10 Movies From 1997 That Are Now Considered Classics

10 Movies From 1997 That Are Now Considered Classics Titanic

Image via Paramount Pictures

By Robert Lee III Published 1 minute ago Writing from the Chicagoland area in Illinois, Robert is an avid movie watcher and will take just about any excuse to find time to go to his local movie theaters. Robert graduated from Bradley University with degrees in Journalism and Game Design with a minor in Film Studies. Robert tries his best to keep up with all the latest movie releases, from those released in theaters to those released on streaming. While he doesn't always keep up with the latest TV shows, he makes it a goal to watch nearly every major new release possible. He has been honing his craft and following any and all movie news all his life, leading up to now, where he has a vast knowledge of film and film history. He also logs every movie that he watches on his Letterboxd page, and has hosted a weekly online movie night with his closest friends for over 6 years. Sign in to your Collider account Summary Generate a summary of this story follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Thread Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap

While each year of the 90s stands out in its own distinct way for its impact and overarching legacy on the medium of film as a whole, 1997 specifically stands out as one of the best individual years of the 90s in terms of the films released. It would only make sense that one of the most important years in world history, marked by significant events such as the return of Hong Kong from the United Kingdom to China and the death of Princess Diana, would also be important in the world of film.

From some of the biggest blockbuster achievements of the decade to some of the most celebrated, critically acclaimed, and wildly influential independent films, there is a wide variety of greatness that persisted during the year. With so many great options to choose from in the year, it makes it difficult to limit it to just 10 now-considered classics, with many great films like Face/Off, Good Burger, and Starship Troopers just barely missing the list.

10 'The Fifth Element'

Milla Jovovich in The Fifth Element Image via Columbia Pictures

One of the most engaging and sprawling original sci-fi worlds of the '90s, The Fifth Element is overwhelming with personality and charm in every corner of its entertaining, galaxy-spanning story. The film takes place in the year 2257, seeing Bruce Willis as taxi driver Korben Dallas, who is unexpectedly tasked with saving the mysterious young Leeloo (Milla Jovovich), who is a part of the key that will ensure the survival of humanity.

Nearly every aspect of the film goes toward amplifying the sense of scale and gravitas of the dynamic original world that The Fifth Element sets up and explores, making it a wild sci-fi blockbuster that would define the era as a whole. Its ingrained sense of creativity would prove to be a massive inspiration for sci-fi films to come, as it showed that raw creativity and charm could go a long way in terms of an inventive and entertaining sci-fi blockbuster. Even nowadays, the film is considered an impactful sci-fi classic and one of the '90s most rewatchable sci-fi films.

9 'L.A. Confidential'

Image via Warner Bros.

Paying tribute to the noir films of the past while supplementing its own distinct 90s flair and style, L.A. Confidential has only grown more beloved and acclaimed in the years since its release as one of the 90s' best crime mysteries. The basic plot is about as classic as a noir mystery gets, following a trio of detectives uncovering the wild and intricate conspiracy surrounding an array of shotgun murders at an all-night diner. In the process, they go face-to-face with the overwhelming corruption and chaos of L.A., each utilizing different methods in their search for the truth.

In being an impassioned love letter to the noir genre as a whole, L.A. Confidential went from an already wildly celebrated crime film of the 90s to one of the most consistent and rewatchable modern crime films ever released. Its reverence and appreciation towards the genre allow it to exact some of the best and most compact iterations of its conventions, able to be appreciated by crime fans and unfamiliar audience members alike.

8 'Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery'

Doctor Evil holding a cat while on the phone in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery

Image via New Line Cinema

While not an immediate smash hit at the box office, word of mouth after its release to home video would allow Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery to cement its status as one of the most beloved and funniest films of the 90s. Its over-the-top satire and parody of campy spy films of the past proved to be so effective that it largely reshaped the approach to franchises like James Bond in the modern era. In an era when parody filmmaking was arguably at its best, Austin Powers makes a striking case for one of the best parody films of the '90s.

Even without the context of the films it's parodying, there are a lot of entertaining visual gags, witty dialogue, and a great dual performance from Mike Myers that has made the film a comedy icon of the decade. The word of mouth and cult classic energy of the film have only amplified in the years since its release, with its two sequels and timeless sense of absurdist comedy making it one of the most approachable and beloved comedies of the decade.

7 'Perfect Blue'

A distressed woman with blood on her face in Perfect Blue (1997)

A distressed woman with blood on her faceImage via Rex Entertainment

Often considered to be one of the greatest anime films of all time and one of many masterpieces from legendary director Satoshi Kon, Perfect Blue's striking and haunting psychological thriller story has made it wildly influential in and outside the world of animation. It's a story of toxic fan interaction and crippling impostor syndrome from the life of being a public figure that has only grown more impactful and powerful in the modern age of social media discourse and celebrity interaction.

However, even when the film first came out, its striking imagery, deeply disturbing concepts, and powerful, impactful score made it an instant classic among anime films and a masterpiece of tension and pacing. While its influence and legacy among anime thrillers is undeniable, the film has even managed to be a direct influence for many live-action thriller directors, most notably the works of Darren Aronofsky with Requiem for a Dream.

6 'Cure'

Kōji Yakusho holding a lighter in Cure.Image via Shochiku-Fuji Company

Flipping the notions of noir films on their head and combining their execution with a psychological horror film with supernatural elements, Japanese neo-noir film Cure is about as tight-knit and masterful as a contemporary noir film can get. Cure has a premise that instantly hooks the audience and entangles them in a web of visceral pain, a multi-layered mystery, and the never-ending madness that comes from uncovering the culprit.

