‘Sup? Aiight, these movies are all that and a bag of chips. They’re da bomb. Okay, that’s enough 90s slang for now. We’ve got all of your favorite romantic movies 90s. Get ready for a lot of Meg Ryan, romance and handsome men! There’s also a dash of Johnny Depp, Tom Cruise, and Leonardo DiCaprio. Check them out now!
Edward Scissorhands (1990)
“Sweetheart, you can’t buy the necessities of life with cookies.”
Vincent Price is a talented scientist who builds an animated human being. The gentle Edward, played by Jonny Depp. Tragically the scientist dies before he can complete his creation. This leaves the young man with a freakish appearance and scissors for hands. Kind and caring Avon sales lady Peg (Dianne West) comes across Edward while calling at the castle hoping to sell her cosmetics. Peg takes pity on Edward and takes him to her home. Peg’s teen daughter Kim (Winona Ryder) finds a connection with Edward and the two grow close.
Initially the neighbourhood takes to Edward as he helps them by hedge trimming, dog grooming and eventually hairdressing. However, despite his kindness and artistic talent, Edward’s hands still make him an outcast. This movie is something of a gothic modern fairy tale and it is the first collaboration of Tim Burton and Jonny Depp, if you haven’t seen this movie then you don’t know what you are missing!
Where to watch: Amazon
Ghost (1990)
“It’s amazing, Molly. The love inside, you take it with you.“
The film that gave us that iconic sexy pottery scene! Sam and Molly are madly in love but tragedy strikes when Sam is murdered by thugs. With Molly’s life still in danger he comes back from the grave through psychic Oda Mae Brown to protect her. Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore give outstanding performances as the ill fated lovers and Whoopi Goldberg’s performance as psychic Oda Mae won her an oscar.
Where to watch: Amazon
Pretty Woman (1990)
“She Rescues Him Right Back.“
What rich entrepreneur Edward sees as a simple business venture sure does turn out complicated when love gets in the way! After suddenly breaking up with his girlfriend Edward hires sex worker Vivian to play as his girlfriend for the week to a series of business events, Vivienne agrees for a sum of money and a new wardrobe! Things don’t turn out quite so straightforward as the couple, played by Richard Gere and Julia Roberts, start to fall for each other despite the huge difference in their lifestyles. With the highest number of ticket sales for a romantic comedy and a slew of awards and nominations this definitely deserves it’s place in the romantic movie hall of fame.
Where to watch: Amazon
Truly Madly Deeply (1990)
“I am like someone who carries their loved one on their shoulder.“
Nina, an interpreter, is struggling to cope with the death of her lover Jamie. Only to find that his ghost magically appears and moves back into her flat. But she’s reminded of all the reasons why he irritated her. And then she meets Mark, a psychologist, and falls in love with him. She faces a choice between holding onto the past and facing the future. The combination of serious scenes with more comedic ones and the masterful performances by Juliet Stevenson and Alan Rickman really brings this movie to life.
Where to watch: Amazon
Beauty And The Beast (1991)
“A tale as old as time…“
This Disney re-imagining of the 1756 French fairy tale of the same name by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont is a wonderful lively version, perfect for children and adults too!
Beauty and the Beast focuses on the relationship between the Beast a prince who is magically transformed into a monster and his servants into household objects as punishment for his arrogance, and Belle a young woman whom he imprisons in his castle. To break the curse, Beast must learn to love Belle and earn her love in return. This must be before the last petal falls from an enchanted rose or else the Beast will remain a monster forever. With beautiful songs and animation then you need to watch this magical romance now whatever your age!
Where to watch: Amazon
The Bodyguard (1992)
“I Will Always Love You.”
Famous singer and actor Rachel Marron takes on ex-special agent turned bodyguard Frank Farmer when she is sent death threats from a crazed stalker. With the two getting close and despite Frank trying to maintain a professional distance attraction sparks and the couple begin to bond whilst still trying to deal with the obsessed stalker. With Whitney Houston’s stunning rendition of I Will Always Love You and the dazzling chemistry between Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston this is a must see movie!
Where to watch: Amazon
Sleepless In Seattle (1993)
“I don’t deserve you.“
After the death of his wife, Sam Baldwin moves to Seattle with his son, Jonah. When Jonah calls in to a talk-radio program to find a new wife for his father, Sam reluctantly gets on the line to discuss his feelings. A reporter in Baltimore, Annie Reed, hears him speak and falls in love with him. Despite being engaged. She writes a letter to Sam asking him to meet her at the Empire State Building on Valentine’s Day. Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan give wonderful performances, which allows their characters to have truly great chemistry.
Where to watch: Amazon
Four Weddings And A Funeral (1994)
“This is only the second time l’ve been a best man.”
This British romantic comedy stars Hugh Grant as Charles, who along with his group of friends, are unlucky in love. At a wedding Charles meets a beautiful American, Carrie. After one magical night together Carrie returns to the states, leaving both of them thinking that it has ended what could have been. As their paths continue to cross after a further series of weddings and a funeral (see what they did with the title there) the timing always seems to be off for the couple but are they truly meant to be? This is a very light hearted frothy film but a winsome performance from Hugh Grant and Andie MacDowell make this a must see rom-com. The character of Carrie was voted one of the most annoying film characters of all time in a British online poll.
