Jackie Brown (1997)

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Director Quentin Tarantino is famous for hit movies like Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs, but Jackie Brown is one of his lesser-known works that deserves a revisit. In this movie, a flight attendant with a criminal past must navigate her way out of danger. There are no fancy tricks with this one, just a great story.

Very Bad Things (1998)

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With a star-studded cast including Christian Slater, Jon Favreau, and Cameron Diaz, this underrated dark comedy is definitely worth revisiting. The plot unravels when a stripper is killed during a bachelor party. As the wedding day approaches, the attendees gradually turn on each other as the suspense (and body count) increases!

Can't Hardly Wait (1998)

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Teen movies were huge in the 90s, but for some reason, this one didn’t get the recognition it deserved at the time. Starring Jennifer Love Hewitt and Seth Green (two 90s icons), the movie follows a varied graduating class who gather for a senior graduation house party – chaos ensues.

Pump Up the Volume (1990)

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This is a classic 90s teen movie with an edge! Christian Slater plays a high school loner named Mark Hunter, who secretly hosts a night-time pirate radio show (using a pseudonym). His straight-talking style ends up causing quite the stir among his peers. This one’s worth a revisit for the soundtrack alone.

Grosse Pointe Blank (1997)

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Not many movies combine an assassination plot with a high school reunion, but Grosse Point Blank does it perfectly! There’s even a hint of romance among all the drama. This is a dark comedy with an impressive cast, including John and Joan Cusack, and Minnie Driver.

Darkman (1990)

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This dramatic superhero action movie follows Peyton Westlake (played by Liam Neeson), a scientist who returns for revenge when he’s burned alive and left for dead. There are some excellent dark, emotional scenes as Neeson’s character is left horribly disfigured, but it also has the type of wild action scenes that the actor is now famous for.

The Faculty (1998)

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The Faculty is a movie that showcases the 90s teen horror genre at its best! Set in a high school, the story revolves around a group of students who suspect that their teachers are secretly body snatching aliens. They must escape before they end up the next victims…

Jawbreaker (1999)

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In this dark high-school comedy, the most popular girls at Reagan High accidentally kill their friend Liz with a jawbreaker candy on her birthday. The group must then scrabble to deal with the aftermath, which includes a classic movie makeover and an epic prom scene. What more could you want? Think of this as an underrated version of Heathers.

Airborne (1993)

This sports-based movie follows Mitchell Goosen, a Californian teenager who loves to surf. When his parents travel to Australia, he has to spend six months in Ohio with his aunt and uncle. He struggles to fit in at high school, but eventually learns to work together with his peers. This one is worth a watch for the excellent camerawork and impressive stunts!

The Fisher King (1991)

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Robin Williams was famous for his roles in beloved 90s movies like Mrs Doubtfire and Jumanji. However, The Fisher King is one of his more underrated credits that’s worth a watch. Williams plays a former radio DJ who is grief-stricken and regretful over a previous mistake with a caller. He then finds redemption in helping an unhinged homeless man, who was an unwitting victim of the mistake.

Run Lola Run (1998)

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Lola’s boyfriend is in charge of a money delivery, but accidentally loses it all on a subway. Poor Lola then has 20 minutes to raise the 100,000 Deutsch Marks. The movie explores a few alternative outcomes, which makes for a fast-paced and gripping watch (with an excellent soundtrack)!

The 13th Warrior (1999)

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Antonio Banderas plays the role of Ibn in this terror action movie set in the Dark Ages. Ibn is a diplomat from Baghdad, but ends up captured by unruly Vikings during his travels. Over time, though, develops a sense of understanding and respect for the Vikings and must assist them when they receive a threat to their land.

U Turn (1997)

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Sean Penn stars in this crime drama, playing a character named Bobby who owes some bookies a lot of money. Planning an escape to Vegas, he must stop in Arizona when his car breaks down. There, he becomes involved with a young woman (played by Jennifer Lopez) - a game of cat and mouse ensues.

The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996)

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Samantha Caine (played by Geena Davis) appears to be a picture-perfect suburban homemaker; however, she begins to experience flashbacks of a darker past as a secret agent after hitting her head. Don’t be fooled by the romantic-sounding title of this movie – it's an unmistakable action thriller!

