"My mama always said life was like a box of chocolates; you never know what you're gonna get." The summer of 1994 was a lot like that box of chocolates. From "Forrest Gump," which was released July 6 and became the top domestic grossing film of the year, to a lion king and a white Bronco, let's run through some highlights from that summer 20 years ago.
Summer of 1994 —
"My mama always said life was like a box of chocolates; you never know what you're gonna get." The summer of 1994 was a lot like that box of chocolates. From "Forrest Gump," which was released July 6 and became the top domestic grossing film of the year, to a lion king and a white Bronco, let's run through some highlights from that summer 20 years ago.
From Paramount Pictures/IMDB
Hakuna matata! Disney certainly had "no worries" after the release of the animated feature "The Lion King" on June 15. The film was a roaring success, grossing more than $312.9 million worldwide in its initial release. Adding to the acclaim was an Oscar-nominated soundtrack with songs like "Circle of Life" and "Can You Feel the Love Tonight?" by Elton John and Tim Rice.
Summer of 1994 —
Hakuna matata! Disney certainly had "no worries" after the release of the animated feature "The Lion King" on June 15. The film was a roaring success, grossing more than $312.9 million worldwide in its initial release. Adding to the acclaim was an Oscar-nominated soundtrack with songs like "Circle of Life" and "Can You Feel the Love Tonight?" by Elton John and Tim Rice.
From Walt Disney/IMDB
Arnold Schwarzenegger teamed up with director James Cameron again after the success of the "Terminator" franchise for the action-comedy "True Lies." It was the year's top-earning R-rated movie, edging out another action film debut that summer: "Speed," starring Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves.
Summer of 1994 —
Arnold Schwarzenegger teamed up with director James Cameron again after the success of the "Terminator" franchise for the action-comedy "True Lies." It was the year's top-earning R-rated movie, edging out another action film debut that summer: "Speed," starring Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves.
From Twentieth Century Fox/IMDB
Flintstones, meet the Flintstones ... in non-animated form: The live-action movie starring John Goodman, Elizabeth Perkins, Rick Moranis and Rosie O'Donnell made its big-screen debut on May 27. Despite negative reviews, the film was a box-office success.
Summer of 1994 —
Flintstones, meet the Flintstones ... in non-animated form: The live-action movie starring John Goodman, Elizabeth Perkins, Rick Moranis and Rosie O'Donnell made its big-screen debut on May 27. Despite negative reviews, the film was a box-office success.
From Universal Pictures/IMDB
Ben Stiller made his directorial debut with the cult classic "Reality Bites." Ethan Hawke and Winona Ryder play two recent graduates navigating post-collegiate life. The indie film, also starring Stiller and Janeane Garofalo, struck a chord with the Generation X market and was punctuated with timely pop-culture references.
Summer of 1994 —
Ben Stiller made his directorial debut with the cult classic "Reality Bites." Ethan Hawke and Winona Ryder play two recent graduates navigating post-collegiate life. The indie film, also starring Stiller and Janeane Garofalo, struck a chord with the Generation X market and was punctuated with timely pop-culture references.
Jersey Films/IMDB
Lisa Loeb's single "Stay (I Missed You)" stayed on the top of the Hot 100 Billboard chart for three weeks starting August 6. Its success came shortly after it appeared in "Reality Bites."
Summer of 1994 —
Lisa Loeb's single "Stay (I Missed You)" stayed on the top of the Hot 100 Billboard chart for three weeks starting August 6. Its success came shortly after it appeared in "Reality Bites."
Steve Eichner/Getty Images
No summer camp slow dance was complete without All-4-One's smash "I Swear." The R&B ballad spent 11 weeks at the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100. The group went on to win the Grammy for the best pop performance by a duo or group with vocal in 1995. All-4-One's version wasn't the first; singer John Michael Montgomery performed the song earlier in 1994 to much success in the country market.
Summer of 1994 —
No summer camp slow dance was complete without All-4-One's smash "I Swear." The R&B ballad spent 11 weeks at the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100. The group went on to win the Grammy for the best pop performance by a duo or group with vocal in 1995. All-4-One's version wasn't the first; singer John Michael Montgomery performed the song earlier in 1994 to much success in the country market.
Discretion Records/Amazon
"Don't Turn Around" by Swedish pop group Ace of Base was another chart-topper and spent 31 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100.
Summer of 1994 —
"Don't Turn Around" by Swedish pop group Ace of Base was another chart-topper and spent 31 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100.
Arista/Amazon
Brazil beat Italy in a penalty shootout to win its fourth World Cup. That year, the soccer tournament was hosted by the United States.
Summer of 1994 —
Brazil beat Italy in a penalty shootout to win its fourth World Cup. That year, the soccer tournament was hosted by the United States.
Ben Radford/Getty Images
The World Cup didn't go without controversy: Argentina's captain, Diego Maradona, was suspended during the event after failing a drug test. And on July 2, Colombian player Andres Escobar was murdered after accidentally scoring a goal for the United States that would eliminate Colombia.
Summer of 1994 —
The World Cup didn't go without controversy: Argentina's captain, Diego Maradona, was suspended during the event after failing a drug test. And on July 2, Colombian player Andres Escobar was murdered after accidentally scoring a goal for the United States that would eliminate Colombia.
MIKE NELSON/AFP/Getty Images
On June 17, ex-football star O.J. Simpson led police -- and the nation -- on a 90-minute chase in a white Ford Bronco driven by his friend Al Cowlings. Simpson surrendered at his home later that night and was taken into custody after being charged with the murder of his ex-wife, Nicole Simpson, and her friend Ronald Goldman.
Summer of 1994 —
On June 17, ex-football star O.J. Simpson led police -- and the nation -- on a 90-minute chase in a white Ford Bronco driven by his friend Al Cowlings. Simpson surrendered at his home later that night and was taken into custody after being charged with the murder of his ex-wife, Nicole Simpson, and her friend Ronald Goldman.
VINCE BUCCI/AFP/Getty Images
On June 14, the New York Rangers defeated the Vancouver Canucks in game seven of hockey's Stanley Cup finals.
Summer of 1994 —
On June 14, the New York Rangers defeated the Vancouver Canucks in game seven of hockey's Stanley Cup finals.
Brian Winkler/Getty Images
"Strike" took on a whole new meaning for Major League Baseball in the summer of '94: On August 12, the players' association decided on a lockout over a proposed salary cap for players. Play didn't resume until 232 days later, and it was the first year since 1904 that there wasn't a World Series.
Summer of 1994 —
"Strike" took on a whole new meaning for Major League Baseball in the summer of '94: On August 12, the players' association decided on a lockout over a proposed salary cap for players. Play didn't resume until 232 days later, and it was the first year since 1904 that there wasn't a World Series.
Otto Greule/Allsport/Getty Images
On May 26, the King of Rock 'n' Roll's daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, married the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, in a surprise ceremony.
Summer of 1994 —
On May 26, the King of Rock 'n' Roll's daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, married the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, in a surprise ceremony.
AFP/AFP/Getty Images
In another shocking nuptial, Playboy model Anna Nicole Smith wed billionaire J. Howard Marshall. The groom was 89 years old and the bride 26.
Summer of 1994 —
In another shocking nuptial, Playboy model Anna Nicole Smith wed billionaire J. Howard Marshall. The groom was 89 years old and the bride 26.
Tammie Arroyo/Online USA/Getty Images