Welcome to the best movies of 1999, ranked by Tomatometer!
1999 has a reputation for arguably the best year for movies of the ’90s, a strong feat considering its direct competitor is the dream team that was 1994’s cinematic batch. But for every Lion King, Pulp Fiction, Clerks, and Shawshank, 1999’s got an answer. Toy Story 2. Fight Club. Office Space. The Green Mile.
1999 was like a culmination of what had thrived during the decade, like the American independent cinema (literally the hilarious doc called American Movie), the adventure blockbuster (The Mummy), animation both computerized and traditional (Toy Story 2, The Iron Giant), increased international appetite (All About My Mother, Run Lola Run), and the entire Hollywood class of mid-budget adult thrillers, like The Thomas Crown Affair, The Talented Mr. Ripley, Arlington Road, Double Jeopardy…that list goes on.
One running theme of 1999 can be found concentrated in Being John Malkovich, American Beauty, Office Space, and Fight Club. An exploration of modern malaise and boredom, albeit from a specific middle-class vantage.
The introduction of the internet and screeching modems to homes across America fostered new, expanded, and sometimes clashing realities, put on screen with eXistenz, The Thirteenth Floor, and The Matrix.
Classic high school movies were also a 1999 forte, with American Pie, Election, 10 Things I Hate About You, SLC Punk, Never Been Kissed, Varsity Blues, Cruel Intentions, and But I’m a Cheerleader.
Comedies of all stripes thrived, from the romantic (Notting Hill), the controversial (Dogma, South Park: The Movie), black-lensed (The Wood, Life, The Best Man), and broad mainstream (Big Daddy, Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, Analyze This).
The horror genre languished in the ’90s, but in its twilight we got the Sixth Sense/Blair Witch/Sleepy Hollow hat trick.
Continue on for our guide the best movies of 1999. It starts with every Certified Fresh film of the year. Those are followed by Fresh movies, and then Rotten movies with positive Audience Scores.
#1
Adjusted Score: 108642%
Critics Consensus: The rare sequel that arguably improves on its predecessor, Toy Story 2 uses inventive storytelling, gorgeous animation, and a talented cast to deliver another rich moviegoing experience for all ages.
#2
Adjusted Score: 102356%
Critics Consensus: Almodovar weaves together a magnificent tapestry of femininity with an affectionate wink to classics of theater and cinema in this poignant story of love, loss and compassion.
#3
Adjusted Score: 99665%
Critics Consensus: The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg is an affectionate, often very funny portrait of a baseball pioneer.
#4
Adjusted Score: 103063%
Critics Consensus: The endearing Iron Giant tackles ambitious topics and complex human relationships with a steady hand and beautifully animated direction from Brad Bird.
#5
Adjusted Score: 102781%
Critics Consensus: Intelligent, compelling, and packed with strong performances, The Insider is a potent corporate thriller.
#6
Adjusted Score: 97650%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#7
Adjusted Score: 100612%
Critics Consensus: Smart, funny, and highly original, Being John Malkovich supports its wild premise with skillful direction and a stellar ensemble cast.
#8
Adjusted Score: 100443%
Critics Consensus: Three Kings successfully blends elements of action, drama, and comedy into a thoughtful, exciting movie on the Gulf War.
#9
Adjusted Score: 99146%
Critics Consensus: With strong performances and director David Lynch at the helm, The Straight Story steers past sentimental byways on its ambling journey across the American heartland.
#10
Adjusted Score: 95763%
Critics Consensus: Well worth watching for film buffs and anyone who believes in following your dreams, American Movie is a warm, funny, and engrossing ode to creative passion.
#11
Adjusted Score: 97867%
Critics Consensus: More fun than a barrel of Jean-Paul Sartre, pic’s energy riffs on an engaging love story and really human performances while offering a series of what-ifs and a blood-stirring soundtrack.
#12
Adjusted Score: 97541%
Critics Consensus: Election successfully combines dark humor and intelligent writing in this very witty and enjoyable film.
#13
Adjusted Score: 95905%
Critics Consensus: Crafted with eccentric moodiness and style by Steven Soderbergh, The Limey is also a gritty neo-noir showcase for the talent of leading man Terence Stamp.
#14
Adjusted Score: 93706%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#15
Adjusted Score: 94285%
Critics Consensus: With its sharp dialogue and raucous visuals, Go entertains at an exhilarating pace.
