5 Great 1990s Action Movies Nobody Talks About

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The 1990s were a golden age for action movies. Classics like *Backdraft*, *Point Break*, *Terminator 2: Judgment Day*, *Hard Boiled*, *Con Air*, *Face/Off*, *The Rock*, and *Die Hard 2* all came out during that decade. It was a time when Steven Seagal and Jean-Claude Van Damme were huge stars, with films like *Under Siege*, *Out for Justice*, *Sudden Death*, and *Universal Soldier* attracting big audiences. Plus, the ’90s gave us some cult favorites like *Darkman*, *RoboCop 2*, and *Demolition Man*, which have gained a dedicated following over the years.

Some films, despite not being critically acclaimed, have surprisingly gained a dedicated fanbase – think movies like *Kuffs*, *Passenger 57*, and *Judgment Night*. The following movies aren’t quite in that ‘cult classic’ category, but they’re consistently good films that deserve more recognition and a larger following.

5) Blue Steel

Blue Steel is a seriously intense thriller, comparable to some of Jamie Lee Curtis’s best horror work. The film follows a new NYPD officer who shoots and kills a robber on her first day. Things get even more complicated when the witness to the shooting starts to harass her—and he happens to be her boyfriend, and his actions are becoming increasingly dangerous.

While it might not be the most entertaining film here, *Blue Steel* is still a solid action thriller. Jamie Lee Curtis gives a powerful and energetic performance, and she’s well-supported by Clancy Brown, who plays a loyal colleague, and Ron Silver, who excels as the frightening antagonist.

Stream Blue Steel on Prime Video.

4) The Last Boy Scout

Films with a buddy-cop theme written by Shane Black usually have some memorable scenes, and *The Last Boy Scout* is no exception. While it doesn’t quite reach the legendary status of movies like *Lethal Weapon* or *Kiss Kiss Bang Bang*, it still delivers sharp wit and some exciting action.

Bruce Willis perfectly plays Joe Hallenbeck, a world-weary ex-Secret Service agent now working as a private investigator. However, the movie is carried just as much by its strong supporting cast. While the final film didn’t quite turn out as the director, Tony Scott, or writer, Warren Skaaren, envisioned, it’s generally an enjoyable watch.

3) Nowhere to Run

Often overlooked in Jean-Claude Van Damme’s film career, *Nowhere to Run* has a simple but endearing story. Van Damme stars as an escaped convict who knows about hidden money near a farmhouse. He goes there hoping to find it, but instead finds himself caring for a single mother and her two children who now live there. The farmhouse is everything they have, and they’re being threatened by a ruthless property developer played by Joss Ackland (known from *Lethal Weapon 2*).

Like most action movies starring Jean-Claude Van Damme or Steven Seagal, *Nowhere to Run* stands out because of its villains – played memorably by Ackland and Ted Levine (from *The Silence of the Lambs*). Plus, a young Kieran Culkin appears as one of the children in the film, making it a fun watch for fans of 90s pop culture.

Stream Nowhere to Run for free with ads on The Roku Channel.

2) Congo

Though not as impactful as Michael Crichton’s *Jurassic Park*, *Congo* is still a really enjoyable 90s movie to watch on a weekend afternoon. Its constantly shifting mix of action, sci-fi, horror, comedy, and adventure might seem like a weakness, but it actually adds to its appeal after all these years.

This movie is wonderfully silly and features a fantastic performance by Tim Curry, complete with a strange accent. There’s a scene where he gets beaten up by a large white gorilla, and things only get weirder from there. The characters end up using diamonds to charge laser guns and destroy other aggressive gorillas, all while a river of lava threatens to engulf everyone. It’s completely bonkers, and totally enjoyable.

Stream Congo on fuboTV.

1) Rumble in the Bronx

Although *Rumble in the Bronx* is set in New York, it was originally a Hong Kong film that became a huge hit there. It quickly gained popularity in the United States as well, and soon Jackie Chan was starring alongside Chris Tucker in the blockbuster *Rush Hour*.

This film showcases Jackie Chan at his absolute best, both in his incredible action sequences and his effortless comedic timing. While the plot – a cop taking on a criminal gang – is straightforward, it’s highly effective and remains a standout film from the 1990s, truly defining Chan’s on-screen persona.

Stream Rumble in the Bronx on Kanopy.

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2025-10-13 22:12