The 1990s was a significant period for movies. The decade saw massive advancements in computer technology, allowing for the generation of otherworldly images and special effects. Lower budget, independent filmmaking rose to prominence and generated hits regarded today as classics. The ’90s also birthed some of cinema’s longest-running and most successful franchises and saw the rise of many of Hollywood’s latest movie stars.
As is the case with any movie, success is never guaranteed. Whether due to poor marketing, lack of audience interest or negative critical reception, even the most creatively ambitious and passionate movies can flop financially.This list will offer a selection of ’90s movies that were considered box office failures despite their potential for success. For one reason or another, these movies deserved so much better, be it their quality, screenplay, performances, or a combination of all.
10’The Big Lebowski' (1998)
Worldwide Gross:47.5 Million USD
In 1990s Los Angeles, “The Dude” Lebowski (Jeff Bridges) is mistaken for a millionaire who shares the same name as him, leading to all sorts of trouble. After trying to extort him for money that he doesn’t have, a pair of thugs soil The Dude’s rug. Looking for restitution from the millionaire Lebowski (David Huddleston), The Dude recruits the help of his Vietnam veteran friend Walter(John Goodman) and bowling teammate Donnie (Steve Buscemi).
The BigLebowskiis an absurdist comedy and satire unlike anything made before it or since. It’s hard to imagine anyone not likingThe Big Lebowski: it’s chock-full of interesting characters, witty dialogue, and a narrative that is almost impossible to predict. Nowadays, it’s regarded as a cult-classic staple andrevered for its uniqueness and pop-cultural longevity. Audiences and critics alike may not have anticipated such a wild departure from theCoen Brothers' last movie,Fargo(1996), but it’s great to see thatThe Big Lebowskifinally found its audience over time.
The Big Lebowski
9’Dazed and Confused' (1993)
Worldwide Gross:8.2 Million USD
In a small Texas town in the mid-’70s, the school year has come to a close, and the township’s youth celebrates. What unfolds is a night of drinking, smoking, partying and general teenage debauchery in this timeless, coming-of-age stoner comedy that kick-startedthe career ofRichard Linklater.
Dazed and Confusedis one of those movies that, rather than being about something specific, serves asa love letter to a specific time and place. It’s the ultimate hangout movie and a quintessential stoner comedy that, disappointingly, never found its legs at the box office. PerhapsDazed and Confusedwasjust too free-spirited and gleefully aimless to resonate with audiencesof the time, but its lack of a familiar form is what makes thisan essential work of 1990s expressionism.
Dazed and Confused
8’The Iron Giant' (1999)
Worldwide Gross:31.3 Million USD
In a quiet Northeastern town in the 1950s, nine-year-old boy Hogarth Hughes (Eli Marienthal) is about to make the unlikeliest of friends: a towering robot from space (Vin Diesel). Knowing just how special the gentle giant is, Hogarth opts to keep his new friendship a secret and away from the prying eyes of government agent Kent Mansley (Christopher McDonald).
The Iron Giantis as heartfelt and imaginative as any of the most beloved ’90s animated family films despite its relatively mediocre financial performance. The directorial debut of directorBrad Bird, who would eventually go on to direct many of Pixar’s greatest hits,The Iron Giantis not an effort that should be overlooked butan endearing and clever movie that’s unafraid to tackle some mature themes. All the while, it offers stunningly smooth animation and top-notch voice acting. Now,The Iron Giantis quite influential, cementing its place as an all-time great animation classic.
The Iron Giant
7’The Shawshank Redemption' (1994)
Worldwide Gross:28.7 Million USD
Successful banker Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) is admitted into Shawshank Prison following his conviction for the murder of his wife. Mild-mannered and (mostly) well-respected among his prison peers, Andy becomes friendly with a longtime convict and fixer named Red (Morgan Freeman). The two form a prosperous bond and, through hope and determination, change the climate of the prison environment for the better.
The highest-rated movie on IMDb,The Shawshank Redemptionis, by all accounts, as close to perfect as any movie could possibly be.Utterly gripping, powerfully acted, and ultimately uplifting,The Shawshank Redemptionis the special kind of crowd-pleaser that’s as well-crafted as it is enthralling. The commercial mediocrity ofThe Shawshank Redemptionis puzzling; what else could 1990s audiences be looking for in a movie? Thankfully,The Shawshank Redemptionhas since carved a legacy of greatnessthat has totally overshadowed its failure to launch at the box office.
The Shawshank Redemption
6’Event Horizon' (1997)
Worldwide Gross:26.6 Million USD
Set in the year 2047, a crew of astronauts is sent to investigate the mysterious reappearance of the long-missing spaceship Event Horizon. Upon boarding the abandoned spacecraft, it quickly becomes clear that something horrible happened aboard. A rescue mission quickly turns into a fight for survival as the mystery behind the crew’s disappearance and the purpose of their mission is revealed.
