11 Forgotten ’90s Movies on Netflix You’ll Want to Rewatch Tonight

11 Forgotten ’90s Movies on Netflix You’ll Want to Rewatch Tonight

Remember the days when you’d browse Blockbuster shelves, hoping to find that perfect Friday night flick? The 1990s gave us so many incredible movies that somehow slipped through the cracks of pop culture memory. Now streaming on Netflix, these hidden gems are waiting to transport you back to a decade of unforgettable cinema, quirky characters, and stories that deserve a second look.

1. Kicking and Screaming (1995)

Noah Baumbach crafted something special with his first feature film, capturing what happens when college ends but real life hasn’t quite begun. Four recent graduates find themselves stuck in limbo, clinging to campus life while their futures remain terrifyingly uncertain.

The dialogue crackles with intelligence and awkward honesty that feels refreshingly real. Every conversation reveals the anxiety of young adults who studied philosophy but have no idea how to pay rent.

Baumbach’s signature dry humor shines through every scene, making existential dread somehow hilarious. This indie darling defined a generation’s post-graduation confusion before anyone called it quarter-life crisis.

2. Hot Shots! (1991)

Charlie Sheen takes aim at Top Gun and every macho action movie trope in this wildly entertaining parody. As a troubled fighter pilot with daddy issues and a fear of commitment, Sheen delivers perfectly timed slapstick comedy that never takes itself seriously.

The jokes fly faster than the fighter jets, with visual gags and puns layered throughout every scene. Directors Jim Abrahams and the Zucker brothers bring their Airplane! magic to military action films.

The result? Pure comedic chaos that still lands three decades later. Whether you’re a fan of spoofs or just need a good laugh, this forgotten gem delivers absurdity by the bucketload.

3. Death Becomes Her (1992)

What happens when two aging rivals discover a potion that promises eternal youth and beauty? Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn answer that question with deliciously wicked performances in Robert Zemeckis’s dark comedy masterpiece.

The special effects were groundbreaking for 1992, winning an Oscar for their twisted body horror. Watching these Hollywood legends literally fall apart while fighting over Bruce Willis makes for unforgettable entertainment.

The film’s sharp satire about society’s obsession with youth feels even more relevant today. Between the macabre humor and stunning visual tricks, this movie proves that some stories about vanity never get old, even if the characters desperately try to.

4. Apollo 13 (1995)

Ron Howard transformed a near-tragedy into one of the most gripping space dramas ever filmed. Tom Hanks leads an outstanding cast through NASA’s most harrowing mission, where three astronauts fought for survival 200,000 miles from home.

Even though everyone knows how the story ends, the tension never lets up for a single moment. The technical details are meticulously accurate, making you feel like you’re inside that damaged spacecraft.

Howard’s direction keeps the focus on human ingenuity and courage under impossible pressure. This isn’t just a history lesson—it’s a masterclass in suspenseful storytelling that celebrates problem-solving, teamwork, and the American spirit of never giving up.

5. The Nutty Professor (1996)

Eddie Murphy delivers not just one but seven incredible performances in this heartfelt remake of the Jerry Lewis classic. As shy, overweight Professor Sherman Klump, Murphy creates a character so genuine and vulnerable that you can’t help but root for him.

When Sherman invents a formula that transforms him into the smooth-talking Buddy Love, chaos erupts in the funniest ways possible. The dinner table scene with the entire Klump family (all played by Murphy) remains comedy gold.

Beneath all the laughs and special effects makeup lies a powerful message about self-acceptance and inner beauty. Murphy’s range and commitment make this more than just a comedy—it’s surprisingly touching.

6. Empire Records (1995)

Spend one chaotic day inside an independent record store where the employees are more like family than coworkers. This cult favorite captures everything magical about ’90s youth culture—the music, the fashion, the rebellion against corporate takeovers, and the search for identity.

The soundtrack alone is worth the watch, featuring hits from Gin Blossoms, The Cranberries, and other alternative rock legends. Each character brings their own struggles and quirks, from shoplifting to rooftop concerts to unexpected romance.

Liv Tyler, Renée Zellweger, and a young cast create believable chemistry that makes you wish you worked there too. It’s nostalgic, energetic, and perfectly captures that moment when music felt like the most important thing in the world.

7. Meet Joe Black (1998)

Brad Pitt plays Death himself in this beautifully filmed meditation on mortality, love, and what makes life worth living. When Death takes human form to understand humanity better, he enters the life of a powerful media mogul played brilliantly by Anthony Hopkins.

The three-hour runtime allows the story to breathe and develop at a luxurious pace. Pitt’s innocent, curious portrayal of Death discovering peanut butter and falling in love brings unexpected warmth to an unusual premise.

The cinematography captures New York City in golden, dreamlike tones that feel almost heavenly. This isn’t your typical romantic drama—it’s a philosophical fairy tale about cherishing every precious moment we have.

8. The Rookie (1990)

Clint Eastwood directs and stars alongside Charlie Sheen in this high-octane buddy-cop thriller that somehow got lost among ’90s action classics. Eastwood plays a veteran detective forced to partner with a cocky young hotshot, and their clashing styles create both tension and humor.

The action sequences are pure adrenaline, featuring car chases, shootouts, and explosions that defined the era’s blockbuster style. Sheen brings youthful energy while Eastwood delivers his trademark tough-guy gravitas with razor-sharp one-liners.

Their chemistry makes even the most ridiculous moments entertaining. If you miss the days when action movies were loud, explosive, and unapologetically fun, this forgotten gem delivers exactly that experience.

9. Dark City (1998)

Before The Matrix blew everyone’s minds, Dark City explored reality, memory, and identity in a visually stunning noir nightmare. Rufus Sewell wakes up with no memory in a city that never sees daylight, hunted by mysterious pale figures who can alter reality itself.

Director Alex Proyas created a unique visual style mixing film noir shadows with science fiction concepts and German Expressionist architecture. The atmosphere is thick with dread and mystery, pulling you deeper into its twisted puzzle.

Every revelation raises bigger questions about free will and what makes us human. This criminally overlooked masterpiece deserves recognition as one of the smartest, most original sci-fi films of the decade.

10. The Devil’s Own (1997)

Harrison Ford and Brad Pitt deliver powerhouse performances in this morally complex thriller about an Irish Republican Army operative hiding in New York. Ford plays a well-meaning cop who unknowingly shelters a dangerous fugitive in his own home, creating unbearable tension.

The film explores loyalty, friendship, and the impossible choices people make when caught between duty and conscience. Pitt’s conflicted terrorist isn’t a simple villain—he’s a man shaped by violence who genuinely cares for the family he’s deceiving.

The political backdrop of Irish-American relations adds layers of complexity rarely seen in mainstream thrillers. This thought-provoking drama asks difficult questions without offering easy answers, making it unforgettable.

11. Rushmore (1998)

Wes Anderson announced himself as a major filmmaking talent with this wonderfully odd story about Max Fischer, an overachieving high school student who’s failing all his classes. Jason Schwartzman’s debut performance creates an unforgettable character—ambitious, delusional, and somehow completely lovable.

Max’s obsession with extracurricular activities and his bizarre love triangle with a teacher and a depressed millionaire makes for comedy gold. Bill Murray delivers a career-best performance as the wealthy industrialist who becomes Max’s unlikely friend and rival.

Anderson’s distinctive visual style and quirky humor were already fully formed, making every frame feel like carefully composed art. This coming-of-age tale is funny, heartfelt, and unlike anything else from the ’90s.