There are plenty of reasons Max is one of the best streaming services available right now, including the vast library of HBO originals and a surprisingly robust amount of live sports and news. But, another great aspect of the platform is that it offers some of the best ‘90s movies.
If you’re in the mood to revisit Gen X cinema at its finest, stick around, because we’re about to break down a dozen of the best ‘90s movies on Max right now. From Oscar-winning dramas to cult classic comedies and pretty much everything else, here are some of the flicks you can watch with a Max subscription.
Pretty Woman (1990)
The ‘90s gave us some of the best romantic comedies of all time, and Pretty Woman was one of the films that kicked off the decade for the genre. The pairing of the on-the-rise Julia Roberts and already established Richard Gere is brilliant and provides for one great moment after another in Garry Marshall’s box office smash hit. But all the chemistry in the world couldn’t save a movie if the story was no good, but luckily, that’s not the case here.
Watching Vivian Ward and Edward Lewis fall in love with one another despite their differences never gets old. In fact, we’re going to have to press play on this one again for old-time’s sake.
The Sixth Sense (1999)
In 1999, M. Night Shyamalan became one of the most unique voices in horror and one of the most popular filmmakers thanks to his mesmerizing supernatural thriller, The Sixth Sense. With a captivating story about a child psychiatrist trying to help a young boy who can see ghosts as if they’re living, breathing people, a level of tension that never fades away, and one of the greatest plot twists of all time, there are plenty of reasons why the movie has stood the test of time.
Seriously, this is one of the most bone-chilling and exhilarating horror experiences, not just of the 1990s, but of all time.
Stream The Sixth Sense on Max.
Four Weddings And A Funeral (1994)
As its title suggests, Four Weddings and a Funeral is both a comedy and an emotional drama about a group of friends going through the highs and lows of life, all of it experienced together. Richard Curtis’ excellent screenplay, Mike Newell’s outstanding direction, and performances by Hugh Grant, Andie MacDowell, Kristin Scott Thomas, and John Hannah (can you watch his eulogy without crying?), make this not only one of the best rom coms, but also best British films of all time.
It’s no surprise that pretty much everyone involved with this movie would go on to become stars in the years that followed its release. Few movies capture the ups, downs, and in-betweens of young adulthood better than this.
Stream Four Weddings and a Funeral on Max.
Ghost Dog: The Way Of The Samurai (1999)
This is more of a hidden gem than other movies on this list, but Jim Jarmusch’s 1999 crime drama, Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai is something you just have to watch. Paying homage to Japanese cinema, the French new wave, and American gangster films, this wild movie follows Ghost Dog (Forest Whitaker), a hitman who lives by the code of the samurai, as finds himself being double-crossed after a job goes wrong.
If you’re a fan of Jarmusch’s other work, then you know what to expect from Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai. But if you’re not familiar with his distinct style, you’re in for a real treat.
Stream Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai on Max.
Princess Mononoke (1997)
Easily one of Hayao Miyazaki’s best films, Princess Mononoke is a little darker and more violent than most Studio Ghibli movies but still has that signature charm and magic fans of the director and animation studio have come to know and love over the years. Tackling many of the same themes that appeared in Miyazaki’s classics like My Neighbor Totoro and Spirited Away, this epic story about a young man getting trapped in the middle of a war between forest gods and humans is hits and it hits hard.
Stream Princess Mononoke on Max.
Stream Princess Mononoke (Japanese Audio) on Max.
As Good As It Gets (1997)
As Good as It Gets has to be one of the best Sunday afternoon movies of the ‘90s. Seriously, how many times did you watch this Academy Award-winning dramedy when it was on HBO, TNT, or any other channel in the years after its release? There’s just something about the on-screen chemistry between Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt, who both won Oscars for their roles, that makes this such a gem to watch.
Director James L. Brooks’ and screenwriter Mark Andrus’ ability to craft characters that walk a fine line between realistic and bombastic is a marvel, as is the story they created about bad first starts, second chances, and the power of friendship.
Stream As Good as It Gets on Max.
Leaving Las Vegas (1995)
If you’re looking for a sexually explicit movie on Max that also features two of the best performances of the 1990s, look no further than Mike Figgis’ Leaving Las Vegas. A mood piece if there ever was one, this down-and-dirty drama sees Nicolas Cage play a suicidal out-of-work screenwriter who goes to Sin City to drink himself to death only to meet a sex worker (Elisabeth Shue) who gives him a new perspective on life.
Stream Leaving Las Vegas on Max.
White Men Can't Jump (1992)
One of the best basketball movies, White Men Can’t Jump follows streetballers Billy Hoyle (Woody Harrelson) and Sidney Deane (Wesley Snipes) as they come together to win riches and glory on the blacktops of Los Angeles. With a great script that is at times hilarious and others incredibly real, this iconic sports flick gets just about everything right.
Stream White Men Can’t Jump on Max.
Scream (1996)
Wes Craven’s Scream kicked off a great horror franchise and breathed new life into the slasher sub-genre back in 1996. When the quiet town of Woodsboro, California, becomes the personal playground for the sadistic “Ghostface” killer, a group of teenagers team up with some unlikely allies to put an end to the madness.
Though satirical and hilarious at times, Scream is one of the bloodiest slashers from the ‘90s, as well as one that gave the world some terrifying and unforgettable movie moments.
The Hunt For Red October (1990)
With one of the best depictions of Jack Ryan (Alec Baldwin) and a stellar performance from Sean Connery, The Hunt for Red October is one of those Cold War thrillers that’s just so much fun to watch. John McTiernan’s adaptation of Tom Clancy’s legendary cat-and-mouse game involving a Soviet sub leaves you guessing at every turn until the credits roll. Masterful tension, great submarine sequences, and an unmatched attention to detail make this worth a watch.
Stream The Hunt For Red October on Max.
Get Shorty (1995)
The worlds of mobsters and Hollywood become one in Barry Sonnenfeld’s 1995 adaptation of the classic Elmore Leonard novel, Get Shorty. John Travolta, hot off the success of Pulp Fiction, plays a Miami loan shark who, through a series of circumstances, finds himself involved with a Hollywood production. With a cast that also includes Gene Hackman, Rene Russo, and Danny DeVito, there’s a lot to love in this crime caper comedy.
Hoop Dreams (1994)
Though technically a documentary, Hoop Dreams is one of the movies that defined 1994 with its heartfelt and insightful exploration of high school basketball in the Chicagoland area. Centering on two rising ballers with big aspirations, this documentary dives into how putting dreams ahead of everything else impacts teenagers and what happens when reality comes crashing down. One of the best documentaries on Max, Hoop Dreams is a must-watch for basketball fans.
Hopefully, these movies take you on a trip down memory lane to the ‘90s. If you’re looking for more great experiences, there are a ton of great movies on Max right now.
