10 “Terrible” Sci-Fi Movies Every ’90s Kid Secretly Loved

The 1990s were a fantastic time for science fiction films, boasting hits like Jurassic Park and The Matrix. However, for every successful movie, many others were heavily criticized. Still, if you were a child during the age of VHS tapes and Blockbuster rentals, you likely enjoyed at least one of those films that critics disliked. You might even still consider them favorites today.

Thinking about it now, it’s funny to see how bad the special effects and reviews were back then! But we ’90s kids didn’t mind at all. We just wanted to escape into worlds with floating cities, giant snakes, and even Shaquille O’Neal in a metal suit. We may not have gotten those floating cities in real life, but it’s a lot of fun looking back and remembering all the cool, but maybe a little cheesy, sci-fi movies from that decade.

10) Super Mario Bros.

The initial attempt to bring a video game to Hollywood should have been successful, but Super Mario Bros. didn’t really capture the spirit of the popular Nintendo game. The movie was strange, featuring Dennis Hopper as a peculiar King Koopa, Goombas with oddly proportioned bodies, and a futuristic, gloomy city reminiscent of Blade Runner. Critics were confused, describing the film as noisy, depressing, and very different from the source material. Roger Ebert famously called it “a total waste of time and money.”

However, kids who grew up in the ’90s and repeatedly rented the movie didn’t mind these changes. To them, it seemed like a strange, different take on a Mario story, or maybe a completely new world featuring Bob Hoskins and John Leguizamo as the main characters. The bomb-like Bob-ombs, Goombas dancing in elevators, and bright neon slime really captivated young audiences.

9) The Island of Dr. Moreau

John Frankenheimer’s The Island of Dr. Moreau is better known for the problems during its production than for its science fiction story. The film, featuring Marlon Brando with a lot of white makeup and a quirky Val Kilmer, suffered from constant script changes and, reportedly, clashing personalities. When it was released, critics described it as confusing and poorly made. For most viewers in 1996, the movie was a complete failure, but one that has gained a strange notoriety.

But for children who discovered it on cable television, the strange mix of animals and humans was captivating. These creatures seemed like they jumped right out of a spooky comic book, and Brando’s small sidekick left a lasting impression on us. Even if we didn’t completely understand the story, or realize the writing wasn’t perfect, the visuals really sparked our imaginations. It was truly mesmerizing.

8) Waterworld

The movie Waterworld earned the nickname “Kevin’s Gate” from the media because it went way over budget, making it the costliest film ever created up to that point. Sadly, it wasn’t a success with audiences, and reviewers were very critical. The New York Times described the script as “surprisingly simple for such a large-scale movie,” while others dismissed it as a self-indulgent effort.

Those who grew up in the ‘90s, with their great sense of style, probably remember Mad Max as a film featuring Kevin Costner on jet skis, breathing underwater. It felt like playing an action-packed video game set in a city that floated on water. The villains, called the Smokers and led by Dennis Hopper (who seemed to be the go-to bad guy in ‘90s movies), were delightfully over-the-top, and the action scenes were so exciting that kids everywhere tried to copy them. While it wasn’t a success in theaters, for many millennials, it’s a classic film they still love.

7) Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie

To be honest, it felt a lot like an extended episode of the TV series, but with a bigger budget for costumes. However, for those who grew up in the ’90s, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers was *the* must-see movie of the summer in 1995 – maybe only rivaled by another film on this list (check below). Ivan Ooze’s line, “Smells like…teenagers!” is unforgettable, and the movie gave the Zord toys a huge boost in popularity with references throughout.

Reviewers heavily criticized the movie’s corny lines and weak story, describing it as essentially a long advertisement for toys. However, to be fair, film critics weren’t who this movie was made for. MMPR: The Movie delivered precisely what kids at the time were hoping for: the Power Rangers on the big screen, a fantastic soundtrack, and huge robot fights. What more could we have wanted?

6) Lost in Space

When New Line revived Lost in Space, their goal was to start a new science fiction series. However, reviewers described it as loud, overstuffed, and confusing, with unconvincing visual effects. Critics even pointed out that Gary Oldman, normally a strong performer, felt wasted and didn’t fit the role.

Even so, a lot of children and teenagers remember watching it repeatedly on VHS, and Matt LeBlanc playing a space pilot was a good enough reason for families who watched Friends to check it out. The large computer-generated spider, time travel, and talking robot gave the movie enough excitement to be memorable. Unfortunately, neither this film nor the Lost in Space Netflix revival have been able to revitalize the franchise.

