We might not have known it then, but 1995 was a great year for gangster and animation movies, although never the twain shall meet.
With Toy Story dropping like a stuffed toy from a claw crane as one of the best movies from the 90s, and Kevin Spacey, Robert De Niro and Robin Williams gracing us with their on-screen prowess, there’s much movie greatness to enjoy in this triumphant year in film.
Seven
Loaded with mystery, suspense and gore, Seven unsettles you from the get-go… yet you still can’t look away.
Detective Mills (Brad Pitt) and Somerset (Morgan Freeman) are paired to tackle a series of gruesome murders from a serial killer (Kevin Spacey). When you realise they’re connected to the seven deadly sins, it doesn’t take long to anticipate what’s to come. We should warn you, it’s disturbing in parts.
IMDb: 8.6/10
Cast: Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Kevin Spacey and more
How to stream Seven
The Usual Suspects
‘Too clever for its own good’ read one of the reviews of the time (Washington Post). And that consensus largely remains, in one of the most talked-about film plot twists of the decade.
When five criminals meet in a police line-up, the meeting of minds leads to a jewel heist. With stellar performances from Kevin Spacey (Verbal), Benicio del Toro (Fenster) and the late great Pete Postlethwaite (Kobayashi), you’ll find yourself asking… who is Keyser Söze?
IMDb: 8.5/10
Cast: Kevin Spacey, Benicio del Toro, Gabriel Byrne and more
How to stream The Usual Suspects
Toy Story
Every once in a while, a film comes along that changes the face of film forever.
Pixar’s Toy Story can count itself amongst them. With ground-breaking animation, simple children’s toys brought to life (the aliens, slinky, Buzz Lightyear) and a brilliantly funny plot, it ticks all the boxes for a world-class movie that stands the test of time.
Oh, and as if that wasn’t enough, it was also the number one box office movie in 1995, with a box office haul of $191 million.
IMDb: 8.3/10
Cast: Tom Hanks, Wallace Shawn, Erik von Detten and more
How to stream Toy Story
Heat
If 1995 films ranked in order of stellar casts, Heat would surely be number one.
Robert De Niro (Neil McCauley) is on a final heist mission, but Lieutenant Hanna (Al Pacino) is hot on the case. What ensues is a cat and mouse chase, with intense exchanges interwoven throughout. With equally powerful performances from Val Kilmer and Natalie Portman, it’s one not to miss.
IMDb: 8.2/10
Cast: Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Val Kilmer and more
How to stream Heat
Casino
One of the best movies of the year belongs to Martin Scorsese’s Casino. Big, bold and flashy, it oozes glamour, gambling and good times – taking you through the major highs before the ultimate lows, in this epic-crime blockbuster.
When Ace (De Niro) and his volatile partner Nicky (Joe Pesci) are sent by the mob to Las Vegas to oversee operations, it shows the decadence and subsequent tragedy of an all-too-familiar gangster story, with epic cinematic production values to boot.
IMDb: 8.2/10
Cast: Joe Pesci, Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone and more
How to stream Casino
Apollo 13
Recreating events that happened in April 1970, Apollo 13 is the haunting story of the failed space mission to the moon and its subsequent turn around.
Tom Hanks plays the role of Astronaut Lovell, who leads the crew as they abort the mission after an oxygen tank fails two days into their epic journey. When the immortal words ‘Houston we have a problem’ are uttered, you know you’re in for a ride…
IMDb: 7.6/10
Cast: Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton, Kevin Bacon and more
How to stream Apollo 13
GoldenEye
Making his Bond debut, Pierce Brosnan brings a suave smoothness to 007. But can he save the world when a powerful satellite system goes missing?
With non-stop action, a Russian love interest (Natalya Simonova) and a friend-turned foe in agent 006 (Sean Bean), it’s the thrill-seeking romp, you’ve come to expect from the house of Bond.
IMDb: 7.2/10
Cast: Pierce Brosnan, Famke Janssen, Izabella Scorupco and more
How to stream Goldeneye
Jumanji
One of the 1995 box office hits, Jumanji transports a group of school kids inside a video game after they stumble across an old school console.
They’re faced with playing the game or being locked inside it forever, made all the more magical with Robin Williams’ performance as Alan Parrish.
IMDb: 7/10
Cast: Robin Williams, Kirsten Dunst, Bebe Neuwirth and more
How to stream Jumanji
Pocahontas
It was one of the top-grossing movies in 1995 ($141 million), although it didn’t rank high in the ratings war.
Nonetheless, it gave young girls everywhere a new warrior role model in this animated flick. American-Indian Pocahontas (Irene Bedard) enjoys a romance with Captain Smith (Mel Gibson), as they plan to settle down. Faced with a disapproving father and criminals along the way, it’s full of twists and turns… for a Disney film anyway.
IMDb: 6.7/10
Cast: Mel Gibson, Irene Bedard, Christian Bale and more
How to stream Pocahontas
Batman Forever
Whether you consider it an underrated movie, or a total flop, Batman Forever is worth a watch.
With Jim Carrey magnificently bringing the Riddler to life, and Val Kilmer as the caped crusader, there’s a new love interest on the scene in the shape of psychologist Chase Meridian (Nicole Kidman). Throw into the mix saving Gotham City from the dark forces and you’ve got the sixth top grossing movie of 1995.
IMDb: 5.4/10
Cast: Val Kilmer, Jim Carrey, Tommy Lee Jones and more