10 Classic ’90s Movies With Surprisingly Bad Reviews

Just because critics didn’t love a movie at first doesn’t mean it’s bad. Many now-classic films from the 1990s originally received poor reviews. While critics play a valuable role in how we understand movies, remember that taste is personal, and they don’t always agree with what audiences enjoy.

The 1990s saw a boom in filmmaking, with fresh perspectives pushing the boundaries of the art form. While Hollywood remained influential, independent films gained popularity, and the growth of home video gave audiences more control over what they watched. This shift lessened the power of film critics to dictate what was considered good or bad.

Despite this, critics often gave terrible reviews to now-classic movies from the ’90s, and looking back, many of those reviews don’t make sense. Some films were simply too innovative for their time, or deliberately challenged audiences in ways critics didn’t appreciate. As a result, many truly great movies were harshly criticized, only to become iconic films of the decade.

Death Becomes Her (1992)

Robert Zemeckis’s film, Death Becomes Her, did well at the box office, though critics weren’t fans when it first came out. The movie centers on two women who drink potions to stay young forever, and then have to live with the unexpected results. Filled with dark comedy and groundbreaking special effects, the film is a good example of how movies were changing in the 1990s.

Despite a mixed critical reception – currently at 58% on Rotten Tomatoes – Death Becomes Her is actually a very enjoyable film. Though it occasionally shifts in tone, it’s better than many reviews suggest. The movie is famous for the iconic performances of Goldie Hawn and Meryl Streep, and it’s become a beloved classic, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community.

Mars Attacks! (1996)

Tim Burton’s Mars Attacks! didn’t receive much praise when it was first released, leaving many critics puzzled. The movie follows people across the country as they struggle to survive a surprise invasion from Martians. With a large cast and darkly comedic tone, Mars Attacks! seems like a playful critique of big-budget action movies from the 1990s.

Reviews for the film were generally lukewarm, and many critics, including Roger Ebert, seemed to miss the point of Burton’s vision. The movie deliberately mimics the style of low-budget ’50s films, but it does so playfully, letting the audience in on the joke. It’s intentionally over-the-top and goofy, and a big part of its appeal is watching iconic actors like Jack Nicholson embrace the silliness.

What Dreams May Come (1998)

When it was released, What Dreams May Come didn’t resonate with most critics, who weren’t expecting such a heavy drama from Robin Williams. The film tells the story of a man who dies and journeys through the afterlife to try and rescue his wife, who took her own life following a period of intense grief. While the plot is somewhat complicated and not entirely convincing, the movie is visually stunning and remarkably creative for a widely released film.

The movie is visually stunning and offers a truly unique take on what happens after death. While it’s not flawless, it’s a bold and imaginative film – something you don’t often see these days. Williams delivers a compelling performance, skillfully blending his comedic talents with a more grounded character portrayal.

Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas (1998)

Hunter S. Thompson’s book, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, became a visually wild movie, but audiences didn’t immediately embrace it. Johnny Depp stars as Thompson, a journalist who goes to Las Vegas to cover a story but quickly gets caught up in a drug-fueled adventure. The film, directed by Terry Gilliam, feels like a trip itself.

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas isn’t a movie designed for everyone. It’s strange and can be unsettling, but it captures the feeling of Hunter S. Thompson’s book incredibly well. While critics were confused by it at first, viewers seemed to understand it more easily.

To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything! Julie Newmar (1995)

Movies are showing more LGBTQ+ characters than ever before, and To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar was a groundbreaking film in that regard. The story follows three drag queens as they journey across the country to compete in a drag competition. It’s a funny and heartwarming road trip movie, but its impact goes beyond just entertainment.

Despite receiving a 49% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, To Wong Foo is a surprisingly funny and heartwarming film. It was also one of the first widely-released movies to portray the LGBTQ+ community positively. While it isn’t perfect by today’s standards, it significantly helped pave the way for more LGBTQ+ representation in the film industry.

Hocus Pocus (1993)

Believe it or not, the movie Hocus Pocus wasn’t a hit when it first came out in 1993 – it lost money and critics didn’t like it. The story follows a group of teenagers who must stop three witches who are accidentally brought back to life on Halloween. However, Hocus Pocus has become a beloved classic and perfectly captures the feeling of the Halloween season.

Roger Ebert famously gave Hocus Pocus only one star, and although some of his criticisms make sense, they don’t quite capture what the movie is all about. It’s a delightfully spooky and fun adventure that looks at scary ideas through the eyes of a child. That’s likely why it quickly became a beloved Disney classic.

Last Action Hero (1993)

Arnold Schwarzenegger was a massive star in the early 1990s, but the movie Last Action Hero didn’t quite hit the mark. The film’s story involves a teenager who gets drawn into his favorite action movie, and characters from that movie end up in the real world. Ultimately, the movie is a clever look at the action movie genre itself.

Okay, let me tell you about Last Action Hero. When it first came out, it totally threw everyone for a loop – it was just so goofy and unexpected. Critics weren’t thrilled, and audiences didn’t exactly rush to see it. But honestly? There’s something really special hiding under all the negative buzz. It’s a surprisingly smart and genuinely funny action spoof. Even if you ignore the clever way it pokes fun at the genre, Last Action Hero is just a blast to watch – a really fun ride from start to finish.

Newsies (1992)

Disney’s animated films from the ’90s were incredibly successful, but some of their live-action movies weren’t as well-received. Newsies tells the story of the 1899 newsboy strike and the young people who fought for their rights. Even though the story isn’t widely known, the movie features fantastic original songs and impressive dance numbers.

Musicals faced a lot of criticism in the 1990s, and Newsies didn’t initially resonate with audiences who were focused on fresh, new entertainment. However, it quickly became popular on VHS and is now considered a beloved classic. Its success led to a Broadway show in 2011, which won two Tony Awards.

Days Of Thunder (1990)

Despite receiving negative reviews from critics, Days of Thunder remains one of Tom Cruise’s most beloved films. The movie follows a young, ambitious race car driver as he chases success in the high-speed world of NASCAR. Director Tony Scott’s skillful filming techniques vividly capture the excitement and energy of racing.

Though initially criticized for lacking originality, the film has become a favorite among stock car racing fans due to its accurate portrayal of the sport. Later reviews have praised its quality, and it’s now considered a classic sports movie from the 1990s, successfully blending the emotional depth of a sports drama with the thrilling action of stock car racing.

The Bone Collector (1999)

Given the wealth of great thrillers from the 1990s, The Bone Collector naturally followed a familiar pattern. The story centers on a rookie police officer who partners with a brilliant, but paralyzed, forensic expert to hunt a serial killer in New York City. Heavily influenced by The Silence of the Lambs, The Bone Collector is a tense and visually striking film.

Okay, so everyone’s talking about how The Bone Collector has a pretty low score on Rotten Tomatoes – only 30% – and honestly, I expected it to be awful. But you know what? It’s actually a really creepy and surprisingly good thriller, starring Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie. I’ve always loved 90s movies for their fresh ideas, but even when a film like this borrows a bit from other things, it’s still a total blast. It really kept me on the edge of my seat!

2025-12-15 01:43