In addition to being the decade that brought us Tamagotchi, AOL’s instant messenger (AIM), Nintendo 64, and the Beanie Babies craze, the1990swere also ripe with the release of some phenomenalscience fictionfilms. Many people believe that this decade of filmmaking, which became known for its blending of practical effects with early CGI, brought some of the best sci-fi movies ever created to the theaters.
Employing innovative techniques, featuring captivating storytelling, and striving to answer life’s most poignant questions, these sci-fi films imagined what it would be like if aliens came to Earth, dinosaurs were reincarnated, the future was less than stable, and much more. Fans of the genre profited greatly in the 1990s, whenscience fiction moviesbecame a booming business — in deed, big Hollywood names like Steven Speilberg, James Cameron, and Roland Emmerich made history with their films.
Here is the best science fiction movie from each year of the 1990s, and why you should watch them.
1990: Total Recall
Total Recall
Based on a short story by Philip K. Dick,Total Recalltells the story of Douglas Quaid (played by Arnold Schwarzenegger) and his implanted memories of the planet Mars. With mutated humans, a detailed plot-line, and a surprise twist, all combine to make the viewer wonder if Quaid is really who he appears to be.
Why You Should Watch It
The entire notion of this film is an act of escapism, and viewers will be captivated by the ideas the movie is presenting alongside its action sequences. The raw emotional qualities of this movie pair brilliantly with its visual aspects, making it the perfect Friday night movie to watch while eating takeout.Rent on Prime Video
1991: Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Terminator 2
Besides having amazing action sequences,Terminator 2: Judgment Dayhas a wonderful storyline as well.Directed by James Cameron, the movie continues the events ofTerminator, where another robotic man (Arnold Schwarzenegger), identical to the original Terminator, must protect Sarah Connor’s (Linda Hamilton) son, John (Edward Furlong), from another powerful cyborg.
Showcasing how both free will and luck can impact what happens within a person’s life, this film touches on the significance of humanity at its core. Amid a violent backdrop, an imaginative narrative, and brilliant special effects, the Terminator proves that one person can be just enough to change the world. Winning four Oscars — Best Sound, Best Sound Effects Editing, Best Makeup, and Best Visual Effects —Terminator 2: Judgment Dayhas proven itself as a film that every sci-fi lover should watch.Stream on Paramount+
1992: Alien 3
Alien 3is the sequel to the 1986 film,Aliens, and continues its story. Here, Ellen Ripley has crash-landed on Fiorina 161, a prison inhabited by the planet’s worst criminals. Like the other films in the franchise, Ellen must battle an alien who picks off the prisoners one by one. However, this time, she only has her wits and her will to fight the menacing bloodthirsty creature.
While many fans feelAlien 3can be skipped, the film offers an emotional connection to the character not fully seen in the otherAlienfilms. Even the film’s director, David Fincher, has denounced it, but, in retrospect,Alien 3served as a great launchpad for the filmmaker; you can see threads of his director’s DNA, gesturing at the great works to come.Stream on Hulu
Related:10 ’90s Sci-fi Movies That Deserve a Prequel
1993: Jurassic Park
Jurassic Park
Including this science fiction film in this list was surprisingly easy because of its massive popularity.Jurassic Park, based on the novel of the same name by Michael Crichton, tells the story of John Hammond, who created a theme park built around the research, study, and recreation of the dinosaurs. To assure the park is safe, Hammond invites a select group of paleontologists and a mathematician to tour the island.Jurassic Parkspawned two more films that became the original trilogy, and paved the way for theJurassic Worldtrilogy to continue the story decades later.
Jurassic Parkis one of those movies that bleeds nostalgia, and keeps fans coming back time and time again. Featuring groundbreaking practical effects, thisSteven Spielberg filmis worth a watch for any sci-fi seeker, dinosaur enthusiast, and blockbuster fan.Stream on Prime Video
1994: Stargate
1994’sStargateis the beginning of what would become theStargate SG-1television series, which led to an entire media franchise. This movie tells the story of an ancient portal discovered by humans that leads to a wormhole that allows travel in space.
