film directed by James L. Brooks and starring Jack Nicholson, Helen Hunt, and Greg Kinnear. It tells the story of Melvin Udall, a misanthropic and obsessive-compulsive novelist, and his neighbor, Carol Connelly, a single waitress with whom he develops an unlikely friendship. They are both challenged by the demands of Melvin's obsessive-compulsive disorder, Carol's struggling and sick son, and the complications of their respective past relationships. After Melvin and Carol begin a tentative romance, they decide to take a road trip together to try to reconcile with their past loves. Along the way, they face a variety of challenges that will test their burgeoning relationship and ultimately teach them the power of love and kindness. As Good as It Gets won Oscars for Best Actor (Nicholson), Best Actress (Hunt), and Best Screenplay (Brooks). It was also nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor (Kinnear) and Best Supporting Actress (Cuba Gooding Jr.).

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

Office Space is a 1999 comedy film directed by Mike Judge. The film follows the lives of three average, white-collar workers and their everyday struggles with their mundane, unfulfilling jobs. Peter Gibbons (played by Ron Livingston) works at Initech, a software company, where he and his colleagues are constantly harassed by their obnoxious boss, Bill Lumbergh (played by Gary Cole). Drowning in his boredom, Peter visits a hypnotherapist and falls asleep. After waking up, he no longer feels the same stress and worry about his job and decides to rebel against his boss and the corporate environment. With the help of his two friends, the trio set out to change their lives while trying to avoid getting caught. With the help of a computer programmer, they devise a plan to embezzle money from their employers and use it to start their own business. Along the way, they learn the true meaning of friendship and the importance of having a job they enjoy.

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

"Dazed and Confused" is a coming-of-age comedy-drama film directed by Richard Linklater and released in 1993. Set in 1976, the movie follows the adventures of a group of Texas high schoolers over the course of the last day of school. The teenagers grapple with issues such as freedom, responsibility, authority, and identity, while also engaging in typical teenage antics like partying, cruising, and hazing. Along the way, they form bonds and learn lessons about life and growing up. The main characters include Randall "Pink" Floyd (Jason London), who is struggling with the decision to stay and play football or follow his own path; the confident and rebellious senior Mitch Kramer (Wiley Wiggins), who is determined to have the best end-of-school party ever; and the freshman, freshman kid, and freshman girl, all trying to survive their first year of high school. The movie features an impressive ensemble cast, including Ben Affleck, Parker Posey, Matthew McConaughey, and Milla Jovovich. The film is set to a classic rock soundtrack, including songs from Led Zeppelin, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Aerosmith. Dazed and Confused is considered a classic of the

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

Living in Oblivion is a 1995 independent comedy-drama film that follows the behind-the-scenes drama of a low-budget, independent film production. The story follows Nick Reve (Steve Buscemi), the director of a film within the film, and his struggle to make ends meet and create something meaningful amidst a host of comedic complications. Tensions rise between him and the cast and crew, from the leading actress (Catherine Keener) to the overbearing cinematographer (Dermot Mulroney). As Nick tries to keep the project together and make it to the finish line, he must also grapple with his own artistic ambitions, while also dealing with dreams and memories that may be influencing his work.

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