I started the 1990s as a boy and finished them as a taller boy that could vote and legally buy beer. For me, films from the 90s will always stand the test of time and have a spot on my Netflix favorites list. My number one movie of all time (The Usual Suspects), along with more than half my personal top 10 films were made in the 90s.

Below you’ll find the 40 best movies of the 90s presented in no particular order, covering everything from action and drama to comedy and horror. Apologies to all you romance fans, we just couldn’t fit them in.

Cult Classics

1. Dazed and Confused

Richard Linklater’s last day of school snapshot was released in 1993 and hasn’t aged a day. A bona fide cult classic, it launched the careers of many A-list stars (see if you can spot Renee Zellwegger downing a beer bong). The most famous of the bunch is this guy:

2. Blood In Blood Out

I’ll ride for Shea Serrano (an all-time good human and 3 time NYT best-selling author). This is his favorite film, a snapshot into West Coast Mexican gang and prison culture.

A movie dear to my own heart, I first picked it up at my local video store as a teenager and rented it until the VHS cassette wore out.

3. The Big Lebowski

The Coen Brothers have made some of the craziest movies in history. The Big Lebowski is amazing. I have a Walter Sobchak action figure, and a rug that really ties the room together.

4. The Crow

A gothic superhero tale based on the comic of the same name, The Crow became an underground hit that spawned three terrible sequels. Star Brandon Lee, who tragically passed away during the filming of The Crow, is magnetic, with his performance hinting at the greatness he could have achieved. 

5. Boyz n The Hood

This movie took Ice Cube from NWA rap agitator to full-blown cultural force and introduced us to Cuba Gooding Jnr. and the late, great filmmaker John Singleton.