Entertainment

1.7k voters

The Best Movies of 1994

Originally by Ranker Community

Updated September 4, 2020 17.4k votes 1.7k voters 34.7k views132 items

List RulesOnly movies released in theaters in 1994.

A list of the best movies of 1994, from instant classics like Pulp Fiction to hilarious PG-13 Comedies like Dumb and Dumber. The '90s were a decade where Hollywood thrived. In were new stars and big blockbusters and 1994 was no exception. Some 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 after they were first released. You shouldn't be too surprised by the movies listed on this list of the top films of 1994.

Photo:

...more

1
747
273
Forrest Gump
Tom Hanks, Sally Field
Released: 1994
Directed by: Robert Zemeckis
Forrest Gump is a 1994 American epic romantic-comedy-drama film based on the 1986 novel of the... more
More Forrest Gump
The ‘Forrest Gump’ Book Is Weirder And More Offensive Than The Movie#27 of 1,189 Every Oscar Winning Film Ever
2
457
280
The Lion King
Whoopi Goldberg, Jeremy Irons
Released: 1994
Directed by: Rob Minkoff, Roger Allers
The Lion King is a 1994 American animated musical epic film produced by Walt Disney Feature... more
More The Lion King
'The Lion King' Fan Theories That Just Might Be True#9 of 50 The 50 Highest Grossing '90s Movies, Ranked
3
602
383
The Shawshank Redemption
Morgan Freeman, Rita Hayworth
Released: 1994
Directed by: Frank Darabont
The Shawshank Redemption is a 1994 American drama film written and directed by Frank Darabont... more
More The Shawshank Redemption
Behind The Scenes Of 'The Shawshank Redemption,' And The Making Of An Unlikely Classic#38 of 549 The Greatest Epic Movies Ever Made
4
557
367
Pulp Fiction
John Travolta, Bruce Willis
Released: 1994
Directed by: Quentin Tarantino
Pulp Fiction is a 1994 American crime film directed by Quentin Tarantino. The lives of two mob... more
More Pulp Fiction
Genius Fan Theories About What's In The Briefcase In 'Pulp Fiction'#1 of 26 The Best F-Bombs In Movie History
5
219
134
True Lies
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Eliza Dushku
Released: 1994
Directed by: James Cameron
True Lies is a 1994 American action-comedy film written and directed by James Cameron, and... more
More True Lies
#32 of 112 Movies That Need Sequels#25 of 89 The Greatest Movies About CIA Agents & Operatives
6
274
186
Dumb and Dumber
Jim Carrey, Jeff Daniels
Released: 1994
Directed by: Peter Farrelly, Bobby Farrelly
Dumb and Dumber is a 1994 American road buddy comedy film starring Jim Carrey and Jeff... more
More Dumb and Dumber
'Dumb And Dumber' Is Far Darker And Creepier Than You Remember#103 of 155 The Greatest Movie Quotes of All Time
7
243
160
Speed
Sandra Bullock, Keanu Reeves
Released: 1994
Directed by: Jan de Bont
Speed is a 1994 American action film directed by Jan de Bont in his feature film directorial... more
More Speed
Behind-The-Scenes Stories From The Making Of 'Speed'#86 of 246 The Best Rainy Day Movies
8
289
185
Léon: The Professional
Natalie Portman, Gary Oldman
Released: 1994
Directed by: Luc Besson
Léon: The Professional is a 1994 English-language French action thriller film written and... more
More Léon: The Professional
Did You Ever Stop And Think About How Messed Up 'Léon: The Professional' Was?#83 of 450 The Best Movies For Guys
9
233
156
The Mask
Cameron Diaz, Jim Carrey
Released: 1994
Directed by: Chuck Russell
The Mask is a 1994 American fantasy slapstick action comedy film based on a series of comic... more
More The Mask
'The Mask' May Be A Little Messed Up, But It's Not Nearly As Twisted As The Comic It's Based On#16 of 24 Movies You Loved As A Child That Just Don't Hold Up
10
231
142
Ace Ventura: Pet Detective
Jim Carrey, Courteney Cox
Released: 1994
Directed by: Tom Shadyac
Ace Ventura: Pet Detective is a 1994 American comedy detective film directed by Tom Shadyac,... more
More Ace Ventura: Pet Detective
#2 of 252 The Funniest '90s Movies#150 of 204 The Best Sports Movies Ever Made
11
135
89
Stargate
Kurt Russell, James Spader
Released: 1994
Directed by: Roland Emmerich
Stargate is a 1994 French-American adventure science fiction film released through... more
More Stargate
#19 of 167 The Best Science Fiction Action Movies#14 of 186 The Best Alien Movies Ever Made
12
173
122
Natural Born Killers
Robert Downey Jr., Ashley Judd
Released: 1994
Directed by: Oliver Stone
Natural Born Killers is a 1994 American film directed by Oliver Stone starring Woody... more
More Natural Born Killers
Things ‘Natural Born Killers’ Had To Cut Just To Get To Theaters#50 of 115 The Best Movies to Watch on Mushrooms
13
202
166
Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles
Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt
Released: 1994
Directed by: Neil Jordan
Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles is a 1994 American romantic horror film... more
More Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles
#74 of 722 The Best Horror Movies Of All Time#93 of 152 Movies That Should Never Be Remade

