When compiling this list of the best 90s cult classic movies, I had to be careful not to get carried away with what I consider are awesome films rather than what actually would be considered a cult classic. Yes, Disney’s The Little Mermaid resonates with me on a warm nostalgic level, however I’m not entirely sure it is a cult classic! It might have a cult following, but that’s not the same. Yet, Jurassic Park from 1993 was seen as a ground-breaking piece of cinema, but then it doesn’t fit the modus operandi for a cult classic movie…. or does it?! The definition of what actually is a cult classic, is somewhat subjective like all things related to the arts. Everyone has an opinion and we all have no problem in letting you know why you’re wrong! Urban Dictionary’s definition is: “a movie that is weird as fuck.”
In my humble opinion, what makes a movie a cult classic is the fact that when it was initially released it was considered unpopular with the mainstream crowd. It could be a niche or obscure film that may have got panned by critics, but it was rebranded as being ‘cool’, championed by an audience who enjoyed it often in an ironic kinda way.
How Does A Film Become A Cult Classic?
Answer: The people! Movies that are labelled ‘cult classics’ tend to have a large community of followers who gravitate towards the strange and unusual. If mainstream society tells them that a big budget Hollywood film is a blockbuster smash because… reasons, then some folks will actively go against this and seek out more marginalised and arguably more interesting cinematic works. The more obscure and less coherent the storyline, then the larger subcultural capital points! Cult classic movies are more likely to have a punchy narrative that critiques the hell out of society, peeling back the ‘happily ever after’ façade and revealing unsettling truths that is somewhat diluted in mainstream cinema. However, some cult classic films don’t have to be an artistic, ‘wanky’ displays of pretentiousness with a deliberate ploy to be weird as fuck, they can simply just be super camp, nostalgic or so bad they’re good!
The 1990s saw some amazing movies that have the cult classic status. Here are 22 examples of these films.
1. Empire Records 1995
A coming of age comedy with a decent soundtrack, ridiculously attractive cast and lots of dramatic teenage angst! It follows the day of a bunch of young record store employees trying to save the shop from being sold and of course learning about each other along the way. It stars a host of young actors who later became big stars. For example, Liv Tyler and Renee Zellweger. The fact that the characters in the movie are considered ‘cool oddballs’ in their own right, audiences were able to relate to at least one of them which helped the movies appeal to 90s teens.
2. Pulp Fiction 1994
Quentin Tarantino’s crime movie masterpiece, is often considered by movie buffs as being one of the greatest movies (big shout there!) The film is a mashup of humour and graphic violence that plays out through monologues and philosophical conversations in a non-chronological format. TriStar Pictures reportedly turned it down because they thought it was “too demented.” Pulp Fiction boosted the careers of John Travolta, Samuel L Jackson and Uma Thurman leading to seven Oscar nominations and winning Best Original Screenplay.
3. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas 1998
A satirical black comedy adapted from the book by Hunter S Thompson, which despite its strong cast of Johnny Depp and Benicio del Torro, didn’t do too well at the box office. The movie follows the chaotic journey of the leading duo through Las Vegas as initial good intentions slip into mayhem under the influence of psychoactive drugs… which is conveyed through some weird and wonderful scenes!
4. The Big Lebowski 1998
If you’re a fan of dream sequences, eccentric characters and a complex plot that turns out to be unimportant, then this movie is your new best friend! Whenever someone talks about cult classic movies, The Big Lebowski is always mentioned. Starring The Dude Jeff Bridges, John Goodman and the likes of Julianna Moore and Steve Buscemi. The film was also considered a flop but clawed its way to cult classic notoriety.
5. Fight Club 1999
I spent a lot of this Chuck Palahniuck movie adaption annoying my friend with shouts of “What the actual hell is happening?!” It was her favourite movie and I was ruining it! Starring Brad Pitt, Edward Norton and Helena Bonham Carter, The New York Times called Fight Club the “defining cult movie of our time.” This was of course way after the movie did not meet expectations in the US box office. In a nutshell, the narrator and soap salesman Tyler Durden form a fight club and the audience is hit with a delicious twist ending nobody was expecting. And if you were, then you’re lying!