#16
Adjusted Score: 94172%
Critics Consensus: Rich in sweet sincerity, intelligence, and good old-fashioned inspirational drama, October Sky is a coming-of-age story with a heart to match its Hollywood craftsmanship.
#17
Adjusted Score: 96330%
Critics Consensus: Intelligent and humorous satire with an excellent cast — no previous Trekkie knowledge needed to enjoy this one.
#18
Adjusted Score: 93736%
Critics Consensus: Harrowing yet stirring, Boys Don’t Cry powerfully commemorates the life — and brutally unjust death — of transgender teen Brandon Teena.
#19
Adjusted Score: 91763%
Critics Consensus: A gripping examination of sexual taboos, set against the backdrop of Nazi Germany, bolstered by a subtly shaded script and a strong cast.
#20
Adjusted Score: 93977%
Critics Consensus: Disney’s Tarzan takes the well-known story to a new level with spirited animation, a brisk pace, and some thrilling action set-pieces..
#21
Adjusted Score: 89368%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#22
Adjusted Score: 89312%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#23
Adjusted Score: 96826%
Critics Consensus: Flawlessly cast and brimming with dark, acid wit, American Beauty is a smart, provocative high point of late ’90s mainstream Hollywood film.
#24
Adjusted Score: 94642%
Critics Consensus: Full of creepy campfire scares, mock-doc The Blair Witch Project keeps audiences in the dark about its titular villain, proving once more that imagination can be as scary as anything onscreen.
#25
Adjusted Score: 94134%
Critics Consensus: M Night Shayamalan’s The Sixth Sense is a twisty ghost story with all the style of a classical Hollywood picture, but all the chills of a modern horror flick.
#26
Adjusted Score: 88270%
Critics Consensus: Robert Altman’s gift for diffuse storytelling is employed to breezily enjoyable effect in Cookie’s Fortune, a mirthful caper that layers on a generous helping of Southern charm.
#27
Adjusted Score: 87763%
Critics Consensus: A moving film with moments of humor, Liberty Heights succeeds in capturing the feel of the ’50s with great performances and sensitive direction.
#28
Adjusted Score: 88537%
Critics Consensus: Beau Travail finds director Claire Denis drawing on classic literature to construct a modern tragedy fueled by timeless desires.
#29
Adjusted Score: 91894%
Critics Consensus: With Matt Damon’s unsettling performance offering a darkly twisted counterpoint to Anthony Minghella’s glossy direction, The Talented Mr. Ripley is a suspense thriller that lingers.
#30
Adjusted Score: 88977%
Critics Consensus: A rom-com with the right ingredients, Notting Hill proves there’s nothing like a love story well told — especially when Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts are your leads.
#31
Adjusted Score: 88864%
Critics Consensus: An innovative blend of samurai and gangster lifestyles.
#32
Adjusted Score: 85889%
Critics Consensus: Gloomy Sunday is beautiful, well-acted, and every bit as downcast as its title.
#33
Adjusted Score: 93672%
Critics Consensus: Thanks to the Wachowskis’ imaginative vision, The Matrix is a smartly crafted combination of spectacular action and groundbreaking special effects.
#34
Adjusted Score: 86681%
Critics Consensus: An audacious, unsettling Japanese horror film from director Takashi Miike, Audition entertains as both a grisly shocker and a psychological drama.
#35
Adjusted Score: 84834%
Critics Consensus: Strong performances add authenticity and depth.
#36
Adjusted Score: 86315%
Critics Consensus: A witty commentary on modern film-making, with enough jokes to keep it entertaining throughout.
#37
Adjusted Score: 85808%
Critics Consensus: Mike Judge lampoons the office grind with its inspired mix of sharp dialogue and witty one-liners.
#38
Adjusted Score: 85202%
Critics Consensus: The Virgin Suicides drifts with a dreamlike melancholy that may strike some audiences as tedious, but Sofia Coppola’s feature debut is a mature meditation on disaffected youth.
#39
Adjusted Score: 84356%
Critics Consensus: Its jokes are profoundly bold and rude but incredibly funny at the same time.
#40
Adjusted Score: 89431%
Critics Consensus: Solid acting, amazing direction, and elaborate production design make Fight Club a wild ride.
#41
Adjusted Score: 85668%
Critics Consensus: Though The Green Mile is long, critics say it’s an absorbing, emotionally powerful experience.
