Top 1998 Movies

From Roberto Benigni, starring Roberto Benigni, Nicoletta Braschi, Giorgio Cantarini, Giustino Durano
Rated PG-13

Life Is Beautiful is a 1997 Italian comedy-drama film directed by Roberto Benigni and starring Benigni, Nicoletta Braschi and Giorgio Cantarini. It tells the story of a Jewish Italian bookshop owner, Guido Orefice, and his eight-year-old son Giosué, and their struggle to survive the Holocaust. Despite the horrific circumstances, Guido uses his imagination and humor to protect Giosué from the reality of the situation and to keep his spirits up. Through his innocence and naivety, Giosué eventually comes to understand the horror of the situation and ultimately emerges from it with hope and optimism. Ultimately, Life Is Beautiful is an uplifting and inspiring story of courage and the power of love.

From Steven Spielberg, starring Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, Tom Sizemore, Edward Burns
Rated R

Saving Private Ryan follows a group of United States Army Rangers, led by Captain John H. Miller (Tom Hanks), as they search for a paratrooper, Private First Class James Francis Ryan (Matt Damon), who is the last surviving brother of four servicemen. After receiving orders from the General of the United States Army, the Rangers are sent on a dangerous mission to the French countryside in World War II, where they must find Ryan and bring him back safely. Along the way, they face intense battles with the Germans and struggle with the horrors of war. Through sacrificing their lives to save each other, the Rangers ultimately succeed in their mission, bringing Ryan home and uniting him with his family.

From Tony Kaye, starring Edward Norton, Edward Furlong, Beverly D'Angelo, Jennifer Lien
Rated R

American History X is a drama film released in 1998 and directed by Tony Kaye. It tells the story of a young man named Derek Vinyard, who is an ex-member of a white supremacist gang. After his father is murdered by a black gang member, Derek is sentenced to three years in prison. While in prison, Derek reflects on his life, his beliefs, and the choices he has made. Upon his release, he attempts to make amends with his family and to break away from his past as a neo-Nazi. The film focuses on themes of racism, redemption, and the power of education, as Derek is exposed to different ideas while in prison. Ultimately, Derek decides to use his experiences to help others learn from his mistakes and to build a better future for himself and those around him.

From Peter Weir, starring Jim Carrey, Ed Harris, Laura Linney, Noah Emmerich
Rated PG

The Truman Show is a 1998 American science fiction comedy-drama film directed by Peter Weir, written by Andrew Niccol, and starring Jim Carrey as Truman Burbank. The film tells the story of Truman, a man whose life is a fake one, which is broadcast 24 hours a day around the world without his knowledge. His entire life has been an elaborate television show, populated with actors, and he is the main attraction. As Truman gradually discovers the truth, however, he must come to grips with his identity and decide whether to act on his newfound knowledge and break out of his manufactured world.

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-based slacker and avid bowler whose life is disrupted when he is mistaken for Jeffrey Lebowski, a wheelchair-bound millionaire whose wife has been kidnapped. The film also stars John Goodman, Julianne Moore, Steve Buscemi, David Huddleston, and John Turturro, and is narrated by Sam Elliott. The plot follows The Dude and his misfit group of friends, the so-called "Dudesmen", who are drawn into a complex web of intrigue after a case of mistaken identity leads to a millionaire's kidnapping. As they attempt to solve the mystery, they are pulled into a convoluted story involving a severed toe, a pornographer, a reclusive millionaire, a trio of German nihilists, a Cowboy named "The Stranger", and a host of other absurd characters. The film's production was marked by creative tensions between the Coens and the studio, which led to several revisions of the script and various production delays, some of which are depicted in the film itself. The Big Leb

From Todd Solondz, starring Jane Adams, Jon Lovitz, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Dylan Baker
Rated NC-17

Happiness is a 1998 American dark comedy-drama film written and directed by Todd Solondz. The film follows the members of the Jordan family and how they handle their struggles with depression, loneliness, and unhappiness. The main character, Joy Jordan (played by Jane Adams) is a struggling writer who finds comfort in her dysfunctional family - her two brothers, her parents, and her therapist. Her brothers are a sexually confused misanthrope (played by Philip Seymour Hoffman) and a serial killer (played by Dylan Baker). Meanwhile, her parents, Bill and Trish (played by Dylan Baker and Lara Flynn Boyle) have a strained relationship, exacerbated by Trish's infidelity. The film explores each of these characters' lives and how they attempt to find their own individual happiness. The film is often dark and uncomfortable, but ultimately offers a message of hope.

From Alex Proyas, starring Rufus Sewell, Kiefer Sutherland, Jennifer Connelly, William Hurt
Rated R

Dark City is a 1998 science fiction-horror film directed by Alex Proyas and starring Rufus Sewell, Kiefer Sutherland, Jennifer Connelly, and William Hurt. It tells the story of John Murdoch, a man who wakes up in a strange city with no memory of his past. He quickly discovers that the city is controlled by a race of alien creatures called the Strangers, who have the ability to manipulate time, and to manipulate memories in order to control the population of the city. He must unravel the mystery of his past in order to escape the city and its sinister inhabitants. The film combines elements of film noir, horror, and science fiction, and has been praised for its unique visual style and atmosphere.

