Because of weird inside reasons, IT: Welcome To Derry hasn't gotten the official green light for a Season 2 from HBO yet, but that's not stopping work from getting underway. There is a big picture vision for the show, with seasons that travel further back in the canon's timeline, and while we don't know when production will begin on future episodes or when they will premiere, wheels are turning, filmmakers are planning, and writers are writing. And that's not the only current goings on when it comes to the world of IT either, as director Andy Muschietti is also still making promises about his planned IT: Chapter One and Chapter Two supercut.

The filmmakers most recent comments about the blockbuster Stephen King project leads this week's edition of The King Beat, but there is actually a plethora of other developments to highlight as well – including an in-depth interview with Wil Wheaton about "The Body" and Stand By Me; comments from Heather Graham about Mike Flanagan's upcoming Carrie miniseries; and a warning that one of the best Stephen King movies of all time is about to leave Netflix. This is a packed column, so let's dig in!

Andy Muschietti Doubles Down On Supercut Promises Even While Welcome To Derry Takes Precedence

The IT franchise is presently in a very good place. The reason why work is continuing on IT: Welcome To Derry without a renewal is because all of the success experienced at the end of 2025 speaks for itself: the show got a very positive reaction from both critics and fans alike, and ratings only grew during Season 1's eight-episode run, with the finale being the biggest hit. There exists plenty of juice for the brand to try some big swings, and Andy Muschietti is very aware of that fact – but for now, the filmmaker is opting to stay laser focused on the future of the show… instead of side projects like the IT supercut.

The filmmaker himself has multiple irons in the fire (as one example, he's a producer on the new action horror film They Will Kill You, which arrives in theater this Friday), but when it comes to IT, he recently told SlashFilm that Welcome To Derry has his sole focus for now. Said Muschietti,

Muschietti has been talking about making an IT supercut since before IT: Chapter Two was released, and on paper, the idea is pretty simple: instead of IT: Chapter One and IT: Chapter Two being experienced as independent features, he intends to not only edit the existing films together, but to also add back in deleted material. All together, it will be a roughly six-and-a-half hour cinematic experience that properly reflects its epic Stephen King source material.

The big hold-up in making this cut a reality is that not all of the material needed exists: it will require some additional filming. Clearly Muschietti doesn't think it would be any kind of challenge to acquire a proper budget for the work, but there's apparently no time to schedule the work required amid work on IT: Welcome To Derry Season 2.

The danger here should be obvious: if the HBO series ends up petering out in future seasons and loses its audience, that would make it much harder for the director to get the money that he would need for the supercut. There's an argument to be made that he should strike while the proverbial iron is hot, but he clearly has a great deal of confidence in the future of IT: Welcome To Derry (Season 1 of which is available to stream now with a HBO Max subscription).

Stand By Me's Wil Wheaton Discusses His Favorite Scenes In Stephen King's "The Body"

This is a big week for Stand By Me fans. As of two days ago, Stephen King fans everywhere can now purchase and listen to the new audiobook of "The Body" narrated by Wil Wheaton, and starting tomorrow, you can also go to theaters to see the film adaptation on the big screen, as the Rob Reiner movie is getting a domestic re-release to celebrate its 40th anniversary. For some, that might be enough, but if you can't get enough of Stephen King's beloved coming-of-age tale, allow me to recommend a wonderful piece from The New York Times.

In celebration of the new audiobook, the newspaper has published a new multimedia feature centering on Wil Wheaton and his special relationship with "The Body" – which began in the mid-1980s when he was cast as Gordie LaChance in Stand By Me. The interview, featuring film clips and audio excerpts, digs into the actor's favorite scenes from the story, memories from set, and mourns the tragic loss of the adaptation's director.

It's a quick, fun read that is entertaining to explore and insightful about a literary and cinematic masterwork.

Heather Graham Discusses Her Role In Mike Flanagan's Carrie And How It Updates The Classic Stephen King Story

In Mike Flanagan's upcoming Carrie series, Heather Graham is joining the FlanaFamily in what should be a fascinating role – in part because it's one that has been created for the show. People familiar with the Stephen King book and the previous adaptations will remember the evil bully Chris Hargensen, and you may even remember her dad, who complains to the principal when she is barred from prom. One character we've never met is Chris' mom, but that will change with the latest take on King's seminal novel.

Graham has confirmed to Collider that she will be playing Mrs. Hargensen in Mike Flanagan's new series, and while she didn't offer much insight regarding how the character fits into the story in the interview, she did shed some light on how the new take on Carrie will stand apart from both the book and the three feature versions audiences have previously seen. She said,

Obviously even the concept of "cyberbullying" didn't exist when Stephen King wrote Carrie over a half-century ago, and it's not at all surprising that Mike Flanagan is working with a contemporary setting for the show – but Heather Graham's mention of "guns in school" is intriguing. In previously writing about the book and its adaptations, I've made the argument that Carrie White is essentially a supernatural school shooter, and I now wonder how that comparison might be significant in the show's vision.

We'll have to wait and see, as while Heather Graham may have seen the first three episodes of the show, it's been recently suggested by co-star Katee Sackhoff that the Carrie limited series won't be debuting until the fall.

Rob Reiner's Misery Is Leaving Netflix At The End Of The Month, So Watch It While You Can

I'll wrap up this week's King Beat by circling back to the subject of Rob Reiner-directed Stephen King movies. While Stand By Me is playing in theaters this weekend, opening it up to audiences who may never have seen it on the big screen, a particular window is closing for 1990's Misery. The Oscar-winning film is currently available to watch with a few clicks if you have a Netflix subscription, but that won't be the case for long as the brilliant thriller is leaving the library at the end of the month.

March 31 (this coming Tuesday) will be your last day to stream the brilliant classic, which stars James Caan as an author who finds himself the captive of his number one fan… who also happens to be totally out of her mind. Even if you've seen the movie a hundred times, it's worth screening again if not only to witness the genius that is Kathy Bates as Annie Wilkes. And after you watch it, you can check out my piece about the history of both the movie and the novel it's based on.

And if you don't have time to watch Misery in the next few days or simply don't have Netflix, I have great news: it's still widely available to watch elsewhere as well… though you'll have to pay for it. In addition to digital rental and purchase options, Kino Lorber put out a 4K UHD edition in the last few years that is absolutely beautiful.

That brings us to the end of this edition of The King Beat, but there is always more to discuss about Stephen King, and I'll be back here on CinemaBlend next Thursday to highlight all of the most interesting stories that crop up about the author and his beloved work.

My brain is littered with trivia from the half-century relationship between Stephen King and Hollywood, and among my favorites is a strange connection between the author and director Sam Raimi. While the filmmaker has never taken the helm of a King movie, he’s had on-camera roles in two of adaptations: 1994’s The Stand and 1997’s The Shining. It’s a fun little oddity – but fans of both men know that their connection goes far deeper than that.

Raimi’s new film Send Help is arriving in theaters this week, and CinemaBlend’s own Jeff McCobb recently had the chance to talk with him about the special influence of Stephen King on his career… though the filmmaker admits he doesn’t love the likening of the 2026 movie to Misery. That story and a 20th anniversary reflection on the 2006 novel Cell comprise this week’s edition of The King Beat, so let’s dig in!

Sam Raimi Has Nothing But Love For Stephen King, Who He Credits For His “Chance In The Business”

One of the most admirable aspects of Stephen King’s career is that he has regularly used his influence and success to shine a light on creatives who otherwise might be operating in the dark. In addition to philanthropic acts like providing scholarships and co-founding the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation, he publicly highlights books he’s reading and movies and television shows he is watching. In recent years, this work has mostly been on social media platforms, but the reality is that his reputation for patronage goes back decades, with the story of Sam Raimi’s The Evil Dead being a perfect example.

It’s a story that Raimi enthusiastically retold during a recent sit down with CinemaBlend – captured in the video above. For those unaware, the filmmaker (along with pals Bruce Campbell and Rob Tappert) made the famed horror movie as their first feature while they were students at Michigan State University, and while the movie is now regarded as a landmark title in the history of the horror genre, it most definitely wasn’t perceived in that light by most when the search began for a distribution deal. Raimi recalled,

While it might be a touch hard to imagine as we exist in a modern cinematic landscape that sees the disgusting insanity of Terrifier 3 become a box office hit, The Evil Dead was considered far too extreme to be palatable for audiences in the early 1980s, and distributors were scared off. The film needed a trusted voice to support it, and it found one in Stephen King.

At the time of the 1982 Cannes Film Festival/Market where this all went down, King was only 8 years removed from the initial publication of his first novel, but he was already well-recognized as a literary phenomenon, his bibliography at that point including Carrie, Salem's Lot, The Shining, The Stand, The Dead Zone, Firestarter and Cujo. Fate put him in the theater for a preview screening of The Evil Dead, and he was floored by the experience. Raimi continued,

The piece for Twilight Zone Magazine – which can easily be found online – is most definitely effusive, as King comes just short of calling the young Raimi a filmmaking prodigy (He writes in the review, “That [Sam Raimi] is a genius is yet unproven; that he has made the most ferociously original horror film of 1982 seems to me beyond doubt.”) The stamp of approval proved transformative for the fate of The Evil Dead, as the movie got critics interested, found distribution in Britain, became an underground success, and eventually got picked up stateside by New Line Cinema.

There is no questioning that Sam Raimi feels a level of indebtedness to Stephen King and has nothing but respect for the master of horror… but he also got honest about not loving how industry trades have drawn a direct line between Send Help and Misery – in regards to both the original novel and Rob Reiner’s Oscar-winning 1990 adaptation.

You May Get Some Misery Vibes From Send Help, But Don’t Let Them Overly Influence Your Experience With The New Horror Movie

When Deadline reported in July 2024 that Raimi was making his latest feature, the article said the movie was a mix of that story and Robert Zemeckis’ Castaway, and the director feels that’s a tad reductive:

It’s a reasonable perspective: no creative wants to be telling an original story and then get told that they are just riffing on a couple of stories that already exist. And while I personally think there are some legitimate points of comparison between Send Help and Misery, there are also considerable differences.

In the new film, Rachel McAdams plays a middle-aged woman named Linda Liddle who gets the opportunity to upend the power dynamic between her and her sexist, nepo baby boss Bradley (Dylan O’Brien) when they survive a plane crash together and get stranded on a deserted island. While Bradley is injured and helpless without the comforts of modern life, Linda is an enthusiastic Survivor fan who is plenty prepared to tame the wild.

In that broad view, it’s not particularly difficult to draw lines between the two films: Linda is the Annie Wilkes to Bradley’s Paul Sheldon. But the details make it much less clear cut. For one thing, Linda is anything but Bradley’s “number one fan,” and while she ends up making some very questionable decisions morally as the story progresses, she is the protagonist instead of the antagonist, and she is not dealing with the same kind of untreated psychological maladies of the iconic Kathy Bates character.

Just as I did in my four-star CinemaBlend review of Send Help, I’m doing my best to dance around spoilers here because I highly recommend anyone and everyone go see it in theaters this weekend, regardless of the strength of the Stephen King vibes. While recognizing that we’re only five weeks into 2026, it’s really hard to imagine that we won’t be looking back on it in December as one of the best genre movies of the year.

On Its 20th Anniversary, Cell Remains One Of The More Confounding Stephen King Books

To close out this week’s column, I’ll highlight a notable anniversary in King history, as it was this week 20 years ago (on February 24, 2006, to be specific) that the novel Cell first arrived in book stores. Arriving about a year-and-a-half before Apple revolutionized the world with the introduction of the iPhone, King’s book looked at the extreme ubiquity of mobile phones in the early years of the 21st century, and he found specific inspiration when he was walking on a street in New York City and saw a man in a business suit who appeared to be talking to himself. Per StephenKing.com. the author confused the man’s use of a wireless headset for a mental episode, and the creative seed was planted.

The novel explores what would happen if everyone’s cell phones began transmitting a signal that first turned people feral before collecting survivors into a giant hive mind, and while it has some interesting ideas, I can’t say it stands among my favorite King novels. A part of the problem is that the action peaks too early, as the chaos that unfurls at the start is far and away its most compelling sequence, and protagonist Clay Riddell and deuteragonists Tom McCourt and Alice Maxwell aren't the kinds of rich characters to which Constant Readers have become well-accustomed.

It’s not the nonsense that can be read from the height of Stephen King’s addictions or post-accident eras (looking at you, Tommyknockers and Dreamcatcher), but I also feel like Cell is the kind of novel from the canon that you only pick up at this point if you’re making the effort to read the author’s full canon.

That brings me to the end of this week’s edition of The King Beat, but as ever, I’ll be back here on CinemaBlend next Thursday with a brand new column highlighting and exploring all of the biggest news to come out of the world of Stephen King. And should you be looking for some related reading while you wait, please peruse my Adapting Stephen King series, reflecting on the full history of movie and TV adaptations of the author’s books and stories.

Last month, it was absolutely devastating to learn about Rob Reiner’s death, which was ruled a homicide alongside his wife in the same incident on December 14, 2025. Since the actor/filmmaker's passing, Hollywood has shared a lot of tributes to Reiner, who famously helmed When Harry Met Sally, The Princess Bride, Spinal Tap and so many more movies. However, I don’t think we’ve been talking enough about one movie from his career in particular, which just dropped on a new streaming service.

Rob Reiner’s Misery Just Became Available On Peacock

In 1990, Rob Reiner directed an adaptation of Stephen King’s novel Misery starring James Caan, Kathy Bates and Lauren Bacall. The psychological horror film is about a famous romance novelist who gets held captive in a remote home by an obsessed fan of his. The movie was just added to Peacock. It’s also available to stream with a HBO Max subscription as well, but Peacock has a cheaper monthly plan starting at $7.99, whereas HBO Max is charging $10.99 for their basic plan.

Misery boasts an incredible Rotten Tomatoes score, which is at 91% from critics and a very similar 90% from audiences. Critics and fans agreeing that a movie is pretty much perfect is rather rare, so I’d say this one’s a must watch, whether it’s your first time or one you’re viewing again.

It’s A Great Time To Rewatch The Acclaimed Classic

Misery is one of those movies I’ll literally never forget. When I first saw it, it was on cable when I was too young to be the fan of horror movies I’ve since become. Kathy Bates is absolutely chilling as Annie Wilkes, and it’s considered her most iconic role ever. Apparently Stephen King loved Bates' performance so much that he wrote two more roles for her in the form of 1994's The Stand and 1995’s Dolores Claiborne.

Reiner is known and celebrated best for his comedy movies, but I love Misery for showing a different side of the late filmmaker’s skills, and ability to direct a variety of material. No wonder it seems like fans can’t seem to agree on his definitive movie, lately.

In all seriousness, I haven’t seen Misery since the first time I watched it when I was younger on cable. Now that I’ve watched a lot more of the best horror movies of all time, I’m excited to appreciate the specific way that Rob Reiner chose to contribute to the genre. And considering there were six King adaptations in 2025 alone, it’s worth your time to go back to past adaptations from other filmmakers. Oh, and Reiner also made another famous Stephen King adaptation too – 1986’s Stand By Me, which is currently streaming with a Netflix subscription.

Happy viewing!

It’s been almost two weeks since Rob Reiner and his wife were tragically murdered, and in that time, I’ve had a lot of in-person conversations with family and friends about his career. I’ve also read a ton of tributes and obituaries and watched a lot of podcasts and interviews that featured people talking about his career. Mostly it’s been affirming to hear how much actors loved working with him and how many people were touched by his warmth and wisdom in real life. Beyond that, however, it’s also caused me to realize something about his career: I don’t see it the same way as most other people. At first it was kind of frustrating, but as I’ve sat with that realization, I’ve started to realize how special that is.

I’ve probably seen The Princess Bride fifty times. I think it’s one the funniest, quirkiest, most quotable and triumphant movies of all time. I like to watch it when I’m sick. I like to watch it when I’m sad or happy or bored or bemused. I like to watch strangers watch it for the first time on YouTube. It would easily make my personal top five, and yet, a lot of obituaries for the director didn’t even mention it, not even in passing. I spoke to several friends and family members who haven’t even seen it. Some have seen it and don't really like it.

I also love This Is Spinal Tap. I say “such a fine line between stupid and clever” at least once a week. It was a go-to movie for my friends and I to put on in high school, and I’ve watched so many interviews with musicians over the years who have talked about how scary accurate and hilarious it is. Anderson Cooper just gave an interview where he said he’s “obsessed” with it, and yet, I saw tweet after tweet talking about how many brilliant movies Reiner made in the 80s and 90s, and many of them didn’t even mention Spinal Tap. Easily more than half the people I’ve talked to about Reiner have never seen it or just watched it recently.

To me personally, those are the Rob Reiner movies. They’re the reasons why I consider him an all-time fantastic director, and yet, to a lot of other people, they’re just footnotes in his career. They have very little or nothing at all to do with why they were touched by Rob Reiner’s life.

For other people, the movie that matters is When Harry Met Sally or Stand By Me. For others, it’s A Few Good Men or Misery. One of those is the movie they watched over and over in high school, or it’s the one they put on for company when no one else is around. One of those cheers them up or helps them cry out their feelings. One or two or all four of them are meaningful in a special and emotional way.

You might be saying this is just an example of having preferences, but if you really think about it, there aren’t many directors in the history of Hollywood who have made as many different movies with completely separate fanbases as Reiner. He’s not a Wes Anderson who has an overt visual style and relatively consistent tone that cuts through many of his movies. He didn’t make films for his specific fans. He made different movies that were likely to appeal to different types of people.

At first I thought that was a little lonely and disconcerting, but the more I’ve thought about it, the more I’ve realized how special and affirming that is. In real life, we connect with different people in different ways. We have a friend who also loves the Bears and another who also loves going to fancy restaurants. We have a family member we can be really raw and emotional and sad with and another who shares a really disturbing sense of humor. Different people bring different sides of our personality out, and in a special way, Rob Reiner’s career shows that.

It was a heartbreaking shock to discover that Rob Reiner and his wife died. Of course, tributes came pouring in from actors and creatives who were impacted and deeply moved by the filmmaker. One of Reiner’s first assistant directors, Dennis Maguire, was another person in his life who didn’t shy away from shining a light on what he learned from him, saying, “as a human being, [he] did everything he could.”

The world lost a talented actor-turned-director in Rob Reiner. Rising to prominence playing Mike in All in the Family, his feature directing career soared on the first try with the mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap. His directorial career continued growing from there with Stand By Me, The Princess Bride, Misery, When Harry Met Sally, and more.

First AD Dennis Maguire, who worked with Reiner on Misery and the reshoots for Stand By Me, reflected on the late filmmaker's talents and career, too. He made sure to tell Business Insider a memorable story of when they filmed in Lake Tahoe, and the snow machines weren’t working. Feeling like Maguire let his director down, the Misery filmmaker offered him words of encouragement to ease his worries:

Rob Reiner made a great point in that there’s only so much that crews can control. It’s an admirable quality that the A Few Good Men director handled obstacles with ease and didn’t allow that to ruin his day. That’s all the more reason why Maguire said he felt grateful for their past collaborations:

Maguire continued to go on about other lessons he learned from the Wolf of Wall Street actor, like how he was open to suggestions to make a scene great, as well as shooting short days to avoid the cast and crew being burned out. Reiner may have broken into the entertainment industry as an actor first, but he clearly left a massive mark behind the camera and on those he worked with.

In the days since news broke that Reiner and his wife were killed, tributes and reflections have poured in left and right. All this is to say, the impact these two left on the entertainment industry is insurmountable and incredibly positive.

Rob Reiner clearly impacted AD Dennis Maguire by teaching him about controlling what you can and not worrying about the rest. While his death proved to be a heartbreaking loss to loved ones and fans, we should follow the advice of When Harry Met Sally's Meg Ryan, who said his story “will not end with this impossible tragedy.” Overall, Reiner’s legacy is legendary, and his impact will live on forever in the films he created and the artists he inspired.

Many in Hollywood and around the country are both shocked and in mourning following the tragic news that filmmaking icon Rob Reiner and his wife Michelle Singer Reiner were the victims of an apparent homicide on Sunday, December 14. Details still have yet to be fully confirmed as far as what exactly went down and why, but the husband and wife were found dead in their Brentwood home reportedly with their throats cut. At this time, police have not made any arrests, and no suspects have been identified.

According to ABC7, Curb Your Enthusiasm’s Larry David and When Harry Met Sally’s Billy Crystal both showed up in person at different times at the Reiners’ residence after the news broke. At this time, it doesn’t appear as if either comedy star has publicly commented on the incident, but plenty of other acting legends and A-listers have been paying tribute.

Jamie Lee Curtis And Christopher Guest (This Is Spinal Tap)

Christopher Guest most recently worked with Rob Reiner for the long-awaited rock-umentary Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, the sequel to one of the funniest comedies ever, (At the time, Reiner even talked to CinemaBlend about famed musicians’ reactions to the first film’s release.) To be expected, both Guest and wife Jamie Lee Curtis were taken aback by the news.

Kathy Bates (Misery)

Kathy Bates, currently the star of CBS' Matlock reboot, worked with the director while portraying one of her most famous characters: Annie Wilkes, the obsessive reader/kidnapper in Reiner's adaptation of Stephen King's Misery. Sharing her grief-filled statement about both deaths with NBC News, Bates said:

Cary Elwes (The Princess Bride)

Cary Elwes will forever be associated with the hilariousness of 1987's The Princess Bride, which Rob Reiner both produced and directed. The latter even took on the role of the grandfather for the celebrity-filled 2020 fan film Home Movie: The Princess Bride, which also featured his own father Carl Reiner in his final on-screen performance ahead of his death that same year. (Both Reiners separately starred in two of the greatest sitcoms of all time, All in the Family and The Dick Van Dyke Show, respectively,) and Elwes didn't share many words in his Instagram post, but he didn't really need them to make his point clear.

Jerry O'Connell (Stand By Me)

Another friend and past project co-star of Reiner's, Jerry O'Connell also kept his words nearly as limited as Elwes did, but they still packed quite the emotional punch. O'Connell's very first on-screen film role was for 1986's beloved coming-of-age drama Stand By Me, an adaptation of Stephen King's short story "The Body." So you know he probably has very strong memories about working with the director.

Corey Feldman (Stand By Me)

Jerry O'Connell's Stand By Me co-star Corey Feldman, who has publicly spoken out against filmmakers he worked with as a child actor, has long held Rob Reiner up as one of the good ones. His message on X reflects that sentiment, as he wrote:

Ron Howard

Fellow director and '70s sitcom star Ron Howard also took to social media to share kind words for his longtime friend and colleague. While the two didn't seem to share the screen in anything, Howard did address the fact that Rob Reiner co-wrote the pilot episode of Happy Days along with Garry Marshall and Philip Mishkin. As Howard put it on X:

Eric Idle

Eric Idle, a founding member of the iconic Monty Python troupe, also co-created The Rutles, a Beatles-spoofing musical group that has released a handful of albums across the past 40 years. The Rutles were also a direct inspiration for all things Spinal Tap, and Idle revealed that he'd been speaking with the director just hours before he was killed. As Idle put it:

Mira Sorvino

Oscar winner Mira Sorvino is one of the many actors who only co-starred with Rob Reiner in a project but wasn’t ever directed in anything by him, which possibly made it an even easier relationship to thrive in. Sorvino and Reiner co-starred in Ryan Murphy’s Netflix drama Hollywood, and she clearly had positive experiences with him there.