6. To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything! Julie Newmar 1995
Three drag queens played superbly by Patrick Swayze, Wesley Snipes and John Leguizamo embark on a road trip via an unexpected pit stop in a small town. Hilarity ensues! There are a lot of comparisons with the Australian film Priscilla Queen of the Desert (Three drag queens on a road trip… who end up in a small town! Hmmm!) The parts for the drag queens were much coveted after and the movie saw cameos from the likes of drag queen extraordinaire, Ru Paul.
7. Reservoir Dogs 1992
Another Quentin Tarantino movie with a stellar cast such as Tim Roth, Harvey Keitel and Steve Buscemi that has the stamp of approval in the battle of top 90s cult classic movies! The indie film follows the story of a diamond heist that goes terribly wrong. In true Tarantino style, Reservoir Dogs follows a non-linear storyline flipping between the events before and after the heist, mixed in with full on violence and pop culture references.
8. Showgirls 1995
If you are a Saved by the Bell fan, then look away now! This movie that showcases one of the main characters from the much-loved teen sitcom (Jessie Spano AKA Elizabeth Berkley) as a sassy, smart young lady who goes from a stripper to a show girl. Showgirls was panned as being one of the worst movies ever made! Full of sexually explicit scenes (ahem the swimming pool flailing dolphin scene!) Showgirls made its profit through video sales and gathered a cult status.
9. Trainspotting 1996
Directed by Danny Boyle, this British black comedy crime movie follows the lives of a bunch of heroin addicts in a rough area of Edinburgh. The story doesn’t just highlight drug abuse, violence and Ewan McGregor’s character Renton going through a trippy cold turkey withdrawal, but also the social context of urban poverty. The film that was initially sold as the British version to Pulp Fiction was the most profitable movie of the year.
10. Tank Girl 1995
Starring the very awesome Lori Petty, this 90s Sci-Fi movie is based on the post-apocalyptic comic book series. Set in a dry, dusty and drought ridden Australia, Petty’s anti-hero Tank Girl (along with Naomi Watts Jet Girl and genetically modified soldiers) take on the evil Water & Power cooperation. Tank Girl was a financial flop, but heralds a cult following built from the comics and known for its progressive feminist themes.
11. Buffy the Vampire Slayer 1992
Five years before Buffy the Vampire Slayer TV series, there was the movie featuring Kristy Swanson, Luke Perry and Donald Sutherland. A high school cheerleader discovers that she’s The Chosen One and must hunt and kill the vampire king. Obviously! The film only did ok where some say that the acting was good but the writing was poor. Ironically, it was one of the movies writers Joss Whedon who went onto huge success with the highly acclaimed TV series.
12. But I’m A Cheerleader 1999
A satirical rom com about a gay conversion camp! What’s not to love?! Cheerleader Megan is sent away by her family to admit and then confront her sexuality in a hope to cure her lesbianism. It might sound depressingly bleak, but this movie pokes fun at the ridiculous nature of conversion therapy with sass and hilarity. Critics were not a fan of director Jamie Babbit’s first feature movie but like the formulaic process of a cult classic hit, But I’m a Cheerleader is championed by the people, especially fans amongst the LGBT+ community.
13. The Crow 1994
I think this movie is more famous for the fact that Bruce Lee’s son Brandon Lee died while filming, rather than the actual movie itself. The superhero film is based on the comic book of the same name, following the story of a revived rock musician who must avenge his death and the murder of his girlfriend. The Crow has a huge cult status mainly to do with the tragic nature of Brandon Lee’s accidental death on set with a faulty blank ammunition. However, the movie is also noted for its strong storyline and distinctive visual style.
14. Edward Scissorhands 1990
A masterclass in Tim Burton’s dark fantasy movies, Edward Scissorhands (played by Johnny Depp) tells the story of an unfinished Frankenstein-like creation who is taken into suburban life and falls in love with Winona Ryder’s character. This 90s cult classic movie plays like a gothic style fairy tale with flavours of a Beauty and the Beast love story.
15. My Own Private Idaho 1991
Another fine indie movie with a cult classic label starring two huge actors, Keanu Reeves and the late great River Phoenix. My Own Private Idaho follows the two friends on a journey of self-discovery presented in an avant-garde bravura without conforming to a typical Hollywood ending. The movie is also considered somewhat of a landmark in queer cinema and popular with LGBT+ movie lovers.
