1994 Top Movies

From Frank Darabont, starring Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Bob Gunton, William Sadler
Rated R

The Shawshank Redemption is a 1994 American drama film written and directed by Frank Darabont, based on the 1982 Stephen King novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption. It tells the story of banker Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), who is sentenced to life in Shawshank State Prison for the murder of his wife and her lover, despite his claims of innocence. During his time at the prison, he befriends a fellow inmate, Ellis "Red" Redding (Morgan Freeman), and finds himself protected by the guards after the authorities find out he has been helping to improve prison conditions. With the help of his friend, Andy is eventually able to gain his freedom after nearly two decades in prison. The film was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and won four, including Best Adapted Screenplay.

From Quentin Tarantino, starring John Travolta, Uma Thurman, Samuel L. Jackson, Bruce Willis
Rated R

Pulp Fiction is an American crime film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. It tells several interweaving stories of criminal Los Angeles. The main plot follows two hitmen, Vincent Vega (John Travolta) and Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson), as they go about their daily business of executing assignments, including a failed drug deal and the retrieval of a mysterious briefcase. Other plotlines include mob boss Marsellus Wallace (Ving Rhames) who has a mysterious past, and a boxer Butch Coolidge (Bruce Willis) who is hired to lose a fight. The stories intersect in unexpected ways with darkly comic results. Through its mix of nonlinear storytelling and violence, Pulp Fiction has become an iconic classic of modern cinema.

From Robert Zemeckis, starring Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Gary Sinise, Sally Field
Rated PG-13

Forrest Gump is a 1994 film directed by Robert Zemeckis. It follows the life of the titular character, Forrest Gump, a slow-witted but kind-hearted man from Alabama. Despite his low IQ, he manages to excel in life through a series of remarkable events. He meets President Kennedy, fights in Vietnam, becomes an All-American football player, is a successful shrimp fisherman, invests in a successful business, and meets the love of his life, Jenny. Throughout his journey he is inspired by his mother’s loving advice, “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get.” The film is a touching and heartwarming exploration of Forrest’s life, his relationships and his place in the world.

From Directors: Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff, starring Matthew Broderick, Jeremy Irons, James Earl Jones, Whoopi Goldberg
Rated G

The Lion King is an animated musical film released in 1994. Directed by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff, the film follows the story of Simba, the young lion prince who is the heir to the Pride Lands. After his father, Mufasa, is tragically killed in an stampede, Simba is forced to flee his home into exile. With the help of friends Timon and Pumbaa, Simba begins to build a new life away from his home. Eventually, Simba returns to Pride Lands to reclaim his throne and take his rightful place as King. Along the way, he learns important lessons about courage, loyalty, and responsibility. With the help of his friends, Simba defeats his uncle Scar, who had taken over the Pride Lands while Simba was in exile. In the end, Simba is crowned King of the Pride Lands. The Lion King is beloved by many for its memorable characters, memorable songs, and tender story. The film won several awards, including Academy Awards for Best Original Score and Best Original Song. The film continues to be a beloved classic, and a staple of Disney’s animated catalog.

From Luc Besson, starring Jean Reno, Gary Oldman, Natalie Portman, Danny Aiello
Rated R

Léon: The Professional is a 1994 French action thriller directed by Luc Besson. The film follows a professional hitman named Léon (Jean Reno) who meets and takes in a young girl named Mathilda (Natalie Portman) after her family is brutally murdered by a corrupt DEA agent, Stansfield (Gary Oldman). Mathilda, seeking revenge, convinces Léon to help her learn his trade and avenge her family. As they train together, they form a bond and Léon begins to care for Mathilda as if she were his own daughter. In the end, the two take on Stansfield and his team, with a thrilling ending that leaves both of their fates uncertain.

