5 Underrated but Still Solid 90s Movies Coming to Netflix in March 2024
There's a reason why the '90s have been called the greatest decade in movie history.
The 90s was a time of technological advancements, groundbreaking special effects that transformed sci-fi and action genres into visual masterpieces, and a move toward unique and compelling storytelling.
These movies came out more than two decades ago, but they have stood the test of time. From silly and lighthearted comedies to gritty thrillers starring young A-listers, these titles may be old, but they're certainly worth watching.
Beverly Hills Ninja (1997)
Long before Kung Fu Panda, there was another lovable and unlikely warrior saving the day.
Chris Farley played an orphan boy raised and trained by skilled Japanese ninjas and sent to Beverly Hills for his first mission: a messy murder mystery. Unfortunately for him, he was slightly overweight and completely unprepared for the shock that awaited him in the world of Western culture.
Joining Farley in the kung-fu mayhem are Chris Rock, Nicollette Sheridan and Robin Shou, making for one hot and hilarious mess. Beverly Hills Ninja may be all fun and games, but it was also the last movie Farley would see himself in, passing away suddenly at the end of 1997.
Devil in a Blue Dress (1995)
This star-studded murder mystery is based on Walter Mosely's 1990 novel of the same name. The movie stars Denzel Washington as a young World War II veteran who is hired to investigate and locate the missing fiancée of a white politician, but his character becomes entangled in a conspiracy of murder and deceit.
The story is set in 1940s Los Angeles and, true to its neo-noir style, pays attention to the details of the era. The clothes, the car, the bright neon signs and the sharp suits, Devil in a Blue Dress not only tells a gripping story, it is also a nostalgic feast for the eyes.
Dumb and Dumber (1994)
A truly dumb, utterly ridiculous Jim Carrey classic. With movies like Liar, Liar and The Cable Guy, Jim Carrey comedies flourished in the 90s.
In the first of what would eventually be three films in the Dumb and Dumber series, a well-meaning but completely unintelligent pair of friends set out on a noble quest to return a forgotten briefcase to its rightful owner. Unbeknownst to them, the briefcase is full of ransom money, and their mission to do the right thing has put them on the radar of some dangerous people.
Fear (1996)
The '90s marked the beginning of an extensive acting career for Mark Wahlberg, but in this movie he wasn't the goofy hero we know today.
Starring Wahlberg and Reece Witherspoon as Dave and Nicole, this psychological thriller begins with the couple's sweet, swoon-worthy love story until Dave's darker side surfaces. Love turns to obsession, and Nicole must fight to escape what she thought was her dream life.
Among all the stalker and slasher films that emerged in the '90s, Fear is a slow-burning, intense thriller that practices restraint and is able to hold the viewer's attention from beginning to chilling end.
Vampires (1998)
We've had countless movies centered around bloodsuckers, from Dracula to Twilight and everything in between, but Vampires is undoubtedly a must-see in the genre. This John Carpenter movie is pure entertainment, with good old fashioned special effects, vampires that explode in brilliant, bright explosions, and a storyline involving a vampire slayer and a mission to stop the undead from acquiring a relic that would allow them to walk in the sunshine.
Vampires is not so much a horror as a dark comedy action film, but still a great movie by Carpenter and a worthy addition to the vampire genre.