Can’t stomach sitting through ‘bloody Forest Gump‘ or ‘yeah it’s a good movie but I’ve seen it a zillion times The Shawshank Redemption’ again? Me neither.
Try one of these instead –
Top 10 Underrated Movies Gems from the 1990s
10. Stir of Echoes (1999)
One of the reasons this film isn’t bigger (I believe) is because The Sixth Sense was released the same year and became 1999’s Big Creepy Blockbuster. And yes The Sixth Sense is very good. But Stir of Echoes is still a good ghost story and for extra points stars the delightful Kevin Bacon. Definitely worth a watch.
9. Cube (1997)
A low budget, sci-fi / horror flick (got you hooked already!) that spawned a few sequels of ‘cult’ status – and to be fair I quite like them all. It’s the classic and always winning (for me at least) formula of strangers waking up in a room – no idea how they got there and then realising they are surrounded by terrifying, torturous traps. Yay!
8. The Craft (1996)
The Craft is soooo 1990s it’s great. The clothes, the hair, jewellery and of course – Skeet Ulrich. Whatever happened to him? So we follow new girl at school (Robin Tunney) as she befriends a scary group of girls led by big mouth Nancy (big mouth Fairuza Bulk). Kind of a Clueless for the outcast kids it brings together cool elements of the classic teen movie formula and a little bit of horror.
7. Arachnophobia (1990)
I LOVE ARACHNOPHOBIA! I ALWAYS HAVE AND I ALWAYS WILL. You can’t make me stop! Skin crawlingly creepy, kinda obviously silly and genuinely comical. It’s fucking awesome, let’s face it, spiders are internationally feared by most of us (the most sensible of us anyway) and they really make a good film baddie.
6. Small Soldiers (1998)
Ah man I love this film. It’s not really for kids, trust me. It’s funny, well written and actually quite violent in places – controversial even at the time of release. The effects are good as well, quite cleverly achieved really, so the film doesn’t appear that dated even after sixteen years. I defy anyone not to enjoy it!
5. Falling Down (1993)
I think we can all relate to super fucking angry main character Bill Foster – a tired man who’s only aim is getting to his daughter’s birthday party. Being thwarted, threatened and stuck in traffic sends him TOTALLY over the edge and we get to watch in glee as he goes around town Charles Bronson style.
4. Event Horizon (1997)
Ah – the madness of Event Horizon. Half science, half hell and so menacing and gross that it’s a personal horror favourite of mine.
So they’re stuck out in space (where no-one can hear them scream) in the not-so-distance future aboard Event Horizon – a dark and brooding spacecraft that is just waiting to kill everyone. Scientist Dr Weir (Sam Neill) proceeds to lose every last marble and the gates to hell are opened. Enjoy!
3. The Faculty (1998)
The Faculty is one of those films that when I watch it, I wish there were more films around just like it. It’s based on The Body Snatchers and brought to a high school but what makes it extra cool is the quirky writing and mis-match of teenage clichés – nerd, burnout, queen bee, jock, lesbian, new kid etc – who have no option but to join forces and fight the aliens who are taking over their teachers and their home town. Loads of fun (and stellar cast as well).
2. In the Mouth of Madness (1994)
In the Mouth of Madness is a bit weird and a bit wacky but generally the viewing experience is positive and happily it stars Sam Neill cracking up all over again.
Nightmarish, gory, demonic and very creepy too. Fairly ambiguous but like, who cares man? This film scared me as a kid – and it still does a bit now.
1. Kalifornia (1993)
You know who Brad Pitt is great at playing? A trailer trash, murderous scumbag called Early Grayce. In this movie Early and his nice-but-dim wife (Juliette Lewis) car share with a hip and trendy couple (David Duchovny and Michelle Forbes) who are traveling to California, writing a book about murderers. The twist in this tale is that they are unknowingly traveling with a murderer – the psychopathic Early. One of my favourites!
emmakwall (explains it all) 
I love Event Horizon! Watching Sam Neill go absolutely bat-shit mental never gets old.
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I love Event Horizon too! One of my faves 🙂 If you like seeing Sam Neill go bat-shit you must be a fan of In the Mouth of Madness as well?! Cheers Greg! Like your new avatar pic by the way!
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Of course I’m a fan of In the Mouth of Madness, though it’s been an unacceptable amount of time since I last saw it.
In fact, I’m a huge fan of John Carpenter films in general, hence the avatar pic. 😉
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Watch it again!! I actually have it on DVD now (thank the lord!!!!!) I waited years and finally they released it on Region 2. It’s all in Korean but luckily they have the original American sound option too.
Yes I like a lot of John Carpenter movies! Great guy 🙂
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Great to see Final Cut getting a mention somewhere. Also The Craft. I really like Fairuza Balk, one of the most underrated American actresses. Damn good list Emma!
Best wishes, Pete.
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Wait…..stop the press…….someone’s actually heard of Final Cut!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you Pete!!! I have never mentioned this film online and had someone actually know the film I mean. I take it you’re a fan? I love this movie! And Love, Honour & Obey 🙂
I like Fairuza Bulk too, I remember her in American History X and Return to Oz (as a little kid) but she hasn’t done an awful lot has she. I bet she’s weird in real life too! In a good way.
