The Most Gen X Movies of the 90s (Part Three: 1997-1998)
A Gen X 90s movie captures the experience of 70s and early 80s babies during their teen and young adult years.
It’s not just “any movie we watched or liked in the 90s.” For me, a Gen X 90s movie reflected our cultural moment, our attitudes, and struggles.
By the late 90s, the oldest Gen Xers were in their 30s. While the youngest in the generation were graduating high school. And this huge difference was reflected in the movies made for us at the time. From graduation parties to finding love and finding ourselves to figuring out our careers, the Gen X movies of the late 90s are a time capsule of our young adult and teen years…in a world that no longer exists.
This video is part 3 in my series on the Most Gen X Movies of the 90s…covering the years 1997 and 1998.
Part One (1990-1994)
https://youtu.be/rYLwex8wNpQ?si=s7r412opeiU5_mHz
Part Two (1995-1996)
https://youtu.be/7-y4yPGC12A?si=fXxgxrP6lwAjCSXc
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@mysocalledgenxlife
August 18, 2026 at 11:43 am
I had to cut out My Best Friend's Wedding and Dirty Work due to late copyright claims. Sorry for the weird edits. I didn't want to take the video down.
@odinson99m
August 18, 2026 at 11:43 am
Great series, Nat. A++ Perfect Gen-X picks.
@concreteman92
August 18, 2026 at 11:43 am
Other then Chasing Amy and the high school reunion one with Phobe from Friends, I have never seen any of these. I graduated in 92' so that's just crazy to me. I really did party a lot and I guess I was checked out as far as pop culture. I did go to a lot of concerts though.
@amandaredd3057
August 18, 2026 at 11:43 am
Abazaba, you my only friend
@amandaredd3057
August 18, 2026 at 11:43 am
Abracadabra, B!!
@amandaredd3057
August 18, 2026 at 11:43 am
Sister, I STILL am skeptical of institutions! Gen X, we had that right. Too bad Gen Z doesn't or they aren't doing it right. They're paying out the nose for a mid to garbage "education" (read: indoctrination) from whatever college (They're mostly all the same now) They end up with some stupid piece of paper that gets them nothing because they didn't listen and get a practical license or degree instead that would assure employment. Then you end up with a DSA problem like we've now got and kids who know nothing about this great nation or economics in general. They simultaneously say "don't trust the government" but are too brainwashed or lazy to just read to find out that's exactly what socialism does! Bloat the government, tax the hell out of EVERYONE, and remove the right to personal ownership of property.
@michaelpfogerty
August 18, 2026 at 11:43 am
3:06 I never would have guessed you'd include Gregg Araki's Nowhere. Bless your heart 🙏🎥🔥
Edit: and then… Richard Linklater's SubUbrbia?? 😭 You just included 2/3 of my top 3 favorite films of all time. My #1 is PTA's Magnolia, which I'm sure you'll include your next video 💯
@cmfort2696
August 18, 2026 at 11:43 am
"You know we sell this."
"Oh that's too bad I just quit yesterday."
(Smokes the entire joint)
@cmfort2696
August 18, 2026 at 11:43 am
"Fingercuffs"
@cmfort2696
August 18, 2026 at 11:43 am
"You're a tracer."
"Your mother's a tracer."
@coutterhill
August 18, 2026 at 11:43 am
My graduating class graduated the same year as Can't Hardly Wait, and we all went to see the movie together. It was the last time we all hung out, there were only 12 of us. 💜
@jo100
August 18, 2026 at 11:43 am
You Do A Very Very Very Very Excellent Job On Your Video’s For Real, My Friend.
@neuf1720
August 18, 2026 at 11:43 am
I think the first movie I recognized was Gross Point Blank. Didn’t recognize any of the ethnic movies.
@FreddieFan14
August 18, 2026 at 11:43 am
sorry for all the comments – loved the Big Lebowski! and There's Something About Mary.
@FreddieFan14
August 18, 2026 at 11:43 am
The Waterboy – loved that one, too!
@FreddieFan14
August 18, 2026 at 11:43 am
I LOVED Can't Hardly Wait and Good Will Hunting!
@roxannemoser
August 18, 2026 at 11:43 am
Regina King is the most underrated actress of all time. She's a phenomenal actress and the industry refuses to give her the flowers she deserves.
