Top 50 Most Popular 90s Actresses

The 1990s may have been a game-changing decade for the global civilization at large, but it was also a defining period for Hollywood in more ways than one. The ticket counters at the time were packed with earth-shattering blockbusters such as Jurassic Park, Titanic, Beauty and the Beast, and The Lion King, to mention a few.

However, those who were living the ’90s to its fullest also saw the unprecedented rise of some low-budget motion pictures that went on to become serious cult features in due time.

Not only did these actresses redefine how characters were sketched for women but they also set striking fashion trends that caught the attention of millions worldwide. These hugely popular and decorated ladies starred in some of the finest feature films of the ’90s and, therefore, cemented their well-deserved place in the annals of cinema history.

So, while these outstanding performers cemented their legacies during the decade, they also, in the process, went on to cement their respective places in the hearts of their fans worldwide.

Needless to say, this is our attempt to trace the journey of the most revered and famous female screen stars of the 1990s.

1. Julia Roberts

It is impossible to talk about ’90s Hollywood and not bring Julia Roberts into the debate. While she was first seen on the TV show Crime Story, she soon went on to establish herself as one of Hollywood’s most beloved actresses.

Popular for her smile and immensely likeable on-screen characters, she announced her arrival into the mainstream by hitting the ball out of the park with 1990’s Pretty Woman. She gained further recognition after having played an important role in feature films such as My Best Friend’s Wedding, The Pelican Brief, Hook, Sleeping with the Enemy, Notting Hill, and Runaway Bride.

Roberts continues to remain one of Hollywood’s most adored actresses. Not only is she one of the most bankable female leads of all time but she has also received a ton of awards throughout her career. However, it is difficult to deny that the ’90s are heavily responsible for turning her into a major movie star.

2. Winona Ryder

Winona Ryder was one of the most popular female stars during the 1990s. While she participated in prominent films such as Heathers and Beetlejuice during the second half of the 1980s, she became a major motion picture star during the following decade.

She charmed the viewers with her majestic performance in Tim Burton’s unique fantasy romance Edward Scissorhands. She continued to gain prominence by appearing in feature films such as Bram Stoker’s Dracula, The Age of Innocence, Little Women, and Reality Bites.

Even though her popularity plunged during the late 2000s, Ryder shall always be remembered for her performances during the 1990s. Of late, she has been seen playing Joyce in the hit Netflix series Stranger Things.

3. Meryl Streep

By now, we are well-aware of the fact that Meryl Streep is one of the greatest screen performers in the history of motion pictures. Known for her inimitable persona, gift for accents, and knack for perfection, she has collaborated with several reputed movie stars and film directors throughout her career.

One of the hardest-working actresses anywhere in the global entertainment industry, she began her career during the second half of the 1970s. She delivered terrific performances throughout the 1980s and established herself as a mini-industry within the film industry.

Needless to say, she was already a celebrated actor when the 1990s commenced. Streep starred in cult classic motion pictures such as Death Becomes Her and The River Wild during the 1990s.

Furthermore, the award-winning actress received three Oscar nominations for her performances in titles such as Postcards from the Edge, The Bridges of Madison County, and One True Thing, respectively.

4. Jodie Foster

The talented and multi-faceted Jodie Foster first faced the camera when she was only seven years old. She made her mainstream debut during the 1970s and even earned a well-deserved Oscar nomination for her performance in director Martin Scorsese’s cult classic motion picture Taxi Driver.

After having taken a break at the beginning of the 1980s to attend Yale University, she made a memorable comeback with the film The Accused; a project that ended up winning her an Oscar.

However, this was only the beginning of things for the superstar for she continued to make her dynamic presence felt throughout the 1990s. She went on to win her second Oscar for her character projection in another masterpiece The Silence of the Lambs.

The film is widely considered to be one of the greatest psychological thrillers of all time. Post the success of the aforementioned flick, Foster was seen in projects such as Nell, Maverick, and Contact, to name a few.

She continues to be as celebrated today as she was during the 1990s, and is recognized as one of the top female stars in the history of Hollywood.

5. Sandra Bullock

The superb Sandra Bullock made her acting debut in the 1997 full-length feature Hangmen. She shot to fame after playing a role in the 1994 box office smash Speed. In the film, she was seen alongside Keanu Reeves and the late Dennis Hopper.

