Summary
Cinema in the1990swent through some major changes, and with it spawned a host of directors who would make their mark on the decade as some of the most influential filmmakers of the era.The rise of independent cinemaallowed many directors to break free from traditional studio constraints, giving them the freedom to experiment and innovate.This period also saw the rise of digital technology and special effects,which began to revolutionize the filmmaking process and broaden the possibilities of the types of stories movies could tell.
For some directors, changing societal attitudes and the emergence of Gen X’s cultural perception as angst-ridden slackers led to new styles, forms of storytelling, and grungier aesthetics. Others took advantage of the lowering costs of filmmaking equipment to tell unique, personal stories. And on the other end of the scale,big-budget films in the ‘90sgot bigger, but also increasingly told stories of the paranoia of the time, often focused on the fear of technology and the unknown outcomes ofthe looming Y2K problem. 10 directors from the ’90s put their stamp on the decade that still resonates in cinema history today.
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10Kevin Smith
Clerks (1994)
In many regards, Kevin Smith was the embodiment of Gen-X filmmaking, and the ’90s were his heyday. His debut feature film,Clerks, inspired a generation of budding filmmakers, not only in its ability to tell a personal story on such a low budget (purportedly $27,000, financed using credit cards), but also in the wayit captured the raw and very relatable sense of what it’s like to be an aimless youth surviving the suburbs.Clerksfelt familiar to its audience because of its earnest and authentic story told through a perspective that clearly understood the experience of 20-somethings.
BeyondClerks, Smith’s run in the ’90s was also reasonably influential. AlthoughMallrats,Chasing Amy, andDogmadidn’t quite achieve the renown thatClerksdid, each film served to underpin his status as an icon of low-budget indie movies. While his use of the camera, framing, and narrative structure weren’t particularly innovative,each film masterfully captured the mood of a generationthrough well-developed relatable characters and naturalistic dialogue.
Clerks
Cast
Clerks follows Dante and Randal, two clerks working at adjoining convenience and video stores. The film explores their mundane yet eventful day-to-day life as they engage with customers, play rooftop hockey, and navigate personal relationships, characterized by sharp wit and casual banter.
9James Cameron
Titanic (1997)
The ’90s were an epic decade for James Cameron, whose filmsTerminator 2: Judgment DayandTitanicserve as bookends to the era of big-budget blockbusters and burgeoning technical special effects. In fact,choosingTitanicas Cameron’s most iconic film of the ’90s was a tough one, given how influentialTheTerminatorsequel was, and still is today. However, it’s hard to deny how far Cameron pushed the boundaries ofdigital technology withTitanic, and its success as one of the highest-grossing films of all time and the first to earn over $1 billion worldwide.
Titanic’s influence in the ’90s wasn’t just about its domination at the box office, the film also had a huge cultural impact. Cameron’s film sparked a resurgence in interest in thetrue story about theTitanicship, and this fascination with the historical event led to numerous documentaries and renewed interest in maritime history.Cameron’s detailed recreation of the ship and the tragic romance story captivated audiences worldwide, making theTitanica topic of popular discussion once again.
TheTitanicsoundtrack similarly became a cultural icon of the ’90s, with its massive popular theme song “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion, which helped make the soundtrack one of the best-selling albums of all time.Titanicalso gave some of the most memorable moments in film history.This includes Leonardo DiCaprio’s “I’m the king of the world” line, which is frequently repeated among the film’s fans when on boats, and the romantic scene at theTitanic’s bow between DiCaprio and Kate Winslet that couples still recreate today.
Titanic
Titanic is the 1997 blockbuster romantic/disaster epic based on the events surrounding the sinking of the legendary “unsinkable” vessel. Flashing back to the past and forward to the present, the film primarily follows the stories of the well-to-do and somewhat timid Rose and the poor but lively Jack, star-crossed lovers who meet aboard the doomed ship. In addition, the film tells true and fictionalized accounts of the passengers of the RMS Titanic, with an older Rose recounting her tale to the crew of a research ship.
8Nora Ephron
Sleepless in Seattle (1993)
Before Nora Ephron struck it big with the genre-defining rom-com,Sleepless in Seattle, she had made a name for herself for writing many of the quintessential Hollywood rom-coms of the 1980s. Her screenwriting credits includeSilkwood, andWhen Harry Met Sally…,so when she transitioned to directing in the ’90s, she came already armed with a keen eye for pulling at emotional heartstringsand captivating audiences with beautifully drawn character moments. As such, Ephron delivered one of the most iconic rom-coms, which not only defined the genre in the ’90s, but has also stood the test of time.
Sleepless in Seattlebrought togetherTom Hanks and Meg Ryanfor the second time. It wasn’t their first foray into romantic comedies. In fact, both stars had a long list of quite successful rom-coms under their belt already. However,Sleepless in Seattlesolidified their impact on the genre, andtransformed Meg Ryan into one of the most bankable Hollywood actresses of the ’90s.Ultimately, the film was a huge box office success and is still regarded as one of the finest romantic comedies ever made.
