12 Movies From The ’90s You Didn’t Realize Are Full of Future Hollywood Legends

12 Movies From The ’90s You Didn’t Realize Are Full of Future Hollywood Legends

The 1990s gave us some incredible films that we still love today. What many people don’t realize is that some of these movies were packed with actors who would later become massive stars. These films caught these future celebrities before they hit the big time, often in small roles that didn’t get much attention back then. Looking back now, it’s amazing to see how many Hollywood legends appeared together before they became household names.

1. Dazed and Confused (1993)

This coming-of-age comedy about high school students in the 1970s secretly harbored an incredible collection of future stars. Matthew McConaughey delivered his iconic “alright, alright, alright” line here, years before becoming an Oscar winner.

Ben Affleck played the mean-spirited O’Bannion, while Parker Posey showed early signs of her quirky acting style as a senior hazing freshmen. Cole Hauser, who later starred in Yellowstone, appeared as the tough guy Benny.

Fun fact: Director Richard Linklater shot the film in Austin, Texas, and many cast members lived together during filming to build authentic relationships that would show on screen.

2. School Ties (1992)

Before Good Will Hunting made them household names, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck appeared in this drama about antisemitism at a prep school. Brendan Fraser starred as David Greene, a Jewish quarterback hiding his identity at an elite school.

Cole Hauser and Chris O’Donnell rounded out this remarkable cast of future stars. The film captured these actors at the very beginning of their careers, showing the raw talent that would later earn them acclaim.

Shot at real New England prep schools, this movie tackled serious social issues while showcasing a remarkable concentration of acting talent that would dominate Hollywood for decades to come.

3. Airheads (1994)

Imagine a band taking over a radio station—that’s the premise of this rock comedy starring a cast that’s now Hollywood royalty. Adam Sandler was just getting started post-SNL, with Brendan Fraser and Steve Buscemi making the perfect funny sidekicks.

Chris Farley made a memorable appearance as a cop, years before his tragic early death would cut short a promising career. David Arquette showed early signs of his comedic skills in a supporting role.

The movie bombed at the box office but has become a cult classic, partly because fans enjoy spotting all the future A-listers who shared the screen together in this wild rock comedy.

4. The Faculty (1998)

Featuring a chilling story of alien teachers invading a high school, this sci-fi horror film showcased a talented group of young actors. Notably, Elijah Wood appeared here three years prior to his global breakthrough in Lord of the Rings.

Josh Hartnett showed the brooding intensity that would soon make him a heartthrob, while Jordana Brewster made one of her earliest appearances before The Fast and the Furious franchise.

Even music star Usher Raymond had a role as a high school athlete. Most surprisingly, Jon Stewart took a break from comedy to play a science teacher in this teen horror flick, years before becoming the respected host of The Daily Show.

5. Angels in the Outfield (1994)

This heartwarming Disney baseball film hid several future superstars in its roster. Joseph Gordon-Levitt played the main child role long before becoming the star of hits like 500 Days of Summer and Inception.

Matthew McConaughey appeared in a minor role as an outfielder, years before becoming a romantic comedy king and eventually an Oscar winner. A young Adrien Brody also had a small part as a baseball player, a decade before his Academy Award for The Pianist.

Even Neal McDonough and Tony Danza rounded out this surprisingly star-studded cast in what seemed like a simple family film about angels helping a struggling baseball team.

6. Crimson Tide (1995)

While Denzel Washington and Gene Hackman were already big stars in this submarine thriller, the supporting cast was filled with actors who would later become famous. Viggo Mortensen played a naval officer years before Lord of the Rings transformed him into Aragorn.

James Gandolfini appeared as a lieutenant long before creating his iconic role as Tony Soprano. Ryan Phillippe made an early career appearance, and Steve Zahn brought his unique energy to a small role.

The claustrophobic submarine setting meant these future stars were crammed together in tight quarters, creating intense scenes that showcased their talents before most audiences knew who they were.