She gained further fame after having been a part of hit films such as While You Were Sleeping, The Net, and A Time to Kill. Bullock went on to consolidate her position as a film star during the 2000s and 2010s.

6. Gwyneth Paltrow

The tall and mesmerizing Gwyneth Paltrow began her acting career by featuring in the 1989 television movie High. While she rose to prominence after starring in the 1995 crime thriller Seven, she went on to gain further recognition for her adroit character projection in the 1996 adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma.

That said, it’d be safe to say that 1998 turned out to be a game-changing year for the star. She featured in box office hits such as A Perfect Murder and Shakespeare in Love.

Not only that but she also went on to earn a well-deserved Oscar for the latter. The actress, who continues to remain well-known today, ended the ’90s by pleasantly surprising one and all with her performance in The Talented Mr. Ripley.

7. Susan Sarandon

Susan Sarandon had managed to make a name for herself even before the onset of the 1990s. She was already 44 and quite popular by the time the ’90s arrived.

That said, she featured in some of the most distinguished motion pictures throughout the 1990s and, in many ways, redefined the manner in which a forty-plus actress was perceived by the audience.

She was seen in feature films such as Thelma & Louise and The Client during the time and earned an Oscar nomination for both. However, it was in 1995 that the experienced cine-star earned the golden statuette for her outstanding performance in the Tim Robbins directorial venture Dead Man Walking.

Successful to this very day, she was also seen playing the main protagonist in a box-office hit called Stepmom.

8. Meg Ryan

The mesmerizing Meg Ryan was first seen in the motion picture Rich and Famous in 1981. She is the undisputed queen of the romantic comedy genre. The talented actress found international fame during the late 1980s by playing a significant role in one of cinema’s greatest romantic flicks, When Harry Met Sally.

The graceful actress continued to shine by being a part of cult romantic comedies such as Sleepless in Seattle and You’ve Got Mail. The three aforementioned movies are credited with cementing her place as the genre’s queen.

That being said, Ryan also lent her beautiful voice to a character in the animated hit Anastasia. She ended the 1990s with a hit in City of Angels. Even though she failed to find much success outside of the rom-com genre, her performances in the aforementioned films are enough to make her a part of our list.

9. Demi Moore

Moore reportedly earned an unprecedented $12.5 million for her stunning character projection in the erotic drama Striptease. After having shot to fame with the surprise hit Ghost, she was seen in a string of box office successes such as A Few Good Men, Indecent Proposal, and Disclosure.

10. Drew Barrymore

Drew Barrymore started her acting career by playing minor roles in a few television movies. Even though the actress had been working since the late 1970s, it was only during the 1990s that she found fame.

Drew, who hails from the Barrymore family of actors, was seen in motion pictures such as Scream, Poison Ivy, Boys on the Side, Mad Love, and Batman Forever during the ’90s.

She has been a recipient of various accolades throughout her career so far.

11. Sharon Stone

The sensational Sharon Stone gave her career a kick-start during the 1980s and found stardom in the ’90s. She began the decade on a promising note by featuring in the science fiction feature film Total Recall.

She rose to fame after headlining the erotic thriller Basic Instinct. Her character projection in the aforementioned motion picture transformed her into a major sex symbol and promoted her into the coveted A-list of actors.

Having said that, the actress surprised many with her strong performance in director Martin Scorsese’s crime drama Casino. For the same, she even ended up earning an Oscar nomination. Even though her career went down the hill post the 1990s, one cannot deny that she had become quite dominating during the first half of the decade.

12. Michelle Pfeiffer

The magnificent Marie Pfeiffer started her acting career by appearing in television shows and television movies. However, she made it big as a mainstream actress soon enough. Known as one of the most prolific actresses of the 1980s and 1990s, she’s been a recipient of a Golden Globe Award and a British Academy Film Award.

She was a part of feature films such as Batman Returns, The Age of Innocence, Wolf, and Love Field during the 1990s.

13. Uma Thurman

Uma Thurman is a hugely popular film actress, producer, and former fashion model. She shot to fame after playing a critical role in the period romantic drama Dangerous Liaisons. She found international fame after winning hearts by playing the character of Mia Wallace in Quentin Tarantino’s cult classic Pulp Fiction.

For her performance in the same, she was nominated for the Academy Award, the BAFTA Award, and the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress, respectively. She was also a part of feature films such as Henry & June, Batman & Robin, The Truth About Cats & Dogs, and Gattaca during the 1990s.