14
141
75
Maverick
Mel Gibson, Jodie Foster
Released: 1994
Directed by: Richard Donner
Maverick is a 1994 Western comedy film directed by Richard Donner and written by William... more
More Maverick
#37 of 117 The Best Movies Based on TV Shows#3 of 21 21 Movies Based On Live-Action TV Shows Ranked By Their Accuracy
15
189
138
Clerks
Kevin Smith, Jason Mewes
Released: 1994
Directed by: Kevin Smith
Clerks is a 1994 American black-and-white comedy film written and directed by Kevin Smith, who... more
More Clerks
Behind-The-Scenes Stories From The Making Of ‘Clerks’#119 of 224 The Best Black and White Movies Ever Made
16
143
88
Clear and Present Danger
Harrison Ford, Willem Dafoe
Released: 1994
Directed by: Phillip Noyce
Clear and Present Danger is a 1994 spy action thriller film directed by Phillip Noyce, based... more
More Clear and Present Danger
#145 of 230 The Best Psychological Thrillers of All Time#49 of 340 The Best Political Films Ever Made
17
128
81
Heavenly Creatures
Kate Winslet, Peter Jackson
Released: 1994
Directed by: Peter Jackson
Heavenly Creatures is a 1994 New Zealand drama film directed by Peter Jackson, from a... more
More Heavenly Creatures
#260 of 372 'Old' Movies Every Young Person Needs To Watch In Their Lifetime#17 of 36 30+ Great Movies About Juvenile Delinquents
18
210
165
The Crow
Bai Ling, Brandon Lee
Released: 1994
Directed by: Alex Proyas
The Crow is a 1994 American fantasy action film directed by Alex Proyas, written by David J.... more
More The Crow
'The Crow' May Have Been Cursed — And Not Just Because Of Brandon Lee's Death#30 of 177 The Greatest Comic Book Movies Of All Time
19
175
137
Legends of the Fall
Brad Pitt, Anthony Hopkins
Released: 1994
Directed by: Edward Zwick
Legends of the Fall is a 1994 American epic drama film directed by Edward Zwick and starring... more
More Legends of the Fall
#68 of 400 The Best Western Movies Ever Made#222 of 374 The 50+ Best War Movies Ever Made, Ranked
20
128
123
Ed Wood
Johnny Depp, Sarah Jessica Parker
Released: 1994
Directed by: Tim Burton
Ed Wood is a 1994 American period comedy-drama biopic directed and produced by Tim Burton, and... more
More Ed Wood
Forget 'Edward Scissorhands' And 'Batman Returns', 'Ed Wood' Is Tim Burton's Best '90s Film#89 of 275 The Best Movies Based On True Stories
21
162
100
The Santa Clause
Tim Allen, Frank Welker
Released: 1994
Directed by: John Pasquin
The Santa Clause is a 1994 American fantasy family comedy film directed by John Pasquin. It is... more
More The Santa Clause
The 'Santa Clause' Series Is A Holiday Phantasmagoria#3 of 109 The Best Disney Live-Action Movies
22
95
66
The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
Hugo Weaving, Guy Pearce
Released: 1994
Directed by: Stephan Elliott
The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert is a 1994 Australian comedy-drama film... more
More The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
#92 of 192 The Best Movies About Music#7 of 41 The Best Movies Set in Australia
23
106
105
Four Weddings and a Funeral
Hugh Grant, Andie MacDowell
Released: 1994
Directed by: Mike Newell
This film is a 1994 British romantic comedy film directed by Mike Newell. It was the first of... more
More Four Weddings and a Funeral
#114 of 781 The Greatest Chick Flicks Ever Made#45 of 126 The Greatest Date Movies Of All Time

24
80
85
The Last Seduction
Linda Fiorentino, Bill Pullman
Released: 1994
Directed by: John Dahl
The Last Seduction is a 1994 neo-noir thriller film directed by John Dahl, and features Linda... more
More The Last Seduction
#51 of 54 The Best Movies Where the Bad Guy Wins#19 of 59 The Very Best New Noir Movies
25
71
53
Reality Bites
Winona Ryder, Renée Zellweger
Released: 1994
Directed by: Ben Stiller
Reality Bites is a 1994 romantic comedy-drama film written by Helen Childress and directed by... more
More Reality Bites
#197 of 261 The Best Ensemble Movies#383 of 456 The Most Quotable Movies of All Time