Movies played a huge role in shaping Generation X. Sometimes referred to as the “MTV Generation” or “Forgotten Generation,” Gen Xers grew up during an important time in pop culture and technology. Their defining years happened long before digital tech and Internet connectivity became ubiquitous. As a result, movies shaped everything from fashion trends to slang. Of course, it was a two-way street! The generation also influenced filmmakers, resulting in some of the best flicks of cinematic history.
Whether you’re longing for the days of perusing video rental stores or want a taste of what it was like to grow up as a Gen Xer, here are iconic films from the ’80s, ’90s and early 2000s that shaped an entire generation!
1. “Reality Bites” (1994)
“Reality Bites” is a quintessential Gen X movie that captures the harsh realities of navigating life and entering adulthood in the ’90s. The film has a great cast and a killer soundtrack, introducing the world to the iconic “Stay (I Miss You)” by Lisa Loeb.
2. “Clueless” (1995)
“AS IF” we weren’t going to include this ’90s classic. While most of Generation X can’t relate to rich Malibu life, this movie gave us all many great moments, zany fashion and plenty of catchphrases!
3. “Dazed and Confused” (1993)
A young Matthew McConaughey, memories of high school life and a deep introspective look at what we thought was important back then. While set in the ’70s, its themes were relatable for teens at the time.
4. “Scream” (1996)
This horror flick brought slashers back into the limelight and gave Gen Xers newfound fears to keep them up at night. Plus, we can’t forget about the forever-parodied Ghostface!
5. “Heathers” (1989)
“Heathers” is problematic by today’s standards. But what Gen Xers can’t relate to being under the heavy thumb of popular girls who thought they could get away with anything?
6. “The Breakfast Club” (1985)
“The Breakfast Club” is a classic teen movie that made a generation of young teens and adults rethink the importance of cliques.
7. “Clerks” (1994)
This low-budget movie put Kevin Smith on the map and started the larger View Askewniverse. It’s painfully relatable, flaws and all!
8. “Boyz n the Hood” (1991)
This flick offers a brutally honest account of life in South Central Los Angeles. However, people worldwide found ways to relate to the characters and environment.
9. “Jaws” (1975)
Here’s a movie that traumatized an entire generation! Many Gen Xers caught this flick early in life, instilling a fear of the open ocean that persists for many today.
10. “The Princess Bride” (1987)
This fantasy romance gave us action, love and countless memorable moments. It may have also set some unrealistic standards for love, but who cares with a story like this?
11. “St. Elmo’s Fire” (1985)
Like “Reality Bites,” this movie offered peak relatability. It covers the trials and tribulations of post-college life and the potential ugliness of the real world.
12. “Fight Club” (1999)
“Fight Club” satirized American life in the ’90s. It offered brutal action scenes and a twist that’s become a cinema legend.
13. “Slacker” (1990)
Unfortunately, many Gen Xers could relate to “Slackers” on a deep level at some point. It has plenty of laughs, but the main themes of this movie matter even today.
14. “Bring It On” (2000)
“Bring It On” is a stupid-fun movie that made people care about competitive cheerleading. Its great performances and unique take on high school life made it a cult classic for Gen Xers and Millenials alike.
15. “Stand By Me” (1986)
Who can’t relate to a movie like this? “Stand By Me” has strong themes of friendship and perseverance, and it’s a film many Gen Xers love to revisit.
16. “Caddyshack” (1980)
Here’s a movie that brought all the laughs! It’s still a riot today, making it an all-time comedy classic for Generation X.
17. “Empire Records” (1995)
“Empire Records” was a movie for the Gen X outcasts. It’s a great teen flick that captures the essence of teen life in the ’90s. Plus, its soundtrack is still amazing!
18. “Pretty in Pink” (1986)
Another John Hughes classic, every Gen X girl dreamt of being Andie in that pink dress.
19. “The Silence of the Lambs” (1991)
This movie had a lock going for it, including scares, truly repugnant villains and thrills. But for many Gen Xers, it’s memorable for showcasing a strong female protagonist who was smart, brave and focused on getting things done.
20. “Trainspotting” (1995)
“Trainspotting” is a controversial film, no doubt. It’s about a cast of heroin addicts, after all! Despite that, it does a great job of highlighting the seedier aspects of Gen X life and the fight for survival.
21. “Chasing Amy” (1997)
Another Kevin Smith classic, “Chasing Amy,” is a quintessential “complicated romance” film of the ’90s.
22. “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure” (1989)
If you grew up in the ’80s and ’90s, you saw plenty of Bills and Teds around school. This movie represented those dudes while giving the world a truly zany story.
23. “Fatal Attraction” (1987)
This thriller scarred Gen Xers in many ways. It depicted the horrors of broken relationships and shattered that whole “perfect family” facade.
24. “Dead Poet’s Society” (1989)
“Dead Poet’s Society” is feel-good cinema at its best. It showed Generation X to always grab life by the horns and seize any opportunity that comes your way.