We at CinemaBlend send our thoughts and condolences to the family and friends of the Reiner family during this mournful time.

It perhaps sounds a bit weird, but jumping headlong into a pop culture staple can be intimidating. Be it Star Wars or Star Trek, Marvel or DC, or any other long-running series or franchise, one can look at the full breadth of a canon and be frozen by the scope to the point that you don’t know where to begin. That being said, having the guiding view of an expert can help mitigate any of that daunting feeling. For example, who better to take advice from about Stephen King books than Stephen King himself?

When it comes to getting into King’s expansive body of work, there are three particular titles that he would recommend starting with – and that’s the lead story in this week’s edition of The King Beat. But that’s not the only headline, as the pop culture icon has also revealed some fun facts about his personal movie-watching habits and discussed how the on-going Vietnam War in the mid-1960s ended up influencing him to write the exceptionally hardcore tale that would become his first completed novel: The Long Walk. There’s a whole lot to get into, so let’s dig in!

Do You Want To Start Getting Into Stephen King Books? King Himself Has Suggestions Where You Should Start

Without looking it up, can you guess how many books Stephen King has written – including novels, non-fiction, collections, published scripts, independent novellas and comics? If you guessed “92,” you’d be spot on… though I’d also wonder if you possibly cheated.

That’s a hell of a lot of titles to choose from, and I can understand any wannabe reader being overwhelmed in considering where to start. The epics like The Stand, IT, and The Dark Tower series are obvious choices to set aside until one has reached veteran status, but there are still dozens of other options. Should one go back to the very beginning, or perhaps start with the more modern titles, which led to lean more toward mystery than horror? Is a novel the way to go, or perhaps does the better way in include the smaller bits that come with his collections?

I’d wager that every Stephen King fan has their own take on the best way to proceed, but why not go straight to the source for a recommendation? With the release of The Long Walk on the near horizon (set to arrive in theaters September 12), the author recently participated in an AMA session on Reddit, and one question he answered concerned proper starting places for new readers. Asked for a list of three titles, he responded,

Those aren’t exactly low-profile titles, as all three of those books have been gotten the extra exposure that comes with being adapted, but if you’re personally unfamiliar with the stories, I’ve provided their individual loglines below:

• Salem’s Lot: An author returns to his home town with the intention of writing a book inspired by the most traumatic event in his childhood, but what he discovers instead is that the small Maine hamlet is becoming infested with vampires.
• Misery: In the midst of making a big career change and bringing an end to his most famous and beloved series of books, an author finds himself held hostage by a madwoman who forces him to resurrect her favorite character.
• The Long Walk: In a dystopian America, teenagers are selected to compete in what is essentially an incentivized death march – with the last boy left standing in the endurance trial winning riches and the ability to make a single wish.

The three books can all be classified as “Classic King” (released in the period between 1975 and 1987), and while I wouldn’t say that they are the books that best showcase the author’s underrated range as a storyteller, they do all feature the core elements that have made his work so beloved: they all have tremendous and complex characters who make meaningful and compelling choices that drive their stories forward.

Personally speaking, one of my go-to recommendations for folks looking to become Constant Readers is 1999’s The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon (the story of a girl who gets lost in the Appalachian Mountains and must find a way to survive in the wilderness), but those are some terrific choices for any novice looking for a perfect entry point.

Stephen King Offers His Thoughts On The Perfect Movie Watching Experience On The Big Screen

When it comes to watching movies in theaters, we all have our own individual preferences – including where we like to sit and what we like snack on. Personally speaking, I always try to get into the middle of the first row of a theater’s rear section, hoping that the screen fills my entire field of vision, and while concessions aren’t always my thing, I’m a guy who takes the share bag of Peanut M&Ms and sprinkles them into my popcorn for bites blending salty and sweet.

But how does Stephen King enjoy the big screen experience?

It’s no secret that Stephen King loves going to the movies (evidenced in both the cinematic qualities of his writing and his penchant for posting reactions to what he’s been watching on social media), and one of my favorite answers from his Reddit AMA this week concerns his habits when going to see a new release at his local theater. It turns out that he’s the kind of guy who likes to sit close and chow down, writing

I love that answer in general, but calling the movie theater popcorn butter “animal sweat” is such a perfect and awful description that I think I’m going to personally use it going forward. And as for the seat choice and the snacks? Fans can perhaps follow his lead to enhance their experience watching The Long Walk when it arrives in cinemas everywhere next month. And to further discuss that particular story…

Stephen King Discusses How Writing The Long Walk Was Influenced By Hearing About His Peers Dying In The Vietnam War

When Stephen King first wrote The Long Walk at the age of 19, it was a very scary time to be a teenager. The Vietnam War was raging on with no end in sight, and young men that were the same age as the author were regularly being sent overseas to meet their fate. King was able to avoid service personally because he was enrolled at the University of Maine at Orono, but the shock of what he was seeing happen to his generation was very real, and it was a key inspiration in writing what would be his first completed (albeit not first published) novel.

In the same Reddit AMA that has inspired all of this week’s King Beat headlines, the author was asked about how the environment of the late 1960s influenced what remains one of the darkest books he has ever written. He explains in his response that he was very aware of kids his age dying in the jungle during the international conflict, and the horror of it all was fuel for his creative fire:

What’s even scarier is that while The Long Walk was written nearly 60 years ago and published nearly 50 years ago, it feels as relevant as ever. It feels all too common that younger generations have to carry the burden of choices made by older generations, and it’s both unfair and regularly cruel. The fact that screenwriter JT Mollner barely had to make any updates to the story in adapting the book for the big screen is perfectly disturbing evidence of this – and you’ll find out what I mean soon, with the exceptionally bleak and buzzy upcoming Stephen King movie now less than two weeks away from arriving in theaters across the country.

That wraps up this week’s edition of The King Beat, the last one of August 2025, but as the calendar flips over to September, there is a whole lot King-centric stuff to look forward to, including not only the theatrical arrival of The Long Walk but also the publication of the author’s take on the fairy tale Hansel & Gretel (featuring artwork from the legendary Maurice Sendak). As always, I’ll be back here on CinemaBlend next Thursday with a full roundup of all the biggest news from the world of King, so be sure to head back here then to read all about it.

Rob Reiner's Misery is a great movie with a number of fantastic behind-the-scenes tales – including the fact that a significant collection of big actors were offered and turned down the role of Paul Sheldon before James Caan said "yes" (the list including Robert Redford, Warren Beatty, William Hurt, Harrison Ford, Gene Hackman, Dustin Hoffman, Kevin Kline, and Richard Dreyfus). But here's a new bit of trivia: did you know that Billy Bob Thornton was originally cast to play a part in the acclaimed Stephen King adaptation? He didn't land the role of Paul or even Sherriff Buster, who is played by Richard Farnsworth; instead, the story is much stranger than that.

The newest edition on Variety's "Actors On Actors" series features a sit down between Billy Bob Thornton and Kathy Bates, and one of the most fascinating parts of the conversation sees the former reveal to the latter that he was almost one of her co-stars in Misery (a film that won Bates the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1991). He explained that he didn't just audition for a role but instead won it in the room, saying,

Those of you who have seen Misery are probably saying to yourselves right now, "Wait a second... Sheriff Buster doesn't have a deputy in the movie." Well, I can assure you that your memory is not failing you. The Richard Farnsworth character (who, it should be noted, is not featured in the Stephen King novel) has a terrific scene partner in Frances Sternhagen's Virginia, his wife, but he seems to operate alone in Colorado's Silver County.

According to Billy Bob Thornton, there was a version of the script by William Goldman that featured Sheriff Buster having a deputy, and Thornton landed that part. There are two big twists, however: 1) it was decided that the character would be cut from the movie prior to the start of production, and 2) Rob Reiner was willing to shoot the scenes with Thornton despite the fact that he knew they weren't going to make it into the final cut of Misery. The actor said that he got a very polite call from Reiner just before he was planning to head to set:

Billy Bob Thornton's response was that he would have felt "weird" about doing that, and making a bunch of "stuff" that was "worthless in the end." Thus, he didn't go to set. This certainly feels like a sweet case of an actor-turned-director reaching out a hand to a fellow professional – perhaps understanding from personal experience the burn of landing a job and then having it taken away. It was a very generous offer.

But I have so many questions. Understanding that Misery wasn't exactly a huge blockbuster, how much would have the meant-to-be-cut scenes with Billy Bob Thornton have cost the production had they been shot? What was the character's personality, and how did it fit into the dynamic between Buster and Virginia? Is there even the slightest percentage chance that he would have been the victim in the scene where Annie Wilkes rolls over a guy with a lawnmower?

Sadly, it doesn't seem from the edited interview that Kathy Bates followed up – so perhaps there will be a follow-up interview with Rob Reiner where he clarifies his side of the story.

As is, Misery is a perfect movie, and part of that stems from how lean it is as a horror/thriller. If you're now in the mood to watch, the bad news is that it's not currently available in any libraries of the major streaming services, but the film is widely available for digital rental/purchase, and Kino Lorber released a terrific 4K UHD edition a few years ago that is a must for anyone building a Stephen King library.

Cinephiles who love director Rob Reiner's Misery likely know that the most brutal scene in the film is actually quite a bit tamer than its counterpart in the Stephen King book on which it's based. The movie features Annie Wilkes using a sledgehammer to break the ankles of captive writer Paul Sheldon, but the novel sees her go a step further and straight-up chop his feet off. It's easily the adaptation's most famous change from the source material – but there is actually another even more violent scene that didn't make it into the feature, and Kathy Bates was very much against its exclusion.

This past weekend, Misery screened at the TCL Chinese Theater in Los Angeles as part of the Turner Classic Movies Festival, and Bates and Rob Reiner participated in a post-screening Q&A that had them reflecting on the making of the phenomenal Stephen King movie. The Oscar-winning actress was asked about her relationship with the book prior to making the film, and she explained not only that she had read the novel, but that she was upset when she learned about a standout scene not being included in screenwriter William Goldman's script. Said Bates,

That's right: there is a scene in Stephen King's Misery where the iconic female horror villain Annie Wilkes full-on rolls over a guy with an active lawnmower. Said "guy" is actually a cop who rolls by the Wilkes farm investigating the disappearance of Paul Sheldon, and Wilkes first stabs him with a cross before trying to destroy the body with landscaping equipment. In what could be said to be the film's equivalent scene, Annie simply fires a double-barreled shotgun into the back of Richard Farnsworth's Sheriff Buster (a character who is entirely invented for the adaptation) and pushes his body into her basement.

So why was the scene cut? According to Kathy Bates, Rob Reiner explained at the time that the moment was overkill for the film he wasn't to make and would be a step too far. In her words,

As Rob Reiner explained, however, the decision to change the famous hobbling scene in Misery was a bit more nuanced. It wasn't because he thought that chopping off Paul Sheldon's feet was too violent; he thought it was too extreme for how he wanted to end the protagonist's story.

The filmmaker said that the James Caan character endures so much pain over the course of the story, both psychologically and physically, and he didn't feel it was appropriate to reach the end of Misery with the character not being fully intact and able to heal. Said Reiner,

Rob Reiner's Misery celebrates its 35th anniversary this year, the film first premiering in November 1990, and it is as brilliant as ever, with Kathy Bates delivering what I see as one of the most incredible performances in the history of cinema. It's a masterpiece from Reiner – even better than his other genius Stephen King adaptation, Stand By Me – and if you haven't seen it in a minute, do yourself a favor and give it a watch.

You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself outshined by the villain. That’s how it goes, right? Or something like that. All jokes aside, there have been countless times over the years where villains have resonated so well with audiences we have forgotten about the heroes who’ve tried to vanquish them. But it’s hard to compete with the likes of the “Crown Prince of Crime,” a certain ice-cold assassin with a fondness for coins and bad haircuts, and vindictive and psychotic nurses.

From the best Marvel movies to a handful of Best Picture winners and so many others, here are 32 times the villain stole the show in a movie.

Hans Gruber (Die Hard)

Alan Rickman crushed his first major movie role as Hans Gruber in 1988’s Die Hard. Nothing against Bruce Willis’ John McClane, but there’s no denying the fact that Gruber immediately became one of those unforgettable villains we love to hate. The saying “It isn’t Christmas until Hans Gruber falls from Nataktomi Plaza” says it all.

Darth Vader (Star Wars)

Luke Skywalker is an iconic hero, Han Solo is the coolest scoundrel in the galaxy, and Princess Leia is divine, but we all know that Darth Vader sucks all the air out of the room whenever he’s on-screen in Star Wars. The presence, the physicality, and the powerful voice of the late James Earl Jones, all make Lord Vader one of the best villains of all time.

Erik Killmonger (Black Panther)

Michael B. Jordan’s Erik Killmonger is hands down one of the best Marvel villains, with only a couple of other foes topping him in the ranking. The intensity, emotion, and wow factor all go up whenever this long-lost son of Wakanda shows up in Black Panther. 

Colonel Hans Landa (Inglorious Basterds)

Quentin Tarantino pulled off the impossible when he gave the world Colonel Hans Landa, a maniacal yet charming Nazi played by Christoph Waltz in Inglorious Basterds. Seriously, the movie could have been two hours of Landa talking to people (which it pretty much was) and we still would have gone crazy for it. Almost feel bad liking the guy this much.

Thanos (Avengers: Infinity War)

Avengers: Infinity War, for all intents and purposes, is Thanos’ movie and Earth’s Mightiest Heroes are just living in it. Rarely do movies allow the villain to take center stage like this, and the 2018 crossover event is better because of it.

Anton Chigurh (No Country For Old Men)

Anton Chigurh, Javier Bardem’s ice-cold killer from No Country for Old Men, is one of those movie villains we’ll be studying for years, if not decades, to come. Every time this assassin with a bad haircut and a unique set of skills comes on screen, you can feel a chill run down your spine.

Annie Wilkes (Misery)

One of the meanest ‘90s movie villains, Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates) from Misery steals the scene whenever she’s on screen in Rob Reiner’s 1990 Stephen King adaptation. A force of pure evil, this obsessive book fan will forever live in our hearts, even if she fills us with fear.

Terence Fletcher (Whiplash)

J.K. Simmons has played some great villains over the years (Oz fans know what we’re talking about), but even the neo-Nazi Vernon Schillinger couldn’t hold a candle to Terence Fletcher in Whiplash. The angry, petty, vindictive, and obsessive Julliard professor is a force to be reckoned with in this 2014 drama.

The Joker (The Dark Knight)

From the first time Heath Ledger’s Joker appears on screen in The Dark Knight, you know he’s going to be a villain to remember. The anarchy, the carnage, the changing stories about how he got his scars, all of it makes him someone we’ll never forget. 

The Terminator (The Terminator)

James Cameron gave the world one of the best sci-fi movies and all-time great villains when he unleashed The Terminator upon the world in 1984. And while Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) and Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn) are heroes worth rooting for, we all know we want nothing more than to see Arnold Schwarzenegger’s titular cyborg show up with his one-liners and knack for killing folks.

Hannibal Lecter (The Silence Of The Lambs)

Hannibal Lecter, the role that won Anthony Hopkins an Academy Award, was only on screen in The Silence of the Lambs for 16 years, and he still stole the show. The cannibalistic prison inmate who helps Jodie Foster’s Clarice Starling in the most unorthodox and unsettling ways is still the most talked about part of the movie despite his limited screen time.

Nurse Ratched (One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest)

Few nurses or medical professionals have instilled as much fear in the hearts of audiences as Nurse Ratched, Louise Fletcher’s manipulative and sadistic character from One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Sure, we all love Jack Nicholson’s R.P. McMurphy, but Ratched stole the show.

Clarence Boddicker (Robocop)

Long before he was the wise-cracking Red Foreman on That ‘70s Show, Kurtwood Smith played the sensationally violent Clarence Boddicker in Robocop. The man who turned Peter Weller’s Alex Murphy into a crime-fighting cyborg had some wild moments throughout the movie, most of which we can’t really describe here.

Nino Brown (New Jack City)

Already on the rise thanks to Major League, Wesley Snipes became a massive star thanks to his portrayal of Nino Brown, the powerful drug lord in New Jack City. Nothing against Ice-T’s Scotty Appleton (who takes things personally), but Nino is in in a league of his own in this sprawling crime epic.

Bodhi (Point Break)

Though he could be considered an antihero we hate to love, Bodhi, Patrick Swayze’s surfing, skydiving, and bank-robbing character from Point Break is also an incredibly interesting villain. Both physical and spiritual, this three-dimensional adrenaline junkie is just so dang cool.

Regina George (Mean Girls)

Villains don’t have to be angry nurses or criminals with a high body count, and Regina George (Rachel McAdams) proved that in Mean Girls. The leader of the Plastics, a group she ran with an iron and pink fist, Regina was for sure one of the most vindictive antagonists of the 2000s and one we still love to hate.

Clubber Lang (Rocky III)

For the most part, the Rocky movies featured iconic and unique villains like Apollo Creed (before he turned good) and Ivan Drago, but Clubber Lang from Rocky III is in a league of his own. Mr. T’s formidable foe in the 1982 movie stole every scene and his presence could be felt even when he wasn’t on screen.

Catherine Tramell (Basic Instinct)

Being bad never looked as good as it did for Catherine Tramell (Sharon Stone) in the 1992 erotic thriller, Basic Instinct. The crimes, the head games, the seduction, and the attitude make this femme fatale one of the best villains of all time.

Gordon Gekko (Wall Street)

Though there are some who still miss the message of Gordon Gekko’s “Greed is Good” speech from Wall Street, Michael Douglas’ powerful character is very much the villain in Oliver Stone’s 1987 drama. Poor Charlie Sheen didn’t stand a chance next to this guy.

The Wicked Witch Of The West (The Wizard Of Oz)

Margaret Hamilton’s portrayal of the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz is one of those villainous performances that we’ll never forget. The way she could say things like “I’ll get you my pretty,” throw fireballs, and call on an army of flying monkeys is still frightening all these years later.

Norman Bates (Psycho)

One of the best slasher horror movies of all time, Psycho also features one of the genre’s great villains in Norman Bates. After his facade of a seemingly harmless albeit off-putting man with mommy issues fades away, we’re left with an unforgettable creep.

Cyrus The Virus (Con Air)

Nothing against Nicolas Cage, but Con Air is Cyrus the Virus’ movie. The way John Malkovich looks on screen with that shaved head and goatee makes him look like a cleanup hitter for the Houston Astros who went crazy and killed a bunch of folks after getting busted for steroids adds such a great dynamic to this iconic ‘90s action movie.

Luther (The Warriors)

Though he’s only in a handful of scenes, Luther, with his “Warriors, come out to play,” delivery, steals the show in this ‘70s classic. Would The Warriors be a good movie without him? Probably. But the leader of the Rogues makes it an all-timer.

Scar (The Lion King)

When it comes to Disney villains from the ‘90s, there are few that come close to the rightful king that is Scar. Voiced by Academy Award-winning actor Jeremy Irons, the brother of King Mufasa (James Earl Jones) takes villainy to a whole new level in The Lion King. Sure, he destroys the natural order of things, brings famine and drought to the Pride Lands, and gives his nephew one major guilt trip after killing his father, but that’s what makes him so iconic, right?

HAL 9000 (2001: A Space Odyssey)

You don’t have to be a human or even a living thing to make a good villain, and HAL 9000 proved that in 2001: A Space Odyssey. Voiced by Douglas Rain, this cold and calculated computer goes out of his way to make life miserable for the astronauts aboard the Discovery One spacecraft. What makes him even more menacing is that HAL is mostly depicted as a camera lens with a red dot in the middle.

Howard Payne (Speed)

Though Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock became massive stars following the 1994 release of Speed, it was impossible to be captivated by the maniacal and over-the-top performance of Dennis Hopper as Howard Payne. The cop-turned-bomber has a way about him that’s just so perfect in this landmark action flick. And if it weren’t for the iconic bus jump sequence, he’d probably be what we talk about the most.

Max Cady (Cape Fear)

Whenever we talk about the best Robert De Niro movies, it doesn’t take long for Martin Scorsese's 1991 remake of Cape Fear to enter the conversation. Max Caddy, one of the all-time great movie villains, steals every single scene in this tense revenge thriller, even when the ex-con with a bone to pick with his former defense attorney isn’t on screen. And the way he says “Counselor” when toying with Nick Nolte’s Sam Bowden is just perfect.

Count Orlok (Nosferatu)

Few movie characters have an impact on the viewer like Count Orlok, Max Schreck's vampire from the 1922 silent horror film, Nosferatu. The off-putting appearance, the eerie movements, and the unrelenting nature of the monster are all frightening more than a century after the controversial film was first released.

Joan Crawford (Mommie Dearest)

Frank Perry’s Mommie Dearest is one of the wildest and most terrifying biographical dramas ever made, and the based-on-a-true-story aspect of it makes Faye Dunaway’s portrayal of Joan Crawford even more terrifying. There’s a good chance more people know the “No wire hangers!” line than the movie itself, which says it all.

Agent Smith (The Matrix)

The way Hugo Weaving’s Agent Smith says “Mr. Anderson,” whenever he encounters Neo (Keanu Reeves) in The Matrix is so bone-chilling, so iconic, and so perfect, we just can’t get enough of it. One of the best sci-fi villains of all time, it’s hard to look away from this increasingly powerful computer program.

John Doe (Seven)

Though we don’t meet Kevin Spacey’s John Doe until the final act of Seven, his presence can be felt throughout David Fincher’s 1995 thriller. The nature of his crimes, especially during the movie’s twisted ending, tells us everything we need to know about the bitter, dangerous, and self-righteous killer.

Freddy Krueger (A Nightmare On Elm Street)

When it comes to the best horror movie icons, Freddy Krueger is in a league of his own. Robert Englund’s knife-handed killer from A Nightmare on Elm Street is equal parts terrifying and hilarious, so much so that we don’t really care who plays his victims (except for maybe Johnny Depp).

Men may be the more traditional villains in movies, but women have been some of the best. The kind of characters we just love to hate, played by some of the greatest actresses of all time. Here is our list of some of the best female villains in film history.

Nurse Ratched - One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest

Louise Fletcher's performance as the manipulative Nurse Ratched is one of the most chilling to grace the silver screen. Her iron-fisted rule over McMurphy (Jack Nicholson) and the rest of the patients is quietly evil, making it way more effective and terrifying than an over-the-top style of villain. 

Wicked Witch Of The West - The Wizard Of Oz

There may be no more recognizable villain, male or female, to movie fans than the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard Of Oz. The Margaret Hamilton character has been scaring kids (in the best way) for almost a century. The role is so iconic that when we think of a generic "witch," we almost always picture the Wicked Witch of the West. 

Alex Forrest - Fatal Attraction

You know we couldn't make this list without the absolutely unhinged Alex Forrest (Glenn Close) in Fatal Attraction. Close's performance of the jilted lover is consistently ranked among the great villains of all time and it's easy to see why. The movie keeps viewers on the edge of their seats as she gets more and more detached from reality, leaving us all terrified of what could come next. 

