Films that were released in 1999 are turning 25 this year. As part of that celebration, I’ve been looking at some of my favorites in my Blog and on This Week at the Movies. So, for this week’s Binge Watch I’m calling out a dozen of my personal favorite films released in 1999. This could be an ideal Labor Day weekend binge for you! Films appear in alphabetical order.

10 Things I Hate About You
About: I wish we still had Heath Ledger, but at least watching movies like this keeps his performances alive. This is a modern-day update of Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew. The cast is amazing, it’s got a rocking soundtrack, and the humor always makes me laugh.

The Cider House Rules
About: I am a big fan of author John Irving, and this film is a wonderful adaptation of one of his most famous books. It’s a bit different, but the great cast led by Tobey Maguire, Charlize Theron, and Michael Caine make it work. It’s a tough subject, but it’s a moving film.

Deep Blue Sea
About: I’m a fan of shark movies. If you’ve followed me for a while, you know this. Deep Blue Sea is a pretty awesome shark movie, set at a research facility under the ocean. It has a good cast and some great action sequences.

For Love of the Game
About: This one is based on a novel from Michael Sharra. It’s a beautifully directed baseball film from Sam Raimi that features a great lead performance from Kevin Costner. I love the story and the way it all plays out. It’s one of my favorite sports movies.

The Green Mile
About: This is the second Stephen King adaptation from Frank Darabont set in a prison. It’s a beautiful and gut-wrenching story that plays out over three hours. Tom Hanks and Michael Clarke Duncan are amazing.

Lake Placid
About: This isn’t a shark movie, but it’s pretty close. This one is about a giant crocodile in a lake in Maine. It comes from David E. Kelley, it’s about 80 minutes, and it’s a heck of a ride. It’s also got an amazing cast, including a top shelf performance from Betty White.

The Matrix
About: This film from the Wachowskis changed filmmaking. That might sound like a lofty thing to say, but this was an action film and a style unlike anything I’d seen. Keanu Reeves is amazing, as is the rest of the cast. This was a film that blew me away 25 years ago and still wows me today.

The Mummy
About: This summer blockbuster from Stephen Sommers was a re-boot of the monsterverse. It’s not scarry but it’s a lot of fun, especially thanks to Brendan Fraser. I love the action blended with humor and the way this film spins an engaging tale and a heck of a ride.

Office Space
About: Mike Judge nailed the pitfalls of being an adult. This is a fun film that has a lot of iconic moments and says a lot that we can all relate to about the workplace. I love Ron Livingston in the lead role and the story here. This one makes me laugh a lot.

Star Wars, Episode I: The Phantom Menace
About: Was it a good film? No, not really. But I like to think of it as a children’s film, which makes an explanation for a lot of things. But it does have an iconic villain, a great light-saber duel, and a pretty fantastic piece of music. It gets more hate than it deserves.

The Sixth Sense
About: The film put M. Night Shyamalan on the map, and deservedly so. Haley Joel Osment and Bruce Willis are pretty great here. Most people remember the film for the twists, but I remember some of the weighty emotional moments. Now 25 years later, that’s what sticks with me.

Varsity Blues
About: I love football films, so I was going to be drawn to this. Add to that the fact I was 18 and Dawson’s Creek was my favorite show, and this was aimed at me. I still enjoy the story, the soundtrack, and some of the fun football action. It’s not an incredible film, but it’s certainly iconic.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.