Starring: Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore, Whoopi Goldberg

The 1990s kicked off with one of the decade’s most surprising—and enduring—hits. What began as a modest romantic fantasy, directed by the unlikely choice of Airplane! mastermind Jerry Zucker and starring hunky heartthrob Patrick Swayze, rising lead Demi Moore, and trailblazing comic force Whoopi Goldberg, became the ultimate “sleeper weeper.” Against all expectations, Ghost floated its way to box-office domination and Academy Award glory.

Swayze plays Sam Wheat, a banker deeply in love with artist Molly Jensen (Moore), until his life is cut short by betrayal. Murdered over a crooked business deal, Sam finds himself stuck between worlds—watching helplessly as danger still stalks the woman he loves. His only hope? Reluctantly teaming up with Oda Mae Brown (Goldberg), a psychic medium who suddenly discovers her powers are very real. What follows is a genre-blending marvel: part romance, part supernatural thriller, part New York City chase movie, and fully committed to big feelings.

Released at exactly the right cultural moment, Ghost struck a perfect balance between sincerity and spectacle—powered by aching performances, Goldberg’s scene-stealing (and Oscar-winning) turn, Maurice Jarre’s tear-soaked score, along with soon-to-be wedding song staple, “Unchained Melody,” and one pottery wheel that permanently altered pop culture. A high-water mark of Hollywood melodrama, Ghost remains proof that love stories—with a bit of paranormal help and sizzling leads—are Tinseltown gold.

Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Rick Gonzalez, Robert Ri’chard, Rob Brown, Nana Gbewonyo, Antwon Tanner, Channing Tatum, Ashanti

In 1999, Ken Carter (Samuel L. Jackson) returns to his old high school in Richmond, California, to get the basketball team into shape. With tough rules and academic discipline, he succeeds in setting the players on a winning streak. But when their grades start to suffer, Carter locks them out of the gym and shuts down their championship season. When he is criticized by the players and their parents, he sticks to his guns, determined that they excel in class as well as on the court.

Starring: Joel Edgerton, Felicity Jones, Clifton Collins Jr., Alfred Hsing

Based on the beloved novella by Denis Johnson, Train Dreams is the moving portrait of Robert Grainier (Joel Edgerton), whose life unfolds during an era of unprecedented change in early 20th century America. Orphaned at a young age, Robert grows into adulthood among the towering forests of the Pacific Northwest, where he helps expand the nation’s railroad empire alongside men as unforgettable as the landscapes they inhabit. After a tender courtship, he marries Gladys (Felicity Jones) and they build a home together, though his work often takes him far from her and their young daughter. When his life takes an unexpected turn, Robert finds beauty, brutality and newfound meaning for the forests and trees he has felled.

Starring: Ryan Gosling, Milana Vayntrub, Ken Leung, Sandra Hüller

Science teacher Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling) wakes up on a spaceship light years from home with no recollection of who he is or how he got there. As his memory returns, he begins to uncover his mission: solve the riddle of the mysterious substance causing the sun to die out. He must call on his scientific knowledge and unorthodox ideas to save everything on Earth from extinction… but an unexpected friendship means he may not have to do it alone.

Starring: Omarion Grandberry, Marques Houston, Steve Harvey, Christopher Jones

David (Omarion Grandberry) and Elgin (Marques Houston) helm a talented street-dancing crew that engages in dance battles in a Los Angeles warehouse belonging to local club owner Mr. Rad (Steve Harvey). When Orange County rich kid Wade (Christopher Jones) challenges David and Elgin to compete against his dancers for $5,000, they accept. As David and Elgin labor to perfect their moves for the competition, tensions within the crew threaten their chances at success.

Starring: Michael Agbabian, James Allport, Lazaro Arvizu, Stephen Augustine

The FOFIF starts off the new year contemplating the universe with Diane Keaton’s first film, Heaven. To make an additional $10 donation to The Future of Film is Female (a non-profit org), select the “Event + Donation” ticket on the checkout screen.

The great Diane Keaton conceived, produced, wrote and directed her first film Heaven in 1987; a documentary which takes a wonderfully lighthearted look at the Great Beyond. Keaton interspersed outrageous interviews with extraordinary film footage from such European and American film classics as Metropolis, Green Pastures and Stairway to Heaven. It is truly the ultimate coming attraction! Pull up a cloud and take a ride through Heaven.

Starring: Jennifer Garner, Christa B. Allen, Mark Ruffalo, Judy Greer, Andy Serkis

A girl who’s sick of the social strictures of junior high is transformed into a grownup overnight. In this feel-good fairy tale, teenager Jenna (Christa B. Allen) wants a boyfriend, and when she’s unable to find one, she fantasizes about being a well-adjusted adult. Suddenly, her secret desire becomes a reality, and she is transformed into a 30-year-old (Jennifer Garner). But adulthood, with its own set of male-female challenges, isn’t as easy as it looks.

Starring: Daniel Craig, Josh O’Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington

When young priest Jud Duplenticy is sent to assist charismatic firebrand Monsignor Jefferson Wicks, it’s clear that all is not well in the pews. After a sudden and seemingly impossible murder rocks the town, the lack of an obvious suspect prompts local police chief Geraldine Scott to join forces with renowned detective Benoit Blanc to unravel a mystery that defies all logic.

Starring: Elizabeth Olsen, Miles Teller, Callum Turner, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, John Early

In an afterlife where souls have one week to decide where to spend eternity, Joan (Elizabeth Olsen) is faced with the impossible choice between the man she spent her life with (Miles Teller) and her first love (Callum Turner), who died young and has waited decades for her to arrive.

Starring: Naomi Watts, Jack Black, Adrien Brody, Thomas Kretschmann, Colin Hanks, Andy Serkis

Peter Jackson’s expansive remake of the 1933 classic follows director Carl Denham (Jack Black) and his crew on a journey from New York City to the ominous Skull Island to film a new movie. Accompanying him are playwright Jack Driscoll (Adrien Brody) and actress Ann Darrow (Naomi Watts), who is whisked away by the monstrous ape, Kong, after they reach the island. The crew encounters dinosaurs and other creatures as they race to rescue Ann, while the actress forms a bond with her simian captor.