Nostalgia is one of those feelings that we rarely recognize until it impacts us—movies are one of such things. If you were a ’90s or early 2000s kid, you probably know the feeling of wanting to relive your days by getting your favorite snacks, wrapping yourself in your blanket, and watching a movie that instantly takes you back. These movies did more than just make us laugh; they were our childhoods, they shaped the fashion, and they became a part of the cultural heritage. So, here is a list of the top 10 movies in no particular order, which evoke memories and without which Gen X and Millennial movie nights would not be the same, each containing famous scenes, well-known lines, and infinite rewatchability.
10. Pokémon: The Movie 2000
For children who were trading cards over the weekend or playing on their Game Boys, this film was everything. It told the story of Ash Ketchum’s quest to save the world by uniting the legendary Pokémon, thus it sealed the magic and madness of the franchise at its peak forever. For a large number of fans, it was not just a film— it was childhood captured and given back through the screen.
9. The Princess Diaries
Imagine finding out that your awkward and unpopular high school self was actually a princess. That fantasy comes true in The Princess Diaries, Anne Hathaway’s charming transformation, and Julie Andrews’s grace taking over the film. It is a comfort kind of movie for those who were maybe overlooked in high school and longed for something different.
8. Shrek
Yes, it’s given rise to a million memes, but beneath the hype, Shrek was revolutionary. A dark fairy tale with a heart of gold, a sense of humor, and a set of truly unforgettable characters, it upended the genre. With Donkey’s witty one-liners and Shrek’s reluctant heroism, it’s little wonder this film has become a classic of millennial youth.
7. Jurassic Park
Few films have combined awe and fright as well as Jurassic Park. With awe-inspiring special effects that remain unchallenged to this day, the movie brought dinosaurs to life in a manner that was previously unimaginable. Its combination of scientific marvels, suspense, and plain old-fashioned blockbusting thrills makes it as nostalgic as it is ageless.
6. Jaws
Nothing is more summery than Jaws—and nothing frightened a generation of bathers quite so much as it either. Spielberg’s thriller about a killer shark is straightforward, tense, and supremely effective. Far more than a film, it became a cultural reference point and the template for the contemporary blockbuster.
5. Scream
Half campy, half terrifying, Scream revitalized horror for the ’90s. With its self-referential humor, surprise twists, and Sidney Prescott’s legendary face-off with Ghostface, it’s a movie that left people laughing, screaming, and peeking through their fingers. It’s been dictating Halloween costumes and fright-flick nights ever since.
4. Clueless
Before Regina George, there was Cher Horowitz—fashionable, snarky, and absolutely iconic. Clueless made Beverly Hills high school life a comedy of manners, influencing fashion trends and slang that are still quoted today. Alicia Silverstone’s performance cemented Cher in the pop culture firmament, and the movie is just as fresh and humorous today as it was in 1995.
3. 10 Things I Hate About You
A Shakespearean comedy reimagined as a teen rom-com in high school? Guess what? It’s pure genius. With Heath Ledger’s charm, Julia Stiles’ quick wit, and a soundtrack that defined an era, 10 Things I Hate About You became the quintessential ’90s teen love story. It’s witty, touching, and forever quotable—a gem of the genre.
2. The Breakfast Club
No movie captures the nuance of adolescence like The Breakfast Club. Five teenagers from various cliques held for detention dismantle barriers and discover they’re more similar than they imagined. With biting dialogue and poignant moments, it became a teen anthem for identity—just as applicable now as it was during the ’80s.
1. Mean Girls
Some films amuse, but Mean Girls captured a generation. With the iconic one-liners to the stinging portrayal of high school cliques, Tina Fey’s script captured the adolescent experience with both humor and candor. Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, and the entire cast developed a phenomenon that continues to influence pop culture two decades on.
These films are not only old picks—they are time machines, they bring back memories of school dances, sleepovers, and summer nights that seemed never-ending. If you are watching them again to soothe yourself or stumbling upon them, one thing is definite: nostalgia is a timeless thing.