#42
Adjusted Score: 80932%
Critics Consensus: Slight yet ultimately absorbing, Jesus’ Son makes effective use of its period setting and talented ensemble cast.
#43
Adjusted Score: 81244%
Critics Consensus: An authentic portrayal of homosexuality in high school, Get Real is an engaging dramedy that doesn’t sermonize its audience nor trivialize its characters.
#44
Adjusted Score: 81116%
Critics Consensus: Solid performances, bold direction.
#45
Adjusted Score: 79594%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#46
Adjusted Score: 79439%
Critics Consensus: Critics praise Woody Allen’s Sweet and Lowdown for its charming, light-hearted comedy and quality acting.
#47
Adjusted Score: 78481%
Critics Consensus: This fun and moral tale entertains both first-time Seasame Street watchers and seasoned veterans.
#48
Adjusted Score: 82965%
Critics Consensus: Kubrick’s intense study of the human psyche yields an impressive cinematic work.
#49
Adjusted Score: 78382%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#50
Adjusted Score: 78342%
Critics Consensus: Gooey, slimy, grotesque fun.
#51
Adjusted Score: 78371%
Critics Consensus: Stunning and compelling, Scorsese and Cage succeed at satisfying the audience.
#52
Adjusted Score: 98086%
Critics Consensus: Smart and engaging, The Winslow Boy finds David Mamet bringing his talents to bear on period drama, with easily commendable results.
#53
Adjusted Score: 97804%
Critics Consensus: The Wind Will Carry Us slowly casts its transporting spell as writer-director Abbas Kiarostami explores ineffable themes with patience and grace.
#54
Adjusted Score: 96409%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#55
Adjusted Score: 90128%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#56
Adjusted Score: 87692%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#57
Adjusted Score: 87086%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#58
Adjusted Score: 87485%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#59
Adjusted Score: 84804%
Critics Consensus: With the well-acted The War Zone, debuting director Tim Roth finds moments of beauty in a tale of stark horror — and marks himself as a talent to watch behind the camera.
#60
Adjusted Score: 84305%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#61
Adjusted Score: 83657%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#62
Adjusted Score: 82030%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#63
Adjusted Score: 80410%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#64
Adjusted Score: 79353%
Critics Consensus: By portraying its love story as nothing less than conventional, Trick avoids genre tropes to create a simple, effective romance.
#65
Adjusted Score: 78804%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#66
Adjusted Score: 78523%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#67
Adjusted Score: 77748%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#68
Adjusted Score: 76185%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#69
Adjusted Score: 76665%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#70
Adjusted Score: 75899%
Critics Consensus: A symphony of storytelling whose lulls lead to satisfying crescendos, The Red Violin weaves a centuries-long saga with the journey of a single instrument.
#71
Adjusted Score: 74916%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
Directed By:
#72
Adjusted Score: 74086%
Critics Consensus: An impressive showcase for Diane Lane and an assured debut from director Tony Goldwyn, A Walk on the Moon finds absorbing period drama within a family at a crossroads.
#73
Adjusted Score: 73467%
Critics Consensus: Though a challenging watch, Tuvalu is visually striking and intriguingly quirky.
#74
Adjusted Score: 75003%
Critics Consensus: With a strong cast and a host of well-defined characters, The Best Man is an intelligent, funny romantic comedy that marks an impressive debut for writer/director Malcolm D. Lee.
#75
Adjusted Score: 73199%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#76
Adjusted Score: 72636%
Critics Consensus: Time Regained‘s unorthodox approach to adapting its classic source material is flawed, but the end result remains a curiously compelling drama.
#77
Adjusted Score: 76259%
Critics Consensus: The Cider House Rules derives affecting drama from wonderful performances, lovely visuals, and an old-fashioned feel.
#78
Adjusted Score: 75300%
Critics Consensus: Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger add strong performances to an unexpectedly clever script, elevating 10 Things (slightly) above typical teen fare.
#79
Adjusted Score: 71185%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#80
Adjusted Score: 76274%
Critics Consensus: It isn’t Tim Burton’s best work, but Sleepy Hollow entertains with its stunning visuals and creepy atmosphere.
#81
Adjusted Score: 70522%
Critics Consensus: Solomon & Gaenor‘s tale of star-crossed lovers is admittedly familiar, but the chemistry between its well-chosen leads is enough to break hearts all over again.
