'90s movies to stream at home

Looking for (yet another) movie to watch? Let us help you narrow your search — Wonderwall.com has put together a list of '90s films to stream during quarantine. From memorable romantic comedies to critically acclaimed dramas, we've got you covered. Kicking off our list is none other than a Richard Linklater classic. Though it's set in the '60s, "Dazed and Confused" came out in 1993! The film, at its core, is about a group of dudes who don't really know what lies ahead. The ensemble indie comedy, which starred a slew of pre-fame young talent including Rory Cochrane, Matthew McConaughey, Jason London, Milla Jovovich, Ben Affleck, Cole Hauser, Joey Lauren Adams, Parker Posey and Adam Goldberg, follows a group of Texas teens as they head into summer vacation and engage in debauchery, getting drunk, hooking up, driving around aimlessly and more. But it's more than a movie about the last day of school — it's a film that ponders all of the unknowns and fears that follow it. "Dazed and Confused" is available to stream on Hulu & Amazon Prime Video. Keep reading for more…

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"I Know What You Did Last Summer" on Amazon Prime Video

This film, which spawned the simple yet terrifying titular phrase "I Know What You Did Last Summer," hit theaters in 1997 and starred Jennifer Love Hewitt, Freddie Prinze Jr., Sarah Michelle Gellar and Ryan Phillippe — four young actors who were on the cusp of mega-fame. The premise is basically a nightmare come true: four teens accidentally run over a man while driving home. But instead of reporting the incident or even ensuring whether or not he's actually dead — a decision that comes back to haunt them — they opt to throw him into the ocean. Fast forward a year later and their lives are completely turned upside down when the man they hit comes after them. Funny, terrifying and at times even romantic, "IKWYDLS" is a '90s classic — one that, truthfully, never got enough recognition. 

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"10 Things I Hate About You" on Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video

Considering that this was an era of great teen romantic comedies, choosing which to include on this list was no small feat — but this film had to make the cut. From Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles' charming chemistry to Allison Janney's star performance as an erotica-loving principal to young Joseph Gordon Levitt showing off his acting prowess, 1999's "10 Things I Hate About You" is arguably one of the decade's most memorable teen films. Loosely adapting old works by literary geniuses to give them a modern spin seems to have been a thing during the '90s. This film offers up a sharp, refreshing take on Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew." Unforgettable moments that deserve multiple rewatches: Kat's awkward table dancing at Bogey Lowenstein's party; Cameron adorably professing his feelings for Bianca; and Patrick singing "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" to Kat. Swoon. 

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"That Thing You Do!" on Amazon Prime Video

Never have we ever… been so invested in a band that isn't actually real. When "That Thing You Do!" came out in 1996, Tom Hanks was one Hollywood's most celebrated names — and this film merely solidified his star power. It was also his first effort writing and directing a movie, and he absolutely killed it — "That Thing You Do!" is a delight from start to finish. Set in the early '60s, the movie charts the rise (and fall) of a Pennsylvanian band that reaches a level of fame similar to The Beatles. Of course, things eventually turn stale between the band members and The Wonders, while once at the top of the world, begin a steady descent into oblivion. Consider yourself warned: You'll likely become addicted to the film's title track when you watch this one… seriously, it's a jam.

"Forrest Gump" on Hulu & Amazon Prime Video

Led by Tom Hanks, "Forrest Gump" tells the story of a genuine and good but slow-witted man who unintentionally finds himself at the center of multiple influential and pop culture events in the United States throughout the 20th century. The film, which debuted in 1994, was met with widespread acclaim — in addition to being the second-highest grossing film of the year, it also earned several Academy Awards including best picture, best director for Robert Zemeckis and best actor for Tom. From its heartfelt relationships to the way it shows a changing world through Forrest's unbiased eyes, the film delivers at every turn. A piece of Gump wisdom we'll never forget? "Life is like a box of chocolates… you never know what you're gonna get." 

"American Pie" on Hulu & Amazon Prime Video

While the "must lose virginity before I leave for college" story is one we've heard time and time again, 1999's "American Pie" is the film that did it first. Jason Biggs stars as a socially awkward suburban teen who tries to woo a Czechoslovakian exchange student (Shannon Elizabeth) but eventually ends up falling for a sexually advanced band geek (Alyson Hannigan). As far as teen sex comedies go, this film is definitely among the raunchiest. It's also full of cringeworthy moments, many of which come at the expense of Eugene Levy, who plays the lead's sweet and well-intentioned dad. 

