Hollywood, despite embracing blockbusters, produced an often-underestimated array of films throughout the 1990s. Many of these pictures can easily be considered among the finest ever made, pushing cinematic boundaries and defining a generation of storytelling.
However, the team behind Watch With Us posits that the Academy Awards only accurately identified the Best Picture on three occasions during that pivotal decade. This perspective suggests a deeper dive into the era’s output is warranted, moving beyond conventional accolades to highlight the true standout achievements. As such, Watch With Us offers its own definitive selections for the best film of each year from the 90s, providing a fresh lens on an iconic period in cinema.
The journey begins in 1990 with "Goodfellas," a quintessential crime epic that solidified Martin Scorsese’s status as a master filmmaker. Despite Scorsese’s historical bad luck with the Oscars, this film stands as a vibrant, fascinating account of mobster Henry Hill’s life, even paving the way for HBO’s "The Sopranos" nearly a decade later. Ray Liotta delivers a captivating performance as Hill, charting his rise through the Lucchese crime family alongside his close associates, James "Jimmy" Conway (Robert De Niro) and Tommy DeVito (Joe Pesci). The electrifying camaraderie between this trio is so compelling that audiences find themselves rooting for them, even as they engage in murder and other brutal acts of violence. Pesci’s portrayal of Tommy, with his memorably menacing personality, renders certain events in the film all the more shocking. The sheer skill and craftsmanship displayed in "Goodfellas" remain astounding, cementing its status as an enduring classic.
"Goodfellas" is available to rent or purchase on Prime Video.
In 1991, "Beauty and the Beast" made history as the first animated film ever nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars, ultimately losing to the thriller "The Silence of the Lambs." Yet, "Beauty and the Beast" endures as a timeless work of art, a benchmark rarely matched by subsequent animated features. While it incorporates a minimal amount of CGI for backgrounds, the film’s lush, hand-drawn animation lends it an unparalleled, timeless quality. A significant enhancement from the classic fairy tale is the distinct personality given to Belle (Paige O’Hara) long before her encounter with the Beast (Robby Benson). The film’s original music and songs, crafted by Disney legends Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, are fundamental to its brilliance. This iconic duo even gifted the villainous Gaston (Richard White) his own hilarious and spectacular anthem, contributing to a film that approaches perfection as closely as any can.
"Beauty and the Beast" is available for streaming on Disney+.
For 1992, "Unforgiven" stands out as Clint Eastwood’s masterful return to the Western genre, an area where he first achieved stardom in the 1960s. This film acts as a spiritual successor to Eastwood’s earlier works, casting him as William Munny, an aging ex-outlaw who has traded his violent past for a quiet life as a widower and family man, struggling to support his children. Munny is drawn back into his old ways by his friend Ned Logan (Morgan Freeman) and an ambitious aspiring bounty hunter, The Schofield Kid (Jaimz Woolvett), to claim a reward for a cowboy who disfigured a prostitute. Their quest inevitably puts them on a collision course with the ruthless Sheriff "Little Bill" Daggett (Gene Hackman), a man prepared to kill them if they attempt to hunt down their target. The film is impeccably crafted and, had Eastwood chosen to retire after its release, it would have served as a perfect cinematic farewell, though he continued to make impactful films for three more decades.
"Unforgiven" is available for streaming on MGM+.
Steven Spielberg, primarily known for his science fiction and fantasy blockbusters, made a radical shift in 1993 with "Schindler’s List." This powerful drama tackled a profoundly serious subject, filmed almost entirely in stark black and white, marking a significant departure for the director. The film is based on the harrowing true story of Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson), a war profiteer during World War II who employed Jewish workers, ultimately saving their lives during the Holocaust. Schindler, initially far from a righteous man, becomes so horrified by the atrocities he witnesses that he dedicates himself to saving as many lives as possible. Ralph Fiennes delivers a chilling performance as Amon Göth, a Nazi officer who revels in the cruelty he inflicts upon his prisoners. The powerful and evocative soundtrack by John Williams underscored the film’s themes of empathy and sorrow, contributing immensely to its cemented place in history as an undeniable classic.
"Schindler’s List" is available to purchase or rent on Prime Video.
In 1994, if "Reservoir Dogs" put Quentin Tarantino on the map, then "Pulp Fiction" was his true artistic triumph. The sheer audacity of "Forrest Gump" winning Best Picture over this genre-defying masterpiece remains a talking point among cinephiles. "Pulp Fiction" is a groundbreaking crime film brimming with irresistible characters, iconic dialogue, and a non-linear narrative structure that enhances its rewatchability and appeal. The film masterfully interweaves several storylines, primarily following the misadventures of hitmen Vincent Vega (John Travolta) and Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson). Their characters leap off the screen, providing Travolta with a much-needed career resurgence and firmly establishing Jackson as a superstar for years to come. Another compelling subplot follows boxer Butch Coolidge (Bruce Willis) as he attempts to escape the wrath of crime boss Marsellus Wallace (Ving Rhames), only to find himself in a deeply compromising situation. Tarantino’s distinctive vision, coupled with his unparalleled musical selections, crafted a soundtrack that is just as legendary as the film itself.
