For all the ‘90s movies that are still cited as masterful classics and firmly rooted into the cultural zeitgeist, some do not get the attention they used to anymore. Sure, you have probably caught a few of these on cable and perhaps you still have your VHS copy of them somewhere, but when is the last time you actually watched them, discussed them with your friends, or they were mentioned on your favorite podcast?
We have taken the time to dig deep, deep into our cinematic memory vault to look back on ‘90s movies that – like some of the decade’s most notable actors – are just not as popular as they used to be. As you can see, there were plenty to choose from.
Alive (1993)
Based on the true story, Alive dramatizes the shocking means of survival that a Uruguayan rugby team was forced to turn to after a plane crash left them stranded in the bitingly cold Andes Mountains in 1972. This otherwise intense survival thriller from director Frank Marshall is most often cited in more niche categories these days – such as movies about cannibalism – even with Ethan Hawke leading the cast.
Awakenings (1990)
Can you name every movie that Robert DeNiro received an Oscar nomination for, or did his performance as a man miraculously cured of catatonia by an experimental drug in Awakenings slip your mind? That’s OK because, despite being one of the late Penny Marshall’s best movies and featuring another great performance by Robin Williams as DeNiro’s doctor, this inspiring, fact-based medical drama – which was also nominated for Best Picture – is rarely included in highlight reels for any of the major players involved anymore.
Blast From The Past (1999)
A “blast from the past,” indeed, this inventive romantic-comedy stars Brendan Fraser as a charmingly naive 30-year-old who finally gets to see the outside world after spending his entire life accidentally trapped in a nuclear fallout shelter with his parents. Clueless cast member Alicia Silverstone plays the Pasadena woman he falls for in this marginal success (released the same year as the monstrously successful The Mummy) that I hope more people seek out following Fraser’s Oscar win for The Whale.
Blue Chips (1994)
Sports fans still likely cite the late William Friedkin’s drama, Blue Chips – starring Nick Nolte as a desperate coach – as one of the best basketball movies ever made. However, when it comes to movies starring real-life pro Shaquille O’Neal, you’re more likely to hear modern audiences talk about his less-beloved contributions to cinema during this decade, like Kazaam or Steel.
A Bug’s Life (1998)
I struggle to understand why, when people talk about the best Pixar movies, A Bug’s Life – in which a plucky ant seeks help to save his colony from oppressive grasshoppers – is almost never brought up, even with a star-studded voice cast featuring Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Hayden Penetierre. Perhaps being the prolific animation studios’ sophomore effort after the groundbreaking Toy Story and paling in comparison to more subsequent hits like The Incredibles and Wall-E is why its sequel may never happen.
Can’t Hardly Wait (1998)
In a decade full of great party movies, one of the more definitive examples is Can’t Hardly Wait, which featured a who’s who of rising stars like Jennifer Love Hewitt, Seth Green, and Clea DuVall. Despite this, when people look back on the best ‘90s flicks about debaucherous teens, it tends to fall to the wayside, or at least far behind the likes of classics like Dazed and Confused or House Party.
Corrina, Corrina (1994)
It seems surprising that a charming, romantic period dramedy starring two of the ‘90s biggest stars – Academy Award winner Whoopi Goldberg and Oscar nominee Ray Liotta – is never spoken about in regards to either of the actors’ career highlights. Then again, writer and director Jessie Nelson’s Corrina, Corrina – also one of the first films starring Napoleon Dynamite’s Tina Majorino – was not quite a favorite among critics (according to Rotten Tomatoes) and did not attract too many moviegoers upon release, either.
Cube (1997)
The mechanical torture traps that became a horror genre staple in the 2000s are most often associated with more recent movies like Saw, but the credit should really go to Vincenzo Natali’s thriller about six strangers who wake up to find themselves inexplicably trapped in a maze rigged for death at nearly every turn. Even with a recent Japanese remake, Cube remains cursed with obscurity, which might have something to do with its completely unrecognizable cast which is, otherwise, one of its strongest elements.
Defending Your Life (1991)
This hilarious, existential courtroom movie comes from the clever mind of writer, director, and star Albert Brooks, who plays a recently deceased man struggling to return to the land of the living, which is worsened when he falls in love with Julia (Meryl Streep). Nowadays, people probably know Brooks best for Broadcast News, Drive, and voicing Marlin in Finding Nemo, but fans of those films really owe it to themselves to see Defending Your Life – one of his most original creations and a darkly funny and thought-provoking gem the whole family will love.
Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999)
When was the first time you discovered Amy Adams, because I would be surprised if it was her actual feature film debut, Drop Dead Gorgeous – a much forgotten mystery thriller/mockumentary in which contestants of a local beauty pageant are plagued by one competitor who will go to murderous lengths to earn the tiara. Also starring Allison Janney, Denise Richards, and Kirsten Dunst, this comic caper will have your designer dress in stitches, if you can find any site that even streams it.
eXistenZ (1999)
I am someone who loves Inception as much as the next person, but also think Christopher Nolan owes a lot of that film’s mind-bending concepts to this sci-fi thriller that was way ahead of its time when it came out 11 years earlier. I am actually a bit disappointed our own list of David Cronenberg’s best movies does not include a spot for the wickedly sharp, visually stunning eXistenZ, in which Jennifer Jason Leigh and Jude Law get lost in a video game so realistic they cannot tell what is real anymore.
The Fifth Element (1997)
Years before he achieved his dream project of adapting his favorite comic into Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets, writer and director Luc Besson tried his hand at reimagining its otherworldly concepts into his own creation and the result was The Fifth Element. There is still a following for this gloriously cheesy spectacle starring Bruce Willis as a cab driver tasked with protecting a woman (Milla Jovovich) who is the only hope of saving humanity, but I would argue this brilliantly inventive vision of the future deserves more than just cult status at this point.
Grosse Pointe Blank (1997)
Co-writer and producer John Cusack stars (alongside his siblings Joan, Ann, and Bill) as a hitman whose latest assignment just happens to be in the same place and time as his 10-year high school reunion. Also starring Minnie Driver, Alan Arkin, and Dan Aykroyd, Grosse Pointe Blank has the kind of clever comedy, exciting action, and romance that a wide variety of audiences love, which is why it is surprising its endurance as one of Cusack’s most beloved films did not last longer.
Hot Shots! (1991)
From Jim Abrahams, one of the three writers and directors of Airplane!, comes yet another cartoonish, high-flying comedy that takes specific aim at 1986’s Top Gun and even spawned a more action-packed 1993 sequel. Following the success of Top Gun: Maverick in 2022, perhaps now is the time for Charlie Sheen to do a third Hot Shots! flick, which might help audiences remember why it is one of the best spoof movies of its time, if not ever.
Kids (1995)
Bizarre and controversial films like Spring Breakers, Gummo, and Trash Humpers (yeah, that’s real and it’s exactly what it sounds like) seem to have distracted audiences from Harmony Korine’s talent for capturing raw, authentic, and potentially upsetting material, such as his screenwriting debut, Kids. Or, perhaps they have chosen to forget this otherwise critically acclaimed drama’s unapologetically dark and graphic depiction sex, drugs, drinking, and other debauchery from the point of view of a group of teens (including then newcomer Rosario Dawson).
Man Bites Dog (1992)
This pitch-black satire originating from Belgium is framed as a documentary following the daily activities of a cold-blooded killer (Benoît Poelvoorde), who causes the crew to question the morality of their project when he begins to involve them in his crimes. Outside of its modest cult following, most of the conversation revolving around Man Bites Dog these days – such as one retrospective by Bloody-Disgusting in 2021 – almost purely focuses on the obscene violence that would lead to its banishment in multiple countries.
Mimic (1997)
Academy Award winner Guillermo del Toro is regarded as one of modern cinema’s greatest visionaries for dark fantasy films like Pan’s Labyrinth and The Shape of Water, but his earlier, even darker, pure horror efforts are, luckily, still recognized as some of his best movies by fans of the genre. One of the more overlooked of that bunch as of late is the acclaimed, unique, and suspenseful creature feature, Mimic – the title of which refers to a group of giant cockroaches’ ability to appear human.
Mystery Men (1999)
I believe that Mystery Men – starring Ben Stiller, Janeane Garofalo, and more as unlikely, aspiring costumed vigilantes – is a movie that came out at the wrong time, boasting a sharp comic book satire better suited for today’s Marvel/DC-dominant era. To better illustrate why this star-studded, visually ambitious, and boldly funny action-comedy is one of the most underrated superhero movies: it is actually the first film to feature a song better associated now with the Shrek movies – Smash Mouth’s “All Star.”
Now And Then (1995)
Despite unfavorable reviews, Now and Then was a modest commercial success and a pivotal moment for its young rising stars (including Thora Birch and Christina Ricci) and for female-driven coming-of-age dramas. Yet, it seems that the nostalgia for this nostalgia-fueled story – about four women (such as Rosie O’Donnell as Ricci’s older self) recalling the summer they reached adolescence in the 1960s – is a bit low as of late, which could change as it slowly approaches its 30th anniversary.
The Paper (1994)
The best journalism movies in more recent years seem to have some unspoken rule that they must be a completely earnest account of a true story, such as the Best Picture Oscar winner, Spotlight, or 2022’s She Said, more recently. It makes me wonder why it has been a long time since we have seen a movie like (or heard much at all about) The Paper – an honest, but also surprisingly funny, depiction of what it is like to work at a newspaper starring Michael Keaton and directed by Ron Howard.
