10 Life-Changing Movies from the 90s That Will Evoke Nostalgia and Inspiration
Every era means something different to a person based on their age.
To some, the 80s will always be the greatest years of their life. To others, the 60s were a time of revolutionary conscious change, when the greatest generation ever to live took a stand.
What the 90s mean to you depends entirely upon your perspective and life experiences. But what is indisputable is this: the 90s amassed one of the greatest collections of films in cinematic history.
Films like Pulp Fiction, Goodfellas, and Silence of the Lambs are just a few of the storytelling masterpieces we were introduced to in the decade just before the turn of the century.
But the 90s also had a lot incredibly impactful and life-changing films, the kind of films that change you as a person or help you see the world in an entirely new way.
Here are ten life-changing movies from the 90s.
1. American Beauty (1999)
American Beauty tells the story of a telesales operative as he becomes disillusioned with his suburban life.
The film is a bit twisted. However, it has a way of shocking you to your senses– particularly if you’ve fallen into a habit of mindlessly rolling through life– that can create positive change in the most unlikely of ways.
2. Life Is Beautiful (1997)
Life is Beautiful tells the story of a Jewish father and his son as they’re taken to an internment camp during WWII and details the father’s efforts to help he and his son survive.
The film will teach you that the human spirit can survive through even the most severe cruelty one could ever imagine and will inspire you to push through your own adversity.
3. Forrest Gump (1994)
You can’t have a list of life-changing 90s movies without mentioning Forrest Gump, a film which follows a man with an IQ of seventy-five as he lives one crazy life through the presidencies of Kennedy and Johnson, the Vietnam War, the Watergate scandal.
Forrest Gump is the kind of movie that can teach you all kinds of things about the world while simultaneously give you layers of epiphanies with regards to your own life. Forrest’s journey is so epic and sprawling that it’s hard to pinpoint just one moment in the movie; there are so many different scenes, each with a lesson to share.
4. Good Will Hunting (1997)
Good Will Hunting is one of several movies in the 90s that showed Robin Williams could act. In the film he plays psychologist Sean Maguire who’s hired to treat a janitor, Will Hunting (Matt Damon), at MIT who secretly has a genius-level IQ after he’s arrested for attacking a police officer.
If you’re looking for a film that will make you reflect on your own life in a deep way, this is one of the best.
5. The Truman Show (1998)
One of the trippiest films of the 90s, The Truman Show stars Jim Carrey as an insurance adjuster who discovers that his entire life is a hoax. In fact, it’s one great big T.V. show.
It’s hilarious but also thoughtful and will make you think about your life and the world around you in a new way.
6. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
The Shawshank Redemption is one of those movies that defines 90s cinema.
The film stars Tim Robbins as Andy Dufresne and Morgan Freeman as Red, two prisoners who bond in prison, and details their quest to find peace and realize redemption over an incredible nineteen years.
7. Braveheart (1995)
Yes, that movie where Mel Gibson wears the blue face paint. Braveheart tells the story of William Wallace (Gibson), a 13th Century Scottish warrior who led the Scottish army to independence against the King Edward I and the English.
The film has one of the most inspiring movie speeches ever presented on film in addition to being an altogether inspiring story of strength and incredible courage.
8. Titanic (1997)
When Titanic first arrived in theatres, it was as if a literal mega-ton ship had been dropped on the world. Everyone was talking about it as it took the country (and, to some degree, the rest of the world) by storm.
The love story of DiCaprio’s Jack and Winslet’s Rose as it unfolds on the R.M.S. Titanic as it glides to its fateful and inevitable end is as unforgettable now as it ever was, spanning across both class lines within the film and space and time without. It can make you rethink your own relationships and remind you of the impermanence– and unpredictability– of life.
9. Schindler's List (1993)
Spielberg’s Schindler’s List is as dark and riveting as any movie which details the atrocities of WWII has ever been, but it’s also poetic and powerful.
Within the film lies a clear silver lining: the unexpected transformation of a shadowy businessman into a hero– Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson)– who will be remembered for all time for his boundless courage and selfless action and a story which serves as an incredible memorial to all those who were lost.
10. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Another Spielberg classic, Saving Private Ryan follows Captain John Miller (Tom Hanks) and his platoon through the beaches of Normandy during WWII to find and bring home Private James Ryan.
Private Ryan immerses you in the realities of war in a way that few films have ever been able to do, reminding you to be grateful for your life.
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Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.