These 2025 Movie Anniversaries Will Make Millennials Feel Old

2025 is stacked up to be a year of phenomenal releases. While looking forward to what’s to come, it’s also important to look back at excellent films that are hitting some huge milestones this year. Starting with the classics, Phantom of the Opera is hitting its 100th anniversary, Bride of Frankenstein is meeting its 90th, and The Lady and the Tramp is turning 70. Other movies achieving big marks this year include Sunset Boulevard (1950), Pinocchio (1940), Psycho (1960), and The Sound of Music (1965).

More recent titles include Jaws (1975), The Shining (1980) and The Goonies (1985). If you’re not feeling old yet, you’re in for a big surprise, especially if you’re a Gen Yer. There are numerous films that defined millennials or are beloved by the generation turning another year older. Below are 10 2025 movie anniversaries that will make any millennial feel old. Time really does fly!

10

‘Home Alone’ (1990) – 35 Years

Release Date: November 16, 1990

Ask any Gen Yer, and they’ll tell you that Home Alone is hands down one of the greatest Christmas movies to have ever been created. Macaulay Culkin starred in his breakout role as Kevin McCallister. The 8-year-old has the dream of every kid come true when his big, rambunctious family mistakenly leaves him home alone over the holidays, as they embark on a trip to Paris. The ordeal quickly escalates into a nightmare with the arrival of two burglars, but the naughty kid soon realizes that the dim-witted duo have nothing on him, his booby traps, and clever trickery.

Yuletide Nostalgia and Sentimentality

The movie drew in an expanse of 90s kids with the fantasy of being solo in a massive mansion to do as they pleased — eat junk food, stay up at all hours of the night, and watch violent movies, with no chores to do or siblings to share anything with. Home Alone is the quintessential millennial Christmas movie, and it’s turning a whopping 35 years in 2025.

9

‘Clueless’ (1995) – 30 Years

Release Date: July 19, 1995

Clueless

Release Date

July 19, 1995

Runtime

97 minutes

Before Mean Girls‘ Regina George inspired her whole class with a cut-out boob tank, Alicia Silverstone’s Cher Horowitz influenced a whole generation with her impeccable 90s style. To this day, she remains a fashion icon, inspiring not only Halloween costumes, but everyday outfits for those with great taste. It wasn’t only Cher’s closet that made audiences fall in love with her, but also her confidence, irresistible charm, great empathy, genuine compassion, and constant attempts to be a better person.

The Most Iconic Teenage Cult Classic

The comedic modern adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma went from being a sleeper hit to a cult classic, attracting fans of both sides of the millennial generation, and even Gen Zers, over the years. It continues to resonate with audiences because it immaculately captures the essence of being a teen, and all the trials and tribulations that come with those arduous years, like broken hearts and falling outs. With a matchmaking plot, the step-sibling romance trope, and revolutionary catchphrases and memorable quotes, Clueless goes down in history as one of the best teen films.

8

‘Toy Story’ (1995) – 30 Years

Release Date: November 22, 1995

Toy Story

Release Date

October 30, 1995

Runtime

81 minutes

Director

John Lasseter

Disney-Pixar’s Toy Story was all the buzz (no pun intended) among millennials who were of the prime viewing age for the movie in 1995. The wonderfully animated movie introduced the whole world to beloved characters like Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), Rex (Wallace Shawn), Slinky Dog (Jim Varney), and Bo Peep (Annie Potts). It’s precisely these colorful but nuanced personalities that have made the film stand the test of time and remain a favorite among kids and adults alike.

An Enduring Classic

Although all the movies in the franchise make for excellent viewing, nothing compares to the one that started it all, especially when it comes to nostalgic value. The first movie introduced audiences to something truly special in Andy’s (John Morris) bedroom — the idea that toys had a life and heart of their own and that they were as attached to the kids they belonged to as those kids once were to them. Many millennials grew up alongside Andy. To come back to Toy Story is to travel back to a simpler, happier time.

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7

‘Jumanji’ (1995) – 30 Years

Release Date: December 15, 1995

Jumanji

Release Date

December 15, 1995

Runtime

104 Minutes

In 1969, a young Alan Parrish (Adam Hann-Byrd) gets sucked into a mysterious jungle-themed board game. Flash-forward 26 years later, siblings Judy and Peter Shepherd (Kirsten Dunst and Bradley Pierce) move into his old home and stumble upon the game, summoning back an adult Alan (Robin Williams) and a horde of animals and other dangers from the jungle. Alan’s childhood sweetheart, Sarah Whittle (Bonnie Hunt), reels with his return, and they’re both forced to finish off the game they started as kids with the new players.

An Adventure Film With Depth

It may have spawned a spin-off and a couple of sequels, but 1995’s Jumanji is unrivaled. The fantastical picture has become a comfort movie among many Gen Yers — one that’s equally heartwarming and heartbreaking. As adults, the movie is seen through a new lens. Yes, it’s an adventure film, but more than that, it’s a story rife with emotional metaphors that speak a lot about grief and loss.

