The Best Movies Of 1991, Ranked

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Updated June 23, 2023 18.1K votes 1.2K voters 31.6K views
Over 1.2K Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Movies Of 1991, Ranked
Voting Rules
Only movies released in theaters in 1991.

More than 1,100 movie fans have come together to cast their votes for the best of 1991. From classic dramas to blockbuster action adventures, this list offers up a comprehensive ranking of the year's greatest films. It's no surprise that many of these beloved movies remain popular with viewers today, as they capture some truly timeless elements in cinema.

One such film is the Academy Award-winning Silence Of The Lambs, which features a deviously twisted serial killer and an intrepid FBI agent hot on his trail. With one foot planted firmly in horror and another in the psychological thriller genre, this masterpiece continues to resonate with audiences decades after its release.

The Academy also recognized director Ridley Scott for his work on Thelma & Louise, a female buddy road trip movie that still packs an emotional punch today. This iconic adventure story follows two women who embark on a thrilling journey across America while facing off against male oppressors along the way.

For comedy fans, there was City Slickers, starring Billy Crystal as Mitch Robbins - an overworked everyman trying to find meaning amidst adult responsibilities and family pressures. And who can forget Robin Williams' performance in Hook? A whimsical reimagining of Peter Pan told through mature eyes, Hook is full of heartwarming moments that make it just as enjoyable now as it was 30 years ago/ Check out the list below and vote up your favorite movies from 1991.

Most divisive: The Fisher King
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  • Terminator 2: Judgment Day
    1

    Terminator 2: Judgment Day

    Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Edward Furlong
    868 votes
    • Directed by: James Cameron
    Terminator 2: Judgment Day is a gripping sci-fi action thriller. The plot centers on Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) and her son, John (Edward Furlong), who find themselves pursued by an advanced, relentless killing machine, the T-1000 (Robert Patrick). Unexpectedly, their only hope lies with another Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger), reprogrammed to protect them. Directed by James Cameron, this film won multiple awards for its groundbreaking visual effects and sound design. It expertly explores themes of fate, humanity, and technology's potentially destructive power. This sequel surpasses the original in terms of both spectacle and depth, solidifying its place in cinematic history.

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  • The Silence of the Lambs
    2

    The Silence of the Lambs

    Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Scott Glenn
    895 votes
    • Directed by: Jonathan Demme
    The Silence of the Lambs, a gripping thriller, introduces audiences to FBI trainee Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster). She's assigned an unnerving task: to extract information from the infamous and incarcerated cannibalistic serial killer, Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins). The objective? To help apprehend another active serial killer, Buffalo Bill (Ted Levine), before he strikes again. This chilling narrative, directed by Jonathan Demme, won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture. It interweaves suspense, crime solving and psychological manipulation, creating a film that is as thought-provoking as it is horrifying.

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  • Beauty and the Beast
    3

    Beauty and the Beast

    Paige O'Hara, Robby Benson, Richard White
    582 votes
    • Directed by: Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise
    Belle (Paige O'Hara) is a bright young woman held captive in an enchanted castle by a prince transformed into a monstrous Beast (Robby Benson). With the help of the castle's magical staff, she begins to see the kind heart within the Beast. To break the curse and turn him back into a man, the Beast must learn to love and be loved before a magical rose's last petal falls.

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  • Point Break
    4

    Point Break

    Patrick Swayze, Keanu Reeves, Gary Busey
    590 votes
    • Directed by: Kathryn Bigelow
    In Point Break, adrenaline-charged action meets the thrilling world of crime. Johnny Utah (Keanu Reeves), a young FBI agent, infiltrates a cunning team of thrill-seeking elite athletes led by the charismatic Bodhi (Patrick Swayze). The athletes are suspected of carrying out unprecedented corporate heists under the veil of extreme sports. As Utah ventures deeper into Bodhi's lifestyle, his own loyalties are tested. This electrifying blend of action and crime, directed by Kathryn Bigelow, keeps viewers on the edge with its stunning stunts and high-stakes drama.

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  • Backdraft
    5

    Backdraft

    Robert De Niro, Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh
    422 votes
    • Directed by: Ron Howard
    In the scorching heat of Backdraft, two brothers, Stephen (Kurt Russell) and Brian McCaffrey (William Baldwin), navigate the high-stakes world of Chicago firefighting. Raised in the firehouse shadows of their late father, a heroic firefighter who died in action, they now serve in the same department. Stephen is a seasoned veteran while Brian is a rookie with something to prove. When a series of lethal fires hint at arson, shadowy investigator Donald Rimgale (Robert De Niro) steps in. The line between loyalty and truth blurs as they grapple with dangerous flames and unravel the mystery. The film won an Academy Award for Best Sound Editing, underscoring its compelling narrative with powerful audio-visual mastery.

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  • Cape Fear
    6

    Cape Fear

    Robert De Niro, Nick Nolte, Jessica Lange
    498 votes
    • Directed by: Martin Scorsese
    In the gripping tale of Cape Fear, ex-convict Max Cady (Robert De Niro) emerges from the shadows to torment the Bowden family. Sam Bowden (Nick Nolte), a lawyer, once ensured that Cady went behind bars for a heinous crime. Now, Cady seeks revenge in this relentless pursuit of terror. Juliette Lewis stars as Danielle Bowden, Sam's teenage daughter, who becomes an unwitting pawn in Cady's game. This psychological thriller, directed by Martin Scorsese, won Robert De Niro an Academy Award nomination for his chilling performance. Unforgiving and relentless, Cape Fear is a masterclass in suspense and fear.

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