Science fiction films have always been important in the history of cinema. Even early movies like 1902’s A Trip to the Moon remain famous today. Sci-fi often leads the way with new filmmaking techniques that influence all kinds of movies. Throughout the decades, certain sci-fi films have come to define their eras – for example, 2001: A Space Odyssey and Planet of the Apes in the 1960s, Star Wars in the 1970s, and Back to the Future in the 1980s.
The 1990s were a fantastic decade for science fiction films, producing some truly iconic movies that continue to influence the genre and Hollywood today. Think of blockbusters like Jurassic Park with its thrilling dinosaur action, Terminator 2: Judgement Day and its groundbreaking sequels, and The Matrix which revolutionized visual effects. While those films are still widely celebrated, there are many other great sci-fi movies from the ’90s that deserve a second look.
7) 12 Monkeys
Though Terry Gilliam’s time travel film 12 Monkeys was initially popular, it’s faded from many people’s memories over time. With its stars, Brad Pitt and Bruce Willis, going on to achieve even greater fame, it’s easy to overlook the film. However, 12 Monkeys showcased Brad Pitt’s breakout performance, highlighting his energetic style, and featured a surprisingly subtle performance from Bruce Willis as the time traveler James Cole.
A deadly virus has destroyed the future, so scientists send Cole back in time to retrieve the original virus and develop a cure. What makes 12 Monkeys different from other time travel movies is its believable and consistent story – unlike many popular films, it avoids confusing plot holes. This makes it a film worth revisiting, as it’s just as captivating now as it was the first time you saw it.
6) Congo
Michael Crichton’s Jurassic Park was a huge success, and two years later, he tried to recapture that magic with Congo, a more chaotic adventure. While Jurassic Park used science fiction to set up its grand story, Congo dove straight into the action. The novel follows a company searching for a valuable diamond mine in the African jungle. Their expedition takes an unexpected turn when they discover the mine is protected by a group of highly skilled, dangerous gorillas – and one of them can even communicate using a voice box and sign language! It’s a thrilling ride.
Despite receiving three Razzie nominations when it was released, Congo isn’t actually among the year’s worst films. It reminds you of the fun, old-fashioned science fiction adventures we don’t see much anymore, and that makes it worth watching.
5) Dark City
Alex Proyas directed Dark City after his successful 1994 film The Crow, and it helped establish him as a key filmmaker of the 1990s. Although it was released around the same time as many other science fiction movies, Dark City didn’t receive as much attention as The Matrix. Interestingly, The Matrix actually reused sets from Dark City a year later. While both films share some similarities in mood and story, they have different styles: The Matrix leans towards action, while Dark City is more inspired by classic film noir.
While it shares some similarities with The Matrix, Dark City is a truly original film that stands on its own as a standout of its genre. Regardless of comparisons, it’s worth watching for its incredible and memorable production design – a style rarely seen in modern films.
4) Gamera 3: Revenge of Iris
The Gamera series is a fantastic sci-fi franchise that many people have overlooked. However, the trilogy of films released in the 1990s represents the peak of the entire series. While all three are enjoyable, Gamera 3: Revenge of Iris is the strongest entry, and best showcases the giant, fire-breathing turtle.
Despite being a compelling human story, Gamera 3 truly mastered the classic giant monster movie style of the 1950s and 60s. It featured impressive practical effects – performers in suits dramatically destroying miniature cityscapes – that still look great today. Thanks to the skillful direction of Shusuke Kaneko, Gamera 3 is widely considered one of the greatest kaiju films ever made.
3) Godzilla vs. Destoroyah
If you enjoyed one giant monster movie, the 1990s offered some of the best installments in the Godzilla series too. While a few other monster movies premiered that decade, 1995’s Godzilla vs. Destoroyah is widely considered the standout film.
Similar to Gamera 3, Godzilla vs Destoroyah showcases the best filmmaking techniques in the giant monster genre while also introducing two fresh ideas to the Godzilla series. First, the plot centers around a dangerous problem for Godzilla himself: his nuclear core is unstable and could explode, posing an unprecedented threat to the planet. The other new element is Destoroyah, a constantly changing and formidable monster. While today’s special effects are impressive, nothing compares to the classic charm of practical monster effects with actors in suits.
2) Predator 2
The Predator series is experiencing a resurgence, but for a long time, it was considered a science fiction franchise that never quite lived up to its potential. However, this wasn’t entirely fair. Predator 2, released in 1990, wasn’t simply another installment; it was intentionally crafted as a sequel that built upon what came before and considered the future of the series.
What makes Predator 2 so great is how it completely surprises viewers after the original 1987 film. Instead of another wilderness hunt, the movie quickly moves the action to a bustling city. The Predator isn’t facing just a team of skilled fighters this time; he’s up against the entire LAPD, local gangs, and even the scrutiny of the US government. Interestingly, the Predator quickly finds himself on the run, forced to fight for his own survival – leading to what many consider the best ending in the whole series.
1) RoboCop 2
It’s always been incredibly difficult to create a sequel that lives up to the original 1987 film RoboCop, but the 1990 follow-up – directed by Irvin Kershner of The Empire Strikes Back and co-written by comic book legend Frank Miller – surprisingly delivered what fans were craving. While RoboCop 2 might not be as well-remembered as the first film, and often considered weaker compared to later installments, it has aged surprisingly well, especially when viewed alongside the rest of the franchise.
It’s worth revisiting RoboCop 2. One of its strengths is how it maintains the same darkly humorous tone as the original, continuing the franchise’s satirical take on society while also tackling new themes. The sequel also smartly builds upon the first film’s ending, exploring Murphy’s identity without alienating fans of the action. Interestingly, the movie RoboCop 2 itself becomes a key part of the plot, adding another layer to the story.
https://comicbook.com/movies/list/7-1980s-sci-fi-movies-you-forgot-were-awesome/embed/#
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2025-11-15 21:44