You’ve probably seen all the ’90s movies, like “Pulp Fiction,” “Clueless” and “Wayne’s World” that Netflix has to offer, but there are also plenty of lesser-known gems available to stream. Sit down and enjoy these indies, first films by famous directors and some other great ’90s movies you might have missed.
1. “Big Night” (1996) R
A great movie (co-directed by stars Stanley Tucci and Campbell Scott) about two Italian brothers in 1950s running an unsuccessful restaurant who go all out when a celebrity’s visit promises to save their business.
2. “Boys Don’t Cry” (1999) R
Hilary Swank won her first Best Actress Oscar for her searing portrayal of a woman who lives life as a man, until her secret is found out by her redneck friends.
3. “Clueless” (1995) PG-13
How many times have you seen Alicia Silverstone make over her friends and try to play matchmaker? Not enough!
4. “Croupier” (1998) NR
The movie that introduced a lot people to Clive Owen: He plays a casino dealer who’s recruited for a shady scheme in this Brit drama.
5. “Devil in a Blue Dress” (1995) R
A terrific period mystery (based on the Walter Mosley novel) starring Denzel Washington as detective Easy Rawlins, with Don Cheadle as his hotheaded friend who aids in his investigation of an enigmatic woman (Jennifer Beals).
6. “Ever After: A Cinderella Story” (1998) PG-13
With so many Cinderella reboots happening, it’s a great time to revisit this version with Drew Barrymore as the independent heroine who stands up to her evil stepmother, Anjelica Huston
7. “Fallen Angels” (1995) NR
A good introduction to filmmaker Wong Kar-Wai: It’s also his best-reviewed film. Set in Hong Kong, it features a series of vignettes, one involving a hit man.
8. “Fargo” (1996) R
Frances McDormand won a Best Actress Oscar for her indelible role as pregnant cop Marge Gunderson, who is on the trail of bizarre crime duo Steve Buscemi and Peter Stormare. You can also stream the Coen Bros. 1991 film “Barton Fink.”
9. “Glengarry Glen Ross” (1992) R
The ultimate, ridiculously quotable David Mamet film features Al Pacino, Jack Lemmon, Kevin Spacey, Alan Arkin, Ed Harris, and Alec Baldwin as cutthroat real estate salesmen.
10. “The Grifters” (1990) R
A trio of con artists — Anjelica Huston, John Cusack, and Annette Bening — tangle in a web of greed, lust and, ultimately, murder in this Stephen Frears adaptation of a Jim Thompson pulp novel.
11. “Heavenly Creatures” (1994) R
Kate Winslet‘s first lead role is as a teen who forms a dangerously intense relationship with a classmate (Melanie Lynskey) that leads to murder in Peter Jackson’s wildly visual film that blends romance, murder and bizarre fantasy.
12. “The Hunt for Red October” (1990) PG
The first (and best?) Jack Ryan film stars Alec Baldwin as the super agent, who somehow knows every move a rogue Soviet submarine captain (Sean Connery) is going to make.
13. “The Krays” (1990) R
Spandau Ballet’s Gary Kemp and Martin Kemp star as the murderous real-life British gangster brothers in this stylish crime drama.
14. “Passion Fish” (1992) R
Mary McDonnell (who was Oscar-nominated for the part) stars in John Sayles‘s film as a New York soap opera actress left paralyzed by a car accident. She slowly bonds with her nurse (Alfre Woodard).
15. “Pi” (1998) R
Darren Aronofsky’s mind-bending feature film debut, about an obsessed number theorist, is still one of his best.
16. “Pulp Fiction” (1994) R
Probably our favorite Quentin Tarantino film: The dancing, the hypodermic, the gold watch, the samurai sword, the wallet, that soundtrack… what’s not to love?
17. “Reservoir Dogs” (1992) R
With his first film — about a heist gone very, very wrong — Tarantino boldly announced he was a force to be reckoned with.
18. “Searching for Bobby Fischer” (1993) PG
Based on a true story of a young chess prodigy, one who comes under the wing of a ruthless instructor (Ben Kingsley) who schools him in the “Bobby Fischer” strategy.
19. “Sense and Sensibility” (1995) PG
Emma Thompson love stammering, shy Hugh Grant, Kate Winslet loves reckless Greg Wise and Alan Rickman loves Kate Winslet in one of the best-ever Jane Austen adaptations.
20. “Shakespeare in Love” (1998) R
Love conquers all, even war, as was the case when this period romance upset “Saving Private Ryan” to win Best Picture at the Oscars.
21. “Shall We Dance?” (1996) PG
A very funny film in which a married Japanese businessman decides to secretly take dancing lessons. (Skip the U.S. remake, which starred Jennifer Lopez and Richard Gere.)
22. “The Silence of the Lambs” (1991) R
This bone-chilling thriller rightly earned Oscars for Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter and Jodie Foster as FBI trainee Clarice Starling.
23. “Slacker” (1991)
Richard Linklater‘s second film is a sprawling, talky ramble across his hometown of Austin, Texas, like overhearing random conversations at your local coffee house or bar.
24. “Smoke” (1995) R
Co-directed by Wayne Wang and novelist Paul Auster (who also write the screenplay), this film follows multiple characters who hang out at a tobacco shop in Brooklyn. Among the cast: William Hurt, Harvey Keitel, Harold Perrineau, Forest Whitaker, Ashley Judd and Giancarlo Esposito.
25. “The Snapper” (1993) R
An unplanned pregnancy throws an Irish working class family into chaos in this Stephen Frears comedy drama starring Colm Meaney.
26. “Strictly Ballroom” (1992) PG
Baz Luhrmann’s first film in the “Red Carpet Trilogy” takes place in the world of ballroom dancing, where one dancer wants to (gasp!) introduce New Steps!
27. “Tarzan” (1999) G
Tarzan meets Jane in this pleasing Disney entry with Oscar-winning songs by Phil Collins.
28. “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” (1991) R
Sure, it’s always on TV but if you want to watch Terminator vs. Terminator and Linda Hamilton being a badass with no commercials, dial this up on Netflix.
29. “Trainspotting” (1996) R
Danny Boyle’s hyper-kinetic movie about a bunch of Scottish heroin addicts (including a never-better Ewan McGregor and Jonny Lee Miller) remains one of his best films.
30. “Wayne’s World” (1992) PG-13
“Excellent.”
31. “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” (1993) PG-13
Johnny Depp takes care of his brother (Oscar-nominated Leonardo DiCaprio) and romances Juliette Lewis and Mary Steenburgen in this ’90s favorite.
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