Top 90s Comedy Movies

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

Toy Story is a 1995 American computer-animated film produced by Pixar Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures. Directed by John Lasseter, the first film in the Toy Story series follows a group of toys that come to life when humans are not around. Led by Woody, a pull-string cowboy, and Buzz Lightyear, a space ranger action figure, the toys embark on a journey that takes them far beyond the walls of their playroom. Along the way, they meet a host of memorable characters and face off against the toy-abducting monkey, Sid. Ultimately, Woody and Buzz find a way to get back to their child owner, Andy, and learn the importance of teamwork and friendship.

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

Groundhog Day tells the story of Phil Connors, a cynical and self-centered weatherman caught in a time loop, doomed to repeat the same day over and over again. On a reporting assignment covering the annual Groundhog Day event in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, Phil wakes up on February 2nd to find that he is stuck in an endless time loop, living the same day over and over again. With no way to break free, Phil initially uses the situation to his advantage, indulging in all of his desires and exploiting the people around him. However, as time passes, Phil begins to appreciate the beauty of his daily routine and starts to selflessly help others in need. He falls in love with a colleague, Rita, and learns to appreciate the simple joys of life. In the end, Phil's newfound outlook on life earns him his freedom from the time loop and he is finally able to move on.

From Directors: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, starring William H. Macy, Frances McDormand, Steve Buscemi, Peter Stormare
Rated R

Fargo is a black comedy-crime drama film directed by Joel and Ethan Coen in 1996. The film follows Jerry Lundegaard, a car salesman in Minneapolis, who hires two criminals to kidnap his wife in order to get a large ransom from his wealthy father-in-law. However, things go terribly wrong and a series of violent and comical events ensue. The plot follows a pregnant police chief, Marge Gunderson, who investigates the case and her efforts to bring the criminals to justice. The film is a darkly humorous look into an American crime, and a commentary on the cultural differences between people of different walks of life. Fargo won several awards, including an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture Musical or Comedy.

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

The Big Lebowski is a 1998 comedy film written and directed by the Coen brothers. The plot follows "The Dude", an unemployed slacker and avid bowler, who is mistaken for an eccentric millionaire of the same name. After the millionaire's trophy wife is kidnapped, the Dude is drawn into a plot to ransom her. Along with his friends, Walter Sobchak and Donny Kerabatsos, the Dude encounters a series of unusual characters, including a nihilist German band, a septuagenarian millionaire, a pornographer and his female companion, and Jeff Lebowski, the millionaire whom the Dude shares a namesake with. The film follows the Dude as he attempts to solve the kidnapping and reclaim the ransom money. With its offbeat characters, dark humor, and surreal dream sequences, The Big Lebowski has become a cult classic.

From Directors: John Lasseter, Ash Brannon, Lee Unkrich, starring Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Kelsey Grammer
Rated G

Toy Story 2 is an animated adventure movie directed by John Lasseter, Ash Brannon and Lee Unkrich. The film is a sequel to the original 1995 movie, Toy Story. In the film, Woody, an old-fashioned cowboy doll, is stolen by an unscrupulous toy collector. This leads to a daring rescue mission by his friends Buzz Lightyear, Mr. Potato Head, Hamm, Slinky Dog and Rex. Along the way, they discover a new toy, Jesse, and they all work together to get Woody back in time before Andy, their young owner, returns from Cowboy Camp. The film features the voices of Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Kelsey Grammer and Don Rickles. The movie received critical acclaim and was a huge box office success, grossing over $485 million worldwide.

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

Ed Wood is a 1994 biographical comedy-drama film directed and produced by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp as the eponymous cult filmmaker. The film concerns the period in Wood's life when he made his best-known films as well as his relationship with actor Bela Lugosi, played by Martin Landau. The film's supporting cast includes Sarah Jessica Parker, Patricia Arquette, Jeffrey Jones, Bill Murray, and G. D. Spradlin. The film chronicles the struggles Wood faced in trying to make low-budget B-movies during the 1950s, and the bond he had with Lugosi. In particular, it details their friendship, which ultimately ended due to Lugosi's drug addiction and their failed attempts to make one last film together. Ed Wood is widely regarded as one of Burton's best films and Depp's portrayal of Ed Wood has been praised by critics. The film was also a financial success and was nominated for two Academy Awards, Best Supporting Actor for Landau and Best Makeup for Rick Baker.

