Films are more than just mere entertainment, sometimes they will inspire future filmmakers whose films will draw inspiration from the movies that came before them. For this list, we’ll be looking at five key films from the 1990s that not only were successful in the box office and received critical acclaim, but these films would lay the foundation for others film once the twenty-first century came around. These films were impactful, groundbreaking and still stand the test of time as being among the most popular films from a generation that is now thirty years old. Let’s take a look at these inspirational films.
Pulp Fiction
The one film that everyone recognizes, quotes and will watch no matter when it comes on television. Quentin Tarantino’s edgy, bold, provocative and immensely entertaining movie details the lives of ordinary people (if that’s appropriate to say) and how their stories intersect with one another. Featuring some truly memorable characters, iconic lines and enough foul language that would make any teenager blush, Pulp Fiction is a classic for a reason. While some people have said that the movie was quite violent, it is tame when compared to other Tarantino films. The script is the entertaining quality of the movie and the characters bring all that dialogue to life, a staple of Tarantino’s impressive filmography. While we all enjoyed Django Unchained, Inglorious Basterds and even the Kill Bill saga, Pulp Fiction is the Tarantino film that put him on the map. He became a household name with this film and even after all these years we are still questioning what was in that briefcase. Many directors have tried copying the formula of Pulp Fiction and all them have failed in capturing the true status of this epic tale of crime, murder and interesting characters that engage in amazing dialogue that we can’t stop quoting!
Saving Private Ryan
Most war films prior to this Steven Spielberg epic normally romanticized the horrific atrocities that the soldiers would experience. With some exceptions such as All Quiet on the Western Front, Platoon and Apocalypse Now, Saving Private Ryan redefined the war genre for films by delivering a heartfelt experience that no one soon forgets. From the opening Ohama Beach Landings, to the result of losing men that are close to you and even the final battle to save the one man that these group of soldiers are ordered to locate, Saving Private Ryan shows us the horrors of war and holds nothing back. Following the success of this film, the Medal of Honor and Call of Duty video game franchises were born and showed a renewed interest in World War II. Saving Private Ryan is the essential war film that will terrify you and make you appreciate the effort that too many men gave the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom. It’s a moving picture and a highlight of Spielberg’s career.
Toy Story
The very first movie ever made completely on computer is Toy Story. Everyone remembers the toys they played with when they were children and Toy Story reminded us of those memories. When the humans aren’t present, the toys come alive and share their experiences, views and opinions regarding the world around them. With lovable characters such as Woody, Buzz Lightyear and even Rex, Toy Story is a perfect film for kids but is more impactful for adults who will cherish the memories of their childhood. This film alone would inspire numerous films that were made by Pixar and gave us that iconic catchphrase, “To Infinity and Beyond.” While the sequels were great, everyone remembers the first film and it reminded everyone of the toys that filled our imagination and gave us those joyous memories.
The Matrix
Original, unique and showcasing some of the wildest, inventive and craziest use of special effects that audiences had ever witnessed, The Matrix is one of the most recognizable sci-fi films of all time. With a philosophical story, eye-popping visuals and one heck of an exceptional vision, The Wachowskis crafted a hyperviolent and amazing piece of action cinema. The action sequences alone made our jaw drop to the floor when we first saw the film and while the sequels were decent for what they were, the original Matrix is still the gold standard for impressive science fiction storytelling. Christopher Nolan’s Inception is somewhat similar to what The Matrix was and with a fourth film due out in December of this year, we can only hope to be brought back to the computer world and the characters we all remember. Neo, Trinity, Morpheus and even Agent Smith will never be forgotten. This movie inspired other action films in presenting the action in ways that The Matrix shocked us- most notably Kung Pow: Enter the Fist. Although, that was played for laughs more or less. With books, video games and a kick-ass soundtrack, The Matrix is one film that has aged exceptionally well and we still love to “plug in” and enter the matrix.
Blade
The Marvel movie that would greenlight the future that we now take for granted- the superhero genre. Blade was not only a good superhero movie but a damn good vampire flick too. Wesley Snipes will always be our preferred “daywalker” and Blade II proved to be a very good sequel although the same cannot be said for the third entry. While we did get a television show years later, we still haven’t gotten the blood-soaked R-Rated film that we crave and with a new movie being announced, fans are eager to see how Marvel will handle the material that we fell in love with. One thing is for sure, without Blade we can forget about the Marvel movies of the twenty-first century. Those simply would’ve never happened. It is unclear on how the direction of this new Blade movie will go but I seriously doubt if Marvel has the guts to give us the bloody good time that this 1998 flick delivered in spades.
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