Spy movies have always been popular. These stories of intrigue, mystery, combat, and double-crossings can make for some of the most entertaining films imaginable. But, of course, like any cinematic genre, the spy brand of entertainment has seen several peaks throughout its history, and the ’90s were undeniably one of the best-ever decades for fans of these sorts of films.
From political thrillers like Clear and Present Danger to secret agent films like Mission: Impossible to biopics like Michael Collins, the spy genre kept evolving and developing throughout the ’90s. No matter what subgenre they belong to, these ten exceptional spy films are some of the best of the decade overall, proving that these types of tales can make for some of the most entertaining cinema.
10
‘Clear and Present Danger’ (1994)
Created by the legendary Tom Clancy in 1984, Jack Ryan has been one of the most iconic modern spy characters for many years, and there’s no more definitive on-screen version of him than Harrison Ford. The third film in the franchise, as well as the last one to feature Ford as Ryan, is Clear and Present Danger, which is one of the most entertaining thrillers of the ’90s.
There may not be much depth to the characters, but the plotting is so riveting, and the complexity of the narrative is so smart that it’s difficult to care much. Clear and Present Danger is methodically paced and politically razor-sharp, and though its story is dense, there’s such an attention to detail in how it’s executed that it ends up being irresistibly fun.
9
‘La Femme Nikita’ (1990)
Luc Besson was one of the most important French filmmakers during the ’80s and ’90s, one of the main voices behind the cinéma du look movement. His first proper big action flick was La Femme Nikita, and since then, this stylish cult classic has remained one of the most iconic and entertaining French action films of the 20th century.
Thanks to Anne Parillaud‘s tour-de-force lead performance and Besson’s distinctive direction, La Femme Nikita is one of the most essential movies of the ’90s, as well as one of the best female assassin movies ever. It served as a blueprint, inspiring countless other female characters in the action genre and receiving a TV show adaptation. La Femme Nikita is elegant yet over-the-top in every way that matters, delighting the senses and proving how many enthralling things you can do with the simple girl-with-a-gun trope.
8
‘Enemy of the State’ (1998)
Talent runs in the Scott family. Where Ridley Scott became one of the most important directors of the late 20th century, the late Tony Scott became one of the biggest action filmmakers in modern Hollywood. One of his most noteworthy gems is Enemy of the State, a fast-paced blast with a pair of exceptional performances by Oscar winners Gene Hackman and Will Smith.
Enemy of the State is one of the most underrated spy movies of all time, a solid thriller that was far ahead of its time in how it shows the terrifying reach of government surveillance and control in the technological age. The script isn’t the smartest, but the characters are more than engaging enough, and the story is a blast from start to finish, which is really the main thing one should want from a spy action thriller.
7
‘Michael Collins’ (1996)
Not all spy movies have to be entirely fictional, and for proof, one needn’t look further than the biopic Michael Collins. This historical drama stars Liam Neeson as Michael Collins, a leading figure in the Irish struggle for independence against the U.K. Aside from being a great star vehicle for a magnetic Liam Neeson, this Neil Jordan gem is one of the most underrated biopics of the ’90s.
Michael Collins is both ambitious and well-researched, as well as an entirely unconventional spy film in the best way possible. The writing is so solid, and Neeson’s performance is so strong that you come to understand perfectly why Collins’ charisma was one of the main sparks of this revolution. The resulting movie remains intellectually and emotionally compelling throughout the entire runtime.
6
’23’ (1998)
The German thriller 23 is far more complex than its title would have you believe. It’s one of the best spy movies of all time, based on a true story about a pair of German hackers at the height of the Cold War in the ’80s. Though the historical accuracy of the movie has been questioned in the past, there’s no denying that it’s an incredibly entertaining thriller.
This is a conspiracy thriller that definitely requires quite a bit of thoughtful analysis in order to be fully understood and appreciated, but those willing to put in the effort will be treated to one of the strongest international spy films of the era. 23 is visually strong, well-acted, and really well-written, precisely the kind of movie that those entertained by conspiracy theories should absolutely love.
