The ‘90s were packed with movies that are still recognizable decades later. From family comedies and animated Disney favorites to dinosaurs, aliens, romance and one very memorable trip into space, the decade really had a little bit of everything.
Honestly, looking back at the biggest movies from each year makes it pretty clear just how many ’90s hits have stuck around. Some are still holiday favorites, some became massive franchises and others remain movies that fans love to revisit.
Yep, there are plenty of familiar names here. Using the Box Office Mojo data, here is a look at the No. 1 movie at the box office for each year of the 1990s, how much each movie made, and where you can watch them today.
1990: ‘Home Alone’
“Home Alone” follows Kevin McCallister, a young boy who is accidentally left home alone when his family travels to Paris for Christmas. Kevin enjoys having the house to himself until burglars Harry and Marv decide to target his home.
Macaulay Culkin stars as Kevin, with Joe Pesci as Harry, Daniel Stern as Marv, Catherine O’Hara as Kevin’s mother, Kate, and John Heard as his father, Peter. Chris Columbus directed the movie from a screenplay written by John Hughes.
The movie made over $290 million at the box office and became one of the most recognizable Christmas comedies of all time. It also turned Culkin into one of the biggest young stars of the era.
Where to Watch: Disney+ with a subscription.
1991: ‘Beauty and the Beast’
“Beauty and the Beast” centers on Belle, a young woman who finds herself living in an enchanted castle with a prince who has been transformed into a Beast. As she gets to know him and the castle’s enchanted residents, Belle begins to see there is more to the Beast than his appearance.
Paige O’Hara voices Belle, while Robby Benson voices the Beast. Richard White, Jerry Orbach, and David Ogden Stiers also provide voices as Gaston, Lumière, and Cogsworth.
The Disney animated classic made over $248 million at the box office and remains one of the studio’s most recognizable movies.
Where to Watch: Disney+ with a subscription.
1992: ‘Aladdin’
“Aladdin” follows a young street thief whose life changes after he discovers a magic lamp containing a powerful Genie. He also meets Princess Jasmine, setting the stage for a story involving romance, magic and the villainous Jafar.
Scott Weinger voices Aladdin, Linda Larkin voices Jasmine, and Robin Williams voices the Genie. Jonathan Freeman provides the voice of Jafar, while Gilbert Gottfried voices Iago.
Honestly, it is hard to talk about this movie without immediately thinking about Williams’ unforgettable Genie performance. The movie made over $346 million at the box office and became another beloved Disney animated classic.
Where to Watch: Disney+ with a subscription.
1993: ‘Jurassic Park’
“Jurassic Park” takes audiences to an island where scientists have managed to bring dinosaurs back to life. What is supposed to be an incredible theme park experience quickly turns dangerous when the park’s security systems fail and the dinosaurs escape.
Sam Neill stars as Dr. Alan Grant, Laura Dern plays Dr. Ellie Sattler, and Jeff Goldblum portrays Dr. Ian Malcolm. Richard Attenborough, Samuel L. Jackson, and Wayne Knight also star.
The Steven Spielberg blockbuster made over $978 million at the box office and became one of the defining movies of the decade. It also helped turn dinosaurs into an even bigger part of pop culture.
Where to Watch: Purchase via Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, or YouTube for around $3.99.
1994: ‘The Lion King’
“The Lion King” follows Simba, a young lion who is expected to become king. After his father, Mufasa, is killed, Simba is forced away from his home and eventually has to find the courage to return.
Matthew Broderick voices adult Simba, while Jonathan Taylor Thomas voices young Simba. James Earl Jones voices Mufasa, Jeremy Irons voices Scar, and Moira Kelly voices Nala. Nathan Lane, Ernie Sabella, Whoopi Goldberg, and Rowan Atkinson are also part of the voice cast.
The movie made over $771 million at the box office and became another enormous Disney favorite, with characters and songs that remain recognizable more than 30 years later.
Where to Watch: Disney+ with a subscription.
1995: ‘Seven’
“Seven” follows detectives investigating a disturbing series of murders connected to the seven deadly sins.
Brad Pitt stars as Detective David Mills, while Morgan Freeman plays Detective William Somerset. Gwyneth Paltrow plays Tracy Mills and Kevin Spacey portrays John Doe.
The crime thriller made over $327 million at the box office and offered something very different from the family movies and blockbusters surrounding it, proving that audiences were also turning out in huge numbers for darker stories.
Where to Watch: Purchase via Amazon Prime Video or YouTube for around $3.99.
1996: ‘Independence Day’
“Independence Day” centers on an alien invasion that threatens Earth, leaving a group of very different people to figure out how to fight back.
Will Smith stars as fighter pilot Captain Steven Hiller, while Jeff Goldblum plays computer expert David Levinson, and Bill Pullman portrays President Thomas J. Whitmore. Mary McDonnell, Vivica A. Fox, Judd Hirsch, and Randy Quaid also star.
Yep, this is another movie that practically screams “1990s blockbuster,” from its massive alien ships to its huge action sequences. “Independence Day” made over $306 million at the box office.
Where to Watch: Hulu with a subscription.
1997: ‘Titanic’
“Titanic” follows Jack Dawson and Rose DeWitt Bukater, two passengers from very different backgrounds who meet aboard the famous ocean liner and fall in love.
Leonardo DiCaprio stars as Jack and Kate Winslet plays Rose. Billy Zane, Kathy Bates, Frances Fisher, Gloria Stuart, and Bill Paxton also star.
The James Cameron movie made over $1.843 billion at the box office and became a massive cultural phenomenon. It also went on to win 11 Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
Where to Watch: Pluto TV for free or Paramount+ with a subscription.
1998: ‘Armageddon’
“Armageddon” follows a group of oil drillers who are recruited by NASA after scientists discover an asteroid is headed toward Earth. The plan is to send the team into space and have them drill into the asteroid in an attempt to stop it.
Bruce Willis stars as Harry Stamper, with Ben Affleck as A.J. Frost, and Liv Tyler as Grace Stamper. Billy Bob Thornton, Steve Buscemi, and Owen Wilson also star.
It seems like the ’90s really loved a good disaster movie, and “Armageddon” certainly delivered on that front. The movie made over $553 million at the box office.
Where to Watch: Peacock with a subscription.
1999: ‘Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace’
“Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace” takes audiences back to the beginning of Anakin Skywalker’s story.
Liam Neeson stars as Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn, while Ewan McGregor plays Obi-Wan Kenobi. Natalie Portman stars as Queen Amidala, and Jake Lloyd plays young Anakin. Samuel L. Jackson, Ian McDiarmid, and Ray Park also star in the movie.
The film marked the return of the “Star Wars” saga to theaters with a new trilogy and made over $924 million at the box office, becoming one of the biggest theatrical releases of 1999.
Where to Watch: Disney+ with a subscription.
The ’90s Really Had Something for Everyone
Let’s be real, this is quite a lineup. There are family favorites, animated classics, action movies, science fiction, romance, and even a darker crime thriller mixed in.
It seems like the decade had a particularly impressive ability to turn movies into cultural moments, too. Whether it was Kevin McCallister setting traps, Simba finding his way home, Jack and Rose aboard the Titanic, or the return of “Star Wars,” these were movies that audiences clearly wanted to see.
And honestly, the fact that so many of them are still available to watch today makes this list even more fun. Whether someone wants to revisit a childhood favorite or finally watch one of these ’90s blockbusters for the first time, there are plenty of options.
Yep, the ’90s may be long gone, but these box-office hits are still very much around.