Stargatedelves into the ideas of what humans should and should not be responsible for, exploring the idea of human morality outside Earth. While watching the film isn’t really necessary to understand the spin-off show, it should still be seen by anyone who loves space travel. With action-packed sequences, an Egyptian mystery, and a tightly-wound story, leading to one of the better science fiction films of the year,Stargateis worth a watch.Stream on Tubi
1995: 12 Monkeys
12 Monkeys
Directed by Terry Gilliam, and based on Chris Marker’s 1962 short filmLa Jetée,12 Monkeysis set in the future, during the aftermath of an apocalypse caused by the release of a virus that has almost wiped out all humans. Convicted prisoner, James Cole (Bruce Willis), is sent back in time to try to stop the “Army of the Twelve Monkeys” from releasing said virus before it is too late.
Fans of science fiction thrillers will enjoy this movie because of the way ithandles the time-travel aspect. Indeed, what’s exciting is the inherent tension between humanity’s need to stop the virus and their disregard for what traveling back in time could potentially do to their present. With a distinct focus and interesting visuals,12 Monkeysis a great sci-fi film for fans of the genre.Stream on Starz
1996: Independence Day
Independence Day
Roland Emmerich’s iconic 1996 sci-fi disaster movie Independence Day chronicles the attack of a hostile race of aliens against planet Earth. When extraterrestrial aircraft occupy Earth without warning, the forces of humanity quickly band together to stop them. At the behest of President Thomas J. Whitmore (Bill Pullman), US Marine pilot Captain Steven Hiller (Will Smith) and satellite engineer David Levinson (Jeff Goldblum) organize humanity’s last-ditch counterattack against the technologically-advanced alien mothership.
Independence Dayhas become a cult-like classic in the realm of science fiction since its release in 1996. Giving callbacks to the alien invasion films of the ’60s and the disaster films of the ’70s,Independence Daytakes both ideas and runs with them. The film tells the story of a group of people responsible for launching a counterattack on alien forces when Earth is invaded by a spaceship. Their fight for the freedom of the world just so happens to occur on July 4, America’s own Independence Day.
With a cleverly written story, beautiful visuals, and a thrilling conclusion,Independence Dayis the sci-fi movie of 1996, and possibly beyond. It effectively launched Will Smith into movie stardom, showcasing his ability to make the jump from TV to the big screen, kick-starting his lucrative film career that still continues to this day.Stream on Starz
1997: The Fifth Element
The Fifth Element
With one of the best plots to ever feature in a sci-fi movie,The Fifth Elementhad to appear on this list. Set in the 23rd Century, the film tells the story of Leeloo (Milla Jovovich), a humanoid woman who is said to be the fifth element necessary to combat a great evil. Not understanding the world around her, Leeloo escapes her confinement and jumps into the flying taxi of Korben Dallas (played by Bruce Willis), who ends up helping her escape.
Besides the science fiction aspects, this movie is an interesting allegory about humanity. Additionally, the characters are defined in such a way that their base personalities are really dramatic. Unlike many films on this list,The Fifth Elementleans into the absurdity and weirdness of science fiction, capitalizing on the possibilities of the unknown and having fun with it. It is odd in the best way possible, and worth watching for anyone who enjoys humor, great world-building, and dynamic characters.Stream on AMC+
Related:10 Sci-Fi Movie Side Plots That Made Absolutely No Sense
1998: Dark City
Bringing neo-noir elements into sci-fi is 1998’sDark City, which tells the story of a man named John Murdoch (Rufus Sewell), who has amnesia and is accused of murder. Hunted by both the police and an unknown group he names “The Strangers,” John must discover who he really is and what actually happened to the person he allegedly killed.
Featuring extraterrestrials who want to understand humanity, a case of mistaken identity, lost memories, and much more,Dark Cityis one of those sci-fi movies that keeps the audience guessing until the very end. And that is why, despite it not doing so well at the box office, this film is worth watching.Rent on Prime Video
1999: The Matrix
The Matrix
As possibly the number-one science fiction film of all time,The Matrixwas released in 1999, making it clear there was no other choice for best sci-fi movie of that year. Telling the tale of Thomas Anderson a.k.a. Neo (Keanu Reeves), a computer hacker with a shady past,The Matrixasks the ultimate question: what is real? Neo learns that humans are unknowingly trapped in a simulation with machines making sure they are distracted, and their bodies being harvested for energy. As a result, he, with an elitie team, begins to fight back.
The beginning of an ongoing franchise of films, video games, and merchandise,The Matrixis worth watching for anyone who wants a bit of psychological intrigue instigated by a brilliant story, massive world-building, beautiful fight sequences, and detailed visuals. The legacy ofThe Matrixis still felt to this day, and is arguably the film that propelled the genre into the 2000s.Stream on Max
If you liked this list and are interested in more great sci-fi movies, check out our video below:
