The 90s were a special time for science fiction. With the release of Jurassic Park And Terminator 2: Judgment Daymovie studios began to recognize the practical potential of CG and other special effects. Movies like The matrix revolutionized cinema with techniques such as slow motion, influencing not only science fiction and action films, but almost every genre in the industry. However, many 90s sci-fi films were overlooked at the time and are only now receiving the appreciation they deserve.
Many big sci-fi films of the ’90s had a dark and dirty aesthetic that made them less family-friendly, thus limiting their audience. Many were independent productions that had to find creative ways to work with small budgets. Additionally, ’90s science fiction often leaned into the strange and unconventional, leading to poor reception from critics and a lack of mainstream awareness. Exploring 90s sci-fi films can be an unexpected treat for fans of the genre.
10 Demolition Man is completely absurd and totally brilliant
As innocent victims are caught in the crossfire in Los Angeles’ escalating war on crime, cop John Spartan (Sylvester Stallone) and violent thug Simon Phoenix (Wesley Snipes) are sentenced to a state of incarceration. jelly known as “CryoPrison”. When Spartan finally thaws 36 years later, the year is 2032, and Los Angeles is now a pacifist utopia called San Angeles. But with Phoenix once again on the loose, Spartan must team up with future cop Lenina (Sandra Bullock) to apprehend the killer.
- Director
- Marco Brambilla
- Release date
- October 8, 1993
- Cast
- Sylvester Stallone, Wesley Snipes, Sandra Bullock, Nigel Hawthorne, Benjamin Bratt, Bob Gunton
- Writers
- Peter M. Lenkov, Robert Reneau, Daniel Waters
- Runtime
- 115 minutes
- Budget
- $57 million
- Studio(s)
- Warner Bros.
- Distributor(s)
- Warner Bros.
|
Budget |
$45 million |
|---|---|
|
Ticketing |
$150 million |
|
IMDb rating |
6.7 |
Demolition man was intended to be a comeback vehicle for Sylvester Stallone, achieving commercial success despite critical reviews upon release. The film is unabashedly over-the-top, both in its action and its dialogue, and its novelty has only grown with time. A key factor in its lasting appeal is the commitment of its stakeholders. Sandra Bullock and Benjamin Bratt approach the absurd scenario with complete sincerity, balancing the larger-than-life performances of Wesley Snipes and Stallone in a way that’s impossible not to admire.
Beyond its explosive action and its endless lines, Demolition man also offers an entertaining vision of the future. His satirical comments on commercialism come through in the form of false advertising and bizarre technological conveniences, often linked to degenerate hobbies. The film’s mix of chaotic spectacle and wry social critique makes it a perfect ’90s popcorn flick.
9 The Rocketeer was a throwback to the Pulp Style comics
The rocket
A young pilot comes across a prototype jetpack that allows him to become a high-flying masked hero.
- Director
- Joe Johnston
- Release date
- June 21, 1991
- Cast
- Billy Campbell, Jennifer Connelly
- Writers
- Danny Bilson, Paul De Meo, William Dear
- Rating
- PG
- Runtime
- 108 minutes
- Production company
- Walt Disney Pictures, Touchstone Pictures, Silver Screen Partners IV, Gordon Company
- Budget
- $35 million
- Studio(s)
- Disney
- Distributor(s)
- Disney
|
Budget |
40 million dollars |
|---|---|
|
Ticketing |
$45 million |
|
IMDb rating |
6.6 |
In the 90s, pulp style films like The Ghost And Dick Tracey were popular and The rocket was the best of these films. The rocket takes everyone back to America at the dawn of World War II, when life was simpler and everyone knew who the bad guys (in this case, the Nazis) were. Although The rocket didn’t use a lot of special effects, it still manages to capture superhero flight wonderfully, as well as having some goofy, over-the-top scenes featuring zeppelins flying over Los Angeles.
