The 1990s gifted us withiconic blockbustersand cemented the careers of stars and directors. But for every success likeTitanic, there are probably dozens of films that failed to connect with audiences and flopped. Some of the bombs have gained several following, others are reappraised by critics or viewers who discovered them later on home video or streaming. However, many movies remain underrated because of their underperformance. These are not just forgotten films; they are cinematic gems that deserve far more love and attention than they initially received.
From underappreciated biopics to ambitious genre-bending adventures to biopics,these ’90s films were not commercially successful but should be respected more. Some even star Hollywood’s biggest actors and are directed by prestigious directors, so they are still worth revisiting. It’s time to shine a light on these movies and recognize their quality and uniqueness.
10’Chaplin' (1992)
Directed by Richard Attenborough
Chaplinchronicles the life and career of the silent film star Charlie Chaplin, played byRobert Downey Jr.From his impoverished childhood in London to his rise to global fame in Hollywood, the film explores Chaplin’s complex relationships, groundbreaking work in cinema, and the personal and professional challenges he faced throughout his life.
Despite being nominated for three Oscars, including aBest Actor nod for Downey,Chaplinremains an underrated flop of a movie. Released alongside hits likeAladdin,A Few Good Men,andHome Alone 2, the film bombed at the box office.Richard Attenborough’s direction provides a comprehensive look at Chaplin’s life and the evolution of his artistry, but critics stated that it took too much dramatic license and was confined by its formulaic biopic plot. With Downey becoming arguably Hollywood’s biggest star, there should bemore interest in this film for a potential reappraisal.
9’Newsies' (1992)
Directed by Kenny Ortega
Set in 1899 New York City,Newsiesdepicts the story of the newsboys' strike against newspaper publisher Joseph Pulitzer (Robert Duvall), who attempts to increase the price the young newsies pay for their papers. Led by the charismatic Jack Kelly (Christian Bale), a rebellious newsboy with artistic aspirations, the “newsies” of Manhattan band together to organize a strike and fight for fair wages. Their cause gets stronger support as they gain an ally in a reporter, Bryan Denton (Bill Pullman), who wants to cover their story.
Newsieswas unfairly maligned during its release and was even nominated for five Razzies. At its core, the film isa rousing story of young people standing up for their rights. The storyline, inspired by historical events, is a classic tale of the underdog fighting against powerful figures. Under the direction ofKenny Ortega, who has choreographed numerous music videos and musicals and directed all theHigh School Musicalmovies, the film featuresimpressive choreography and catchy musical numbers, powered by Christian Bale’s charismatic performance as the determined Jack Kelly.The story founda new life on Broadwayin 2012, where it received a better reception and was nominated for eight Tony Awards.
8’The Hudsucker Proxy' (1994)
Directed by Joel & Ethan Coen
InThe Hudsucker Proxy, the death of Hudsucker Industries' CEO pushes the board, spearheaded by Sidney Mussburger (Paul Newman), to install the clueless mailroom clerk Norville Barnes (Tim Robbins) as president to tank the stock. Their plan backfires when Norville’s accidental invention, the hula hoop, becomes a sensation, skyrocketing the company’s value. Amidst the chaos, cynical reporter Amy Archer (Jennifer Jason Leigh) investigates Norville, uncovering the board’s scheme and finding herself drawn to the surprisingly earnest new president.
The Hudsucker Proxyis unlike any otherCoen Brothersfilm. It is visually stunning and stylistically unique, reminiscent ofTerry Gilliam’sBrazil. But it’s still an underrated film, often mentioned at the bottom of the siblings' rich filmography. It’s an experimental film whose charm lies in its whimsical andsatirical portrayal of corporate America in the 1950s. The storyline, a quirky blend ofscrewball comedyand social commentary, is filled with memorable characters and inventive visual gags. The cast delivers performances that are apt for its bonkers style, and Tim Robbins delivers a wonderfully earnest portrayal as the clueless but ultimately good-hearted Norville. It’s a film thatdesperately needs to be reappraised.