"Titanic" on Amazon Prime Video

When we think "emotional movies of the '90s that leave us ugly crying," this James Cameron classic is the first one that comes to mind. Equal parts epic romance and disaster film, "Titanic" is indisputably one of the biggest movies of all time, having raked in $2.18 billion at the box office worldwide (second only to another James Cameron film, "Avatar") following its 1997 release. Rose (Kate Winslet) and Jack's (Leonardo DiCaprio) ultimately doomed love captivated the world and left audiences lamenting a fictional relationship that tragically ended before it ever really began. The final scene coupled with Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On" makes for one of the most beautiful and gut-wrenching moments in cinematic history.

"She's All That" on Hulu & Amazon Prime Video

Where do we even begin? 1999's "She's All That" is an example of a '90s teen rom-com at its absolute finest — because who knew that removing your glasses, plucking your eyebrows and putting on a cute red dress could make you look completely unrecognizable?! Truthfully though, there are few things more adorable than watching Laney Boggs (Rachael Leigh Cook) reluctantly walk down the stairs to debut her "improved look" as "Kiss Me" by Sixpence None the Richer plays. Rachael and Freddie Prinze Jr. shine as romantic leads in a film that's packed with quintessential '90s names like Paul Walker, Gabrielle Union and Lil' Kim. "She's All That" is also so unapologetically '90s SoCal that it'll leave you wanting to soak up the sun at your nearest beach ASAP (in a safe, social-distancing manner, of course). 

"Fight Club" on Hulu & HBO Now

"Fight Club" takes you on a wild ride from start to finish. Led by Brad Pitt and Edward Norton, the 1999 David Fincher film is equal parts captivating and controversial. It depicts young professionals working seemingly upstanding white-collar jobs as men who are desperate to feel something — to feel anything, really. Based on the Chuck Palahniuk novel of the same name, the movie, with its unsettling celebration of violent behavior, offers up some chilling social commentary on white-male masculinity in a postmodern world.

"Can't Hardly Wait" on Netflix & Amazon Prime Video

In need of a teen comedy that'll put a smile on your face? Look no further. "Can't Hardly Wait" captured the essence of being a teen in the late '90s — college is looming, high school graduation parties are plentiful and longtime crushes are finally within the same vicinity. Starring Ethan Embry and Jennifer Love Hewitt, the 1998 film tells the story of nerdy kid Preston Meyers, who tries to muster up the courage to speak to his four-year crush, Amanda Beckett, after finding out she's newly single. As with any teen comedy, Preston is thrown for a loop when obstacle after obstacle gets in the way of his making his emotional proclamation. The film's ensemble cast includes other '90s stars before they were really famous like Seth Green, Peter Facinelli, Lauren Ambrose and Charlie Korsmo. From Preston's dramatic run through Union Station to Mike Dexter's iconic "Aman-DUH!" line, "Can't Hardly Wait" is a classic among teen comedies of the decade. 

"Scream" on Hulu & Amazon Prime Video

1996's "Scream" expertly balanced horror with quick-witted comedy — and what makes it even better is how self-aware it actually is. It's a movie about characters who are in tune with typical movie tropes — they are privy to the gruesome deaths seen in classic slasher films ("Horror movie are always about some big-breasted blonde who runs upstairs so the slasher can corner her," mutters Drew Barrymore's character) and question the authenticity of it all. As moviegoers, these characters are equipped with horror film knowledge that gives them the ability to decide how best to go about outsmarting a bloodthirsty killer. "Scream" both leans into common horror tropes while poking fun at just how ridiculous they can be. 

"Mulan" on Disney+

What sets 1998's "Mulan" apart from other Disney movies? The fact that its title character is a literal hero. Sure, we love our Disney princesses, but Mulan transcends that title — the film tells the story of a young woman who takes it upon herself to protect her father and in turn saves China. She's an anomaly, and she deserves to be celebrated by audiences for years to come. 

"Pulp Fiction" on Hulu & Amazon Prime Video

This one's an absolute classic. Quentin Tarantino's second film, "Pulp Fiction" — which debuted in 1994 and starred John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Bruce Willis, Uma Thurman, Tim Roth and Ving Rhames — has long been regarded as a screenwriting masterpiece. From its unconventional story structure to its incomparable dialogue ("If my answers frighten you then you should cease asking scary questions"), the film is a cornerstone of postmodern cinema. 