Pump Up The Volume (1990)
Christian Slater gives one of the best performances of his career as a teen who anonymously becomes a local hero to his peers by spouting words of inspiration on his pirate radio show. Unfortunately, that portion of the Golden Globe-winning Mr. Robot star’s career is largely forgotten or unheard of by modern audiences, potentially because Pump Up the Volume is nigh impossible to find on streaming at the moment.
The Ref (1994)
Anyone who includes this much overlooked comedy crime thriller – in which a cat burglar (Denis Leary) must contend with a bickering couple (Judy Davis and Kevin Spacey) he takes hostage on Christmas Eve – that was released in March, as part of their annual holiday movie tradition, I reward the highest of props. The Ref unapologetically substitutes joyful spirits with bitter cynicism, which may be why you never, ever see it in any network's annual Christmas movie marathons. However, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is just as, if not more, disastrous, so why is that movie still praised as a classic and not this?
Robin Hood: Men In Tights (1993)
Everything I learned about Robin Hood, I learned from Mel Brooks in what is, just about, one of his lesser-celebrated directorial achievements these days, which I believe is a shame, because Robin Hood: Men In Tights (co-written by Brooks, Evan Chandler and J.D. Shapiro) may be the last of the comedy legend’s great streak of parodies. Elevating the material is The Princess Bride cast member, Cary Elwes, giving a (mostly) earnest portrayal of the heroic archer that is juxtaposed brilliantly with the wall-to-wall crazy sight gags and cartoonish absurdity. It is also a treat to see Dave Chappelle as Ahchoo. Bless you.
Set It Off (1996)
With director F. Gary Gray at the helm and a cast including Jada Pinkett Smith, Queen Latifah, Vivica A. Fox, and Kimberly Elise, how are there not more people who talk about Set It Off anymore? Star-power aside, this is a prime example of a great, high-stakes crime drama about ordinary people embroiling themselves in volatile, life-changing situations, which unfamiliar fans of said kind of thriller should certainly put on their radar.
Simon Birch (1998)
Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert were among the critics charmed by this inspirational coming-of-age story following the title character, a 12-year-old born with dwarfism (Ian Michael Smith in his only acting credit), and his best friend (Jurassic Park’s Joseph Mazzello) in the early 1950s. Perhaps more people would have gone out to see Simon Birch upon release or would be willing to give a shot today if they knew it was narrated by Jim Carrey as the older version of Mazzello’s character.
Small Soldiers (1998)
The endearing concept of playthings coming to life made Toy Story a massive, award-winning hit, while director Joe Dante’s darker take on the idea – in which action figures spark violent conflict after being upgraded with a military-grade AI – was a modest success with a mixed critical reception. I, however, believe that Small Soldiers is the kind of action movie you can proudly introduce your kids to, and I recommend that you please do, because it could use a new generation of fans before it drifts further into obscurity.
Tales From The Crypt: Demon Knight (1995)
From director Ernest Dickerson, Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight – in which boarding house residents become embroiled in a bloody battle between an immortal (William Sadler) and a harbinger of chaos (Billy Zane) – was an attempt to bring the Crypt Keeper to the big screen. However, if you did not even know that HBO’s creepy anthology TV show had a feature-length spin-off – the first of three, actually – I recommend this fun thriller, also starring Jada Pinkett-Smith, that Bloody-Disgusting called one of the ‘90s most underrated horror gems.
Three Kings (1999)
Modern audiences hold David O. Russell in high esteem for movies like Silver Linings Playbook and American Hustle and in not so high esteem for I Heart Huckabees and Amsterdam, but it seems like it has been a while since we have heard anyone’s opinion on Three Kings. This sharp, heartfelt satirical drama – which actually inspired the iconic “CSI shot” – stars George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, and Ice Cube as soldiers whose plans to take stolen gold for themselves is interrupted by an unexpected call to help desperate Iraquis at the end of the Gulf War.
Toy Soldiers (1991)
A pivotal focal point of Sean Astin’s evolution from star of a family-friendly adventure like The Goonies to a more wide-scale, darker spectacle like the Lord of the Rings movies would have to be Toy Soldiers. Not to be confused with Small Soldiers, this vastly overlooked action movie is kind of like Die Hard meets Red Dawn, following a group of rebellious teens who set out to defend their boarding school from the ruthless Columbian Cartel holding their classmates hostage.
Wild America (1997)
This thrilling adventure film is inspired by the life nature documentarian Marty Stouffer and focuses on him (Scott Bairstow) and his brothers (Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Devon Sawa) as they travel the country filming wildlife in the late 1960s. Despite how much nostalgia there is today for the two ‘90s teen heartthrobs in the lead, it is surprising there is not more nostalgia for Wild America itself.
What do you think? Does our list of overlooked ‘90s classics reignite your long-dormant admiration for some of cinema’s deepest cuts?
