The '90s were known for a lot of things — overalls, scrunchies, and acid-wash denim — but the decade doesn't get nearly enough credit for all of the awesome thriller films [1] it produced. Whether you're into spine-chilling horror flicks [2], erotic thrillers [3], gritty mysteries, or action-packed spy movies, the '90s debuted thrilling films that nearly anyone could enjoy. Here's the best part: some of the best ones are available to stream right now on Netflix. If you're in the mood for some belly shirts, giant cell phones, and a lot of Morgan Freeman [4], here are 16 '90s thrillers to watch on Netflix tonight.
Goodfellas (1990)
Based on the book Wiseguy by Nicholas Pileggi, this Martin Scorsese-directed picture follows the epic rise and fall of real-life mob associate-turned-FBI informant Henry Hill from 1955 through 1980. It's not all that surprising that this movie is a masterpiece — when you put Robert De Niro [6] and Joe Pesci in a movie together, they make magic happen.
Watch Goodfellas on Netflix [7].
The Crying Game (1992)
Set against the backdrop of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, this thriller tells the story of an Irish Republican Army member who forms an unexpected bond with the kidnapped British soldier in his custody, despite warnings from his fellow IRA members. Let's be honest: Who could ever resist Forest Whitaker's charm?
Watch The Crying Game on Netflix [8].
Patriot Games (1992)
Based on the Tom Clancy novel of the same name, Harrison Ford [9] stars in this spy thriller as former CIA agent Jack Ryan, who takes on an international terrorist case after stopping the attempted assassination of a British royal. This movie may be the sequel to The Hunt For Red October, but Ford plays a very different Jack Ryan than Alec Baldwin [10] did in the first film.
Watch Patriot Games on Netflix. [11]
Sliver (1993)
Based on the Ira Levin novel of the same name, this erotic thriller revolves around a successful young editor (played by Sharon Stone [12]) who moves into a new building and meets a sexy neighbour (played by Billy Baldwin), only to learn that he isn't quite as nice and innocent as he seems. At least he seriously delivers in the bedroom.
Watch Sliver on Netflix [13].
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
This drama is based on the Stephen King novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption, which tells the story of a banker (played by Tim Robbins) who's sentenced to life in Shawshank State Penitentiary for killing his wife and his lover — even though he claims that he's innocent. Over time, he befriends a fellow prisoner and contraband smuggler (played by Morgan Freeman [14]), and he ends up entangling himself in a money-laundering operation led by the prison warden.
Watch The Shawshank Redemption on Netflix [15].
GoldenEye (1995)
This 17th movie in the James Bond franchise (and Pierce Brosnan [16]'s first movie as Bond) follows the MI6 officer as he attempts to protect "GoldenEye" — a clandestine satellite weapon designed and launched by the Soviets during the Cold War — from the Janus crime syndicate. Fans had to wait six years for this one to come out after Licence to Kill, but it was worth the wait.
Watch GoldenEye on Netflix [17].
Outbreak (1995)
Based on Richard Preston's nonfiction book The Hot Zone, this medical disaster film revolves around the outbreak of a fictional Ebola-like Motaba virus, first in the Republic of Zaire, and eventually, in a small (and totally unprepared) US town. With a cast that includes Dustin Hoffman [18], Rene Russo, Morgan Freeman [19], Donald Sutherland, Cuba Gooding Jr., Kevin Spacey [20], and Patrick Dempsey [21], you know this one has to be good.
Watch Outbreak on Netflix [22].
Eye For an Eye (1996)
This psychological thriller stars Sally Field [23] and Ed Harris as the parents of a teenage girl who's ruthlessly killed by an intruder (played by Kiefer Sutherland [24]). Though the police assure her parents they'll do everything they can to bring the man to justice, the mother decides she'd rather take matters into her own hands.
Watch Eye For an Eye on Netflix [25].
The Craft (1996)
In this cult classic, Robin Tunney plays a high school transfer student whose telekinetic abilities appeal to three wannabe witches, who happen to be seeking a fourth member for their satanic rituals. When the four teens realise that their nascent powers may have very real consequences, it would be an understatement to say the power goes to their heads a little bit.
Watch The Craft on Netflix [26].
Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)
Pierce Brosnan [27] reprised the role of Bond for the second time in the franchise's 18th instalment, Tomorrow Never Dies. This one follows agent 007 as he attempts to stop a power-hungry media mogul who hopes to provoke World War III in order to boost sales in his news division, and Brosnan totally delivers as the smouldering agent once again.
Watch Tomorrow Never Dies on Netflix [28].
Scream 2 (1997)
In this Scream sequel, Sarah Michelle Gellar [29], Rebecca Gayheart, and Portia de Rossi [30] head off to college and become sorority girls, though — as you can expect — the college fun just about ends there. Luckily, it's just as sexy as it is terrifying.
Watch Scream 2 on Netflix [31].
Kiss the Girls (1997)
Based on James Patterson's novel of the same name, this psychological thriller stars Morgan Freeman [32] as detective and forensic psychologist Alex Cross, who finds himself in Durham, NC, after his college-aged niece goes missing. As it turns out, his niece is only one of several young women who have recently gone missing in the area, and it's up to Cross to track down their captor.
Watch Kiss the Girls on Netflix [33].
Rounders (1998)
Set in the high-stakes world of poker, Matt Damon [34] and Edward Norton [35] star in this crime drama as two gambling friends who need a big win in order to pay off their debts to a powerful Russian gangster (played by John Malkovich) . . . or else. Who knew poker could get so intense?
Watch Rounders on Netflix [36].
The World Is Not Enough (1999)
Pierce Brosnan [37]'s third time playing Bond was in The World Is Not Enough, which is the 19th instalment in the James Bond franchise. This film revolves around a scheme to increase petroleum prices by triggering a nuclear meltdown in the waters of Istanbul — and of course, it's up to Bond to stop them (and to protect the oil heiress who is seemingly being targeted).
Watch The World Is Not Enough on Netflix [38].
The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)
Based on Patricia Highsmith's novel of the same name, this sexy thriller stars Matt Damon [39] as a charismatic fraudster who works his way into the good graces of a spoiled playboy, Dickie (played by Jude Law [40]), and his fiancée (played by Gwyneth Paltrow [41]). But Tom Ripley doesn't just want to be Dickie's friend — he wants Dickie's life, and he'll stop at nothing to get it.
Watch The Talented Mr. Ripley on Netflix [42].
The Matrix (1999)
What is the Matrix, you ask? Neo (Keanu Reeves [43]) believes that only the elusive figure known as Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) can answer that question, and when a beautiful stranger named Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) leads him into an underworld to meet Morpheus, he tries to get the answer he seeks, not knowing that the truth could cost him his life — or something even more valuable. Even if this one leaves you feeling more confused than 2010's Inception, it's still a total thrill to watch.
Watch The Matrix on Netflix [44].