It was a year that reinforced Scottish cinema as a global force to be reckoned with, while a Hollywood superstar would earn praise and criticism, after receiving a $20 million payday for a film that was—honestly?—a little hit and miss with critics, but has since become a cult classic.
1996 saw franchises being given a new lease of life, with successful shows transitioning from the small screen to the silver screen. Disney started their tactic of making live-action versions of some of their classics. And a little film noir, set in cold, snowy climates and dealing with moral ambiguities, would become the Oscar darling that season. We were also set to have the future of home cinema released a year later after their initial release in Japan - something they call a “doovd.”
Sorry, I meant DVD.
Feeling old yet? It’ll be 30 years in 2026 since we last went to the cinema to see some of these incredible and/or cult classics. Here are 30 films throughout that year that became mainstays on television and video rental stores (remember them? They existed back then still!), and in some cases would influence many films to come decades later.
Did you go to the cinema or hire any of these films out upon their release?
5. The Birdcage (March 8)
Mike Nichols' sparkling remake of La Cage aux Folles became a cultural phenomenon, proving that sophisticated, character-based comedy with LGBT themes could dominate the mainstream. It broke the record for the highest opening weekend box office take for a non-action film, competing successfully against major blockbusters. | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios
6. Primal Fear (April 5)
A career-defining moment: the role of Aaron Stampler was a star-making turn for Edward Norton, who won a Golden Globe and earned an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor in his feature film debut. His ambiguous, layered performance immediately established him as one of the most compelling young actors of the decade. | Paramount Pictures
7. The Craft (May 3)
This dark supernatural thriller quickly became a defining cult classic for alternative teen culture, mixing high school angst with genuine occult practice. Its commercial success, particularly among young women, signalled Hollywood's increasing appetite for darker, more empowered female-led genre stories. | Columbia Pictures
8. Twister (May 10)
This film cemented the rise of digital special effects and high-concept disaster movies. Grossing over $495 million worldwide, it was the second-highest-grossing film of the year and was the first film to be released on the new digital versatile disc (DVD) format, making it a technical landmark. | Universal /Warner Bros.