5 Great ’90s Fantasy Movies That No One Talks About Anymore

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The 1990s are widely considered a fantastic era for film, delivering many of the classic movies we still love today – think Pulp Fiction, Forrest Gump, Toy Story, and The Sandlot, just to name a few. The decade was especially strong for science fiction, and many see it as a golden age for the genre. However, when we think about the best fantasy films of the ’90s, they often get overlooked. While there were plenty of fantasy movies released during that time, they rarely receive the same recognition as other films from the decade.

It’s a shame that the fantasy films of the 1990s often get overlooked. While science fiction and romantic comedies were popular that decade, fantasy was too! There were lots of fantasy movies released, but what’s interesting – and maybe why we don’t talk about them much now – is that many weren’t typical fantasy. They didn’t always include dragons or elves, instead pushing the boundaries of what a fantasy story could be. Here are five of those forgotten films that fantasy fans should definitely see.

5) Jumanji

It’s easy to see why the original Jumanji from 1995 isn’t discussed as much these days. The newer films, especially 2017’s Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle with Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart, and Karen Gillan, have become much more popular. While the sequels might be better known now, the 1995 movie—starring Robin Williams and Kirsten Dunst—really deserves more recognition. It tells the story of two kids who discover the Jumanji game and accidentally unleash a man who’s been trapped inside for decades, along with all sorts of dangerous jungle creatures and obstacles.

The plot of Jumanji is a bit strange, and perhaps not the film’s strongest point. However, the movie boasts amazing special effects, and Robin Williams delivers a fantastic performance – he’s both convincingly dramatic and delightfully over-the-top. It really captures the spirit of 1990s fantasy films: it doesn’t take itself too seriously, yet it’s surprisingly immersive and transports you to an unexpected world.

4) Edward Scissorhands

People still frequently discuss the film Edward Scissorhands. Released in 1990, it’s considered a classic and one of the best collaborations between director Tim Burton and actor Johnny Depp. Interestingly, despite being a fantasy movie, it’s rarely talked about as a fantasy. The story centers on Edward (Depp), an artificial man created by an inventor who sadly dies before completing him. Edward is left with scissors and blades in place of hands. He’s then taken in by a typical suburban family, and he eventually falls in love with their teenage daughter, Kim.

As a huge Tim Burton fan, I always find his movies a little different, and Edward Scissorhands is no exception! But it’s such a beautiful story, really. It’s about finding yourself and feeling alone, but also a really interesting look at those perfect suburban neighborhoods and how strange they can be. It touches on accepting people who are different, but honestly, it’s just a really sweet, sad, and unique fantasy film – there’s nothing else quite like it.

3) City of Angels

As a huge fan of romantic films, I always think back to the 90s as a really strong era for the genre, and one that always sticks with me is City of Angels from 1998. It stars Nicolas Cage and Meg Ryan, and it’s actually inspired by a German film from 1987 called Wings of Desire, though it takes a lot of liberties with the story. Basically, it’s about an angel (Cage) who falls for a human woman (Ryan) and decides he wants to give up his immortality to be with her – he literally becomes human in the process. It’s a really moving story.

If you haven’t seen City of Angels, I won’t give away the ending – it’s powerfully moving and unforgettable. Like many fantasy movies from that era, it’s a surprisingly human story, and in this case, that’s meant quite literally. Plus, the music is fantastic, and it features one of Nicolas Cage’s strongest performances.

2) The Pagemaster

Released in 1994, The Pagemaster is a standout fantasy film, and quite unlike anything else on this list. It uniquely blends live-action and animation, and features a fantastic cast of popular ’90s actors including Macaulay Culkin, Christopher Lloyd, Whoopi Goldberg, Patrick Stewart, Leonard Nimoy, Frank Welker, Ed Begley Jr., and Mel Harris. The story follows Richard, a young boy who relies heavily on facts and figures and is easily frightened. While running errands for his father, he gets caught in a storm and seeks shelter in a library. There, he receives a mysterious book that transports him inside its pages, where he must navigate famous stories come to life in order to find his way back home.

The movie wasn’t successful in theaters, and combined with the disappointing performance of the 1997 film Cats Don’t Dance, it hurt Turner Feature Animation. It also didn’t receive great reviews when it was first released. Looking back, though, it seems like viewers and critics may not have fully understood the film’s message. While many thought it simply promoted the joy of reading, the movie is actually more complex than that. It’s about how books and stories can help people discover who they are, just like they help the character Richard in the film.

1) Warriors of Virtue

Martial arts fantasy is a surprisingly overlooked subgenre, and the 1997 film Warriors of Virtue is a good example that many people have forgotten. The movie stars Angus Macfadyen, Mario Yedidia, and Marley Shelton, and tells the story of Ryan (Yedidia), a boy with a leg injury who feels like an outsider. He accidentally discovers a magical world inspired by the Tao Te Ching, where he joins the Warriors of Virtue to fight an evil warlord who also wields the power of Tao.

Let’s be real, Warriors of Virtue isn’t a cinematic masterpiece. It’s a bit strange and wasn’t well-received by critics or audiences. However, it’s also a surprisingly unique and memorable film from the 1990s, especially because the heroes are kangaroos! It’s basically a quirky mix of Power Rangers and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles—and you can’t get much more ’90s than that combination.

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2026-05-05 01:11