, it doesn’t take long before the conversation turns to the most iconic actors of the final decade of the 20th century and their most beloved performances. But what are Will Smith’s, Julia Roberts’, or Keanu Reeves’ best movies for the unforgettable and transformative 10-year stretch?
, and other films that turned up-and-comers into overnight megastars can all be found below.
Will Smith (Independence Day)
, but this massive sci-fi flick took him to new heights. Electric, magnetic, and charismatic beyond belief, the Fresh Prince became the King of the summer blockbuster with his portrayal of Captain Steven Hiller.
Leonardo DiCaprio (Titanic)
, both in terms of financial returns and cultural prominence? Yeah, James Cameron’s story of the ill-fated ship, his special effects, and the rest of the cast made this 1997 disaster movie a must-see, but Leonardo DiCaprio, with his “King of the World” moment, made this an all-timer.
Tom Cruise (Jerry Maguire)
. “Show me the money,” is a quote we keep in our repertoire nearly 30 years later.
Sandra Bullock (Speed)
the year before, Bullock’s take on Annie Porter made her an overnight sensation and quickly became one of her best roles to date, even outside the ‘90s.
Morgan Freeman (The Shawshank Redemption)
is so strong and so believable that you don’t see him as an actor playing an inmate, but more like an aging prisoner trying to “get busy living or get busy dying.”
Samuel L. Jackson (Pulp Fiction)
, this 1994 classic is essentially a master class in dialogue and non-linear storytelling.
Meg Ryan (Sleepless In Seattle)
in 1993. The chemistry between Ryan and Tom Hanks as Annie Reed and Sam Baldwin, is incredible, even if they only share a couple minutes of screentime.
Julia Roberts (Pretty Woman)
. Sure, Roberts already had some hits and would have gone on to land big roles, but this 1990 rom-com instantly made her one of the brightest stars on the planet and showed off her dynamic range and impeccable comedic timing.
Angela Bassett (What's Love Got To Do With It)
saw the celebrated actress take on the role of the legendary Tina Turner in this 1993 biopic about the late singer’s life, career, and toxic relationship with husband and music partner Ike Turner. Bassett had some pretty iconic ‘90s roles throughout the decade, but this is at the tippy top of the mountain.
Keanu Reeves (The Matrix)
and his performance as Neo, aka, the One. Watching Reeves’ character develop throughout this great ‘90s sci-fi film never gets old.
Robin Williams (Good Will Hunting)
was in a league of its own, at least in terms of performances by the late comedian. The richness, range, and emotion found in his portrayal of Sean Maguire is something to behold. No wonder he took home an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.
Bruce Willis (The Sixth Sense)
. There is just something so warm and refreshing about his portrayal of a child psychiatrist trying to help a young boy make sense of life and his strange gift.
Harrison Ford (The Fugitive)
are great, but this 1993 thriller is one of Ford’s career-best.
Frances McDormand (Fargo)
earned the actress the first of her three Academy Awards, and for good reason: she’s the heart and soul of the 1996 crime comedy.
Gary Oldman (The Fifth Element)
, the latter of which features his best work of the decade. Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg is one of those characters that you love to hate and enjoy watching as much as the 1997 sci-fi film’s hero, which is saying something.
Wesley Snipes (White Men Can't Jump)
.
Tom Hanks (Saving Private Ryan)
, Steven Spielberg’s harrowing World War II epic about heroism, survival, and the hope of a better tomorrow.
Robert De Niro (Cape Fear)
here.
Al Pacino (Heat)
earned him that elusive Oscar for Best Actor, but his take on Lieutenant Vincent Hanna is the stuff of legend. Plus, we also got to see Pacino and Robert De Niro share a scene for the first time.
Anthony Hopkins (The Silence Of The Lambs)
gets the call here. Though there was some stiff competition.
Philip Seymour Hoffman (Boogie Nights)
. Hoffman’s sympathetic take on Scotty J. was nothing short of brilliant and showed what was to come.
Jodie Foster (The Silence Of The Lambs)
If you were to break down Jodie Foster’s best performances, her portrayal of Clarice Starling would be at or near the top of that list. A movie that has been quoted or referenced countless times over the years, this 1991 thriller remains one of the best ever made.
Brad Pitt (Seven)
is Brad Pitt’s best movie from the ‘90s for a variety of reasons: 1) the movie about a serial killer taking lives based on the seven deadly sins is violently unique, 2) it was the start of a partnership between actor and director, and 3) Pitt showed he was more than a pretty face and really had what it took.
Arnold Schwarzenegger (T2: Judgment Day)
is not only a decade-defining action movie or a landmark achievement in visual effects, it’s also Arnold Schwarzenegger’s best movie of the ‘90s and perhaps all time. James Cameron’s sequel is bigger and louder than its predecessor and epic beyond compare.
Whoopi Goldberg (Sister Act)
, a film that kicked off an impressive decade for the comedian and actor. Her spiritual guide for Patrick Swayze’s ghostly Sam Wheat in this supernatural thriller helped anchor the film and turn it into the biggest movie of 1990.
Matt Damon (Good Will Hunting)
. His tortured performance as a young math prodigy in South Boston is still captivating more than 25 years later.
Eddie Murphy (The Nutty Professor)
shows off some of the comedian’s best work. Playing multiple characters (heroes, villains, and in between) really showed off Murphy’s dynamic range and varied comedic styles.
Adam Sandler (Happy Gilmore)
star’s best ‘90s movie. His take on a failed hockey player finding new purpose (and fortune) in the world of golf was a game-changer and created one of the best sports characters of all time.
Denzel Washington (Malcolm X)
. The movie about the controversial civil rights icon was eye-opening, enchanting, and epic.
Joe Pesci (Goodfellas)
of all time and an influential piece of cinema we still rave about 30-plus years later.
Susan Sarandon (Thelma & Louise)
with Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis’ titular characters, helped kickstart the decade back in 1990. Easily Sarandon’s best movie of the ‘90s, this crime drama about two friends on the run from the law is just so dang great.
Jim Carrey (Dumb & Dumber)
is some of Carrey’s best work.
Movie fans had lots to love in the '90s and these actors and their best movies of the decade will never be forgotten.
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