#82
Adjusted Score: 73977%
Critics Consensus: Analyze This is a satisfying comedy with great performances by De Niro and Crystal.
#83
Adjusted Score: 73751%
Critics Consensus: Sleek, stylish, and painlessly diverting, The Thomas Crown Affair is a remake of uncommon charm.
#84
Adjusted Score: 72342%
Critics Consensus: The movie stretches too long to be entertaining despite a strong cast.
#85
Adjusted Score: 74330%
Critics Consensus: Provocative and audacious, Dogma is an uneven but thoughtful religious satire that’s both respectful and irreverent.
#86
Adjusted Score: 73089%
Critics Consensus: Kevin Bacon’s acting is so genuine that it’s creepy and director David Keopp knows how to create true suspense.
#87
Adjusted Score: 68579%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#88
Adjusted Score: 68410%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#89
Adjusted Score: 68518%
Critics Consensus: Tango makes a few false moves, but this dance-driven fantasy steps just the right side of the line between stultifying and seductive.
#90
Adjusted Score: 70454%
Critics Consensus: Faultless production and shining performances display the Bard’s talent propitiously.
#91
Adjusted Score: 69721%
Critics Consensus: Neil Jordan has good direction with solid performances from Ralph Fiennes and Julianne Moore.
#92
Adjusted Score: 68172%
Critics Consensus: Witty and provocative.
#93
Adjusted Score: 66255%
Critics Consensus: Tea with Mussolini contains few surprises, but this amiably ambling drama is too likable — and well-cast — to completely resist.
#94
Adjusted Score: 65748%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#95
Adjusted Score: 69879%
Critics Consensus: Jim Carrey is eerily dead-on in his portrayal of Andy Kaufman, which helps to elevate Man on the Moon above the script’s formulaic biopic cliches.
#96
Adjusted Score: 68131%
Critics Consensus: Meryl Streep’s depiction of an ordinary person doing extraordinary things transcends, inspires, and entertains.
#97
Adjusted Score: 67187%
Critics Consensus: A suspenseful thriller led by strong cast performances built around a somewhat implausible story.
#98
Adjusted Score: 66003%
Critics Consensus: A film that tackles something as simple as everyday life and succeeds beatifully. The witty script and clever direction keep the film flowing, while the superb acting keeps it alive. It doesn’t aim for the sky and for that reason it hits its mark.
#99
Adjusted Score: 63692%
Critics Consensus: This debut film of Ben Hopkins’ effectively evokes an atmosphere of magic and mysticism.
#100
Adjusted Score: 62917%
Critics Consensus: Merging anarchic spirit with straightforward melodrama, SLC Punk is a hit-and-miss odyssey of youthful rebellion elevated by Matthew Lillard’s dramatically potent star turn.
#101
Adjusted Score: 62184%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#102
Adjusted Score: 67274%
Critics Consensus: So embarrassing it’s believable, American Pie succeeds in bringing back the teen movie genre.
#103
Adjusted Score: 66864%
Critics Consensus: It’s difficult to make a persuasive argument for The Mummy as any kind of meaningful cinematic achievement, but it’s undeniably fun to watch.
#104
Adjusted Score: 63214%
Critics Consensus: A charming piece of work with believable characters.
#105
Adjusted Score: 62658%
Critics Consensus: It’s overly talky, but Playing By Heart benefits from witty insights into modern relationships and strong performances from an esteemed cast.
#106
Adjusted Score: 61680%
Critics Consensus: Memorable moments are few and far between.
#107
Adjusted Score: 59398%
Critics Consensus: Sadistic violence and rote humor saddle a predictable action premise.
#108
Adjusted Score: 59187%
Critics Consensus: Drew Barrymore’s effervescent charm is almost enough to make you forgive this teen comedy’s incredibly silly storyline.
#109
Adjusted Score: 59597%
Critics Consensus: This darkly comic drama and its attractive young cast are easy on the eyes, but uneven performances and an uninspired script conspire to foil Cruel Intentions.
#110
Adjusted Score: 57131%
Critics Consensus: Provides lots of laughs with Myers at the healm; as funny or funnier than the original.
#111
Adjusted Score: 58161%
Critics Consensus: Sometimes entertaining, but overall Any Given Sunday is a disappointment coming from Oliver Stone.
