Some years were particularly impressive in the history of film. For example, many say1984 is the best year for filmbecause franchises likeTerminatorandGhostbustersstarted that year, as did the career of now-famous director John Hughes. But, there’s also an argument to be made for1993 as the best year for film ever, because of genre-changing films likeGroundhog DayandSleepless in Seattle, career-defining films likeSchindler’s ListandA Few Good Men, and of course, the birth of theJurassic Parkfranchise.
Some years, like 2023 most recently, turn into film festivals themselves because of how many amazing films came out that year. Similarly,2024 is a great year for horror movies, arguably the greatest in a long time, perhaps even more than 2022, when Robert Eggers, David Cronenberg, Jordan Peele, and Brandon Cronenberg all released new films. However, movies likeFight ClubandThe Matrixmake1999the best movie year for many. Its unique relevance as being the last year of its century makes the year even more iconic as a look at people’s feelings regarding the turn of the century.
101939
Most famous films include Gone with the Wind, The Wizard of Oz, and Stagecoach
1939 is one of the most influential years for cinema. A little over a decade from 1927, when, with the release ofThe Jazz Singer, movies started including spoken dialogue, Judy Garland delivered one of the most iconic performances of all time,singingOver the Rainbowfor the film. The film was so iconic that Dorothy’s acceptance of ostracized characters who are different from others led to gay men coining the term “friend of Dorothy” to self-identify and recognize other gay men in social circles back when homosexuality was still a criminal offense in the States.
While it’s an ensemble film, John Wayne shone inStagecoach, one ofthe best John Ford movies ever, marking the beginning of a highly successful and acclaimed director-actor partnership between the two Johns.Stagecoachprovided a template for adventurous ensemble Westerns that is still used today. Unfortunately, the most famous film of 1939 has a much darker legacy and is decried today as a racist film.Gone with the Windis the highest-grossing film ever, if one adjusts for inflation, but that doesn’t excuse the shameless racism on display.
91967
Most famous films include The Young Girls of Rochefort, The Graduate, and The Jungle Book
One of the most influential erotic films of all time,The Graduateexpanded the horizons of sexuality exploration in film. It dealt with darker horizons and films to date draw inspiration from it. Moreover, thesong Mrs. Robinson made musicians Simon & Garfunkel famous. Perhaps the most influential film of 1967 is Jacques Demy’sThe Young Girls of Rochefort, though. It has been the subject of academic studies for years now, it is a unique film, crossing over French New Wave cinema and the classic Hollywood Musical, which created multiple cinematic devices, especially with the iconic opening scene.
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From Travis Bickle, and Driver, to Lou Bloom, and John Wick,every violent anti-hero owes their origins to Alain Delon’s Jef Costellofrom Jean-Pierre Melville’sLe Samourai, which also came out in 1967. In the same year, Disney released the last film on which their founder worked.The Jungle Book’s music and whimsical character designs, inspired by the voice actors, remain one of the most beloved Disney movies. It is interesting to note that another iconic erotic psycho-sexual drama was released in 1967, Luis Buñuel’sBelle de Jour. Focusing on the protagonist’s psychosis, it explores the dark side of sex work.
81975
Most famous films include Jaws, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, and Mirror
One of the most important films of all time, Chantal Akerman’sJeanne Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce,1080 Bruxelleswas released in 1975. It introduced feminist sensibilities in the making of slice-of-life melodramas, and the genre conventions created by it can be found in films today as well. 1975 also saw the release of Sidney Lumet’sDog Day Afternoon, which is sympathetic to the movement for trans rights. The campy horror filmThe Rocky Horror Picture Show, which hasbecome an iconic milestone for the queer community, also came out in 1975.
Pier Paolo Pasolini releasedSalo, or the 120Days of Sodomin 1975, which has gone down in history as one of the most disgusting films ever. It’s a biting satire and a gritty exploration of the extremes of classism, and certain scenes make it difficult to stomach.
1975 also witnessed the release of Andrei Tarkovsky’s iconic filmMirror, and David Cronenberg’sShivers, which was his first body-horror film, a genre he’d come to master eventually. SinceJawscame out in 1975, it’s often considered one ofthe best years for thriller movies. One of the funniest comedies that continues to be referenced and copied,Monty Python and the Holy Grail,came out in 1975. It’s also the year when Kubrick released his only period drama,Barry Lyndon, featuring a treatment of the unreliable narrator trope that inspires filmmakers even today.