Considering The rocket was a minor IP and had no big stars, it couldn’t rise above 4th place at the domestic box office. However, The rocket has a dynamic plot consisting of fast-paced acts and a few minor twists and turns to keep you invested. Although The rocket is light and clumsy, it takes itself just seriously enough to keep you invested in the issues. The rocket gets creative in telling a blockbuster superhero story about a guy who has no powers or equipment other than a rocket strapped to his back.
8 Starship Troopers was a satire misunderstood by 90s audiences
Space Soldiers
Humans, in a fascist and militaristic future, wage war against giant alien insects.
- Director
- Paul Verhoeven
- Release date
- November 4, 1997
- Cast
- Casper Van Dien, Denise Richards, Dina Meyer
- Writers
- Edward Neumeier, Robert A. Heinlein
- Runtime
- 2 hours 9 minutes
- Production company
- TriStar Images, Touchstone Images, Big Bug Images, Digital Image Associates
|
Budget |
100 million dollars |
|---|---|
|
Ticketing |
$120 million |
|
IMDb rating |
7.3 |
Initially, Space Soldiers was dismissed as a campy sci-fi film that glorified the military and left audiences unsatisfied with its ending. However, Paul Verhoeven intended to satirize right-wing propaganda and the glorification of war, while providing an entertaining spectacle of soldiers fighting giant alien insects. By today’s standards, Space Soldiers may lack subtlety, but it offers a scathing critique of colonialism, militarism and nationalism. It presents a world where apartheid is normalized and violence is celebrated as a necessary means to resolve conflict.
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Even for those not interested in his philosophies or political commentary, Space Soldiers remains an action-packed film, brimming with blood, nudity and chaotic energy. It revels in the raunchy imagery and R-rated behavior that defined much of ’90s media. The film isn’t afraid to develop well-loved characters only to have them meet grisly ends, like getting skewered by giant beetles, making it an unpredictable and exciting experience.
7 The gothic set design of Dark City is second to none
Dark city
- Director
- Alex Proyas
- Release date
- February 27, 1998
- Cast
- Rufus Sewell, William Hurt, Kiefer Sutherland, Jennifer Connelly, Ian Richardson
- Writers
- Alex Proyas, Lem Dobbs, David S. Goyer
- Runtime
- 100 minutes
|
Budget |
$27 million |
|---|---|
|
Ticketing |
$27 million |
|
IMDb rating |
7.6 |
Alex Proyas presents some of the best sets in sci-fi cinema with Dark city. Influenced by films like Batman, Dark city features a noir metropolis filled with shadows and gothic architecture. Its setting is both eerie and visually stunning, with thrilling scenes where buildings move and reshape, amplifying the unsettling atmosphere and gravity of its world.
While Dark city Suffering from sometimes unrealistic dialogue and uneven acting performances, it remains a gripping mystery in the science fiction genre. The story delivers a series of unexpected revelations that build momentum, and its fast-paced plot makes up for the lack of strong thematic depth. Even though it favors style over substance, the film’s failure at the box office is surprising, especially given its visual ambition. Over time, Dark city gained one of the most important cult films among sci-fi films of the 90scementing its legacy as a unique cinematic experience.
6 Cube-fused Claustrophobia with high-stakes puzzle solving
Cubes (1997)
Six complete strangers with very different personalities are unwittingly placed in an endless maze containing deadly traps.
- Director
- Vincenzo Natali
- Release date
- September 9, 1997
- Cast
- Nicole de Boer, Maurice Dean Wint, Nicky Guadagni, Andrew Miller, David Hewlett, Julian Richings, Wayne Robson
- Runtime
- 1 hour 30 minutes
|
Budget |
$350,000 |
|---|---|
|
Ticketing |
9 million dollars |
|
IMDb rating |
7.1 |
Long before escape rooms became a popular pastime, Cube brought audiences into a deadly game where strangers had to solve puzzles to survive. Failing to solve these puzzles led to horrible consequences, such as being cut into pieces. Cube is a masterclass in low-budget filmmakingeffectively using a single set to create his entire world.
