Almost twenty (!) years ago, I wrote an article for the website Moviescene listing my ten favourite movies. Looking back at it now is a fascinating trip down memory lane. These are the films that made a lasting impression on me and helped shape my love of cinema.

10. The Lion King (1994)

When I was a little boy, it felt as though the videotape of this movie was permanently stuck in my VCR. I watched it so many times! The Lion King marked a turning point for Disney’s animated films and set a new standard for the genre. The story was captivating, and as a young child, it was almost impossible to hold back the tears when Simba’s father dies because of Scar’s betrayal.

On top of that, the Dutch-language version of this spectacle is an absolute delight. The Flemish voice actors playing Timon and Pumbaa are particularly brilliant, making this localisation a shining example for others to follow.

9. The Dark Knight (2008)

There’s not much left to say about this one. You can agree with its reputation or disagree with it, but Batman had firmly reclaimed his place as a cinematic icon. Christopher Nolan’s realistic approach makes the film feel grounded and serious, setting it apart from almost every other comic book adaptation.

Heath Ledger’s phenomenal performance as the Joker, in what would become his final major film role, only adds to the classic status this movie has earned. This is a comic book adaptation that truly deserves to be taken seriously.

8. Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Without a doubt, this film has one of the most impressive opening sequences ever put on screen. Everyone wonders what D-Day must have looked like in real life, and this movie comes frighteningly close to recreating one of the most horrific events in world history.

As the film progresses, the story does lose some of its initial impact, but after such an incredibly powerful opening, that’s perhaps inevitable. Saving Private Ryan boasts an outstanding cast, with Tom Hanks and Tom Sizemore standing out as two of its biggest highlights.

7. Grave of the Fireflies (1988)

I wasn’t always a huge fan of Japanese animated films, until I borrowed this one from a friend. She told me it was absolutely worth watching, and one gloomy Sunday afternoon, I finally decided to give it a chance.

By the time it was over, I was spellbound. I could only conclude that Japanese animation was well worth exploring after all. The emotion practically leaps off the screen, and the film left a profound impression on me. What a heartbreaking story, and what an incredible way of bringing it to life.

Not long afterwards, I discovered Studio Ghibli, and Japanese animation gradually became one of my favourite genres.

6. American History X (1998)

Few films have an opening sequence quite as shocking as this one. Edward Norton plays a neo-Nazi who catches a Black man breaking into his home and subjects him to a brutal execution on the pavement. The scene is horrifying, and it immediately establishes the uncompromising tone of the film.

After serving time in prison, his character returns a changed man, only to discover that the world around him seems to have stood still. Norton steals the show in this powerful drama, but even more important is the story itself, which confronts the social problems and racial tensions at the heart of American society.

5. The Matrix (1999)

With this film, the Wachowskis sparked a revolution and breathed new life into the science fiction genre, which had been going through something of a slump. The movie also introduced several special effects techniques that are still widely used today.

The very idea that the world we live in might be nothing more than a simulation inspired countless other filmmakers and artists. On top of that, the film features a terrific cast. With Hugo Weaving in particular bringing the Wachowskis’ alternative universe to life through his unforgettable performance.

4. Forrest Gump (1994)

Once again, Tom Hanks delivers a remarkable performance in this Robert Zemeckis film, which can easily be considered one of the finest movies of his career. The story is deeply moving and weaves together various historical events that had a major impact on society.

Zemeckis manages to incorporate these events in a humorous way without diminishing their historical significance. The scenes in which Forrest is seamlessly inserted into actual historical footage were revolutionary at the time and remain fascinating to watch today.

This film was also one of the reasons Tom Hanks became one of my favourite actors.

3. Toy Story (1995)

Pixar’s first feature film made an enormous impression on me. What kid wouldn’t want their toys to come to life? Everyone would, right?

Toy Story strikes all the right chords with its brilliant cast of characters, but it was also a groundbreaking achievement as one of the first feature-length films created primarily using computer animation. Pixar proved that computer-generated characters could be genuinely entertaining and carry an entire movie.

To this day, I still love watching Woody and Buzz get into all sorts of mischief. The third instalment is now on the horizon, and expectations are sky-high. Don’t let us down, Pixar!

2. Minority Report (2002)

Another Spielberg film. Minority Report has become one of my favourite movies because of its remarkably convincing vision of the future. In my opinion, the way media and technology are used throughout the film feels so realistic that I wouldn’t be surprised if we were using similar devices ourselves twenty years down the line.

The story is fantastic, too. After all, who wouldn’t dream of living in a world free of crime? But when the system designed to make that dream a reality starts making mistakes, all hell breaks loose.

Tom Cruise delivers one of the finest performances of his career, while Spielberg, as you’d expect, turns the whole thing into another cinematic gem.

1. Jurassic Park (1993)

Steven Spielberg has earned a special place in my heart, largely thanks to the many masterpieces he’s directed over the years. Time and again, he’s shown himself to be a master of the big-budget blockbuster. And Jurassic Park, based on a story by Michael Crichton, is perhaps the finest example of all.

The story is compelling and grounded in a fascinating premise. The special effects were groundbreaking and revolutionary, but perhaps most importantly, the film still holds up remarkably well today.

That’s no small achievement in an industry where technology and filmmaking techniques evolve at breakneck speed. For me, Jurassic Park remains the ultimate blockbuster and the best film of the bunch.

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