It feels like the 90s were only yesterday, but with the year 2020 now upon us, even films that came out at the end of that decade have turned 20 years old. It was an exciting era in cinema with giant leaps in the size of productions and what was now capable thanks to advanced special effects.
These leaps forward were especially impactful for the science fiction genre. Stories that could once never have been told on the big screen were brought to life. Sure, there were more than a few duds from the decade, but there were also plenty of films that have stood the test of time. Here are some 90s sci-fi movies that are still mind-blowing today.
Updated August 22, 2020 by Zach Gass: CGI and other related effects might have still been in their infancies, but the '90s had some absolute gems when it came to the world of sci-fi films. The genre saw a number of marvelous entries, both in of original concepts, characters, and even a sequel or two. The movies of the '90s range from the serious to the silly and from the imaginative to the intimidating. Whether they are concerned with the human race's ever-growing dependency and development on technology or other worlds inhabited by fantastical beings, the genre has had no shortage of mind-blowing creations.
The Rocketeer
If one were to fuse the adventures of Indiana Jones with the comic-book-inspired visuals and gadgets of Iron Man, the result would be Disney's The Rocketeer. In this steampunk-esque adventure, a pilot discovers a stolen jetpack and uses it to become a high-flying superhero and defeat a Nazi spy. Though it might not have had a proper fan following when it first premiered, it's recently achieved its cult-film status and a supposed sequel in the works.
The Phantom Menace
Although the prequel series definitely has a certain stigma about it, at the time, The Phantom Menace was the first Star Wars film to be released since 1983. The idea of a prequel to perhaps the greatest story ever told in the sci-fi genre was a colossal concept.
Although the plot itself is a bit mixed, the introduction of various other planets, creatures, and cultures only further expanded the galaxy far, far, away. As strange as it sounds, it is a guilty pleasure for many Jedi out there.
Mimic
With such entries under his belt like Pan's Labyrinth, Hellboy, and The Shape of Water, it can be easy to forget that the Guillermo del Toro gained his footing in American cinema with this sci-fi/horror feature. Cockroaches aren't many people's favorite animals at the best of times but imagine one the size of a human being. Del Toro's tale of a mutant, human-mimicking insect still undoubtedly makes many viewers' skins crawl.
Bicentennial Man
This film inspired by Issac Asimov's story of the same name might not be the best film in Robin William's decorated career, but its effects, story, and performance by its leading robot are certainly something to behold.
If Pinocchio were a machine instead of a marionette, he'd be Andrew the Android in this strange yet heartwarming film. Though it was destroyed by critics, it deserves more than a second chance.
Ghost in the Shell
Not only was Ghost in the Shell one of the most revolutionary and beloved anime films of all time, but also one of the most gritty and imaginative cyberpunk features in the genre. When cyborg officer Mokoto Kusanagi goes toe-to-toe with an insidious hacker known as "the Puppet Master," a sci-fi thriller opens up on the streets of a futuristic Japan. This film has been praised and lauded for its visuals and philosophical themes.
Starship Troopers
Paul Verhoeven is known as much for his intense provocative thrillers as he is for his big, violent action films. Though on the surface, his more mainstream film might seem like pure popcorn entertainment, they are often filled with satire of modern society.
Starship Troopers is an ittedly silly film set in the future in which humans are at war with an alien bug species. The movie is an action-packed, cheesy, and hilarious critique of military-focused society while also delivering some really fun genre thrills.
The Iron Giant
In of animated films, the 90s are mostly known for the so-called Disney Renaissance and the rise of Pixar. However, Warner Bros. managed to deliver one of the most memorable animated films of the decade.
The Iron Giant was the feature film debut of Brad Bird and told the story of a young boy who finds a giant robot in his hometown and forms a friendship with the mysterious being. Filled with the kind of heart and thrills of early Steven Spielberg movies, The Iron Giant is a moving family adventure that is still grossly underrated.
Gattaca
Great science fiction has always managed to show us a brand new world where impossible things are made possible while also commenting on the world we live in today. As science fiction movies got grander in scale, Gattaca stuck to a smaller yet powerful story.
Ethan Hawke stars as a second-class citizen living in a society in which people considered genetically superior people are given more privilege. He switches places with a first-class citizen in order to fulfill his dream of space travel. It is a thoughtful and compelling look at inequality within a seemingly perfect utopia.
Dark City
Dark City is another smaller film compared to some of the other projects on this list, yet it is one that stays with you all the same. This genre mash-up movie combined noir mystery with surreal sci-fi with fascinating and thrilling results.
The story follows a man who wakes up in a strange city with no memory of who he is. As he tries to evade the authorities, he uncovers a society of beings controlling the people of the city. The movie is a nightmarish and compelling story with plenty of twists and turns that will leave you guessing.
Total Recall
Paul Verhoeven makes a second appearance on this list, this time for his team-up with Arnold Schwarzenegger in Total Recall. Schwarzenegger plays a blue-collar man who signs up for a virtual vacation. He soon finds himself in the middle of a dangerous conspiracy where he questions his own reality.
Schwarzenegger's films are often seen as mindless entertainment, and this film can sometimes get mashed in with those kinds of movies. However, the more you watch it, the more Verhoeven's vision comes through, and it becomes so much more than a simple fun action-adventure.