Event Horizonisan essential sci-fi horror movie. While it admittedly borrows many elements from certain classics,Paul W.S. Andersondirects with flair, building agood amount of tension and intrigue, leading to a shocking finale. While its lack of commercial success isn’t totally surprising considering its bleak subject matter and hard-R rating,Event Horizonseems in line with everything fans of the genre would be looking for at the time, withinspired visuals and grisly twists to boot. Thankfully, rather than fall into obscurity,Event Horizonhas since amasseda sizable and dedicated cult following.
Event Horizon
5’Last Action Hero' (1993)
Worldwide Gross:137.2 Million USD
Eleven-year-old Danny Madigan (Austin O’Brien) is perhaps the biggest fan of action movie star Jack Slater (Arnold Schwarzenegger). Little does Danny know, his next experience with a Jack Slater movie will be one beyond his wildest dreams. With the help of a magical movie ticket, Danny is transported into a world of high-speed chases, explosions and dastardly criminals, with Jack Slater himself right alongside him.
While 137 million USD at the global box office might appear to be a massive hit on paper, it pales in comparison to Hollywood starSchwarzenegger’s previous success with filmsjust a few years prior.Last Action Heroisa love letter to action filmmakingas a whole, serving up sensational setpieces and an especially charismatic Schwarzenegger performance. Despite the cultural relevance of its lead and the directorial competence ofJohn McTiernan,Last Action Herounderperformed financially.
Last Action Hero
4’Galaxy Quest' (1999)
Worldwide Gross:90.5 Million USD
Despite its cancellation 18 years prior, the space operaGalaxy Questis still a widely beloved program that all the while stifled the professional careers of its cast. The series' stars, including Jason Nesmith (Tim Allen), Gwen DeMarco (Sigourney Weaver) and Alexander Dane (Alan Rickman), have since grown to despise each other. Their performative skills will be put to the test when a real alien race comes to them for help against a tyrannical reptilian warlord.
WhileGalaxy Questdoesn’t strive to be anything groundbreaking,it’s still a delightfully silly and thoroughly entertaining comedythat makes the most of a strong ensemble cast. It’s a shame thatGalaxy Questwasn’t a financial hit, but it makes sense whenconsidering how strong of a year 1999 was—movies such asThe Sixth SenseandThe Matrixdominated that year’s box office.Galaxy Questmay not have received the attention it deserved, but it’sjust imaginative and fun enough to make it worth a watch.
Galaxy Quest
3’Fight Club' (1999)
Worldwide Gross:100.8 Million USD
A nameless insomniac (Edward Norton) narrates his pitiful existence as he looks for a fantastical escape from reality. That escape arrives in the form of Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt), a free-spirited anarchist and traveling soap-maker. The two form an underground, bare-knuckle fight club as a means of escaping from the oppressive forces of a capitalist society.
Fight Clubis anidiosyncratic masterwork of excess and creative expression. This turn-of-the-century classic ischock-full of memorable quotes, setpieces, and off-the-wall performances. Daring and dangerous in the best of ways, there really is no other movie quite likeFight Club. Despite the lackluster domestic box office performance, the movie’s energy could never be imitated, and its style is derived from a wholly singular vision.Fight Clubisunwieldy, anarchistic, and unabashedly provocative, a distinct creative effort from a decade that thrived on adventurous, outside-the-box filmmaking.
Fight Club
2’Ed Wood' (1994)
Worldwide Gross:5.8 Million USD
The eccentric Edward D. Wood Jr. (Johnny Depp) is a Hollywood outcast desperate to make his mark on the industry. The only issue is that Wood is a terrible director who makes very bad movies. What Wood lacks in talent, he makes up for in raw ambition—his passion for telling stories is just about unparalleled.
The films of directorTim Burtondon’t always resonate with general audiences, and such was the case withEd Wood. Disappointingly, the movie was a total box office flop despite positive reviews. WhereEd Wooddoes succeed is in the treatment of its central figure; Wood was a fascinating man, and Depp embodied him perfectly, giving one of the most memorable performances of his entire career.Ed Woodis a testament to the magic of moviemaking, and while it is a shame that it vastly underperformed,financial reward should never be the primary incentive behind art.
1’Showgirls' (1995)
Worldwide Gross:37.7 Million USD
Nomi Malone (Elizabeth Berkley) travels to Las Vegas to make her name as one of the city’s most renowned showgirls.In her pursuit of the top, Nomi meets her match in Cristal Connors (Gina Gershon), with whom she finds both inspiration and a heated rivalry.Showbusiness can be a dirty business, and Nomi is willing to do just about anything to gain the recognition she deserves.
Infamous in some circles and renowned in others,Showgirlsis a premiere example of divisive entertainment.Showgirlsis a daring and provocative piece of pop culture iconography, one that’s just as easy to admire asunabashedly expressionist artistryas it is to enjoy aswildly entertaining schlock. The NC-17 rating and rather extreme subject matter didn’t give it much of a chance at financial success in theaters. Unsurprisingly,Showgirlsbecame a hit in home video rentals, cementing its status as a cult classic.
