Here’s a list of the top 12 most popular movies of 1999, based on box office success, critical reception, and lasting cultural impact.
The Matrix
The Matrix introduced audiences to a world where reality is a computer simulation controlled by intelligent machines.
The film stars Keanu Reeves as Neo, a computer hacker who joins a group of rebels led by Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) and Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) to fight against the machines.
The Matrix blended mind-bending philosophical concepts with innovative action sequences, including the famous “bullet time” effect.
The film’s success led to two sequels and multiple spin-offs, solidifying its status as a groundbreaking sci-fi classic.
Fight Club
Fight Club is a dark, satirical exploration of consumer culture, masculinity, and societal norms. The film follows the story of an insomniac office worker (Edward Norton) who forms an underground fight club with a charismatic soap salesman named Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt).
As their club gains popularity, they spiral into anarchy and destruction. The film’s twist ending, memorable quotes, and strong performances from the leads have made it a cultural touchstone.
The Sixth Sense
This supernatural thriller tells the story of child psychologist Dr. Malcolm Crowe (Bruce Willis), who tries to help a young boy named Cole (Haley Joel Osment) struggling with his ability to see and communicate with the dead.
The film’s chilling atmosphere, strong performances, and iconic twist ending have made it a standout in the horror and thriller genres. The Sixth Sense earned multiple Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, and cemented M. Night Shyamalan’s reputation as a master of suspense.
American Beauty
American Beauty is a darkly comic exploration of suburban life, following the story of Lester Burnham (Kevin Spacey), a middle-aged man experiencing a mid-life crisis. The film delves into themes of materialism, sexuality, and the search for happiness in modern society. Annette Bening, Thora Birch, and Mena Suvari deliver strong supporting performances, and the film’s striking visuals and emotional resonance have made it a critical favorite.
American Beauty won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for Spacey.
Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace
As the first installment in the prequel trilogy, The Phantom Menace explores the origins of the Star Wars saga, introducing new characters like young Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd), Padmé Amidala (Natalie Portman), and Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson).
The film features impressive visual effects, including fully CGI characters like Jar Jar Binks. Although it received mixed reviews, The Phantom Menace was a box office success and remains an essential part of the Star Wars canon.
The Blair Witch Project
This groundbreaking horror film popularized the found-footage genre, telling the story of three student filmmakers who venture into the woods to investigate the legend of the Blair Witch.
The film’s realistic documentary style and innovative marketing campaign, which included a fake website and missing persons posters, created a sensation and convinced many that the events depicted were real. The Blair Witch Project’s success spawned a franchise and inspired countless found-footage films in the years that followed.
The Green Mile
Based on Stephen King’s serialized novel, The Green Mile is a poignant drama set in a 1930s Louisiana prison. Tom Hanks plays Paul Edgecomb, a compassionate death row guard who discovers that an inmate, John Coffey (Michael Clarke Duncan), possesses extraordinary healing powers.
The film explores themes of redemption, justice, and the human capacity for good and evil. Both the film and Duncan’s powerful performance received critical acclaim and multiple award nominations.
Office Space
Mike Judge’s comedy takes a satirical look at the daily grind of working in a typical corporate environment.
The film follows the life of Peter Gibbons (Ron Livingston), a disgruntled software engineer who, after a hypnotherapy session gone wrong, decides to rebel against the system.
With the help of his friends and co-workers Samir (Ajay Naidu) and Michael Bolton (David Herman), Peter enacts a scheme to embezzle money from their employer.
Office Space has become a cult classic, with its relatable portrayal of office frustrations and memorable characters like the eccentric Milton (Stephen Root) and the passive-aggressive boss, Bill Lumbergh (Gary Cole).
10 Things I Hate About You
This teen romantic comedy is a modern retelling of Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew.” Set in a high school, the film focuses on the Stratford sisters, Kat (Julia Stiles) and Bianca (Larisa Oleynik).
Bianca is popular and eager to date, but their strict father forbids her from doing so until Kat, who is independent and strong-willed, finds a boyfriend. Enter Patrick Verona (Heath Ledger), a rebellious outsider hired to woo Kat, leading to an unexpected romance.
The film’s witty dialogue, strong performances, and memorable moments, like Ledger’s rendition of “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” have made it a beloved teen classic.
Magnolia
Paul Thomas Anderson’s ensemble drama weaves together multiple interconnected storylines, exploring themes of family, love, and forgiveness. Set in the San Fernando Valley, the film boasts an impressive cast, including Tom Cruise, Julianne Moore, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and John C. Reilly.
Magnolia is known for its ambitious narrative structure, poignant character arcs, and the surreal climactic scene involving a rain of frogs. The film received several Academy Award nominations, including a Best Supporting Actor nod for Cruise.
Eyes Wide Shut
Stanley Kubrick’s final film is an enigmatic and psychologically complex drama about sexual obsession and the nature of desire. Tom Cruise stars as Dr. Bill Harford, who embarks on a nightmarish odyssey through New York City’s sexual underworld after his wife, Alice (Nicole Kidman), confesses a past fantasy.
The film’s dreamlike atmosphere, provocative themes, and meticulous visual style have made it a subject of fascination and debate for cinephiles since its release.
Being John Malkovich
This quirky and original film, directed by Spike Jonze and written by Charlie Kaufman, centers on an out-of-work puppeteer named Craig Schwartz (John Cusack) who discovers a portal that leads directly into the mind of actor John Malkovich (playing himself).
The film takes a surreal and comedic look at the nature of identity, consciousness, and celebrity. With standout performances from Cameron Diaz and Catherine Keener, Being John Malkovich earned numerous award nominations and has become a cult classic for its imaginative storytelling and unconventional humor.