14. Kate Winslet

Kate Winslet is hands down one of the most successful actresses of her generation. The exceptionally talented and gorgeous woman made both her big and small screen debut during the first half of the 1990s.

She is usually seen playing headstrong and complicated characters on celluloid. She was a part of popular motion pictures such as Heavenly Creatures, Sense and Sensibility, Titanic, Jude, and Hamlet during the 1990s.

Even though she turned out to be an even bigger star with the dawn of the new century, one cannot forget her remarkable rise to stardom during the ’90s. While the Oscar-winning actress was appreciated for her role play in Heavenly Creatures, she ended up winning the BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Sense and Sensibility.

She even received an Oscar nomination for her path-breaking role in the mammoth global blockbuster Titanic.

15. Emma Thompson

She has also received two Golden Globe Awards, a British Academy Television Award, and a Primetime Emmy Award, respectively. She was seen in motion pictures such as Dead Again, Peter’s Friends, Much Ado About Nothing, Howards End, In the Name of the Father, and Sense and Sensibility during the ’90s.

16. Andie MacDowell

This American actress and former fashion model made her screen debut by appearing in the 1984 motion picture Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes. She rose to prominence after playing a significant role in Sex, Lies, and Videotape; a project that won her critical acclaim.

Andie was then seen in feature films such as Green Card and Four Weddings and a Funeral during the first half of the 1990s. Both films fetched her Golden Globe nominations.

She was also a part of popular features such as Groundhog Day, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Short Cuts, and Multiplicity during the 1990s.

17. Nicole Kidman

The tall and elegant Nicole Kidman is one of Hollywood’s best Australian imports ever. Even though she started her acting career by appearing in television movies, she soon gained prominence after making her presence felt in films of different genres.

She found international fame and became a sensation after having featured in movies such as Days of Thunder, Far and Away, Batman Forever, To Die For, and Eyes Wide Shut during the 1990s.

She has been the recipient of an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, two Primetime Emmy Awards, and six Golden Globe Awards, respectively.

18. Kim Basinger

Kim Basinger started her acting career after featuring in the television show Gemini Man in 1976. The former fashion model made her feature film debut with the drama Hard Country.

19. Alicia Silverstone

Her performance in the aforementioned film earned her the MTV Movie Award for Best Breakthrough Performance. She was seen in motion pictures such as Clueless, True Crime, and the big-budget action drama Batman & Robin during the 1990s.

20. Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie has been named among the highest-paid Hollywood actresses multiple times during the course of her celebrated film career. She was first seen making an appearance as a child artist in the feature film Lookin’ to Get Out.

She toplined motion pictures such as Gia, Hackers, Cyborg 2, and George Wallace during the 1990s. The scintillating actress won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her stupendous performance in Girl, Interrupted in 1999.

21. Geena Davis

Geena Davis made her acting debut by featuring in the popular 1982 feature film Tootsie. She is the recipient of an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award. She has even received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for her effort in fighting gender bias both on and off-screen in the film industry.

Davis was seen in features such as Quick Change, Thelma & Louise, Hero, Angie, Speechless, and A League of Their Own during the 1990s.

22. Diane Keaton

She was seen in features such as The Godfather Part III, Marvin’s Room, Manhattan Murder Mystery, Father of the Bride, and The First Wives Club throughout the 1990s.

23. Helena Bonham Carter

The remarkable Helena Bonham Carter made her acting debut in the 1983 television movie A Pattern of Roses. She is an English actress who is known for her work in both blockbuster and independent feature films.

An actress of great versatility, she has received various accolades in her career so far. She was seen in movies such as Hamlet, Howards End, The Wings of the Dove, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, and Fight Club during the 1990s.

24. Angela Evelyn Bassett

25. Cameron Diaz

Cameron Diaz made her feature film debut by starring opposite Jim Carrey in the 1994 hit The Mask. The actress looked breathtakingly gorgeous in the movie and it was easy to guess that she was here to stay.

Today, she has cemented her place in Hollywood as one of its top-grossing female leads of all time. Films starring her so far have amassed over $3 billion in the United States of America alone.

The Vanilla Sky actor played crucial supporting roles in some big-scale motion pictures following her debut in 1994. She was seen participating in titles such as My Best Friend’s Wedding and There’s Something About Mary.