Where to watch: Amazon
Clueless (1995)
“He does dress better than I do, what would I bring to the relationship?”
Based on Jane Austen’s Emma, this is something of a loose adaption of the book. Shallow, rich and socially successful Cher (Alicia Silverstone) is at the top of her Beverly Hills high school’s pecking scale. Seeing herself as a matchmaker, Cher first coaxes two teachers into dating each other. Emboldened by her success, she decides to give hopelessly klutzy new student Tai (Brittany Murphy) a makeover.
When Tai becomes more popular than she is, Cher realizes that her disapproving ex-stepbrother (Paul Rudd) was right about how misguided she was — and begins to fall for him. This movie was something of a sleeper hit that had a strong influence on fashion and lingo at the time. It is now regarded as a modern classic so if you’ve somehow missed this one then the time to watch is now!
Where to watch: Amazon
Sabrina (1995)
“More isn’t always better, Linus. Sometimes it’s just more.”
This a remake of the Billy Wilder 1954 film of the same name, which was based on the 1953 play, Sabrina Fair. Sabrina Fairchild (Julia Ormond) is a chauffeur’s daughter who grew up with the wealthy Larrabee family. She always had unreciprocated feelings for David (Greg Kinnear), the family’s younger son and playboy. But after returning from Paris, Sabrina has become a glamorous woman who gets David’s attention. His older, work-minded brother Linus (Harrison Ford) thinks their courtship is bad for the family business and tries to break them up — but then he starts to fall for her too. This movie didn’t hit big at the box office but it is saved by the seasoned cast who bring us a movie that is definitely worth a watch!
Where to watch: Amazon
While You Were Sleeping (1995)
“I’m in love with your son.”
Lucy Eleanor Moderatz works as a fare token collector for the Chicago Transit Authority. With no family of friends Lucy finds herself lonely and develops a crush on daily commuter Peter Callaghan (Peter Gallagher). On Christmas Day she saves Peter after a gang of muggers push him onto the tracks. Although she does save his life Peter ends up in a coma in hospital and after a nurse hears Lucy mutter ‘I was going to marry you’ it is presumed that she is Peter’s fiancee.
Lucy is unconditionally accepted into the quirky Callaghan family. She is swept along with the pretence as she enjoys the feeling of belonging in a family. Things get further complicated when Lucy meets his younger brother Jack and Peter awakens from his coma. Will Lucy’s deceptions come to light and will she still be accepted by this family when the truth is known? With Sandra Bullock highly praised for a charming performance and Peter Gallagher and Bill Pulman as the Callaghan brothers this is a perfect feel good film for some warm hearted cheer.
Where to watch: Amazon
Jerry Maguire (1996)
“I love him! I love him for the man he wants to be. And I love him for the man he almost is.”
When slick sports agent Jerry Maguire (Tom Cruise) has a crisis of conscience, he pens a heartfelt company-wide memo that promptly gets him fired. Desperate to hang on to the athletes that he represents, Jerry starts his own management firm. With only single mother Dorothy Boyd (Renee Zellweger) joining him in his new venture. Banking on their sole client, football player Rod Tidwell (Cuba Gooding Jr.), Jerry and Dorothy begin to fall in love as they struggle to make their business work. The film has been praised for the performances from the stellar cast. With Cuba Gooding Jnr winning a best supporting actor Oscar and Tom Cruise a nomination for his performance, this movie is also regarded as being Renee Zellweger’s break out role. If you haven’t already then give this movie a watch right now!
Where to watch: Amazon
Romeo + Juliet (1996)
“Did my heart love ’til now? Forswear its sight. For I never saw true beauty ’til this night.“
A more modern take on the classic Shakespeare tale starring Leonardo Dicaprio and Claire Danes as Juliet and her Romeo. The Capulets and The Montagues are fierce rival families in Verona and their children Romeo and Juliet fall deeply in love. The film keeps the original Shakespearean dialogue but the film is given a more modern vibe with a hip soundtrack and guns are used instead of swords. Many of the play’s iconic scenes are still there so be sure to check out this version of Verona’s star crossed lovers.
Where to watch: Amazon
Titanic (1997)
“It Was The Ship Of Dreams.”
The epic disaster movie which also heavily features the romance between Rose and Jack, two young lovers on the ill-fated maiden journey of the Titanic. Despite being from different social classes the two leads fall in love and fight to survive on the disaster ship. Who can forget the iconic My Heart Will Go On moment and the stunning performances from Lenardo Dicaprio and Kate Winslett!
Where to watch: Amazon
City of Angels (1998)
“I would rather have had one breath of her hair, one kiss of her mouth, one touch of her hand, than eternity without it. One.”