Madeline "Ma-Ma" Madrigal - Dredd

Madeline "Ma-Ma" Madrigal (Lena Headey), the gang boss in 2012's Dredd, is among the most ruthless criminals on film in recent years. Her control over the housing block Judge Dredd (Karl Urban) is trying to police is fanatical and all-encompassing. Ma-Ma doesn't seem to have - or want - friends or advisors, just soldiers in her battle for control. 

Mary Lee Johnston - Precious

A lot of the villains on this list are traditional movie villains. Mary Lee Johnston (Mo'Nique) in Precious is not traditional. She's also the "realest" villain on this list. So real, it's horrifying, making Precious being a great movie that you almost never want to watch ever again. She's so evil it's really hard to watch. Mo'Nique is fantastic, bringing this wicked character to life on the screen. 

Phyllis Dietrichson - Double Indemnity

Female villains are nothing new, of course. One of the all-time classic examples is Phyllis Dietrichson in Double Indemnity from 1944. Barbara Stanwyck plays the traitorous wife who takes advantage of an insurance salesman (Fred MacMurray) by dragging him into her diabolical plan to off her husband and collect on his life insurance. 

Kathryn Merteuil - Cruel Intentions

High school bullies make great villains. They make especially great villains when they are as manipulative as Kathryn Merteuil (Sarah Michelle Gellar) in Cruel Intentions. Kathryn has no morals and no ethics, she only cares about herself and doesn't care who she hurts. That's why watching her get caught in the end is so satisfying. It's also maybe the best use of music in the movies. 

Pamela Voorhees - Friday The 13th

In the history of horror movies, one of the most iconic has to be the original Friday The 13th. While Jason Voorhees is on the Mount Rushmore of slasher film villains after countless sequels and spinoffs in the franchise, it's his mother who is the real villain in the original and that's why she, Pamala Voorhees (Betsy Palmer), deserves to be on this list. 

Mystique - X-Men

Magneto may the "big bad" in most of the X-Men movies, but he wouldn't be nearly as threatening without his right-hand woman, Mystique. Played by both Rebecca Romijn and Jennifer Lawrence in the movies, the shapeshifting mutant does a lot of Magneto's dirty work. 

Elektra King - The World Is Not Enough

Given James Bond's history with women, you might expect more of his villains to be women. While there are plenty of henchmen, there are not a lot of women who played Bond villains. One great exception is the diabolical Elektra King (Sophie Marceau) in The World Is Not Enough. King,  wasn't born evil, but she definitely turned that way, perhaps even more extreme than the man who made her that way. 

Regina George - Mean Girls

Ruining Regina George's life might not have made Cady (Lindsay Lohan) happy in Mean Girls, but it sure was satisfying to watch! George, played by the great Rachel McAdams, is one of the all-time great girl-bullies in movie history. The manipulative popular girl gets what's coming to her in the end, after proving how awful she can be to even her closest friends. 

Bellatrix Lestrange - Harry Potter

It's impossible to see anyone other than Helena Bonham Carter in the role of the Harry Potter Bellatrix Lestrange. She plays the role of the villain perfectly in the series. Most of Potter and Co.'s enemies are male, of course, but one of the scariest has to be Lestrange.

Cassandra Nova - Deadpool And Wolverine

The MCU has a handful of female villains and for the most part, they are among the most powerful of all the villains. Take Cassandra Nova (Emma Corrin) in Deadpool And Wolverine, for example. She's just as powerful as her brother, Charles Xavier, but she's pure evil. That's a terrifying combination. 

Annie Wilkes - Misery

This list would certainly not be complete without one of the meanest villains of the '90s, or any other decade in film history. Annie Wilkes, played by Kathy Bates in an Oscar-winning performance. She completely stole the show in one of the greatest horror movies of all time and earned a place on the Mount Rushmore of movie villains. 

Mama Fratelli - The Goonies

Big-time fame came late to Anne Ramsey. The actress had built a solid career in Hollywood as a character actor, but she really hit the big time after playing the villainous Mama Fratelli, matriarch of a hapless, yet very mean family, in The Goonies. Tragically, she died just three years later of cancer at age 59. 

Amy Dunne - Gone Girl

Is there anything as scary as a cold, calculating villain like Amy Dunne in Gone Girl? Amy, played by Rosamund Pike, is certainly justified in her beef with her cheating husband, put her method of revenge is pure evil. It's also darn impressive, and in the end, she "wins," so she deserves to be on this list. 

Miranda Priestly - The Devil Wears Prada

Everyone has had bad bosses, but no one has had a boss quite as awful as Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada. Meryl Streep's performance as the ultimate boss from hell is one of the best of her amazing career and a rare example of the actress playing a true villain. 

Cruella DeVille - One Hundred and One Dalmatians

Disney has a long history of great female villains, and close to the top of the greatest ones has to be Cruella DeVille. The One Hundred and One Dalmatians baddie knows exactly how to tear out viewers' hearts in everything she does, to say nothing of making coats from puppies. 

Aileen Wuornos - Monster

Charlize Theron plays one of the rare real people on this list, serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Monster. Monster is the perfect description of her, too. While her unbelievably terrible life that led to her murders is something no one would wish on their worst enemy, what Wuornos became is pure evil in every way. Theron won an Oscar for her performance as Wuornos, who was executed in prison a year before the movie was released. 

Hela - Thor: Ragnorak

Some of the most powerful villains in the MCU are women and Hela in Thor: Ragnorak certainly qualifies here. Cate Blanchett's chameleon-like performance is just so great and Hela looks so cool, that you almost want to root for her. 

Maleficent - Sleeping Beauty

When you're such a good villain that they start making spin-offs about you, you absolutely belong on this list. Maleficent is one of the all-time great villains in Disney history and we love to hate her so much that she even got two films all her own in the 2010s, starring Angelina Jolie as the diabolical fairy, where we learn she's maybe not as evil as it seems. 

Harley Quinn - Suicide Squad

Of all the villains on this list, Harley Quinn is the most fun. Yeah, she's a psychopath, sure, but she's a fun psychopath! That's really all she wants to do, have fun and create chaos and that makes her pretty endearing in a lot of ways, as does Margot Robbie's awesome performance as the manic pixie dream psycho in the Suicide Squad movies. 

Veronica - Heathers

On the surface, you may argue that Heather Chandler (Kim Walker) is the villain in Heathers. Like Regina George, Chandler is the alpha mean girl in the crew of Heathers. But really, it's Veronica (Winona Ryder) and her boyfriend J.D. (Christian Slater), who are the real baddies here. They're the ones committing the murders, after all.  

Elle Driver - Kill Bill

Daryl Hannah was mostly known for rom-coms and more "innocent" characters before she was brilliantly cast by Quentin Tarantino as Elle Driver in Kill Bill. The California Mountain Snake, as Driver was known as part of the Deadly Vipers is a remorseless killer and relentless in her pursuit of her intended victim. 

Elsa Schneider - Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade

Elsa Schneider is the worst kind of traitor, she's a Nazi traitor who turns on one of cinema's great heroes, Indiana Jones. It's an unforgivable sin that earns her place on this list. Allison Doody's performance is great, as the surprise twist is something few saw coming. 

Catherine Tramell - Basic Instinct

It's unfortunate that Basic Instinct is really only remembered for one scene, surely you know which one. It's sad because Sharon Stone's work in the film as the calculating Catherine Tramell deserves to be remembered for more than just that interrogation scene. It's arguably the finest performance of her career. 

Jadis The White Witch - The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Jadis The White Witch (Tilda Swinton) is, in the end, really nothing more than a dictator and a bully. She just has powerful magic to help her in her mercurial schemes and grievances. Not only does she delight in turning her enemies to stone for even the most minor slights, but she also plunges Narnia into winter for decades. 

Madison Lee - Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle

Traitorous villains, like Madison Lee (Demi Moore) in Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle are the worst kind of people, but they make for some epic baddies in movies. A former Angel, Madison turns to the dark side after she thinks Charlie disrespects her and goes after her old friends with total abandon. 

Ursula - The Little Mermaid

It's hard to narrow down all the great Disney female villains for this list, but we had to include Ursula from The Little Mermaid. She's the epitome of everything that makes Disney villains great. Life's full of tough choices, isn't it?

Mallory Knox - Natural Born Killers

Like many others on this list, Mallory Knox (Juliette Lewis) in Natural Born Killers is in some ways a victim of circumstance. Her upbringing was shocking, and her husband Mickey (Woody Harrelson) is the catalyst for their crime spree. Neither of those things gives her a pass though. Instead she makes this list as an all-time great villain. 

Frau Farbissina - Austin Powers 

One of the great Bond villainesses. Rosa Klebb in From Russia With Love is the inspiration for another great, Frau Farbissina in the Austin Powers franchise. Mindy Sterling's performance as Dr. Evil's right-hand woman is just pitch-perfect as a parody and she absolutely deserves to be on this list. 

President Alma Coin - The Hunger Games: Mockingjay

President Coriolanus Snow (Donald Sutherland) is the classic bad guy in The Hunger Games movies, but after Snow is finally deposed and Alma Coin (Julieanne Moore) takes over as President, it turns out she's just as ruthless as Snow. Her pettiness towards Katniss doesn't do much to endear her to anyone, either.

There are a ton of movies from the '90s that we love that weren't blockbusters upon their release. These are movies that we think defined the decade, and did define it. That's not to say they didn't make money, most of the movies on this list were at least profitable, but they didn't didn't make nearly as much as you would think. 

The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

On any list like this, the classic example is always The Shawshank Redemption. It's a movie that CinemaBlend has called the best movie of the 1990s. Yet, when it was first released, it didn't actually do very well. During its initial run in the fall of 1994, it barely squeaked into the top 10 and failed to even make back its budget. It wasn't until the following year, when it became a regular on cable television that it found an audience and became the beloved classic it is today.

Dazed And Confused (1993)

Richard Linklater's Dazed and Confused is one of the most quotable movies of all time, but it wasn't a big money maker at first. Imagine a movie today with a cast that includes Matthew McConaughey, Ben Affleck, Cole Hauser, Parker Posey, Renee Zellweger, and more not being a massive hit. Of course, most of them were unknown at the time and, according to Box Office Mojo, the movie only made about $8 million on a $7 million budget in theaters. 

The Player (1992)

The Player, by legendary director Robert Altman, was praised by critics and nominated for a slew of awards, but it didn't find an audience initially. Though the film was profitable, it didn't make nearly the money one would expect from a film that has literally dozens of big stars making cameos in it. 

The Usual Suspects (1995)

Eventually, The Usual Suspects became a favorite of many people, but that wasn't the case when it was first released. According to the website The Numbers, the film only made about $23 million domestically at the box office. That really isn't very much for a movie, especially one of its caliber. 

Election (1999)

Reese Witherspoon's character Tracy Flick in Election has become an icon and it basically helped launch the actor into superstardom. It did not, however, crush it at the box office, bringing in just $14 million worldwide. 

The Big Lebowski (1998)

The Coen Brothers followed up their Academy Award-winning Fargo with The Big Lebowski and despite the amazing cast and the stellar writing, the movie just didn't click with audiences at first. Of course, it's gone on to have a life of its own and has played a major role in pop culture since, but at the time, it was almost regarded as a bomb. 

Office Space (1999)

There may be no bigger cult classic on this list than Mike Judge's 1999 comedy classic Office Space. It's constantly quoted by anyone who has ever worked in an office and continues to be discovered by new generations. It's got a wonderful cast, and the writing is downright amazing. It took DVD and cable to make it so loved though. At the box office, it was basically a bomb, bringing in just $12 million on a $10 million budget. 

The Iron Giant (1999)

There has been a lot of discussion about why The Iron Giant did so poorly at the box office when it was first released, but it pretty much bombed completely. In the years since it's become a favorite of an entire generation who grew up watching it at home. 

Reality Bites (1994)

In 1994, Gen X was still defining itself and it was movies like Reality Bites starring Winona Ryder that helped it do so. What is astounding is that it's not nearly the hit that most Gen Xers would expect, making just $20 million upon its release. Its cultural impact definitely outweighs its financial success, which probably sits just fine with many in the generation. 

Goodfellas (1990)

Goodfellas starring Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Ray Liotta, and directed by Martin Scorsese, is considered by many to be one of the best movies of all time. While it was successful at the box, it didn't even crack the top 1,000 in all-time box office. Kindergarten Cop made twice as much as Goodfellas in 1990. You'd be better off robbing an airport. 

Heat (1995)

According to The Numbers, Heat made about $67 million, which is nothing to sneeze at. That is until you compare it to some of the other movies from that same year and realize it made less money than Waterworld, which is considered one of the biggest bombs of all time, and Casper, along with 23 other movies in 1995.

How Stella Got Her Groove Back (1998)

How Stella Got Her Groove Back has become a cultural touchstone from the 1990s and while it did decent at the box, it was far from a runaway hit like it might have expected it to be. It made Taye Diggs a star and Angela Bassett a superstar, but it wasn't even one of the 50 most popular movies of the year. 

Boogie Nights (1997)

1997 was a banner year for movies, with classics like Titanic, Men in Black, and Good Will Hunting all getting released. Then, way down the list of the top box office performers, is Boogie Nights at #75. It only managed to bring in $26 million on release. A lot can be chalked up to the racy subject matter, sure, but it's still one of the best movies of the decade. 

Fight Club (1999)

1999's Fight Club is still revered today, decades later, but at the time, you could say the response by filmgoers was lukewarm at best. It only ended up making about $37 million domestically, but it would earn much more in the next few years on DVD and cable TV. 

Singles (1992)

Singles is one of the movies on this list that defines a generation, for better or worse. It portrays Generation X as a slacker generation that isn't interested in anything. It turns out, Gen X was interested in this movie either, as it earned just $18 million, ranking 67th for 1992.

Can't Hardly Wait (1998)

Jennifer Love Hewitt was on the verge of superstardom when Can't Hardly Wait was released. It would eventually become an oft-quoted, huge cult favorite, but in its theater run, it performed very mediocrely. It took in $23 million and finished behind less-beloved movies like Bulworth and Practical Magic in 1998.

Back to the Future Part III (1990)

Okay, this one needs a little explanation as to how it ended up on this list, because it was certainly a hit, and it made a lot of money. It's here because, though it's often ranked above Back to the Future Part II in the Back to the Future trilogy, Back to the Future Part III made the least amount of money of all three, which you wouldn't have expected. 

Malcolm X (1992)

Spike Lee's epic Malcolm X was controversial when it was released in 1992, due to the controversial nature of Malcolm X, played by Denzel Washington in the movie, himself. It's a movie that is good enough to make the top ten in any given year, yet it finished #32 at the year-end box office.

The Doors (1991)

For the kids that were the children of Baby Boomers, '60s music was a big deal. When The Doors came out in 1992, high school kids all over obsessed over it. But that wasn't until it was released on VHS. In its theatrical run, it barely managed to make back its initial budget. 

Tombstone (1993)

1993 Tombstone is one of the greatest westerns of all time, but it didn't start out as a fan favorite. While it did make a decent chunk of change, it finished behind forgettable movies in the year-end box office numbers like Dave, Rising Sun, and Indecent Proposal.

Misery (1990)

1990's Misery starring James Caan and Kathy Bates is arguably the best Stephen King adaption on the silver screen, and while it was definitely a hit, you'd expect a movie of its caliber to be one of the biggest hits of the year, but it was beat by movies like Kindergarten Cop, Bird On A Wire (one of the worst #1 movies ever), and 3 Men and a Little Lady.

True Romance (1993)

Director Tony Scott's True Romance has an amazing cast and an amazing script by Quentin Tarantino. Ingredients like that usually turn into a hit. Instead, it only made about $12 million and barely snuck into the top 100 movies of 1993. 

Pump Up the Volume (1990)

Christian Slater's character Hard Harry inspired a generation of Gen Xers to be dark and mysterious, and while Pump Up The Volume became one of the most beloved cult hits of the decade, it took a while to get there. It only made $11 million in theaters. 

Strange Days (1995)

Director Kathryn Bigelow's Strange Days is a love-it-or-hate-it-type of movie. Despite being a huge box office flop, making less than a third of its budget back. It's since become a very popular cult flick with a huge fanbase that is always willing to defend it. 

Tremors (1990)

Normally you'd expect a movie that launches a franchise to be an off-the-chart blockbuster. Tremors did the former but was far from the latter. Star Kevin Bacon revealed in 2019 that the movie made less than a fifth of what it was expected to make. Still, there have now been six more movies and a TV show in the franchise and the original is still one of Bacon's best movies. 

Ed Wood (1994)

1994's Ed Wood is one of Tim Burton's least-talked-about movies, and that's likely because it did so poorly at the box office, making just $5 million when it was released. It's one of Burton's and star Johnny Depp's worst performing movies, despite being pretty good. 

BASEketball (1998)

BASEketball was the first movie starring the guys from South Park, Matt Stone and Trey Parker. The problem is that they didn't write it. Despite some funny moments, their star power wasn't enough to make money and the movie bombed, making just $7 million. 

Darkman (1990)

There is no question that Darkman has been a cult classic. but when it first came out it was, at best, a moderate success, making about $32 million domestically. In the years since it has become an impressive franchise with multiple movies, comic books, and video games. 

Hackers (1995)

1995 Hackers, starring Jonny Lee Miller and Angelina Jolie is like the little movie that keeps on going. It's not well regarded by critics, and it was a definite bomb, but it continues to be talked about and drawing fans in. Maybe it's the nature of the subject and talking about it on the internet, but it's the movie that just won't die. 

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)

Hunter S. Thompson's legendary novel Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas was always described as a book that no one could do justice to on the silver screen. That's just the kind of challenge that Terry Gilliam loves and so when he made it a movie in 1998 with Johnny Depp taking on the role of Thompson, no one was surprised. The movie is a brilliant representation of the trippy book, and despite only making about $13 million worldwide, it's still talked about and loved today. 

Friday (1995)

If you were a certain kind of college kid in the '90s, it's safe to say you watched Friday dozens of times on VHS. But that was VHS. The odds are that you didn't actually see it in theaters, because the Ice Cube/Chris Tucker classic only made about $23 million, placing it outside of the top 50 in 1995. 

Being John Malkovich (1999)

79 movies made more money than Being John Malkovich in 1999. Including movies like Baby Geniuses, Mystery Men, Superstar, The 13th Warrior, and The Martian. Are those movies all better than Being John Malkovich? Of course not. 

There are some horror movie characters — including some of the scariest villains or even the resourceful heroes they chase after — who are so well defined by the performances that brought them to life, that you cannot imagine any other actor in the role. However, history shows that things could have gone differently had other actors previously considered landed the part instead. Take a look at just how different some of the all-time best horror movies could have been by sifting through some of the fascinating and surprising examples of actors who came close to becoming horror movie icons — including some who did earn that title in other ways.

Kane Hodder (Freddy Krueger In A Nightmare On Elm Street)

As Kane Hodder revealed during ShudderFest’s Horror Royalty panel in 2020 (via Yahoo), before he played Jason Voorhees, Wes Craven considered him to play Freddy Krueger before Robert Englund joined the A Nightmare on Elm Street cast. However, at the end of the ninth Friday the 13th movie, that's actually Hodder's arm wearing Krueger’s claw pulling Jason's mask underground, meaning the actor got to play both roles after all.

Drew Barrymore (Sydney Prescott In Scream)

Seeing an A-lister like Drew Barrymore die in the opening scene of Wes Craven’s 1996 slasher revival was one of horror cinema’s greatest surprises since Janet Leigh’s death in Psycho, just as the actor predicted. Barrymore revealed on Hot Ones that she was offered Sydney Prescott, the lead role of the original Scream cast, but requested to play Casey Becker instead, knowing it would shock the audience.

Christopher Lee (Dr. Loomis In Halloween)

An undisputed Scream King for playing Dracula and starring in other classics like The Wicker Man, Christopher Lee's influence could have cast a wider net with a role in Halloween. According to The Digital Fix, he later said he regretted the chance to star in John Carpenter's seminal 1978 slasher as Dr. Sam Loomis, which was ultimately given to Donald Pleasence.

Bela Lugosi (The Creature In Frankenstein)

Following his success in the title role of 1931’s Dracula, Bela Lugosi was given the chance to play another legendary Universal Monster in that year’s adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. According to The Immortal Count: The Life and Films of Bela Lugosi by Arthur Lennig (via SlashFilm), the actor believed such a grotesque, inarticulate creature was “beneath him,” giving Boris Karloff the chance to embody Dr. Victor Frankenstein’s creation.

Leonardo DiCaprio (Patrick Bateman In American Psycho)

Christian Bale once told GQ that every role he has played was first offered to Leonardo DiCaprio and one accurate example is Patrick Bateman in American Psycho, as Vice’s oral history recalls. Legend has it Gloria Steinem (Bale’s stepmother, coincidentally) convinced DiCaprio that playing the sadistic investment banker would hurt his post-Titanic reputation, but he later told The Morning Call that he passed because felt the script “didn’t mean anything in the end.”

Jean-Claude Van Damme (The Predator In Predator)

The late, 7’2” Kevin Peter Hall played the titular extra-terrestrial hunter in 1987’s Predator and its first sequel, but the original actor chosen for the role was actually the 5’6” Jean-Claude Van Damme. As detailed in oral history by THR, the future Belgian action movie star quit because he did not want to be hidden in the costume, which resembled a large insect at the time.

Jamie Lee Curtis (Regan MacNeil In The Exorcist)

Playing Laurie Strode in Halloween made Jamie Lee Curtis one of the first and all-time greatest Scream Queens, but her years as horror royalty apparently could have started earlier. The Oscar winner told EW that a producer for The Exorcist asked her mother, Psycho’s Janet Leigh if the then-13-year-old could audition to play the possessed Regan MacNeil. Leigh refused on her daughter’s behalf and the role ultimately went to Linda Blair.

Will Poulter (Pennywise In 2017's It)

Bill Skarsgård made one of modern cinema’s scariest horror villains out of his portrayal of Pennywise in the 2017 adaptation of Stephen King’s It. However, as director Andy Muschietti told Deadline that year, he had, at one point, spoken to Will Poulter about the possibility of succeeding Tim Curry as the clownish, shape-shifting entity until the future Midsommar star became “slowly disengaged” from the dark role.  

Jack Nicholson (Father Damien Karras In The Exorcist)

Before playing Jack Torrance in The Shining made him horror royalty, Jack Nicholson read for the role of Father Damien Karras in 1973’s The Exorcist before it went to Jason Miller. At the 2013 Dallas International Film Festival, director William Friedkin said the Oscar winner came up to him and Ellen Burstyn at a restaurant asking to be considered, to which the filmmaker responded, “Jack, if I show you in a priest collar, the whole audience is gonna go up.”

Bette Midler (Annie Wilkes In Misery)

Kathy Bates’ Oscar-winning performance as Annie Wilkes is a key reason why Rob Reiner’s adaptation of Stephen King’s Misery is such a classic. However, the role of the nurse with a morbid obsession over her captive guest, author Paul Sheldon (James Caan), was previously offered to Bette Midler, who told Variety that the character’s violent, unfunny, and irredeemable qualities turned her away from it.