71982
Most famous films include E.T, Blade Runner, and First Blood
1982 was a big year for Sylvester Stallone, as not only did the world get introduced to his iconic character Rambo inFirst Blood, butRocky III, featuringEye of the Tiger, came out the same year. In 1982, the most beloved alien, the only one people wanted to protect, was introduced by Spielberg in hisE.T.John Carpenter’sThe Thing, also from ‘82, changed the horror scene by introducing the concept of the unreliable narrator in the supernatural horror genre. Meanwhile, Ridley Scott introduced the world to his sci-fi thriller, andBlade Runneris inspiring TV showseven today.
Robert de Niro and Martin Scorsese continued their collaboration in 1982 forThe King of Comedy, which, along with Scorsese’s most famous film,Taxi Driver, also starring de Niro, served as inspiration for Todd Phillips’ 2019 filmJoker. Featuring Sean Penn’s breakout performance, and screenwriter Cameron Crowe’s first screenplay,Fast Times at Ridgemont Highcame out in ‘82 andchanged the face of teen drama cinema forever. 1982’sSophie’s Choiceearned Meryl Streep her second Oscar, whileGandhiwon eight Oscars. Also, in 1982, Ingmar Bergman released the extended version of his semi-autobiographical miniseriesFanny & Alexander.
61989
When Keaton said"I’m Batman"in 1989, he couldn’t have known how much that line would come to define the caped crusader’s identity for fans over the years. And neither could Robin Williams have predicted how beloved his character fromDead Poets Societywould become. The film isn’t just popular, it never stops being referenced by film buffs, much like Studio Ghibli’sKiki’s Delivery Service, also from ‘89.1989’sThe Little Mermaidmeanwhile, introduced the world to the villain based on Drag Queen Divine, Ursula, who was to become a campy villain icon for the LGBTQIA+ community in the future.
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Another iconic children’s film, although barely talked about today,Honey, I Shrunk The Kids,also came out in 1989. As did Meg Ryan’s fan-favorite rom-comWhen Harry Met Sally. Influential Polish film director Krzysztof Kieślowski’s miniseriesDekalogwas also released in 1989, which thematically explored the existential crises of the residents of a building,metaphorically using the Ten Commandments for premise. 1989 also saw Sean Connery join Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones’ father, while inBack to the Future II, Doc Brown and Marty went to a dystopian future. Meanwhile, Rosie Perez broke through withDo The Right Thing.
51994
Most famous films include Pulp Fiction, The Shawshank Redemption, and Forrest Gump
Some of the films of 1994, especiallyPulp Fiction andThe Shawshank Redemption, are regularly mentioned amongthe best movies of all time. In ‘94, Tom Hanks also delivered his second Oscar-winning performance in and asForrest Gump. It’s a special year for Chinese cinema as well, since Ang Lee’sEat Drink Man Woman, Tsai Ming-liang’sVive L’Amour, and Wong Kar-wai’sChungking Expressall came out that year. The third one is a favorite of cinephiles all over the world. Meanwhile, Jim Carrey appeared in two of his most iconic films in 1994 -Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, andThe Mask.
1994 is the year when fans were introduced to a cult-classic gay-coded villain inThe Lion King’s Scar.
The world was introduced to Natalie Portman in 1994 via her breakthrough performance in Luc Besson’sLéon: The Professional. Moreover, Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock starred in one of the greatest action films ever,Speed, which set audiences up for the ticking time trope Tom Cruise would overuse in the future forMission: Impossible.But in ‘94,Tom Cruise was performing in an underrated gay vampire period drama, opposite Brad Pitt, inInterview with the Vampire. The exploration of sexuality is refreshingly bold for a film with such A-listers.
41999
Most famous films include Fight Club, The Matrix, and Star Wars: A Phantom Menace
For film historians, 1999 marks a milestone because Stanley Kubrick’s last film,Eyes Wide Shutwas released that year. Meanwhile, the Wachowski’s introduced the world toThe Matrix, which has only grown in popularity, unlike Jar Jar Binks, who has only received hate since his introduction in ‘99. Also, Brad Pitt played his most famous character in ‘99. His monologue about consumerism inFight Clubremains one of the most-quoted scenes ever. Meanwhile,But I’m a Cheerleader, which satirizes gay conversion, came out in ‘99, as didJames Mangold’sGirl, Interrupted, a much more sinister film with queer characters.