From Kar-Wai Wong, starring Brigitte Lin, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Tony Chiu-Wai Leung, Faye Wong
Rated PG-13

Chungking Express is a romantic comedy-drama by Hong Kong director Kar-Wai Wong. The film follows two love stories that intersect in the Chungking Mansions of Hong Kong. First, there is the story of a police officer, played by Takeshi Kaneshiro, who is grieving over the break up of his relationship and tries to get over it by eating a can of pineapple every day. The second story stars Brigitte Lin as a mysterious, blond-haired woman who takes an interest in the police officer. As their stories unfold, the film explores themes of loss, loneliness, and love. With its evocative cinematography and memorable soundtrack, Chungking Express has become a cult classic and is considered one of the defining films of the 1990s.

From Lee Tamahori, starring Rena Owen, Temuera Morrison, Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell, Julian Arahanga
Rated R

Once Were Warriors is a 1994 New Zealand drama film directed by Lee Tamahori. The film tells the story of a Maori family living in urban Auckland, New Zealand. The family is struggling to cope with poverty, violence, and alcoholism. The protagonist, Beth Heke (Rena Owen), is a strong-willed mother who is desperately trying to keep her family together. The family is eventually torn apart as her husband, Jake Heke (Temuera Morrison), descends into a violent alcoholic spiral, with devastating consequences for the entire family. Despite its bleak subject matter, Once Were Warriors is ultimately a story of hope and resilience, as the family finds strength in each other and ultimately learns to cope with the hardships of their lives.

From Tim Burton, starring Johnny Depp, Martin Landau, Sarah Jessica Parker, Patricia Arquette
Rated R

Ed Wood is a 1994 biographical comedy-drama directed by Tim Burton, starring Johnny Depp as the eponymous lead character. The film follows the life of Edward D. Wood Jr., an aspiring filmmaker in the 1950s who has been labeled one of the worst directors of all time. The film chronicles the struggles of Wood to make his films, despite having no apparent talent, limited resources, and an eccentric cast of friends and collaborators. Despite these obstacles, Wood remains determined to realize his dream of filmmaking, while also attempting to live a "normal" life. The film presents a sympathetic portrait of a passionate, determined, yet ultimately misguided artist. Ultimately, it is a celebration of the power of creativity and perseverance against all odds.

From Ang Lee, starring Sihung Lung, Kuei-Mei Yang, Yu-Wen Wang, Chien-Lien Wu
Rated Not Rated

Eat Drink Man Woman is a 1994 Taiwanese film directed by Ang Lee. The story follows a Taiwanese family over the course of a weekend. The father, a widower and master chef, has a distant relationship with his three adult daughters. On weekends, he prepares a lavish family meal that the daughters reluctantly attend. As the weekend unfolds, the daughters get to know each other and their father better, and the father comes to understand his daughters' lives outside of the home. Through food, drama, and comedy, the film explores themes of family relationships and the changing role of women in Taiwanese society.

From Kevin Smith, starring Brian O'Halloran, Jeff Anderson, Marilyn Ghigliotti, Lisa Spoonauer
Rated R

Clerks is a 1994 American independent black-and-white comedy film written, directed, and co-produced by Kevin Smith. The film follows the day-to-day lives of two store clerks, Dante Hicks and Randal Graves. They work at a convenience store and video rental store in Leonardo, New Jersey respectively. Throughout the course of their day, the two of them play hockey on the roof, visit a funeral home, argue about religion and movies, and get into numerous misadventures. The film features various philosophical discussions between the two clerks, which often include debates on the differences between men and women, sex, relationships, and other topics. The film also features several subplots, including a story about a woman who is trying to return a deceased man's video rental and a story about a customer who is trying to resolve an argument over whether or not the government should legalize marijuana. Clerks was made on a budget of $27,575 and was shot entirely in black-and-white. Notably, the film was shot entirely in the director's own convenience store, the Quick Stop Groceries. The film was released on October 19, 1994 and went on to receive critical acclaim and was a commercial success, grossing over $

From Krzysztof Kieslowski, starring Zbigniew Zamachowski, Julie Delpy, Janusz Gajos, Jerzy Stuhr
Rated R

Three Colors: White is a 1994 French-Polish comedy-drama directed by Krzysztof Kieslowski. It is the second part of the Three Colors Trilogy, preceded by Blue and followed by Red. The story follows Karol Karol (Zbigniew Zamachowski), a Polish immigrant living in France who is left penniless after his French wife Dominique (Julie Delpy) divorces him and takes all his possessions. Determined to get revenge, Karol moves back to Poland and begins to devise elaborate schemes to win her back and reclaim his possessions. Through a series of hilarious and sometimes poignant encounters, Karol slowly regains his dignity and identity in both Poland and France. As he does, he finds himself learning important lessons about love, friendship, and the importance of finding one's own place in the world.