Its combination of classic mystery film setpieces with horror aesthetics and tone helped it attain an ever-increasing following over the years, with it now being considered an essential horror film of the 90s. While the film's scope and reach were relatively limited when it was first released as a Japanese film, it would slowly but surely cross over the cultural barrier to be one of the most celebrated and respected contemporary Japanese films of all time.

5 'Boogie Nights'

Philip Seymour Hoffman as Scotty J, holding a boom mic, on a fictional set in Boogie Nights.Image via New Line Cinema

One of many well-crafted masterpieces from the illustrious career of Paul Thomas Anderson, Boogie Nights' wild and unrestrained exploration of adult themes, combined with memorable characters, has made it a fan-favorite ever since its release. While the film presents itself as this wild story of debauchery and sex-crazed madness in the 70s, the true heart and brilliance of the story comes from the dynamic and pure connection of its characters and the chaos that begins to create a rift between them.

It seamlessly finds a near-perfect balance between the dramatic weight and impact of its story with top-notch comedic chops, finding the comedic side of many dark concepts while never letting the comedy take away from the emotional side of the story. Its unrestrained nature in many ways plays into the film's strengths, as it feels limitless in its scope and able to show of anything for the sake of making a more memorable and powerful film experience. Much like many of Anderson's other films of the era, Boogie Nights is widely celebrated as a definitive classic of the era and one of the 90s best films.

4 'Good Will Hunting'

Matt Damon and Robin Williams sitting on a bench outdoors and looking ahead in Good Will Hunting.Image via Miramax Films

When people think of heartfelt, feel-good dramas of not just 1997, but the entire 90s as a whole, Good Will Hunting continuously comes to mind as one of the most beautifully told and impactful dramas of the era. The college coming-of-age film provided a powerful voice to many young people who simply didn't feel seen in this era of Hollywood, speaking a story of seeing the grace and potential in someone written off their entire life. It sports career-best performances from many of the people involved, with it still being one of the first films people think of when considering the careers of Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, and even Robin Williams.

While its themes and messaging are largely relevant and tailored to the era in which it was created, it has such a timeless and powerful execution of these themes that its core dynamic feels as relatable today as it did when it first released. It's simply unmatched in its ability to uplift and put audiences in a good mood, even if it has to conjure up some heartfelt tears on its path to overwhelming dramatic perfection.

3 'Men in Black'

Agents J and K aim their guns up in Men in BlackImage via Sony Pictures Releasing

One of the defining blockbuster successes of the year that revolutionized action comedy and sci-fi blockbusters alike, Men in Black is the type of crowd-pleasing blockbuster that found a way to entertain absolutely everybody. From the absolutely perfect comedic chemistry and dynamic between Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones to the endless creativity and fun of an Earth overrun by aliens hidden in plain sight, the film is an absolute blast from start to finish.

This raw, pure entertaining catharsis has made it a defining film experience for the year as a whole, further amplified by its titular song "Men in Black" also being a top-charting hit that would also define the year. Men in Black simply wasn't escapable in pop culture in 1997, as it would continue to dominate the conversation of sci-fi and action comedy for years to come, resulting in multiple sequels, toys, a cartoon, and everything else under the sun. This reputation and widespread recognition has directly added to its classic status, still being celebrated as a cornerstone of sci-fi blockbusters.

2 'Princess Mononoke'

Princess Mononoke and a large white wolf in profile in the woods, in Princess MononokeImage via Studio Ghibli

Nearly every one of the films by director Hayao Miyazaki could be considered animated masterpieces in their own right, yet Princess Mononoke stands even amidst his stacked filmography as one of Miyazaki's greatest cinematic feats. While it wouldn't make waves for U.S. audiences until its 1999 theatrical release and its eventual home video release, it has massively made up for lost time by becoming celebrated worldwide as one of the definitive animated masterpieces of the 90s as a whole.

It sports a beautiful, timeless message of man vs nature in a strikingly original and beautiful way, with 2D animation that still holds up to this very day and one of the most grounded and mature approaches to this classic theme. The PG-13 animated film also doesn't hold back in terms of being a raw, deeply mature experience, whether it be from badass action sequences, directly tackling difficult themes of death and destruction, or its array of unsettling visuals. The film still holds a soft spot in the hearts of many animation fans as one of the all-time greatest anime films.

1 'Titanic'

Leonardo DiCaprio as Jack holds Kate Winslet as Rose on the bow of the ship in Titanic.Image via Paramount Pictures

While many other 1997 films certainly had their own distinct impacts, no other film comes close to the prowess and unstoppable force of pop-cultural dominance that was James Cameron's masterpiece, Titanic. From lofty expectations as the then-most expensive film of all time to surpassing all expectations by becoming the then-highest grossing film of all time, Titanic dominated the conversation of film for years after it released. It held the #1 spot at the domestic box office for 15 consecutive weeks, staying in theaters for 10 months after its release, and absolutely swept the Academy Awards with its record-tying 11 wins.

Titanic cached in its ticket into classic status as soon as it was released, as audiences were quickly aware that what they were experiencing was truly special and a feat of cinema that would define the medium going forward. Even over 25 years since its release, the film has had a direct impact on blockbuster filmmaking as a whole and is still celebrated as a defining classic of epics, romance films, and even disaster movies. It's one of the only films that not only defined its release year of 1997 in cinema history, but arguably even defined the subsequent year of 1998 in cinema history as well.

Like Follow Followed Titanic PG-13 Drama Romance Release Date December 19, 1997 Runtime 3h 14m Director James Cameron Writers James Cameron

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David Warner
Kathy Bates

Genres Drama, Romance Powered by

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L.A. Confidential

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