If 1991 was candy, it would certainly be a pick ‘n’ mix, with such a wide choice of films to choose from. From the futuristic thriller of Terminator 2 to the gentleness of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, the romance of Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and the stomach-churning scenes of The Silence of the Lambs. — 1991 definitely had some big cinematic hits that are considered some of the best movies in the 90s.
Never has a year given us so much movie variety. So, let’s get stuck into the best movies of 1991.
The Silence of the Lambs
If you want a good night’s sleep, don’t watch this film before bed. With disturbing scenes that don’t easily fade, you’re in for a difficult, yet compelling two-hours of movie thrills. Anthony Hopkins is deeply creepy as cannibal killer, Hannibal Lecter.
Playing good cop, FBI Agent Crawford (Jodie Hopkins) is assigned to his case. In this slow-moving psychological thriller, she tries to unravel insight from the psychopath, to help solve another case. It might not quite have been the highest-grossing movie in 1991, but it was the highest-rated of the year on IMDb.
IMDb: 8.6/10
- Classification: R18+
- Genre: Thriller
- Cast: Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Tedd Levine and more
How to stream The Silence of the Lambs
Terminator 2: Judgement Day
Arnie’s back in the franchise that made put him on the cyborg map. Terminator 2: Judgement Day, brings sci-fi action with adrenaline-pumping scenes and ground-breaking visual effects (for its time), in one of the greatest sequels ever made.
It’s a case of cyborg versus cyborg as the T-800 (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is sent from the future to protect John Connor (Edward Furlong) against the menacing T-100 cyborg, out to kill him.
IMDb: 8.5/10
- Classification: M
- Genre: Action
- Cast: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Edward Furlong, Linda Hamilton and more
How to stream Terminator 2: Judgement Day
Beauty and the Beast
The highest-grossing movie 1991 gave us was Beauty and the Beast, pulling an impressive $218.97 million in the box office.
This Disney classic stands the test of time, in this uplifting story of a cursed Prince who loses his looks and is transformed into a beast when a spell is cast upon him. That doesn’t stop him from falling for a beauty – Belle, who gives him a reason to come out of hiding, after shying away.
IMDb: 8/10
- Classification: PG
- Genre: Family
- Cast: Paige O’Hara, Angela Lansbury, Robby Benson and more
How to stream Beauty and the Beast
The Addams Family
There have been so many versions of The Addams Family over the years and the jury’s out on which is the best. But, for sheer cinematic clout, the 1991 hit brings their creepy and kooky ways to the big screen in full colour and action.
One of the top movies of 1991, the family of goths succumb to a con artist claiming to be Uncle Fester – except, he’s fooling no one…
IMDb: 7.9/10
- Classification: PG
- Genre: Comedy
- Cast: Christina Ricci, Anjelica Huston, Raul Julia and more
How to stream The Addams Family
Thelma and Louise
From hitchhiker heartthrob to Hollywood royalty – Brad Pitt has come a long way in a short time, and it all started here.
In this iconic chick-flick, Thelma (Geena Davis) is joined by friend Louise (Susan Sarandon), on a fishing trip. However, things take a turn when Louise kills a man who tries to rape her, and the women flee the country on a road trip that takes them on a rollercoaster of a ride.
IMDb: 7.5/10
- Classification: M
- Genre: Crime/Adventure
- Cast: Geena Davis, Susan Sarandon, Brad Pitt and more
How to stream Thelma and Louise
Cape Fear
De Niro at his darkest, this haunting movie charts the journey of a convicted rapist, who upon release from prison, stakes out and hunts down the lawyer who defended him.
A young and tender Juliette Lewis stars in the movie, alongside Hollywood giants Nick Nolte and Jessica Lange, in this deeply disturbing thriller.
IMDb: 7.3/10
- Classification: MA 15+
- Genre: Crime
- Cast: Gregory Peck, Robert De Niro, Juliette Lewis and more
How to stream Cape Fear
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
The gentle blow in the ear as he draws an arrow, the rousing soundtrack from Bryan Adams, and Kevin Costner in tights… yep, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves has all the right ingredients to pull in the crowds.
Which it did in drones, as the third highest-grossing movie of 1991. The storyline is simple: Robin Hood and his merry men of outlaws (including Christian Slater) are out to save the kingdom from the twisted Sheriff.
IMDb: 6.9/10
- Classification: M
- Genre: Adventure
- Cast: Kevin Costner, Alan Rickman, Morgan Freeman and more
How to stream Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
City Slickers
Before The Hangover, there was City Slickers. Ranked as the best comedy movie of 1991 — City Clickers is the ultimate midlife crisis movie with tons of laughter and silly jokes to give you bellyache for days.
When three buds, Mitch (Billy Crystal), Ed and Phil, escape the clutches of their wives, they head to the country for a lads weekend away. Trading their city lifestyles for the cowboy life, it’s glorious male-bonding at its best!
IMDb: 6.8/10
- Classification: PG
- Genre: Comedy
- Cast: Billy Crystal, Jack Palance, Daniel Stern and more
How to stream City Slickers
Hook
As far as best films of 1991 for children go, Hook was right up there. True to the original book, it tells the familiar fairy-tale of Peter Pan, remaining true to its origins.
With great performances from Robin Williams as Peter Pan, Dustin Hoffman as Hook, and Julia Roberts as Tinkerbell – the all-star cast keeps you strapped in for the ride.
IMDb: 6.8/10
- Classification: PG
- Genre: Family
- Cast: Robin Williams, Dustin Hoffman, Julia Roberts and more
How to stream Hook
Sleeping with the Enemy
Julia Roberts glimmers on-screen as Laura Burney – the wife and domestic abuse victim at the hands of her husband.
In a desperate attempt to free herself, she fakes her own death… only to be tracked down by her violent husband. Ratings-wise, it might not be one of the best films of 1991, but it was certainly one of the most memorable.
IMDb: 6.3/10
- Classification: M
- Genre: Thriller
- Cast: Julia Roberts, Patrick Bergin, Kevin Anderson and more