Thanks so much Pete!!!!!!! So nice to hear this list being appreciated x
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I have Final Cut on DVD, (as soon as it came out) and Love Honour and Obey on DVD too. Loving the ‘Karaoke’ in that. British films never get the credit they deserve.
The other American actress I have a lot of time for is Thora Birch. The film Ghost World (not about ghosts…) is wonderful. If you have never seen it, read this, and watch it immediately! x
http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/ghost-world-2001
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Fantastic!!!! You are my new best friend haha 🙂 so nice to hear some appreciation for some seriously under appreciated films. Loooove the karaoke too! Sean Pertwee’s Fireball XL 5 is my fave! The soundtrack is very cheap on amazon and worth buying.
Thora Birch is great!! I’ve not seen Ghost World but I really, really should! Scarlett Johannson too? Thanks Pete! X
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I think I will try to find “Final Cut” and give it a go soon.
I thought “10 Things I Hate About You” was pretty popular. I didn’t think of it as being underrated. So, why do you think Joseph Gordon Levitt is smug? I didn’t think of him that way – but now I’m wondering if maybe you know something about him that I don’t…
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I love Final Cut!!! You’ll either love it or hate it 🙂
His face just annoys me. I’m afraid that’s all! I don’t really know he’s smug…. he just looks it.
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Great list. I loved Cube and Falling Down. Falling down was like my fav movie for about year where I watched it over and over. Still my fav Michael Douglas flick. Great post.
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Thanks so much!!!
Cube is brilliant isn’t it!!! I know it’s kind of naff but it’s brilliant too. I could watch that anytime.
Maybe Falling Down doesn’t belong in a list of ‘underrated’ as people do generally like this film – my mistake but I’m not removing it haha. I love it too! Very satisfying.
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No, I think A lot of critics liked it but audiences didn’t. Keep it right where it is, friend.
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Thanks friend 🙂 I will!
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AAAAHHHHH the nineties is such a treasure trove decade of artistry. I am revisiting it again at the moment and will probably post something sooner or later. I tend to not go back there too often though as I am trying to expand horizons and have almost seen it all already. Nice one, brings back memories.
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I totally agree!!!! It does bring back memories and there is a ‘feel’ with the 90s films that you can’t get nowadays!
I hope you do post something soon, I’d love to read it!!!
Thanks for your comment really made me smile 🙂
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High fives for putting The Craft on here.
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Thanks Vinnie! I love that film 🙂
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Well put Emma! We like a little magic 🙂 Tom likes more realistic shows also. Thankfully we have OnDemand so I can catch up with my shows when he’s off doing something. Malfoy has left the building 🙂 🙂 🙂 Lacey loves getting your greetings! I’m not sure about my accent though. I think it sounds like Robin Williams in Mrs. Doubtfire.
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Really? How can he not like it?! I think I need to speak to him about his viewing tastes! Kevin is one of those actors that can play any role whether it’s villain, tortured hero, or comedic. I think he’s brilliant 🙂 And you should sneakily watch The Following when Scott’s not home! Sleepy Hollow and Grimm also!
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You can have a word with him!! He’s a Breaking Bad kind of guy 🙂 which is also brilliant, but sometimes I like a little….magic!
Hope you’re feeling well today 🙂 hello Lacey (in a British accent!)
🙂
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Great films here Emma. I wish more people had seen Stir of Echoes, I thought it was great. As for 10 Things I Hate About You, I am a huge fan of it. Heath Ledger was amazing there. I shamelessly watched this over and over as a kid. In The Mouth of Madness is another film I adore!
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Thank you!!! I think a lot of people won’t give 10 Things I Hate About You a chance as it seems too corny and teenage. But it’s a really lovely, fun movie. Nothing to dislike!
In the Mouth of Madness still scares me 🙂
Stir of Echoes is great! When you think of many recent ghost films it beats many of them hands down.
I do have a soft spot for Kevin as well!
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It’s just way too much fun!
I am actually watching In The Mouth Of Madness for my Halloween week movie, but shhhhhhhh, you got a special preview!
Puh-lease… we get so few decent ones anymore! I like him a lot, he’s cool.
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He’s been married to his wife for something like 30 years, I can’t help but find that so sweet!
Excellent!! That is such a great idea, I can’t wait to read the Halloween post 🙂
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That’s impressive! Good for him!
😀 I can’t wait to watch it again in preparation for it! What a cool movie!
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Stir of Echoes is one of my all time favorite scary movies! I always think it’s a good sign when a movie gives me nightmares. I know how totally twisted that sounds! Kevin Bacon was wonderful. Have any of you watched him in The Following?
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I watched a bit of The Following Kim but guess what? Scott doesn’t like it, so we kind of bailed out of it.
I love Mr Bacon, I just think he’s a good guy! Even though he plays many horrible people!
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Event Horizon!! YES!
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Fucking love it!! Watch the ‘hell’ video footage they find onboard in slow mo on YouTube 🙂
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That’s a good idea!
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It’s good enough to watch 🙂
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That’s a very disturbing scene in regular time…..
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