The 1990s gave us some of the most iconic films ever made. As a decade, it's up there with the '70s for producing some of the finest movies of all time. But which ones truly stand out from the crowd ? Using IMDb ratings - which are calculated from millions of user reviews and weighted by IMDb’s secret algorithm - we’ve picked out the top 20. From ground-breaking sci-fi and serial killer chillers to unforgettable war dramas and gangster flicks, these films have stood the test of time so far. We’ll also tell you exactly where you can stream, rent or buy them today. Ready for a nostalgia trip? Okay, put your Tamagotchi down and enjoy… (Picture: Getty Images)

20. Braveheart (1995)

Mel Gibson may have taken one or two liberties with historical facts when he made his epic film about William Wallace, but that doesn't stop Braveheart being a killer piece of cinema. American film buffs can watch Gibson and Wallace's bid for 'Freeeedom!' for free on Hoopla or Pluto TV or via subscription to AppleTV or Paramount+. Failing that, it can be rented via any number of streaming services. UK viewers with a Disney+ sub can catch it there or rent it on Apple, Amazon Prime Video or Sky Store (Picture: THA/REX/Shutterstock)

19. Good Will Hunting (1997)

If you live in the US and you 'like dem apples', you can enjoy Gus van Sant's excellent take on Matt Damon and Ben Affleck's Oscar-winning script with a Hulu subscription. Or rent it via Apple, Amazon, Fandango or Spectrum. In Britain, it's available to anyone with Apple or Paramount+. If you can wait until March 17, you can watch it for free, provided you already pay for Amazon Prime Video (Picture: Miramax/Everett/REX/Shutterstock)

18. American Beauty (1999)

It might not be the done thing to cast Kevin Spacey as the lead in your Oscar bait film in 2025, but 26 years ago, the actor was at the top of his thesping game. His turn in this film about a suburban man's midlife crisis is unforgettable. Even if a few of the scenes might make modern viewers wince ever so slightly. If you want to catch American Beauty Stateside, you can rent it on Apple, Amazon or Fandango. Or watch it for free (albeit with ads) on Pluto until the end of March. In the UK, you can rent it on Apple (Picture: Lorey Sebastian/Dreamworks/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock)

17. The Lion King (1994)

We still think of this epic animation as one of Disney's more modern offerings but it is - shockingly enough - more than three decades old now. To catch the original version of Simba's tale - and Elton John's award-winning songs - it's available for both US and UK movie fans on Disney+ (of course). Otherwise, you can rent it in America or buy it in the UK, both via AppleTV (Picture: Everett/REX/Shutterstock)

16. The Usual Suspects (1995)

IMDb fans voted Bryan Singer's 1995 crime thriller one of the finest films of the decade. That may be a little generous, looking back. But while rewatches might suggest that the film in its entirety isn't quite the classic many thought at the time, that twist ending still packs a punch. Fubo TV, MGM+ and HBO Max subbies in the US can catch the film now. In the UK you'll need to rent it on Apple (Picture: Everett/REX/Shutterstock)

15. American History X (1998)

Ed Norton gives a truly powerhouse performance in this brutal story of a white supremacist who tries to turn his life around and leave hatred in his past. Americans with the stomach for it can rent this hard-hitting drama on Fandango, Apple and Amazon. Brits can also hire the film on Apple and Amazon. Sky is the only other option (Picture: Moviestore/REX/Shutterstock)

14. Leon: The Professional (1994)

There's a distinctly European feel to this NYC-set crime thriller. Probably due to its French director Luc Besson (La Femme Nikita, The Fifth Element). It launched Natalie Portman's career and allowed Jean Reno to give a career-best performance. Although it's the wild antagonist Gary Oldman that steals the show. You can see why this is the 14th best film of the decade according to IMDb users by renting it on Apple, Amazon or Fandango in the US. Across the Atlantic, you'll need to stream it on Apple, for a small fee (Picture: Snap/REX/Shutterstock)

