90s Movies That Are Ready for a Reboot

The 1990s packed theaters with big ideas, bold genre swings, and memorable world building that still shows up in pop culture today. Many films from that decade launched franchises, pushed special effects forward, or introduced fresh sci fi and action concepts that influenced later hits. The summaries below highlight what each movie did, who made it, and how it performed or expanded beyond the original release. Consider this a quick snapshot of the stories and settings that defined the era and still have plenty of room for new audiences.

‘Face/Off’ (1997)

John Woo directed this high concept action thriller about an FBI agent and a terrorist who literally swap faces. It starred John Travolta and Nicolas Cage and became known for elaborate set pieces and stylized gunfights. The film earned strong worldwide box office and expanded Woo’s profile in Hollywood. Its identity switching setup also inspired tie in novels and ongoing genre references.

‘The Fifth Element’ (1997)

Luc Besson’s sci fi adventure takes place in a colorful future where a cab driver helps recover an ancient weapon that can stop a cosmic threat. Bruce Willis and Milla Jovovich led the cast, with Gary Oldman as the villain. The production mixed practical effects with cutting edge digital work and featured fashion design by Jean Paul Gaultier. It performed well internationally and later saw an animated series proposal and video game adaptations.

‘Stargate’ (1994)

Roland Emmerich and Dean Devlin introduced a portal device that connects Earth to ancient worlds through a ring shaped gateway. Kurt Russell and James Spader starred in the film that blended archaeology with military science fiction. After release, the concept moved to television with several series and TV movies. The property has maintained a steady fan base through conventions, novels, and licensed games.

‘Demolition Man’ (1993)

This near future action film pairs a cryogenically frozen cop and criminal who are revived in a pacified society. Sylvester Stallone and Wesley Snipes headlined, with Sandra Bullock in an early breakout role. The movie became known for its satirical future tech and world rules that drove the plot. It delivered solid global box office and spawned video games and comic tie ins.

‘Waterworld’ (1995)

Kevin Costner and director Kevin Reynolds set the story on an ocean covered Earth where survivors search for mythical dry land. The production was one of the most expensive of its time and became famous for its floating sets and stunt work. Though the domestic gross was mixed, international receipts and home video eventually pushed it to profitability. The property later expanded with theme park shows and novelizations.

‘Timecop’ (1994)

Based on a comic, this film follows a temporal enforcement officer who prevents crimes across different eras. Jean Claude Van Damme starred and doubled in a key plotline involving his character’s past. It was a commercial success and led to a short lived TV series and a direct to video sequel. The premise centers on clear rules for time travel that drive each mission.

‘Spawn’ (1997)

Adapted from Todd McFarlane’s comic, this dark superhero tale follows a murdered soldier who returns with infernal powers. Michael Jai White played the title character, with John Leguizamo and Martin Sheen in support. The movie used early CGI for the suit and hellscapes and generated a strong merchandising push. It helped expand the character’s audience beyond comics and an animated series.

‘Blade’ (1998)

Wesley Snipes brought Marvel’s half human half vampire hunter to the screen with a focus on martial arts and underground lore. The film performed well and revitalized interest in comic book adaptations before the 2000s boom. It spawned two sequels and introduced a distinct visual style for urban vampire stories. The character continued in comics, games, and planned new screen iterations.

‘Small Soldiers’ (1998)

Joe Dante directed this adventure about action figures enhanced with military grade microchips that become self aware. The film blended animatronics with digital effects from major studios known for creature work. It tied into a wide merchandising line with toys and a video game. The story balanced suburban settings with inventive gadget driven battles.

‘Starship Troopers’ (1997)

Paul Verhoeven adapted Robert A Heinlein’s novel into a military science fiction film about soldiers fighting alien arachnids. The production delivered ambitious effects and large scale battle sequences for its time. The movie led to animated projects, live action sequels, and games that explored the wider war. Its in universe propaganda style and ranks and units remain recognizable in genre circles.

‘The Mask’ (1994)

Jim Carrey starred as a timid banker who transforms after wearing a supernatural mask tied to Norse mythology. The movie combined cartoonish visual effects with live action choreography and musical numbers. It was a major box office hit and introduced Cameron Diaz in her film debut. The success led to an animated series, games, and comic continuations.

‘Con Air’ (1997)

Producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Simon West delivered a high concept prison transport hijacking with an ensemble cast. Nicolas Cage, John Malkovich, and John Cusack anchored the story of a downed plane and a race against time. The film performed strongly worldwide and became a staple of late 90s action cinema. Its memorable characters and set pieces carried over to soundtrack sales and home video success.