Sleepless In Seattle
Sleepless in Seattle is a romantic comedy directed by Nora Ephron, featuring Tom Hanks as Sam Baldwin, a widower whose young son calls a radio show in an attempt to find his father a new partner. Meg Ryan stars as Annie Reed, a journalist intrigued by the story. The film explores themes of love and destiny against the backdrop of two people connecting across states without ever having met.
7David Fincher
Fight Club (1999)
David Fincher’s Hollywood career began in the ’90s with his directorial feature film debut,Alien 3in 1992, after a string of music videos in the ’80s, including Madonna’s “Express Yourself” and Aerosmith’s “Janie’s Got a Gun.” Fincher found his groove in the mid to late-90s with three of the decade’s most iconic films:Se7en,The Game,andFight Club.Each film captured the heart of something rotten in society, reflecting the generation’s mood of being fed up with the status quo. Fincher took that mood and packaged it into accessible thrillers that shaped the landscape for mid-budget blockbusters.
WhileSe7enandThe Gameare iconic Fincher films in their own right,Fight Clubis by far Fincher’s standout when considering its long-running cultural influence.Fight Club’s release at the end of 1999 perfectly embodied the generation’s fears and disillusionment. With the threat of doom hanging over the world as the effects of the millennium bug would soon be realized,Fight Clubreflects on the button-up life of responsible adulthood and wonders if there’s any meaning behind it. The film’s cultural impact is also undeniable, evidenced by most people knowing exactly what the first rule of fight club is.
Fight Club
Fight Club, released in 1999 and directed by David Fincher, stars Edward Norton as an insomniac who forms an underground fight club with a soap salesman, played by Brad Pitt.
6Tsui Hark
Once Upon a Time in China
Tsui Hark is the king of Hong Kong cinema and is considered one of the main filmmakers whopioneered a new and innovative style ofWuxiamovies that would revolutionize the way action films were made, not only in Hong Kong or Asia, but around the world. It’s impossible to envision films likeThe Matrixor Kill Bill existing if not for Tsui’s influence. Tsui had already had a long career in Hong Kong in the 1980s, but in 1991 came the first of a highly popular six-movie series ofOnce Upon a Time in China.
Once Upon a Time in Chinastars Jet Li as the Chinese folk hero, Wong Fei-hung, who encounters the effects of Western influence in China during the late 19th century. The film defined theWuxiagenre, andits ripple effect had a massive impact on Hollywood action films, particularly towards the end of the decade. Tsui also directed, wrote and produced most of the remaining five films in the franchise, with the first two regarded as among the most popular of Hong Kong’s Golden Age of cinema.
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5Coen Brothers
Fargo (1996)
Joel and Ethan Coen’s films in the ’90s show the evolution of the brothers’ filmmaking style. In the first half of the decade, the brothers' neo-noir style and unusual subject matter made for interesting viewing but little in box office takings. The Coens channeled their better instincts in the latter half of the decade, and it’s here that the brothers hit their stride,finding the right balance of nihilism and black comedy forFargoandThe Big Lebowski. Both films have had a lasting cultural impact, and solidified the Coen brothers as hugely influential within ’90s indie filmmaking circles.
“By playing with audience expectations and defying traditional character and story tropes,Fargobecame a quintessential example of how the Coen brothers redefined modern American cinema.”
BothFargoandThe Big Lebowskimade a big impact in the ’90s, butFargowas the breakthrough.Fargoachieved critical and box office success, received seven Oscar nominations and two wins, and has since been turned into a multi-season anthology TV series. WhileFargomay not seem as groundbreaking today, for the ’90s,the film broke away from traditional genres, blending the Minnesota nice attitude with brutally violent and sometimes uncomfortably funny moments. By playing with audience expectations and defying traditional character and story tropes,Fargobecame a quintessential example of how the Coen brothers redefined modern American cinema.
Fargo
Fargo is a crime thriller directed by Joel and Ethan Coen. Released in 1996, it stars Frances McDormand as Marge Gunderson, a pregnant police chief investigating a series of homicides in rural Minnesota. The plot unfolds as a car salesman, played by William H. Macy, conspires with two criminals to kidnap his wife for ransom money. The film explores themes of crime, ineptitude, and human nature amid a bleak, wintry landscape.
4David Lynch
Twin Peaks
David Lynch is a style unto himself. So iconic is the director that he’s become a shorthand for describing a certain aesthetic. The adjective “Lynchian” defines a specific quality that can only truly be achieved by the director himself, no matter how much other filmmakers may try to mimic it. Few auteurs have earned such linguistic honor, and Lynch’s specific brand is highly earned.While the inclusion ofTwin Peaksmay be cheating on a movie list, David Lynch was a notable Hollywood director who took his cinematic style to TV.
