The 1990s were a brilliant decade for cinema, as fans received many great films that would eventually become classics. From indie cinema and hilarious comedies to teen movies and animated classics, the 90s were incredibly fruitful for the film industry. Specifically, 1992 was a great year for movies.
For example, Clint Eastwood’s western, Unforgiven, won both Best Director and Best Picture Oscars while Al Pacino and Emma Thompson won acting awards for their roles in The scent of a woman and Howard’s End. Overall, 1992 saw the release of some iconic films, which will turn 30 in 2022.
ten A League of Their Own is an iconic sports comedy
September 18, 1992
sports comedy A league apart stars Geena Davis, Madonna and Tom Hanks. The film tells a fictional account of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, which was founded in the United States in the 1940s.
A league apart was directed by acclaimed actress/director Penny Marshall and championed a part of women’s sports history that many fans were unaware of at the time. The film’s popularity continues to this day, as it has been adapted for television several times. Abbi Jacobson’s series of the same name was released on Amazon Prime in August 2022, which was well received for its LGBTQ+ portrayal and wholesome storylines.
9 Reservoir Dogs marked Tarantino’s feature debut
October 9, 1992
Quentin Tarantino is a revered director whose success is undeniable. One of his best and most influential films is the 1992 crime drama Reservoir Dogs, which marked Tarantino’s feature debut as a director.
reservoir dogs features an all-star cast that includes Harvey Keitel, Steve Buscemi and Tarantino as diamond thieves trying to rob a jewelry store. reservoir dogs achieved great success as a low-budget independent film and was propelled to even greater heights following the success of Tarantino’s other projects.
8 Aladdin is a fan-favorite Disney classic
November 11, 1992
The 1992 Disney animated film Aladdin is enjoyed by audiences of all ages and has found life in many other mediums. The film tells the story of a young man named Aladdin who falls in love with Princess Jasmine. With the help of three wishes from a genie, voiced by comic legend Robin Williams, Aladdin attempts to become worthy of Jasmine’s hand in marriage.
Both Aladdin and the film’s soundtrack have become iconic, with the superb “A Whole New World”winning the Oscar for Best Original Song. The film has since found long life as a Broadway musical and was adapted into a live-action film in 2019.
seven A few good men have a brilliant set
December 9, 1992
Led by an incredible cast including Tom Cruise, Demi Moore and Jack Nicholson, some good men is a legal drama that follows the legal troubles of two US Marines accused of murdering another Marine. The film shows the stories of the Marines and the efforts of their lawyers to defend them.
some good men boasts a brilliant script from legendary screenwriter Aaron Sorkin. The film received accolades and praise for the cast’s performances, Rob Reiner’s direction, and Sorkin’s dialogue, earning four Academy Award nominations.
6 Batman Returns Continued Tim Burton’s Relationship With Bruce Wayne
July 10, 2022
Tim Burton and Joel Schumacher Batman The film series, released between 1989 and 1997, divided audiences for decades, especially the last two films in the series. However, Burton Batman and Return of Batman are generally well received by the public.
1992 Return of Batman brought Michael Keaton’s Bruce Wayne back to the big screen and also featured incredibly memorable performances from Michele Pfeiffer as Selina Kyle/Catwoman and Danny DeVito as Penguin. The film was incredibly divisive upon release, but has since achieved a cult following.
5 Candyman is a cult horror classic
October 16, 1992
candy man may have returned to fan screens in 2021 with Nia DaCosta’s sequel, but the terrifying original horror flick was released thirty years ago. 1992 candy man follows graduate student Helen Lyle as she writes a thesis on urban legends and folklore. His thesis research led him to discover the legend of the Candyman.
The Candyman is the ghost of an African-American entertainer who was murdered because of his relationship with a wealthy white woman. The film spawned sequels in the late 90s, but many recognize the first film as the best of the series. The film’s passionate fanbase has dubbed candy man a horror classic.
4 The Bodyguard has an iconic soundtrack
December 26, 1992
With Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston, The bodyguard is a beloved romantic thriller. The film follows a former Secret Service agent who begins working as a bodyguard for a famous actor and singer when she is endangered by an unknown stalker.
The bodyguard became one of the highest-grossing films upon its release, and the film’s soundtrack became the best-selling soundtrack album of all time. The bodyguard remains fondly remembered by fans, even though it received mixed reviews upon its release. The bodyguard has since been adapted into a hit musical that opened in 2012.
3 Whoopi Goldberg shines in Sister Act
November 20, 1992
The 1992 comedy sister act stars Whoopi Goldberg and tells the story of a singer who is forced to join a convent when placed in witness protection. Goldberg plays Deloris Wilson who saw her boyfriend execute a police officer and is sent to a parish in San Francisco.
sister act was a commercial success and received positive reviews from fans and critics. That popularity led to a sequel in 1993, a musical adaptation that was first staged in 2006, and a third film that may be released on Disney+ in the future.
2 Newsies is a true story with a twist
April 10, 1992
Before News was a popular Broadway musical, it was the 1992 Disney musical film that starred a young Christian Bale as Jack Kelly. The film also marked the directorial debut of Kenny Ortega, who has become something of a Disney icon.
News is based on the real-life newsboys’ strike in New York City in 1899, which was the result of the exploitation and overwork of the city’s young newsboys. Despite a terrific cast and crew behind the project, News was initially a box office flop and received mixed reviews. However, the 1992 film has since achieved cult following and success thanks to its stage musical adaptation.
1 The Muppet Christmas Carol is a holiday staple
December 11, 1992
The Muppets have quite a legacy when it comes to children’s entertainment. Created by Jim Henson in 1955, The Muppets have been a staple of family movies and television for seventy years, with one of their most beloved films being The Muppets Christmas Carol.
Adapted from the 1843 short story by Charles Dickens, The Puppet Christmas Carol takes the classic tale and includes the signature Muppet family tone. Michael Caine gives a brilliant performance as Ebenezer Scrooge and The Muppets round out the rest of the cast brilliantly. For many family homes, the 1992 film has become a holiday staple.
