When people think aboutmovies of the ’90s, they might think ofTitanic,Braveheart,Forrest Gump, or other Oscar-winning films. However, many ’90s films often go under the radar due to their lack of popularity, underwhelming box-office performance, less-than-stellar critical reception, or a combination of all these elements that left films often forgotten or the object of people’s derision.
Of course, not every ’90s film can be a classic like the previously mentioned films, and many get overshadowed by more successful films (especially animated features during the great animation boom of the decade). However, some films may have a warmer reception as the years pass, with people reassessing said film with a new-found lens. Audiences may have more love for it, and it will be more accepted intocinema culture. Hopefully, this will also apply to the following films listed, which may not have gotten the acclaim in the ’90s that they deserved.
8The Rescuers Down Under
This 1990 film is largely a forgotten early piece of the Disney Renaissance, but it has a sense of visual splendor and wonder that cannot be ignored.The Rescuers Down Underfinds Miss Bianca and Bernard back at the old rescuing gig once again, taking place after theunderrated 1977 Disneyfilm, but in Australia this time.
The two mice are tasked with rescuing a young boy named Cody who has been held hostage by a devious poacher named McLeach, who uses the boy in an attempt to find a rare eagle and sell it for profit. The film was described as subpar when compared to the Disney flicks that came in its era, butThe Rescuers Down Underhas a sense of darling adventure for some nostalgic fans, and is being reevaluated as one of thebest animated sequels.
ThisRockyentry finds the champ in some hot water after his fight with Ivan Drago in Moscow. The fight caused severe trauma to his internal organs, which prompts doctors to recommend that Rocky no longer fight anymore. This results in the champ’s downfall, and in an attempt to recapture his former glory, he trains another fighter named Tommy Morrison, but when Morrison throws Balboa under the bus in exchange for fame and money, it creates a wedge between the two.
Naturally, theRockyseries has been milked to the bone, butRocky Vis often cited as the worstRockyfilm. However, given that it is a film within a large series of good movies (as inStar Wars), it is often not seen for what it is by itself. On its own terms,Rocky Vis enduring, powerful, and motivating for any sports fan.
6A Troll In Central Park
This Don Bluth film did not make any kind of splash with critics or at the box-office.A Troll in Central Parkcenters around a kind-hearted troll named Stanley who is exiled to Central Park after he is found out to be growing flowers in the world of the trolls, which is illegal in his land. From there, he meets two children and takes them on a wild and wacky adventure.
Related:Animation Legend Don Bluth Announces Autobiography
This film has an abysmal 14% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and is frowned upon as being Bluth’s worst film, but that really couldn’t be further from the truth. The film is adventurous and ambitious, with an earnest tone and unique, offbeat animation. Its innocent nature is often confused for being childish, juvenile, and schmaltzy, but this was classic Bluth letting his imagination run wild for a generation of believers.
5Anastasia
Here we have another Don Bluth film that is often remembered for being his comeback after a series ofbox office bombsbut has since been overshadowed by the massive wave of great animation during the ’90s.Anastasiacenters around the titular young girl who is cursed by the dastardly Rasputin as retribution for exiling him.
Many animation fans will often resort to Walt Disney’s Renaissance era for their source of amusement, but this overlooked, yet beautifully-made musical is as sumptuous as it is compelling, with magical numbers and an earnestness for history.
4An American Tail: Fievel Goes West
Everyone’s favorite and fearless mouse has returned for a Western-style sequel inAn American Tail: Fievel Goes West. Fievel relocated to the wild west of 1890, where he and his family are still on the menu, so to speak, with a slew of Westernized cats. Luckily, our brave mouse has dog-sheriff Wylie Burp (a delightful lateJames Stewart movie role) come to his aid.
While it was often perceived as inferior to its predecessor and lacking in imagination, this film was a fun ride into the west with a healthy dose of nostalgia for the characters that kept the original afloat, and features some wonderful voice acting from Stewart, John Cleese, Dom DeLuise, and more.
3The Little Rascals
If you grew up in the ’90s or if you ran this film a lot on OnDemand, chances are that you will remember this rascally film fondly.The Little Rascalsare led by their leader Spanky in the “Woman-Haters Club," one of the many aspects of ’90s movies that probablycould never be made today. However, their friend Alfalfa refuses to take part in the indoctrination of the group and has a huge crush on his love interest Darla.
Related:The Little Rascals: Where the Cast is Today
The film is adorable, precious, and a true testament to all of our childhoods that it seems disrespectful just to sweep it under the rug like some dust. This film and its young actors certainly have spunk, and update the old classicLittle Rascalsconcept into something critics panned but audiences continue to really enjoy.
2Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
People didn’t know what to make ofFear and Loathing in Las Vegaswhen it came out in 1998, feasting their eyes on Johnny Depp and all of his glory as the bald, drug-addled, genius writer that is Raoul Duke (a stand-in for author Hunter S. Thompson). The Terry Gilliam flick chronicles Duke’s and his lawyers’ tampering with illicit drugs in Sin City.
The film was criticized for its lack of character development and tonal anarchy, viciously criticized by many at the time, including the usually with-itRoger Ebert, who wrote thatFear and Loathing in Las Vegasis, “a horrible mess of a movie, without shape, trajectory or purpose – a one joke movie, if it had one joke.” However, the audience better understands Duke and all he thinks about in the recesses of his drug-laced mind. This film was another win in Johnny Depp’s formidable filmography, and is a quasi-experimentalcult classic of the ’90s.
1Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace
It should go without saying by now that thisStar Warsentry is very underrated, especially after seeing the nightmare of the sequel trilogy.Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menacehas Obi-Wan Kenobi and his master Qui-Gon Jinn help a young boy named Anakin Skywalker out of slavery and teach him the ways of the Jedi.
Back in 1999, the film was largely overshadowed byThe Matrixand was seen as a disappointment in George Lucas’ empire of science fiction. However, given that it has been a couple of decades since the film’s release, fans have been kinder to it, better understanding its ardent themes and unique storytelling while forgiving some of its flaws. Also, who could ever forget about the masterful duel of the fates sequence.
