Age Check: You’re That Old If You Remember These Blockbusters That Turned 30 In 2023

Remember the time when you felt that a movie you thoroughly enjoyed should be seen first in cinemas? Remember the time when you were free to explore topics, subjects, and jokes in movies sans fear of offending anyone? Remember that early 90s fashion?

Believe it or not, it has been three decades since the following blockbusters dazzled us with their beauty, tickled us pink in laughter, and tugged our heartstrings with tragic scenes.

Based on worldwide ticket sales, here are ten of the biggest blockbusters turning 30 in 2023.

Jurassic Park

A science fiction action film based on the novel of the same name by Michael Crichton, Jurassic Park toys with the idea of resurrecting the long-ago extinct dinosaurs and the possibility of humans co-existing with these prehistoric reptiles.

One of two films by Steven Spielberg released in 1993, Jurassic Park stars Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, and Richard Attenborough. Set in Isla Nubar, west of Costa Rica, wealthy businessman John Hammond and his team of scientists create a live dinosaur reserve/theme park. As Hammond tours his visitors around the park, deceptive moves by his staff put the park, and all of them, in mortal peril.

Jurassic Park earned $1,045,573,035 worldwide against a production budget of $63,000,000.

Mrs. Doubtfire

The film is based on the 1987 novel “Alias Madame Doubtfire” by Anne Fine. Set in San Francisco, Daniel Hillard (Robin Williams) is an often out-of-work voice actor who locks horns with his wife, Miranda (Sally Field), when it comes to raising their three children. Miranda kicks Daniel out of the house and demands a divorce after being fed up with his character and seeming lack of responsibility.

Due to her busy schedule, she hires a nanny, and Daniel, desperate to be with his children, uses his acting skills to disguise himself as Mrs. Doubtfire. He gets the job and manages to keep the house clean and the children disciplined. As the film progresses, his disguise is revealed, and the ex-couple reaches an impasse. The film ends with a poignant take on families with separated parents who continue to love their children.

Mrs. Doubtfire earned $441,286,003 from worldwide cinema ticket sales.

The Fugitive

Based on the 1960s television series of the same name, The Fugitive stars Harrison Ford, Tommy Lee Jones, Sela Ward, Joe Pantoliano, Andreas Katsulas, and Jeroen Krabbé.

This action film narrates the story of Dr. Richard Kimble (Harrison Ford), framed and sentenced to the death penalty for the murder of his wife. He manages to escape and sets out to find the real killer while being hunted by the police and US Marshalls.

The Fugitive earned $353,715,317 from worldwide box office sales.

The Firm

An American legal thriller starring Tom Cruise, The Firm is based on the 1991 John Grisham novel of the same name. It tells the story of a neophyte lawyer joining a prestigious law firm, only to discover that it hides secrets it would kill to keep.

As the promising lawyer joins the highly-respected law firm, two of his colleagues are disposed of. He soon learns that the firm has disreputable clients, and he is now made to choose between loyalty to his employers, or loyalty to the law (FBI), or loyalty to himself.

The Firm earned $270,340,892 from worldwide box office sales.

Sleepless in Seattle

A sleeper hit in 1993, the film stars Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan in this now classic romantic comedy.

Sleepless in Seattle narrates the story of how destiny plays a hand in bringing together widower Sam Baldwin (Tom Hanks) and Baltimore journalist Annie Reed (Meg Ryan). Sam’s eight-year-old son, Jonah, decides to help his father find a new wife. He calls a radio talk show on Christmas Eve and puts his dad on air.

Avid listener Annie, who herself is in a relationship, then writes a letter to Sam suggesting they meet at the Empire State Building on Valentine’s Day.

The film explores the reasons for them to not meet and what happens when they do.

Sleepless in Seattle earned $227,899,326 from worldwide box office sales.

Indecent Proposal

Woody Harrelson and Demi Moore play the role of young couple David and Diana Murphy faced with a tempting offer from a billionaire that turns out to be more than meets the eye.

Based on a 1988 novel by Jack Engelhard, the financially troubled couple travels to Las Vegas in a foolish attempt to win back all the money they lost, only to discover their luck deserting them again. In a surprise twist of fate, they run into billionaire John Gage (Robert Redford). He becomes attracted to Diana and offers them one million dollars if they allow him to sleep with her for one night.

They agree, and the aftermath they face changes their lives forever.

Indecent Proposal earned $266,600,000 from worldwide box office sales.

In the Line of Fire

A political thriller, this 1993 film stars Clint Eastwood, John Malkovich, and Rene Russo.

It tells the story of a Secret Service agent who tries to track down an ex-CIA agent planning to assassinate the President of the United States. Interestingly, both the Secret Service agent and the ex-CIA agent are in the know about the successful assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963.

Eastwood plays the titular role of Secret Service agent Frank Horrigan as he investigates the threat to the life of the current president. Recalling the horrors of 1963 Dallas, he exerts all efforts to prevent history from repeating itself.

In The Line Of Fire earned $187,343,874 from worldwide box office sales.

The Pelican Brief

Based on the 1992 John Grisham novel of the same name, this legal thriller is about a law student who flees for her life after uncovering details about the assassination of two Supreme Court justices.

Departing from her feel-good female lead roles, Julia Roberts portrays young law student Darby Shaw. Denzel Washington, on the other hand, plays the role of Washington Herald reporter Gray Grantham. Together, while on the run, they uncover a conspiracy involving senior government officials.

The Pelican Brief earned $187,995,859 from worldwide box office sales.

Schindler’s List

If there’s a film that sparked a renewed interest in World War II, Nazi Germany, and the Jewish genocide, it’s Steven Spielberg’s Schindler’s List.

The film recounts how German industrialist Oskar Schindler gradually has a change of heart as he devises ways to save his Jewish workforce.

Based on the 1982 novel “Schindler’s Ark” by Thomas Keneally, Liam Neeson plays the role of Oskar Schindler, who arrives in Krakow, Poland in 1939 to earn his share of riches from the war. He then employs Jews to work in his factories. However, when the SS commences the extermination of Jews in the concentration camps, Schindler ensures to protect his workers to keep the factory running. Gradually, he realizes that aside from saving his business, he is also saving innocent lives.

Schindler’s List earned $322,197,130 from worldwide box office sales.

Cliffhanger

Released in 1993, this thriller is set in the great outdoors where mountain climber Gabe (portrayed by Sylvester Stallone) crosses paths with a group of violent robbers stuck in the mountains. This group of criminals poses as hikers who employ his help in their quest to recover their $100 million loot lost from a plane crash in the Rocky Mountains.

Also starring John Lithgow, Michael Rooker, and Janine Turner, Cliffhanger earned $255,000,000 in worldwide box office sales.

Which of these films have you watched in the cinema, VHS, VCDs, Blu-ray, DVDs, or online? What film on the list left an indelible mark in your heart? Is your favorite film from 1993 not on the list? Let us know in the comments.

Happy watching!

Source: The Numbers