"Pulp Fiction" is available for streaming on Plex.
Notably, 1995’s "Braveheart" marks the last Best Picture Oscar winner from the 1990s with which the Watch With Us team aligns its judgment. Mel Gibson was already a significant star when this project was conceived, but "Braveheart" solidified his reputation as a top-tier director, earning him an Academy Award in that category. This historical epic chronicles the life of William Wallace (Gibson), a legendary Scottish warrior who lived in the early 14th century. As a child, William witnessed the brutal oppression inflicted by King Edward I (Patrick McGoohan) and his English soldiers. As an adult, Wallace bravely rises to lead his people in a war for independence against the English monarchy. While the film takes certain historical liberties, with Gibson modifying some factual events for dramatic effect, its power as a thrilling narrative about the fight for freedom is rarely surpassed.
"Braveheart" is available for streaming on Prime Video.
In 1996, "Fargo" arrived on the cinematic landscape as a truly singular film, unlike much else in mainstream circulation. Directors Joel and Ethan Coen crafted a narrative that instantly set "Fargo" apart from its contemporaries. Even today, few crime films set in the American Midwest achieve such a darkly humorous and unique tone. "Fargo" masterfully treads a fine line between parody and dark comedy, and its distinctive accents require a slight adjustment for new viewers. Frances McDormand delivered an Oscar-winning performance as Marge Gunderson, the central police chief whose unwavering resolve drives the plot. The story unfolds as a desperate man, Jerry Lundegaard (William H. Macy), hires two eccentric criminals, Gaear Grimsrud (Peter Stormare) and Carl Showalter (Steve Buscemi), to kidnap his wife, leading to a cascade of events that go terribly wrong. This film was revolutionary in its approach and remains one of the defining features of 90s cinema.
"Fargo" is available for streaming on Kanopy.
From a technical standpoint and due to its immense box office success, "Titanic" was the cinematic juggernaut of 1997. However, in the estimation of Watch With Us, "L.A. Confidential" was the film that truly deserved the Best Picture Oscar. Director Curtis Hanson, along with co-writer Brian Helgeland, revitalized the neo-noir genre with this masterful period adaptation of James Ellroy’s intricate novel. Russell Crowe and Guy Pearce delivered breakout performances as Officer Wendell "Bud" White and Lieutenant Edmund Exley, respectively, two Los Angeles police officers in the 1950s who harbor an intense mutual disdain. Bud and Exley find themselves embroiled in seemingly unconnected cases that ultimately expose a sprawling culture of corruption within the Los Angeles Police Department, a reality neither man is fully prepared to confront. This film expertly draws the viewer in, building tension gradually before delivering its most shocking revelations. It portrays a Hollywood where true heroes are scarce, standing as a masterpiece that, in many ways, has never quite received its full critical due.
"L.A. Confidential" is available for streaming on Plex.
"Shakespeare in Love" is a very good film, but the 1998 Oscar winner simply does not compare to "Saving Private Ryan." Following his success with "Schindler’s List," Steven Spielberg once again raised the bar with one of the most raw and harrowing depictions of war ever captured on film. The opening scene alone, a shocking and brutal recreation of the D-Day landings during the Battle of Normandy, remains an unparalleled cinematic experience. Tom Hanks leads a stellar cast as Captain John H. Miller, who is tasked with a perilous mission: to find James Francis Ryan, the last surviving son of his family. It is significant that James was portrayed by Matt Damon, who was just beginning his ascent in Hollywood at the time. Miller and his men must traverse war-torn Europe to locate James, a journey that soon reveals their ordeal is far from over.
"Saving Private Ryan" is available for streaming on Paramount+.
Closing out the decade, 1999’s "Fight Club" wasn’t even nominated for Best Picture, and critics at the time were sharply divided by David Fincher’s adaptation of Chuck Palahniuk’s novel. The film faced criticism for its on-screen violence and its unflinching portrayal of toxic masculinity, with some critics seemingly missing its profound satirical elements. However, it stands as one of the most bitingly funny and incisive films of the past three decades, never meant to be interpreted literally. Edward Norton embodies the unnamed narrator, an everyman who befriends Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt), an extroverted Adonis who embodies everything the narrator is not. Together, they establish a fight club, attracting men grappling with repressed aggression and other emotional struggles. Tyler, however, pushes beyond this, aiming to dismantle and transform society as they know it. To reveal more would undoubtedly spoil some of the film’s most brilliant twists. Suffice it to say, there was no more fitting way to conclude the 20th century than by watching the narrator and Marla Singer (Helena Bonham Carter) observing a monumental collapse before them, a moment that encapsulates the film’s enduring impact.
"Fight Club" is available to purchase or rent on Prime Video.