@Qualimar
August 18, 2026 at 11:43 am
Great video!
I think 1999 is the year of a bit of changeover with '10 Things About You' with it's heavy Xennial cast (Julia Stiles, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Lariisa Oleynik are all 1981 babies) making it the earliest big teen thing to have main cast born in the actual 80s (you also had the 1982 born Kirsten Dunst in 'Drop Dead Gorgeous' the same year – underrated film!) As a 1981 born myself I can feel my time approaching!
@Its.with.a.T.infront
August 18, 2026 at 11:43 am
Awww my birth year 1997 🎉🤭🤭 a/o to my millennial cousins and Gen X aunts who pmooooo
@davidpumpkinsjr.5108
August 18, 2026 at 11:43 am
I like Good Will Hunting 2: Hunting Season better.
@aspyn.j_
August 18, 2026 at 11:43 am
The piano rendition of don’t leave me girl from soul food 🔥🔥🔥 and YESSS SOMEONE ELSE MENTIONS NOWHERE
@courtsbooksandbodycare
August 18, 2026 at 11:43 am
So many of these I've never seen, but definitely some stand-outs too – Good Will Hunting, Can't Hardly Wait, Romy & Michele and There's Something About Mary.
@StepDeafRobCookenour
August 18, 2026 at 11:43 am
I was 27 in '97 and have fond memories of renting these movies here in Johnson City TN
@johnfronczek2658
August 18, 2026 at 11:43 am
I have fond memories of “Chasing Amy”, “Can’t Hardly Wait”, “There’s Something About Mary”, and “Good Will Hunting”. In June 1998, I graduated from high school and these young adult movies really spoke to me.
@KatieAliceGamer
August 18, 2026 at 11:43 am
It’s always great to watch a channel where the host is very passionate about what they do especially channel owners like yourself who aren’t a millennial (like myself) or Gen Z; Someone from an older generation who has actually lived through the past couple of decades and knows what they’re talking about. Looking forward to your next video 😁
@Kel_Varnsen
August 18, 2026 at 11:43 am
The performances in Rounders make it very rewatchable.
@auntiewewe972
August 18, 2026 at 11:43 am
Ten Things I Hate about you? Young pre Joker Heath Ledger, Julia Stiles, JGL, Larry Miller,
@TT_09
August 18, 2026 at 11:43 am
I was in college these years. I would literally tape these cable movies on VHS at my parent’s house and watch them with friends at my dorm!
@024pMzA
August 18, 2026 at 11:43 am
It really upsets me that Gen x is merely defined by the White American culture. Hip hop culture was deep and I'm a gen-xer. The music the movies the TV shows. So I can't relate to any of this bullshit
@TheOfficialTarynTots
August 18, 2026 at 11:43 am
I think I'm finally grown up enough to see One true thing. I heard of it when it came out but couldn't believe my parents were ever anything than the solid rocks they were in my life. It wasn't till after my mom was deep in her dementia that I realized she was a human being with all the emotions and flaws we all have. I think I can appreciate that movie now. Glad you featured it. I forgot about it. Gonna watch that one tonight.
@sdot7786
August 18, 2026 at 11:43 am
YOOOOOOO!!!!!!! THE END SONG❤❤❤ Triggered something in my brain😂 I sang that song like it was playing on the radio..I LOVE THIS SERIES SOOO MUCH!!!
MUCH PROPS YO
I got 5 on it!!! fo sho
@Fondant-d6f1z
August 18, 2026 at 11:43 am
You included Hav Plenty. You have my respect.
@ashleyedwards6036
August 18, 2026 at 11:43 am
I forgot about Dead Man On Campus!
@nopalciny8476
August 18, 2026 at 11:43 am
these movies make me wish I grew up in the 80s. yuck. good video, thanks!
@nopalciny8476
August 18, 2026 at 11:43 am
gosh we were so brainwashed. no wonder they got away with putting so many of us on psych meds/drugs.
@JH-ks9oi
August 18, 2026 at 11:43 am
Dang I missed it!! I’m late but I’m here!! I’m a ‘74 Gen-X’r… My sister is a ‘79 Gen-X’r… Oh how lucky we were! I feel sorry for my niece but luckily she’s got us
@RFKFREAK
August 18, 2026 at 11:43 am
This series is just a list of her favorite 90s movies, not really of Gen X defining movies.