The Hudsucker Proxy
7’Fallen' (1998)
Directed by Gregory Hoblit
Fallenfollows Philadelphia homicide detective John Hobbes (Denzel Washington), who witnesses the execution of serial killer Edgar Reese. Shortly after, a series of murders with Reese’s distinct methods begins, leading Hobbes to suspect the supernatural. He learns that an ancient demon named Azazel can possess human bodies through touch, forcing its victims to commit heinous acts. As Azazel jumps from person to person, his investigation leads him down a dark path, questioning who he can trust as the demon’s influence spreads.
Yes,FallenpitsDenzel Washington against a demon. Alongside Washington are a stacked group of actors likeJames Gandolfini,John Goodman,andDonald Sutherland, making this even more intriguing to watch. Washington is not one to back out from a compelling premise, having done almost every genre in cinema, andFallenremains one of his most underrated movies. A premise that blendsa police procedural moviewith a supernatural might be more common these days after one and a half decades of theSupernaturalTV series, but it was still a novelty back in the late ’90s. Itsdark tone and blending of genresmight be better received in the current landscape. Case in point: Even 11 months after it was released, a movie where Arnold Schwarzenegger battles the devil, titledEnd of Days, managed to be a hit.
6’School Ties' (1992)
Directed by Robert Mandel
School Tiesfollows David Greene (Brendan Fraser), a talented student from Pennsylvania, who earns a scholarship to the prestigious St. Matthew’s School, an elite New England prep school. Eager to fit in and aware of the prevalent antisemitism, David conceals his Jewish heritage from his classmates and faculty. However, when David’s secret is revealed, he faces the harsh reality of the ingrained prejudice within the seemingly progressive institution and among his newfound friends.
With a cast that includes the Boston bestiesMatt DamonandBen Affleck,School Tiesmay have suffered comparisons withDead Poets Societythat hurt its box office taking. It was quite unfortunate because the film tackled different issues and hadFraser delivering one of his best performances, even at a young age. The film’splot surrounding identity and discrimination remains relevant today, making it timeless. Most criticism was aimed at its heavy-handed message and generic formula. However,School Ties’s effective and insightful exploration of a crucial social issue makes it a film that deserves greater recognition.
School Ties
5’The Rocketeer' (1991)
Directed by Joe Johnston
The Rocketeerfollows stunt pilot Cliff Secord (Billy Campbell) as he stumbles upon a top-secret rocket pack that allows him to fly. Initially using it for thrilling aerial stunts, Cliff soon becomes embroiled in a dangerous adventure involving Nazi spies who are also after the technology. With the help of his aspiring actress girlfriend Jenny Blake (Jennifer Connelly) and his eccentric mechanic Peevy (Alan Arkin), Cliff must learn to master the rocket pack and stop the Nazis from obtaining it, and becomes the hero known as the Rocketeer.
The Rocketeeris one of those movies that justoozes charm and adventure, and it’s a real shame it didn’t soar higher at the box office. It perfectly captures that old-school,Saturday morning series vibe, all while looking absolutely gorgeous. It’s a straightforward good-versus-evil story, but it’s told with such genuine enthusiasm and visual flair. Based on a comic by Dave Stevens, this film may have inspired several modern superhero films and has also led directorJoe Johnstonto helmCaptain America: The First Avenger. There have been talks ofa sequel or a reboot, which all bodes well as it would direct more viewers to discover this great adventure film.
The Rocketeer
4’Strange Days' (1995)
Directed by Kathryn Bigelow
Set in the final days of 1999,Strange Daysfollows Lenny Nero (Ralph Fiennes), a former police officer now operating as a dealer of “clips,” recorded sensory experiences that allow users to live through another’s memories. As the city teeters on the precipice of societal unrest, Lenny acquires a clip depicting the brutal murder of a prostitute, which also contains incriminating evidence against influential figures within the police department. With the steadfast support of his friend Mace (Angela Bassett), Lenny goes on a dangerous quest to uncover the truth.
