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?
17. Kingpin (July 26)
The Farrelly Brothers comedy, starring Woody Harrelson and Bill Murray, cemented their status as kings of aggressive, high-concept gross-out comedy. It features cameos from numerous professional athletes, including the legendary baseball pitcher Roger Clemens. | MGM
18. James and the Giant Peach (August 2)
This film, dedicated to the memory of the author Roald Dahl, masterfully blended live-action and stop-motion animation sequences created by director Henry Selick. It confirmed stop-motion's place as a viable, artistic alternative to the growing dominance of CGI animation. | Disney
19. Matilda (August 2)
Directed by and co-starring Danny DeVito, this celebrated adaptation of the Roald Dahl book was dedicated to the memory of child star Mara Wilson's mother, Suzie Wilson, who passed away during post-production. The film remains a beloved staple for its pro-reading and anti-bullying message. | Tristar Pictures
20. Emma (September 13)
This lush period adaptation, starring Gwyneth Paltrow, capitalized on the "Jane Austen boom" of the mid-90s. It secured an Academy Award for Best Original Musical or Comedy Score for composer Rachel Portman, making her the first female composer to win an Oscar in that category. | Miramax