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

Being John Malkovich is a dark, surreal comedy film directed by Spike Jonze. It follows the story of Craig Schwartz, a struggling puppeteer who finds a portal into the mind of actor John Malkovich. Through the portal, Craig and others gain access to the life of John Malkovich for fifteen minutes at a time. The film follows Craig as he manipulates Malkovich's life for his own gain and the consequences that follow. The film also explores the nature of identity and perception as Craig, his wife, Maxine, and colleague Lotte, all take turns as Malkovich. The film is both humorous and thought-provoking as it delves into the nature of identity, perception, and freedom of choice.

From Chris Columbus, starring Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, John Heard
Rated PG

Home Alone is a 1990 comedy directed by Chris Columbus and starring Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern. The film follows the misadventures of the eight-year-old Kevin McCallister, who is mistakenly left behind by his family when they go on vacation. With his parents and siblings gone, Kevin is forced to defend himself and his home against two bumbling burglars, Harry and Marv, who are determined to break in and rob the house. With the help of some clever traps and a little luck, Kevin manages to outwit the burglars and protect his home.

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

Clerks is a 1994 black-and-white American comedy film written and directed by Kevin Smith. Starring Brian O'Halloran and Jeff Anderson, the film focuses on two store clerks, Dante Hicks and Randal Graves, and their day-to-day lives and conversations. It touches on various topics such as relationships, religion, romance, and video games. During their conversations, the characters, who are in their twenties, discuss topics such as pop culture, relationships, and the meaning of life. The film features several cameo roles by well-known actors, including Ben Affleck, Jason Lee, and Brian Doyle-Murray. Clerks was Smith's first film and famously made on a budget of only $27,575. It was well-received by critics and has since become a cult classic.

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

Office Space is a 1999 comedy film by director Mike Judge. The film follows the life of a cubicle-dwelling office drone, Peter Gibbons (Ron Livingston). After visiting a hypnotherapist, Peter decides to live his life more on his own terms, leading him to take a stand against oppressive office life. With the help of his friends, he plans to embezzle money from his employer, Initech. The film satirizes the everyday work life of a typical mid-to-late-1990s software company, and explores themes of alienation, bureaucracy, conformity, and rebellion. Along with its themes, the film is notable for its use of "Office Space" lingo, office design, and its cast of memorable characters.

From Wes Anderson, starring Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, Olivia Williams, Seymour Cassel
Rated R

Rushmore is a 1998 American comedy-drama film directed by Wes Anderson about an eccentric, precocious and highly ambitious teenager named Max Fischer (Jason Schwartzman). Max attends Rushmore Academy, where he is involved in numerous activities and forms friendships with both a young first grade teacher, Miss Cross (Olivia Williams) and a self-made millionaire, Herman Blume (Bill Murray). Despite his poor grades, Max’s enthusiasm wins him favour with the headmaster, Mr. Little (Brian Cox). Max’s life takes a complicated turn when he falls in love with Miss Cross and finds himself in competition with Herman for her affections. The story follows Max as he navigates his way through the various conflicts in his life and ultimately finds himself at a crossroads where he must choose between his dream of attending Rushmore Academy and his new ambition to start his own school.

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

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is a darkly comic film based on Hunter S. Thompson's 1971 novel of the same name. Directed by Terry Gilliam, the movie follows the adventures of Raoul Duke (played by Johnny Depp) and his attorney Dr. Gonzo (played by Benicio del Toro) as they travel to Las Vegas on a drug-fueled journey in search of the American Dream. Along the way they experience a whole host of bizarre and crazy situations, from a run-in with a group of police officers to a drug-induced hallucination in the desert. The movie is loaded with dark humor and visual effects, and is a must-watch for fans of Gilliam's unique style of filmmaking.

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

From Woody Allen, starring Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, Jerry Adler, Lynn Cohen
Rated PG

From Directors: Peter Farrelly, Bobby Farrelly, starring Jim Carrey, Jeff Daniels, Lauren Holly, Mike Starr
Rated PG-13

From George Armitage, starring John Cusack, Minnie Driver, Dan Aykroyd, Joan Cusack
Rated R

From Albert Brooks, starring Albert Brooks, Meryl Streep, Rip Torn, Michael Durrell
Rated PG

From F. Gary Gray, starring Ice Cube, Chris Tucker, Nia Long, Tom Lister Jr.
Rated R

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

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

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

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

From Barry Levinson, starring Dustin Hoffman, Robert De Niro, Anne Heche, Woody Harrelson
Rated R

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

From David O. Russell, starring George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, Ice Cube, Spike Jonze
Rated R