Top 10 90s Movies that Got Popular Again

This Wes Craven film encapsulates 1996 - a time before smartphones rendered brick phones retro, streaming killed the video store, and Ricki Lake’s talk show was still on the air. At the same time, little has changed since “Scream” came out. Despite being more knowledgeable, the teens in slasher flicks still make poor decisions. The slashers in slasher flicks still naturally want to slash those teens. Above all else, “Scream” is just as spine-chilling and funny as it was almost 30 years ago. The film was a forerunner to modern meta genre movies where the characters say what longtime fans are thinking. The recent “Scream” movies have carried on this tradition, but the original is now considered in a league of its own.

When the world lost Robin Williams in 2014, audiences were compelled to revisit his career-defining roles. For those who grew up with the actor in the 90s, “Jumanji” was their live-action introduction to Williams. While not the most critically well-reviewed film, “Jumanji” became a box office hit thanks to its mix of action, humor, and a well-assembled cast, especially Williams in a performance that balanced the eccentric with depth. When we think of 90s adventure movies, “Jumanji” is the title that immediately comes to mind. By the time Williams passed, many 90s kids started introducing “Jumanji” to their children. The modern follow-ups have demonstrated its staying power, taking the franchise in a new direction yet still honoring the one who built this house.

Another film that summed up adventure in the 90s, Stephen Sommers’ “The Mummy” reimagined the classic Universal monster movie as something more akin to “Indiana Jones.” Rick O’Connell was this film’s answer to Indy with Brendan Fraser solidifying his status as a movie star. In the years that followed, Fraser’s career had its ups and downs. At one point, it was hard to scroll through social media without seeing a clickbait article on why Hollywood wouldn’t cast Fraser anymore. Fraser maintained a passionate fan base, however. With his Oscar-winning comeback in “The Whale,” people looked back at the films that propelled him into the spotlight. “The Mummy” was at the top of this list, still holding up as a rip-roaring good time.

Upon release, “Titanic” became the highest-grossing blockbuster of its time. It won eleven Academy Awards, still tied for the all-time record. From the late 90s to the early 2000s, it was impossible to watch a show or movie without seeing a few “Titanic” references. So naturally, cinema contrarians turned on the film, proclaiming it overrated. Some bought into the overhyped narrative until James Cameron’s film received a theatrical 3D re-release in 2012, adding more than $55 million to its total gross. Since then, more people have been coming around to what’s always been clear: “Titanic” is a masterpiece. Even in a streaming era, this is one film we’re going to see on the big screen every time it’s rereleased. We’ll never let go!

No 90s VHS collection would be complete without several Disney movies. Despite only performing modestly at the box office, few Disney titles got more replay action on home video than “A Goofy Movie.” Yet, even the filmmakers didn’t seem to realize how much the movie stuck with viewers until its 20th anniversary panel at D23. To their surprise, almost 1,000 people showed up, exceeding the number of seats available. Honestly, though, who could sit when you have Powerline himself, Tevin Campbell, performing “I 2 I” live? Disney has since made more of an effort to incorporate “A Goofy Movie” into their brand, guaranteeing that future generations will continue to discover this cult classic turned all-around classic. More than ever, this one stands out.

In this Harold Ramis comedy, a man repeatedly awakens to the same day. How fitting that such a film keeps returning to the public consciousness. In 1993, “Groundhog Day” was deemed funny, romantic, and inventive. That consensus remains, but over time, people peeled back the layers to interpret deeper philosophical themes concerning life and death. Speaking of which, when Ramis passed in 2014, “Groundhog Day” was among the numerous films fans revisited. It later inspired a 2019 Super Bowl commercial and echoed the redundancy of the 2020 pandemic. Despite Murray’s initial animosity toward the film, it arguably paved the way for him to explore more serious roles. Plus, whenever another time loop movie comes along, they’re obligated to acknowledge that “Groundhog Day” already perfected this.

“The Truman Show” received a fair deal of attention in 1998 thanks to its ambitious premise and Jim Carrey’s dramatic turn. Since reality TV was a relatively new phenomenon, few could’ve predicted just how ahead of the curve the film was. With the rise of reality shows and the exposés on how much of the drama is manipulated by the all-seeing higher-ups, “The Truman Show” grew even more prevalent than it was back then. It didn’t stop there. Just as Truman’s world is populated with hidden cameras, Big Brother constantly leaves us questioning how much of our daily activities are being recorded. Once social media entered the mix, privacy became virtually nonexistent. We’re all Truman Burbank and life is one big TV show.

On the surface, “Clueless” seems like it would be dated. Everything, from the fashion to the teen lingo, is distinctly 90s. Even then, we didn’t know many other 90s kids who dressed exactly like this or talked like this unless they were mimicking “Clueless.” Cher Horowitz is a trendsetter, however. If you didn’t want to be her in 1995, you wanted to be in her inner circle. The same applies to contemporary audiences, as “Clueless” is still in style. Not only is Amy Heckerling’s dialogue quoted, but “Clueless” continues to inspire ads, music videos, and beauty items. The film even predicted future trends like our dependence on mobile phones. It doesn’t hurt that “Clueless” has a timeless story inspired by “Emma,” keeping us coming back.

80s kids have “A Christmas Story,” 2000s kids have “Elf,” but for 90s kids, “Home Alone” is the definitive Christmas movie. It isn’t the holidays until Harry’s head is set ablaze, Marv steps on a nail, and Kevin reunites with his family. The film immerses us in an era before the McCallisters’ predicament could’ve been resolved with a simple text. This doesn’t date “Home Alone,” as fresh-faced audiences are still delighted by its over-the-top slapstick and sincere family dynamics. While the film has been making the rounds every Christmas for over 30 years, it’s especially heartwarming seeing how well so many cast members are doing now. Catherine O’Hara’s popularity is at an all-time high, Macaulay Culkin is acting again, and Fuller got an Oscar nomination.

Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster marked a turning point for computer-generated creatures in cinema. Even decades later, we find ourselves returning to “Jurassic Park,” asking, “Why don’t more modern effects-driven movies look this good?” This includes the “Jurassic World” movies. “Jurassic Park” didn’t just set a gold standard with its seamless blend of CGI and practical effects. The relatable characters, thrilling direction, and surprisingly timely story have kept “Jurassic Park” at the forefront of pop culture. Whether another sequel is coming out or scientists have made a new discovery about dinosaurs, we’ll take any excuse to rewatch the film. Dinosaurs may be extinct, but as long as humanity continues to tamper with the forces of nature, “Jurassic Park” will always be relevant.


Which 90s movie do you wanna see become popular again? Let us know in the comments.