Jeff Bridges (Matt Hooper In Jaws)

When speaking to Vanity Fair about the making of Jaws, Steven Spielberg shared that Richard Dreyfuss was not his first choice to play shark expert Matt Hooper. One of his initial candidates was Jeff Bridges, whose closest contributions to the horror genre have included 1976’s King Kong, Terry Gilliam’s Tideland, and R.I.P.D.

Emma Stone (Margot In The Menu) 

In director Mark Mylod’s 2022 horror-comedy, The Menu, Anya Taylor-Joy plays Margot, one of several guests at an exclusive dinner run by an unhinged chef played by Ralph Fiennes. According to The Film Stage, Taylor-Joy actually stepped in as a replacement for Oscar winner Emma Stone, who was cast in the role was Alexander Payne was attached to direct.

Slim Pickens (Dick Hallorann In The Shining) 

You could argue that the heart and soul (and a few endearing qualities) of Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 adaptation of The Shining is Scatman Crothers’ performance as Dick Hallorann. According to Screen Rant, the musician was not actually the first choice to play the Overlook Hotel’s head chef, which was offered to Slim Pickens, who previously worked with Kubrick on Dr. Strangelove and said he would only take the role if his scenes could be done in fewer than 100 takes.

Alice Cooper (Pennywise in Stephen King's It) 

Before Bill Skarsgård, the definitive image of Pennywise was that of Tim Curry, who was actually just one of several actors considered to play the embodiment of fear in the miniseries adaptation of It from 1990. Perhaps the most fascinating name tossed around, according to THR, was rock star Alice Cooper, who has dabbled in horror on the big screen (such as when he played Freddy Krueger’s father in Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare) and in his music.

Haley Lu Richardson (Dani Ardor In Midsommar)

After appearing in M. Night Shyamalan’s Split, Haley Lu Richardson passed on the opportunity to lead another disturbing movie called Midsommar, which turned out to be one of the best A24 horror movies in the eyes of many. She told Backstage in 2023 that she did not have to courage to watch it yet, but has nothing but praise for Florence Pugh, who ultimately did play Dani Ador in Ari Aster’s sinister sophomore effort from 2019.

Al Pacino (Hannibal Lecter In The Silence Of The Lambs)

While Brian Cox first played Hannibal Lecter in Manhunter, Anthony Hopkins’ became the most recognizable iteration with his Oscar-winning performance in The Silence of the Lambs. However, Jodie Foster revealed to Deadline that there were a few American actors considered to play the cannibalistic criminal psychologist in the Best Picture Oscar winner, including Al Pacino.

Michael Cera (Cole Sear In The Sixth Sense)

When talking to Esquire, Michael Cera recalled auditioning to play Cole Sear in M. Night Shyamalan’s The Sixth Sense without realizing the character was a medium. Upon seeing the thriller, when watching the scene he read for, he noticed how Haley Joel Osment played it very sorrowfully instead of the upbeat and optimistic vibe the future Arrested Development star was going for.

Tilda Swinton (Pennywise In 2017's It)

Her chameleonic talents — best seen in her unrecognizable turn in 2018’s Suspiria remake — have us convinced that Tilda Swinton could have played Pennywise. Indeed, the Academy Award winner’s name was brought up as a possible choice for the fear-devouring clown in 2017’s It, as Andy Muschietti confirmed to Vanity Fair after a journalist jokingly mentioned her.

Sharon Tate (Rosemary Woodhouse In Rosemary's Baby) 

The title role of 1968’s Rosemary’s Baby — a woman who grows suspicious of her new neighbors after becoming pregnant — skyrocketed Mia Farrow into movie stardom. Before Farrow was cast, according to Vanity Fair, writer and director Roman Polanski’s own wife, Sharon Tate, fought hard to play the role herself.

Helen Mirren (Ellen Ripley In Alien)

In an interview with Vulture, Helen Mirren recalls reading the script for Alien and not being able to tell if Ripley, or any of the characters, were male or female. The future Academy Award winner would audition for Ridley Scott’s 1979 sci-fi classic, but the role of Ripley ended up going to Sigourney Weaver.

Chris Evans (Dan Torrance In Doctor Sleep)

Despite making a cameo in Doctor Sleep, The Shining’s original Danny Torrance, Danny Lloyd, is a former child star who no longer acts, which is why Ewan McGregor assumed the role for Mike Flanagan’s 2019 sequel. The filmmaker confirmed on his personal Tumblr account that, before the Emmy-winner was cast, one of the actors he met with was the MCU’s Steve Rogers, Chris Evans.

Shelley Winters (Pamela Voorhees In Friday The 13th)

While the Friday the 13th movies’ centerpiece slasher is Jason Voorhees, the main antagonist of the 1980 original was his vengeful mother, Pamela, played by Betsy Palmer. David Grove, author of On Location in Blairstown: The Making of Friday the 13th, told EW that one of the actors previously discussed to play the iconic female horror movie villain was Shelley Winters, best known for her Oscar-winning performances in The Diary of Anne Frank and A Patch of Blue, and her nominated role in disaster epic, The Poseidon Adventure.

Tobey Maguire (Alex Browning In Final Destination)

On director Jeffrey Reddick’s wish list for the Final Destination cast, he wanted the lead to be Tobey Maguire, who was cast in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man just two years later. However, as the filmmaker shared with Den of Geek, New Line Cinema was not convinced by the choice, which led Devon Sawa to ultimately take the part of Alex Browning.

Michelle Pfeiffer (Clarice Starling In The Silence Of The Lambs) 

Jodie Foster won her second Oscar for playing intrepid FBI trainee Clarice Starling in The Silence of the Lambs, but the part was previously offered to Michell Pfeiffer. The actor told The New Yorker that the “evil” in the film made her nervous, but she does regret turning down the opportunity to reunite with her Married to the Mob director, Jonathan Demme.

Freddie Prinze Jr. (Billy Loomis In Scream)

In an interview with Dread Central, Freddie Prinze Jr. revealed that he and Skeet Ulrich were the final two candidates to play Billy Loomis in 1996’s Scream before the vengeful murderer role ultimately went to the latter. At least Prinze Jr. got to work with writer Kevin Williamson on another teen slasher favorite, I Know What You Did Last Summer, the following year.

John Lithgow (Seth Brundle In The Fly)

Jeff Goldblum gave one of his best performances as half-man, half-insect Seth Brundle in David Cronenberg’s 1988 remake of The Fly. Before he was cast, however, the role was offered to Goldblum’s The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension co-star John Lithgow who told In Magazine (via IndieWire) that he “didn’t want to play something so grotesque.”

Johnny Depp (The Invisible Man In The Invisible Man) 

In 2016, The Wrap reported that Johnny Depp was up to star in the title role of a modern reimagining of The Invisible Man. That was until the immediate failure of the Dark Universe convinced Universal to go in a different direction with its monstrous properties, allowing Leigh Whannell to introduce his own modern interpretation of H.G. Wells’ classic thriller.

Drew Barrymore (Carol Anne Freeling In Poltergeist) 

Drew Barrymore broke through at age 7 with her role in E.T. the Extra-terrestrial, but she actually met Steven Spielberg when auditioning for another film. She recalled to Ellen Degeneres how she was considered for, but ultimately not given the role of Carol Anne (which did go to Heather O’Rourke) in 1982’s haunted house classic, Poltergeist.

Lee Marvin (Quint In Jaws)

Steven Spielberg’s first choice to play Quint in Jaws was actually Lee Marvin, but the Oscar winner (for 1965’s Cat Ballou) was not interested, as the filmmaker recalled to Vanity Fair. Thus, the role of the intrepid shark hunter was given to Oscar nominee Robert Shaw.

Anne Lockhart (Laurie Strode In Halloween)

It is impossible to imagine other than Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode — the one Haddonfield babysitter who survives Michael Myers’ killing streak in the original Halloween. However, according to Biography, one of co-writer and director John Carpenter’s first choices was Anne Lockhart of Battlestar Galactica fame before she passed on the role.

Jodie Foster (Margaret White In 2013's Carrie)

As Vulture reported in 2012, Jodie Foster was approached to star alongside Chloe Grace Moretz in a remake of Carrie as the titular telekinetic’s overbearing mother, Margaret White. The part ultimately went to Julianne Moore, who, coincidentally, was Foster's replacement to play Clarice Starling in 2000's Hannibal.

Kirsten Dunst (Clear Rivers In Final Destination)

As Final Destination director Jeffrey Reddick shared with Den of Geek, he had a wish list for the unique 2000 horror flick’s cast that included Kirsten Dunst as Clear Rivers. Instead, that role would end up going to Ali Larter, who came back for Final Destination 2.

We would honestly love to peek into an alternate universe in which one of these actors got the iconic horror movie role they were up for, just to see how creepy it might have turned out.

What do most, if not all, of the best ‘90s movies have in common? Well, besides being the best representation of the final decade of the 20th century? They typically featured menacing, dastardly, sinister, and over-the-top villains that we sometimes remember more than the heroes who tried to stop them. But who are the meanest, the baddest, the most unforgiving villains of the 1990s? Funny you should ask…

Max Cady (Cape Fear)

Martin Scorsese’s 1991 remake of Cape Fear is a tense and terrifying psychological thriller with a frightening story about a convict seeking vengeance against his former defense attorney. There is just something so unsettling, so menacing, and straight-up mean about Robert De Niro’s portrayal of Max Cady that makes him an all-time villain. Maybe it’s the way he says “counselor” in that sinister tone.

Sheriff 'Little Bill' Daggett (Unforgiven)

Sheriff Daggett (Gene Hackman) is one mean son-of-a-gun in Clint Eastwood’s 1992 Best Picture winner, Unforgiven. He beats people, embarrasses them, and kicks them out of town, and that’s before his true callous nature is revealed later in the movie. Hackman, who could play a villain better than just about anyone else, manages to be incredibly evil while not being over-the-top.

Buddy Love (The Nutty Professor)

The 1996 remake of The Nutty Professor is one of the funniest Eddie Murphy movies as well as one where he plays more than one character. While his take on Sherman Klump is wholesome and tremendous, his portrayal of the kind-hearted professor’s evil alter ego, Buddy Love, is the stuff of legend. It’s as if an egotistical and crass AI watched Eddie Murphy: Delirious to come up with a mean, mean, mean character.

Eva Ernst (The Witches)

Even before Eva Ernst (Anjelica Huston) reveals herself to be The Grand High Witch in The Witches, the villain in this 1990 adaptation of a Roald Dahl classic is nothing but trouble. And unlike a lot of the characters on this list, Ernst wants to eat children, not just harm or toy with them. It doesn’t get much meaner than that.

Henry Evans (The Good Son)

If you were to put on The Good Son because you liked Macaulay Culkin’s work in the Home Alone movies, you’d probably be shocked to see his take on Henry Evans in The Good Son. Take every terrifying kid from horror movies and an extra level of mean, and you have this violent and psychotic ‘90s movie villain. The way he responds with “What if I did,” when asked if he killed his younger brother is wild. Just wild!

Shooter McGavin (Happy Gilmore)

Shooter McGavin (Christopher McDonald) is in the top tier of Adam Sandler movie villains as well as one of those ‘90s characters you just love to hate. There are no redeemable qualities, no chance of redemption, and no way anyone could like this guy. But still, the egotistical pro golfer who wants to make Sandler’s hockey-player-turned-golfer life as miserable as possible in Happy Gilmore is the stuff of legend.

John Doe (Seven)

Definitely one of the sickest movie villains from the ‘90s, John Doe (Kevin Spacy) in Seven is as mean as he is demented, which is a lot. The ritualistic killings inspired by the Seven Deadly Sins is one thing, and the massive collection of angry journal entries is another, but the way he says, “Oh, he didn’t know?” after the big plot twist is just so menacing.

Nino Brown (New Jack City)

Wesley Snipes played some great villains in the ‘90s, but his meanest has to be Nino Brown in New Jack City. While Simon Phoenix in Demolition Man is great, his character in the 1993 sci-fi flick is just so over-the-top and cartoonishly evil. Brown, on the other hand, is cold, methodical, and just a bad dude. 

Kathryn Merteuil (Cruel Intentions)

The ‘90s were a great time for iconic movie villains, and of course, Kathryn Merteuil (Sarah Michelle Gellar) from Cruel Intentions is on that list. The games, the seduction, the toying with peoples' lives to the point where they are damaged beyond repair, and pretty much everything else she does in this 1999 staple is evil and mean-spirited.

Agatha Trunchbull (Matilda)

Roald Dahl had a way of creating legendary villains in his various stories, which is the case for Agatha Trunchbull (Pam Ferris) in Danny DeVito’s 1996 adaptation of Matilda. The olympian-turned-principal at Crunchem Hall makes life a walking nightmare for all the students, who she throws around, stuffs in tiny closets, and tries to embarrass in front of the entire school.

Debo (Friday)

There are few ‘90s movies villains that are as recognizable as Debo from Friday. Played by the late Tiny Lister, who also portrayed a big bad in the 1989 wrestling movie, No Holds Barred, this towering mountain of an antagonist was an absolute unit who preyed upon the smaller and weaker residents of his neighborhood. Well, until he got knocked out.

Captain Hook (Hook)

Steven Spielberg’s Hook is a movie that the internet seems to hate, but there are a lot of great things going for this 1991 retelling of Peter Pan. Robin Williams is great as the beloved Peter Pan character and Dustin Hoffman is a force of cartoonish evil in his portrayal of Captain Hook. The hooked hand, the wig, the turning Peter’s son against him, and that mustache put him at the top of the list. 

Sheriff Of Nottingham (Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves)

Alan Rickman is mostly remembered for Hans Gruber in Die Hard, at least when it comes to movie villains. However, a few years later, the late Harry Potter star chewed up all the scenery with his portrayal of the Sheriff of Nottingham in 1991’s Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. Kevin Costner is the star of this epic, but it’s Rickman, with his “I’ll cut your heart out with a spoon” line that steals the show.

Annie Wilkes (Misery)

Kathy Bates won an Oscar for her portrayal of Annie Wilkes in Misery, and rightfully so. The 1990 Stephen King adaptation helmed by Rob Reiner is one of the best horror movies of all time and features several of the most disturbing scenes imaginable. It’s Annie, despite her smile and infectious laugh, who is perpetrating all the madness. The hobbling scene alone makes her the meanest of the mean.

Percy Wetmore (The Green Mile)

Percy Wetmore (Dough Hutchison) in The Green Mile has to be one of the meanest, most sadistic characters from Stephen King’s catalog and one of the most hatable villains from the ‘90s. From intentionally botching an execution by the electric chair, trying to kill a mouse, and being a detestable human being in general, he did it all.

Max Shreck (Batman Returns)

Though Danny DeVito’s Oswald Cobblepot is supposed to be the villain in Batman Returns, it’s Christopher Walken’s Max Shreck who is the biggest jerk of Tim Burton’s 1992 comic book movie. He kills his secretary, is corrupt beyond belief, plans the kidnapping of the mayor’s child, and that’s just in the first act.

Peter And Paul (Funny Games)

Michael Haneke’s psychological horror film, Funny Games, features two of the most ruthless yet unassuming villains of the ‘90s with Paul (Arno Frisch) and Peter (Frank Giering), two young men who hold a family hostage and subject them to all kinds of torture. I mean, the “cat in the bag” game is one of the most disturbing scenes of all time.

Norman Stansfield (Leon: The Professional)

It’s impossible to talk about Gary Oldman’s best work without mentioning Norman Stansfield from Leon: The Professional and it’s just as impossible to discuss the meanest ‘90s movie villains without including his unhinged DEA agent. He’s psychotic, he’s ruthless, and most of all, he’s mean as a rattlesnake.

Judge Claude Frollo (The Hunchback Of Notre Dame)

Is there a Disney villain who is more unsavory, more unlikeable, or more disgusting than Judge Claude Frollo (Tony Jay) in 1996’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame? He’s sinister, slimy, and undeniably gross, but most of all, he’s unnecessarily mean to anyone and everyone around him.

Cyrus The Virus (Con Air)

Cyrus the Virus (John Malkovich) from Con Air is one of those movie villains that is just too awesome. Sure, he’s a terrible human being with little to no redeeming qualities, but that’s part of the charm of this convicted criminal and mastermind behind the movie’s big hijacking. 

Warden Norton (The Shawshank Redemption)

Warden Norton (Bob Gunton) from The Shawshank Redemption has to be one of the most vile and meanest officials from any prison movie or TV show ever released (that includes Tommy Lee Jones’ warden in Natural Born Killers). For two-plus hours, this evil man makes life miserable for all the inmates with his self-serving ways. But yeah, he gets his comeuppance in the end.

Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg (The Fifth Element)

Gary Oldman was on fire throughout the 1990s when it came to playing wild villains, and Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg from The Fifth Element is high up on that list. He’s a violent arms dealer who’s working for the Ultimate Evil to get as much power and control as possible. Also, that haircut and fashion sense add a nice touch to his evil character.

Helen Sharp (Death Becomes Her)

Everyone is pretty much a villain in Death Becomes Her, but the character that stands out the most is Goldie Hawn’s Helen Sharp, who is as vindictive as she is charming and beautiful. Though her revenge against Ernest Menville (Bruce Willis) is somewhat justified, she takes things to the next level and then some.

Scar (The Lion King)

The Lion King has a lot of noble and friendly characters like Simba, Mufasa, Timon, and Pumbaa, but Scar (Jeremy Irons) doesn’t fall into either category. The jealous, vindictive, and cruel brother of the king goes to great lengths to take the throne, even killing his own sibling and blaming the death on his young nephew. Talk about a terrible uncle.

 Castor Troy (Face/Off) 

There are over-the-top Nicolas Cage characters and then there is Castor Troy from Face/Off. This dude starts wilding out and he doesn’t stop throughout the whole movie, and it’s better off for it. Dressing up like a priest, assaulting a girl, and later wearing the face of an FBI agent and living his life is just something wild.

The Wet Bandits (Home Alone)

Harry Lime (Joe Pesci) and Marv Murchins (Daniel Stern), known collectively as the Wet Bandits, are the big bads in Home Alone (though Uncle Frank isn’t far behind). But what makes them so mean is the fact that instead of just robbing people over Christmas, they flood their houses before leaving. So now they get robbed twice: by the Wet Bandits and the insurance company.

Aaron Stampler (Primal Fear) 

The plot twist at the end of Primal Fear is a work of art and what makes it so great is Edward Norton’s performance. His transition from the meek and reserved Aaron Stampler to Roy is absolutely terrifying. But it’s not just the evil nature of the character or the vicious murder he committed, it’s the pleasure and joy he got out of the killing and court proceedings that makes it so devilishly fun to watch.

Phillip Stuckey (Pretty Woman)

In the realm of rom-com scumbags, Philip Stuckey (Jason Alexander) from Pretty Woman is in a league of his own. The greedy, power-hungry, and sleazy attorney to Richard Gere’s Edward Lewis. The way he puts down his client, the company he’s trying to buy, and worst of all, Vivian Ward (Julia Roberts) is mean and disgusting, to say the least.

Eric Gordon (Billy Madison)

Bradley Whitford plays a jerk better than just about anyone in Hollywood, and for many, the first time we saw him in action was in the 1995 Adam Sandler comedy, Billy Madison. In the movie, Whitford plays Eric Gordon, the executive vice president of Madison Hotels who tries and tries again to thwart Billy’s plan of finishing school and taking over the family business. Come on, manipulating a school principal and putting your secretary in a coma is next-level.

Ordell Robbie (Jackie Brown)

Three years after playing one of the most unforgettable characters of the ‘90s in Pulp Fiction, Samuel L. Jackson played one of the meanest villains with his take on Ordell Robbie in Jackie Brown. The arms dealer who gets Jackie Brown (Pam Grier) to smuggle money from Mexico to the United States has no limits throughout Quentin Tarntino’s crime epic. Both vile and violent, Ordell doesn’t mess around.

Caledon 'Cal' Hockley (Titanic)

A colossal movie like Titanic needs an even bigger villain, and Billy Zane did just that with his portrayal of Caledon “Cal” Hockley, Rose’s (Kate Winslet) uber-rich fiance. The way he carries himself, the tone in his voice, and that “looks too good to be a good guy” haircut makes him an all-time movie heel. 

Tracy Flick (Election)

Reese Witherspoon has played some of the most beloved movie characters over the years, but she’s also played some downright awful villains. A perfect example is Tracy Flick from Election, Alexander Payne’s 1999 comedy about a student government presidential race. She’s successful and chipper, but she does some down-and-dirty and unethical stuff to get her way. 

These movie villains are great in their own way, but they all have one thing in common: they’re mean beyond belief. Some are worse than others, but they all made the moviegoing experience in the ‘90s so much fun.

Before the best movies from the 2000s were allowed to run, the cinematic classics from the 1990s had to walk. (Well, except for Forrest Gump.) The 20th century closed out with a decade of cinematic spectacles as Hollywood embraced bigger budgets, the early days of CGI, and a new breed of superstars like Brad Pitt, Reese Witherspoon and Keanu Reeves.

From great ‘90s sci-fi movies like Jurassic Park to beloved ‘90s family films like Toy Story to chilling thrillers and hilarious comedies, just about any genre fan can feel represented by the era's best. Can the same be said for music, TV and literature? (I'll be too busy watching Speed again to research that.) So grab your long-dead Tamagotchis and scented markers and join us in celebrating the best of the best that the ‘90s had to offer.

• This list was compiled by the bulk of CinemaBlend's editors and writers, who gave 0-5 scores to an overall list of around 300 movies, with all of the final scores averaged out to determine the final ranking of 100.

How We Put This List Together

• Around 300 entries from a vast variety of 1990s films , which fit the bill of being culturally relevant and critically respected, were gathered using a combination of staff recommendations, movie guides and further research. The entries were tracked in a spreadsheet, where the majority of our staff then went through a multi-level voting process, with scores assigned based on personal opinions. A base number of viewers was also required for entries to make the cut, and lowest scores were then eliminated, in the style of scoring figure skating. The movies were then ordered from 1-100 based on the final average scores, with a variety of staff members writing the movie-celebrating entries. 

100. The Fifth Element (1997)

Luc Besson's The Fifth Element is a seriously wild movie. The sci-fi adventure has become a bona fide genre classic. Even though parts of the film were frustrating to make, those efforts clearly paid off, leaving us with one of the most fun space rides to date with an A-level cast including Milla Jovovich, Bruce Willis, Gary Oldman, and Chris Tucker in arguably his spaciest performance. Anyone who may have forgotten how fun and bonkers it is should grab a multi-pass and return immediately. 

99. Dumb and Dumber (1994)

Jim Carrey may have enjoyed the most successful year for any comedian in 1994, and Dumb and Dumber is a major part of that unprecedented run. After the wildly successful Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and The Mask, the Saturday Night Live reject gave an iconic performance as Lloyd Christmas in the Farrelly Brothers’ breakout comedy alongside Jeff Daniels’ Harry Dunne. Everything about the movie simply works in spite of itself. The chemistry between its stars, the balance of over-the-top humor and more subtle jokes, and the most annoying sound in the world work together to create an unparalleled and game-changing experience. 