Pleasantville (1998)

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In this movie, two present-day siblings (Tobey Maguire and Reese Witherspoon) find themselves accidentally transported into a colorless 50s sitcom named Pleasantville. Their presence slowly starts to influence the world around them and color begins to seep through the black and white. Though generally light-hearted, this is an interesting exploration of society over the years.

Indecent Proposal (1993)

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This 90s movie isn’t exactly unknown, but we feel it’s arguably undeserving of its low rating. The plot revolves around a happily married couple who are mysteriously offered $1,000,000 by a billionaire. There’s a catch, though – the offer is in exchange for one night with the wife. Though the premise is a little far-fetched, it raises a lot of interesting ethical questions.

The Talented Mr Ripley (1999)

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This psychological thriller keeps the viewer guessing throughout, and it’s certainly worth a rewatch even once the suspense is over! Set in the 50s, a young underachiever (Matt Damon) is mistaken for a wealthy garden party guest. As a result, he ends up embarking on an adventure to Italy, where he meets Dickie Greenleaf (Jude Law) and his fiancée Marge (Gwyneth Paltrow).

A Simple Plan (1998)

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Though this movie is directed by Sam Raimi (the same man behind Darkman), the vibe is refreshingly different from his usual works. A Simple Plan is a dark comedy involving two brothers and their friend, who happen across millions of dollars in cash. They agree on a plan that allows them to keep the money, but of course, encounter tense drama along the way.

Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999)

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We all know Miss Congeniality when it comes to beauty pageant satire, but Drop Dead Gorgeous is another gem that was released one year earlier. In this quirky comedy, a small town’s annual beauty pageant takes a dark turn when it becomes clear that one contestant will do anything for the crown. Explosions, falling lights, and trailer fires – this movie has it all.

Go (1999)

You might only know Katie Holmes from the wholesome TV series Dawson’s Creek, but she showcases a totally different side in this fast-paced 90s thriller. Comparable to Pulp Fiction in its non-linear structure, Go follows the different viewpoints of each main character and explores how their stories interlink over the course of one night.

True Romance (1993)

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Another Christian Slater movie sneaks its way on to this list! True Romance is a crime drama that explores a series of misfortunes relating to sex and drugs. It's definitely worth a revisit if you’re a fan of Quentin Tarantino (he wrote the movie), plus there's a star-studded cast - Brad Pitt, Samuel L Jackson, Gary Oldman, and Patricia Arquette also all feature.

Sliding Doors (1998)

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Have you ever wondered whether your life would be completely different if you had simply made a different decision somewhere along the way? Sliding Doors is the perfect exploration of this, comparing two parallel realities for one woman in London. This movie is definitely one of Gwyneth Paltrow’s best!

Dazed and Confused (1993)

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Dazed and Confused is another teen movie that’s often overlooked. The plot centers around the last day of school for students in Texas. Free of classes, they spend their time drinking and pursuing crushes with the entire summer ahead of them. It’s great at accurately portraying the diversity of teenagers but remains a comedy movie that refuses to take itself too seriously.

October Sky (1999)

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This one is based on the true story of Homer Hickam, a coal miner's son who was inspired to build a rocket after the Sputnik launch. Against his father's wishes, and with disapproval from the rest of the town, Hickam aims to perfect his craft through much trial and error. October Sky is a heart-warming and inspiring rewatch.

Welcome to the Dollhouse (1995)

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Welcome to the Dollhouse is a coming-of-age movie that whisks you back to the seventh grade, in all its awkward glory. The main character, Dawn Weiner, struggles to cope with her inattentive parents and smug siblings, while also fending off school bullies and dealing with romance.

Sling Blade (1996)

Sling Blade (1996) — Credit: Paul Burstyn via Pinterest

If you want something darker and a little more dramatic, it’s worth revisiting Sling Blade. This movie was written and directed by Billy Bob Thornton, and he also stars as the main character, Karl Childers. Childers is a handicapped man recently released from a mental institution after murdering his mother. The movie focuses on his attempt to rebuild his life.

Fried Green Tomatoes (1991)

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Originally based on a novel (Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café), this movie follows an ordinary housewife named Evelyn Couch. Couch ends up befriending an outgoing woman named Ninny at a nursing home. With the help of Ninny’s storytelling, Couch eventually learns to take more control of her own life.

The Crow (1994)

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If you’ve seen the 2024 remake of this movie, it’s well worth revisiting the original. The night before they’re due to be married, Eric and his fiancée are brutally murdered by a violent gang. In a supernatural twist, Eric rises from the grave and traverses the worlds of the living and the dead to seek revenge.