Sooner than later, she showcased her skill as a drama actor in full-length features such as Any Given Sunday and Being John Malkovich. With the start of the 21st century, her reputation as a bankable star only solidified with the release of films such as Charlie’s Angels and its sequel.

Add to that the fact that she was also approached to lend her mesmerizing voice to the character of Princess Fiona in the beloved Shrek franchise.

26. Holly Patricia Hunter

Holly Patricia Hunter was first seen in the 1981 feature film The Burning. She soon went on to become a well-known face within the film industry. She’s been a recipient of an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe Award, and two Primetime Emmy Awards, respectively.

27. Bette Midler

Bette Midler is yet another actress who had managed to make a name for herself before the beginning of the 1990s. She was seen playing minor roles at the start of her career, and has been a recipient of four Golden Globe Awards, three Grammy Awards, three Primetime Emmy Awards, two Tony Awards, and a Kennedy Center Honor, respectively.

She was seen in flicks such as Hocus Pocus, The First Wives Club, For the Boys, and Gypsy during the 1990s.

28. Goldie Jeanne Hawn

29. Glenn Close

Glenn Close made her acting debut during the second half of the 1970s. She’s had a career that has spanned over four decades. The actress was seen in projects such as Serving in Silence: The Margarethe Cammermeyer Story, Reversal of Fortune, and Air Force One during the 1990s.

She has been a recipient of two Screen Actors Guild Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, three Primetime Emmy Awards, and three Tony Awards, respectively.

30. Jessica Lange

Jessica Lange has won two Academy Awards, three Primetime Emmy Awards, and a Tony Award; therefore, being only the 13th actress to have achieved the Triple Crown of Acting. The talented screen performer made her acting debut with the popular feature film King Kong.

She was seen in projects such as Blue Sky, Men Don’t Leave, O Pioneers!, A Thousand Acres, and Titus during the 1990s. Lange was also nominated for several acting awards during the said period.

31. Jennifer Jason Leigh

This American actress, producer, and writer was seen playing roles on television during the 1970s before she managed to make it big in the movies. Her spectacular character projection in Fast Times at Ridgemont High brought her widespread recognition.

She was then seen in feature films such as Miami Blues, Backdraft, Single White Female, and Short Cuts during the 1990s. Also, she was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for her performance in Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle.

32. Jamie Lee Curtis

Jamie Lee Curtis is known to have started her acting career by playing a number of television roles. The actress has been a recipient of two Golden Globe Awards, a British Academy Film Award, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, respectively.

She was seen in motion pictures such as True Lies, Halloween H20: 20 Years Later, and Forever Young. She also acted in features such as Blue Steel, My Girl, Virus, and Mother’s Boys during the 1990s.

33. Sigourney Weaver

The spectacular Sigourney Weaver has been working in the film industry since the second half of the 1970s. Needless to say, the actress had a fair bit of experience before venturing into the 1990s.

A recipient of a British Academy Film Award and two Golden Globe Awards, she was seen in flicks such as Alien 3, Alien Resurrection, 1492: Conquest of Paradise, Death and the Maiden, and The Ice Storm during the ’90s.

34. Neve Campbell

Neve Campbell is recognized for her work in drama and horror movies. She has become an influential figure over the years and is often regarded as a scream queen and sex symbol.

The actress first made an impression by starring in the Canadian drama show Catwalk. She also appeared in the teen drama series Party of Five. When it comes to the movies, she was seen in titles such as Scream, The Craft, Wild Things, and Scream 2 during the 1990s.

35. Hilary Swank

Hilary Swank was first seen playing a part in television shows such as Evening Shade and Camp Wilder. She made her big-screen debut with Buffy the Vampire Slayer; a feature film in which she played a minor role.

She shot to fame after having appeared in the fourth installment of The Karate Kid franchise, The Next Karate Kid. Swank was also appreciated for her character projection in the eighth season of Beverly Hills, 90210 during the second half of the 1990s.

36. Jennifer Love Hewitt

She gained further fame during the 1990s as she continued to appear in films such as I Know What You Did Last Summer, its 1998 sequel, and Can’t Hardly Wait, to name a few.

37. Jennifer Connelly

Jennifer is known for her dark hair and beautiful green eyes. She made her debut as a 13-year-old with the acclaimed 1984 crime drama Once Upon a Time in America.