98. The Blair Witch Project (1999)

The Blair Witch Project may not have been the first to bring a cinéma vérité approach to the horror genre, but through extremely savvy marketing and lore-building, the no-budget flick became one of the most profitable films of all time, spawning a franchise of film sequels, comics, a video game, and beyond. And all without an actual “witch” to tease in the trailers. One of the ‘90s most polarizing efforts, BWP’s “something from nothing” approach makes it as influential as anything else from the decade.

97. Mulan (1998)

What can be said about Mulan that has yet to be talked about? Released at the tail end of the famed Disney Renaissance through the ‘90s, Mulan was the animated film that defined a generation of young women, inspiring many to always fight for their honor and never back down, even when everyone in the world says otherwise. The music is excellent as the voice-acting takes you to another world, and the animation easily pulls viewers in, but it’s the themes that stay with audiences forever.

96. The Wedding Singer (1998)

More than just a wonderful romantic comedy, The Wedding Singer is a standout title in Adam Sandler’s early career. In the 1990s, Sandler was known for his goofy characters on Saturday Night Live and in goofy movies like Billy Madison, Happy Gilmore, and Airheads, but The Wedding Singer was an opportunity for him to show he could do work with a bit more gravity. There’s an argument to be made it paved the way for him excelling in films like Punch Drunk Love and Uncut Gems. And the power of Sandler + Drew Barrymore can never be denied.

95. Death Becomes Her (1992)

There’s a scene in Death Becomes Her that pretty much sums up the Robert Zemeckis film’s greatness – as Goldie Hawn’s Helen sits and leans back, the handle of a shovel slips perfectly through the hole in her torso. Meanwhile, Meryl Streep’s Madeline gracefully takes a seat while clutching her hair atop her head, in order to keep it from flopping forward against her broken neck. It’s dark, it’s twisted, it’s hilarious, and for 1992, the special effects are impressive. Bruce Willis’ Ernest being dragged along for the ride caps off the excellent trio of characters, in this eternally underrated comedy.

94. Sleepless in Seattle (1993)

Four years after already penning one of the all-time great romantic comedies (Rob Reiner’s When Harry Met Sally), the late Nora Ephron directed a landmark rom-com of her own with Sleepless in Seattle. The second of three movies co-starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, this genre staple features an incredible story about a woman who goes to great lengths to be with the man she loves, a man whom she’s never met and only knows from a call-in radio show. It’s charming, witty, earnest, and the best kind of enchanted realism. 

93. Jackie Brown (1997)

Quentin Tarantino’s third directorial effort, Jackie Brown kicks off with Pam Grier’s money-smuggling flight attendant trekking to work to the tune of Bobby Womack’s “Across 110th Street,” helping it stand apart from the testosterone-enhanced violence of his first two features. And while the star-studded flick does dip into the filmmaker’s favored crime genre tropes, Jackie Brown hinges more on character study than sheer plot machination, and provides career-high performances from Bridget Fonda, Robert Forster, and Grier herself. And in that way, it’s arguably the most empathy-worthy project from Tarantino’s career.

92. Happy Gilmore (1996)

Depending on who you talk to, Adam Sandler’s '90s comedies are either near the peak of the genre or near the pits of low-brow comedy. We know where Shooter McGavin's opinions would lie, but we lean toward raising our clubs and pucks to Sandler’s story about a failed hockey player taking the world of professional golf by storm, all for his grandma. I’ll always laugh at Happy Gilmore’s titular hero going toe-to-toe with the late game show host Bob Barker, and the wild story of how he got involved is as great as the on-screen fisticuffs.

91. Casino (1995)

It’s hard to pick a favorite when talking about the best mob characters that Robert De Niro has played, though I’d argue Sam "Ace" Rothstein is as good as it gets. Unlike many other gangster movies tethered to dark alleys, Casino zeroes in on the mafia’s stranglehold of the glitzy and glamorous Las Vegas in the 1970s. It’s further bolstered by excellent directing from master craftsman Martin Scorsese and a supporting cast with legends like Sharon Stone and Joe Pesci. A fantastic movie that doesn't shy away from deeply upsetting moments. 

90. Forrest Gump (1994)

Despite all the cringey and parody-fueling moments in Robert Zemeckis' Forrest Gump --- never forget the Weird Al classic "Gump" --- Tom Hanks' history-making and country-crossing simpleton remains one of the 1990s most enduring movie heroes. With a stacked cast of pros, from Sally Field to Gary Sinise, Forrest Gump's popularity was evident from both its boffo box office, its huge success at the Oscars and beyond, and just how many quotes from this movie have permanently nestled themselves into pop culture. 

89. A Few Good Men (1992)

Courtrooms are a natural fit for high drama, and A Few Good Men has some of the best courtroom scenes in cinema history. Aaron Sorkin’s first screenplay, based on his own stage play, is missing many of the elements that would later define his writing, but that’s not a bad thing here. The battle between Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson has become iconic, but even outside of that near-perfect scene, A Few Good Men is full of incredible characters, smart dialogue, and memorable moments. It’s perhaps one of Cruise’s most criminally overlooked performances.

88. Pretty Woman (1990)

Pretty Woman is definitely one of Julia Roberts's best movies in a wildly impressive career, but it's also one of the best ‘90s rom-coms. The film's sleazy-on-paper tale, which follows a rich businessman hiring a Hollywood escort to be his date to several social events, is a charmer thanks to its stellar leads. The film vaulted Roberts into an even bigger star, while making romantics everywhere swoon at the idea of a wealthy millionaire like Richard Gere coming out of nowhere to sweep them off their feet – if only, amirite?

87. As Good As It Gets (1997)

I miss Jack Nicholson. I miss James L. Brooks. I miss emotional, character-driven comedies that excelled thanks to outstanding performances from A-list talent. Nicholson, Helen Hunt, and Greg Kinnear weave magic in this sweet story about strangers forming friendships over low-stakes but relatable dramas. Studios craving IP don’t back movies like this anymore. But when they did, and when actors could sink their teeth into the material, this one was as good as they got. 

86. The Sandlot (1993)

There are ‘90s sports movies that are kid-pleasers, and then there is The Sandlot, the 1993 coming-of-age story about a ragtag group of kids living what could be the best summer of their lives. There's so much to love about this small-stakes baseball tale, from its timelessness to its life lessons to incredible characters like Scotty Smalls, Benny Rodriguez, Ham Porter, and so many others, there’s just so much to love about this classic sports film. To quote the Great Bambino, “Heroes get remembered, but legends never die.” In this case, we're calling our shot: The Sandlot is one of those legends. 

85. Can't Hardly Wait (1998)

Can’t Hardly Wait combines an "everybody's recognizable" ensemble cast with the classic house party setting and a killer soundtrack to give us one of the most epic teen movies of all time. The plot centers around Ethan Embry’s Preston, who needs to profess his love for Amanda (Jennifer Love Hewitt) at the graduation party, now that she is finally single after being dumped by Mike (Peter Facinelli). But plots are for dorks, and the 1998 comedy epitomizes the teen angst of the late 20th century in an honest and hilarious way.

84. You've Got Mail (1998)

You’ve Got Mail arrived in 1998 when just about everybody would have recognized the title as the AOL greeting message. This was the third movie to pair Tom Hanks with Meg Ryan, with writer/director Nora Ephron bringing her magic romantic comedy touch to the story of two business rivals who unwittingly fall in love via online chat. Hanks and Ryan channel the same chemistry that was a hit years earlier with Sleepless in Seattle, and it doesn't require having lived through the AOL era to appreciate the level of classic rom-com energy that makes this a winner. 

83. Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)

In a decade filled with all-time great Robin Williams movies, there’s something particularly tender and very much unforgettable about Chris Columbus’ Ms. Doubtfire. Underpinned by the heartbreak of having less time than ever with his three kids as his divorce looms, voiceover actor Daniel Hillard hatches a plan to form a new character in an elderly housekeeper named Mrs. Doubtfire to get more time with them. Not only does his new secret identity make for some hilarious moments that very much play to Williams’ strengths as a comedy actor, Mrs. Doubtfire is also a touching film that takes a grounded approach to parent separation. 

82. Edward Scissorhands (1990)

The most Tim Burton movie ever to Tim Burton, Edward Scissorhands is, on one bladed hand, a weirdly heartwarming horror movie, but on the other bladed hand, an endlessly frightening family film. The suburban Frankenstein homage is bolstered by stellar performances from Johnny Depp, Winona Ryder and Dianne Weist, with each bringing grounded authenticity to this wildly fantastical fable. (Yes, even the pity-provoking Depp.) The cherries on top of this macabre cake are Vincent Price, in his final major film role, and Burton-familiar composer Danny Elfman. And the eye-popping hedge art and ice sculptures don’t hurt.

81. American History X (1998)

Long before debates about The Snyder Cut, star Edward Norton, director Tony Kaye, and New Line Cinema engaged in a very loud and sometimes public squabble over American History X. The final cut we got, which Kaye publicly disavowed, is a brutal, almost two-hour look at modern white supremacy that’s shot partially in black and white. It netted Norton an Oscar nomination and has individual moments as strong as anything on this list, but it also occasionally loses pace and has always left fans wanting to see Kaye’s original 95-minute cut, which remains unreleased following the film’s disastrous production

80. Aladdin (1992)

It’s easy to look at Aladdin and celebrate the work of the great Robin Williams, and justifiably so. Only animation could truly uncork the man’s absolutely manic comedy style. But focusing only on Williams overlooks the work of amazing animators who created the Genie and everything else, since it's a testament to their skill that the animation is able to keep up with Williams and the high-flying scenes. Musical sequences like “A Friend Like Me” and “A Whole New World” show another form of animated beauty and have become just as iconic on their own as the Genie himself.

79. That Thing You Do! (1996)

By the time he wrote, directed, and co-starred in 1996’s That Thing You Do, Tom Hanks was already an acting powerhouse. So it was a bit of a surprise to see the Academy Award-winning actor delivering a tale about the wild ride that so many one-hit wonders of the ‘60s endured. Initially, the story of The Wonders (Johnathon Schaech, Ethan Embry, Steve Zahn, and Tom Everett Scott) and their roller-coaster journey wasn’t a smash success, but decades later, That Thing You Do is a well-regarded mini-cult classic that can still leave audiences with songs in their hearts.

78. Trainspotting (1996)

While it wasn’t his directorial debut, Danny Boyle’s adaptation of Irvine Welsh’s Trainspotting was the flick that put the man on the map. Following the lives of a group of Scottish drug addicts and friends, a cast including Ewan McGregor, Robert Carlyle, and Kelly MacDonald landed their start as the stars of tomorrow. Through a narrative that’s both darkly comic and frightfully serious, Trainspotting ushers its heroin addicts through life's struggles in grounded and trippy ways. Establishing Boyle’s skills in telling a conventional story through unconventional means, it’s a powerful statement for its director and the message he’s trying to convey.

77. Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995)

The Die Hard formula survived the transition to the “buddy cop” genre (at least initially) with Bruce Willis’ iconic John McClane being forced to team up with a good samaritan (Samuel L. Jackson) and solve a bunch of riddles around Manhattan to prevent bombs from going off. Many consider With a Vengeance to be the best in the Die Hard series, though it’s blasphemy to put ANY of them ahead of John McTiernan’s original. Still, this one moves like a freight train, Willis and Jackson have remarkable chemistry, and Jeremy Irons is a sinister villain with a satisfying twist of a motivation to take McClane down. 

76. Titanic (1997)

Titanic was an event in itself when it arrived in theaters, with James Cameron’s film ambitiously bringing to screen the story of the ill-fated ship, depicting the journey across the Atlantic with incredible visuals that give us a sense of what it might have been like aboard the ship during that terrible night. At the center of it all is the love story of Rose (Kate Winslet) and Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio), who manage to find each other, despite their differing social classes, and never let go. Considering how many millions of dollars it earned from repeat audience viewings, its "classic" status is unsinkable.

75. Men in Black (1997)

One of the biggest sci-fi hits of the decade, Men In Black holds a special place in the hearts and minds of both space and comedy nerds. Even though it initially took some convincing to land Will Smith for the role of Agent J., Steven Spielberg (as producer) managed to re-catch lightning in a bottle with the actor coming off of Independence Day. And as unpredictable as it seemed at the time Smith and Tommy Lee Jones made for an extremely fun and combative pairing in the rest of the Men in Black film franchise.

74. The Fugitive (1993)

When it comes to movies based on old TV shows, it doesn’t get much better than The Fugitive. There’s no way around it, this 1993-defining film straight-up rocks and is still just as great more than 30 years after its release. Watching one of Harrison Ford’s most iconic characters go to great lengths to clear his name after being wrongfully convicted of murdering his wife never gets hold, and the same can be said about Tommy Lee Jones’ Academy Award-winning performance as the U.S. Marshal tasked with capturing the elusive fugitive.

73. Run Lola Run (1998)

Outside of sci-fi adventures, time loops aren’t often used as storytelling devices, and 1998’s thriller Run Lola Run absolutely proves why this is a shame. While the story isn’t explicitly a looping band of time, we do get three different versions of writer/director Tom Twyver’s story. Centered around lovers Lola (Franke Potente) and Manni (Moritz Bleibtreu), each variation has one thing in common: they have 20 minutes to score 100,000 Deutschmarks, or Manni is dead. New twists and pitfalls arrive, keeping that premise fresh each time, right up until the end. 

72. Swingers (1996)

Long before he directed major projects like Iron Man and The Mandalorian, Jon Favreau wrote and starred in the Doug Liman-directed Swingers. This comedy follows Favreau’s Mike Peters, a comedian who’s getting over a bad breakup and moves to Hollywood to find success in the midst of the ‘90s swing revival. The witty back-and-forth dialogue between Favreau and his co-stars, including Vince Vaughn and Heather Graham, and the simple, yet effective story of moving on to better horizons make Swingers one of the most underrated comedies of this decade. It's just so money, baby. 

71. Malcolm X (1992)

For his 1992 “Spike Lee Joint,” the legendary Do The Right Thing filmmaker made his dream come true to make a biopic about one American Civil Rights Movement figure, Malcolm X. It not only remains among the best works of Lee’s incredible filmography, but it’s flat-out one of the best biography movies ever made. That’s all without mentioning a particularly powerful performance by Denzel Washington, who disappears into the figure and brings great intrigue and nuisance to Malcolm X across decades of his life. Spike Lee’s biopic stands tall as an enduring portrait of an important man in a pivotal moment in U.S. history.

70. Friday (1995)

Franchise lead and rap legend Ice Cube teamed up with Chris Tucker to create one of the best "sit back and kick it" movies in movie history. Spawning a line of sequels, the O.G. Friday boasts an awesome cast that also includes the late John Witherspoon, and understandably caught on with a certain kind of stoner comedy-loving crowd, but has become an all-encompassing cult classic. Even beyond its on-screen greatness, Friday also turned "Bye, Felicia" into everyday jargon. 

69. Miller's Crossing (1990)

Joel and Ethan Coen didn’t waste time demonstrating their eclecticism in their careers, breaking out with the phenomenal neo-noir Blood Simple in 1984 ahead of a 180-degree tonal pivot with 1987's gonzo comedy Raising Arizona. Then they kicked off the 1990s with one of the great modern gangster movies in Miller's Crossing. Gabriel Byrne’s Tom Reagan leading John Turturro’s Bernie Bernbaum into the woods to be murdered is the movie’s iconic moment, but it’s the brilliant chaos that spins out from Tom’s decision at the end of the sequence that cements this tense slice of art's place on this list.

68. Rushmore (1998)

Rushmore is often referenced for a lot of things. It was the first Wes Anderson movie to find more mainstream success. The critical acclaim Bill Murray received for his performance helped push him toward the more independent, critically acclaimed movies that defined his later career. It was the debut of Jason Schwartzman. All of those are reasons to celebrate the movie, but none are reasons why it’s on this list. It’s here because it’s an endlessly watchable slice of weirdness that holds up decades later. It’s some of the best career work of everyone referenced, and in its own offbeat way, it’s downright hysterical. 

67. South Park: Bigger, Longer, And Uncut (1999)

In 1999, with South Park at the height of its cultural powers, Matt Stone and Trey Parker took one of the biggest gambles anyone could have ever imagined. Producing the R-rated, animated musical that was South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut, the pair doubled down on their uniquely dirty humor. Everything from parenting culture to Les Miserables got sent up, thanks to songs that were catchy but also not safe for work. Not every TV show survives a feature-length expansion, but South Park thrived in theaters, especially when it called the very parental uproar its release would inspire to a tee.

66. Misery (1990)

What does a creative owe to their fans? It’s a complex question that author Stephen King horrifyingly examined with his remarkable 1987 novel Misery, and three years later, director Rob Reiner adapted the work into a remarkable and unsettling film. The Oscars don’t typically support the horror genre, but Kathy Bates’ turn as Annie Wilkes was unignorable – as she remains one of the meanest villains of the ‘90s.. Though in Bates’ shadow, James Caan delivers an equally excellent turn as captive author Paul Sheldon, and the weaving of tension as he keeps his mind on options for escape is perfection.

65. Clerks (1994)

Kevin Smith famously maxed out credit cards and stretched a production budget of just $27,000 to make his first movie, 1994’s Clerks. Sure, the acting is hit or miss, and the editing isn’t perfect, but that only adds to the charm of the movie. It’s also really, really funny. It’s got some of the most quotable lines of any movie from the era, and they all shine through, despite the limitations of the budget. Clerks has become the stuff of legend in Hollywood, sparking dreams of would-be filmmakers everywhere and with good reason. 

64. Galaxy Quest (1999)

What if you found out that the fantastic adventures in your favorite sci-fi TV weren't so fake after all, such as in Galaxy Quest? Tim Allen plays a washed-up actor who, along with his former co-stars (played by Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman, and more), experience their cancelled, cult favorite series for real, thanks to an alien race that believes their televised adventures are "historical documents" and are desperate for their help. The concept makes for a clever, hilarious commentary on Trekkie culture, but also manages to be just as exciting as any Star Trek episode or movie spin-off could ever be.

63. Thelma and Louise (1991)

Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis have made dozens of memorable movies, but even if they had just made Ridley Scott’s Thelma & Louise, they’d have a space carved out for them in cinema history. It’s regarded as a keystone title in the history of feminism in film, and it makes you fall in love with the titular leads as they go on the run from the law. And it should go without saying that the final moments will forever be remembered as an indomitable moment of 1990s pop culture.

62. Primal Fear (1996)

Courtroom dramas were big in the ‘90s, and Primal Fear in 1996 is a prime example of why. Richard Gere plays the pompous attorney Martin Vail, who volunteers to represent a young Aaron Stampler (Edward Norton in his first screen role) after he is accused of brutally murdering a beloved archbishop. The movie takes an unexpected turn when Aaron is discovered to have a split personality named Roy, and the dark twist that comes to light after an explosive courtroom scene remains one of the wildest movie endings ever.

61. Home Alone (1990)

I'm pretty sure Home Alone has hit classic Christmas movie territory because you always know it's the holiday season when this movie is causing a clatter on your TV screen. Following a child accidentally left home alone during Christmas and who has to defend his home from burglars, Home Alone captures the happiness of the season while adding a bit of chaos – especially with all those serious injuries that probably would have killed Marv and Harry in the real world. It'd be a fun time even without Catherine O'Hara and John Candy's SCTV reunion, but is all the better for it.

60. Leon (The Professional) (1994)

Luc Besson seems to be motivated by big sci-fi ideas in films such as The Fifth Element, Lucy, and Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets. On the flip side of Besson’s coin, though, are these stripped-down crime thrillers (Nikita, The Family), and none were more effective than Leon. The film heralded the arrival of young Natalie Portman, who proved she could appear convincingly as basically anything on screen. But also, Gary Oldman walks away with the picture, playing an unhinged and drug-addicted DEA agent looking to kill Portman’s character, much to the chagrin of professional hitman Jean Reno.  

59. Office Space (1999)

There’s a scene in Office Space where all the workers are assembled for an all-hands meeting. Above the boss’ head, there’s a banner printed that says Is This Good for the COMPANY? The question is underlined and COMPANY is in weird light blue font for unclear reasons. It’s somehow both utterly ridiculous and one of the most relatable things I’ve ever seen. In a way, it’s a perfect explanation for why some people, myself included, love Office Space so much. It’s one long series of hysterical if-you-know-you-know-moments, and watching other people live through and comment on that same misery feels so cathartic. 

58. Reservoir Dogs (1992)

There are few filmmakers in cinematic history who made as an audacious splash with their first feature as Quentin Tarantino, who was immediately recognized as a tremendous upstart talent following the premiere of Reservoir Dogs at the 1992 Sundance Film Festival. With its spellbinding non-linear storytelling, sharp-as-knives dialogue, and violent shocks, it is recognized as a perfect archetype of Tarantino’s strengths as a writer/director, and it is remembered for inspiring a whole generation of filmmakers and its lasting impact on genre cinema.

57. Apollo 13 (1995)

Apollo 13 may be best remembered in pop culture for the iconic line “Houston, we have a problem," but the 1995 film accumulated nine Academy Award nominations for a reason. Boasting a stacked cast that includes Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, Gary Sinise, Ed Harris, and Kathleen Quinlan, the movie dramatizes the true story of the failed 1970 lunar mission, and the ending sequence is no less suspenseful nearly thirty years later than it was in the ‘90s. The effects mostly stand up to this day; but even where they don’t, the performances sell the story entirely.

56. The American President (1995) 

Before Aaron Sorkin created The West Wing, he wrote The American President, which saw one of the most respected movie presidents, Andrew Shepherd (Michael Douglas), fall for feisty environmental lobbyist Sydney Ellen Wade (Annette Bening). Could a widowed president ever court a girlfriend in an election year? Sorkin’s snappy dialogue shows why it wouldn’t be easy, as the two become tabloid fodder, and even bigger trouble awaits when their political agendas don’t align. Both lead actors give absolutely charming performances in this 1995 political rom-com directed by Rob Reiner.

55. True Romance (1993) 

The first screenplay Quentin Tarantino ever sold in Hollywood was 1993’s True Romance, and it became an offbeat cult classic when combined with Tony Scott’s slick direction. Christian Slater and Patricia Arquette are perfect as the flawed lovers and the rest of the cast, which includes Gary Oldman, Brad Pitt, Michael Rappaport, Val Kilmer, Samuel L. Jackson, Tom Sizemore, James Gandolfini, just to name a few, are all brilliant. It’s one scene, however, between Dennis Hopper and Christopher Walken, that steals the whole show and deserves its own placement in cinema history.

54. Unforgiven (1992)

This might be the quintessential Clint Eastwood Western – which says a lot when you realize that the man helped to define the genre, dating all the way back to his days on television (in Gunsmoke). With Unforgiven, an older Eastwood figured out how to comment on the evolution of the Western, and reflect on the moral quandaries several cowboys faced over the course of their lawless lives. This marked the beginning of a contemplative stage of Eastwood’s career, and redefined the boundaries of the Western for storytellers that followed. 

53. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Not only is The Nightmare Before Christmas one of the best stop-motion movies of all time, but it was also a game-changer within the animation industry. The movie -- following the story of Jack Skellington turning Halloween Town into Christmas Town and trying to take over the role of Santa Claus -- has become a cultural icon. Not only is the movie celebrated during the Halloween season, but it's also become one of the best animated Christmas movies and has a wildly popular fan base – go to Disney World during Halloween and Christmas and see how popular this movie is. 

