JJ – 1990s Movie List

Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)

After a bitter divorce, an out-of-work actor disguises himself as an elderly female housekeeper to spend more time with his children. As “Mrs. Doubtfire,” he wins over his family while struggling to keep his double life a secret.

  • Trivia: Robin Williams used the prosthetic mask and costume to go shopping in character at a San Francisco bookstore; he was so convincing that he managed to browse for hours without being recognized.

Jurassic Park (1993)

A billionaire invites a group of scientists to preview his secret theme park populated by cloned dinosaurs. However, when the security system fails, the prehistoric predators break loose, turning the island into a fight for survival.

  • Trivia: The terrifying roar of the T-Rex was actually a composite sound made from a baby elephant, a tiger, and an alligator.

The Green Mile (1999)

A veteran death row guard discovers that a massive, soft-spoken inmate accused of a heinous crime possesses a miraculous healing power. The story explores the deep moral conflict of executing a man who may be a literal miracle.

  • Trivia: To make Michael Clarke Duncan (John Coffey) look much larger than his co-stars, the production used forced perspective and custom-built smaller furniture, even though he was already 6’5”.

Drop Dead Fred (1991)

A young woman in the midst of a midlife crisis is reunited with her chaotic, flamboyant childhood imaginary friend. While he causes total mayhem in her adult life, he ultimately helps her regain her sense of self and independence.

  • Trivia: Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia) appears in the film as Elizabeth’s best friend, Janie.

Goodfellas (1990)

This masterpiece chronicles the rise and fall of Henry Hill as he navigates the glamorous but violent world of the Italian-American mafia over three decades. It is a gritty look at the reality of “the life” and the paranoia that destroys it.

  • Trivia: The famous “Funny how?” scene was largely improvised by Joe Pesci and Ray Liotta after Pesci recalled a similar real-life encounter he had with a mobster.

Edward Scissorhands (1990)

A gentle, unfinished artificial man with long blades for fingers is taken in by a suburban family. Though initially embraced for his artistic talents, he eventually discovers that the “normal” world can be far more cruel than his lonely castle.

  • Trivia: Johnny Depp says only 169 words throughout the entire film, relying almost entirely on his eyes and body language to convey emotion.

The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

Andy Dufresne, a banker wrongly convicted of murder, forms an unlikely friendship with a fellow inmate named Red. Over two decades, Andy uses his intelligence and hope to endure the brutality of prison life, leading to a legendary conclusion.

  • Trivia: Despite being one of the highest-rated movies of all time today, it was actually a box office disappointment when it first premiered.

Home Alone (1990)

Eight-year-old Kevin McCallister is accidentally left behind when his family flies to Paris for Christmas. He must defend his home from two bumbling burglars using an array of creative and painful booby traps.

  • Trivia: The “scary” movie Kevin watches, Angels with Filthy Souls, isn’t a real film; it was footage shot specifically for Home Alone to parody 1930s gangster movies.

Men in Black (1997)

A streetwise NYPD officer is recruited into a secret organization that monitors extraterrestrial activity on Earth. Partnered with a veteran agent, he must stop an intergalactic terrorist from destroying the planet.

  • Trivia: The “noisy cricket” gun was so small that Will Smith frequently broke it during filming because he kept forgetting how fragile the prop was.

The Mask (1994)

A timid bank clerk finds a magical Norse mask that transforms him into a green-faced, zoot-suited trickster with cartoon-like superpowers. His new persona helps him gain confidence but puts him in the crosshairs of a local mob boss.

  • Trivia: The oversized teeth in the Mask’s mouth were originally intended to be used only during silent scenes, but Jim Carrey learned how to speak with them in to make the character even more bizarre.

Forrest Gump (1994)

A kind-hearted man with a low IQ inadvertently participates in some of the most iconic moments of the 20th century. Through it all, his simple wisdom and devotion to his childhood sweetheart, Jenny, define his extraordinary life.

  • Trivia: Tom Hanks was not paid an upfront salary for the film; instead, he took “points” (a percentage of the profits), which earned him an estimated $40 million after the film became a massive hit.

Dumb & Dumber (1994)

Two incredibly dim-witted friends travel across the country to Aspen to return a briefcase full of money to its rightful owner. Along the way, they narrowly escape hired killers and their own stupidity.

  • Trivia: Jim Carrey actually has a chipped front tooth in real life; he simply removed the cap that usually covers it to give his character, Lloyd Christmas, that “idiot” look.