Moviemakers need a lot of fundamental elements to produce a blockbuster. High-grossing flicks have to be perfect in the plot, screenplay, acting, special and visual effects, social marketing, and many more aspects. In the 1990s, the new shiny era of indie flicks and action movies, several cult classics marked their top places with their incredible casts.
Some of them had ensemble casts (ensemble cast means more than two lead roles are developed almost equally together), while the others had sublime supporting characters besides the significant main ones. No matter how important to the movie their roles were, these actors didn’t fail to amaze audiences. They were one of the core factors to help those movies become box office dominators.
Here’s a look back at the best movies of the 1990s featuring a spectacular cast. Check them out right away!
#1. The Matrix (1999)
Source: Warner Bros.
Excellent actors starring in this sci-fi cult classic are Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, and Joe Pantoliano. Though special and visual effects are the most outstanding elements for the film’s success, nobody can deny the cast did their job splendidly.
#2. Jurassic Park (1993)
Source: Universal Pictures
Based on the 1990 novel by Michael Crichton and starring Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, and Richard Attenborough, Steven Spielberg‘s Jurassic Park kicked off one of cinema’s most popular and beloved franchises. The first generation of Jurassic dinosaur movies’ casts is definitely iconic.
#3. Pulp Fiction (1994)
Source: Miramax Films
Starring John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Bruce Willis, Tim Roth, Ving Rhames, and Uma Thurman, this 1994 film is considered to be one of Tarantino’s greatest masterpieces. Also, the cast’s performances, particularly those of Travolta, Thurman, and Jackson were highly praised.
#4. Magnolia (1999)
Source: New Line Cinema
The movie stars Tom Cruise, Jeremy Blackman, Philip Baker Hall, Melinda Dillon, Julianne Moore, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ricky Jay, William H. Macy, John C. Reilly, Alfred Molina, Michael Murphy, Melora Walters, and Jason Robards in his final role. This ensemble cast was highly praised, particularly Cruise.
#5. Boogie Nights (1997)
Source: New Line Cinema
Mark Wahlberg, Julianne Moore, Don Cheadle, John C. Reilly, William H. Macy, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Heather Graham made this drama a masterpiece besides Paul Thomas Anderson’s direction. Their performances were terrific.
#6. Reservoir Dogs (1992)
Source: Miramax Films
Quentin Tarantino, the movie writer, starred alongside Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Chris Penn, Steve Buscemi, Lawrence Tierney, Michael Madsen, and Edward Bunker. They formed an amazing gang. Every single one of them was phenomenal.
#7. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Source: DreamWorks Distribution, Paramount Pictures
Steven Spielberg helmed an all-star cast in this 1998 epic World War II film: Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, Tom Sizemore, Edward Burns, Barry Pepper, Giovanni Ribisi, Vin Diesel, Adam Goldberg, and Jeremy Davies. It soon became a hit among critics and audiences.
#8. Shakespeare in Love (1998)
Source: Miramax Films, Universal Pictures
The flick was a smash hit at that moment. Especially, Gwyneth Paltrow, Geoffrey Rush, and Judi Dench were recognized for their magnificent performances. Joseph Fiennes, Colin Firth, and Ben Affleck portrayed their characters very well too.
#9. Goodfellas (1990)
Source: Warner Bros.
This gangster movie based on the book Wiseguy: Life in a Mafia Family by Nicholas Pileggi is one of Martin Scorsese‘s best films starring stars Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci, Lorraine Bracco, and Paul Sorvino. Within the cast, the most highly praised were Pesci, Bracco, and De Niro.
#10. Dazed and Confused (1993)
Source: Gramercy Pictures
Jason London, Ben Affleck, Milla Jovovich, Cole Hauser, Parker Posey, Adam Goldberg, Matthew McConaughey, Nicky Katt, Joey Lauren Adams, and Rory Cochrane star in this coming-of-age comedy film. Their gorgeous performance elevated it to the level of cult classics.
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