#112
Adjusted Score: 56638%
Critics Consensus: Beautiful cinematography can’t prevent Anna and the King from being boring and overly lengthy.
#113
Adjusted Score: 55342%
Critics Consensus: Miscasted performers and humor miss the mark.
#114
Adjusted Score: 54270%
Critics Consensus: Entertaining if not over-the-top humor from a solid comic duo provides plenty of laughs.
#115
Adjusted Score: 51368%
Critics Consensus: Silly plot, over-the-top directing style.
#116
Adjusted Score: 50172%
Critics Consensus: It’s dark humor sometimes hits, but mostly misses the target.
#117
Adjusted Score: 47692%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#118
Adjusted Score: 50356%
Critics Consensus: Baseball wins, romance loses.
#119
Adjusted Score: 46466%
Critics Consensus: Some things are Better Than Chocolate, while some are far worse — and this would-be romance fails to deliver a filling morsel.
#120
Adjusted Score: 47270%
Critics Consensus: This is a predictable football movie that lacks intensity.
#121
Adjusted Score: 45240%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#122
Adjusted Score: 47131%
Critics Consensus: Too broad to make any real statements, But I’m a Cheerleader isn’t as sharp as it should be, but a charming cast and surprisingly emotional center may bring enough pep for viewers looking for a light social satire.
#123
Adjusted Score: 43300%
Critics Consensus: Adam Sandler acquits himself admirably, but his charm isn’t enough to make up for Big Daddy‘s jarring shifts between crude humor and mawkish sentimentality.
#124
Adjusted Score: 43187%
Critics Consensus: Though Snow Falling on Cedars is beautiful to look at, critics say the story becomes dull and tedious to sit through.
#125
Adjusted Score: 41214%
Critics Consensus: This shallow police film doesn’t establish any kind of rhythm.
#126
Adjusted Score: 40763%
Critics Consensus: Soon into the student uprising, the story starts to feel like a warmed over after-school special.
#127
Adjusted Score: 40624%
Critics Consensus: The lack of hockey action and authenticity left critics cold.
#128
Adjusted Score: 38891%
Critics Consensus: Martin Lawrence lends his comedic touch, but the movie isn’t much more than standard action-comedy fare.
#129
Adjusted Score: 37075%
Critics Consensus: Atmospheric, great sets and costumes, but thin plot.
#130
Adjusted Score: 33143%
Critics Consensus: Handsome-looking but dramatically inert, Message in a Bottle maroons a formidable cast in a trite romance that lacks spark.
#131
Adjusted Score: 32030%
Critics Consensus: Lacks credibility and tension.
#132
Adjusted Score: 32060%
Critics Consensus: Any real story is buried by awkward performances and contrived situations.
#133
Adjusted Score: 30763%
Critics Consensus: Made-for-tv drama evokes anything but real emotion.
#134
Adjusted Score: 30143%
Critics Consensus: Director Harmony Korine takes a big stylistic swing that will miss with most audiences, producing an unfocused and mean-spirited art film with a bitter aftertaste.
#135
Adjusted Score: 33018%
Critics Consensus: A talented cast is wasted on a bland attempt at a suspenseful, serial killer flick.
#136
Adjusted Score: 31905%
Critics Consensus: A talented cast fails to save this unremarkable thriller.
#137
Adjusted Score: 30609%
Critics Consensus: Bad script and confusing plot undermine the movie’s impressive visuals.
#138
Adjusted Score: 28665%
Critics Consensus: A convoluted and predictable plot overshadows the performances.
#139
Adjusted Score: 26748%
Critics Consensus: A juvenile, ugly movie that represents the worst tendencies of directors channeling Tarantino.
#140
Adjusted Score: 24635%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#141
Adjusted Score: 24410%
Critics Consensus: Bleak tale, terrible acting.
#142
Adjusted Score: 26244%
Critics Consensus: The story is unconvincing and the acting is weak.
#143
Adjusted Score: 20650%
Critics Consensus: This one-dimensional comedy with recycled laughs will have you holding your nose.
#144
Adjusted Score: 18579%
Critics Consensus: Trippin’ struggles to balance its raunchy teen comedy elements against an unfortunate tendency toward preachy moralizing.
#145
Adjusted Score: 21281%
Critics Consensus: Audiences other than children will find very little to entertain them.