The Best '90s Movies You Can Stream On Netflix Right Now
There's something magical about '90s movies.
Looking back, the '90s seem like a simpler time. The economy was booming, and movies were greenlit faster than ever. Summer popcorn flicks from the '90s are a thing unto themselves — huge, bombastic blockbusters that rival today's superhero movies in terms of pure fun. There's something charming about the special effects, which didn't age all that well but were cutting-edge at the time. The costumes (and hairstyles) are ridiculous. The '90s was a decade of excess, and movies from that era embrace it. At the time, the possibilities seemed limitless.
As a result, not only are many '90s movies great, there are a lot of them! Whether you're having a family movie night, a teenage slumber party, a Netflix and chill, or if you're just enjoying a movie by yourself, there's sure to be a '90s movie that fits the bill. Here are the best '90s movies streaming now on Netflix, sure to delight the '90s kid in all of us.
The Dude in The Big Lebowski is the perfect '90s man
"The Big Lebowski" might be the ultimate '90s comedy. The hero, Jeffrey "The Dude" Lebowski (Jeff Bridges), is the ultimate slacker in a decade full of them. The Stranger, who narrates the film, even describes him as such: "Sometimes, there's a man, well, he's the man for his time and place. He fits right in there. And that's the Dude, in Los Angeles."
The plot of "The Big Lebowski" is a somewhat convoluted story full of mistaken identities, German nihilists, and bowling. Despite all that, the heart of the movie rests in the Dude's simplicity. He just wants his favorite rug (it really ties the room together) and to win the bowling tournament — preferably without his friend Walter (John Goodman) pulling a gun on anyone. His deadpan sense of humor in the face of absolute madness is reassuring. "The Big Lebowski" is a well-shot, brilliantly-acted movie that perfectly encapsulates suburban Los Angeles in the '90s, and that easily withstands the test of time. After all, there's a reason why this movie has spawned both its own festival and a semi-organized religion.
Total Recall is peak '90s sci-fi madness
Director Paul Verhoeven made a number of stunning satires in the '90s, starting with "Total Recall", a movie that's spawned a million memes. Sure, all Arnold Schwarzenegger movies are quotable, but this one takes the cake. Loosely based on a short story by sci-fi superstar Phillip K. Dick, "Total Recall" stars Schwarzenegger as a man who may or may not be a secret agent on a mission to the crime-infested colonies of Mars (the ambiguity is part of the fun, we promise). He faces off against '90s action-sleaze staples Sharon Stone and Michael Ironside, meets psychic mutants, and dispatches tons of bad guys in increasingly violent ways.
The slightly-cheesy cyberpunk aesthetic is brilliant, and would inspire the look other '90s flicks, including "Demolition Man" and "Judge Dredd." Verhoeven's penchant for gratuitous, gory violence works with the twisted sci-fi story, but this probably isn't one to show the kids (there's quite a bit of swearing, as well as some unusual nudity). For an action-filled date night or fun with friends, though, "Total Recall" is a total blast. By the end of the night you'll all be yelling "Quaaaaaaiiidd!"
The Rugrats Movie crawled into our hearts
A staple of every '90s kid's TV diet was Nickelodeon's "Rugrats", a show about a group of small babies who went on big adventures. Chuckie, Phil, Lil, and Tommy delighted kids on the small screen for five seasons before finally toddling to theaters in 1998. "The Rugrats Movie" would go on to be the first non-Disney animated film to make $100 million domestically.
The big selling point for "The Rugrats Movie" was the introduction of a new character: Tommy's little brother, Dil. To kids in the '90s, a brand new character joining your favorite series was cause for celebration. In terms of scope, the story is also bigger than an episode of the show, taking the babies out into the wider world and letting them loose for the first time.
But "The Rugrats Movie" isn't just for kids. Jokes clearly designed to go over younger viewers' heads are peppered throughout the flick, and most of them are genuinely funny. The soundtrack is great, and includes original songs from Devo, Busta Rhymes, and No Doubt. Blackstreet and Mýa's "Take Me There", the movie's theme song, is a serious bop. There's a plethora of celebrity guest voices, too, including David Spade, Whoopi Goldberg, Margaret Cho, and Tim Curry. "The Rugrats Movie" is kind of a '90s movie miracle, capturing a slice of time while also being an enjoyable movie for all ages.