‘Gattaca’ (1997)

Andrew Niccol wrote and directed this near future drama about genetic stratification and identity. Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman, and Jude Law led the cast, with meticulous production design and restrained effects. The film became a long term favorite in education and ethics discussions about genomics. It continued through novelizations, classroom materials, and periodic science panels.

‘The Game’ (1997)

David Fincher’s thriller follows a wealthy banker pulled into an elaborate life sized puzzle by a shadowy company. Michael Douglas and Sean Penn star, with San Francisco locations and controlled color palettes shaping the look. The plot uses clues, misdirection, and staged crises that escalate toward a final reveal. It earned a steady reputation on home media and film courses focused on narrative design.

‘Falling Down’ (1993)

Joel Schumacher’s drama tracks a laid off defense worker who crosses Los Angeles on foot during a series of confrontations. Michael Douglas delivered one of his most discussed performances, with Robert Duvall as the pursuing detective. The film examined urban pressures, economic anxiety, and public space conflicts in early 90s America. It generated debate and analysis in media studies and sociology classrooms.

‘Sneakers’ (1992)

This tech caper centers on a team of security experts hired to steal a device capable of breaking modern encryption. Robert Redford led a cast that included Sidney Poitier, Dan Aykroyd, and Ben Kingsley. The movie mixed heist mechanics with early discussions of digital privacy and cryptography. It performed well and influenced later portrayals of white hat hacking teams.

‘The Shadow’ (1994)

Based on the pulp and radio character, this film features a vigilante with psychic abilities who battles a descendant of Genghis Khan. Alec Baldwin starred with a supporting cast that included John Lone and Penelope Ann Miller. The production leaned on art deco sets and practical effects for period cityscapes. The character’s long history spans novels, comics, and serials that offer a deep library of material.

‘The Phantom’ (1996)

Drawn from Lee Falk’s long running comic strip, the story follows the latest in a line of jungle guardians. Billy Zane portrayed the hero with support from Kristy Swanson and Treat Williams. The film emphasized globe trotting adventure, treasure hunts, and a multigenerational legacy. The property has extensive source material across decades of comic arcs and Sunday strips.

‘Johnny Mnemonic’ (1995)

Adapted from William Gibson’s short story, this cyberpunk tale follows a data courier with a storage implant in his brain. Keanu Reeves led the cast, with an alternate international cut that shifted tone and emphasis. The movie included early internet era imagery and corporate espionage themes. It later saw renewed interest through restored versions and discussions of genre history.

‘Cube’ (1997)

A group of strangers wake in a maze of deadly rooms that operate on mathematical rules. The Canadian production used a single modular set with shifting lighting to create scale on a budget. It gained a cult following and produced sequels and a later remake in another market. The premise centers on logic puzzles and group dynamics under stress.

‘The Net’ (1995)

Sandra Bullock starred as a systems analyst who becomes the target of identity erasure and criminal framing. The film popularized early web culture terms and showed social security and database vulnerabilities. It performed well and led to a TV series that continued the premise. Its focus on digital footprints and stolen credentials has remained timely in security training.

‘Hackers’ (1995)

A group of teen computer enthusiasts uncover a corporate plot while navigating subcultures and early online spaces. The film featured Angelina Jolie and Jonny Lee Miller and used stylized visualizations of code and networks. It became a staple at tech themed screenings and real world hacker conferences. The soundtrack and costume design also left a mark on mid 90s youth culture.

‘The Saint’ (1997)

Val Kilmer played master thief Simon Templar in a globe spanning spy adventure with high tech disguises. The production used European locations and mixed romance with espionage. It achieved solid international box office and revived interest in earlier TV and radio versions. The character’s history includes novels and serials that support multiple storylines.

‘Wild Wild West’ (1999)

This steampunk flavored action comedy pairs two agents in an alternate post Civil War setting with advanced gadgets. Will Smith and Kevin Kline starred with Kenneth Branagh as the villain. The film showcased large mechanical set pieces and period costuming. It extended into toys, a licensed game, and music tie ins connected to the release.

‘Deep Blue Sea’ (1999)

Scientists at an ocean facility genetically enhance sharks for medical research which leads to a containment disaster. Renny Harlin directed, with Thomas Jane, Saffron Burrows, and Samuel L Jackson among the cast. The movie delivered practical water work and digital effects for creature shots. It added two follow up installments that went direct to video and streaming.

Share your picks in the comments and let us know which 90s movies you want to see reimagined next.