7 Cult Sci-Fi Movies of the 90s to Watch for Free in December 2023

Science fiction movies can certainly range in quality. Some become instant blockbuster hits, while others are either instant flops or have such low production quality that they're not worth a rewatch. However, a select few are often overlooked upon release, but go on to develop a cult following and become classics in their own right. Luckily, the 90s was filled with these sci-fi gems, and some of the best of these cult classics are now available to stream for free.

1. The Island of Dr Moreau (1996)

Watch it on: The Roku Channel, Tubi

The third film adaptation of the original H.G. Wells novel tells the story of a rescued man who is taken to a mysterious island, only to discover that its inhabitants are experimental animals being transformed into strange-looking human beings by an eccentric Doctor.

The movie was famously plagued by problems during filming, from actors dropping out to disagreements on set. Nevertheless, this version of the story has some real originality, and it includes some fantastic performances from its famous cast of Marlon Brando, Val Kilmer, David Thewlis, and Fairuza Balk.

2. In The Mouth of Madness (1994)

Watch it on: The Roku Channel, The Criterion Channel, Tubi

This supernatural horror stars Sam Neil as an insurance investigator named John Trent who, while visiting a small town to investigate the disappearance of a successful horror author, begins to realize that the books' impact on fans is more than just inspirational.

In this thriller, director and composer John Carpenter returns to his horror roots to create this underrated gem. With a plot that blurs the lines between reality and fantasy, the result is a well-produced, cleverly written, intelligent film that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

3. Timecop (1994)

Watch it on: Tubi, Peacock, Pluto TV, Sling TV, The Roku Channel, Prime Video, Plex, Freevee, Shout TV

Timecop was the first in a franchise that led to the sequel Timecop 2: The Berlin Decision and its own TV series. It is also the highest grossing film of its star, 90's action hero Jean-Claude Van Damme. In the film, Jean-Claude plays Max Walker, an officer for a futuristic security agency that helps regulate and monitor time travel. But when a shady politician wants to use the technology to change the past and control the future, Walker must fight for his life to defeat him.

With plenty of action, special effects, and some memorable characters, this is often considered Van Damme's best movie to date.

4. Robocop 2 (1990)

Watch it on: The Roku Channel, Pluto TV, Tubi, MGM+, Sling TV, Prime Video, Philo, Fubo, Hoopla

Co-written by Frank Miller, the mastermind behind such graphic novels as The Dark Knight Returns, Sin City, and 300, Robocop 2 is the sequel to the 1987 sci-fi action film Robocop. In this sequel, RoboCop must return to protect the citizens of old Detroit, but faces a deadly challenge when a rogue OCP member secretly creates a new, evil RoboCop.

This movie has everything that made the first one such a hit, but this time with even more social satire and a whole lot more violence and intensity.

5. Trucks (1997)

Watch it on: Tubi, Prime Video, Plex, Freevee

The story of a small Nevada town that is unexpectedly attacked by autonomous trucks secretly controlled by alien beings. This American-Canadian TV movie is actually based on a short story by horror author Stephen King, also called Trucks.

6. No Escape (1994)

Watch it on: The Roku Channel, Pluto TV, Tubi, Prime Video, Plex, Arrow, Film Movement, Freevee, Flix Fling

Starring Ray Liotta, Lance Henriksen, Stuart Wilson, Kevin Dillon, Michael Lerner and Ernie Hudson, is the story of an ex-soldier convicted of murdering his commanding officer and abandoned to die on a prison island in a dystopian future. Unfortunately for him, the island is inhabited by other savage and cannibalistic prisoners.

The film is based on the 1987 novel The Penal Colony by Richard Herley, and spawned a video game and a three-issue comic book series based on the film's release.

7. Dead Space (1991)

Watch it on: Sling TV, The Roku Channel, Crackle, Plex, Fubo TV, Philo, Screambox

In this early '90s sci-fi horror film, a deadly virus attacks the crew of a Saturn space station, quickly transforming them into alien monsters. When the remaining crew is unable to kill these new creatures with typical weapons, they must find another way to stop them if they do not want this epidemic to spread. This cheesy but dedicated space disaster movie also stars some recognizable faces, including Marc Singer, Laura Tate, Bryan Cranston and Judith Chapman.