‘99 is the year of cult classics.
Sofia Coppola’sThe Virgin Suicidescame out in ‘99 and has garnered a cult following in the years since. While ‘99 saw the release ofTarzenandToy Story II, it was also whenThe Iron Giantwas released. It was also a big year for romcoms, as bothNotting Hilland10 Things I Hate About Youwere released that year. But, ‘99 is the year of cult classics, becauseThe Blair Witch Projectis another ‘99 release, as areThe MummyandThe Talented Mr. Ripley. Furthermore,Paul Thomas Anderson’s Magnum OpusMagnoliacame out in ‘99.
32001
Most famous films include Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, and Ocean’s Eleven
It doesn’t take much to see how 2001 the year was just as special as2001: A Space Odyssey. When two genre-defining fantasy films release in the same year, that’s like hitting the jackpot. Add in an animated film with fairy tale creatures inShrek, and it seems even more special. Particularly when one counts the release of one of the best heist films,Ocean’s Eleven,and the birth of an 11-film-long franchise withThe Fast & The Furious. It doesn’t end there, as thecomfort moviesBridget Jones’ Diary,Legally Blonde, andThe Princess Diarieswere all released then.
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WithDonnie DarkoandMulholland Driveamong its releases, 2001 proved to be a big year for surrealism. Studio Ghibli’s Academy Award-winningSpirited Awayalso came out that year, as did Disney’sMonsters Inc. Meanwhile, Nicole Kidman’sThe Othersand Kyoshi Kurosawa’sPulse, both featuring supernatural themes, contributed to the horror roster of 2001.With Y Tu Mamá TambiénandThe Piano Teacher, sexual themes also received critically acclaimed cinematic attention. And of course, 2001 is when the most famous French Film,Amélie, was released, which features the iconic phone booth scene.
22014
Most famous films include Interstellar, Gone Girl, and John Wick
To pick the best film of 2014 is impossible, which is why ‘15 was one of the most divisive years for the Academy Awards. Wes Anderson, Christopher Nolan, David Fincher, Paul Thomas Anderson, Richard Linklater, Alejandro Iñárritu, James Gunn, Damien Chazelle, and the Russo brothers, all directed films that year. Between critically acclaimed Oscars contenders, criminally underrated cult classics, and mega-blockbusters, 2014 is packed with amazing releases. WithBig Hero 6,How to Train Your Dragon 2, andThe LEGO Movie, it was major for animation, and superhero action packed with Quicksilver’s run inX-Men:Days of Future Past.
The biopics of Alan Turing and Stephen Hawking blessed viewers in 2014, while fans of action thrillers met two neo-noir anti-heroes in John Wick, and Lou Bloom fromNightcrawler. Sci-fi featured heavily among the releases, includingPredestination,Edge of Tomorrow,Divergent,Lucy, andThe Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part I. As did romance, withThe Fault in our StarsandLove, Rosie.Furthermore, with the release ofIt Follows, What We Do in the Shadows, andThe Babadookin 2014, it didn’t look shabby for horror either. 2014 had great films for every genre!
12019
Most famous films include Parasite, Joker, and Avengers: Endgame
2019 is perhaps the best year for moviesbecause, among other achievements by films that year,Parasitemade Oscars history by winning the Best Picture Academy Award as a film not in English. Greta Gerwig made a splash withLittle Women, while Disney apart from the Oscar-winningToy Story 4and the eternally underappreciatedFrozen II, also released two live-action adaptations, Aladdin, andThe Lion King. It was a big year for animation, withThe LEGO Movie 2, Makoto Shinkai’sWeathering With You, Netflix’sKlaus, and the final part of the trilogy,How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World.
Todd Phillips madeJoker, Quentin Tarantino made his latest film inOnce Upon a Time… in Hollywood, Scarlett Johansson returned to Indie films post-Endgame, withMarriage StoryandJojo Rabbit, Robert De Niro appeared in a Martin Scorsese gangster film again, and Céline Sciamma released her queer classicThe Portrait of a Lady on Fair, all in 2019. The long-awaited final film toBreaking Bad,El Camino,came out in 2019, chronicling Jesse Pinkman’s escape from prosecution.The new horror trio of Jordan Peele, Ari Aster, and Robert Eggerswas established withUs,Midsommar, andThe Lighthouserespectively.