52. Natural Born Killers (1994)

Few movies in the last decade of the 20th century caused a stir quite like the big screen adventure of Mickey and Mallory Knox in Oliver Stone’s demented crime saga Natural Born Killers. Fans of the TV show Cheers got to witness a whole new side to Woody Harrelson, and he makes for one-half of an absolutely ferocious on-screen pair partnered with Juliette Lewis. Though it was only released in 1994, it is a title to point to when aiming to epitomize a certain spirit in 1990s pop culture.

51. The Rock (1994)

It is still totally bonkers to think that the mid-’90s gave us a Michael Bay action movie in which Sean Connery and Nicolas Cage got to mesh their wildly different talents. A movie that helped pencil in the blueprint for what we know as modern Bayhem, The Rock is a solid cocktail of action, comedy, and drama tied together with a surprisingly poignant message. None of that gets lost in the shuffle, either, even as the shuffle keeps viewers glued to their seats until the very last scene. You can bet this quotable, adrenaline-charged classic is still friendly with the prom queen.

50. Boyz n the Hood (1991)

Relatively few directors made great movies on their first try, and the late John Singleton did just that with 1991’s Boyz n the Hood. Set in South Central Los Angeles, the film centers on three young men, whose paths begin to diverge as they steadily approach adulthood. Singleton, who also wrote the Oscar-nominated drama, provided a nuanced look at life in a low-income neighborhood. 

In doing so, he shed light on gang violence, systemic racism, and other elements that still negatively impact many communities today. For better or worse, this well-acted and directed film is as timeless and relevant as they come.

49. The Sixth Sense (1999)

While the ending twist may have helped put the film and its director, M. Night Shyamalan, on the map near the close of the decade, The Sixth Sense is so much more than those final, incredible moments where all of the pieces fall into place (in a scene that comes after we think the story has been mostly resolved). 

What elevates The Sixth Sense to ‘90s movie greatness is the combined efforts of the stellar performances of Bruce Willis, Haley Joel Osment, Toni Collette, and Olivia Williams; of the music combined with the fantastic shots; of the use of the Philadelphia backdrop. Every scene taps into something dark, scary, heartbreaking or humorous, and the best go for a little bit of all of those things at once. 

48. Get Shorty (1995)

What is the best Elmore Leonard adaptation? There are many candidates that qualify for consideration, including Quentin Tarantino’s Jackie Brown, Steven Soderbergh’s Out Of Sight and the TV series Justified, but Barry Sonnenfeld’s Get Shorty is my uncontested contender for the title. 

It’s a dark, cynical, and hilarious take on the film industry where a shylock finds himself right at home in Los Angeles, and it brims with exceptional characters – from John Travolta’s Chili Palmer to Gene Hackman's skeezy producer Harry Zimm, to James Gandolfini's stuntman-turned-heavy Bear. The sequel that came out a decade later, 2005’s Be Cool, is dreadful, but that has thankfully not tainted its predecessor’s stellar legacy as one of the great “Hollywood on Hollywood” movies. 

47. The Rocketeer (1991) 

Believe it or not, The Rocketeer is a comic book movie. In the wake of the blockbuster success that was Batman, studios scrambled to get their own piece of that four-paneled pie; leading a pre-Marvel Disney to adapt Dave Stevens’ pulpy ‘30s throwback. Hoping this movie would be the studio’s answer to Bat-mania, director Joe Johnston’s picture suffered in the obscenely crowded summer of 1991. 

Over time, fate has been kinder to the Billy Campbell and Jennifer Connolly adventure, as it developed into a cult classic much like the original Tron. Even if audiences didn’t flock to it at first, the message was never lost, because the quality was always there. Best experienced with a heart full of nostalgia and courage, The Rocketeer's mere existence is worth celebrating. 

46. Audition (1999)

Few movies start off as unassuming as the psycho-horror Audition, whose first half sits among the legendarily prolific Takashi Miike’s most restrained directorial efforts. The story begins with Ryo Ishibashi’s widower Shigeharu Aoyama re-entering the dating world in the least natural way possible: via auditions with women who believe they’re vying for an acting role. 

Things progress in an almost mundane manner as Shigeharu becomes more attracted to the quiet and seemingly reserved Asami (Eihi Shiina), but with enough peeks into her home life to send red flags waving. What makes Audition a unique ‘90s treasure is when the wheels fall off for its dread-flooded final act, in which Asami teaches Shigeharu a torturous lesson in stringing women along. Don't try this at home.

45. Point Break (1991)

Comically manly, but in the best ways possible, Point Break is the 1990s encapsulated. Clean-cut FBI agent Johnny Utah (tremendous character name) loses himself undercover when he tries to infiltrate a gang of surfers (tremendous plot twist) who may be posing as former presidents of the United States and robbing banks. What an awesome plot. And what an awesome movie. 

Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze are the Yin and the Yang of Southern California cool, tapping directly into the “Brah” of it all while also delivering unforgettable action set pieces – notably, a skydiving chase without parachutes. Credit most of this to director Kathyrn Bigelow, who eventually won her Best Director Oscar for 2010’s The Hurt Locker. 

44. Clueless (1995)

We’ve seen movies put a new spin on old classics before, but rarely has the result been as entertaining as Clueless, Amy Heckerling’s take on Jane Austen’s Emma. Alicia Silverstone stars as Cher, a beautiful and rich Beverly Hills high school fashionista who decides she wants to use her popularity for the betterment of humanity. 

The 1995 coming-of-age comedy — which also stars Stacey Dash, Brittany Murphy, Paul Rudd and more — still stands up today with its iconic looks and quotable dialogue (not to mention Cher’s inspiring speech comparing refugees to guests at her father’s garden party). And has there ever been a movie takedown more savage than Tai calling Cher “a virgin who can’t drive”? As if! 

43. L.A. Confidential (1997)

Once upon a time, the noir detective story was a staple of film, but fewer and fewer examples have emerged with each decade that passes. So when a movie like Curtis Hanson's L.A. Confidential comes around, you really begin to wonder why we don’t see more of these. 

It’s an absolutely incredible film that likely would probably be better remembered if it hadn’t come out the same year as Titanic. On top of everything else, the film introduced Russell Crowe and Guy Pierce to U.S. film audiences, and for that alone, it should be recognized, but it also won Kim Basinger an Oscar for a reason.

42. The Hunt for Red October (1990)

While The Hunt for Red October was a huge success when it hit theaters in 1990, it took years for people to see it as a classic. It’s not a flawless movie. Sean Connery, as amazing as he is, plays what appears to be a Scottish Russian, not changing his accent at all. The underwater scenes of the special effects submarines, while praised at the time, have not aged well, either. Accents aside, the actors are all superb here. 

Alec Baldwin as Jack Ryan, Tim Curry, Sam Neill, Scott Glenn, James Earl Jones, Stellan Skarsgård, Fred Thompson, Courtney B. Vance, and everyone else are all amazing, and John McTiernan’s direction is snappy and perfectly paced. This is THE submarine movie. 

41. The Green Mile (1999)

Considered one of the best Stephen King adaptations of all time, The Green Mile is a fantasy drama directed by Frank Darabont, telling the story of a wrongly convicted man and his time at a prison in the 1930s and the strange supernatural events that follow his arrival. 

I feel like The Green Mile is just one movie everyone should watch at least once. It's a classic for a reason, featuring all-time career performances from Tom Hanks, Sam Rockwell, and Michael Clarke Duncan. The Green Mile will capture your heart and crush it into a million pieces by the end – and might just make one admire the horror-driven Stephen King all the more for writing such an emotional story. If you're not ugly sobbing by the end of this, you may not be watching it right. 

40. The Truman Show (1998)

Easily considered one of Jim Carrey’s best movies, The Truman Show – which is about a man who realizes his reality isn’t real – uses its star’s signature over-the-top sense of humor and physicality to make you laugh. Then his dramatic skills come to the forefront as you take this journey with Truman, and you feel all the emotions as it becomes clear that this comedy is more of a searing satire.

Overall, this film is about Truman coming to terms with the fact that the world’s been watching him live in a simulated reality, and it gives us all an example of how exploitative social media can be. That’s why The Truman Show is not only one of the best movies of the ‘90s, but it’s also one of the more relevant films when it comes to the present. 

39. Waiting for Guffman (1996)

Waiting for Guffman is mockumentary gold. Christopher Guest and his group of comedic geniuses — Catherine O'Hara, Eugene Levy, Parker Posey, etc. — bring the sleepy berg of Blane, Missouri to life, with the audience watching as a motley crew of community theater actors put on a musical about their town. 

The stakes get higher when Guest's Corky St. Clair tells everyone a Broadway production house is coming, and "we may be going to Broadway." The songs are insane, the cast is unhinged, and this movie is heaven; even more so for those who are personally familiar with the madcap process of staging plays. 

38. Dazed and Confused (1993)

It’s really hard to make a comedy that stands the test of time, yet as we get older, Dazed and Confused stays the same age, er, quality. Director Richard Linklater’s love letter to his teen years in Texas transcends generations and keeps fans coming back again and again. Sure, it’s the 1970s, but teenagers (and adults) of any generation can relate. 

Of course, it also helps that so many huge stars got their first big break in the movie, including Matthew McConaughey in his first role. Ben Affleck, Parker Posey, Cole Hauser, Anthony Rapp, Rory Cochrane, Nicky Katt, and the rest of the cast are amazing. Everyone can point to one character and say “I knew someone just like that in high school!”

37. The Matrix (1999)

It’s hard to put into words just how mindblowing The Matrix was when it first came out. Of course, the successive sequels somewhat diminished the franchise’s legacy as a whole, though make no mistake, the first movie is just as much of a thrill in the modern era as it was back in 1999. 

Keanu Reeves is the ultimate leading entity in the Wachowskis' game-changing mega-blockbuster, making every move look as cool as can be. Because of the filmmakers' work on this neo-classic (no pun), people will forever be cursed with the idea that everything we’re doing in life is a simulation, and that we’re all slowly and secretly being harvested in pods for energy by robotic overlords. Great movie, though.

36. The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)

Two years after Jim Henson’s death, son Brian Henson directed arguably the only truly great Muppets release of the entire 1990s: The Muppet Christmas Carol. (Excluding the final two years of Muppet Babies.) Based on the Charles Dickens novel that has spawned countless numbers of adaptations, the holiday film is anchored on the human side by Michael Caine’s Ebenezer Scrooge, and on the felt-covered side by Kermit and Miss Piggy’s Bob and Emily Cratchit, with Gonzo as Dickens himself. 

Though it doesn’t offer any huge adjustments to the source material, the Muppets make everything twenty-fold more charming, and Statler and Waldorf’s ghostly jam “Marley and Marley” is among the best of any original Muppet tunes. Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without this movie.

35. City Slickers (1991)

There are plenty of laughs to be had in Ron Underwood’s Western comedy City Slickers, and while that’s a safe bet for any of Billy Crystal’s best movies, what sets this one apart is its enormous heart. 

Crystal’s Mitch Robbins, along with pals Phil and Ed (Daniel Stern and Bruno Kirby, respectively) are all suffering midlife crises of sorts when they embark on a cattle drive across the Southwest. It was refreshing to see the men open up to each other about their childhoods, relationships, and what matters most in life. Jack Palance gives an Oscar-winning performance as Curly, and the $124 million it earned at the domestic box office made it one of the top 5 movies of 1991.

34. The Birdcage (1996)

Robin Williams was a brilliant comedian, a supernova of personality that could command our attention with his hysterical stream-of-conscious thoughts. But Williams, to me, truly shined bright when he downplayed his natural comedic energy to either try serious drama (Good Will Hunting, Dead Poets Society), or to support an equally brilliant comedic performance – as he did with Nathan Lane in The Birdcage.

While broad and flamboyant at times, The Birdcage captures the heart of a family rallying behind their beautiful son (Dan Futterman) who is getting engaged to a Conservative girl (Calista Flockhart). Williams and Lane, as an on-screen couple, are tender, touching, funny, sweet, and perfectly paired in this special gem of a film.

33. Princess Mononoke (1997)

As someone who has watched every single Hayao Miyazaki movie, there's something about Prince Mononoke that speaks deeply to my soul. While I possibly think Spirited Away is Miyazaki's best film, and I have a love for Howl's Moving Castle, this is a movie that has changed the way I view the world. 

Princess Mononoke follows the story of a young prince who discovers that the gods of the forest are upset at the humans for consuming their precious resources. While the anime film itself has breathtaking animation and a story that pulls you in; both are equally sating while leaving a desire for more. Truthfully, this is the one movie that speaks on human consumption in simple ways that everyone should be required to watch.  

32. Groundhog Day (1993)

By all accounts, the creative process behind Groundhog Day was not easy. The film was originally conceived as a darker, more philosophical movie with independent sensibilities. That’s what Bill Murray liked. Director Harold Ramis saw it as more of a good-natured and broad comedy. So they fought about it, plaguing the shoot with delays, rewrites and enough acrimony to sever their friendship for decades. 

Amidst that disharmony, or perhaps even because of that disharmony, the two comedy masters compromised and created a perfect blend of the two: a broad and funny romantic comedy that’s weird enough and dark enough to feel totally original. 

31. Scream (1996)

With A Nightmare on Elm Street and its two best sequels already under his belt (among many other frightfests), Wes Craven made horror franchise lightning strike twice with the post-modern whodunit slasher Scream, and it kept striking across two eras of sequels. Led by one of the ‘90s greatest scream queens in Neve Campbell, the 1996 classic became such a blueprint for Hollywood horror that the inciting film doesn’t feel anywhere near as novel as it did when audiences first sat down thinking they were about to watch “a Drew Barrymore movie.” 

But that opening remains chilling AF, David Arquette’s Deputy Dewey remains a loveable dork alongside Courteney Cox’s hardcore bitch Gail Weathers, and Ghostface’s pop culture-tinged massacre has only become more relevant in an ever-connected world.

30. Cape Fear (1991)

I was way too young when I watched Cape Fear for the first time. I was experienced with plenty of slasher or jump scare style horror movies and figured I’d be fine. Wrong. Cape Fear is an entirely different type of scary than what I was used to. 

With a prime Martin Scorsese at the helm and a fantastic all-in performance from Robert De Niro, it’s a relentlessly creepy and unnerving take on slow-burn vengeance. It haunted my sleep for weeks as a kid, and during an adult rewatch decades later, its themes of religion, underage sexuality, criminal justice and moral relativism were every bit as disturbing. 

29. Being John Malkovich (1999)

Being John Malkovich may not be the very best ‘90s movie, but it may very well be the strangest that still qualifies as a great time. The premise itself — that a door exists allowing others to enter the mind of another person — is odd enough, but for the person whose brain is invaded to be celebrated actor John Malkovich? 

That brilliant choice somehow gives the otherwise impossible story a slight jolt of realism, and it all comprises a cinematic experience that should not be missed. It’s also a movie full of incredible performances, as Malkovich plays a fantastic version of himself, while John Cusack and Cameron Diaz play against type about as much as possible.

28. Dave (1993)

Probably the funniest movie that uses the presidential line of succession as a plot device, Ivan Reitman’s Dave is a hilarious, charming, and oddly sentimental exploration of politics in the early 1990s. There’s just something about Kevin Kline’s portrayal of Dave Kovic that makes this movie about a presidential impersonator becoming the Commander-in-Chief so innocent and pure, especially when compared to the political climate we live in 30-plus years later. 

Whenever I revisit Dave every couple of years, it feels like opening a time capsule to the final decade of the 20th century with its optimism and promise of a better future. 

27. A League of Their Own (1992)

A League Of Their Own is too busy with meaningful character development and telling an awesome baseball story to go for jokes all the time, but on a per-attempt basis, I would put it up against almost any comedy ever made. Director Penny Marshall has a wonderful tonal sense of when her actors should play it straight, when they should add in a little humor, and when they should drunkenly pee for thirty seconds. 

The result is one of the best sports movies of all time, one that delivers all those laughs but also plays it straight enough to give viewers fantastic and relatable plots about friendship, sisterhood, and what it means to thrive and find your own space.

26. The Iron Giant (1999)

The Iron Giant is Brad Bird's heartstrings-pulling story about a young boy who befriends a massive alien robot in 1957, and it proves that a movie bombing at the box office doesn’t mean it can’t still become a cinematic classic. Though its theatrical run didn’t even make back the initial budget, thanks to its home video rollout and stellar word-of-mouth buzz, it’s now considered one of the best animated movies of all time. Rightly so, because this is one of those movies that remains timeless no matter when it’s being viewed. 

Watching Hogarth teach the Giant about life on Earth and urge him to overcome his original purpose of being a weapon never gets old. The Iron Giant remains arguably Vin Diesel’s best movie from before the Fast & Furious franchise's launch, and co-stars like Eli Marienthal, Jennifer Aniston, Harry Connick Jr., and Christopher McDonald also shine.

25. Toy Story 2 (1999)

I remember that Toy Story 2 was the first film that made me uncontrollably sob – like fat tears rolling down my face and having a stuffy nose for hours afterward, and I'm sure I'm not alone there. A sequel to Toy Story, which took the world by anthropomorphic storm with its industry-revolutionizing animation, the follow-up adventure was released in 1999, and follows Woody after he is accidentally sold to a toy collector. There, he meets companions from a former TV show that he had no idea about – a show all about him. (And Joan Cusack's Jessie, of course.)

The Toy Story 2 voice cast is stellar, and the animation was a huge step forward in CGI films, but the heart-wrenching story of love, friendship, and so much more is what made Toy Story 2 one of the best Pixar films out there – and yes, I still cry during, "When Somebody Loved Me."

24. Election (1999)

How did Reese Witherspoon not win an Oscar for her performance as Type-A goodie two-shoes Tracy Flick, the textbook overachiever who bites off more than she can chew by running for student government president? It’s possible that we have come to realize that Witherspoon might just BE Tracy Flick in real life. 

But at the time, she was a tornado of talent matching Matthew Broderick beat for beat, bringing to life the sharp school-set satire in director Alexander Payne’s screenplay. Election has as much to say about the greed and immaturity powering politics many years after its release – at every level – as it did back in 1999, which is yet another reason why it remains special.

23. Magnolia (1999)

While not the highest-ranked Paul Thomas Anderson film on this list, Magnolia is a film to be marveled at for its phenomenal ambition. The Los Angeles-based epic juggles the stories of nearly a dozen protagonists who are not only dealing with a wide variety of personal conflicts and demons but are all linked to one another in the stunning cinematic tapestry. 

As the hyper-misogynist motivational speaker Frank T.J. Mackey, Tom Cruise delivers one of his most brilliant turns, and Julianne Moore’s pharmacy monologue is flooring, but the reality is that every member of the ensemble – including Philip Seymour Hoffman, William H. Macy, Philip Baker Hall, John C. Reilly, and many more – deliver some of the best work of their respective careers. Further considering the frogs and the stunning performance of Aimee Mann’s “Wise Up,” it’s indelible cinema.

22. Tombstone (1993)

I don’t think you could ask for a more star-studded cast for any genre of film, much less a Western. 1993’s Tombstone is blessed by a top-notch cast including Kurt Russell, Val Kilmer, Sam Elliott, the late Bill Paxton, Michael Biehn, Stephen Lang, the late Powers Boothe, Thomas Haden Church, Michael Rooker, Charlton Heston, and many more, making it an instant classic in the Western genre. 

The story behind how this film came to be, along with many behind-the-scenes facts, is bizarre enough, but the struggles resulted in one of the best cowboy films of all time. And one that has stood the test of time against a similar movie released around the same time, Kevin Costner's Wyatt Earp.  

21. Beauty and the Beast (1991)

Beauty and the Beast was the first animated film to be nominated for the Best Picture Oscar, and decades later, it’s still clear that was the right call. The movie is beautiful, with early computer animation enhancing some of the most visually stunning hand-drawn shots in the medium’s history. It also has one of the best soundtracks of any Disney musical, if not any musical, full stop. This is Howard Ashman’s greatest achievement as a songwriter. 

But beyond even that, the two title characters are about as three-dimensional as any animated characters ever were. It may be a tale as old as time, but Beauty and the Beast is one the audience gets wrapped up in from the first notes to the last. It’s the definition of Disney magic.

20. The Usual Suspects (1995)

No one saw the twist ending coming. Trust me. No one. It caught audiences off guard completely, exactly the way it crashed down like a ton of bricks on Chazz Palminteri's cop. He finally understood who Keyser Soze was, and we all rushed right back into theaters to watch the puzzle snap into place all over again. 

But The Usual Suspects is more than just its “dropped shoe,” miraculous as that reveal is. The cast of colorful criminals assembled by director Bryan Singer played off of each other wonderfully, with many of them defaulting to the natural leader in Gabriel Byrne, but still finding ways to steal the spotlight every now and then. (Benicio Del Toro mumbling under his breath in the jail lineup belongs in the conversation of funniest five-minute performances, ever). As twisty crime thrillers go, few are tighter and more entertaining than this.

19. Boogie Nights (1997)

Introductions can make or break anything in this world. Careers, reputations, even the flow of a movie can be bungled if you don’t know how to open. Writer/director Paul Thomas Anderson must have known that when he made Boogie Nights, because when he introduced that picture to the world, he gave himself one hell of a calling card. 

Following young Dirk Diggler (Mark Wahlberg) in his journey through the underground of porn films, we see a man still growing up in an industry that feels as young as he is. An ensemble drama boasting the likes of Don Cheadle, Julianne Moore, Heather Graham, and Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Boogie Nights is a cautionary tale with style and tension to burn. Good luck ever listening to “Sister Christian” without having flashbacks to this big, bright, shining star that still manages to break hearts and crack jokes with everyone it meets.

18. Good Will Hunting (1997)

Good Will Hunting is one of those films that changes you forever once you watch it. Starring Matt Damon and Robin Williams, the drama follows a young janitor at MIT who's discovered to be a secret math genius. The premise itself isn't as catchy as some of the other big-time blockbusters of the 1990s, without aliens, robots or crazy action fights, but Good Will Hunting is a film that leaves its message imprinted on audiences long after the credits roll. 

A story of perseverance, hope, and so much more, this movie gave movie fans one of Robin Williams's best roles and catapulted the careers of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. (You gotta like them apples.) This kind of film teaches you that sometimes, the people you meet turn you into your best self, so we just have to be fearless enough to go out there and find them. 

17. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

Anthony Hopkins is fantastic in The Silence Of The Lambs, and every positive thing you’ve ever heard about his performance is deserved and probably an understatement. He’s that engrossing, but with all due respect, The Silence Of The Lambs isn’t his movie. It’s Jodie Foster’s movie, hingeing on her career-best performance here as Clarice Starling, which just gets better with every rewatch. 

Foster finds the perfect balance between uncertain and determined. She lets her FBI trainee lead character feel the weight of every obstacle, whether it be sexism, personal loss or physical danger, and then she pushes forward. With relentless determination, she just keeps going and that one step at a time, careful momentum gives the film its narrative structure and allows director Ted Demme to create one of the 90s best and most memorable movies.