5) Mortal Kombat

For a long time, movies based on video games got a bad rap, especially after Super Mario Bros. didn’t do well. Mortal Kombat didn’t help matters either. Critics didn’t like the wooden acting, weak plot, and unfunny jokes, and one New York Post critic specifically criticized the “lame sense of humor” of screenwriter Kevin Droney.

For those who grew up in the ‘90s, Mortal Kombat felt like a dream come true after a long wait, and it was incredibly exciting when it finally hit theaters. The theme song quickly became a popular, energetic track. The battles between Scorpion and Sub-Zero perfectly captured the feeling of playing the original arcade game. While the violent finishing moves were slightly less graphic, it still had a rebellious edge that earned it a PG-13 rating. If you were a ‘90s kid, this was probably a movie you loved to tell your friends you’d seen.

4) Suburban Commando

By the time Suburban Commando hit theaters, I already felt like Hulk Hogan was really pushing to become a big movie star. But honestly, critics just weren’t having it. They pretty much trashed it, calling it a silly sci-fi comedy that didn’t offer much beyond clumsy slapstick and some dated special effects. And even Christopher Lloyd’s over-the-top performance didn’t seem to help things – it felt like he was trying too hard!

Looking back, we totally loved how silly it all was when we were younger, and Charlie’s line, “I was frozen today!” is seriously one of the most memorable quotes ever. Even the bit about trying to blend in at the dinner table felt so real! All those cable replays turned it into a classic – you know, one of those movies that’s so bad it’s good.

3) Anaconda

Anaconda is a classic creature-feature from the 1990s, featuring a massive snake and a group of adventurers. When it was released, most critics disliked it, describing it as silly and exaggerated, particularly criticizing Jon Voight’s overacting and the special effects. However, Roger Ebert went against the grain, giving it a very positive review and labeling it “excellent entertainment for a wide audience.” And people who grew up in the ‘90s tended to agree with his assessment.

The robotic snake both scared and intrigued younger viewers, and few things compared to watching Jennifer Lopez and Ice Cube in the jungle. Though some critics disliked it, ’90s kids-and even discerning critic Roger Ebert-really enjoyed Anaconda. Perhaps the only thing better was seeing Ice Cube save the world via Zoom in the recent War of the Worlds movie.

2) Steel

Shaquille O’Neal, or Shaq, was a huge presence in the ’90s, excelling in basketball, releasing music, and appearing in films. However, when he took on the role in Steel, reviewers were harsh. As one critic from E! stated: “Everyone makes mistakes, and Shaq certainly has.” While it’s accurate that the movie suffered from Shaq’s stiff acting and cheap-looking special effects, solidifying its place as one of the worst comic book movies of the decade, it still has a certain enjoyable silliness to it.

Shaq’s funny attempt to throw a grenade like a free throw, along with his self-deprecating line, “I was never good at making these,” is surprisingly hilarious. The flimsy foam-latex “steel” helmet that wobbled whenever he spoke just made it even funnier. The soufflé joke is one of many that people who grew up in the ’90s still remember with fondness. Even though most people now agree the movie isn’t very good, fans will always stick up for “It’s Steelin’ Time!” Compared to other superhero films, it was silly and much more enjoyable than a lot of the overly serious and dull movies DC would later release.

1) Starship Troopers

When Starship Troopers came out in 1997, reviewers weren’t impressed. Roger Ebert rated it two stars, famously calling it “the most violent kiddie movie ever made.” Christopher Lloyd simply labeled it “a dumb movie with pretty, wooden actors.” For years, it was dismissed as just another failed action film from the ‘90s, but over time, people have come to appreciate its sharp and critical humor far more than they did initially. This shift in opinion may be partly because those who grew up with the film in the ‘90s are now working as movie critics.

I remember seeing the R-rated Starship Troopers way too young, and honestly, all the political stuff just flew over my head. I, like a lot of us, was there for the awesome-looking space marines and the ridiculously over-the-top alien bug blasting. It was just so gross, loud, and endlessly rewatchable – whether I was seeing it in theaters, on VHS, or later on cable. And that cheesy cast, playing out like a soap opera? It actually *made* the movie better! What kid is worried about acting when you’ve got flamethrowers and monsters sucking out brains? Thankfully, enough ’90s kids loved it as much as I did, and now Starship Troopers is rightfully considered a sci-fi action classic.

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2025-10-02 16:13