Grunge Aesthetic Movies
This list is to showcase movies that have a grunge aesthetic, Grunge was a popular sub culture that was popularized by Seattle in Washington by the indie rock band Nirvana and has since become a staple of 1990's youth culture and lifestyle, this aesthetic was also used outside of just music it was used in both movies and TV as well. although my list will mostly focus on films released in the 1990's there where a few outliers in the Early 2000's I'll call this period Post - Grunge which is named after the music genre from that time. This list will only focus on the aesthetic of the film so if the films do not feature any grunge rock in it's soundtrack or have alternative clothing it will still be allowed on the list my focus is mostly on the look and feel of the movie, here is my list enjoy PS some of these can be quite mature so watch at your own risk.
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- DirectorBen StillerStarsWinona RyderEthan HawkeJaneane GarofaloA documentary filmmaker and her fellow Generation X graduates face life after college, looking for work and love in Houston.I am planning on watching this film I heard it was really good and it showcases a sense of style the era was so known for, plus Wynona Ryder is a great actress.
- DirectorKevin SmithStarsBrian O'HalloranJeff AndersonMarilyn GhigliottiA day in the lives of two convenience clerks named Dante and Randal as they annoy customers, discuss movies, and play hockey on the store roof.The ultimate Generation X film complete with monotone yammering, and a none caring attitude the movie is so of it's time that the clerks act like there not working as clerks because there so bored of there job great film 8/10
- DirectorGregg ArakiStarsJames DuvalRose McGowanJohnathon SchaechJordan White and Amy Blue, two troubled teens, pick up an adolescent drifter, Xavier Red. Together, the threesome embark on a sex-and-violence-filled journey through an America of psychos and quickie marts.I haven't seen this film but from it's trailer it seems like the the type of film I would go and seek out, it also has Rose McGowan the queen of nineties thrillers so that's a plus on my book.
- DirectorAlex ProyasStarsBrandon LeeMichael WincottRochelle DavisA man brutally murdered comes back to life as an undead avenger of his and his fiancée's murder.A film known to be cursed because it's production disaster which was the death of Brandon Lee, this film is dark and I mean dark although I haven't seen it ages I do remember it being very gothic and edgy the acting was suburb in my opinion 7/10
- DirectorAndrew FlemingStarsRobin TunneyFairuza BalkNeve CampbellA newcomer to a Catholic prep high school falls in with a trio of outcast teenage girls who practice witchcraft, and they all soon conjure up various spells and curses against those who anger them.A great 90's cult classic with twist turns you don't see coming add on some casual racism in the mix hahaha in all seriousness this film was great and this is coming from person whos dislikes wiccan culture, Fairuza Balk played a really nasty villain really good stuff 7/10
- DirectorAllan MoyleStarsAnthony LaPagliaDebi MazarMaxwell CaulfieldTwenty-four hours in the lives of the young employees at Empire Records when they all grow up and become young adults thanks to each other and the manager. They all face the store joining a chain store with strict rules.Awful soundtrack good film the nineties is known for it's great soundtracks that displays the best post garage/grunge rock songs the decade had to offer but this was abysmal but luckily the movie itself was pretty good not great but pretty good it also made a lot of careers Renee Zellweger and Liv Tyler are in this movie they go on to become 00's icons good film 6/10
- DirectorJames MelkonianStarsMichael KopelowBradford TatumChina KantnerJoe and Hubbs are a pair of rockers who are on a quest for 'chicks.' This is the tale of their adventures over one night.Took one good look at the trailer and said hard pass this stuff was probably funny in 1994 but now it's just dated even your most hardcore nostalgic gen-x'er would give this one a pass although I didn't see it the trailer tells me all I need to know it's your typical slacker stoner flick watch Pineapple Express.
- DirectorRob BowmanStarsShane McDermottSeth GreenBrittney PowellCalifornia born and raised surfer, Mitchell Goosen has to spend six months in Ohio while learning the hard way- love is where the heart is.Woooow dude wanna skate board dude wanna go surfing dude hahaha this film is something else the plot is ridiculous but if you wanna trip towards memory lane give this one a watch is it grungy well sort of it's enough to make on this list I'll tell yah.
