7 Popular Movies From the ’90s You Want to Forget But Can’t

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The 1990s were a fantastic era for movies, giving us classics like *Jurassic Park*, *The Matrix*, *Pulp Fiction*, and *The Shawshank Redemption*, among many others. But like any decade, the 90s also had its share of terrible films. What was particularly striking, though, was how some truly awful movies managed to stick with us – they were so strange and over-the-top that they became unforgettable, and not in a good way.

It’s hard to believe some of these movies were even made, and even more surprising that a few actually did well in theaters. Whether people genuinely love them, they’ve gained a dedicated fan base over time, or they just remind a generation of childhood memories from watching VHS tapes, these are the ’90s films we still can’t forget.

7) The Flintstones

When *The Flintstones* movie came out in 1994, Universal Studios heavily promoted it as the must-see family film of the summer. The cast was full of stars, including John Goodman as Fred, Elizabeth Perkins as Wilma, Rick Moranis as Barney, and Halle Berry in a memorable supporting role. The marketing paid off – the movie was a huge success, earning over $340 million globally and opening at number one in theaters.

The movie initially generated excitement, but viewers and critics soon became disappointed. While the visuals successfully recreated the look of the original cartoon, the plot was confusing and the jokes quickly became tiresome during the almost two-hour film. Many people found themselves remembering the promotional campaigns – like McDonald’s Happy Meals, toys, and a video game – more vividly than the movie itself. It serves as a reminder that a commercially successful film isn’t necessarily a good one.

6) The Beverly Hillbillies

In the 1990s, Hollywood attempted to capitalize on people’s fondness for older TV shows by making movies based on them. However, the film adaptation of *The Beverly Hillbillies* proved that not every sitcom translates well to the big screen. Starring Jim Varney as Jed Clampett, the movie was promoted as a fun, rural comedy for existing fans, but it was widely panned by critics. Roger Ebert famously labeled it “one of the worst movies ever made.”

The movie failed because it relied too much on tired stereotypes and simple, physical comedy, lacking the genuine warmth and originality of the original TV show. The show’s humor came from contrasting cultures, but the movie just played into cheap, stereotypical depictions. Despite not doing well in theaters, the movie is still remembered as a poor adaptation.

5) Alien 3

After the success of James Cameron’s *Aliens*, anticipation for *Alien 3* was incredibly high. However, the film became notorious for its difficult production. Filming started without a completed script, and the story went through numerous revisions by different writers, with constant interference from the studio. This made David Fincher’s first time directing a struggle from the beginning. The final movie shocked fans by killing off popular characters early on and drastically changing the series’ direction with a dark and depressing prison setting.

Although the film was a financial success internationally, earning over $100 million, it didn’t do well in the United States and received generally lukewarm reviews. Many felt it was a significant decline in quality compared to earlier installments. Sigourney Weaver gave a good performance, but even that wasn’t enough to save the film, which the director later regretted making. Most fans would prefer this movie hadn’t been made, yet its connection to a popular franchise means it remains memorable, for better or worse.

4) Showgirls

In the 1990s, few movies failed as spectacularly as *Showgirls*. Though advertised as a daring, adults-only look at ambition and sexuality in Las Vegas, it was critically panned and performed poorly in theaters. Critics widely condemned its excessive nudity, weak script, underdeveloped characters, and over-the-top acting, consistently labeling it one of the worst films ever made.

Despite initially being panned, the film *Showgirls* unexpectedly became one of MGM’s most profitable movies, earning over $100 million from home video sales. It has since gained a devoted cult following. Now, some viewers see it as a sharp critique of how women are treated in the entertainment industry, while others simply enjoy its over-the-top and campy nature. No matter how you react – whether you find it hilarious, embarrassing, or strangely compelling – *Showgirls* is a film you won’t soon forget.

3) Mortal Kombat: Annihilation

The original *Mortal Kombat* movie wasn’t great, but it was successful enough to justify a sequel. Unfortunately, *Mortal Kombat: Annihilation* had a completely different team behind it, replaced most of the original cast, and even killed off the popular character Johnny Cage right at the beginning. The result was a mess of bad special effects, a weak script, and performances that were simply hard to watch, leaving fans incredibly disappointed.

The movie’s sequel was widely panned by critics and performed terribly in theaters, leading to the cancellation of a third film. The series stalled for years until it was revived in 2021. Surprisingly, its complete failure is a big part of why it remains popular. Fans still quote memorable lines like “Too bad YOU… will die!” While it initially set the franchise back decades, many now view it as a hilariously bad, yet beloved, film.

2) Jack Frost

Look, I’m a sucker for a Christmas movie, and honestly, a little absurdity is expected. So the premise of *Jack Frost* – a dad returning as a snowman to connect with his son – didn’t immediately sound terrible. But wow, was I wrong. This film ended up being one of the weirdest, most off-the-rails movies I’ve ever seen, and it completely flopped. Michael Keaton tries his best as a rock musician who…becomes a snowman, but it just doesn’t work. Critics, myself included, found it unsettling, baffling, and, unintentionally, a bit of a laugh riot – but not in a good way.

Even though the movie isn’t considered a masterpiece, it’s endured thanks to fond memories. The creepy poster with the snowman creature created by Michael Keaton is something many of us still remember vividly. A lot of people recall watching it on VHS around Christmas, or at least seeing the trailer before other holiday favorites like *Home Alone*. No matter how much we try to forget *Jack Frost*, that strangely unsettling snowman with his distinctive eyebrows always pops back into our heads every December.

1) Coneheads

It was popular in the 1990s to turn sketches from Saturday Night Live into full-length movies, and some, like Wayne’s World, were big successes. Others, like A Night at the Roxbury, gained a loyal following. But not every attempt worked, and unfortunately, the movie Coneheads wasn’t one of them. It opened at number six in theaters, didn’t make much money, and received very negative reviews. Even Roger Ebert, a highly respected film critic, called it “dismal, dreary and fairly desperate.” While Dan Aykroyd and Jane Curtin returned to play their original characters, the movie just couldn’t expand on the humor of the original sketch.

I’ll admit, the *Coneheads* movie wasn’t a hit when it came out, but it’s strangely stuck with me – and I think with a lot of people. It’s almost impossible to remember those brilliant *Saturday Night Live* sketches without also thinking about the movie, even though it didn’t quite work. It never reached the dedicated fanbase of something like *Showgirls*, but it’s become a really memorable piece of 90s nostalgia, and in a way, it felt like the start of a rough patch for *SNL* trying to make movies.

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2025-09-25 23:15