Unlock 10 Hidden Gems of 90s Sci-Fi

The ‘90s could be considered the golden age for science fiction films, much like how action movies flourished during that period. It was a time that saw the release of blockbusters such as “The Matrix”, “Men in Black”, and “Independence Day”. These films became household names, breaking records at the box office and spawning sequels. However, many other sci-fi films from that era have been overshadowed but are equally deserving of your attention. These may not have made a big splash initially, but they offer unique stories and performances that warrant another look. You won’t find movies like “Total Recall”, “The Fifth Element”, “Jurassic Park”, or “Terminator 2: Judgement Day” on this list because while they are indeed great films, chances are you’ve already watched them. Instead, these lesser-known gems from the ’90s science fiction genre offer a fresh perspective to explore.

Considering that as our guide, let’s explore some lesser-known ’90s science fiction films. There could be a hidden gem waiting for you to discover.

Darkman

In the cinematic world between the initial two “Evil Dead” films and his “Spider-Man” trilogy, director Sam Raimi skillfully blended elements from both in the movie “Darkman”. The story revolves around Liam Neeson’s character, Peyton Westlake, a scientist specializing in synthetic skin. After being gravely injured by mobster Robert Durant (Larry Drake) and left for dead, Westlake manufactures and dons skins that allow him to impersonate the ruthless gangsters he seeks to take down, with the ultimate goal of dismantling Durant’s criminal empire.

In this movie, Neeson and McDormand deliver outstanding performances, but ultimately, Larry Drake steals the show. His character Durant is a chilling presence, demonstrating yet again his ability to portray compelling villains following his performance in “And All Through the House” from Tales from the Crypt. What sets this film apart is its unique central idea: adopting the identities and personas of a gang to undermine them from within. This concept is quite innovative.

Stream Darkman on AMC+.

Hardware

As a dedicated fan, I’d rephrase it like this: In Richard Stanley’s Hardware, I find myself drawn to the characters of Dylan McDermott as Mo, a resourceful scavenger, and Stacey Travis as Jill, an innovative artist. Our story unfolds in a post-apocalyptic world, where they reside. One day, Mo brings home pieces of a robot which Jill transforms into a captivating art piece. However, their joy is short-lived when the robot springs to life and embarks on a terrifying rampage.

The film that ultimately secured Stanley’s position as director for The Island of Dr. Moreau (which I’ll delve into later) was Hardware. Unfortunately, his tenure on that project didn’t last long. However, considering the movie’s groundbreaking and compelling similarities to Terminator, it wasn’t surprising that he was granted access to a larger-budgeted realm.

Hardware is currently not available to rent or stream, but can be purchased on Blu-ray.

Predator 2

In “Predator 2,” the setting shifts from a literal rainforest to the crime-ridden cityscape of Los Angeles, swarming with rival drug gangs. The newly arrived Yautja finds this urban jungle an ideal hunting ground, but Officer Mike Harrigan (played brilliantly by Danny Glover in a compelling action hero role) is now on his tail, ensuring the hunt won’t go undeterred.

Similar to Alien 3, Predator 2 is often overlooked in the chronicle of its series. While it’s understandable that it didn’t achieve the same level of critical or box office acclaim as the first movie, there are still many valuable aspects to Stephen Hopkins’ direction in this film.

Stream Predator 2 on Hulu.

RoboCop 2

As a film aficionado, it’s been quite challenging to match the brilliance of Paul Verhoeven’s 1987 gem, RoboCop, but Irvin Kershner’s RoboCop 2 still manages to deliver an enjoyable experience, albeit not as thought-provoking. The narrative revolves around RoboCop, who once again finds himself at odds with Omni Consumer Products. This time, OCP has merged a drug lord’s brain with a mechanical contraption, adding a new layer of complexity to the conflict.

In RoboCop 2, Peter Weller once again took on the role of the title character, and Nancy Allen and Dan O’Herlihy also returned. This makes it a fantastic follow-up to the original movie. Tom Noonan’s portrayal of Cain provides a strong antagonist. Whether or not the upcoming series reboot will be as enjoyable remains to be seen, or if it will fall flat like RoboCop 3 and the 2014 remake, which was rather unimpressive.

Stream RoboCop 2 on fuboTV.

Universal Soldier

Previously, Roland Emmerich’s “Universal Soldier” featured Jean-Claude Van Damme and Dolph Lundgren in a confrontation similar to that seen in “The Expendables 2”. In “Universal Soldier”, Van Damme portrays Luc Deveraux, a former U.S. Army soldier who perished during the Vietnam War. Brought back to life through the “Universal Soldier” project, Deveraux finds himself on a destructive path colliding with Andrew Scott (Lundgren), his ruthless superior officer from the war, who was also revived.