1:45
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The film builds tension with its claustrophobic, dimly lit rooms, where every decision feels like a life or death gamble. One of CubeThe most compelling element of is watching the characters propose and debate various theories for escape, each bringing unique perspectives to the challenges. For math enthusiasts, the film offers an extra layer of intrigue, as many of the puzzles are based on math and were designed with input from a math consultant. This attention to detail reflects Cubeof the respect of its audience and reinforces its status as an extraordinary science fiction thriller.
5 Existenz is a true cult classic
Allegra Geller, video game designer, tests her new virtual reality game. When an assassination attempt forces her to go on the run with a marketing intern, they blur the lines between reality and the game, questioning what’s real as they uncover a conspiracy.
- Director
- David Cronenberg
- Release date
- April 19, 1999
- Writers
- David Cronenberg
- Runtime
- 97 minutes
- Main genre
- Science fiction
- Character(s)
- Allegra Geller, Ted Pikul, Kiri Vinokur, Gas, Yevgeny Nourish, Hugo Carlaw, seminar leader, Merle
|
Budget |
$15 million |
|---|---|
|
Ticketing |
$5.5 million |
|
IMDb rating |
6.8 |
Few directors are as synonymous with cult classics as David Cronenberg. In the manner of Cronenberg, existence embraces gruesome body horror and uses disturbing imagery to provoke discomfort. Compared to much of his filmography, existence stands out with stronger acting and a more cohesive plot, earning its place as perhaps his most underrated work.
Released at the dawn of the information age, existence explores themes of technology and its impact on society. A bit like The matrixit blurs the boundaries of reality by placing its story in a virtual world where the consequences are as real as they are physical. The film’s protagonists bring a rebellious perspective, offering a dark critique of technological progress. Figures like Ted Pikul view this progress as parasitic, making existence an intriguing, if pessimistic, commentary on the relationship between humanity and its creations.
4 The Iron Giant could rival any of the 90s Disney classics
A young boy befriends a giant robot from space that a paranoid government agent wants to destroy.
- Director
- Brad Bird
- Release date
- August 6, 1999
- Studio
- Warner Bros.
- Cast
- Eli Marienthal, Harry Connick Jr., Jennifer Aniston, Vin Diesel
- Writers
- Tim McCanlies, Brad Bird, Ted Hughes
- Runtime
- 1 hour 26 minutes
- Production company
- Warner Bros., Warner Bros. Animation
- Budget
- $70 million
- Studio(s)
- Warner Bros.
- Distributor(s)
- Warner Bros.
|
Budget |
$50 million |
|---|---|
|
Ticketing |
$30 million |
|
IMDb rating |
8.1 |
For a children’s film, The iron giant is remarkably bold. It tells the story of an alien robot sent to destroy Earth, only to choose a different path. The connection between the protagonist, a young boy from rural Alaska, and the iron giant is deeply heartwarming – an emotional depth that few science fiction films, much less animated ones, attempt to achieve. The iron giant captures the mystery of 90s hits like The X Files while dabbling in Cold War-era propaganda with a tone reminiscent of mid-century Americana.
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Although it was released during Disney’s golden age of animation, The iron giant struggled at the box office, likely due to its grounded setting and lack of traditional fairy tale elements. However, it excels in its character development, bringing rare depth to its adult protagonists, a rare feature in animated films of the period. The film cements its status as an underrated classic with its unforgettable climax, where the Iron Giant, defying his destructive programming, declares, “I am Superman!” and heroically saves the day.
3 Evangelion’s Ending Concludes the Legendary Anime’s Complex Story
Original title: Shin seiki Evangelion Gekijô-ban: Air/Magokoro wo, kimi ni.
Simultaneous theatrical ending of the television series Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995).
