Top 10 Blockbuster Movies Of 1995
#10: “Bad Boys”
Here’s the thing about blockbusters: they don’t need to impress critics to win over audiences. Case in point: “Bad Boys”, the loud, flashy action comedy that unleashed Michael Bay on the world. Starring comedian Martin Lawrence and a pre “Independence Day” Will Smith (then still charming TV audiences on “The Fresh Prince”), “Bad Boys” wasn’t just a hit: it was a launchpad. It introduced Bay’s signature brand of chaos, elevated Smith to leading-man status, and helped define the over-the-top style of American action for the next decade. Raking in $140 million and spawning three sequels, “Bad Boys” didn’t simply ask, “Whatcha gonna do?” — it made sure the answer involved buying a ticket and buckling up.
#9: “Batman Forever”
For many watching at home, our placement of “Batman Forever” will feel either far too high — or not nearly high enough. That kind of deeply polarized reaction comes with the territory when discussing director Joel Schumacher’s first Batman film, which took a hard pivot from the Gothic gloom of Tim Burton’s “Batman” and “Batman Returns.” Out went the brooding shadows and horror flourishes; in came neon-soaked visuals, cartoonish villains, and a tone that put the pedal to the metal and never let up. Critics balked at the drastic shift, but in hindsight, “Batman Forever” has carved out its place in superhero movie history — if only for how gleefully it threw the rulebook (and maybe the comic book) out the window.
#8: “Apollo 13”
Ron Howard had flirted with prestige before, but “Apollo 13” proved he had Oscar-caliber filmmaking in him. A gripping dramatization of the ill-fated, real-life 1970 moon mission, the film balanced technical precision with human emotion, thanks in part to Howard’s staunch commitment to realism. He famously filmed scenes in actual zero gravity aboard NASA’s “Vomit Comet” (a reduced-gravity aircraft that simulates weightlessness through parabolic flight), lending the film an authenticity that few space movies had ever captured. A massive box office hit, “Apollo 13” cemented Howard’s place among serious filmmakers, and reminded moviegoers that history, when told right, could be every bit as thrilling as fiction.
#7: “Clueless”
Who ever said Jane Austen adaptations had to be stuffy period pieces? Director Amy Heckerling took Austen’s nearly 200-year-old novel “Emma” and retrofitted it with a hip young cast, relatable stakes, and naturally — a killer wardrobe. But like Cher, its well-meaning protagonist, there’s more going on beneath “Clueless’s” glossy surface than meets the eye. Heckerling’s coming-of-age classic rises above the teen comedy pack thanks to a script that’s as sharp as it is sincere, with themes that still resonate today. And of course, we have to shout out Alicia Silverstone and Paul Rudd, a duo whose effortless charm grounds the film. Because really, can you imagine “Clueless” without them?
#6: “Braveheart”
Mel Gibson may have fallen from grace in the years since, but in 1995, he was riding high, both behind and in front of the camera. “Braveheart” was the actor-filmmaker’s passion project, a sprawling, blood-soaked epic about Scottish freedom fighter William Wallace that wore its historical inaccuracies like war paint. Still, accuracy wasn’t the point. With rousing dialogue, sweeping battle sequences, and James Horner’s soaring score, “Braveheart” struck a chord with audiences and Academy voters alike, winning five Oscars including Best Picture and Best Director. Say what you will about its director-star’s legacy today, but in its moment, “Braveheart” wasn’t only a movie — it was a full-blown cultural phenomenon, proudly clad in tartan.
#5: “GoldenEye”
After a six-year hiatus and the Cold War’s curtain call, the Bond franchise needed a serious shot in the arm — and “GoldenEye” delivered. Enter Pierce Brosnan, whose sleek, suave take on 007 brought the character firmly into the ‘90s without sacrificing the charm, danger, or dry wit that made him iconic. Director Martin Campbell, who later helped to revamp the series with “Casino Royale”, balanced old-school spycraft with modern action spectacle, giving Bond fans everything from tank chases to satellite-based superweapons. “GoldenEye” not only revived the franchise, it helped redefine what a blockbuster spy film could be in a post-Soviet world. The takeaway was clear: Bond still had a license to thrill.
#4: “Seven”
Before this pitch-dark crime thriller, David Fincher was mostly known for the box office flop that was “Alien 3”. After “Seven”, he was Hollywood’s next big thing. And how could he not be, given how far the film was willing to go? Initially controversial for its brutal content, Fincher’s mainstream breakthrough became a massive hit, grossing nearly $330 million and forcing audiences to rethink Brad Pitt as more than just a pretty face. Elevated by committed performances, as well as Fincher’s razor-sharp style and directorial sensibilities, “Seven” is that rare blockbuster whose legacy doesn’t hinge on its twist, but the grim, unshakable mood that lingers long after the credits roll.
#3: “The Usual Suspects”
Let’s get the elephant in the room out of the way: yes, “The Usual Suspects” was directed by Bryan Singer, who would make a name for himself with the “X-Men” films before being ostracized from Hollywood as a pariah in the wake of the “Me Too” movement. But it’s hard to deny that “Suspects”, Singer’s third feature film, is a stone-cold classic of ‘90s cinema. “Suspects” bucks genre traditions by pulling the rug out from beneath moviegoers, with almost no way to predict what’s coming next. The off-kilter neo-noir was a breath of fresh air, renowned for its irreverent tone and Christopher McQuarrie’s airtight script, which won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.
#2: “Die Hard with a Vengeance”
Turns out that “Bond” wasn’t the only film franchise that needed to take a six-year break. The third “Die Hard” film ditched the confined spaces of its predecessors in favor of a city-wide chase through a boiling-hot New York — to great effect. Bruce Willis was back in fine form, but it was the odd-couple dynamic between McClane and Samuel L. Jackson’s Zeus that gave the threequel its bite. Add in a scene-stealing Jeremy Irons as the villain, and an unrelenting pace courtesy of returning director John McTiernan, and you’ve got a sequel that was more than a victory lap. It was proof that “Die Hard” still had gas in the tank.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
“Casino”
“Heat”
“Jumanji”
“Mortal Kombat”
“Pocahontas”
#1: “Toy Story”
Pixar’s maiden voyage marked a turning point in cinematic history. As the first fully computer-animated feature, it introduced a bold new era for animation, blending cutting-edge technology with emotional storytelling in a way audiences had never seen before. Pixar didn’t just showcase what computers could do: it proved they could tell stories that mattered. The film struck a deep chord with children growing up in the '90s, turning Woody, Buzz, and the rest of Andy’s toys into instant icons. Its wit, warmth, and visual innovation made it a global phenomenon, as well as a cornerstone of modern animation that continues to influence the genre to this day.
Which 1995 movie holds a special place in your heart? Are there any we missed? Be sure to let us know in the comments below!