A Glean movie guide
Essential 90s Cinema
A definitive look back.
The decade that redefined blockbusters, indies, and everything in between.
Handpicked for this guide
The movie list
- 01
The Shawshank Redemption
A deeply moving story of hope and friendship that remains one of cinema's most beloved dramas.
Imprisoned in the 1940s for the double murder of his wife and her lover, upstanding banker Andy Dufresne begins a new life at the Shawshank prison, where he puts his accounting skills to work for an amoral warden. During his long stretch in prison, Dufresne comes to be admired by the other inmates -- including an older prisoner named Red -- for his integrity and unquenchable sense of hope.
- 02
Pulp Fiction
A non-linear crime masterpiece that redefined cool for a generation of filmmakers.
A burger-loving hit man, his philosophical partner, a drug-addled gangster's moll and a washed-up boxer converge in this sprawling, comedic crime caper. Their adventures unfurl in three stories that ingeniously trip back and forth in time.
- 03
Schindler's List
A powerful and essential historical drama that captures the resilience of the human spirit.
The true story of how businessman Oskar Schindler saved over a thousand Jewish lives from the Nazis while they worked as slaves in his factory during World War II.
- 04
The Matrix
A groundbreaking sci-fi spectacle that blended philosophical depth with revolutionary visual effects.
Set in the 22nd century, The Matrix tells the story of a computer hacker who joins a group of underground insurgents fighting the vast and powerful computers who now rule the earth.
- 05
Goodfellas
Martin Scorsese’s high-energy mob epic is a masterclass in style, pacing, and storytelling.
The true story of Henry Hill, a half-Irish, half-Sicilian Brooklyn kid who is adopted by neighbourhood gangsters at an early age and climbs the ranks of a Mafia family under the guidance of Jimmy Conway.
- 06
The Silence of the Lambs
A chilling psychological thriller featuring one of the most iconic villains in movie history.
Clarice Starling is a top student at the FBI's training academy. Jack Crawford wants Clarice to interview Dr. Hannibal Lecter, a brilliant psychiatrist who is also a violent psychopath, serving life behind bars for various acts of murder and cannibalism. Crawford believes that Lecter may have insight into a case and that Starling, as an attractive young woman, may be just the bait to draw him out.
- 07
Saving Private Ryan
A visceral and technically stunning war epic that set a new standard for cinematic realism.
As U.S. troops storm the beaches of Normandy, three brothers lie dead on the battlefield, with a fourth trapped behind enemy lines. Ranger captain John Miller and seven men are tasked with penetrating German-held territory and bringing the boy home.
- 08
Jurassic Park
Steven Spielberg’s dinosaur adventure remains the gold standard for blockbuster spectacle and wonder.
A wealthy entrepreneur secretly creates a theme park featuring living dinosaurs drawn from prehistoric DNA. Before opening day, he invites a team of experts and his two eager grandchildren to experience the park and help calm anxious investors. However, the park is anything but amusing as the security systems go off-line and the dinosaurs escape.
- 09
Fight Club
A provocative and stylish cult classic that captures the angst and cynicism of the late 90s.
A ticking-time-bomb insomniac and a slippery soap salesman channel primal male aggression into a shocking new form of therapy. Their concept catches on, with underground "fight clubs" forming in every town, until an eccentric gets in the way and ignites an out-of-control spiral toward oblivion.
- 10
Toy Story
The film that changed animation forever with its heart, humor, and pioneering digital artistry.
Led by Woody, Andy's toys live happily in his room until Andy's birthday brings Buzz Lightyear onto the scene. Afraid of losing his place in Andy's heart, Woody plots against Buzz. But when circumstances separate Buzz and Woody from their owner, the duo eventually learns to put aside their differences.
- 11
Good Will Hunting
A heartfelt and brilliantly written drama about genius, trauma, and the power of human connection.
Will Hunting is a headstrong, working-class genius who is failing the lessons of life. After one too many run-ins with the law, Will's last chance is a psychology professor, who might be the only man who can reach him.
- 12
Fargo
A unique blend of dark comedy and polite Midwestern crime from the visionary Coen brothers.
Jerry, a small-town Minnesota car salesman is bursting at the seams with debt... but he's got a plan. He's going to hire two thugs to kidnap his wife in a scheme to collect a hefty ransom from his wealthy father-in-law. It's going to be a snap and nobody's going to get hurt... until people start dying. Enter Police Chief Marge, a coffee-drinking, parka-wearing - and extremely pregnant - investigator who'll stop at nothing to get her man. And if you think her small-time investigative skills will give the crooks a run for their ransom... you betcha!