- Director
- Hideaki-Anno
- Release date
- July 19, 1997
- Cast
- Megumi Ogata, Megumi Hayashibara, Yuko Miyamura
- Writers
- Hideaki-Anno
- Runtime
- 1 hour 47 minutes
- Production company
- Gainax, Kadokawa Shoten Publishing Co., Movic
|
Budget |
5 million dollars |
|---|---|
|
Ticketing |
$19 million |
|
IMDb rating |
8.1 |
Like the “good” conclusion to the hit series Neon Genesis Evangelion, The end of Evangelion delivers the sophisticated literary elements and satisfying resolutions that fans of the franchise have come to expect. Although the film was a huge success in Japan, it remained under the radar of many American audiences due to its close ties to a niche anime series. Even today, many viewers feel obligated to watch the series first, create a barrier to entry to this remarkable science fiction film.
The end of Evangelion delves deep into the human condition, exploring themes of heaven, individuality, and the inherent need for connection. Its abstract narration, rich in allegories, offers the audience much to contemplate. The film’s visual style is a unique fusion of mechanically driven art and Christian iconography, creating a distinct and striking aesthetic. With its bold thematic exploration and stunning visuals, The end of Evangelion stands as a masterpiece of sci-fi anime.
2 Gattaca is an inspiring story in a genre rife with pessimism
Gattaca
- Director
- Andrew Nicol
- Release date
- October 24, 1997
- Cast
- Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman, Jude Law, Gore Vidal
- Writers
- Andrew Nicol
- Runtime
- 146 minutes
|
Budget |
$36 million |
|---|---|
|
Ticketing |
$12.5 million |
|
IMDb rating |
7.7 |
Gattaça presents a world where discrimination is rooted in genetic perfection rather than race, gender, or creed. This deeply inspiring story, narrated by Ethan Hawke, follows the journey of Vincent, an “invalid” with defective genes, as he pursues his dream of becoming an astronaut, a role reserved exclusively for “able-bodied” people. The plot is fraught with tension, as Vincent assumes the identity of an able-bodied man while the detectives close in on his deception.
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Unlike many sci-fi films from the 80s and 90s, Gattaça avoids dark images of cyberpunk or gothic noir. Instead, it depicts its dystopia through subtle dialogue and character actions. In Vincent’s world, identity is reduced to genetics, erasing individuality and appearances. No one questions Vincent’s true identity, even when there is photographic evidence of his past, because society cannot conceive of a person defying his genetic destiny. The film masterfully critiques the reduction of human potential to genetic code, delivering a poignant message about perseverance and the human spirit.
1 Ghost in the Shell is the perfect cyberpunk animated film
A cyborg policewoman and her partner are tracking down a mysterious and powerful hacker called Puppet Master.
- Director
- Mamoru Oshii
- Release date
- November 19, 1995
- Studio
- GI production
- Cast
- Atsuko Tanaka, Akio Otsuka, Iemasa Kayumi
- Writers
- Masamune Shirow, Kazunori Itô
- Runtime
- 1 hour 23 minutes
- Franchise
- Ghost in the shell
- Production company
- Kodansha, Bandai Visual Company, Manga Entertainment.
|
Budget |
3 million dollars |
|---|---|
|
Ticketing |
10 million dollars |
|
IMDb rating |
7.9 |
For anime fans, Ghost in the shell is a cornerstone of the genre, although the average American may be more familiar with the live-action adaptation directed by Scarlett Johansson. The original animated film struggled at the box office but gained popularity domestically, becoming not only an overlooked sci-fi gem but also one of the best animated films ever produced in Japan .
Ghost in the shell is steeped in cyberpunk aesthetics, with sprawling cityscapes, dark, moody color palettes, and advanced, complex machinery. Although it features some stunning action sequences – such as the protagonist, a cyborg, battling a multi-legged tank – the film’s true genius lies in its philosophical depth. It delves into questions of identity and humanity, as the protagonist questions whether her essence, housed in a robotic body, still qualifies her as human. Likewise, the antagonist, a sentient program, reflects his journey, seeking to merge with something organic to experience mortality. This exploration of the blurred boundaries between humans and machines elevates Ghost in the shell into a timeless and thought-provoking masterpiece.