I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998)

I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998) — Credit: kyler ☏ via Pinterest

This sequel to I Know What You Did Last Summer was seriously underrated. While the first movie was somewhat textbook, the second is certainly creepier and more unique. The two surviving teens from the original movie once again find themselves trying to escape the murderous fisherman, but this time, in the Bahamas.

Being John Malkovich (1999)

Being John Malkovich (1999) — Credit: Raquel Anele via Pinterest

Puppeteer Craig Schwartz is forced to take on an office job to make ends meet, when he discovers a magical portal behind a filing cabinet. The portal leads directly into the mind of John Malkovich, resulting in a series of bizarre yet compelling twists and turns. The writer, Charlie Kaufman, became famous for Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, but it’s worth revisiting this earlier masterpiece!

Hackers (1995)

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In this movie, a group of teen hackers uncover a criminal plot to release a dangerous computer virus. They must work together and use their skills to find the evil genius behind the whole thing. While Hackers may seem a little dated now, it’s still well worth a rewatch, especially for the impressive cast.

Dark City (1998)

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Dark City was an excellent movie; however, the timing of its original release meant that it was quickly overshadowed by The Matrix, which had a similar plot. Now that time has passed, it’s definitely worth revisiting. The plot follows a man named John Murdoch, who must rediscover his identity after waking up with no memory. Meanwhile, he must also outrun a group of creepy mind controllers known as “The Strangers.”

Zero Effect (1998)

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Zero Effect is a light-hearted detective story with a twist. Darryl Zero is the world’s greatest detective, but unfortunately, he’s also a social misfit who cannot leave his house. Instead, he employs an assistant, Steve Arlo, to help him with his work. The two must work together to solve a mysterious case of blackmail.

Girl, Interrupted (1999)

Girl, Interrupted (1999) — Credit: ─ · ⊹ ࣪sagiyou˖ via Pinterest

This movie wasn’t exactly a flop, but it’s undoubtedly worth a revisit for its amazing cast and dynamic take on the topic of mental health. The plot revolves around a directionless teenager named Susanna, who is sent to a mental institution. She ends up meeting and befriending a group of equally troubled women during her stay.

Devil in a Blue Dress (1995)

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If you’re a fan of Denzel Washington and Don Cheadle, you need to revisit Devil in a Blue Dress! It’s a detective thriller set in 1948 Los Angeles. A black war hero (Washington) is hired to find a mysterious woman but finds himself mixed up in murder, crooked cops, and nasty politicians.

Hard Eight (1996)

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This is a strong crime drama that’s unfortunately gotten lost among other similar movies over the years. But it’s definitely worth a rewatch! The movie follows John, who meets a man named Sydney outside a diner after losing all his money. Sydney takes John under his wing teaches him how to become a small-time professional gambler.

Friday (1995)

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Did you know that this movie is where the phrase, “Bye, Felicia” originated? Not only that, but it’s a hilarious comedy that features both Ice Cube and Chris Tucker (before he found superstardom). It even spawned a couple of sequels – Next Friday and Friday After Next!

Blast from the Past (1999)

Blast from the Past (1999) — Credit: Chicagobred1 via Pinterest

This movie didn’t win any awards, but it’s a genuinely heart-warming romantic comedy starring Alicia Silverstone and Brendan Fraser (who are better known for Clueless and The Mummy, respectively). The storyline is about a young man who was raised in underground shelter because his parents thought there was an apocalypse. When he emerges, he must learn how to navigate modern life.

Set It Off (1996)

Set It Off (1996) — Credit: People via Pinterest

You should definitely revisit Set If Off if you want to see a young Queen Latifah and Jada Pinkett Smith! The movie is based around a group of women who, in desperate need of cash, organize a series of bank heists. However, things unravel when they start to become suspicious and mistrusting of one another.

Velvet Goldmine (1998)

Velvet Goldmine (1998) — Credit: BFI via Pinterest

Velvet Goldmine is well worth a rewatch for its colorful glam rock aesthetic. Set in the 70s, the plot follows a journalist who is attempting to track down a musician named Brian Slade (think a David Bowie type of character!). This movie perfectly balances glitter dust and feathers with dark drama.

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The Most Underrated 90s Movies Worth Revisiting - Social Ornament