6

‘High Fidelity’ (2000) – 25 Years

Release Date: March 31, 2000

High Fidelity, a throwback to heartbreak in the new millennium, celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. John Cusack stars as the neurotic Rob, a failing record store owner in Chicago who grapples with love and adulthood after his live-in girlfriend of two years leaves him. The separation spurs a deep dive into his past relationships. Frequently breaking the fourth wall, he takes audiences through his five all-time worst breakups.

An Endearing Classic

The movie could have easily fallen into obscurity, yet it remains beloved by fans, especially of the millennial generation and the latter side of Gen X. While much of what makes the film so great is its superlative soundtrack, there’s so much more about it that makes it so endearing, like its realistic examination of relationships, Rob’s arc, its look at the struggle for self-awareness, and its acknowledgment of the female perspective.

5

‘Scary Movie’ (2000) – 25 Years

Release Date: July 7, 2000

Scary Movie

Release Date

July 7, 2000

Runtime

88 minutes

Wes Craven’s 1996 self-aware hit meta-horror movie Scream brilliantly deconstructed the genre through satire, while remaining determined to terrify audiences. Scary Movie, on the other hand, had one goal only: to make audiences double over with laughter. The film mostly follows the plots of Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer, while also parodying other movies and TV shows.

A Wildly Outrageous Time

While Scary Movie hasn’t aged the best in some ways, it’s brilliant in many others. One thing for sure is that millennial horror fans can’t deny its impact. It has become a legendary piece of pop culture. The picture spawned a whole franchise totaling five films, with a sixth one on the way in 2026. It’s the perfect option for a night where you just want to kick back with a bowl of popcorn and have some ludicrous fun.

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4

‘Bring It On’ (2000) – 25 Years

Release Date: August 25, 2000

Bring It On

3.5
/5

Release Date

August 25, 2000

Runtime

99 minutes

Writers

Jessica Bendinger

The 2000s brought millennials many iconic teen staples, like Juno, Mean Girls, She’s The Man, and Jennifer’s Body. The cheer movie Bring It On sits among them. Despite an initial lukewarm reception, it has since achieved cult status. Starring Kirsten Dunst, Gabrielle Union, Eliza Dushku, and Jesse Bradford, the film depicts the ultra-competitive world of high school cheerleading through the story of two rivaling teams competing for the national championship.

More Than Campy, Cheesy Fun

On the surface, Bring It On may seem like just another campy teen movie, but it’s a lot more than that. The coming-of-age picture is a perfect Y2K encapsulation that evokes feelings of nostalgia for Gen Yers who graduated in the 2000s. It also tackles some pretty serious themes, like cultural appropriation, identity, and the pressures of growing up.

3

‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’ (2000) – 25 Years

Release Date: November 17, 2000

Millennials saw many great adaptations in the 2000s. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, and American Psycho, to name a few. Dr. Seuss’ classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas was also adapted into a live-action movie during the decade. Starring Jim Carrey as the titular green, hairy creature, the movie turns 25 this November.

A Christmas Classic

Upon its initial release, the movie was faced with poor reception and mixed reviews. Some criticized its dark tone, others ripped into the film by calling it over-produced. Despite its divide among critics, it went on to become the sixth highest-grossing film of its year. Like the aforementioned Home Alone, How the Grinch Stole Christmas has since cemented itself among the best holiday movies of all time.

2

‘Corpse Bride’ (2005) – 20 Years

Release Date: September 23, 2005

Corpse Bride

Release Date

September 23, 2005

Runtime

77 Minutes

Corpse Bride is the first stop-motion picture directed by Tim Burton, after previously producing The Nightmare Before Christmas and James and the Giant Peach. Burton co-directed the film with Mike Johnson. The movie is among Burton’s most well-known creations, his most stylized, and his greatest. One would think that as a PG picture the movie would be a little less dark than Burton’s previous works, but that wasn’t the case.

A Haunting But Heartwarming Love Story

For millennials on the younger side, Corpse Bride might have been the first tragic love story they saw play out on screen. Exploring death, loss, and love, the movie raised a whole generation of gothic aficionados who could go on to appreciate much darker stuff. The film is truly one of a kind, with its dark color palette, vocal performances, and moody atmosphere.

1

‘The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’ (2005) – 20 Years

Release Date: December 9, 2005

The Chronicles of Narnia is based on C.S. Lewis’ 1950 novel The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. It may not have had the same impact on pop culture as its contemporaries, like Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings, but it still sits among the best high fantasy films of all time. It follows a group of children who are transported to the magical world of Narnia, a realm filled with unbelievably beautiful landscapes, mythical creatures, and power-hungry tyrants.

A Captivating Fantasy Adventure

Millennials who are familiar with the movie know that there is much to appreciate about the timeless story. Like many of the films on this list, Narnia is a classic. It has strong performances, incredible storytelling, and impressive special effects. Those who read the book can testify that it’s a faithful adaptation. Recently, it was announced that Greta Gerwig is set to adapt the tale for Netflix, with Meryl Streep in talks of joining the cast.