The Best Movies of 1992

Ranker Community
Updated September 21, 2023 17.2K votes 1.0K voters 41.7K views
Over 1.0K Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Movies of 1992
Voting Rules
Only movies released in theaters in 1992.

A list of the best movies of 1992, from children's movies like Aladdin to action movies like Under Siege. The '90s were a decade where Hollywood thrived with new stars and big blockbusters and the most that came out in 1992 were no exception. Some of the best movies of this year are some of the best teen, coming of age, adventure, comedies, and dramas in history. The films on here are very memorable and had audiences on the edges of their seats, and still pack a punch so many years aft they were first released. You shouldn't be too surprised by the movies listed on here.

As stated before, some of the best comedy movies of the decade were released in 1992. Who could forget Wayne's World with Mike Myers and Dana Carvey, Sister Act with Whoopi Goldberg, and of course, A League Of Their Own starring Tom Hanks and Rosie O'Donnell. And let's not forget about the hilarious White Men Can't Jump with Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson.

The best movies made in 1992 featured some of the biggest stars in the movie business. Whether it was the aforementioned stars continuing their success or the breakout performances featured in Reservoir Dogs, or established stars like Michael Keaton, Danny DeVito, and Michelle Pfeiffer in Batman Returns and Al Pacino in Scent of a Woman.

Some of the best movies of all time were released in 1992. This is the ultimate list of the best and most popular movies of 1992, which shouldn't feature the best movies of 1991. Vote and re-rank this list according to how you think the best movies of that year should be reflected.

Most divisive: Alien 3
Ranked by
  • Aladdin
    1

    Aladdin

    Scott Weinger, Robin Williams, Linda Larkin
    567 votes
    • Directed by: Ron Clements, John Musker
    Aladdin, a 1992 animated feature film, is a magical adventure packed with wit and warmth. Aladdin (voiced by Scott Weinger), a street-smart commoner, dreams of a life beyond the confines of his desert town. Enter Princess Jasmine (Linda Larkin), who yearns for freedom from her royal obligations. The narrative escalates when Aladdin stumbles upon a magic lamp housing an all-powerful Genie (Robin Williams). As Aladdin navigates palace intrigue, love, and his own self-doubt, he must use this newfound power wisely. This Disney classic won two Academy Awards for its memorable music.

    Available On:

    subscription

  • My Cousin Vinny
    2

    My Cousin Vinny

    Joe Pesci, Marisa Tomei, Ralph Macchio
    548 votes
    • Directed by: Jonathan Lynn
    My Cousin Vinny is a comedic courtroom drama, centering around two New Yorkers wrongfully accused of murder in Alabama. Bill Gambini (Ralph Macchio) and Stan Rothenstein (Mitchell Whitfield) are saved by the inexperienced but determined Vincent LaGuardia 'Vinny' Gambini (Joe Pesci). Vinny, a recently minted lawyer with an abrasive personality, struggles to navigate the Southern legal system alongside his fiery fiancée Mona Lisa Vito (Marisa Tomei), who won an Academy Award for her performance. The film skillfully blends humor and tension as it explores themes of culture clash and underdogs in law.

    Available On:

    subscription

  • Batman Returns
    3

    Batman Returns

    Michael Keaton, Danny DeVito, Michelle Pfeiffer
    592 votes
    • Directed by: Tim Burton
    In the 1992 classic Batman Returns, Gotham City is once again under threat, this time from a trifecta of villains. Batman (Michael Keaton) must face off against the sinister Penguin (Danny DeVito), a grotesque man-bird hybrid who emerges from the city's sewers with a vengeful agenda. Simultaneously, he battles the enigmatic Catwoman (Michelle Pfeiffer), a former secretary turned feline vigilante after a near-death experience. This Tim Burton-directed sequel weaves a darker web than its predecessor, offering an intricate narrative that explores themes of identity and duality. Until today, it remains a noteworthy entry in the iconic superhero franchise.

    Available On:

    subscription

  • Unforgiven
    4

    Unforgiven

    Clint Eastwood, Gene Hackman, Morgan Freeman
    621 votes
    • Directed by: Clint Eastwood
    Unforgiven, a multi-Oscar winning Western drama, showcases the final days of aging outlaw William Munny (Clint Eastwood). Once a notorious killer and robber, Munny is now a widowed pig farmer, living quietly with his two children. Persuaded by young gunslinger The Schofield Kid (Jaimz Woolvett) to claim a bounty on two cowboys who disfigured a prostitute, he teams up with his old partner Ned Logan (Morgan Freeman). As they embark on their mission, Munny grapples with the violence of his past and the harsh realities of frontier justice. This film explores themes of morality, redemption, and the brutal nature of violence.

    Available On:

    free

  • Reservoir Dogs
    5

    Reservoir Dogs

    Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen
    688 votes
    • Directed by: Quentin Tarantino
    In the gritty world of Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs, a group of seasoned criminals, including Mr. White (Harvey Keitel) and Mr. Pink (Steve Buscemi), find themselves embroiled in a high-stakes diamond heist gone awry. Directed with Tarantino's signature blend of dark humor and visceral violence, the movie unfolds primarily in a warehouse, where the men grapple with trust issues and the looming threat of police capture. The film weaves a complex narrative web through flashbacks, revealing more about each character's backstory while keeping audiences on edge. A critical success, it helped establish Tarantino as a force to be reckoned with in cinema.

    Available On:

    subscription

    free

  • The Last of the Mohicans
    6

    The Last of the Mohicans

    Daniel Day-Lewis, Madeleine Stowe, Russell Means
    563 votes
    • Directed by: Michael Mann
    In the stirring historical drama, The Last of the Mohicans, protagonist Hawkeye (Daniel Day-Lewis) navigates the perilous landscape of 1757 colonial America. Amidst the chaos of the French and Indian War, he embarks on a mission to rescue two daughters of a British colonel. The film intricately weaves an entrancing tale of love, honor, and survival against a backdrop of all-consuming war. Directed by Michael Mann, it received an Academy Award for Best Sound. Its poignant narrative and striking cinematography make it a cinematic masterpiece that immerses viewers in a tumultuous era long past.