16. Fargo (1996)

Joel and Ethan Coen have crafted films both stoically grounded and ludicrously fantastical in their long and storied careers, with Fargo possibly the one straddling both of those lines with the greatest of ease. The faux-kidnapping-gone-wrong and the ensuing investigation are smart story beats, and were enough to win the Coens the Best Original Screenplay Oscar, if fairly rote for the genre in general. But it’s the cast, the Minnesota location, and the singular nature of being a snow-white noir that make Fargo one of the greatest films of the decade. 

The always affable William H. Macy is aces as a man being eaten alive by guilt, opposite the gosh-darn excellent police skills of Frances McDormand’s Marge Gunderson, with Steve Buscemi and Peter Stormare as the pair of amoral criminals making everyone’s lives (and deaths) worse. Fargo is a chilling masterpiece, and it’s got nothing to do with the weather. 

15. My Cousin Vinny (1992)

Even though one of my colleagues claims her testimony was incorrect in the film, I will still stand before the court and argue that Marisa Tomei, Joe Pesci, and their cast of supporting characters make My Cousin Vinny guilty as hell of being one of the best comedies of all time.

The film is widely used in an educational capacity to showcase one of the few times that a court case is mostly portrayed accurately through a film, and to be honest, the wordplay coupled with the main character/judge dynamic is something to write home about.

14. Saving Private Ryan (1998)

For years, veterans would be the first to say that cinema's depiction of combat — especially that of World War II — is a cakewalk compared to the real thing. Because few films offered a truly accurate portrayal of the hellish, soul-crushing conditions soldiers faced, at least before the release of Saving Private Ryan.

This story of a U.S. military captain (played by Tom Hanks) tasked with leading his crew on a mission to bring a family's last living son home is easily one of Steven Spielberg’s best movies (the second to earn him a Best Director Oscar) and is widely considered to have been unjustly robbed of the Best Picture honor (which went to Shakespeare in Love that year). From the landmark D-Day sequence to the heartbreaking final act and every unforgettable moment in between, it is one of the harshest films you could ever experience, but the passion and craftsmanship put into makes for a grand reward. 

13. The Big Lebowski (1998)

I’m a Lebowski, you’re a Lebowski, we’re all Lebowskis who love the Coen brothers’ The Big Lebowski, even if its massive fandom wasn’t automatic. It was only a moderate success in the spring of 1998 when it sauntered into theaters on the heels of the Coen’s winning their first writing Oscar for Fargo a year earlier. Reviews at the time were middling, as was the audience reaction. 

Then, over the next couple of years, The Big Lebowski turned into a bonafide cult craze. Pages have been written about its status as such, but too often overlooked is what makes the movie so lovable. It’s quotable, it’s silly, and the plot is the ultimate shaggy dog story with a ridiculous McGuffin — the Dude’s rug — but as it goes for the Dude’s living room, the whole movie ties together just brilliantly. It’s world-class storytelling and the performances from Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, and the rest of the cast are perfect.  

12. Schindler's List (1993)

Sometimes what makes a movie from a particular era great is how it represents its time, but some movies would be considered an important work of art in any decade. Steven Spielberg’s Schindler’s List is one of those that transcends eras. The film is great in all the traditional ways: Liam Neeson gives a career-making performance as Oskar Schindler, an Industrialist who saved the lives of hundreds of Jews during World War II. The supporting performances are equally strong. It’s beautifully filmed. 

But beyond that, Schindler’s List is an important movie, offering audiences a sobering look at the tragic events of World War II through a character based on a real-life survivor that many were not even aware of before the movie's release. Schindler’s List is one of those movies that you don’t forget after having seen it, and it may be Steven Spielberg’s greatest achievement.

11. Toy Story (1995)

More than 25 years after moviegoers were first introduced to Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Bo Peep, and the rest of Andy’s collection, it can be easy to forget just how big the impact John Lasseter’s Toy Story had when it hit theaters in 1995. It’s the film that put Pixar on the map, and while it sadly helped kickstart the downfall of hand-drawn animation in lieu of CGI, it also paved the way for three of the greatest Hollywood sequels to ever be produced. Tom Hanks’ Woody and Tim Allen’s Buzz are an all-time great animated duo, sharing hallowed space with Bugs & Daffy and Tom & Jerry, though obviously with a lot more heart than what short-form characters are allowed.

The Toy Story franchise hinges a lot on childhood memories, nostalgia, and maintaining a sense of fun in life as one gets older, and this first film delivers the most distilled take on that idea, with Andy still attached in some way to his inner child. Life, as it were, gets way more depressing for the toys as he gets older, which perhaps is why Toy Story rewatches are all the more enjoyable in comparison.

10. Philadelphia (1993)

 Philadelphia is not only a well-made movie, but is first and foremost an important movie. LQBTQ+ rights were non-existent at the time, as the movie highlights and one cannot discount the role this movie, directed by Jonathan Demme, had in awakening the general public not only to the plight gay people faced at the time but the discrimination people with HIV/AIDS faced as well when it was released in 1993. Tom Hanks’ portrayal of a gay man with AIDS who is fired from his job won the actor his first Oscar and for good reason, he’s amazing. Equally amazing is Denzel Washington, who plays Hanks’ character’s (Andrew Beckett) lawyer, Joe Miller. 

Miller, like most people in 1993 when Philadelphia was released, is scared of Beckett and AIDS, because he, like many, didn’t understand it. It’s Miller’s reaction that resonates with audiences. After watching Beckett get asked to move to a “private room” at a library, Miller realizes the discrimination is similar to that faced by African-Americans in the United States, and by the end of the film, he touches Beckett’s lesion-covered face, after learning the truth about AIDS. It’s a powerful moment that still reverberates today. 

9. Fight Club (1999)

So many “futuristic” sci-fi movies from years past have failed to successfully depict modern society and behavior, but David Fincher’s Fight Club now feels it was adapted from some of Nostradamus’ naughtier quatrains, instead of Chuck Palahniuk’s 1996 novel. Seemingly both a love letter to, and a cautionary tale about, nihilistic anti-consumerism and anarchy, Fight Club features one of cinema’s most convoluted love triangles in Edward Norton’s spine-lacking unnamed narrator, Brad Pitt’s ultra-male Tyler Durden, and Helena Bonham Carter’s impulsively erratic Marla Singer. A demented character study in part, the movie oozes testosterone both before and after the titular underground brawls come together, and maybe even oozes a bit of estrogen when Meat Loaf’s Bob is around. 

For all of the smart and discussion-worthy topics that are tackled with face-pounding glee, Fight Club is, unfortunately, the kind of movie whose natural sheen has been somewhat tarnished by a fanbase who lost the point of the satire, but still holds so many visual and verbal treasures for those outside such bubbles. Especially for any new viewers who manage to go into it without knowing what kicks off the final act. It’s hard to think of a ‘90s movie with a more story-heightening ending, and The Pixies’ “Where Is My Mind?” remains an inarguably perfect needle drop.  

8. Pulp Fiction (1994)

Pulp Fiction changed the rules of Hollywood moviemaking. That’s no exaggeration. Before Quentin Tarantino fired a shotgun blast through the screen with his nonlinear gangster picture, there was a chasm separating big-budgeted studio films and independent cinema that usually thrived on the film festival circuit before making its way to art house theaters. In the years following Pulp Fiction, studios, actors and audiences chased talent and inspiration, wherever it could be found. 

The irony of Pulp Fiction blazing so many trails is that the movie itself is a pastiche of well-worn genres that Tarantino pored over while working the counter of a video shop. He’s paying homage to countless, gratuitous stories that had come before it. Only, Pulp Fiction built on the buzz created with Reservoir Dogs to attract a constellation of stars: John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman, Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Christopher Walken, Ving Rhames, and Bruce Willis. Pulp Fiction remains one of the best scripts you will ever read, crisscrossing itself at various intersections and packing repeated surprises (usually of the violent nature). But it was Tarantino’s powerful voice, and his use of soundtrack, that had clones copying his style for decades… and still, to this day.  

7. Jurassic Park (1993)

Anticipation for Jurassic Park began years before its release in the summer of 1993. Michael Crighton sold the rights to the film before he finished the book and because Steven Spielberg was the director who acquired it, the hype started early. Then, in June 1993, it finally hit theaters and was an absolute cultural sensation. Critics loved it, praising the unbelievable special effects and realism of the dinosaurs. Speilberg and the team at ILM broke so much new ground in creating the creatures that it changed how movies were made. Audiences loved it even more and showed up at theaters in hordes. Jurassic Park broke every box record there was to break. It had the biggest opening day, the biggest opening weekend, and finally, it became the highest-grossing movie of all time.

Jurassic Park also earned a slew of awards, mostly for its technical achievements, but that doesn’t mean the acting performances were bad, they were fantastic. Jeff Goldblum, Sam Neill, Laura Dern, and Sir Richard Attenborough are all perfect in their roles. Finally, there’s the score by John Williams, which remains one of the most iconic of all time. 

6. Se7en (1995)

The film that rescued David Fincher’s career from the stench of Alien 3, and proved that the versatile music director could apply his grungy, moody, techno-acid style to a feature-length nightmare. It’s easy to say now that Fincher was destined to be a contemporary, visionary genius of a filmmaker. But prior to The Social Network, Zodiac, and Fight Club, we needed to see some evidence. Consider this disturbing plunge into the moral sewers to be Exhibit A in the case for Fincher’s mastery. 

Se7en is routine in many ways. It’s set in a rainy and nondescript city, which feels like San Francisco but could be anywhere. It follows odd-couple cops (Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt) tracking a mysterious serial killer who cunningly stays one step ahead of them. But the performances are remarkable, including Gwyneth Paltrow as Pitt’s loving and innocent newlywed, plucked and moved to the grimy city so her husband can do his job. The film’s riveting conclusion – which benefits from the icy calm delivery of Kevin Spacey as John Doe – elevated Se7en above most others in the genre. Now, when someone asks, “What’s in the box?” you don’t have to say, “Gwyneth’s head.” Just tell them the box contains an unforgettable masterpiece. 

5. Heat (1995)

Look at just about every list breaking down the best heist films ever made and the movie you’re probably going to see the most is Michael Mann’s 1995 crime epic, Heat. With some of the most iconic (and loudest) robbery and shoot-out sequences, the first on-screen pairing of Al Pacino and Robert De Niro (both were in The Godfather Part II but appeared in different timelines), and an incredible cat-and-mouse story that uses Los Angeles as a backdrop better than any other film, there’s so much to love about this legendary film.

On top of all of that, Heat has become one of the most influential films of all time in the nearly 30 years since its theatrical release. Watch movies like The Town, Widows, and even The Dark Knight, and you’ll see how Mann’s thriller was so influential. Hell, even the Grand Theft Auto franchise has taken aspects of the movie to create some of the most action-packed video game moments of all time.  

4. The Lion King (1994)

1994’s The Lion King is perhaps the most effective entry in the Disney Renaissance era when it comes to combining gorgeous animation, original songs, and a story that continues to pack a punch decades later. As the coming-of-age story for cub-turned-king Simba, the film delivers arguably the most famous Disney death with the demise of Mufasa, and Scar’s villain song is both incredibly catchy and incredibly chilling. Aladdin lyricist Tim Rice joined forces with Elton John for the songs, while Hans Zimmer composed the score, earning The Lion King an Academy Award for Best Original Score, while “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” won for Best Original Song.

The Lion King was a massive commercial hit, becoming the highest-grossing traditionally animated film and holding that record to this day. The original movie also has a legacy that has extended to two TV shows, two direct-to-video sequels, and the 2019 CGI remake that was massively successful for Disney, although divisive among fans of the original animated version. Plus, there’s a generation of adults who learned about coups and succession crises thanks to Mufasa, Scar, and Simba back in the ‘90s. What’s not to roar with love about? 

3. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

Taking what he learned from making The Terminator and the two movies that followed (Aliens and The Abyss), James Cameron gave audiences not just a sequel in July 1991, but a game-changer of a film that completely rewrote the summer blockbuster and the action genre as we know it. While The Terminator was a small-scale sci-fi thriller about a futuristic cyborg sent back in time to kill a waitress before she could give birth to humanity’s last hope against extinction, T2 was a massive epic with numerous iconic action sequences and CGI that still holds up decades later.

The movie also gave us one of the best on-screen heroes with Arnold Schwarnegger’s T-800, a reprogrammed Terminator sent back not to kill John Connor but to protect him from the more advanced and more lethal T-1000, a character that remains an all-time villain. It is hard to imagine a timeline where Terminator 2: Judgment Day doesn’t exist, but luckily that’s a reality we don’t have to experience. 

2. Goodfellas (1990)

Of everything that Goodfellas is in part — a mobster saga, a crime drama, an ensemble biopic, etc. — it can’t properly be boxed into such a limited description, though it’s certainly safer to use fewer words when the Gambino crime family’s around, lest Joe Pesci’s Tommy DeVito lose his temper. Based on reporter (and eventual co-screenwriter) Nicholas Pileggi’s 1985 Wiseguy: Life in a Mafia Family, the film rides on the back of Ray Liotta’s Henry Hill, whose idea of the American Dream is to be living it up as a made man, but realizes over and over again how hard such a goal is to attain when everyone else around is just as hungry and ruthless. 

In many ways, it’s a perfect counterbalance to The Godfather saga, sharing similarities such as memorable food scenes and a stacked cast (with some mutual actors like Robert De Niro and Frank Sivero). But unlike Francis Ford Coppola’s masterpieces, Goodfellas was far less successful at the Oscars, with only Pesci taking home the gold, despite plenty of accolades earned elsewhere. Like much of Scorsese’s work, it’s only become more appreciated with time, and easily stands out as one of the best movies not just of the ‘90s, but of any era. 

1. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

“Get busy living, or get busy dying” may be the better remembered quote from Frank Darabont’s The Shawshank Redemption, but it’s the line that Red (Morgan Freeman) says in the final moments of the film that sums up the heart and soul of this story. Not only is The Shawshank Redemption our #1 pick for the best ‘90s movies, but it’s also easily one of the best adaptations of a Stephen King story – in this case, the novella, Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption.

The movie follows Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), a banker who’s wrongfully convicted of murdering his wife and her lover, and sent to prison. For a movie that doesn’t shy away from the brutality this character experiences throughout his years behind bars – both at the hands of some of his fellow inmates, and the warden and guards – The Shawshank Redemption never loses sight of that ultimate message of hope – the thing that Andy clings to every step of the way. It’s there in the friendships he makes, and in the moments of happiness Andy manages to find. And it’s there in the final words Red says in the closing narration: “I hope.” 

SPOILER WARNING: We are going to discuss major spoilers for all the movies mentioned in the list.

As horror fans, we willingly immerse ourselves in heart-pounding suspense, bone-chilling terror, and the adrenaline rush of a good scare. Whether it's a sinister entity haunting a home or a deranged serial killer lurking in the shadows, some of the best horror movies have gifted us with unforgettable moments of cinema that continue to plague our nightmares. I explore the scariest scenes in 25 major horror movies in this feature. So, fellow horror enthusiasts, let's dive into the most terrifying motion picture moments.

Psycho (1960) - The Shower

Let's kick off this list with Alfred Hitchcock's genre-redefining classic from 1960, Psycho. The film follows Marion Crane, who finds herself at the Bates Motel, run by the enigmatic Norman Bates. In one of the most iconic moments in cinema, a routine shower turns into a shocking and suspenseful encounter as Marion is attacked by Norman, dressed like his mother and wielding a knife. The rapid cuts and Bernard Herrmann's intense string score make this scene a masterclass in suspense, leaving an indelible mark on horror history.

Paranormal Activity (2007) - The Demon Drags Katie

In 2007, Paranormal Activity emerged as a groundbreaking found-footage horror film, captivating audiences with its minimalist approach to terror. The scariest scene occurs when the malevolent demon entity drags a still-sleeping Katie out of bed, down the dimly lit hallway, into the abyss of the unknown. This scene alone solidifies Paranormal Activity as one of the best movies about demonic possession. 

Signs (2002) - The Fingers Under the Door

In one of M. Night Shyamalan's best films, Signs, an alien invasion becomes a gripping and unsettling experience for the former priest, Graham Hess, and his family, who find themselves trapped in their home. When the family takes refuge in their basement, a terrified Merrill, played by Joaquin Phoenix, investigates strange noises outside the door, only to encounter a pair of ghastly alien fingers emerging from under the door, instilling a visceral sense of dread. The fear of the unknown and the eerie sound design in this scene create a visceral sense of dread, proving that sometimes, what we don't see can be the most terrifying thing of all.

The Others (1999) - The Confirmation Dress

Set in post-World War II England, The Others is an eerie ghost story centered around Grace Stewart (Nicole Kidman) and her two children with a rare photosensitivity condition. The tension builds as strange occurrences unfold in their isolated mansion. A haunting moment comes when Grace confronts her daughter, Ann, playing on the floor in a confirmation dress, only to discover a ghostly older woman speaking in her daughter's voice. When the creepy woman says: “Are you mad? I am your daughter.” scored with an eerie soundtrack and dizzying camerawork, it is a moment in a PG-13 movie that is legitimately terrifying and is bound to send shivers down your spine.

Poltergeist (1982) - The Clown Under the Bed

Poltergeist is a classic '80s horror film and easily one of the best haunted house movies ever. The movie focuses on evil spirits hellbent on pulling a young girl into their ghostly world, infiltrating the home of a terrified family. Amidst the chaotic frightening experiences, one truly unforgettable moment emerges when a once seemingly harmless clown doll ropes an arm around young Robbie’s neck and pulls him under his bed.

The Shining (1980) - Room 237

Stanley Kubrick's adaptation of Stephen King's novel is a psychological horror masterpiece, filled with an eerie atmosphere and unforgettable imagery. Though it’s divisive amongst some longtime King readers due to its big differences from the written story, the movie is superior to the book in some ways. The film follows the Torrance family at the isolated Overlook Hotel, where Jack's sanity unravels due to the hotel's sinister past. The most unsettling and nightmarish sequence happens when Jack explores Room 237, encountering a beautiful young woman in the bathtub who undergoes a terrifying transformation into a rotting older woman. The terrifying score adds to the sheer terror, leaving a lasting impact on the audience.

Barbarian (2022) - Keith’s Death in the Tunnels

In 2022's Barbarian, a young woman books a rental home already occupied by a stranger and decides to spend the night despite her reservations. However, she soon discovers there's more to fear than just an unexpected house guest. The most shocking moment involves Keith, portrayed by Bill Skarsgård, meeting a violent end at the hands of the basement-dwelling Mother. Skarsgård's previous role as Pennywise adds intrigue, but his true intentions are brutally revealed as he is murdered in front of our modern-day final girl, Tess, with his head bashed into the basement wall.

The Sixth Sense (1999) - The Ghosts in the Hallway and Bathroom

In M. Night Shyamalan's The Sixth Sense, young boy Cole, who can communicate with the dead, seeks help from child psychologist Dr. Malcolm Crowe. One night, as Cole uses the restroom, he senses the presence of restless spirits and the temperature drops. Confronting eerie unease in the hallway, he faces a horrifying sight in his tent. This suspenseful scene is masterfully crafted and leaves no questions about why the movie was one of the few horror movies nominated for Best Picture.

Hereditary (2018) - The Cake Allergic Reaction

Ari Aster's Hereditary is a modern masterpiece delving into family and grief's psychological horrors. After the family matriarch's death, the Graham family experiences terrifying and unexplained events. The scariest scene occurs when Charlie, the youngest daughter, unknowingly ingests nuts to which she is fatally allergic. Charlie's reaction's slow and agonizing progression is excruciating, culminating in her shocking fate. A light pole decapitates her as her brother races to get her to help. This scene's emotional and unflinching intensity is a testament to the film's ability to create terror through familial trauma and visceral horror. Hereditary is also notable for, like The Sixth Sense, featuring one of the most potent Toni Collette performances. 

Misery (1990) - Annie Hobbles Paul

Another Stephen King adaptation, Misery follows Paul Sheldon, a famous author held captive by his deranged number-one fan, Annie Wilkes, exploring obsession, manipulation, and sadism. The most gruesome scene occurs when Annie discovers Paul killed off her beloved literary character, Misery Chastain. In a rage, she brutally hobbles Paul to prevent his escape, showcasing the horrors of obsession and the destructive power of fanaticism, magnified by Kathy Bates' Oscar-winning performance.

Scream (1996) - Opening Scene/Casey Becker’s Death

Wes Craven's Scream cleverly revitalized the slasher genre in the 1990s, blending self-awareness with classic horror tropes. The opening 13 minutes, featuring Drew Barrymore’s Casey Becker on the receiving end of a deadly prank phone call (despite some fan theories), is a masterclass in horror filmmaking. It was also where the now iconic line "What's your favorite scary movie?" was first uttered. 

The Silence Of The Lambs (1991) - Night Vision

Jonathan Demme's The Silence of the Lambs is a psychological thriller classic introducing the infamous cannibalistic psychiatrist Dr. Hannibal Lecter. FBI trainee Clarice Starling seeks Lecter's help to catch serial killer Buffalo Bill. The most intense scene occurs during the heart-pounding climax in Buffalo Bill's pitch-black basement, where he stalks his latest victim, Catherine Martin, using night vision goggles, creating a nightmarish sequence that effectively builds tension and fear, leaving a lasting impression on the viewer's psyche.

The Thing (1982) - The Chest Chomp

John Carpenter's The Thing, initially a flop, is now a cult classic sci-fi horror where researchers in Antarctica encounter a shape-shifting alien organism. In a skin-crawling scene, Dr. Copper's forearms get trapped as he attempts to use a defibrillator on Norris, showcasing Rob Bottin's practical effects mastery in this body horror masterpiece.

The Exorcist (1973) - The Crucifix Stabbing

William Friedkin's The Exorcist is an iconic horror film that introduces the terrors of demonic possession, following young girl Regan MacNeil's struggles with a malevolent entity. The most intense scene unfolds during the exorcism ritual, as Regan utters disturbing and blasphemous statements before violently stabbing herself with a crucifix, shocking audiences with its horrifying act of self-harm and graphic imagery, solidifying the film's status as a benchmark for horror and its ability to elicit genuine fear, and is why it's one of the best 1970s horror movies. 

The Exorcist III (1990) - The Hallway/Scissors 

The Exorcist III may be an underrated sequel, but it delivers spine-chilling moments as Lieutenant William F. Kinderman investigates murders resembling a past case. The scariest scene occurs in a hospital hallway during a quiet night shift; the sole nurse hears a strange noise in one of the rooms and investigates. Startled by a sleeping doctor, as she catches her breath, she encounters a figure dressed as a white nun wielding giant shears in the adjacent room. It’s one of the most effective jump scares ever filmed. 

Child's Play (1988) - Batteries Not Included

Child's Play is one of the best scary doll movies, introducing the iconic killer Chucky on a quest to possess young Andy's body. When Andy's Mother, suspecting her son is telling the truth about his homicidal plaything, confronts the “Good Guy” and discovers he has no batteries. The doll's true nature is revealed as he terrifyingly attacks Karen. The film's ability to instill fear into an innocent children's toy solidifies Chucky as one of cinematic history's most memorable horror villains.

Frailty (2001) - Destroy Him

Bill Paxton's directorial debut, Frailty, is a shocking psychological drama and great one-off horror movie that explores a father's belief in a divine mission to destroy demons disguised as humans, delving into themes of faith and fanaticism. The most intense scene occurs when the father orders his son Fenton to kill a man, but Fenton swings the axe in the opposite direction, embedding it in his father. This blood-curdling moment is a testament to the film's exploration of morality and the depths of human darkness, making it an underrated gem in the horror genre.