What also made Lynch ahead of his time was that he was an early adopter of using the television format for storytelling. This was particularly notable in the ’90s as television during this period was considered a lesser art form for serious filmmakers. Lynch bucked the trend, as he frequently does, and produced the most definitive ’90s show that caused a deep and lasting cultural impact.Twin Peakswas a cultural phenomenon in the ’90s, and its surrealism, offbeat comedy, and unusual characters served as an inspiration for later series, likeThe X-Files, which some argue share a fictional universe.
Conceived by Mark Frost and David Lynch in 1990, Twin Peaks is a supernatural mystery-drama series that brings FBI Agent Dale Cooper to the quiet town of Twin Peaks to investigate the murder of a young woman named Laura Palmer. As Dale continues his investigation of her death, he learns that Laura’s life wasn’t as she advertised it, and the town itself is hiding far more secrets than they let on. The show received a revival for a third and final season two decades later to resolve the cliffhanger left at the end of the second season.
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3Robert Rodriguez
From Dusk til Dawn (1996)
In the ’90s, few directors embodied the Hollywood dream more than Robert Rodriguez. In 1992, the director filmed his feature film debut,El Mariachi, on a $7,000 budget that he acquired partially by participating in experimental drug trials. Unlike Smith’sClerks,El Mariachigot extremely creative with how to stretch its microbudget, and as an action film, Rodriguez developed ingenious ways to shoot so that it had the appearance of a much bigger budget. This garnered the attention of Hollywood execs and the director was offered financing to make another.
AlthoughEl Mariachiis an inspiring story for budding filmmakers, Rodriguez really made an impact in the ’90s with his action horror,From Dusk till Dawn. Written by Quentin Tarantino and starring Harvey Keitel and George Clooney,the film’s mid-movie plot twist became one of those inside secrets for cinemagoers, along with Bruce Willis' fate inThe Sixth Sense, and the identity of Keyser Söze inThe Usual Suspects. Although Rodriguez has arguably failed to recreate the magic of his ’90s movies in subsequent releases, the director’s style, ingenuity, and backstory would inspire a generation of Hollywood hopefuls.
From Dusk Till Dawn
From Dusk Till Dawn is a horror movie directed by Robert Rodriguez and written by Quentin Tarantino. It follows criminal brothers Seth and Richie Gecko (George Clooney and Tarantino), who take a family hostage in a bar that turns out to be a haven for vampires. The film also stars Harvey Keitel, Juliette Lewis, and Salma Hayek, and has since become a cult classic.
2Spike Jonze
Being John Malkovich (1999)
In the ’80s and ’90s, many notable directors developed their craft through filming music videos. However, none were more influential than Spike Jonze, who not only defined a specific style of peak ’90s music videos, butalso channeled his offbeat style into the playfully surreal and soul-searching filmBeing John Malkovich. Jonze’s most iconic music videos include Weezer’s “Buddy Holly,” Beastie Boys' “Sabotage,” Björk’s “It’s Oh So Quiet,” and Fatboy Slim’s “Praise You.”
Having developed his unique style through ’90s music videos, Jonze turned to feature films, and in 1999 directed Charlie Kaufman’s surrealist fantasy script,Being John Malkovich. Although the film wasn’t a huge box office success,it became an essential movie in the era of VHS and DVD collections, finding renewed success in rental and home media. The film’s critical acclaim and innovative storytelling solidified Jonze’s reputation as a visionary director, paving the way for his future successes.
Being John Malkovich
Being John Malkovich: This film follows the story of an unsuccessful puppeteer named Craig who discovers a portal that leads into the mind of actor John Malkovich. The phenomenon soon entices others to explore the bizarre and controlling world of inhabiting another person’s consciousness.
1Quentin Tarantino
Pulp Fiction (1994)
Possibly the most quintessential and iconic director of the ’90s, Quentin Tarantino absolutely owned the decade in terms of influence and indie cool. His debut feature film,Reservoir Dogs, was an instant cult classic, and contained many of the hallmarks of a Tarantino film. But it was his follow-up film,Pulp Fiction, that would bring global attention to the director, andmany critics still regard it as one of the best films ever made.
The success ofPulp Fictionmade a massive impact not just on Tarantino himself, but also on independent cinema. It revived John Travolta’s career slump, boosted the profile of his co-stars, Uma Thurman and Samuel L. Jackson, andit gave a proverbial shot in the arm to a movie industry that was in desperate need of revival. There’s no question about Tarantino andPulp Fiction’s place among the most iconic symbols of Gen X and the ’90s.
Pulp Fiction
Quentin Tarantino’s classic tale of violence and redemption follows the intertwining tales of three protagonists: hitman Vincent Vega, prizefighter Butch Coolidge, and Vincent’s business partner Jules Winnfield.