- DirectorKatt SheaStarsDrew BarrymoreSara GilbertTom SkerrittA seductive teen befriends an introverted high school student and schemes her way into the lives of her wealthy family.I liked this movie it was unique Drew Barrymore shows a lot of her acting talent in this I also like the style of the film very nineties eroticism I know the critics hated it but I taught it was a good guilty pleasure flick it was also very grungy. 7/10
- DirectorLarry ClarkStarsLeo FitzpatrickJustin PierceChloë SevignyA day in the life of a group of teens as they travel around New York City skating, drinking, smoking and deflowering virgins.This film takes a huge turn at the end so watch it at your own risk other than that brilliant flick if you like nineties culture and I'm sure you do because people won't shut up about it, you'll love this flick, if your squeamish you might want to skip this one because it gets kinda graphic. 8/10
- DirectorGregg ArakiStarsJames DuvalRachel TrueNathan BextonFollows a day in the lives of a group of Los Angeles high school students and the strange lives they lead.Wow get blinded with grunge with this flick this is like if hot topic transformed into an indie flick but other than that crazy movie (In a good way) I liked it although some parts kinda dragged on too long for me and I get it where judging the style here it passes the grunge test for sure movie wise it was ok. 6/10
- DirectorOliver StoneStarsWoody HarrelsonJuliette LewisTom SizemoreTwo victims of traumatized childhoods become lovers and psychopathic serial murderers irresponsibly glorified by the mass media.Ok so this film is grunge Bonnie and Clyde good concept but was it good yeah at parts but at some parts it goes off the deep end for me at least but what carries this movie was it's acting my god our two leads give one hell of a performance in this although I'm not a fan of the structure of the film I love the style very 1994. 7/10 by just a hair
- DirectorRachel TalalayStarsLori PettyIce-TNaomi WattsA girl is among the few survivors of a dystopian Earth. Riding a war tank, she fights against the tyranny of a mega-corporation that dominates the remaining potable water supply of the planet.Not a fan of this film also not a fan of the actress either she comes across as really obnoxious the comic book it's based on was going for more of a punk apocalyptic aesthetic and not grunge but since this was released in 1995 they taught punk, grunge ah whatever same thing no it's not, this film counts as grunge but it does a disservice to the source material plus miscast leading lady Rebecca is not Harley Quinn. 4/10
- DirectorDavid FincherStarsBrad PittEdward NortonMeat LoafAn insomniac office worker and a devil-may-care soap maker form an underground fight club that evolves into much more.Man I have to watch this movie I keep forgetting to watch it but what I do know it's that it's hella grungy from the camera techniques used and the color filters everything feels drained and weary our main characters don't need to wear oversized flannels and overalls for it to have that feel it displays.
- DirectorJames OrrStarsChevy ChaseFarrah FawcettJonathan Taylor ThomasA young boy refuses to accept his mother's new boyfriend despite his attempts to win his respect. Meanwhile, the disgruntled relative of a criminal he prosecuted seeks revenge.This film was good when you were like a little kid but when you get older it's part of that problem child trend that Home Alone started and every movie since tried to copy it's super nineties cliché but because Johnathon displays a ton of grunge energy it fits in this list meh movie though. 5/10
- DirectorPenelope SpheerisStarsMike MyersDana CarveyRob LoweTwo slacker friends try to promote their public-access cable show.Another film I haven't seen at least fully but I know that it's full of nineties pop culture references and gags is it grungy yeah from what I have seen and I have seen bits of it I'd say it's definitely grungy.
- DirectorCameron CroweStarsBridget FondaCampbell ScottKyra SedgwickA group of twenty-something friends search for love and success in grunge-era Seattle.I haven't seen I saw the trailer and went to go check out some reviews and they say it's very weary I also heard the the story is very basic but since I haven't seen it I can't rate it looks fun I might check it out.
- DirectorJohn FawcettStarsEmily PerkinsKatharine IsabelleKris LemcheTwo death-obsessed sisters, outcasts in their suburban neighborhood, must deal with the tragic consequences when one of them is bitten by a deadly werewolf.Here we get our first film that's not from the 1990's, so it would be under Post - Grunge but man oh man is this film dark and honestly bleedin terrifying, Katrine Isabelle was so terrifying in this I was kinda freak out by her performance top notch cult classic and very grungy for an 00's movie. 7/10
- DirectorDanny BoyleStarsEwan McGregorEwen BremnerJonny Lee MillerRenton, deeply immersed in the Edinburgh drug scene, tries to clean up and get out despite the allure of drugs and the influence of friends.I actually haven't seen this film but I might as well have because it's flippin everywhere what I do know is that's it's very grungy which is a huge plus in my book I'm gonna check it out for sure heard great things about it.