A high-concept sci-fi is always a tough sell, andStrange Days’inspired premise was ultimately the reason for its downfall at the box office. The film offered a visually striking commentary on the anxieties of the late millennium, and with today’s social media, it becamea prescient piece of cinema.Kathryn Bigelow’s direction establishes a palpable sense of tension and unease within the dystopian landscape of Los Angeles. With great leading actors in Fiennes and Bassett, both of whom are still delivering memorable performances today, the film isstill enthralling to watch 30 years later. Perhaps it is time audiences appreciated its ambitions and commentary.
Strange Days
3’Last Action Hero' (1993)
Directed by John McTiernan
Last Action Herofollows Danny Madigan (Austin O’Brien), a movie-obsessed teenager, who is transported into the fictional world of his favorite action hero, Jack Slater (Arnold Schwarzenegger). Initially thrilled to be alongside his idol, Danny soon discovers that the clear-cut rules of action movies don’t always apply, even in Slater’s world. The lines between fiction and reality blur when villains from Slater’s films, most notably the ruthless Benedict (Charles Dance), manage to cross over into the real world, bringing with them their dangerous ambitions.
Last Action Herowasway ahead of its time. Its clever meta-narrative was underappreciated when it was first released and remains underrated as more and more meta movies are released these days.The film’s experimental plot, which constantly juxtaposes the over-the-top conventions of action cinema with the more grounded rules of reality,is surprisingly insightful and humorous. Schwarzenegger delivers a self-aware performance, playfully subverting his established action hero persona while still embodying the archetype. Its box office underperformance likely stemmed from a disconnect between audience expectations for a straightforward action film and the film’s more self-referential and comedic intentions. But since then, it has developed a cult following.
Last Action Hero
2’Sphere' (1998)
Directed by Barry Levinson
Spherefollows a team of scientists sent to investigate a mysterious spaceship that appeared at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. This group includes marine biologist Dr. Beth Halperin (Sharon Stone), mathematician Dr. Harry Adams (Samuel L. Jackson), astrophysicist Dr. Ted Fielding (Liev Schreiber), and psychologist Dr. Norman Goodman (Dustin Hoffman). They found a suspiciously perfect spherical object there and attempted to understand its nature and purpose.
Spheresuffered terrible reviews despite its intriguing premise and strong cast, which includes post-Basic InstinctSharon Stone and post-Pulp FictionSamuel L. Jackson. Works from writerMichael Crichtonwere hot commodities after the success ofJurassic Park, and the production may have rushed this movie. The book itself had a better reception, but when transported to the screen,something was lost in translation. The film’s plot blends science fiction and psychological thriller, as well as the potential of alien technology. It may have beentoo cerebral as a conceptand is not as spectacular asother ’90s sci-fi films, including the similarly meditativeContact, which came out a year earlier. Nevertheless,Sphereis stillworth revisiting for its brave concept and star-studded cast.
1’The 13th Warrior' (1999)
The 13th Warrioris set in 921 AD and follows Ahmad Ibn Fadlan (Antonio Banderas), an exiled Arab courtier forced to join twelve Viking warriors on a perilous journey to defend a Scandinavian kingdom from a mysterious and savage enemy known as the Wendol. Initially an outsider and an observer, Ahmad gradually learns their language and customs, becoming an unlikely comrade as they face increasingly brutal attacks. Ahmad becomes a crucial thirteenth warrior in the group led by the noble Buliwyf (Vladimir Kulich).
This historical drama is notorious asone of the biggest bombsin cinema, alongside titles likeThe Lone RangerandJohn Carter.The 13th Warriorhas many epic qualities,blending historical fiction with elements of fantasy. It’s so worth watching as it puts that expensive budget on screen, with colossal battles and set pieces. Banderas, albeit miscast as an Arab warrior, delivered a strong performance. The film also puts forth a great Muslim representation, as Ahmad is arguably Hollywood’s first major Muslim hero, complete with a respectable depiction of his faith and customs. With Hollywood embracing diversity and representation, it isworthwhile to revisit this underrated historical epic today.
The 13th Warrior
NEXT:10 Cult Classic ’90s Movies That Are Perfect for a Remake