Double Jeopardy changed the definition of murder
There's nothing quite like a slick, stylish '90s thriller, and "Double Jeopardy" absolutely fits the bill. Ashley Judd stars in "Double Jeopardy" as Libby, a woman wrongfully convicted of murder after her husband allegedly dies. Out of prison and under the watchful eye of her parole officer (Tommy Lee Jones), Libby tries to find her husband and get vengeance for her prison sentence. There aren't very many female-led revenge thrillers that aren't rape-revenge films, so the lack of sexual violence is refreshing, and Judd is stellar as a real badass who won't let anything stop her (not even Jones, and he's at peak intensity here).
"Double Jeopardy" received mixed reviews on release, but its influence can still be seen in thrillers to this day. There are quite a few threads that lead from "Double Jeopardy" to modern classics like "Gone Girl" and "Widows." Judd's bold portrayal of a woman wronged left its mark, and the movie's tagline, "Murder isn't always a crime" is hard to forget. This is one to watch if you want some thrills, with maybe a little '90s style girl power to go with it.
Friendship is made to order in Good Burger
"Welcome to Good Burger, home of the Good Burger, can I take your order?"
In the '90s, "Saturday Night Live" turned a number of their sketches into films ("Wayne's World", "Coneheads," etc.). In 1997, Nickelodeon took a risk and jumped on the same bandwagon. "Good Burger" began as a recurring skit on the popular Nickelodeon comedy shows "All That" and "Kenan & Kel," and revolved around two teenage employees (Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell) who worked at a fast-food chain called, you guessed it, Good Burger. The feature film, however, is more than just a stretched-out take on a simple premise. It's a joyous and hilarious celebration of kindness, friendship, and doing the right thing. Dedicated fans will appreciate the callbacks to the TV shows, which include popular catchphrases ("who loves orange soda?") and recurring characters, but it's a movie that's easy to enjoy even if you've never seen a single sketch.
Further, "Good Burger" is unusual among '90s family films because it takes its time. It's not a constant barrage of jokes and noise, and the movie works hard to make you care about its characters. In a way, "Good Burger" is perfect as "baby's first hangout flick", or as an introduction to movies with more relaxed paces. After all, you want to be able to show your kids '90s classic "Friday" at some point, right?
Alan Rickman's Quigley Down Under baddie makes Hans Gruber look friendly
Alan Rickman was so, so good at playing bad. We fell in love with him as the villainous Hans Gruber in "Die Hard", and he ended up playing the iconic Severus Snape in all eight "Harry Potter" films. What few people remember, however, is just how amazing he was at being truly awful in the Australian western "Quigley Down Under". Rickman stars in the movie opposite Tom Selleck, who plays Matthew Quigley, an American cowboy who's famous for his lightning-fast sharpshooting skills. Rickman's Aussie rancher, Elliot Marston, hires Quigley to kill Aboriginals on his land. When Quigley refuses, Marston leaves him in the desert for dead.
With the help of the Aborginal people and a feisty American woman named Cora (Laura San Giacomo), Quigley sets out to show Marston that he's not just the fastest gun in the west, but in the world. "Quigley Down Under" is a classic western, with a hero who rights wrongs in leather chaps and a sweet hat, but it has an exceptional villain in Rickman's performance.
If you're looking for something to watch with dad or grandpa, or if you just want a western full of all of the things that make a western great, check out "Quigley Down Under."
Stargate is sci-fi that's both smart and silly
It's almost impossible to talk about '90s blockbuster cinema without mentioning Roland Emmerich. The director behind "Independence Day" and "Universal Soldier" created spectacles that brought audiences to theaters in droves. His 1994 cult classic "Stargate" was big enough to spawn an entire franchise, which includes two direct-to-video sequels, four television series, and an animated spin-off.
"Stargate" is a perfect example of '90's weirdness, too, embracing wacky ideas and augmenting them with a huge budget and even bigger stars. Its plot revolves around soldiers and scientists who find an ancient gate that leads to another dimension, then travel to the world on the other side. Kurt Russell plays a guy named Jack again, except this time he's an Air Force Colonel. James Spader is an archaeologist and linguist who wants to ensure the soldiers don't screw things up. You'd better believe that leads to some tension.
The movie's ancient Egyptian aesthetic and amazing production design ensure there's always something gorgeous to look at onscreen (besides Russell, of course). Both the story and performances are unabashedly goofy, but there's an earnestness to "Stargate" that's undeniably charming. It's one of those "so bad it's good" movies; certain elements don't quite work, but it all comes together to create an even greater entertainment experience. Check it out yourself, or screen it with older kids. Just watch out for the Eye of Ra!