After having worked as a fashion model, she decided to take her acting career seriously. The actress was then seen in motion pictures such as Career Opportunities, The Rocketeer, Dark City, and Waking the Dead during the 1990s.

38. Kathy Bates

The supremely talented Kathy Bates has been facing the camera ever since the beginning of the 1970s. She has played a variety of roles in both drama and comedy feature films.

She has received an Academy Award, two Golden Globe Awards, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and two Primetime Emmy Awards, respectively. Bates was seen in flicks such as Misery, Dolores Claiborne, The Waterboy, Fried Green Tomatoes, and Titanic during the 1990s.

39. Jennifer Aniston

Jennifer is the daughter of actors John Aniston and Nancy Dow. She made her big-screen debut by playing an uncredited role in Mac and Me. She first came into the spotlight after having been featured in the horror film Leprechaun.

The gorgeous actress rose to global fame with the success of the sitcom Friends. She was also seen in films such as Office Space, The Object of My Affection, and Picture Perfect during the 1990s.

40. Sarah Jessica Parker

Sarah Jessica Parker was seen in motion pictures such as The First Wives Club, L. A. Story, Ed Wood, Honeymoon in Vegas, and Hocus Pocus during the 1990s. She is also known for playing one of the central characters on the HBO series Sex and the City that commenced during the second half of the ’90s.

41. Renée Zellweger

Zellweger continued to be a reliable screen name as she stepped into the new century.

42. Catherine Zeta-Jones

The enigmatic Catherine Zeta-Jones managed to charm the audience throughout the 1990s with her undeniable screen presence. She was seen in feature films such as 1001 Nights, Entrapment, and The Mask of Zorro during the period.

In addition, she was appreciated for her character projection in the British television series The Darling Buds of May. Catherine continued to deliver as a performer in well-known projects during the 2000s as well.

43. Emily Watson

Emily Watson is a popular British actress who made her big and small screen debut during the first half of the 1990s. The actress was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in her debut feature film Breaking the Waves.

She was seen in flicks such as The Boxer, Hilary and Jackie, and Angela’s Ashes during the late 1990s. For Hilary and Jackie, she won the British Independent Film Award for Best Actress.

44. Julianne Moore

Julianne Moore started her acting career during the first half of the 1980s. She is usually seen playing emotionally troubled or complex women in her projects. She is the recipient of an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, two Golden Globe Awards, and two Emmy Awards, respectively.

The talented and charming performer was seen in flicks such as Short Cuts, Safe, The Lost World: Jurassic Park, and Boogie Nights during the 1990s.

45. Reese Witherspoon

Reese Witherspoon started modeling at the age of seven which helped her get some commercials at the start of her career. She continued to do movies while studying but had to give up on her course of English literature at Stanford University as she received the opportunity to act in the movies Fear (1996) and Freeway (1996).

She was seen in titles such as Election, Cruel Intentions, Best Laid Plans during the 1990s.

46. Frances McDormand

For her performance as a police detective in Fargo, she ended up winning her first Academy Award for Best Actress.

47. Sarah Michelle Prinze

Sarah Michelle Prinze was spotted at the tender age of four and was soon selected to play a role in the 1983 television movie An Invasion of Privacy. Playing a crucial part in shows such as Swans Crossing and All My Children brought her fame during the 1990s.

She was also seen in feature films such as I Know What You Did Last Summer, Scream 2, and Cruel Intentions during the same period.

48. Whoopi Goldberg

The inimitable Whoopi Goldberg has gone on to make her presence felt both on the big and small screen over the years. She has been a part of close to 200 acting projects in her career so far.

The actress was seen in feature films such as Ghost, Sister Act, Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit, Ghosts of Mississippi, and Soapdish during the 1990s. She has been a recipient of various accolades and continues to act to this very day.

49. Laura Dern

The lovely Laura Dern, who was recently seen in Jurassic World Dominion, has been acting since the onset of the 1970s. She is a recipient of an Academy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and five Golden Globe Awards.

The actress has been seen in motion pictures such as Wild at Heart, Rambling Rose, A Perfect World, and Jurassic Park during the 1990s. She reprised her role in the Jurassic Park franchise following the blockbuster success of the first installment.

50. Marisa Tomei

She was also seen in movies such as Chaplin, Slums of Beverly Hills, Untamed Heart, Only You, and The Perez Family during the 1990s.