There are great spy movies from every era, with the 1960s cementing the genreas a timeless classic and the 1990s pushing boundaries, incorporating contemporary themes into iconic narratives. Movies likeGoldenEyeare obvious choices for the ’90s' best contributions to espionage cinema. TheJames Bondprojects of every decade come to define the spy thrillers of that era, as they’re a good indication of where the genre is headed and what spy movies are going to be focusing on throughout that decade. However, that doesn’t mean other franchises or stand-alone works aren’t as good.
When it comes to thespy movies that real CIA agents recommend, the 1990s has a few, with some based on books and others using comedy and huge action set pieces to keep the audience engaged. Though it’s expected that a spy movie will keep you guessing until the very end, these projects are especially mind-bending, with plots that get exceptionally convoluted. However, this is part of the fun of watching an action-thriller about international spies. Seeing the characters piece together the mystery and go on exciting chases never gets old.
10The Peacemaker (1997)
Directed by Mimi Leder
George Clooney and Nicole Kidman have great chemistry inThe Peacemaker, and the two iconic actors make the twisting spy thriller work. Though their characters fall into classic tropes, this is part of the fun of a movie likeThe Peacemaker. The film has no intention of reinventing the spy movie or turning it on its head. Instead,The Peacemakerensures that the audience has a great time watching it from beginning to end.
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The Peacemakeris notable for its fun and unabashedly joyful approach to the genre,as it’s clear that the filmmakers have a deep love for the classics of espionage cinema. Directed by Mimi Leder,The Peacemakeris one of the few major spy movies directed by women, as it’s typically a male-dominated field. However, Leder proves that there should be more room for women within the spy genre, thanks to her fast-paced and attention-grabbing project.
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Val Kilmer leads the cast ofThe Saintas Simon Templar, a master thiefwho gets embroiled in a plot to steal a formula for clean energy from Emma Russell (Elisabeth Shue). Even in the late ’90s, issues of energy and fuel shortages were potent enough to be the center of an action thriller, as Emma’s formula makes her the target of Simon’s crimes. Of course, things don’t go according to plan when the two can’t help falling in love, and Simon’s thieving ways are called into question.
One of the most fun parts ofThe Saintis all the disguises and different identities that Kilmer embodies throughout the story, with the actor disappearing into each archetype. Shue is genuine and believable as Emma, and the audience easily grows to like her as much as Simon does. ThoughThe Saintmakes its narrative more convoluted than it has to be, this adds to the atmosphere andclassic tone of the film, harkening back to early additions to the genre.
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After the success of the 1990 filmThe Hunt for Red October, the Tom Clancy novelPatriot Gameswas adapted. Harrison Ford takes on the role of Jack Ryan in this iteration of the story. Whileevery actor who has played Jack Ryan in a movieor TV show has put a unique spin on the role, Ford is a highlight of the franchise. InPatriot Games, Ryan is once again chasing down bad guys and uncovering secret plots, andthough the story isn’t the most original, Ford anchors the project.
There are aspects ofPatriot Gamesthat have not aged well, and while it doesn’t have the flash or excitement of some contemporary action-thrillers, it’s still full of tension.
There are aspects ofPatriot Gamesthat have not aged well, and while it doesn’t have the flash or excitement of some contemporary action-thrillers, it’s still full of tension. It’s always interesting to engage with spy franchises besidesJames Bond, as theJack Ryanmovies were almost the American answer to the success ofBondin the 1990s. Ford’s distinct Hollywood roots and ability to strengthen many famous pieces of IP made him the perfect candidate to portray Ryan.
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ThoughTrue Liesgets a little silly and improbable throughout its run, it’s a cult classic spy movie for a reason, earning a strong legacy thanks to its leads and action sequences. Directed by James Cameron, who’s usually associated with his blockbuster sci-fi projects,True Liesis a funny twist on the typical espionage story.It stars Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jamie Lee Curtis as the married couple, Harry and Helen, who are looking for more adventure.
Though Harry is a secret agent, Helen isn’t aware of his double life and slowly becomes entangled in his work as a spy. There are some dated elements in the movie, butTrue Liescan be viewed as a commentary on the issues within the action and spy genres when it’s revisited today.True Liesworks because the script is self-aware, and both performers are committed to their roles,mining them for comedy and making them more than the traditional archetypes of spy and love interest.
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ThoughTomorrow Never Diesisn’t Pierce Brosnan’s best turn as the iconic James Bond, it’s still a fun and somewhat campy ride for audiences to enjoy.With Michelle Yeoh and Jonathan Pryce joining Brosnan in the cast,Tomorrow Never Diesfeatures some great performances and paved the way for more exciting action sequences and gadget work within theBonduniverse. The villain ofTomorrow Never Dies, played by Pryce, received praise for helping to root the film in reality and a more contemporary era.