- DirectorDarren AronofskyStarsEllen BurstynJared LetoJennifer ConnellyThe drug-induced utopias of four Coney Island people are shattered when their addictions run deep..This film has one of the most iconic scores of all time and it's one of the most grungy, weary and tripped out films ever and happy it's on this list because it's an excellent film with great performances from everyone even Marlon Wayne. 8/10
- DirectorMatthew BrightStarsNatasha LyonneMaría CeledonioDavid Alan GrierA teenage prostitute escapes from a juvenile prison with a 16-year-old serial killer and both go on a destructive road trip to Mexico in this twist on the "Hansel and Gretel" fairy tale.Terrible movie but very grungy I put this one over the first film because the first film was your typical nineties action flick starring a girl who doesn't fit as an action star, but this film was trying to go for a riot grrl aesthetic and it succeeded in that but that's it. 3/10
- DirectorLuc BessonStarsJean RenoGary OldmanNatalie Portman12-year-old Mathilda is reluctantly taken in by Léon, a professional assassin, after her family is murdered. An unusual relationship forms as she becomes his protégée and learns the assassin's trade.Oh man Gary Oldman was so over the top in this it was hella funny to see, other than that yeah this film was really good it wasn't grungy though I put it in because of the clothing choses used by our too main leads it's not typical to dress so contemporary in a situation like that but our two main leads are most certainly like it's 1994 bitch, lets put on our round sunglasses indoors good stuff. 8/10
- DirectorMichael CuestaStarsBrian CoxPaul DanoBruce AltmanA 15-year-old Long Island boy loses everything and everyone he knows, soon becoming involved in a relationship with a much older man.This film has a very serious subject matter but it's also very grungy I think it's fitting with a subject matter like this, I watched this movie a while back and thought it was super disturbing and I still think it is it's a must see but watch it at your own risk. 7/10
- DirectorNeil LaButeStarsAaron EckhartMatt MalloyStacy EdwardsTwo business executives--one an avowed misogynist, the other recently emotionally wounded by his love interest--set out to exact revenge on the female gender by seeking out the most innocent, uncorrupted girl they can find and ruining her life.A film that would be canceled it if it was released today, I've seen bits of it and I was like floored by the incel energy the guys displayed in this but I got what the director was trying to do it was clever in it's own right but man don't let twitter find this flick but all and all was it grungy yeah the atmosphere was definitely grungy. 7/10
- DirectorTerry ZwigoffStarsSteve BuscemiThora BirchScarlett JohanssonTwo eccentric best friends graduate high school and respond to a man's romance-seeking newspaper ad as a gag, only to find their lives becoming increasingly complicated.Another film I haven't seen yet but I am planning to check out it looks good though.
- DirectorMichael SteinbergStarsLouise MyrbackJulia StilesChelsea FieldEllie is an average girl with typical teen problems: a bratty little sister, a nagging mom and a father that denies her the attention she desperately craves. But Ellie's not the kind of girl that gets mad. She gets evil.This film is quite disturbing it has a really twisted ending but apart from that it's tone is mellow and weary that it's definitely suitable for this list, if your into dark thrillers of the nineties check this one out. 6/10
- DirectorDavid HoganStarsPamela AndersonAmir AboulElaAdriana AlexanderDuring the Second American Civil War in 2017, Barb Wire owns a nightclub called the Hammerhead. Things become complicated when her ex-lover Axel Hood, who is married to the fugitive Corrina Devonshire, re-enters her life.Ah good old nineties girl power where Pamela Anderson dressed like a stripper in a grungy 2017 post apocalyptic future who also doesn't like when you call her babe was considered progressive or some sh*t man this movie is dated and Pamela is attractive and all but she can't act weak script and please leave Casablanca alone. 3/10
- DirectorMary LambertStarsJimmy TuckettBrad HuntRodney EastmanKennedy is a rebellious, young musician who believes that talent and determination are all it takes to be a success. But as he and his loyal bandmates learn, success carries a heavy price tag that includes betrayal, crime and possibly even murder.I haven't seen this film in ages I remember not liking it at all and only watching it for nostalgia it blows my mind why Lori Petty kept getting cast she kinda sucked, the music was very grunge definitely of it's time although I'd put it under Post - Grunge because this was when grunge took a dip musically but not stylistically. 4/10
- DirectorGary OldmanStarsRay WinstoneKathy BurkeCharlie Creed-MilesA rough, short-tempered patriarch of a working-class family sees his life and the relationships around him slowly unravel.This is a shocking film I'm not going to give anything away please go watch it I love the film techniques and weary atmosphere very grungy. 8/10
- DirectorKevin SmithStarsBen AffleckJoey Lauren AdamsEthan SupleeHolden and Banky are comic book artists. Everything's going good for them until they meet Alyssa, also a comic book artist. Holden falls for her, but his hopes are crushed when he finds out she's a lesbian.Movie I sadly haven't seen but desperately want to I heard it's really good Ben Affleck's goatee couldn't look more late nineties from what I saw in the trailers.