From Terrence Malick, starring Jim Caviezel, Sean Penn, Nick Nolte, Kirk Acevedo
Rated R

The Thin Red Line is a 1998 American war drama directed by Terrence Malick. The film follows a platoon of U.S. Army soldiers during the Battle of Guadalcanal in World War II. The platoon is led by Captain Staros (Nick Nolte), with Lieutenant Welsh (Sean Penn) as his executive officer. It also features a large ensemble cast including Jim Caviezel, Adrien Brody, John Cusack, Woody Harrelson, Elias Koteas, Kirk Acevedo, and George Clooney. The film follows the men of the platoon as they experience the horrors of war and come to terms with their own mortality. As the battle intensifies, their fear, courage, and camaraderie are tested as they attempt to take a strategically important hill from the Japanese. The film ultimately shows the transformative power of war and how it affects the men involved in it.

From Michael Haneke, starring Susanne Lothar, Ulrich Mühe, Arno Frisch, Frank Giering
Rated Not Rated

Funny Games is a 1997 Austrian film directed by Michael Haneke. The film tells the story of a vacationing family that is terrorized by two young men who play sadistic ”games” for their own amusement. The family consists of Georg, Anna, and their son Georgie. On their way to their lake house, the family stops at a neighbor's home to borrow some eggs. It is here that they are first introduced to the two men, Peter and Paul. Peter and Paul are polite but have a menacing air about them. The family arrives at the lake house and soon start to notice that something is not right. They discover that Peter and Paul have followed them and forced their way into the house. The two men begin playing a series of cruel games with the family, ranging from psychological games to outright physical violence. As the games progress, the family is pushed to their breaking point and must find a way to survive and escape the young men’s horrifying games.

From Terry Gilliam, starring Johnny Depp, Benicio Del Toro, Tobey Maguire, Michael Lee Gogin
Rated R

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is a 1998 cult classic directed by Terry Gilliam and starring Johnny Depp and Benicio del Toro. The film follows journalist Raoul Duke and his attorney Dr. Gonzo, on their journey to Las Vegas to cover a motorbike race for a magazine article. However, their trip quickly spirals out of control as they become submerged in a dangerous and chaotic world of drugs, sex, and violence. Along the way, they experience a series of surrealist adventures and encounters that challenge their sanity and well-being. The film is a madcap exploration of the 1960s counterculture movement and a scathing critique of the American dream.

From Sam Raimi, starring Bill Paxton, Billy Bob Thornton, Bridget Fonda, Brent Briscoe
Rated R

A Simple Plan is a 1998 American neo-noir thriller film directed by Sam Raimi and starring Bill Paxton, Billy Bob Thornton, and Bridget Fonda. The film tells the story of three small-town friends who stumble upon a crashed plane containing a large amount of money. They decide to keep the money, but soon find the consequences of their actions begin to spiral out of control—revealing secrets, loyalties, and ultimately the darker side of human nature. As the truth of their actions start to unfold, the trio is forced to make difficult choices that will affect all of their lives.

From Gary Ross, starring Tobey Maguire, Jeff Daniels, Joan Allen, William H. Macy
Rated PG-13

Pleasantville is a 1998 American fantasy comedy-drama film written, co-produced, and directed by Gary Ross. It stars Tobey Maguire, Reese Witherspoon, William H. Macy, Joan Allen, and Jeff Daniels. The story centers around two teenage siblings (Maguire and Witherspoon) who are transported into a 1950s television sitcom called Pleasantville, set in a fantasized version of the United States. As the two become acclimated to the town, they gradually cause a cultural revolution in the formerly idyllic and black-and-white world, introducing the inhabitants to color, sex, and modern ideas such as art and literature. In the end, the siblings are able to return to their own world, taking with them the newfound knowledge and appreciation of Pleasantville's residents for the modern world.

From Christopher Nolan, starring Jeremy Theobald, Alex Haw, Lucy Russell, John Nolan
Rated R

Following is a 1998 independent neo-noir psychological thriller written and directed by Christopher Nolan. The film follows an unemployed young writer named Bill as he follows strangers around London, ostensibly as part of his research for a novel. He trails a variety of individuals, from a shady businessman to a young blonde woman, ultimately leading him into the criminal underworld of London. Along the way, he begins to cross life paths with Cobb, a thief with a strange philosophy on life. As Bill continues to blur the lines between observer and participant in the lives of those he follows, his actions begin to catch up with him, drawing him further and further into a moral grey area.

From Bill Condon, starring Ian McKellen, Brendan Fraser, Lynn Redgrave, Lolita Davidovich
Rated R

From Vincent Gallo, starring Vincent Gallo, Christina Ricci, Ben Gazzara, Mickey Rourke
Rated R

From John Dahl, starring Matt Damon, Edward Norton, Gretchen Mol, John Malkovich
Rated R

From Tony Scott, starring Will Smith, Gene Hackman, Jon Voight, Lisa Bonet
Rated R

From F. Gary Gray, starring Samuel L. Jackson, Kevin Spacey, David Morse, Ron Rifkin
Rated R

From Darren Aronofsky, starring Sean Gullette, Mark Margolis, Ben Shenkman, Pamela Hart
Rated R

From David Mamet, starring Steve Martin, Ben Gazzara, Campbell Scott, Ricky Jay
Rated PG

From John Frankenheimer, starring Robert De Niro, Jean Reno, Natascha McElhone, Stellan Skarsgård
Rated R

From Chris Eyre, starring Adam Beach, Evan Adams, Irene Bedard, Gary Farmer
Rated PG-13

From Directors: Bobby Farrelly, Peter Farrelly, starring Cameron Diaz, Matt Dillon, Ben Stiller, Lee Evans
Rated R

From Marc Levin, starring Saul Williams, Sonja Sohn, Bonz Malone, Lawrence Wilson
Rated R

From Rob Bowman, starring David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, John Neville, William B. Davis
Rated PG-13