When we look back at the ’90s, we are reminded ofall the great cinemathat was being made — classic films that still feel relevant today and characters whom we always find ourselves relating to. 1997 was an especially great year for film as some of the most innovative and groundbreaking movies were released during this time. Directors and producers were pushing boundaries in terms of storytelling, special effects, and film editing, in addition to the rise of some of today’s most promising actors, such asOscar-winning actors Leonardo DiCaprioand Kate Winslet.
One of the greatest things about movies is that they have the ability to inspire us and restore audiences' hope. A great film leaves an impression on us that will keep us thinking about it long after we leave the theater. Movies such asTitanic, Good Will Hunting,andAs Good As It Getsdo just that. Here are some of the best movies released in 1997 that prove what a great year it was for cinema.
Updated on July 01, 2025, by Soniya Hinduja: This article has been updated with additional content to keep the discussion fresh and relevant with even more information and new entries.
13In the Company of Men
Before cinema became universally better in terms of treating women better and advocating equal rights and respect on and off screen, director Neil LaBute exposed power dynamics through this minimalist black comedy that made 1997 truly memorable.In the Company of Mencenters around two vengeful and avoidant businessmen, Chad and Howard, tormenting a deaf woman and shattering every ounce of her self-respect while on a project abroad. Both these men are misogynists who recently got out of a bad relationship, and instead of working on themselves, they decide to take it out on someone else. Through several revelations and subtexts, we see just how ugly their actions can get. Aaron Eckhart sears in his breakout performance, while Matt Malloy is equally cruel as the junior executive.
12Happy Together
Director Wong Kar-waihas a reputation of crafting the most depressingand achingly beautiful love stories ever. Whether it is forbidden love and the longing that it produces or the separation of two souls who share a promising relationship, his films portray the misery of being in love quite realistically.
Happy Togetheris a dear film in the director’s filmography. It follows a tempestuous pair of lovers, Lai and his boyfriend Ho, who tour Argentina with hopes that a different country would make their lives easier. But soon, their relationship turns sour, and endless fights reveal their toxic natures. Meanwhile, Lai meets Chang, who isn’t just gorgeous but also matches Lai’s need for restless intimacy. In a way,Happy Togetherisn’t about love; it is about two lives interrupted by separation and exile.
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Adapted from the 1985 novel written by Carl Sagan,Contactis aninteresting science fiction filmabout the complex vision of first contact where science rescues faith and drives closed minds into imaginative and believing ends. Starring Jodie Foster as Dr. Ellie Arroway, who has spent years trying to obtain proof that there is extraterrestrial life out there, the movie follows the very first radio signals sent by aliens. She, with her team (which includes Matthew McConaughey’s Palmer Joss), gets deeper into deciphering this message by building a machine. The film begins at the intersection of faith, science, and politics. These three things never go hand in hand, but a person’s determination to seek truth does. With soulful storytelling and breathtaking visuals, this unsung classic is still quite incredible.
10The Fifth Element
Few science-fiction movies manage to age like fine wine. Apart from proper classics likeAlien,2001: A Space Odyssey,Blade Runner, and more, the genre sees so many advancements that it’s hard to remain blockbusters decades after its initial release. As for Luc Besson’s sci-fi operaThe Fifth Element, the movie finds nuance and vision in its futuristic setting.
It follows Korben Dallas, a cab driver, trying to be the hero who would save the world from destruction with the help of four mystical stones and the titular fifth element. The sheer artistry required to create the film – from visions of an Egyptian past to flying cars – demands high praise. Moreover, its rewatch value increases its meaning because we understand that the film is trying to drop clues to a better, colorful world.
9Boogie Nights
How could a ‘90s film list be complete without mentioning Paul Thomas Anderson? Written and directed by the man,Boogie Nightstakes you to the San Fernando Valley in 1977, where a young busboy named Eddie Adams is discovered by a porn director. He turns the boy into a sensation overnight, but soon Eddie becomes consumed by the lifestyle and the toxicity of the industry, is addicted to drugs, and goes downward in a spiral of emotions.
Far from being compassionate, the film takes you straight into the rise and fall of a man who never thought he’d reach such exquisite heights.Boogie NightsisPTA’s sophomore project, and even though the premise screams adult-only, there’s very little explicit content, which shows the director’s talent for making a point without lifting a finger. Overall, it is a genuinely recommended ensemble drama.
8Donnie Brasco
Al Pacino and Johnny Depp give great performances as they star in the crime/dramaDonnie Brasco.These two actors are legends and some of the most talented individuals working in the business; they have gained such acclaim over the years that audiences will watch a film solely because they are in them. Director Mike Newell did a brilliant job in telling the story of an undercover FBI agent (Depp) working his way into a relationship with a mob hitman (Pacino) in an attempt to get information on the New York Mafia families he infiltrated.
7L.A. Confidential
L.A. Confidentialis the story of three policemen in Los Angeles, each with his own agenda, who come together to solve a murder that took place in the 50s. Each of the characters' individual pasts play into how they solve cases and define the people they are. Guy Pearce, Russell Crowe, Kevin Spacey, Kim Basinger, James Cromwell, and Danny DeVito star in Curtis Hanson’s crime film.
With a 99% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes and nine Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, it’s safe to say this movie was a huge success. Out of the nine Oscar nominations it received,L.A. Confidentialwon two in the categories of Best Supporting Actress (for Basinger) and Best Adapted Screenplay.
6Jackie Brown
In 1997, iconic filmmaker and director Quentin Tarantino released his third film,Jackie Brown,starring Pam Grier. Tarantino is definitely one of a kind in the world of cinema, known for his stylistic choices, use of violence and comedy, and extended dialogue. Some say that the director’s films are so unique that they exist within their own universe whereinTarantino can rewrite history. Grier gave a great performance in the crime/drama, but despite how well-receivedJackie Brownwas, it didn’t land any Academy Award nominations, resulting in what some consider to be one of thebiggest Oscar snubsin the history of the Best Actress category.
5As Good As It Gets
Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt star as an angry writer suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder and a single mother working as a waitress at a local diner in New York, respectively. These two characters, Melvin Udall (Nicholson) and Carol Connelly (Hunt), embark on an unlikely journey despite their initial rough start. Nicholson and Hunt’s onscreen chemistry is fantastic, resulting in them both winning Oscars that year for Best Actor and Best Actress.As Good As It Getsis a great film and a must-watch.
4Liar Liar
The 90s mark the height of comedian and actor Jim Carrey’s career. With the release of films such asThe Mask,Batman Forever,Man on the Moon,Dumb and Dumber,Ace Ventura,The Truman Show,and, of course,Liar Liar,Carrey was consistently putting out great work. The comedy/adventure, directed by Tom Shadyac, follows a successful lawyer who finds himself only being able to tell the truth for 24 hours on the day when his career-deciding case must be won.
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