5
‘Mission: Impossible’ (1996)
Before it became one of the best action movie franchises in history, Mission: Impossible consisted of a now-classic 1966 TV series and a 1988 sequel series. Paramount had been trying to make a film version for years, but hadn’t been successful. It took Tom Cruise and Brian De Palma coming into the picture to finally get the movie made, and though it’s definitely the entry in the series that’s least like its peers in both style and tone, it’s nevertheless a remarkably entertaining spy thriller.
The spectacle is so riveting, and the espionage scenes are so fun that it’s impossible not to be entertained.
The movie benefits from De Palma’s distinct style and a screenplay by legendary writers David Koepp and Robert Towne. The result? The Mission: Impossible installment that feels the most like an old-school spy flick, full of unexpected twists, gut-wrenching double-crossings, and slick set pieces like the iconic rope scene. The story’s a little convoluted in certain parts, but who cares? The spectacle is so riveting, and the espionage scenes are so fun that it’s impossible not to be entertained by the movie.
4
‘Ronin’ (1998)
From Goodfellas to Heat, Robert De Niro had a hell of a decade during the ’90s, but there’s one underappreciated gem that deserves to be way up there when talking about the actor’s greatest projects from the decade: Ronin. This neo-noir action thriller has a star-studded cast, several great car chase scenes, and an airtight script that’s exciting from start to finish.
Elegant, complex, and full of personality, Ronin is the kind of explosive action flick that defies expectations and delivers genuine, unadulterated spectacle. It’s a “complete package” kind of movie, with the kind of writing, performances, direction, and production values that had already become tragically rare in the action genre by the time 1998 rolled in. Although somewhat underrated for years, Ronin has aged incredibly well and is now considered a masterpiece of action cinema.
3
‘GoldenEye’ (1995)
Every Bond actor has a most entertaining outing, and Pierce Brosnan‘s is perhaps the easiest to pick. After all, not only is GoldenEye one of the best 007 movies ever, but even one of the best action flicks of the ’90s. It was a first for the franchise in many aspects: Brosnan’s first outing as the character, the first Bond film not produced by Albert R. Broccoli, the first Bond film with Judi Dench as M, and the first Bond film made after the Cold War and the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
All of that brings an edgy air of modernity to GoldenEye that hasn’t expired over 30 years later. It’s a brilliant reinvention of the franchise with better tech, more action, and the perfect dose of camp (which later Brosnan Bond movies would go a little overboard with). GoldenEye is visually striking and a ton of fun, a quintessential modern 007 adventure that single-handedly cements Brosnan’s place in the Bond canon.
2
‘True Lies’ (1994)
Terminator 2: Judgment Day was the most expensive film in history at the time, but every cent was worth it, as it’s one of the greatest action films in history today. How could James Cameron follow up on this success, though? By breaking his record and making an even more expensive action flick, of course. The good news is that every penny that went into making True Lies was money well spent.
This spy comedy masterpiece may not be quite as great or as iconic as Cameron and Arnold Schwarzenegger‘s previous collaborations, but it’s every bit as fun. It’s a funny and exciting shoot-’em-up with Schwarzenegger and a scene-stealing Jamie Lee Curtis at their best, full of exciting action sequences and witty humor. It’s not the deepest film in the world, yet it’s still one of the most entertaining action flicks of the decade.
1
‘The Hunt for Red October’ (1990)
It was Alec Baldwin who first stepped into Jack Ryan’s shoes on the big screen when he starred as the CIA analyst in the Sean Connery-starring The Hunt for Red October, an adaptation of the first book featuring Ryan. It’s one of the most essential movies of 1990, the submarine spy thriller par excellence and one of the best Cold War movies ever made.
It’s an old-fashioned spy thriller anchored by one of the best action movie casts of the ’90s, full of suspense and dynamically crafted submarine set pieces. Exceptionally directed by action genre veteran John McTiernan and benefitting from a top-form Connery, The Hunt for Red October is an intelligent and magnetically engaging masterpiece that’s the peak of ’90s spy filmmaking in every way that matters.
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