From Neil Jordan, starring Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Antonio Banderas, Kirsten Dunst
Rated R

Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles is a 1994 horror drama film directed by Neil Jordan and based on Anne Rice's 1976 novel of the same name. The film follows a vampire named Louis de Pointe du Lac (Brad Pitt), as he tells his story to a journalist (Christian Slater). The story follows Louis’ transition from a human to a vampire and his life over the next two centuries with his vampire mentor Lestat (Tom Cruise). Throughout the film, Louis’ morality is tested and he must come to terms with his vampire nature. The film also stars Kirsten Dunst and Antonio Banderas, and explores themes of death, immortality, and what it means to be human.

From Robert Redford, starring Ralph Fiennes, John Turturro, Rob Morrow, Paul Scofield
Rated PG-13

Quiz Show is a 1994 American historical drama film directed by Robert Redford, based on Richard N. Goodwin's 1988 memoir, Remembering America: A Voice from the Sixties. The film recounts the true story of the "Twenty-One" scandal of the 1950s, in which two contestants on a popular television quiz show, Charles Van Doren (played by Ralph Fiennes) and Herb Stempel (John Turturro), were found to have been given answers in advance. The scandal ultimately causes a great deal of public outrage and leads to congressional hearings. The film follows the two contestants as they prepare for their appearances on the quiz show and become increasingly aware of the deceptive nature of the program. It also follows the story of the lawyer and congressional investigator Richard Goodwin (Rob Morrow) as he attempts to uncover the truth behind the scandal. The events in the film are portrayed in a way that attempts to show how the culture of the 1950s, including the rigidness of television programming, contributed to the scandal.

From Alex Proyas, starring Brandon Lee, Michael Wincott, Rochelle Davis, Ernie Hudson
Rated R

The Crow is a 1994 fantasy-drama directed by Alex Proyas. It stars Brandon Lee in his final film role before his tragic death. The film follows Eric Draven (Lee), a rock musician who is brutally murdered along with his fiancée Shelly (Sofia Shinas) on the night before their wedding. One year later, Eric is resurrected by a mysterious crow and seeks revenge on his killers. Along the way, Eric discovers the secret of his death and finds himself caught in a battle between good and evil. The Crow is a thrilling and atmospheric tale of revenge, with an iconic performance from Brandon Lee.

From Directors: Peter Farrelly, Bobby Farrelly, starring Jim Carrey, Jeff Daniels, Lauren Holly, Mike Starr
Rated PG-13

From Danny Boyle, starring Kerry Fox, Christopher Eccleston, Ewan McGregor, Ken Stott
Rated R

From Jan de Bont, starring Keanu Reeves, Dennis Hopper, Sandra Bullock, Joe Morton
Rated R

From Peter Jackson, starring Melanie Lynskey, Kate Winslet, Sarah Peirse, Diana Kent
Rated R

From Isao Takahata, starring Shinchô Kokontei, Makoto Nonomura, Yuriko Ishida, Norihei Miki
Rated PG

From Oliver Stone, starring Woody Harrelson, Juliette Lewis, Tom Sizemore, Rodney Dangerfield
Rated R

From Directors: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, starring Tim Robbins, Paul Newman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Charles Durning
Rated PG

From Mike Newell, starring Hugh Grant, Andie MacDowell, James Fleet, Simon Callow
Rated R

From Tom Shadyac, starring Jim Carrey, Courteney Cox, Sean Young, Tone Loc
Rated PG-13

From Chuck Russell, starring Jim Carrey, Cameron Diaz, Peter Riegert, Peter Greene
Rated PG-13

From Curtis Hanson, starring Meryl Streep, Kevin Bacon, David Strathairn, Joseph Mazzello
Rated PG-13