The 90s were the decade of the modern blockbuster. Computer-generated effects brought dinosaurs and alien motherships to life, summer releases became national events, and a three-hour romance on a sinking ship became the biggest movie the world had ever seen. Here are the 25 biggest 90s movies, the films everyone saw in theaters and then again on VHS.
Quick answer
The biggest 90s movies at the box office include Titanic (1997), Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999), Jurassic Park (1993), Independence Day (1996), The Lion King (1994), Forrest Gump (1994), The Sixth Sense (1999), Men in Black (1997) and Home Alone (1990). Titanic was the first film to earn more than $1 billion worldwide.
Key takeaways
- Titanic was the decade's biggest film and the first to pass $1 billion worldwide.
- Computer effects drove hits like Jurassic Park and Independence Day.
- Animated films like The Lion King competed with live-action blockbusters.
The 25 biggest 90s movies
| Movie | Year | Why it was huge |
|---|---|---|
| Titanic | 1997 | A record-breaking romance-disaster epic |
| Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace | 1999 | The first new Star Wars film in 16 years |
| Jurassic Park | 1993 | Groundbreaking computer-generated dinosaurs |
| Independence Day | 1996 | The ultimate summer alien-invasion event |
| The Lion King | 1994 | The biggest animated film of the decade |
| Forrest Gump | 1994 | A crowd-pleaser that also won Best Picture |
| The Sixth Sense | 1999 | A twist ending everyone talked about |
| The Lost World: Jurassic Park | 1997 | The dinosaur sequel |
| Men in Black | 1997 | Sci-fi comedy and a hit theme song |
| Armageddon | 1998 | Asteroid action on a massive scale |
| Home Alone | 1990 | The comedy that made a child star |
| Terminator 2: Judgment Day | 1991 | A leap forward in visual effects |
| Ghost | 1990 | A romance that became a phenomenon |
| Aladdin | 1992 | A Disney hit with an unforgettable genie |
| Toy Story 2 | 1999 | Pixar's sequel that beat expectations |
| Mission: Impossible | 1996 | A spy franchise is born |
| Twister | 1996 | Flying cows and storm-chasing thrills |
| Pretty Woman | 1990 | A defining romantic comedy |
| Mrs. Doubtfire | 1993 | A family comedy classic |
| The Matrix | 1999 | Bullet time changed action movies |
| The Mummy | 1999 | Adventure with modern effects |
| Saving Private Ryan | 1998 | A war film with a famous opening |
| Deep Impact | 1998 | The other 1998 asteroid movie |
| The Fugitive | 1993 | A thriller that was a box office smash |
| Batman Forever | 1995 | Bright, neon superhero spectacle |
Titanic: the biggest of them all
Titanic opened in December 1997 and stayed in theaters for months as audiences returned again and again. It became the first film to earn more than $1 billion worldwide and won 11 Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Its love theme was everywhere, and its VHS release came as a two-tape set.
The computer effects revolution
Terminator 2 (1991) showed liquid-metal effects nobody had seen before, and Jurassic Park (1993) made computer-generated dinosaurs feel real. By the late 90s, effects-driven blockbusters like Independence Day, Men in Black and The Matrix defined summer and holiday movie seasons.
Fun fact: The Matrix (1999) popularized "bullet time", the slow-motion effect where the camera seems to move around a frozen moment. It was parodied and copied for years.
Family hits and animated giants
The decade's biggest films weren't only action spectacles. Home Alone, Mrs. Doubtfire and Aladdin drew families in huge numbers, and The Lion King became one of the highest-grossing films of the whole decade. For the full animated ranking, see the best 90s animated movies.
Host a 90s blockbuster night
Blockbuster night plan
- Pick one movie per half of the decade
- Pop popcorn and set out 90s candy
- Turn the lights off for the big effects scenes
- Play a "guess the movie from the quote" round between films
- End with the biggest of all: Titanic (bring tissues)
Conclusion
The biggest 90s movies still shape how blockbusters are made. Keep the rewind going with the best 90s sitcoms, 90s kids TV shows and our 90s trivia questions.
Frequently asked questions
What was the biggest movie of the 90s?
Titanic (1997) was the biggest movie of the 90s. It became the first film to earn more than $1 billion worldwide and held the all-time record for more than a decade.
What were the biggest movies of the early 90s?
Home Alone, Ghost, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Aladdin and Jurassic Park were among the biggest hits of the early 90s.
What was the biggest animated movie of the 90s?
The Lion King (1994) was the biggest animated movie of the 90s and one of the highest-grossing films of the decade overall.
What were the biggest movies of 1999?
Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, The Sixth Sense, Toy Story 2 and The Matrix were among the biggest movies of 1999.
Were 90s blockbusters released on VHS?
Yes. Most 90s blockbusters came out on VHS within months of their theater run, and many families rented or bought them on tape.