Feeling Nostalgic? 10 Movies to Transport You Back to the 90's

1. "Reality Bites" (1994)

An underappreciated slice of Gen X life, "Reality Bites" portrays the struggles and triumphs of four friends navigating post-collegiate life.

The film, directed by Ben Stiller, starred Winona Ryder, Ethan Hawke, Janeane Garofalo, and Stiller himself. The characters grapple with issues like HIV/AIDS, career ambitions, and the timeless pursuit of love.

This film wasn't a box office hit, but it has since become a cult classic and notable for its grunge-era soundtrack. Screenwriter Helen Childress wrote the script when she was just 19 years old!

2. "Office Space" (1999)

This Mike Judge-directed comedy explores the monotony and absurdity of the 9-to-5 grind. "Office Space" follows the story of Peter Gibbons (Ron Livingston), a disillusioned software engineer who, after a hypnotherapy session gone wrong, becomes blissfully unconcerned about his job.

The film's humor is derived from the banalities and pet peeves of office life, making it a time capsule of pre-Y2K work culture. The film underperformed at the box office but later found its audience in the home video market. Interestingly, the film's now-infamous "printer scene" was inspired by Judge's real-life frustrations with a troublesome printer.

3. "Empire Records" (1995)

This film takes place over a single day in the life of the employees of an independent record store facing the possibility of being bought out by a large chain. "Empire Records" starred Liv Tyler, Renée Zellweger, and Robin Tunney, among others.

Despite its lackluster performance at the box office, the film gained a cult following thanks to its engaging cast and quintessential 90's soundtrack. The film's original cut was over three hours long and was edited down to 90 minutes for its theatrical release.

4. "Sliding Doors" (1998)

A fascinating look at how one moment can alter the course of a person's life, "Sliding Doors" presents two parallel narratives depending on whether the protagonist, Helen (played by Gwyneth Paltrow), catches a particular tube train or not.

This romantic dramedy explores the themes of destiny, timing, and the consequences of our choices. Despite its simple premise, the film's 'what if' scenario intrigued audiences, and it's since gained appreciation for its innovative storytelling.

An interesting tidbit worth remembering while watching "Sliding Doors": the two narratives are subtly differentiated by Helen's hairstyle—she has a bob in one timeline and long hair in the other.

5. "The Blair Witch Project" (1999)

"The Blair Witch Project" redefined the horror genre with its found footage technique.

The film, purportedly the recovered footage from three student filmmakers who disappeared while hiking in the Black Hills near Burkittsville, Maryland, was a major success. It played on the fear of the unseen, leaving much to the viewer's imagination.

Despite its shoestring budget, it grossed nearly $250 million worldwide. Perhaps the most fascinating trivia is that the actors were given less and less food each day to increase their frustration and heighten their reactions on camera.

6. "Waiting for Guffman" (1996)

This mockumentary-style comedy from Christopher Guest centers around the small, quirky town of Blaine, Missouri, as they prepare for their sesquicentennial celebration. Led by an overly enthusiastic and decidedly untalented community theatre director (played by Guest himself), the cast delivers an amateurish but endearing musical performance, hoping it will impress a Broadway producer named Guffman.

Despite the lack of professional talent, they manage to create an unforgettable show filled with bizarre and hilarious moments.

7. "Grosse Pointe Blank" (1997)

In this black comedy, John Cusack stars as Martin Blank, a professional hitman experiencing a midlife crisis. Invited to his high school reunion, Martin returns to his hometown, grappling with his career choice, reconnecting with his high school sweetheart, and dodging a rival assassin.

"Grosse Pointe Blank" brilliantly balances action, comedy, and romance, offering a unique take on the classic high school reunion trope. The film features a fantastic 80's soundtrack, a nod to the characters' shared past. John Cusack co-wrote the screenplay with his high school friends D.V. DeVincentis and Steve Pink.

8. "Dark City" (1998)

This neo-noir science fiction film is a cerebral journey into a city where night never ends, and its inhabitants have their memories modified each midnight.

Our protagonist, John Murdoch (Rufus Sewell), wakes up one day with no memories and a murder accusation hanging over his head. As he navigates the labyrinthine city, he unravels its dark secrets and the horrifying truth about its puppetmasters, known as "The Strangers." Notably, Roger Ebert declared "Dark City" as the best film of 1998.

9. "Living in Oblivion" (1995)

"Living in Oblivion" is a three-part comedy about the frustrations of low-budget independent filmmaking, directed by Tom DiCillo. Steve Buscemi stars as Nick Reve, the director of a non-budget film, battling Murphy's Law where everything that could go wrong, does.

From egoistic actors to technical nightmares, the movie offers an amusingly chaotic and realistic glimpse behind the scenes of indie filmmaking. The film, a satire, was inspired by DiCillo's experiences and frustrations while making his earlier film, "Johnny Suede," starring a then-unknown Brad Pitt.

10. "Smoke Signals" (1998)

Based on Sherman Alexie's book "The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven," "Smoke Signals" tells the story of Victor and Thomas, two young Native American men who embark on a road trip to retrieve Victor's late father's ashes. Along the way, they explore their complex relationship with their parents, their identity, and their community.

The film is significant for being written, directed, and co-produced by Native Americans and is renowned for its authentic representation of contemporary Native American culture. It won the Audience Award and the Filmmakers Trophy at the 1998 Sundance Film Festival.