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Tomorrow Never Dies is generally considered a middling entry in the Bond series, but one aspect of the movie’s story now seems incredibly prescient.
EveryBondera brings something new to the table, andTomorrow Never Diestakes many steps forward in modernizing the franchise. Though the story could be criticized for being a little too by the book, there are still innovative moments throughout the narrative. The wayTomorrow Never Diesis in conversation with the emergence of technology and how this would eventually come to be the world’s ruling powerwas well ahead of its time, elevating the movie beyond its original reception.
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The all-star cast ofEnemy of the Stateis reason enough to watch the filmand the intricate plotting cements it as a great addition to the genre.Enemy of the Statebuilds its thrilling action and dynamic chase scenes but thrives on the subtle deception and conspiracies within the government that go all the way to the top. Will Smith and Gene Hackman play opposite each other as Robert Dean, a lawyer being targeted by the NSA, and Brill, a surveillance expert who helps Dean clear his name.
ThoughEnemy of the Stateisn’t aGene Hackman movie he’s typically remembered for, it’s still an exciting piece of his filmography. Like many spy thrillers of the 1990s,Enemy of the Statetouched upon issues of paranoia and surveillanceas anxieties surrounding new technologies were growing within the culture. Additionally,Enemy of the Stateexamines contemporaneous global conflicts, tying them into the explosive story that is eventually neatly tied up in the satisfying conclusion.
Enemy of the State (1998)
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Though Robert De Niro is best known for his gangster and crime movies, he shines inRonin, a spy thriller that combines espionage and high-stakes theft.De Niro plays Sam, a former CIA agent who teams up with a group of former intelligence agents and mercenariesto steal weapons. AsRonin’s plot unfolds, it becomes clear that Sam and his allies are part of a much larger conspiracy and don’t have all the answers about who they’re working for.
Though De Niro is a recognizable figure, he disappears into his role, quickly becoming a compelling focal point for the narrative.
The car chases inRoninset it apart from other ’90s spy films, givingRonina fast-paced and dynamic feel throughout its runtime. Though De Niro is a recognizable figure, he disappears into his role, quickly becoming a compelling focal point for the narrative. It’s always fun when a spy movie sets its characters free from the confines of government work and lets them run wild, especially when a movie is as visually innovative asRonin.
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Sean Connery, who rose to prominence for his performances as James Bond within the franchise, plays a Soviet captain on the other side of the Cold War inThe Hunt for Red October. He’s joined by Alec Baldwin, Tim Curry, and many other fantastic actors in the submarine thriller. Connery’s character,Marko Ramius, decides to defect to the U.S. with the submarine, Red October and begins a game of cat and mouse with Jack Ryan(Baldwin), who deduces his plan and attempts to help him.
Based on the novel by Tom Clancy,The Hunt for Red Octoberhas a strong premise and many twists and turns that keep the audience engaged. Much of the plot’s tension relies on the characters taking risks and trusting each other while maintaining their cover with their respective governments.The threat of nuclear war, which defined the spy movies of the Cold War,is at the forefront ofThe Hunt for Red October, demonstrating how these themes remained relevant well into the ’90s.
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Though the firstMission: Impossiblemovie looks very different from the latest action-thrillers starring Tom Cruise, it’s still a benchmark of the genre. The stunts might be a little less daring, but the 1996Mission: Impossibleboasts some memorable action sequences and the original team-up between Cruise as Ethan Hunt and Ving Rhames as Luther Stickell. This movie capitalized on the nostalgia of the TV series while making necessary updates.
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As the franchise progressed,Mission: Impossiblebecame much more daring and technologically advanced,but this made the film an incredible time capsule of a genre. Many of the best spy thrillers of the past decades have been inspired byMission: Impossible, and seeing Cruise evolve as an action star since the franchise began has been a joy. Revisiting the firstMission: Impossibletoday demonstrates how well the movie holds up compared to similar projects.
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Pierce Brosnan makes hisJames Bonddebut inGoldenEye, ushering in a new era for the franchise and ultimately cementing the 1990s as a fun decade forBond. There are many reasons that the 1995GoldenEyehas become iconic, not just within theBondcanon but in the spy genre in general. Judi Dench steps into the role of M, arguably one of the most iconic portrayals of the character, andthe success of the project helped bringBondback to the forefront of espionage stories.
GoldenEyedoesn’t skimp on action, adventure, and the classic elements ofJames Bondthat make the franchise so beloved, but it also doesn’t shy away from commenting on its legacy and criticizing its flaws. This is what allowsGoldenEyeto exist in the modern era and be enjoyed today. Brosnan’s Bond is fresher and more human than ever before inGoldenEye, but he’s still just as suave and engaging as in the classics of the genre.
GoldenEye (1995)
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