- DirectorCatherine HardwickeStarsEvan Rachel WoodHolly HunterNikki ReedA thirteen-year-old girl's relationship with her mother is put to the test as she discovers drugs, sex, and petty crime in the company of her cool but troubled best friend.I saw this movie a while back and I thought wow what a great nineties flick about a teenage girls struggle in society then I found out that the film is from 2003 and I was like huh man that decade lasted a while before it died I swear all and all great movie really impactful, thought-out and engaging and it's very in your face with grunge despite being from 2003 enjoy your trip down Y2K lane. 7/10
- DirectorTodd MorrisStarsDeborah TwissBenja K. ThomasRene AlbertaA woman comes to New York City from Ohio to escape an abusive husband and gets entangled with murderous female vigilantes who prey on abusive men.Eh this films awful but the leading girls are crazy scary after what's done to one of them they become devoted and it's just scary to see also very grungy too bad the film sucked. 3/10
- DirectorGeoffrey WrightStarsRussell CroweDaniel PollockJacqueline McKenzieA group of skinheads become alarmed at the way their neighbourhood is changing.A very important film about extremist gangs and racial prejudice although I will say you should watch at your own risk things do get graphic very well made film and aesthetic of grunge is needed for this sort of story. 7/10
- DirectorDouglas McCarthyJamie ThomasonStarsBill FarmerJason MarsdenJeff BennettMax goes to college, but to his embarassment his father loses his job and goes to his son's campus.Here we have our first animated feature although I only saw the first flick I put this one over the other because of how unapologetically late nineties and early two-thousands this movie was the concept is so of it's time but I only saw bits when I was little I do know it's grungy that's for sure.
- DirectorDavid FincherStarsMorgan FreemanBrad PittKevin SpaceyTwo detectives, a rookie and a veteran, hunt a serial killer who uses the seven deadly sins as his motives.Yep this film is grungy from the style to the camera angles and even the soundtrack which I love by the way, and mostly importantly this film is a classic I watch it almost every year that twist ending is something I'll tell you. 8/10 top notch.
- DirectorRichard LinklaterStarsGiovanni RibisiSteve ZahnJayce BartokA group of suburban teenagers try to support each other through the difficult task of becoming adults.Great film I watched it for the list and it's alot like Clerks with it's monotone yammering and slouched attitude don't forget the Gen X Nihilism to top it all off it's a little dated because of how PC we've gotten over the years but in 1996 off color or racist jokes where very common and funny for it's time good film slow at times but still good. 6/10
- DirectorPaul F. RyanStarsBusy PhilippsErika ChristensenVictor GarberA high school shooting has repercussions on the town and students.Part of the school shooting awareness trend that started because of the Columbine Massacre this film used the grunge aesthetic to emphasize the impact of the subject matter and I think it fits well here, grunge has always tackled serious issues so it does a good conveying that only problem was the acting it wasn't the best it was a little stagey. 6/10
- DirectorJonathan KahnStarsDominique SwainSean Patrick FlanerySummer PhoenixA straight-A teen explores Portland's rock scene.Was not a fan of this film in the slightest it comes across as quite self indulged it belongs on the list because it embraces grunge music but still I didn't like the main lead she was grade a- annoying was it grungy yes was it good hell no. 4/10 good soundtrack though
- DirectorGregg ArakiStarsJames DuvalRoko BelicSusan BehshidSix queer teenagers struggle to get along with each other and with life in the face of varying obstacles.I haven't seen this film but I know it's a movie that includes LGBTQ elements in it so if your part of that community and you want to know what it was like for Gen X go and check this film out. I will check it out if I have time it looks good.
