Films from 1994 are turning 30 this year! As part of the anniversary celebration for these films I’m looking back at a dozen films from 1994 that still strike a chord with me. If you haven’t seen them, be sure to check them out!

Clerks
About: This film comes from director Kevin Smith. It’s a simple comedy, shot in black-and-white, that features a day in the life of a couple slackers working a convenience store and video store. But it was the start of a Jay & Silent Bob franchise for Smith, and it’s a creative comedy that still holds up with some great lines.

Speed
About: Keanu Reeves, Dennis Hopper, and Sandra Bullock take the lead in this action film from Jan de Bont. It’s a fun ride that features some good action sequences, a memorable villain, and some great on-screen chemistry for Reeves and Bullock.

The Stand
About: This was an epic mini-series that aired on ABC. It is based on the Stephen King novel and has a great cast. I remember watching it as it aired on TV, and I’ve seen it many times since. It’s worth checking out.

Star Trek: Generations
About: This film is memorable as the hand-off on film from the original Star Trek stars and the Next Generation. Famously we get William Shatner and Patrick Stewart sharing the screen. It’s not my favorite of the Star Trek films, but it’s memorable and one that holds up well.

Radioland Murders
About: This is based on a story from George Lucas, who serves as a producer. It’s got a great ensemble cast and is a fun murder mystery set at a Radio station on its opening night. I enjoy the comedy and the story here. This is a hidden gem from the 1990s.

The Paper
About: This film comes from Ron Howard and centers on Michael Keaton, as the metro editor of a New York newspaper during a crucial 24-hour period. I love journalism films, and this is one that at an early age fostered that interest for me. It has a great ensemble cast and it’s one of Howard’s better films.

The Client
About: John Grisham adaptations were a hallmark of the 1990s. This is one of the more memorable adaptations, featuring Susan Sarandon as a feisty defense attorney protecting a young boy and Tommy Lee Jones as a politically savvy prosecutor. This one has some fun back-and-forth and a story with some great twists and turns.

Beverly Hills Cop III
About: This is an under-rated film in the franchise. It takes Axel back to Los Angeles and sets the action mostly at a theme park. In this case it was filmed at Paramount’s Great America in Northern California. I had been to the park, so it was fun to see familiar sights on screen. But I like the story and the action sequences here.

The Hudsucker Proxy
About: I am a big fan of the Coen Brothers, and their run in the 1990s is probably my favorite. Hudsucker Proxy is right in the middle of that run, a screwball comedy set near the holidays and featuring Tim Robbins and Paul Newman. It was a big year for Robbins!

Forrest Gump
About: This was the Best Picture winner from 1994. I get that some people aren’t fans of the film, but I loved the story and the performances from Tom Hanks and Robin Wright. It’s a sweeping epic that has some great, emotional beats.

Pulp Fiction
About: This film from Quentin Tarantino is one of his most popular. It was nominated for Best Picture, and it has an interesting cast and story. I like the way it’s put together and some of the great performances here.

The Shawshank Redemption
About: Robbins and Morgan Freeman are incredible here in a drama from Frank Darabont. It is another King adaptation, this time of a short story. It’s an incredible story that remains incredibly moving. This was the best film from 1994 and remains a personal favorite.

The Santa Clause
About: This is a classic holiday tale that features Tim Allen as a single dad hosting a terrible Christmas for his son when Santa lands on his roof and dies. Allen’s character is roped into taking his place, and a fun adventure ensues. This one spawned a few sequels and a Disney+ series, and it remains a lot of seasonal fun.

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.