This romantic fantasy star Nicolas Cage as Seth, an angel who wanders Los Angeles. He’s invisible to humans until their demise when he will appear to them and guide them on their journey to the afterlife. When his path crosses with dedicated heart surgeon Maggie Rice (Meg Ryan) he becomes preoccupied with her devotion and devisatation at being unable to save patients. He becomes so taken with Maggie that he decides to appear to her. Whilst he walks amongst the humans, he discovers that it is possible for angels to walk as humans.
Seth’s beginning as a human is difficult but when he is reunited with Maggie everything seems perfect for a few brief moments. But can this angel and human find their happily ever after? It has been said that this is one of Meg Ryan’s best performances and has been compared to Ghost, so if you are looking for the next movie to watch after Ghost then maybe you have found it!
Where to watch: Amazon
Meet Joe Black (1998)
“Love is passion, obsession, someone you can’t live without. I say, fall head over heels. Find someone you can love like crazy and who will love you the same way back.”
Bill Parrish (Anthony Hopkins), businessman and devoted family man, is about to celebrate his 65th birthday. However, before he reaches that landmark, he is visited by Death (Brad Pitt), who has taken human form as Joe Black. Joe is a young man who recently died. Joe and Bill make a deal: Bill will be given a few extra days of his life, and Joe will spend the same time getting to know what it’s like to be human. It seems like a perfect arrangement, until Joe falls in love — with Bill’s daughter. Antony Hopkins was acclaimed for his performance and well, it’s Brad Pitt so yeah, watch this!
Where to watch: Amazon
Shakespeare in Love (1998)
“Tell me how you love her, Will.”
This is a fictional story about William Shakespeare, pleated by Joseph Fiennes. Shakespeare is suffering from writers block and feels he is in need of a muse. Viola de Lesseps, daughter of a wealthy merchant (Gwyneth Paltrow) disguises herself as a man to gain the attention of Shakespeare, as women were not allowed to act in plays at the time. But she loses her nerve when she speaks to him and runs away.
When Shakespeare meets Viola at a ball at her familial home he becomes taken by her. She becomes her inspiration to write a little known play Romeo and Juliet. The two begin an affair. However her daring determination to act in his play puts their already forbidden relationship on even more dangerous ground. This movie was a big box office hit and Gwyneth Paltrow was lauded for her first big starring role and she eventually took home the Oscar for her performance. With this movie also winning the best picture Oscar that year and the stunning chemistry between the two leads this is one romance movie you need to watch!
Where to watch: Amazon
Sliding Doors (1998)
“Everything happens for the best. You’ll never know if you don’t try.“
This film perfectly encapsulates that moment that could change everything. Gwyneth Paltrow plays Helen, she is fired from her job as a London ad executive and rushes out to catch a train. The plot then splits and two scenarios play out. In one, she gets on the train and comes home to find her boyfriend, Gerry (John Lynch), in bed with another woman. In the second, she misses the train and arrives after the woman has left. The movie then explores the two different paths that her life could take, changed by that one single moment. Is Helen destined for happiness or a life of misery?
Where to watch: Amazon
You’ve Got Mail (1998)
“And you and I would have never been at war. And the only thing we’d fight about would be which video to rent on a Saturday night.”
Struggling boutique bookseller Kathleen Kelly (Meg Ryan) hates Joe Fox (Tom Hanks), the owner of a corporate Foxbooks chain store that just moved in across the street. When they meet online, however, they begin an intense and anonymous Internet romance, oblivious of each other’s true identity. Eventually Joe learns that the enchanting woman he’s involved with is actually his business rival. He must now struggle to reconcile his real-life dislike for her with the cyber love he’s come to feel and then consider how much he should reveal to her. Meg Ryan has already been on this list many times as she is one of the 90s seasoned rom com actors. This performance is no exception and her and Tom Hank’s performance are solid with charming chemistry between the leads. Don’t miss this one!
Where to watch: Amazon
10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
“Don’t let anyone ever make you feel like you don’t deserve what you want.”
This title is loosely based on the Shakespeare classic, Taming Of The Shrew. Kat Stratford is beautiful, smart and quite abrasive to most of her fellow teens, meaning that she doesn’t attract many boys. Unfortunately for her younger sister, Bianca, house rules say she can’t date until Kat has a boyfriend. So Bianca tries to set Kat up for romance. Things are starting to look up for Bianca when Kat crosses paths with the handsome new arrival Patrick Verona. What really makes the movie a masterpiece is the way Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger portray the bittersweet relationship.
Where to watch: Amazon
Never Been Kissed (1999)
“Wow, that was just like “Carrie”! I thought she was gonna kill us all.”
Josie Geller (Drew Barrymore), a baby-faced junior copywriter at the Chicago Sun-Times, must pose as a student at her former high school to research contemporary teenage culture. With the help of her brother, Rob (David Arquette), Josie infiltrates the inner circle of the most popular clique on campus. But she hits a major snag in her investigation when she falls for her dreamy English teacher, Sam Coulson (Michael Vartan). While the movie has been described as average Drew Barrymore’s sunny performance saves the show and she creates an immensely likeable character. This movie has gained a cult following since it’s release so it is definitely worth a watch if you haven’t already!
Where to watch: Amazon
