Top 10 Films From The ’90s On HBO Max To Watch, According To IMDb

There’s something that just feels nostalgic about HBO Max. Maybe it’s the fact that people are so used to finding big movies available on HBO in the past. Regardless of why audiences feel that way, the streaming service manages to fit that concept considering the back catalog it offers up.

That is especially true when it comes to the films that subscribers can stream from the 1990s. There is an abundance of hits from the decade from groundbreaking sci-fi flicks to animated classics to mind-bending thrillers. The ratings from IMDb users can help the decision on which movie to check out.

10 JFK (8.0)

Sometimes, things happen in the real world that pretty much have to be adapted into a movie. That was the case in 1963 when President John F. Kennedy was famously assassinated in broad daylight. Not only was it one of the biggest moments in history but it is also one ripe with controversy.

1991’s JFK tackles that very concept as it looks at the possibility of a cover-up and all of the confusing things that surrounded the assassination. The well-told tale was nominated for eight Academy Awards and included outstanding performances from the likes of Kevin Costner, Gary Oldman, and Tommy Lee Jones.

9 The Iron Giant (8.0)

The previous film and the one in the next entry both clock in at over three hours but this one barely runs 90 minutes. Still, there aren’t many movies out there, from any decade, that hit you on an emotional level the way that The Iron Giant manages to.

Released in 1999, this animated story centers on a young boy who becomes friends with a massive robot who fell from outer space. It was the directorial debut of Brad Bird and saw Vin Diesel voice the titular giant. Although the film bombed (grossing $31.3 million on a $50 million budget), it has become a cult classic.

8 Magnolia (8.0)

Whenever people discuss the greatest films in the career of Tom Cruise, it certainly seems like this one gets left out. That’s a shame because it’s something of a hidden gem from Paul Thomas Anderson, one of the most acclaimed directors working in Hollywood.

Magnolia arrived in theaters in 1999 and while it didn’t become a commercial hit, it was a critical darling. It uses an incredible cast of Cruise (who won a Golden Globe), Philip Seymour Hoffman, Julianne Moore, William H. Macy, and more to tell a mosaic tale of interconnected people in San Fernando Valley.

7 12 Monkeys (8.0)

This 1995 release is widely considered to be one of the best sci-fi movies ever made, regardless of the decade. Unlike many of the entries so far, this was a box office success, bringing in $168.8 million on a $29.5 million budget. 12 Monkeys was inspired by a 1992 short film titled La Jetée.

Starring the spectacular duo of Bruce Willis and Brad Pitt, 12 Monkeys involves conspiracies, time travel, and more. In it, a convict is sent back in time in an attempt to stop the release of the man-made virus that wrecked most of the planet’s population.

6 Three Colours: Red (8.1)

One of two foreign films on this list, Three Colours: Red is the final leg of a trilogy known as Three Colours. The first installment was Blue, followed by White, and they are named after the three colors that make up the French flag. This was met with the most positive acclaim of the series.

Three Colours: Red came out in 1994 and this entry focuses on the relationship between a model and a retired judge. They bond after finding out that they live in the same neighborhood. The film was nominated for three Academy Awards and holds a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

5 Before Sunrise (8.1)

Similar to the previous entry, this is part of a trilogy. However, this actually is the start of a series and not the end. Released in 1995, Before Sunrise stars Ethan Hawke and Julie Deply in what was a heavily praised romantic tale between a French woman and an American male.

The two spend the night walking around Vienna getting to know each other. Despite it mostly just featuring dialogue, the acting and writing were strong enough to get widespread acclaim. A sequel, Before Sunset, came out in 2004 and then the last entry, Before Midnight, arrived in 2013.

4 American Beauty (8.3)

It’s not often that a film dominates the Oscars the way that American Beauty did. This 1999 release took home the trophies for Best Picture, Best Actor (Kevin Spacey), Best Director (Sam Mendes), Best Cinematography, and Best Original Screenplay.

The story centers on a man in the midst of a midlife crisis who becomes infatuated with a friend of his teenage daughter. Bolstered by a supporting cast that included Annette Bening, Mena Suvari, and Thora Birch, this ended up being one of the more unique and well-received films of the decade.

3 Princess Mononoke (8.4)

It’s almost a given that any list of the best movies in a given decade will include something by the always phenomenal Hayao Miyazaki. The acclaimed writer and director has delivered some of the most awe-inspiring and creative animated films in cinema history.

One of those is Princess Mononoke, released in 1997. It’s a massive adventure tale following a prince named Ashitaka who gets caught up in a battle over a forest between humans and gods. This set box office records in Japan until Miyazaki’s next picture arrived in 2001.

2 Se7en (8.6)

If David Fincher is directing the movie, then fans are in for a wild ride. That was especially true with 1995’s Se7en. This neo-noir crime thriller follows two detectives as they track down a serial killer who uses the seven deadly sins as the pattern for all of his murders.

The film succeeded due to the intense mystery, strong writing, and some tremendous acting. That last part isn’t surprising since the cast boasts the likes of Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, and Gwyneth Paltrow. Se7en is also etched in pop culture for moments like the famous, “WHAT’S IN THE BOX?” scene.

1 The Matrix (8.7)

It’s not often that a film comes around and the world immediately knows that it’s something special. In 1999, that’s just what The Matrix was. The sci-fi film pretty much changed the game in the way of special effects, especially with the popularization of “bullet time.”

Set in a dystopian future where humans have been living in a simulated reality, the plot follows a computer hacker who is brought in to help fight against the intelligent machines who run Earth. The Matrix became a franchise, is a staple of sci-fi filmmaking, is iconic, and won all four Oscars it was nominated for.

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