"Edward Scissorhands" on Amazon Prime Video

Never has a societal outcast with blades for hands been more endearing. Starring Johnny Depp and Winona Ryder, "Edward Scissorhands," which debuted in 1990, is the kind of film that gets better with each rewatch. Tim Burton has shown time and time again that he has a serious talent for crafting complex yet emotionally resonant characters, and Edward is no exception. As it deals with themes of self-discovery and isolation, the film sees life through the eyes of a solemn young man who lacks the ability to communicate with those around him and in turn has trouble maintaining relationships. We can't help but sympathize with him — Edward's troubles and insecurities feel far too familiar to many of us. 

"The Truman Show" on Hulu & Amazon Prime Video

How would you deal with finding out that your entire life has been an intricately orchestrated lie? "The Truman Show" tackles such a revelation. When insurance salesman Truman Burbank (Jim Carrey) finds out that his mundane life is nothing more than fodder for a reality television show, he's forced to decide what he wants to do with this newfound information — and how he's willing to let the truth impact his life. Steeped in heartfelt introspection, the 1998 sci-fi comedy shows Jim at his finest.

"Romeo + Juliet" on Hulu & Amazon Prime Video

The classic Shakespearean tale was given a '90s facelift in this Baz Luhrmann adaptation. Though it wasn't a favorite among critics or audiences upon its release, "Romeo + Juliet" remains a worthwhile title on our watchlist. The 1996 retelling sees the Capulets and Montagues as rival gangs, and when Juliet (Claire Danes) falls in love with Romeo (Leonardo DiCaprio), everything goes terribly wrong. While acclaimed reviewers like Roger Ebert reprimanded the film for its unintelligibly shouted and dutifully recited dialogue and inability to "cut entirely adrift from its literary roots," leading it to grow "badly confused as a result," Claire and Leo's on-screen chemistry still makes it worth the watch. Both young actors effortlessly captured the angst and anguish of being teenaged star-crossed lovers. 

"Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie" on Amazon Prime Video

There are certain films you see as a kid that continue to occupy a special, nostalgic place in your heart — and for any fan of the popular children's series "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers," this is one such film. "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie" hit theaters in 1993 and later became one of the most beloved superhero films based on a kids' series. With a cast that includes Jason David Frank, Amy Jo Johnson and Johnny Yong Bosch, the film follows the Rangers as they struggle to cope with Zordon's death while trying to mitigate the spread of the Ooze. Charming, action-packed and incredibly nostalgic, this superhero children's flick is a perfect adventure to revisit.

"The Matrix" on Netflix & Amazon Prime Video

Directed by the Wachowskis, 1999's "The Matrix" tells the story of computer hacker Thomas Anderson aka Neo, who uncovers the truth about the simulated reality known as the Matrix. In the wake of this revelation, he launches a rebellion with those who have escaped the system. Praised by critic Roger Ebert as a "visually dazzling cyber adventure, full of kinetic excitement," the action-packed sci-fi film starring Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne and Carrie-Anne Moss is one of the decade's most memorable. 

"The Lion King" on Disney+

Hakuna Matata… what a wonderful phrase! While it was difficult to narrow down the selection of lovable Disney films from this decade to include on our list, "The Lion King" was a definite no brainer. Where do we even begin? From the friendships between Simba, Timon and Pumbaa to the burgeoning romance between Simba and Nala, the film celebrates strong relationships. WIth the addition of a truly iconic soundtrack that includes hits like "Circle of Life," "I Just Can't Wait to Be King" and "Can You Feel the Love Tonight," the 1994 animated film is a classic. 

"Jurassic Park" on YouTube & Google Play

Rounding off our list is this 1993 blockbuster brought to us by Steven Spielberg. Showcasing the disastrous consequences that can come from creating a theme park of dinosaurs generated from the use of prehistoric DNA, "Jurassic Park" was one of the decade's most successful and critically acclaimed films. The movie starring Jeff Goldblum, Laura Dern and Sam Neill spawned a pop culture phenomenon and turned into a long-running franchise (the newest installment, "Jurassic World: Dominion," is slated to hit theaters in 2021). It's a cautionary tale about playing God and tampering with science with a premise summarized in one line spoken by the one and only Dr. Ian Malcolm: "Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should."