Overall, “Universal Soldier” stands as one of Emmerich’s stronger productions. Despite working on a modest budget, it delivers some thrilling action scenes. Primarily, its charm lies in the pairing of Van Damme and Lundgren on screen, and neither actor fails to impress in their individual roles.

Stream Universal Soldier on Paramount+.

12 Monkeys

As a film aficionado, I’d say Terry Gilliam’s masterpiece, “12 Monkeys,” unfolds in the year 2035 – a chilling depiction of our world, where mankind has been compelled to dwell beneath the earth due to a catastrophic virus we ourselves unleashed, wiping out 99% of our kind. In this gripping tale, Bruce Willis brilliantly portrays James Cole, an inmate who’s sent hurtling back to the ’90s via time travel, on a mission to verify if it was indeed the Army of the Twelve Monkeys that concocted the apocalyptic virus.

Many people might find Gilliam’s filmography not to their liking, and this applies to the movie “12 Monkeys” as well. However, with thought-provoking themes and an outstanding performance by Brad Pitt (which earned him his initial Academy Award nomination), it stands as one of the 90s most exceptional science fiction films.

Rent 12 Monkeys on Amazon Prime Video.

The Island of Dr. Moreau

A 90s movie fraught with production turmoil was undoubtedly John Frankenheimer’s (and briefly Richard Stanley’s) “The Island of Dr. Moreau”. The story revolves around Edward Douglas, played by David Thewlis known for his roles in ‘Wonder Woman’ and the ‘Harry Potter’ series, who is an UN negotiator. Stranded at sea on a raft, he encounters Montgomery (Val Kilmer), one of several production challenges. Montgomery is a veterinarian working alongside the bizarre Dr. Moreau (Marlon Brando), who has been experimenting with blending human and animal DNA.

Often criticized as a chaotic production, “The Island of Dr. Moreau” is actually more impressive than it might seem, considering its challenging production process. At minimum, it serves as an intriguing cultural artifact, and like many films that fall into this category, it’s worth experiencing at least once. It’s the unique film where the esteemed Marlon Brando donned a tin jug on his head, while Fairuza Balk from “The Craft” filled it with water. Additionally, “The Island of Dr. Moreau” makes for an excellent starting point for a double feature night, followed by the documentary “Lost Soul: The Doomed Journey of Richard Stanley’s Island of Dr. Moreau.

Watch The Island of Dr. Moreau for free with ads on The Roku Channel.

Mars Attacks!

Tim Burton’s movie “Mars Attacks!” harks back to both the Topps trading card series with the same title and the campy sci-fi films from the 1950s. The storyline revolves around Earth’s inhabitants, featuring Jack Nicholson in dual roles as both the U.S. President and a lively casino owner, who are swamped by intelligent Martians (in more than one sense). Initially, it seems like no one can escape these invaders, and unless a vulnerability is discovered, it appears that the human species might be extinct.

As a devoted movie enthusiast, I’d like to sing the praises of Burton’s often overlooked gem, “Mars Attacks!”. Despite its grand ambition, it can at times feel a bit overwhelming. Yet, with an impressive ensemble cast, it’s no surprise that some stellar names might not get their due (like Danny DeVito, Michael J. Fox, and Christina Applegate). However, for the most part, this sci-fi comedy strikes a harmonious chord between humor and science fiction, making for an entertaining ride.

Rent Mars Attacks! on Amazon Prime Video.

Event Horizon

From a passionate cinephile’s perspective: I can’t help but recommend the chilling masterpiece, “Event Horizon,” a film that remains criminally underappreciated. In this tale, I find myself on the edge of my seat as a team of intrepid scientists are dispatched to explore an enigmatic spaceship that has inexplicably returned after a seven-year disappearance. However, this is no ordinary spacecraft; it’s a gateway to the very depths of Hell, and I fear they may be lost for far more than just seven years.

Despite several gruesome scenes being omitted in the final version, “Event Horizon” stands out as a chilling and impactful science fiction horror movie. Undeniably, it is one of Paul W. S. Anderson’s most impressive works, known for his films such as “Resident Evil,” “Mortal Kombat,” and “AVP: Alien vs. Predator.

Stream Event Horizon with a Paramount+ add-on on Apple TV.

Gattaca

In the realm of future cinematic visions, Andrew Niccol’s masterpiece, “Gattaca,” casts Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman as protagonists in a society where love takes a backseat to genetic perfection. However, unlike many others born through this process, my character, Vincent Freeman, was conceived the old-fashioned way, which sets me apart and unfortunately, subjects me to genetic prejudice.

Gattaca is an exceptionally thought-provoking science fiction movie, unfortunately not given its due recognition. The performances by actors like Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman, Alan Arkin, and Jude Law are outstanding in a film that delves into profound questions about the morality of reproductive technology and the concept of fate. Its Academy Award nomination for Best Production Design was truly merited.

Rent Gattaca on Amazon Prime Video.

2025-03-13 21:13