Our local cinemas may have been reopened since July 1st. But let’s face it, there aren’t many new films to look forward to at the moment. Not especially with the constant postponement of most upcoming Hollywood films. Thankfully, we always have Netflix to come to the rescue. So, if you are in the mood for nostalgia, check out these 15 Exciting 90s Movies You Can Stream On Netflix.
1) 12 Monkeys (1995)
What is it all about: A prisoner from the future (Bruce Willis) enlisted to travel back in time to discover the deadly virus that wipes out most of the human population.
Why you should add this on your Netflix watchlist: This brainy sci-fi thriller boasts among the career-best performances from Bruce Willis and particularly, Brad Pitt in his perfectly unhinged role of a psychotic mental patient. One of the best time-travel movies ever made since “Back to the Future”.
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2) American Beauty (1999)
What is it all about: A suburban father (Kevin Spacey) suffers from a mid-life crisis and becomes cynical just about everything in his life.
Why you should add this on your Netflix watchlist: The name “Sam Mendes” needs no introduction, given his popular input in the Bond films and the impressive WWI epic “1917”. But Mendes got his start doing a small-scale picture in “American Beauty”. Or more specifically, a pitch-black comedy featuring one of Kevin Spacey’s finest performances in his (sadly tainted) career. The movie even went to win five Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor for Spacey himself.
3) Back To The Future Part III (1990)
What is it all about: This third and final “Back to the Future” movie sees Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) travelling to 1885 to save his friend Doc (Christopher Lloyd).
Why you should add this on your Netflix watchlist: Compared to the first two movies, “Back to the Future Part III” is often seen as an underrated entry. The whole “travelling-back-to-the-Old-West” concept may sound like a watered-down version lacking the creative heights seen in the previous instalments. But the movie also features one of the best endings in a trilogy. Director Robert Zemeckis effectively ties all the loose ends while wrapping up the trilogy with a satisfying finale, notably the climactic train sequence and the fate of the time-travel DeLorean.
4) Casino (1995)
What is it all about: An epic mob drama about Sam “Ace” Rothstein (Robert De Niro) overseeing the Las Vegas casino with the help of his enforcer and friend, Nicky Santoro (Joe Pesci).
Why you should add this on your Netflix watchlist: It’s one of Martin Scorsese’s best mob dramas ever made. Coupled with among career-best performances from De Niro, Pesci and Sharon Stone, what more could you ask for?
5) Clear And Present Danger (1994)
What is it all about: CIA analyst Jack Ryan (Harrison Ford) finds himself caught in the web of intrigue involving the Colombian drug cartels.
Why you should add this on your Netflix watchlist: Easily the best Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan film series to date, “Clear and Present Danger” combines Ford’s perfectly tense performance with a gripping political-thriller and well-choreographed action setpieces. The latter even features the franchise’s best: an elaborate Bogota sequence involving an ambush against Ryan’s American convoy.
6) Dumb And Dumber (1994)
What is it all about: Two titular friends (Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels) go on a road trip to return a woman’s (Lauren Holly’s Mary Swanson) briefcase.
Why you should add this on your Netflix watchlist: 1994 proved to be a banner year for Jim Carrey, with “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective” and “The Mask” being the two of them. The latter can be streamed on Netflix and so can “Dumb and Dumber”, a screwball comedy that sees Carrey’s signature rubber-faced expression put to good use.
7) Event Horizon (1997)
What is it all about: A rescue team led by Captain Miller (Laurence Fishburne) investigating a doomed titular spaceship. Soon, they find out something is very wrong while onboard the ship.
Why you should add this on your Netflix watchlist: Billed as “The Shining” in space, it’s a pity that “Event Horizon” fell under the radar upon its initial release in 1997. Now considered as a cult classic and made available on Netflix, this sci-fi horror actually boasts an intriguing aforementioned concept with vivid imagery.
8) Falling Down (1993)
What is it all about: William Foster (Michael Douglas) has a very bad day. After finding himself stuck in traffic, he chose to abandon his car and walks away with his briefcase. What follows next is a chain of events that sees him growing increasingly frustrated with everything.
Why you should add this on your Netflix watchlist: This criminally underrated drama from the late Joel Schumacher (“Flatliners”, “Batman Forever”) deserves to be seen. The story about a frustrated ordinary man who got fed up of everything remains as relevant as ever.
9) Goodfellas (1990)
What is it all about: The epic mob drama that charts the rise and fall of Henry Hill (Ray Liotta), who works his way up to the ranks with his associates, James Conway (Robert De Niro) and Tommy DeVito (Joe Pesci).
Why you should add this on your Netflix watchlist: Ask anyone’s opinion about Martin Scorsese. Most of them would tell you that “Goodfellas” tops the list as their favourite film. Frankly, it’s easy to see why; Scorsese’s lively direction is on full display here while all three principal casts delivered great performances.
10) Jumanji (1995)
What is it all about: Two young siblings discover the titular board game in the attic. Upon playing Jumanji, they unexpectedly unleashed the dangers within and a mysterious man (Robin Williams), who’s been stuck inside the board game for decades.
Why you should add this on your Netflix watchlist: The Dwayne Johnson-led first two “Jumanji” movies may be getting all the praise. But let’s not forget this fantasy adventure that started it all in the first place. The special effects may be awfully dated, but Robin Williams’ typically entertaining performance and the “board-game-comes-to-life” angle remains a crowd-pleaser.
11) Lethal Weapon 3 (1992)
What is it all about: The third “Lethal Weapon” movie finds Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) and Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover) bringing down an ex-cop-turned-arms dealer (Stuart Wilson).
Why you should add this on your Netflix watchlist: The “Lethal Weapon” franchise was a hallmark of how a great buddy-cop movie should be. Both Gibson and Glover display terrific chemistry as usual, while Richard Donner’s surehanded direction made this third film an entertaining ride.
12) Notting Hill (1999)
What is it all about: A famous movie star (Julia Roberts) finds herself falling in love with a British bookshop owner (Hugh Grant).
Why you should add this on your Netflix watchlist: The Julia Roberts-and-Hugh Grant combo is like a match made in heaven. Their winning chemistry helped to solidify this 1990s iconic, yet charming romantic comedy. In fact, both of them even got nominated for their performances in the Golden Globe Award.
13) Seven (1995)
What is it all about: Two detectives (Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman) team up to investigate a series of seven deadly sins-inspired grisly murders.
Why you should add this on your Netflix watchlist: No serial-killer films in the 90s would be complete without mentioning David Fincher’s “Seven”. His signature visual palette in this dark and disturbing psychological thriller helps to inspire a whole generation of like-minded movies. Not to forget the movie’s infamous finale that leads to the “What’s in the box?” moment.
14) Schindler’s List (1993)
What is it all about: Based on a true story about the German industrialist Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson), who is responsible for saving thousands of Jews during World War II.
Why you should add this on your Netflix watchlist: An epic Holocaust drama that combines Steven Spielberg’s signature humanistic touch and an uncompromising look of the war-torn Krakow Ghetto. Impeccably shot in black and white, “Schindler’s List” remains Spielberg’s highest point in his career, winning a total of 7 Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director.
15) Space Jam (1996)
What is it all about: The Looney Tunes led by Bugs Bunny convinces Michael Jordan out of his retirement to help them win an intergalactic basketball game.
Why you should add this on your Netflix watchlist: This live-action/animation hybrid boasts an entertaining concept of basketball and the famous Looney Tunes characters. Then, there’s the retired basketball great Michael Jordan making his feature-length acting debut.