7. Go (1999)

This cult favorite followed several intertwining stories over one wild night, featuring numerous actors on the cusp of bigger fame. Sarah Polley, who would later become an acclaimed director, played the lead role of a desperate supermarket cashier.

Katie Holmes appeared during her Dawson’s Creek days, just before transitioning to film stardom. Timothy Olyphant portrayed a charismatic drug dealer, showing the intensity that would later make him perfect for shows like Deadwood and Justified.

The ensemble cast also included Jay Mohr, Scott Wolf, and Taye Diggs in this energetic film that captured the late ’90s rave culture while showcasing talent that would define entertainment for the next two decades.

8. Never Been Kissed (1999)

Drew Barrymore headlined this romantic comedy, but the supporting cast was loaded with actors who would later become major stars. Jessica Alba had a small role as a popular high school student before becoming a household name with Dark Angel and Fantastic Four.

James Franco played a charming bad boy in one of his earliest roles, years before Spider-Man and his Oscar nomination. Comedy legend John C. Reilly appeared in a supporting part as Barrymore’s boss at the newspaper.

Most surprising was future Oscar-winner Octavia Spencer, who had a tiny role with just one line – almost 13 years before The Help would make her a star.

9. Hard Eight (1997)

Director Paul Thomas Anderson’s debut feature contained an incredible collection of actors who would become his regular collaborators and major stars. Philip Seymour Hoffman made a brief but memorable appearance as a loud-mouthed gambler, showing the intensity that would later win him an Oscar.

Gwyneth Paltrow played a cocktail waitress/prostitute years before her Shakespeare in Love Academy Award. John C. Reilly delivered a sympathetic performance as a simple man drawn into the gambling world.

Samuel L. Jackson brought his trademark intensity to a small role as a casino security man. This neo-noir crime film gave these future stars meaty, complex characters that highlighted their exceptional talents before most became famous.

10. King of New York (1990)

This gritty crime thriller starred Christopher Walken but featured an incredible supporting cast of future stars. Laurence Fishburne (then credited as Larry) delivered an intense performance as Walken’s right-hand man, years before The Matrix would make him globally famous.

Wesley Snipes played a detective hunting down Walken’s drug lord, showing the charisma that would later make him an action star in Blade. Steve Buscemi appeared in a small role before becoming a household name through Reservoir Dogs and Fargo.

Giancarlo Esposito, who would later terrify audiences as Gus Fring in Breaking Bad, rounded out this remarkable ensemble in a crime film that now looks like a who’s who of future legends.

11. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992)

Before she was an Academy Award-winning actress, Hilary Swank appeared in Buffy the Vampire Slayer as Kimberly, a minor yet memorable role. Her youthful energy and determination were palpable, hinting at her future stardom.

Ben Affleck also makes a brief appearance, showcasing the same understated charm that would later make him a household name. David Arquette’s quirky performance as Benny further adds to the film’s eccentric charm, foreshadowing his future as one of Hollywood’s beloved comedic actors.

Thomas Jane, in a lesser-known role, captures attention with his enigmatic presence, a precursor to his later success in films like “The Punisher.” “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” serves as an intriguing snapshot of these actors before they became legends.

12. Armageddon (1998)

Armageddon, a thrilling tale of heroism and sacrifice, brought together an ensemble cast that would go on to shape Hollywood’s future. In this epic, Ben Affleck shines as the charming yet determined A.J. Frost, a role that foreshadowed his future as a leading man.

Meanwhile, Owen Wilson’s quirky charisma is evident even in a supporting role, hinting at his future comedic success. Steve Buscemi, already a character actor of note, adds depth with his unique flair, contributing to the film’s rich tapestry.

Jason Isaacs, playing a NASA scientist, exhibits the gravitas that would later define his career in roles such as Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter series. Together, these actors create a memorable cinematic experience that showcases their budding talents.