- DirectorTodd SolondzStarsHeather MatarazzoChristina BrucatoVictoria DavisAn awkward seventh-grader struggles to cope with inattentive parents, snobbish class-mates, a smart older brother, an attractive younger sister and her own insecurities in suburban New Jersey.I have seen this film, at least's parts of it and from what I remember the film was semi decent, it's kind of like the nineties Ghost World, but instead of two awkward pre-teens there's one and it has that quirky humor that was popular at
the time. 7/10 - DirectorLarry ClarkStarsBrad RenfroNick StahlBijou PhillipsA pack of naïve teenagers conspire to murder a mutual friend, whose aggressive demeanour has proven too much.Rough film I won't spoil anything but this film keeps you on your feet, is it good ehh I'd say it was ok, is it grungy oh yeah it's pretty grungy the style is very vivid I also like the camera work in this. 6/10
- DirectorAnnette Haywood-CarterStarsHedy BurressAngelina JolieJenny LewisLegs Sadovsky gets four other high school girls to think for themselves and react to a teacher's sexual harassment, which gets them suspended. They bond, and rebel, at an abandoned house.The soundtrack in this was amazing, but was the film good I'd say yeah it was pretty good a young Angelina Jolie carried this film on her back with her great performance, it has a lot of nineties girl power themes in it so if your not into that then you'll groan at the film, but for me it was good. 7/10
- DirectorAlex SichelStarsAlison FollandTara SubkoffCole HauserClaude and Ellen are best friends who live in a not-so-nice area of New York. They're involved in the subculture of '90s youth, complete with drugs, live music, and homophobia. All is changed one night when a violent, meaningless death rocks their lives.Another film about the LGBTQ Community when I watched it I saw that it was a very important story about the struggle of growing up and fitting in especially in a environment that's not as accepting with that being said the film is very grungy but shows much more deeper side of the youth culture at the time. 8/10
- DirectorTom TykwerStarsFranka PotenteMoritz BleibtreuHerbert KnaupAfter a botched money delivery, Lola has 20 minutes to come up with 100,000 Deutschmarks.A film I haven't seen because I have this weird thing about foreign films where I just like to watch stuff in English I know that seems shallow and close minded but it's just this weird thing I have. From the trailer the film looks grungy so I added it in.
- DirectorNick HammStarsThora BirchDesmond HarringtonDaniel BrocklebankFour teenagers at a British private school secretly uncover and explore the depths of a sealed underground hole created decades ago as a possible bomb shelter.Seen once before thought it was boring seen it recently thought it was decent great twists and turns highly recommend watching with friends also pretty grungy. 6/10
- DirectorAmy HeckerlingStarsAlicia SilverstoneStacey DashBrittany MurphyShallow, rich and socially successful Cher is at the top of her Beverly Hills high school's pecking scale. Seeing herself as a matchmaker, Cher first coaxes two teachers into dating each other.One of the biggest grunge films as for the film itself it's not necessarily grungy but it has become a huge fashion staple in pop culture, now for the film itself I think Clueless is a blast a great nineties classic and no one ever mentions the really good acting for a high school movie. 7/10
- DirectorJim McKayStarsLili TaylorBruklin HarrisAnna GraceA look at a group of girl friends coming-of-age during their senior year of high school in urban America. Nikki and Emma have a heart to heart talk one evening about how much they'll miss each other at college next year, but the next day, Nikki doesn't show up at school: she's committed suicide. The friends steal Nikki's journal and discover that she'd been raped. The rest of the movie shows our heroines growing closer in the wake of Nikki's death and the relevation of her secret (Emma reveals that she's also been raped), taking revenge on the men who oppress them, and trying to grow up and move on with their lives. Emma has to deal with a shallow boyfriend, Angela with an overbearing mother, and Patti is trying to finish high school while trying to raise a child and avoid the child's loser father.The movie was really shocking and sad I won't give anything away but don't go into this film expecting a happy payoff because there is none, other that the film is just a tad too slow which was typical for mid nineties indie films, apart from the pacing issue I recommend this dreary nineties aesthetic, oh and the soundtrack is really cool if your into nineties hip-hop. 7/10