The top 40 films of the 1990s, from Pulp Fiction to The Lion King

The Shawshank Redemption, Pretty Women and Jurassic Park are among best titles, according to British people 

Rob Knight
Wednesday 20 March 2019 14:54 EDT
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The Shawshank Redemption was voted the best film of the decade
The Shawshank Redemption was voted the best film of the decade (PA)

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Jurassic Park, Home Alone and The Matrix are among people's favourite films of the 1990s, according to a new survey.

Pulp Fiction, The Lion King, 10 Things I Hate About You and Titanic also make the top 40.

The survey of 2,000 British adults found that the 1990s was the most popular decade for films.

Eighteen per cent of all films watched by those surveyed were released over that period and 35 per cent said that the decade is "unquestionably" their favourite era of cinema.

This is partly down to the catchy soundtracks, quotable lines and shocking plot twists of 90s films, respondents said.

“With Captain Marvel jam-packaged with nineties nostalgia, we aren’t surprised these classic cult 90s films are still in demand 20 years on," said Giorgio Tacchia, the chief executive of film and TV streaming service CHILI which commissioned the research.

Although The Shawshank Redemption was voted the best film of the era, Steven Spielberg was voted the best director overall.

Spielberg’s Jurassic Park, Schindler’s List and Saving Private Ryan all feature in the top 40 list.

Tom Hanks, who worked with Spielberg on Saving Private Ryan and won two successive Oscars in the 1990s, was voted the best male actor of the decade by those polled.

Julia Roberts was voted the best female actor, starring in Pretty Woman which came second in the top 40 list of films.

Among those polled, the top film scenes of the era include Andy's escape in The Shawshank Redemption and the "life is like a box of chocolates" moment from Forrest Gump.

Comedy films were voted the best genre of the 1990s era, including titles such as Groundhog Day, Dumb and Dumber and The Big Lebowski.

Action films were also recognised with films like The Rock, The Matrix and the second Terminator film recognised.

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The survey also found that around half of those polled feel nostalgic towards the films from the 1990s.

Nearly a fifth said that they used to put up posters of their favourite film stars on their bedroom walls – with many featuring Leonardo DiCaprio, Johnny Depp and Keanu Reeves.

And nearly 50 per cent said they would encourage their children to watch 90s films.

SWNS

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