16. The Craft 1996
If you and your mates didn’t scare the crap out of each other at sleepovers watching The Craft and attempting to levitate your pal off the ground with witchcraft… then were you even a teenage girl in the 90s?! This supernatural horror movie spins the tale of what happens when teenage girls mess with shit they don’t understand! Classic. Starring Neve Campbell before she dominated the teen slasher franchise and Dorothy (Fairuza Balk) from Return to OZ. (Another unnecessarily terrifying Disney movie!) The Craft is not only a rite of passage for young girls, but it is widely regarded as a cult classic due to the progressive nature of the storyline and dark themes that were missing from other 90s teen horror movies at the time.
17. Heavenly Creatures 1994
Before The Lord of the Rings saga, Peter Jackson brought us this psychological thriller with debuts from Kate Winslet and Melanie Lynskey. Heavenly Creatures is the type of movie that makes me question the motives of supposedly innocent 14-year-old girls! Because ya know… they may just plot to bludgeon you to death! And the fact that it is based on a true story makes me uneasy! The movie has been praised for portraying the dark nature of a very real but toxic friendship between two young ladies that morphs from genuine love into an obsessive, passion fuelled tragedy. Fun!
18. Muriel’s Wedding 1994
The classic comedy starring the brilliant Toni Collette follows the story of socially awkward Muriel who has dreams to have an extravagant wedding and leave her hometown in Sydney. This movie unlike many other cult classic movies was received well from the get-go with a Golden Globe nod for Best Actress in a Motion Picture. Muriel’s Wedding came with gawky comedy and an awesome soundtrack that was reminiscent of other Australian classics like Priscilla Queen of the Desert and Strictly Ballroom.
19. Scream 1996
Wes Craven’s Scream is seen as injecting new life into the 90s horror genre by bringing a satirical, black comedy vibe making light of cliché tropes from slasher movies from the 70s and 80s. Cast members like Drew Barrymore, Neve Campbell and Courtney Cox were already well-known established actors which helped its appeal. The story follows Neve Campbell’s character Sidney who is being stalked by a mysterious killer in a ghostface Halloween costume. What made this cult classic so popular, was how it managed to openly mock the ridiculous story arcs of horror movies and allowed the audience in on the joke whilst still giving us the twists and scares.
20. Boyz n the Hood 1991
A movie that has earned its spot as one the best black movies about gang culture. It was also given the thumbs up at the Oscars for Best Director John Singleton, who was the first African American to be nominated for the award. The story follows Tre Styles played by Cuba Gooding Jr who goes to live with his father Laurence Fishburne in South Central. Boyz n the Hood is culturally and aesthetically on point shining a light on the violence, struggle and emotional turmoil of urban America.
21. True Romance 1993
This movie has been hailed as one of the best American films. With the combo of a Quentin Tarantino script and Tony Scott direction that was described by Empire as, “cocaine flavoured bubble gum.” The cast of True Romance almost reads as a who’s who of acting greats from the leads, Christian Slater and Patricia Arquette, to Brad Pitt, Gary Oldman, James Gandolfini and Christopher Walken to name but a few. The crazy ride of a story is about an ex prostitute and her Elvis obsessed husband who go on the run from the mafia. True Romance failed at the box office but was subsequently given new life as one of the greatest 90s movies by its huge cult following.
22. The Matrix 1999
The infamous sci-fi action movie starring Keanu Reeves exploded onto the scene with as much attention as Trinity’s tight PVC trousers! The cyberpunk, science fiction genre brought us the story of Neo who leaves the simulated reality of The Matrix to fight against the machines in a bleak AF dystopian universe. (Probably should’ve just taken the blue pill pal!) The film is recognised for its action and martial arts choreography, but it also has instigated philosophical and religious debates. The hugely admired movie propagated the visual effect known as ‘bullet time’ where a character’s action sequence is slowed down but the camera still looks like it’s moving in real time. The Matrix won all prestigious movie awards and spawned two further sequels (that were confusing as hell!) and a fourth instalment is apparently in the making.