13. Life Is Beautiful (1997)

There's a bit of a feeling that Roberto Benigni's period comedy-drama somewhat misses the mark when viewed now, that its tone and Holocaust setting might jar somewhat. That's down to personal interpretation, but back in 1997, Benigni was a movie world darling, picking up an Oscar for his work on this sweet tale of a father doing everything he can to shield his young son from the horrors of a Nazi concentration camp. UK film fans will have to rent it on Apple if they want to see it in 2025. In America, Life is Beautiful can be seen for free on Hoopla, or bought or rented on Fandango, Amazon or Apple (Picture: THA/REX/Shutterstock)

12. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

In 12th position is a sequel. Terminator 2 is one of the few follow-up movies in history to be widely regarded as superior to the original. Bigger in scale, budget and scope, Judgment Day sees its star Arnie as the good guy this time around, fighting alongside humanity in a war against artificial intelligence. Most people will have seen this before, but it bears repeat viewing. If you want to see if it's as good as you remember, head to Hoopla or Pluto in the US (or rent on Fandango, Amazon or Apple). In the UK, it's available to watch on Amazon Prime Video (Picture: StudioCanal/REX/Shutterstock)

11. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

Some call this adaptation of Thomas Harris book the greatest horror movie of all time. While others argue it's not a horror, more just an extremely bloodthirsty crime thriller. But whatever it is, Jonathan Demme's Hannibal Lector film is a stone-cold classic. It's undoubtedly the most violent and disturbing film to have cleared up at the Oscars, that's for sure. Remind yourself of the best human organ to serve with fava beans and a nice chianti by watching it with an AMC+ sub or renting it on Apple, Fandango or Amazon in the US. UK types can watch it with Apple or MGM+ subscriptions (Picture: Everett/REX/Shutterstock)

10. The Green Mile (1999)

We're into the top ten now and we kick off with a Stephen King adaptation that lasts more than three hours. This Death Row-set fantasy crime film is a strange blend of sweet and grim. Critics weren't as kind to Frank Darabont's film as cinemagoers, which means few film writers will have this in their top 10 films of the '90s, but lots of movie fans will. If you want to remind yourself of the film and see which of the two groups were right, you can catch it on streaming. Americans can rent it on Amazon, Apple, Fandango or Spectrum. In Britain, it's available to subscribers of Amazon Prime and on Channel 4's streaming service. Alternatively, it can be rented on Apple (Picture: Warner Br/Everett/REX/Shutterstock)

9. Saving Private Ryan (1998)

It's not easy to pick out the finest film of Steven Spielberg's career. Although, for many, this is it. There have been some incredible World War Two films made before Saving Private Ryan (The Bridge on the River Kwai, From Here to Eternity). And after it (Dunkirk, Inglorious Basterds). Weirdly, there was even a five star WW2 flick released at the same time as it (The Thin Red Line). But for most, this fictional tale spun around the very real Normandy invasion comes out top. US subscribers to Paramount+, AMC+ or MGM+ can stream it as part of their package. In the United Kingdom, you'll need to be a Paramount+ or Sky/NowTV customer to have access (Picture: Moviestore/REX/Shutterstock)

8. Se7en (1995)

Giving the Silence of the Lambs a run for Most Disturbing Serial Killer Thriller of the 1990s is David Fincher's near-perfect Se7en. The third film to feature Kevin Spacey on this list, his chilling portrayal of mission-driven murderer John Doe steals the eye. But the central performances of Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman as the duo of disgusted detectives assigned to the case form the spine of this brilliantly sadistic film. In the US it can be rented on Amazon, Spectrum, Apple and Fandango. In the United Kingdom it can be bought on Apple or watched for free (with a subscription) on Amazon Prime Video (until the end of March) (Picture: Peter Sorel/New Line/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock)

7. The Matrix (1999)

Weirdly, it's the film released (second from) last of this top 20 that's arguably aged the worst. That's the risk you run with making futuristic science-fiction, we suppose. Gen Zers seem to find The Matrix silly, but Millennials and Gen Xers thought it was the coolest thing they'd ever seen on its release two and a half decades ago. See how it's aged for yourself by renting or buying it on Amazon, Apple, Fandango, Plex or Spectrum in the US. British sci-fi fans can watch the adventures of Neo on Netflix (Picture: Warner Bros/Village Roadshow Pictures/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock)

6. GoodFellas (1990)

If it wasn't for The Godfathers Part I & II, the Henry Hill biopic Goodfellas would rightfully hold the titles of greatest gangster film ever and greatest crime film ever. This is Martin Scorsese at his finest. A solid five star piece of cinema that doesn't slow down or sag for a single second of its two hours and 26 minute run time. The performances, the direction, the cinematography, the script, the music... The movie is something else. American fans can catch it by streaming it on HBO Max or renting it from most other providers. In Britain, Sky/NOW TV subscribers can watch it as part of their package. Or, like in the US, rent it from a whole host of providers (Picture: Warner Brothers/Everett/REX/Shutterstock)

5. Forrest Gump (1994)

Top 5 time now and it's a film fans' favourite in fifth... FORREST. Alright, so plenty of cynics and people with high-falutin' tastes might argue that Robert Zemeckis' sweeping comedy-drama is a bit daft. And far too saccharine. And, well, it probably is. But people love it and who are we to upset the movie-loving public, eh? If you want to see if life really is like a box of chocolates, you can. In the US, you can catch it on FUBO TV if you subscribe, or rent it on Apple. In the UK, it's available on Paramount+ and Sky/NOW TV to stream as part of their packages (Picture: Paramount/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock)

4. Fight Club (1999)

Rightly, Fight Club is seen now as something of a classic. Sure, it's odd, deep, political, provocative and violent. But it's also whip-smart, stylish and unique. On release, a lot of critics didn't get it and not that all that many people went to see it. Over time, however, it grew an audience. Its box office returns weren't spectacular, but its DVDs sales really were. Anyone yet to see this Chuck Palahniuk adaptation needs to get it viewed. Pronto. That can happen by renting the film on Apple TV in the US or UK. Disney+ subscribers in the United Kingdom can stream it without extra charge (Picture: Getty Images)

3. Pulp Fiction (1994)

Many critics would have Quentin Tarantino's idiosyncratic triptych top of their list of greatest films of the nineties. IMDb users rate it third. QT's second feature features a jaw-dropping ensemble cast, all of whom are on the top of their game. The script pops, every scene's memorable and it was - quite simply - a cultural phenomenon. And one of the very finest pieces of cinema ever committed to celluloid. In the US it can be streamed on Hoopla or Hulu, with a subscription. Or rented on Apple. In the UK, it's available to stream on both of the big hitters, Netflix and Amazon Prime (Picture: Moviestore/REX/Shutterstock)

2. Schindler's List (1993)

It's not an easy watch, but Schindler's List is a vital one. Liam Neeson plays the eponymous Oskar Schindler, an industrialist, who dedicated his life to saving Jews during The Holocaust. But it's Ralph Fiennes who stands out as the vile Nazi sniper Amon Goeth. Americans can rent Schindler's List on Apple. In the UK, film fanatics can do the same. They also have the choice to rent the film on Sky Store/NOW TV or Amazon Prime Video (Picture: David James/Universal/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock)

1. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

So, then. Widely regarded by film buffs as their favourite film of the 1990s is the Frank Darabont-directed adaptation of a Stephen King short story, The Shawshank Redemption. It's a truly epic and always rewatchable prison movie that's full of heart, themes and committed performances. Tim Robbins is great, Morgan Freeman is somehow better. Shawshank will hit you in the feels over and over again. Sure, it's a crowd pleaser, but few critics could pick holes in it, either. If you fancy watching it (perhaps again), to see if it lives up to the hype, you can. In America, Andy Dufresne's story can be rented on Apple. In the UK, the same. Except it's also available on Amazon and Sky Store/Now TV (Picture: THA/REX/Shutterstock)