Tired of rewatching the same old blockbusters? We are too, so we found 10 underrated 90s movies that deserve your attention. These great movies flew under the radar for one reason or another, but they all have the ingredients that make up a great film: strong acting, compelling stories, and that raw 90s energy we all love. Each is worth your time and well worth seeking out (some may be a bit more difficult to find than others but nothing good ever came easy).
A Midnight Clear (1992)
Who’s in it? Ethan Hawke, Peter Berg, Gary Sinise, John C. McGinley
Why it’s great: “A Midnight Clear” is one of the most haunting and human WWII dramas ever made. Ethan Hawke leads a vulnerable cast in a lyrical, painful story about soldiers just trying to survive.
Why you (probably) haven’t seen it: Released during a time when audiences wanted either big war epics or none at all, this intimate story got lost in the shuffle.
The Addiction (1995)
Who’s in it? Christopher Walken, Lili Taylor, Edie Falco, Annabella Sciorra
Why it’s great: Another Abel Ferrara gem, “The Addiction” is a black-and-white vampire thriller that acts as an allegory for drug use and existential despair. It’s intellectual, stylish, and creepy.
Why you (probably) haven’t seen it: Way too arty and philosophical for horror fans, and too horror-ish for the arthouse crowd — it got stuck in no-man’s-land.
Light Sleeper (1992)
Who’s in it? Willem Dafoe, Susan Sarandon, Dana Delany, Sam Rockwell
Why it’s great: Paul Schrader’s “Light Sleeper” is a moody, noirish look at a drug dealer in existential crisis, with Willem Dafoe giving one of his most layered performances.
Why you (probably) haven’t seen it: It was too introspective and character-driven for crime thriller fans looking for shootouts and fast action.
To Sleep with Anger (1990)
Who’s in it? Danny Glover, Paul Butler, DeVaughn Nixon, Mary Alice
Why it’s great: A mysterious Southern visitor disrupts a tight-knit Black family in LA. “To Sleep with Anger” is atmospheric, eerie, and loaded with cultural nuance. Danny Glover is electric in a rare villainous role.
Why you (probably) haven’t seen it: Under-promoted and under-distributed, especially for a film tackling race and folklore with such sophistication.
The Last Supper (1995)
Who’s in it? Cameron Diaz, Ron Perlman, Bill Paxton, Annabeth Gish
Why it’s great: A jet-black comedy where liberal grad students invite conservatives to dinner… and then murder them. It’s sharp, funny, and still disturbingly relevant.
Why you (probably) haven’t seen it: The dark political humor was too extreme for mainstream 90s sensibilities.
White Squall (1996)
Who’s in it? Jeff Bridges, John Savage, Scott Wolf, Ryan Phillippe
Why it’s great: A coming-of-age sailing drama directed by Ridley Scott, with Jeff Bridges leading a young cast through tragedy and survival at sea. Emotional, epic, and beautiful.
Why you (probably) haven’t seen it: Bad timing (released against bigger blockbusters) and poor marketing buried this at the box office.
Love and a .45 (1994)
Who’s in it? Gil Bellows, Renée Zellweger, Rory Cochrane, Peter Fonda
Why it’s great: Gil Bellows and a young Renée Zellweger have electric chemistry in this wild, adrenaline-fueled crime spree romance with an irresistible 90s punk vibe.
Why you (probably) haven’t seen it: Released in the shadow of other high-profile lovers-on-the-run movies with bigger budgets and bigger stars.
The Night We Never Met (1993)
Who’s in it? Matthew Broderick, Annabella Sciorra, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Kevin Anderson
Why it’s great: A quirky rom-com about three strangers sharing the same New York apartment on different days of the week. Charming, breezy, and very 90s in the best way.
Why you (probably) haven’t seen it: Too small, too quiet, and overshadowed by bigger, flashier romantic comedies like “Sleepless in Seattle.”
The Spanish Prisoner (1997)
Who’s in it? Steve Martin, Ben Gazzara, Campbell Scott, Rebecca Pidgeon
Why it’s great: Directed by David Mamet, “The Spanish Prisoner” is a brilliant, twisty con-artist thriller where every conversation feels like it might be a trap. Steve Martin plays against type, showing surprising menace.
Why you (probably) haven’t seen it: The movie’s slow, talky style and subtle plotting didn’t match the action-packed thrillers audiences were expecting in the late 90s.
Living in Oblivion (1995)
Who’s in it? Steve Buscemi, Catherine Keener, James LeGros, Dermot Mulroney
Why it’s great: This indie satire about making a low-budget movie is pure meta gold. Steve Buscemi is hilarious as a stressed-out director, and the whole thing feels painfully real for anyone who’s ever worked in film or creative fields.
Why you (probably) haven’t seen it: Too inside-baseball for mainstream audiences, but a cult classic in creative circles.
These hidden gems have a little something for everyone. Seek them out and let us know what you think. Looking for something a bit more mainstream? Check out our list of the Ten 90s Movies That Defined The Decade.
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