The Criterion Collection is arguably one of the most beloved organizations among cinephiles. It's rare enough to have moviegoers loving the work of a specific studio (with such exceptions as Pixar or A24), but the case of The Criterion Collection is even more unique considering that it only distributes movies rather than making them.

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Its unique selection of classics from every era, genre, and part of the world makes Criterion such a novelty, but this kind of variety means it's more difficult to choose where to start. A good idea would be to take the period when cinema was flourishing and many filmmakers were experimenting, a period when many recent masterpieces were released - the 1990s.

The Stranger (1991) - 8.1

Utpal Dutt sitting near a tree in The Stranger 1991

Renowned Indian director Satyajit Ray's final movie, The Stranger was a big critical success in its home country where the drama won multiple Indian National Film Awards, including Best Feature Film and Best Directing.

Based on Ray's own short story, it tells the story of a wealthy family who is visited by a man who claims to be their relative and tells them stories of his travels.

Three Colours: Red (1994) - 8.1

Dominique blows a bubble in Three Colors: Red

The third and final (and possibly the best of the three) installment in the Three Colours trilogy, Three Colours: Red is considered to be one of Krzysztof Kieslowski's best works. The movie was nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Director.

Like the two movies before it in the trilogy, Red focuses on a particular theme - fraternity. It follows a model who finds a retired judge who is ready to invade the privacy of others.

La Haine (1995) - 8.1

Two teens in La Haine

An outstanding independent drama, La Haine was a massive critical success and even has a 100% critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The movie won the Best Director award at the Cannes Film Festival and three Cesar Awards, including Best Film.

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The movie follows a group of three young men in a 24-hour snapshot of their lives in the poor suburbs of Paris right before a violent riot ensues.

Chungking Express (1994) - 8.1

Faye Wong looking at her reflection in Chungking Express

Wong Kar-wai's Chungking Express is definitely among the director's best works that possesses all the trademarks of the filmmaker. Though it didn't receive as much acclaim as Kar-wai's later movie In the Mood for Love, it was still widely praised by critics and regular viewers alike.

The movie has two stories. One follows a cop who can't get over his breakup as he encounters a strange drug smuggler. Another follows a different cop who is seemingly getting attention from a quirky bar worker he often visits.

Before Sunrise (1995) - 8.1

Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy look at each other in Before Sunrise.

The first movie in the iconic Before trilogy, Before Sunrise is arguably one of Richard Linklater's best works and a rare movie that holds a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

The story begins as the main characters of the trilogy, Jesse and Celine, meet for the first time on a train in Europe and get off in Vienna to spend the night together exploring the city.

Paris Is Burning (1990) - 8.2

The cast of Paris Is Burning 1990 sitting together

The documentary Paris Is Burning is particularly interesting when the context is considered. At the time of its release, it was very positively reviewed despite covering LGBTQ+ topics which weren't as mainstream as they are today. The documentary won multiple awards at festivals, including the Grand Jury Prize Documentary at the Sundance Film Festival.

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It depicts the ball culture of 1980s New York and the communities existing within it, including African-American, Latino, gay, and transgender communities.

Hoop Dreams (1994) - 8.3

A black and white still from Hoop Dreams showing two young men on a basketball court

Another documentary, Hoop Dreams was a critical and commercial success and even became the second-ever documentary to be nominated for the Best Editing Academy Award. At its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, it won the Audience Award for Best Documentary.

The movie follows two African-American high-schoolers dreaming of becoming professional basketball players after first doing so in college.

Close-Up (1990) - 8.3

Hossain Sabzian and Mohsen Makhmalbaf on a motorcycle in Close-Up 1990

The Iranian docufiction movie Close-Up initially received negative critical reviews in its home country, but went on to be widely acclaimed when shown abroad.

Expertly combining elements of documentary and fiction, the movie depicts the true story of how a man impersonated filmmaker Mohsen Makhmalbaf by persuading a family that they would star in his next movie.

A Brighter Summer Day (1991) - 8.4

Chang Chen and Lisa Yang talking while sitting under a tree in A Brighter Summer Day 1991

A critically acclaimed Taiwanese epic crime drama, A Brighter Summer Day was directed by Edward Yang, who is known as one of the leading filmmakers of the New Taiwanese Cinema. The movie won multiple awards at Asian film festivals and holds a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Taking place in the 1950s-1960s, it follows a young man from a middle-class family who gets involved with criminal gangs and juvenile delinquents.

The Silence Of The Lambs (1991) - 8.6

Hannibal Lecter's face reflects on the glass as he talk to Clarice in The Silence of the Lambs.

Probably Anthony Hopkins' most well-known role, Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs is one of the many things that made this movie so critically and commercially successful. It was only the third movie to ever win Academy Awards in all five major categories, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Actor, and Best Actress.

Based on the book of the same name, it follows FBI trainee Clarice Starling assigned to the case of a serial murderer known as Buffalo Bill. To help her with the investigation, Clarice enlists the help of the imprisoned psychiatrist and serial killer Dr. Hannibal Lecter who is known for his sharp intellect and cannibalistic food preferences.

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