10 Movies To Watch If You Love The ’90s

Between the ground-breaking fashion and the various cultural shifts, the ’90s is a nostalgic decade for many. Whether people are a part of Generation X or they just generally love the whole vibe, the 1990s time period is adored by many.

The ’90s were a time full of self-discovery, fresh takes on new age music genres, and fashion and media experimentation. Many iconic things came from the ’90s, however, the culture had a major impact on films specifically, some of which fans still love to watch to this day.

Clueless (1995)

Stream On HBO Max

The ’90s wouldn’t be the ’90s without Clueless. Directed by Amy Heckerling, Clueless got things right about being a teenager, not only for those coming of age in the ’90s but for later generations too. The iconic teen comedy has taken the world by storm since its release in 1995, from the timeless fashion to the classic jokes.

Fans still quote the film to this day, not to mention all of the Cher Horowitz costumes that come every year during the Halloween season. It’s undeniable that Clueless is one of the most popular ’90s films of all time, and it will always be a movie that fans go wild for.

Mid90s (2018)

Stream On Showtime

A24 film Mid90s highlights ’90s skate culture in a new and exciting way, all while paying homage to the classic ’90s vibe. The movie follows a group of teen skaters that accept a young boy into their posse, whom they slowly corrupt.

This indie film was a quick fan-favorite, as, between the streetwear fashion and the music mixtapes, it made viewers feel all of the nostalgia. The film’s nonchalant approach to the skater culture was well-represented, and at times, it even made fans feel like they were genuinely stuck in the 1990s time period.

American Pie (1999)

Rent On AppleTV Or Amazon Prime Video

Raunchy comedy American Pie defined the ’90s and it was a cultural reset for the decade. Despite its R rating, teens everywhere loved the film, as it was the trailblazer for raunchy comedies to come.

What started as a goofy portrayal of the teenage lifestyle quickly turned into its own genre, resulting in many films following its lead. Between the casual fashion and the dated technology, the film quickly became a fan-favorite comedy of the ’90s.

Straight Outta Compton (2015)

Stream On DIRECTV And FXNow

Based on the story of the come-up of Hip-Hop group N.W.A., Straight Outta Compton is a historical drama piece that viewers couldn’t stop talking about. Though the biopic begins with the group’s start in the late ’80s, the rappers’ success skyrocketed throughout the ’90s and kickstarted the Hip-Hop movement.

Generation X knows frontmen Eazy E, Dr. Dre, and Ice Cube as the defining rappers of the ’90s, along with the other various members of the group that came and went throughout the years. Though the film highlights the realistic nature of life in South LA at the time, it also depicts the blueprint rappers left in the 1990s.

10 Things I Hate About You (1999)

Stream On Disney+

Classic romantic comedy 10 Things I Hate About You is beloved for a reason, with fans naming it one of the best comedy movies of the ’90s. Not only did the film star the incredible Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles, but it was incredibly ahead of its time, particularly in Kat Stratford’s feminist attitude.

Though the movie was cutting-edge for the time, it still holds undeniable ’90s qualities. This memorable film paved the way not only for iconic vintage fashion looks but for the future of teen rom-coms.

The Sandlot (1993)

Stream On Disney+

The family film The Sandlot was exemplary for the time and serves as the foundation of many fans’ childhoods. The reason viewers go crazy over this film is because of the contagious child-like spirit the movie provides.

The Sandlot takes even the most mature adults and provides them with endless nostalgia. The film takes fans back to the good ol’ days of having mindless fun outside with friends – no modern technology, just active, old-fashioned fun.

Scream (1996)

Stream On AMC+

Named one of the best horror movies of the ’90s, Scream is another piece of media that showcases the classic lifestyle of the decade. The fashion is telling, as well as the various technology and vocabulary. Scream is considered a classic to this day, due to its ability to pave the way for the horror genre in the coming years.

The slasher movie not only focuses on crime in the area, but it tackles common teen issues, which is why the horror drama is still beloved by many fans even now. The film was surprisingly dark and gory for the time, which is part of why it’s a memorable movie franchise.

It Takes Two (1995)

Stream On HBO Max

Starring the Olsen twins, It Takes Two is an underrated family film of the ’90s. Not only do the characters wear the most stereotypical ’90s fashion, but it holds the same nostalgia as movies like The Sandlot.

Reminiscent of an outdoorsy childhood with friends at a summer camp, the film hits home for viewers on multiple levels. Though it’s a Parent Trap look-alike film, some fans have come to appreciate it even more than the Lindsay Lohan flick.

She’s All That (1999)

Stream On HBO Max And Showtime

Classic romance film She’s All That serves as a predecessor for the many romantic comedy movies of the 2000s fans know and love. Though the film was released one year before the 2000s decade hit, fans still recall the movie as a love letter of sorts to the ’90s.

Many films have since taken the “high school makeover” approach to various plots, but none does it better than She’s All That. The film even had a remake release back in 2021 titled He’s All That, but nothing beats the nostalgia of the classic ’90s teen rom-com.

Reality Bites (1994)

Stream On Starz

Directed by Ben Stiller and starring Winona Ryder, Reality Bites is a film that is arguably the most visibly ’90s of them all. Ryder plays an aspiring videographer who documents the lives of her and her friends on her old VHS camera.

Famously known for being one of the best actresses of the ’90s, Winona’s performance in this film is highly underrated. Not only does the film accurately depict the common struggles of post-graduate life, but the adventures made along the way make any viewers miss the ’90s.

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