25. “Jurassic Park” (1993)
These days, “Jurassic Park” is a blockbuster franchise. But back in the day, it was the must-watch movie that made everyone fall in love with dinosaurs!
26. “Reservoir Dogs” (1992)
This Quentin Tarantino movie was gritty, action-packed and full of thrills. It’s quintessential Gen X cinema, and few movies have recreated its magic since.
27. “Risky Business” (1986)
Generation X is the generation of house parties while the parents are away. This movie captured those hijinx perfectly.
28. “SubUrbia” (1996)
The plot of “SubUrbia” seems mundane, but it’s surprisingly well-told. It’s a movie about the blindness of youth and some of the nastiness of societal norms in the ’90s.
29. “Home Alone” (1990)
It didn’t matter if you were a kid, young adult or teen, “Home Alone” is an all-time classic that many Gen Xers continue to watch every holiday season!
30. “The Lost Boys” (1987)
This movie had teen vampires before they became popular! Most Gen Xers will argue that the vamps in this flick are the coolest to appear on film!
31. “The Terminator” (1984)
Most Gen Xers still recite “I’ll be back” to this day! Fun Fact: Arnold Schwarzenegger said that line in at least eight non-Terminator films!
32. “Beetlejuice” (1988)
The Tim Burton classic was a fun but quirky romp that made many Gen Xers “go goth” for a bit. Its chokehold on teens in the ’90s and beyond can’t be understated.
33. “Party Girl” (1995)
Gen Xers arguably partied harder than those who came after. Here’s a flick that made many rethink their ways!
34. “E.T. the Extraterrestrial” (1982)
Stephen Spielberg reset pop culture with this one! It gave us many quotable phrases and still brings a tear to the eye of nostalgic Gen Xers.
35. “A Christmas Story” (1983)
Another holiday classic, “A Christmas Story,” shows a childhood that doesn’t exist much in America anymore. While set in the ’40s, the movie offers many nostalgic vibes for Generation X.
36. “Karate Kid” (1984)
A movie about accomplishing your goals no matter what? This film lit a fire under Gen X kids to climb whatever metaphorical mountaintop they wanted!
37. “Faces of Death” (1978)
If you know, you know. Before the Internet age and shock videos, Gen X had “Faces of Death.” While we know now that most of the stuff in this mondo film was fake, that doesn’t replace the memories of secretly passing this grotesque movie around!
38. “Can’t Hardly Wait” (1998)
Here’s another classic teen movie. This one is special to many Gen Xers because of the happy ending for its outsider protagonist.
39. “The Shawshank Redemption” (1994)
Want to bawl your eyes out? This movie will do it! For many Gen Xers, it instilled a feeling of hope that few movies can.
40. “Back to the Future” (1985)
“Back to the Future” is a good-hearted family film that many in Generation X have fond memories of watching.
41. “Singles” (1992)
In the era of grunge music, “Singles” was a movie that spoke to many! It depicts the complicated struggle of finding love in the ’90s.
42. “Poltergeist” (1982”
“Poltergeist” was a movie that either made you love or hate horror flicks. Even today, many Gen Xers consider it one of the scariest movies ever!
43. “Wayne’s World” (1992)
Stoners and slackers rejoice! “Waynes World” was a comedy film that spoke to those outcasts while giving the rest of the world countless laughs.
44. “Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark” (1981)
Indiana Jones was a complicated hero, especially by today’s standards. But for Gen X, he was the man countless boys wanted to be, and many girls wanted to be with him!
45. “Edward Scissorhands” (1990)
Here’s another quirky Tim Burton offering. The titular character was weird, but his fashion undoubtedly inspired many Gen X goth kids!
46. “Say Anything” (1989)
Is there anything more iconic than John Cusack with that boom box? We love a good underdog story, and this one takes the cake!
47. “Ghostbusters” (1984)
“Ghostbusters” is a franchise that continues today, but Gen X will always remember the O.G.
48. “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” (1982)
This flick gives you a slice of teen life, including some of its more ridiculous and unapologetic aspects. It puts all of that under a memorable comedic lens.
49. “The Thing” (1982)
“The Thing” was peak body horror for Gen X. Its gross practical effects are no match for modern CGI!
50. “I Know What You Did Last Summer” (1997)
While “Scream” took the crown for slasher horror, “I Know What You Did Last Summer” made teens and young adults in the ’90s rethink every bad thing they’ve ever done!
What Films Had the Most Impact on You?
These fifty films are some of the most memorable for Gen X, but it’s not an exhaustive list. Films of the era shaped the generation in many ways. Movies molded pop culture, made us think and prepared us for the unknowns of the new millennium.
While you could argue that there are more movies available today and countless ways to enjoy them, there was something magical about enjoying these flicks at the theater or on VHS. Those memories will last Gen Xers a lifetime!
