Films of 1996, Ranked
by solmaquina | created - 14 Oct 2019 | updated - 4 months ago | Public- Instant Watch Options
- Genres
- Movies or TV
- IMDb Rating
- In Theaters
- On TV
- Release Year
- Keywords
1. Sling Blade (1996)
R | 135 min | Drama
Karl Childers, a simple man hospitalized since his childhood murder of his mother and her lover, is released to start a new life in a small town.
Director: Billy Bob Thornton | Stars: Billy Bob Thornton, Dwight Yoakam, J.T. Walsh, John Ritter
Votes: 87,044 | Gross: $24.48M
9/10
2. The Frighteners (1996)
R | 110 min | Comedy, Fantasy, Horror
After a tragic car accident that kills his wife, a man discovers he can communicate with the dead to con people. However, when a demonic spirit appears, he may be the only one who can stop it from killing the living and the dead.
Director: Peter Jackson | Stars: Michael J. Fox, Trini Alvarado, Peter Dobson, John Astin
Votes: 82,196 | Gross: $16.76M
9/10
3. From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)
R | 108 min | Action, Crime, Horror
Two criminals and their hostages unknowingly seek temporary refuge in a truck stop populated by vampires, with chaotic results.
Director: Robert Rodriguez | Stars: Harvey Keitel, George Clooney, Juliette Lewis, Quentin Tarantino
Votes: 287,757 | Gross: $25.75M
8.5/10
4. Fargo (1996)
R | 98 min | Crime, Drama, Thriller
Jerry Lundegaard's inept crime falls apart due to his and his henchmen's bungling and the persistent police work of the quite pregnant Marge Gunderson.
Directors: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen | Stars: William H. Macy, Frances McDormand, Steve Buscemi, Peter Stormare
Votes: 619,442 | Gross: $24.61M
8.5/10
5. Beavis and Butt-Head Do America (1996)
PG-13 | 81 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Our intrepid adolescent heroes wake up to find their beloved television stolen, and embark on an epic journey across America to recover it, and, who knows, maybe even score.
Directors: Mike Judge, Mike de Seve, Brian Mulroney, Yvette Kaplan | Stars: Mike Judge, Bruce Willis, Demi Moore, Cloris Leachman
Votes: 51,506 | Gross: $63.07M
8/10
6. Trainspotting (1996)
R | 93 min | Drama
Renton, deeply immersed in the Edinburgh drug scene, tries to clean up and get out, despite the allure of the drugs and influence of friends.
Director: Danny Boyle | Stars: Ewan McGregor, Ewen Bremner, Jonny Lee Miller, Kevin McKidd
Votes: 636,215 | Gross: $16.50M
8/10
7. Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills (1996)
Not Rated | 150 min | Documentary, Crime
A horrific triple child murder leads to an indictment and trial of three nonconformist boys based on questionable evidence.
Directors: Joe Berlinger, Bruce Sinofsky | Stars: Tony Brooks, Diana Davis, Terry Wood, Dick Clay
Votes: 15,323
7.5/10
8. Scream (1996)
R | 111 min | Horror, Mystery
A year after the murder of her mother, a teenage girl is terrorized by a new killer, who targets the girl and her friends by using horror films as part of a deadly game.
Director: Wes Craven | Stars: Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Skeet Ulrich
Votes: 288,395 | Gross: $103.05M
7/10
9. The Cable Guy (1996)
PG-13 | 96 min | Comedy, Drama, Thriller
A lonely and mentally disturbed cable guy raised on television just wants a new friend, but his target, a designer, rejects him, with bad consequences.
Director: Ben Stiller | Stars: Jim Carrey, Matthew Broderick, Leslie Mann, Jack Black
Votes: 153,473 | Gross: $60.24M
7/10
10. Tremors II: Aftershocks (1996 Video)
PG-13 | 100 min | Action, Comedy, Horror
Earl Bassett, now a washed-up ex-celebrity, is hired by a Mexican oil company to eradicate a Graboid epidemic that's killing more people each day. However, the humans aren't the only one with a new battle plan.
Director: S.S. Wilson | Stars: Fred Ward, Chris Gartin, Helen Shaver, Michael Gross
Votes: 26,703
7/10
11. The Rock (1996)
R | 136 min | Action, Adventure, Thriller
A mild-mannered chemist and an ex-con must lead the counterstrike when a rogue group of military men, led by a renegade general, threaten a nerve gas attack from Alcatraz against San Francisco.
Director: Michael Bay | Stars: Sean Connery, Nicolas Cage, Ed Harris, John Spencer
Votes: 314,147 | Gross: $134.07M
7/10
12. The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)
G | 91 min | Animation, Drama, Family
A deformed bell-ringer must assert his independence from a vicious government minister in order to help his friend, a gypsy dancer.
Directors: Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise | Stars: Demi Moore, Jason Alexander, Mary Kay Bergman, Corey Burton
Votes: 142,549 | Gross: $100.14M
7/10
13. Swingers (1996)
R | 96 min | Comedy, Drama
A wannabe actor has a hard time moving on from a break-up, but he is lucky to have supportive friends.
Director: Doug Liman | Stars: Vince Vaughn, Heather Graham, Jon Favreau, Ron Livingston
Votes: 75,533 | Gross: $4.51M
7/10
14. Happy Gilmore (1996)
PG-13 | 92 min | Comedy, Sport
A rejected hockey player puts his skills to the golf course to save his grandmother's house.
Director: Dennis Dugan | Stars: Adam Sandler, Christopher McDonald, Julie Bowen, Frances Bay
Votes: 197,793 | Gross: $38.62M
7/10
15. Star Trek: First Contact (1996)
PG-13 | 111 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
The Borg travel back in time intent on preventing Earth's first contact with an alien species. Captain Picard and his crew pursue them to ensure that Zefram Cochrane makes his maiden flight reaching warp speed.
Director: Jonathan Frakes | Stars: Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, Brent Spiner, LeVar Burton
Votes: 118,280 | Gross: $92.00M
7/10
16. Bottle Rocket (1996)
R | 91 min | Comedy, Crime, Drama
Three friends plan to pull off a simple robbery and go on the run.
Director: Wes Anderson | Stars: Luke Wilson, Owen Wilson, Ned Dowd, Shea Fowler
Votes: 69,994 | Gross: $0.56M
7/10
17. Jerry Maguire (1996)
R | 139 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
When a sports agent has a moral epiphany and is fired for expressing it, he decides to put his new philosophy to the test as an independent agent with the only athlete who stays with him and his former colleague.
Director: Cameron Crowe | Stars: Tom Cruise, Cuba Gooding Jr., Renée Zellweger, Kelly Preston
Votes: 243,629 | Gross: $153.95M
6.5/10
18. The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996)
R | 121 min | Action, Crime, Drama
Samantha Caine lives in a small town with her daughter. Eight years ago she emerged, two months pregnant, from a nearby river with no memory of her past or who she is. However, she's getting closer to finding out about her past.
Director: Renny Harlin | Stars: Geena Davis, Samuel L. Jackson, Yvonne Zima, Craig Bierko
Votes: 73,766 | Gross: $33.33M
6.5/10
19. Kingpin (1996)
PG-13 | 114 min | Comedy, Sport
A star bowler whose career was prematurely "cut off" hopes to ride a new prodigy to success and riches.
Directors: Bobby Farrelly, Peter Farrelly | Stars: Woody Harrelson, Randy Quaid, Bill Murray, Vanessa Angel
Votes: 77,221 | Gross: $24.94M
6/10
20. Trilogy of Terror II (1996 TV Movie)
R | 90 min | Horror, Thriller
Three short tales of terror including: woman's encounter when attempting to rob a grave; the story of a woman who summons her son back from the dead; and tale of an African doll who comes to life.
Director: Dan Curtis | Stars: Lysette Anthony, Geraint Wyn Davies, Matt Clark, Geoffrey Lewis
Votes: 1,470
6/10
21. Mars Attacks! (1996)
PG-13 | 106 min | Comedy, Sci-Fi
Earth is invaded by Martians with unbeatable weapons and a cruel sense of humor.
Director: Tim Burton | Stars: Jack Nicholson, Pierce Brosnan, Sarah Jessica Parker, Annette Bening
Votes: 210,555 | Gross: $37.77M
6/10
22. Jingle All the Way (1996)
PG | 89 min | Adventure, Comedy, Family
A father vows to get his son a Turbo Man action figure for Christmas. However, every store is sold out of them, and he must travel all over town and compete with everybody else in order to find one.
Director: Brian Levant | Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sinbad, Phil Hartman, Rita Wilson
Votes: 94,121 | Gross: $60.57M
6/10
23. Aladdin and the King of Thieves (1996 Video)
Not Rated | 81 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
The King of Thieves disrupts Aladdin and Jasmine's long-anticipated wedding, looking for an oracle that will lead him to an even bigger treasure. His true identity causes trouble for Aladdin.
Director: Tad Stones | Stars: Scott Weinger, Robin Williams, John Rhys-Davies, Val Bettin
Votes: 32,947
6/10
24. Primal Fear (1996)
R | 129 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
An altar boy is accused of murdering a priest, and the truth is buried several layers deep.
Director: Gregory Hoblit | Stars: Richard Gere, Laura Linney, Edward Norton, John Mahoney
Votes: 190,479 | Gross: $56.12M
6/10
25. James and the Giant Peach (1996)
PG | 79 min | Animation, Adventure, Family
An orphan who lives with his two cruel aunts befriends anthropomorphic bugs who live inside a giant peach, and they embark on a journey to New York City.
Director: Henry Selick | Stars: Paul Terry, Joanna Lumley, Pete Postlethwaite, Simon Callow
Votes: 60,382 | Gross: $28.93M
5.5/10
26. Muppet Treasure Island (1996)
G | 99 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
The Muppets' twist on the classic tale.
Directors: Brian Henson, David Lane | Stars: Tim Curry, Billy Connolly, Jennifer Saunders, Kevin Bishop
Votes: 21,811 | Gross: $33.61M
5.5/10
27. Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood (1996)
R | 89 min | Comedy, Crime
A parody of several U.S. films about being in the 'Hood', for instance Boyz n the Hood (1991), South Central (1992), Menace II Society (1993), Higher Learning (1995) and Juice (1992).
Director: Paris Barclay | Stars: Shawn Wayans, Marlon Wayans, Keenen Ivory Wayans, Tracey Cherelle Jones
Votes: 48,566 | Gross: $20.11M
5.5/10
28. The Bandit (1996)
128 min | Crime, Drama, Thriller
Baran the Bandit, released from prison after 35 years, searches for vengeance and his lover.
Director: Yavuz Turgul | Stars: Sener Sen, Ugur Yücel, Sermin Hürmeriç, Yesim Salkim
Votes: 64,333
5.5/10
29. Spy Hard (1996)
PG-13 | 81 min | Action, Comedy
Dick Steele, Agent WD-40 is assigned by his Director, to stop the evil General Rancor from destroying the world. WD-40 believed Rancor was dead and he teams up with the hot K.G.B. Agent Veronique Ukrinsky to find Rancor and save the world.
Director: Rick Friedberg | Stars: Leslie Nielsen, Nicollette Sheridan, Charles Durning, Marcia Gay Harden
Votes: 36,031 | Gross: $29.00M
5/10
30. Space Jam (1996)
PG | 88 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
In a desperate attempt to win a basketball match and earn their freedom, the Looney Tunes seek the aid of retired basketball champion, Michael Jordan.
Director: Joe Pytka | Stars: Michael Jordan, Wayne Knight, Theresa Randle, Manner Washington
Votes: 163,357 | Gross: $90.46M
5/10
31. Mission: Impossible (1996)
PG-13 | 110 min | Action, Adventure, Thriller
An American agent, under false suspicion of disloyalty, must discover and expose the real spy without the help of his organization.
Director: Brian De Palma | Stars: Tom Cruise, Jon Voight, Emmanuelle Béart, Henry Czerny
Votes: 388,771 | Gross: $180.98M
5/10
32. Larger Than Life (1996)
PG | 93 min | Comedy, Family
A motivational speaker discovers that the inheritance his father left for him is in the form of an elephant.
Director: Howard Franklin | Stars: Bill Murray, Matthew McConaughey, Jerry Adler, Richard Alan Baker
Votes: 6,827 | Gross: $8.29M
5/10
33. Crash (1996)
NC-17 | 100 min | Drama
After getting into a serious car accident, a TV director discovers an underground sub-culture of scarred, omnisexual car-crash victims who use car accidents and the raw sexual energy they produce to try to rejuvenate his sex life with his wife.
Director: David Cronenberg | Stars: James Spader, Holly Hunter, Elias Koteas, Deborah Kara Unger
Votes: 52,388 | Gross: $2.04M
5/10
34. 101 Dalmatians (1996)
G | 103 min | Adventure, Comedy, Crime
An evil high-fashion designer plots to steal Dalmatian puppies in order to make an extravagant fur coat, but instead creates an extravagant mess.
Director: Stephen Herek | Stars: Glenn Close, Jeff Daniels, Joely Richardson, Joan Plowright
Votes: 101,684 | Gross: $136.19M
5/10
35. Thinner (1996)
R | 93 min | Fantasy, Horror
An obese attorney is cursed by a gypsy to rapidly and uncontrollably lose weight.
Director: Tom Holland | Stars: Robert John Burke, Joe Mantegna, Lucinda Jenney, Bethany Joy Lenz
Votes: 28,370 | Gross: $15.17M
5/10
36. Hamlet (1996)
PG-13 | 242 min | Drama
Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, returns home to find his father murdered and his mother remarrying the murderer, his uncle. Meanwhile, war is brewing.
Director: Kenneth Branagh | Stars: Kenneth Branagh, Julie Christie, Derek Jacobi, Kate Winslet
Votes: 36,052 | Gross: $4.41M
5/10
37. The Munsters' Scary Little Christmas (1996 TV Movie)
Not Rated | 91 min | Comedy, Family, Horror
Get ready for some holiday spirits as the first family of fright rallies to show melancholy Eddie Munster (Bug Hall) some of the holly, jolly magic that only Santa can bring.
Director: Ian Emes | Stars: Sam McMurray, Ann Magnuson, Bug Hall, Sandy Baron
Votes: 429
5/10
38. Sonic the Hedgehog: The Movie (1996 Video)
Not Rated | 60 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
Sonic the Hedgehog and his sidekicks Tails and Knuckles the Echidna are determined to thwart a plan that would turn their Land of the Sky into the equivalent of The Land of Darkness, which ... See full summary »
Directors: Kazunori Ikegami, Gary Lipkowitz | Stars: Martin Burke, Lainie Frasier, Bill Wise, Edwin Neal
Votes: 1,643
5/10
39. Twisted Desire (1996 TV Movie)
85 min | Crime, Drama
A teenage girl convinces a young, love-struck ex-con that the only way they can be together is to do away with her domineering parents. Based on actual events.
Director: Craig R. Baxley | Stars: Melissa Joan Hart, Daniel Baldwin, Jeremy Jordan, Meadow Sisto
Votes: 942
4.5/10
40. Big Bully (1996)
PG | 90 min | Comedy, Thriller
A writer returns to his hometown where he faces the childhood nemesis whose life he ultimately ruined, only the bully wants to relive their painful past by torturing him once again.
Director: Steve Miner | Stars: Rick Moranis, Tom Arnold, Julianne Phillips, Carol Kane
Votes: 4,557 | Gross: $4.09M
4/10
41. The Nutty Professor (1996)
PG-13 | 95 min | Comedy, Romance, Sci-Fi
Grossly overweight yet good-hearted professor Sherman Klump takes a special chemical that turns him into the slim but obnoxious Buddy Love.
Director: Tom Shadyac | Stars: Eddie Murphy, Jada Pinkett Smith, James Coburn, Larry Miller
Votes: 110,156 | Gross: $128.81M
4/10
42. Independence Day (1996)
PG-13 | 145 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
The aliens are coming and their goal is to invade and destroy Earth. Fighting superior technology, mankind's best weapon is the will to survive.
Director: Roland Emmerich | Stars: Will Smith, Bill Pullman, Jeff Goldblum, Mary McDonnell
Votes: 528,677 | Gross: $306.17M
3.5/10
43. The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996)
PG-13 | 96 min | Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller
After being rescued and brought to an island, a man discovers that its inhabitants are experimental animals being turned into strange-looking humans, all of it the work of a visionary doctor.
Directors: John Frankenheimer, Richard Stanley | Stars: David Thewlis, Marlon Brando, Val Kilmer, Fairuza Balk
Votes: 31,156 | Gross: $27.66M
3.5/10
44. Fear (1996)
R | 97 min | Drama, Thriller
When Nicole met David; handsome, charming, affectionate, he was everything. It seemed perfect, but soon she sees that David has a darker side. And his adoration turns to obsession, their dream into a nightmare, and her love into fear.
Director: James Foley | Stars: Mark Wahlberg, Reese Witherspoon, William Petersen, Amy Brenneman
Votes: 42,250 | Gross: $20.75M
3.5/10
45. Romeo + Juliet (1996)
PG-13 | 120 min | Drama, Romance
Shakespeare's famous play is updated to the hip modern suburb of Verona still retaining its original dialogue.
Director: Baz Luhrmann | Stars: Leonardo DiCaprio, Claire Danes, John Leguizamo, Harold Perrineau
Votes: 211,225 | Gross: $46.35M
3/10
46. Barb Wire (1996)
R | 98 min | Action, Sci-Fi
During the Second American Civil War in 2017, Barb Wire owns a nightclub called the Hammerhead. Things become complicated when her ex-lover Axel Hood, who is married to the fugitive Corrina Devonshire, re-enters her life.
Director: David Hogan | Stars: Pamela Anderson, Amir AboulEla, Adriana Alexander, David Andriole
Votes: 25,235 | Gross: $3.79M
2/10
47. Sabrina the Teenage Witch (1996 TV Movie)
PG | 91 min | Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Sent by her parents to live with her two eccentric aunts, Sabrina Sawyer discovers on her 16th birthday that she's a witch.
Director: Tibor Takács | Stars: Melissa Joan Hart, Sherry Miller, Charlene Fernetz, Michelle Beaudoin
Votes: 6,818
1/10
48. Leprechaun 4: In Space (1996 Video)
R | 95 min | Comedy, Fantasy, Horror
Our deadly leprechaun is in space to woo a beautiful princess who is impressed with his gold and desires to separate him from it.
Director: Brian Trenchard-Smith | Stars: Warwick Davis, Brent Jasmer, Jessica Collins, Guy Siner
Votes: 6,671
1/10
49. Ed (1996)
PG | 94 min | Comedy, Family, Sport
A trained chimpanzee plays third base for a minor-league baseball team.
Director: Bill Couturié | Stars: Matt LeBlanc, Jayne Brook, Gene Ross, Paul Hewitt
Votes: 8,126 | Gross: $6.29M
1/10
Tell Your Friends