Audition (1999) - Asami's Torturing Nature

Takashi Miike's Audition is a Japanese horror film delving into obsession and sadism. The story follows a widower who sets up an elaborate lie to find a new partner. During the film's climax, the woman the widower finds, Asami, shows her true sadistic nature as she traps Aoyama in a nightmarish and torturous ordeal. The slow and deliberate pacing creates an excruciating and visceral experience, leaving the viewer disturbed and haunted by the horrifying events.

Bone Tomahawk (2015) - Deputy Nick’s Demise

Bone Tomahawk is a visceral blend of horror and Western genres, following a group on a rescue mission to save captives from cannibalistic troglodytes. The most disturbing scene occurs during the group's encounter with the savage tribe, as Deputy Nick suffers an unimaginable fate, brutally scalped and ripped in half before being devoured. This scene's graphic and unflinching violence reflects the film's relentless and ruthless approach to horror.

The Blair Witch Project (1999) - The Corner

When released in 1999, The Blair Witch Project revolutionized the found-footage genre. Near the flick's climax, the surviving filmmaker discovers an unsettling figure, who looks a lot like their friend, standing in the corner of an abandoned house in the woods. The eerie and inexplicable sight effectively capitalizes on the fear of the unknown and isolation, solidifying the film's place as a groundbreaking and unforgettable entry in horror movie history.

The Taking of Deborah Logan (2014) - Child Eating

The Taking of Deborah Logan, a found-footage horror film, delves into dementia and possession. The most horrific scene unfolds when unknowingly possessed, Deborah kidnaps a child and transforms into a horrifying entity with an unhinged snake-like jaw, attempting to devour the child. This unexpected and contextually fitting moment delivers one of the best jump scares in any horror movie, evoking both fear and surprise in the audience.

It  (2017) - The Losers Visit The House on Neibolt Street

One of the best creepy clown movies is 2017’s It, based on Stephen King's novel of the same name. The movie follows children in Derry confronting an ancient evil personified as Pennywise the Clown. During the Losers Club's journey to the gothic and rundown house on Neibolt Street, Pennywise uses illusions to manipulate Richie, Bill, and Eddie, resulting in Eddie breaking his arm. The relentless pursuit in the bowels of the abandoned home will make any horror lover squirm. 

Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986) - The Home Videos

Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer is a disturbing and unflinching exploration of the mind of a serial killer. The film, supposedly based on a true story, follows Henry, a remorseless and sadistic murderer, as he goes about his brutal and senseless killings. The most disturbing scene occurs when Henry and his partner, Otis, watch home videos of their past crimes, showcasing their unnerving lack of remorse and depravity. The film is a harrowing and relentless portrayal of human evil.

Skinamarink (2023) - The Face Without a Mouth

In 2023, Skinamarink became a game-changing, untraditional horror movie, gaining popularity on TikTok. The story follows Kevin and Kayle, two children who wake up to find their father missing and their home's windows and doors vanished. The freakiest scene is when Kevin approaches his sister, revealing her face transformed into a skin-covered void, evoking primal fears of the uncanny and the unknown.

Sinister (2012) - The Lawnmower Home Video Footage

Sinister is a 2012 supernatural horror film following true-crime writer Ellison Oswalt as he uncovers disturbing footage of a series of murders. The scariest scene occurs when Ellison, played by Ethan Hawke in one of his best roles, watches a horrifying Super 8 home video of a family's brutal demise with a lawnmower, combining shocking imagery and a hair-raising score for an unnerving and nightmarish experience. The film expertly blends found-footage elements with traditional horror storytelling, creating an atmospheric and unsettling cinematic journey.

As our journey through the scariest scenes in 25 major horror movies concludes, we're reminded of fear's enduring power in cinema. Each moment has left an indelible mark on the genre, resonating with horror fans worldwide. Who knows, maybe some of the many upcoming horror movies set for the 2024 movie release schedule could find themselves on this list one day. 

Misery is a movie that I have always wanted to watch, especially because it is one of Kathy Bates’s best performances. However, it has also always been a movie that I planned to watch after I read Stephen King’s original book of the same name. I completed the book in 2014 and loved it, but I just kept delaying watching the film. 

Logically, I should have watched it in 2014 after I read the book. Therefore, I could have judged the differences and rode the high of finishing a book I really enjoyed. But that didn’t happen. I can’t recall why I never watched the movie after finishing the book, maybe it was as simple as it just wasn’t on any streaming service I subscribed to at the time. Nearly a decade later, I finally watched Misery. 

I have some thoughts.

The Film Never Lets You Get Comfortable 

Okay, maybe Misery has a moment of peace right after Paul Sheldon (James Caan) finishes his final Misery novel, but once Annie (Kathy Bates) appears on screen, peace has left the building. I have seen many Kathy Bates performances over the years, and she’s been great in all of them. However, there is something so creepy and eerie and scary and frustrating about her performance as the infamous Annie Wilkes that you can’t turn away from.

It’s not surprising that she won an Oscar for this performance. What makes it more impressive is that she won an Oscar for a horror movie role, which we all know is a genre often overlooked by the Academy Awards, despite the many great horror movies that deserve Oscars. Annie makes the movie uncomfortable from start to finish. Even after her death, you’re like Paul still looking over your shoulders.

Unlike some of the other Stephen King great movie villains, Annie doesn’t have paranormal abilities. This makes her one of the scariest types of villains: the kind you could meet in real life.  

Misery Does Suspense Really Well 

Many horror movies have to rely on jump scares, blood, gore, and creating these elaborate creatures to create suspense and fright. Misery doesn’t need any of this to scare. There are very few actual violent moments and very little blood and gore. Instead, just Annie’s outbursts and our fear of her are enough to bring suspense. 

One of Misery’s scariest scenes just involves Paul trying to move around the house without doing anything that Annie notices and then trying to make it back into his room before she returns. I had so much anxiety watching that scene. The film uses its limited space, a few close-ups, and just the threat of a smothering figure to make things suspenseful. That’s how great cinema is born.  

Buster And Virginia Are Couples Goals 

Sheriff Buster (Richard Farnsworth) and his wife Virginia (Frances Sternhagen), if I remember correctly, are not in Stephen King’s Misery book. I wish they were in it because they became one of my favorite parts of the movie.

This is one example of when a movie makes changes for a film adaptation and it works. Virginia and Buster’s sarcastic nature and banter are what I want from fictional couples. I cannot stress enough that they may have become one of my favorite film couples. I wish someone would make a prequel about them. The world needs that more than it needs an It prequel. 

For me, Buster and Virginia’s romantic beginnings could easily rank among the best romantic comedies if it was turned into one. Solving crimes together and being super sarcastic and bantering? Give it to me now. 

If Annie Burned My Book Draft, It Would Be Over For Her 

The moment Annie has Paul burn his manuscript, I knew she was pure evil. If you’ve ever tried to write a novel, you can understand how difficult it is to complete. Therefore, Annie forcing Paul to burn something he put so much time and effort into — even in draft form — is an act of violence. 

There is no way to forgive that type of behavior. This is what makes his own revenge sweeter. He gives her a taste of her own medicine by burning the book that she loves before she reads how he finishes it. That is my favorite kind of petty. 

Almost Everyone In This Movie Is So Good At Their Jobs 

Annie is clearly mentally unstable, but before she gets caught killing babies, she does a good job of covering up her crimes. I hate to say it, but she also seemed to be a pretty good nurse before she got caught.

Paul may hate the Misery novels, but they’re hits. Very few novelists achieve that level of success. I assume that he’s a good writer or a really good marketer.

Buster is one of the best movie sheriffs of all time. I have never seen a fictional sheriff so good at his job. This is why I find his death hard to believe. The Buster I believe in would not be so careless as to go to Annie’s home alone without at least trying to get some type of backup, especially when he suspected her. He was a nearly perfect sheriff until this decision.

Misery Shows The Extreme Version Of A Stan 

Stephen King’s original book and the movie adaptation both share in their commentary about the relationship between authors and their fans. Sometimes fans can inspire authors to write better. They also are the reason authors have so much success, especially to the degree that Paul achieves. However, it can also become a smothering relationship that forces a writer into a box. Some fans — very extreme ones — sometimes believe that they know and understand the characters better than the author. Therefore, when authors write something that fans don’t like, then the fans can become haters really fast.

This was true in the 1990s and 1980s, when the book was written, and it’s still true today. Most fans aren’t as delusional and depraved as Annie, but social media can lead to some intense fan and author interactions. Annie is what happens when a fan loves a character too much and takes that to a violent and dark level. Thankfully, most book fans don’t take the Annie approach to their favorite author or books. 

Other Thoughts 

Misery is one of the best Stephen King adaptations and here are some of my other thoughts.  

• I am still very mad that Buster died. Why couldn’t he just go get backup? 
• Honestly, I am more likely to read a Misery book than the book Paul wrote at the end of the movie.
• The cover art of the Misery novels is A+ work. They very much look like classic romance novels.
• With Rob Reiner directing this film and William Goldman writing the script, of course, Misery was going to be a success. 
• I hate to admit how much I worried that the pig Misery would be murdered.
• James Caan was equally brilliant in Misery. His character is so intentionally funny at times. 
• Showing that Annie voted for Nixon is such a clever funny thing to add to her scrapbook of crimes.
• Now I want to read another Stephen King book, especially to finish my quest to read his most well-known novels.  

From what I remember from reading Misery, the movie doesn’t completely follow the book but it does enough to be a pretty faithful and entertaining adaptation of Stephen King’s novel. Read the book, watch the movie and check out more of Stephen King's best movies.

Stream Misery on HBO Max. 

If you read through the 2023 Oscar nominations, you will notice that not a single horror movie received a nod, despite all the recent scary movies that deserved the Academy’s consideration in my opinion. While this is only the latest of many instances in which the genre was famously overlooked by the Academy, at least we can say that some of the best horror movies have been nominated for an Oscar, and some have even won.

In fact, there are quite a few horror movies that received nominations in the acting category which, among them. The following is a look back on six actors who took home the coveted golden statuette for acting in a genre known for rewarding its audience with creepiness and carnage — starting with one of the earliest winners in the ceremony’s history.

Fredric March, Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde (1931)

Horror fans may like to give the Academy a lot of trouble for acknowledging the genre only every so often, but they actually have been paying attention to it longer than some many realize. In fact, the fifth recipient of the Best Actor Oscar (an honor he ended up sharing with The Champ’s Wallace Beery in a tie) was Fredric March for 1931’s Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde — Rouben Mamoulian’s adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s seminal, terrifying novella. 

The radical scientist’s transformation into a brutish criminal after taking an experimental potion he developed to unlock man’s repressed inner desires is not just achieved so effectively onscreen here by a beastly makeup job. March (who later took home a second statuette for the 1948 Best Picture Oscar winner, The Best Years of Our Lives) demonstrates an uncanny ability to inhabit each role so distinctly, if you did not know better, you might be easily convinced it was two different actors.

Ruth Gordon, Rosemary's Baby (1968)

It would take nearly another four decades before the Academy recognized greatness in acting from a horror movie again. Furthermore, out of the two nominations that the disturbing motherhood parable, Rosemary’s Baby, received in 1969 — the other being for director Roman Polanski’s screenplay, adapted by Ira Levin’s novel — the sole winner was Ruth Gordon for Best Actress in a Supporting Role.

The veteran performer brings much of the same charming, comedic energy that later earned her praise for the classic romantic-comedy Harold and Maude to the role of Minnie Castevet, the eccentric building neighbor of Mia Farrow’s title character and her actor husband, Guy (John Cassavetes). What makes her performance such a memorably chilling element of the unnerving classic is how well she maintains that unassuming charm even after her involvement in a satanic cult is revealed.

Kathy Bates, Misery (1990)

On the flip side to Ruth Gordon’s method in Rosemary’s Baby, it is Kathy Bates’ ability to change her demeanor from calm to unhinged on the turn of a dime that makes her performance in Misery such a masterclass in leaving the audience breathless. It apparently left the Academy breathless too, based on its decision to honor her with the Best Actress Oscar that year.

Bates is an undeniable tour de force as one of the horror genre’s definitive female villains, Annie Wilkes — who demonstrates toxic fandom at its worst when she takes in her badly injured favorite author, Paul Sheldon (James Caan), and demands that he write his next novel to her liking or face grave consequences. Outside of Rob Reiner’s taut direction and William Goldman’s suspenseful screenplay, it is she who truly makes Misery one of the finest Stephen King adaptations of all time.

Anthony Hopkins, The Silence Of The Lambs (1991)

One of the scariest villains in horror cinema is the Dr. Hannibal Lecter, who was first introduced in Thomas Harris’ novel, Red Dragon. However, it was his portrayal by two-time Academy Award-winner Sir Anthony Hopkins in The Silence of the Lambs — one of the few horror films to be nominated for Best Picture and the genre’s sole winner of the category so far — that immortalized him as an esteemed figure of pop culture.

Hopkins is not actually the first actor to portray the cannibalistic criminal psychologist (the first being Succession’s Brian Cox in Michael Mann’s 1986 thriller, Manhunter) nor the last (Gaspard Ulliel played his younger self in Hannibal Rising and Mads Mikkelsen played the title role of the TV show, Hannibal), he is the first person you picture when you think of the character, and his Best Actor Oscar-winning performance makes it easy to see why. His permeating stare, ironic sense of sophistication and charisma amid his chilling disposition, and that iconic, improvised “hiss” adds up to nothing short of perfection.

Jodie Foster, The Silence Of The Lambs (1991)

Enlisting the unlikely help of Dr. Lecter in order to catch a killer nicknamed “Buffalo Bill” is FBI trainee Clarice Starling — the role that earned Jodie Foster her second Academy Award, following her win for 1988’s The Accused. The multi-talented artist’s ability to hold her own opposite Hopkins in his prime is only one aspect as to why her performance in director Jonathan Demme’s adaptation of The Silence of the Lambs is so deserving of the honor.

Starling is a very complex, very sharp character who has been haunted for years by a traumatic event from her childhood that, while leaving her vulnerable at times, effectively serves as fuel for her courageous crusade for justice. Foster portrays those elements of the character in a wonderful blend, resulting in a thoroughly mesmerizing and heroic, career-defining performance.

Natalie Portman, Black Swan (2010)

The most recent time that an actor was rewarded for their work in a horror movie was for a film that some might not categorize as “horror.” However, even those people cannot deny that Black Swan and Natalie Portman’s Best Actress Oscar-winning performance in it is the stuff of nightmares.

Portman — just one year before joining the MCU as Thor’s love interest, Dr. Jane Foster — stars in one of director Darren Aronofky’s best movies as a ballerina whose dedication to the lead role of “Swan Lake” takes a dangerous turn when she begins to suffer from disturbing visions. Like the film, the Star Wars actor is devastating, heart-wrenching, and hypnotically surreal as Nina.

I am happy to say that there are some more recent horror films that featured strong performances and earned an Oscar nomination, such as Daniel Kaluuya in Get Out from 2017. However, moments like these are still few and far between. Hopefully, there will come a day when well-made thrillers receive the recognition they deserve on a more frequent basis.

James Caan, the Academy Award-nominated actor best remembered for his roles in classics like The Godfather, Thief, Misery, and Brian’s Song, passed away on July 8, 2022, leaving behind a body of work and legacy that is mostly unmatched by both his contemporaries and those who followed in his footsteps. Immediately following the screen legend’s passing, many of his co-stars, other Hollywood figures, and fans shared tributes to the late star, praising his accomplishments both on and off the screen.

Another way to pay tribute to one of the greatest actors of all time, I have put together a list of 13 of James Caan’s best movies that show why the electric, dynamic, and versatile actor was and remains such a legend.

The Godfather (1972)

Regarded as one of the best movies of all time, Francis Ford Coppola’s 1972 epic, The Godfather, follows the Corleone crime family over the course of several decades, first with a focus on family patriarch Don Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando) and later his son and successor Michael (Al Pacino).

Though not the main character, James Caan’s Santino “Sonny” Corleone is at the center of some of the movie’s most pivotal and iconic scenes. It is hard to think of anyone more perfect for the role of Sonny than James Caan, who was able to channel pure anger and passion with this ill-fated character.

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Brian’s Song (1971)

Based on a true story, the landmark 1971 ABC TV movie, Brian’s Song, tells the story of Brian Piccolo (James Caan) and Gale Sayers (Billy Dee Williams) as they form an unbreakable bond as teammates on the Chicago Bears, a friendship that is later put to the ultimate test.

One of the best sports movies of all time, Brian’s Song is also one of the most emotional you’ll see in the genre. And after watching the moving performances by Caan and Williams, it’s easy to see why. Especially when it comes to the film’s final act.

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Misery (1990)

In Rob Reiner’s 1990 adaptation of Stephen King’s Misery, novelist Paul Sheldon (James Caan) is “rescued” by Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates), a former nurse and his biggest fan who has a twisted and incredibly violent manner of taking care of the injured author following a car crash.

This disturbing psychological thriller is mostly remembered for the brilliantly diabolical performance by Bates (it earned her and Oscar), but Caan’s portrayal of the famed novelist is right up there in terms of acting. Watching him come up with different ways to escape his captor while also going through a great deal of physical and emotional trauma is beyond riveting.

Stream Misery on Showtime.
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Elf (2003)

Upon learning he wasn’t actually born at the North Pole, Buddy the Elf (Will Ferrell) goes on an odyssey to find his long-lost father, a children’s book publisher named Walter Hobbs (James Caan), in Jon Favreau’s modern Christmastime classic, Elf.

One of the great things about Caan’s performance in Elf is the way in which he always looks like he’s about one second away from blowing a gasket and going all Sonny Corleone on Buddy. The cynicism, anger, and animosity in his portrayal really take the movie to the next level.

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Thief (1981)

In Michael Mann’s gritty neo-noir thriller, Thief, James Caan plays a Chicago-based ex-convict who specializes in high-stakes jewelry heists that earn him a lot of cash. With the success comes a reputation that puts him on the radar of a crime boss who offers him a big job that could help him start a new life.

There’s so much that can be said about Thief, and it starts with Caan’s performance. With the role, he finds the balance between being a hot-headed criminal and tender and compassionate man looking for a way out of a life of crime. The argument at the adoption agency (where he says “I’ve got some ABC-type information for you, lady”) is a perfect example of that.

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El Dorado (1966)

After a wealthy tycoon named Bart Jason (Ed Asner) arrives with a plan to kick a family off their land, it’s up to gunslinger Cole Thornton (John Wayne), a young cowboy named Mississippi (James Caan), and the drunken town sheriff (Robert Mitchum) to save the family and the town in Howard Hawks’ El Dorado.

Although El Dorado is very much a John Wayne movie both in style and the focus on “The Duke” and his character, this beloved classic also served as a great launching point for the young Caan.

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The Gambler (1974)

On the surface, Axel Freed (James Caan) seems like your everyday college professor, but the New York City intellectual is secretly battling a severe gambling addiction. After years of racking up losses with various bookmakers, Freed is given one last shot to wipe out his debt or pay the consequences.

Karel Reisz’s 1974 anxiety-inducing drama plays a lot like Uncut Gems nearly 50 years earlier in that it centers on a character you can’t help but love despite never learning from his mistakes. Though less over-the-top and explosive than some of his other roles, Caan’s performance is incredibly emotional and memorable.

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Honeymoon In Vegas (1992)

After losing a high-stakes poker game and agreeing to let a notorious gambler (James Caan) spend the weekend with his fiancée (Sarah Jessica Parker) to pay off the debt, private eye Jack Singer (Nicolas Cage) embarks upon a frenzied odyssey to get her back in Honeymoon in Vegas.

Andrew Bergman’s 1992 romantic comedy features a hilarious performance by Caan that channels some of his earlier crime-based work and adds a nice touch to it, which creates an incredible character that you sort of almost root for throughout the movie.

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Cinderella Liberty (1973)

Sailor John Baggs Jr. (James Caan) meets a prostitute named Maggie Paul (Marsha Mason) while waiting to be reassigned to another ship following a medial evaluation. But, as falls in love with the woman, Baggs begins to have concerns about her line of work, adding further complications to their rocky relationship.

Caan was mostly known for his boisterous and hard-edged roles that showed him losing his cool without a moment’s notice, which makes his tender and loving performance in Mark Rydell’s Cinderella Liberty such a treasure.

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Bottle Rocket (1996)

Just as gets out a mental hospital, Anthony (Luke Wilson) finds himself wrapped up in a plan orchestrated by his best friend Dignan (Owen Wilson) to start an epic crime spree. But the pair soon find out supporting themselves through a life of crime isn’t as easy as they expected.

Like the other great Wes Anderson movies, the 1996 crime comedy, Bottle Rocket, is full of eccentric and quirky characters like James Caan's Mr. Henry, the owner of a landscaping business and crime boss who steals every scene in which he’s featured. 

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Funny Lady (1975)

Herbert Ross’ 1975 musical comedy, Funny Lady, centers on the relationship shared by stage sensation Fanny Brice (Barbra Streisand) and showman Billy Rose (James Caan) as their success in show business leads to issues in their personal lives.

The pairing of Streisand and Caan in Funny Lady is really what makes this movie work as well as it does. The chemistry shared by the two is electric and provides for some truly amazing scenes, both humorous and dramatic. 

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Rollerball (1975)

Set in a future where corporations control everything from access to knowledge and personal freedoms, rollerball has become society’s most popular sporting event. When Jonathan (James Caan), the star of the Houston team refuses to retire, the corporate overlords change the rules of the game in the hope of killing him off.

Norman Jewison’s 1975 sci-fi sports film, Rollerball, is an incredibly gritty affair with a great deal of biting social commentary about corporations, freedom, and violence that is propelled by Caan’s portrayal of a man fed up with being controlled who takes a stand for what’s right.

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A Bridge Too Far (1977)

Richard Attenborough’s 1977 military epic, A Bridge Too Far, follows American and British forces as they plan to take back a road leading from the Netherlands to Germany in the height of World War II. But, the mass of soldiers soon discover the plan isn’t going to be as easy or painless as they once thought.

There are few military dramas that feature a cast as noteworthy as A Bridge Too Far, which boasts the likes of Sean Connery, Michael Caine, Robert Redford, Ryan O’Neal, Anthony Hopkins, and James Caan as Staff Sergeant Eddie Dohun. Caan’s performance is particularly stunning, especially the scene where he goes to great lengths to save a soldier.

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The world lost one of its most treasured screen legends with the passing of James Caan, but we should take solace in knowing he gave cinema so many great, memorable performances while he was here. And, to quote the ending of Brian's Song, we'll remember him as he lived. How he did live...

An acting legend with an impressive resume, actor James Caan could play it tender or tough – whatever the part required. With credits in brilliant films like The Godfather, Misery, and Elf, the man was widely known for his acting prowess, and in recent years for his quick social media wit. Today we honor his memory, as it has been reported that Caan has died at the age of 82. 

Using his official Twitter presence, representatives from James Caan’s family broke the news to the public. The message reads as follows, with Caan’s iconic sign off included as a fitting tribute: