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The Top 10 Science Fiction Films of the 90s

By Steph Greegor · April 9, 2015

I only have one requirement for a good Science Fiction flick: It should either make me laugh, make me think, or scare me silly – the very best Sci-Fi flick will do all three. And the 1990s had its share of all of them.

Now, every decade has its Sci-Fi beauties on the shelf, but for some reason or another, some of the best on the big screen rolled out just before the millennium. It’s puzzling how a decade that tortured us with the Backstreet Boys and hole-y jeans, was able to comfort us with The Matrix and Jurassic Park. Amazing, no?

So here they are, my top 10 Sci-Fi flicks (and some) of the 1990s that made me laugh, think or run for cover.

10. Men in Black (1997)

This definitely falls in the category of crackin’ me up. I always thought the government had a secret unit that was monitoring aliens, but I’m guessing they’re not nearly as entertaining as Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones. Based on a comic book of the same name, the film grossed over $589 million at the box office. With any other lead actors or screenwriter, this movie could have gone horribly awry; but it’s smart writing and stellar performances landed it a Golden Globe nomination for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, and a place in our hearts.

9. Star Trek: Generations (1994)

Any Sci-Fi list should have at least one of the Star Trek movies – they are Sci-Fi classics and cult favorites. This particular flick was the first to feature the cast of the T.V. series, Star Trek: The Next Generation. Despite mixed critical reviews, the film grossed over $118 million at the box office and spawned several video games. It just goes to show, the classics never die.

8. Galaxy Quest (1999)

It’s natural that the Star Trek spoof would follow Star Trek. This Sci-Fi comedy starring Tim Allen is a well-written movie that takes a simple plot and makes it a hit. Essentially, Tim Allen is the star of a T.V. show called Galaxy Quest. Years after its canceled, aliens come to Earth asking for his help, believing the T.V. shows are historical accounts. The cast is then thrust into space to save an alien race. Co-starring Sigourney Weaver, the movie earned critical acclaim, a cult following, Star Trek respect, and a cool $90 million worldwide.

7. Twelve Monkeys (1995)

Starring Bruce Willis and Brad Pitt, this Gilliam flick toys with your head and makes you think, particularly the time traveling piece. Most critics applauded the performances and the plot twists and turns, as did audiences, who ponied up over $168 million to watch the warped story play out on the big screen. Based on the short film La jetée (1962) by Chris Marker, the film was shot on location in both Philadelphia and Baltimore.

 

6. Demolition Man (1993)

OK, normally I’m with everyone else in using Sylvester Stallone as a punch line, and some will say it’s OK to use him as one here again. But, this movie is too fantastically over the top and action-packed to warrant any abuse from me. Plus, Wesley Snipes. The futuristic Sci-Fi action movie earned mixed critical reviews, but still took the No. 1 spot on its opening weekend. Earning over $159 million at the box office, it also spawned a video game.

 

5. The Matrix (1999)

I can never, ever, ever, ever say enough positive things about The Matrix. From the minds of the Wachowskis, Andy and Lana, this film earned immediate cult status for its take on “the real world.” Granted, the second and third installments were far less stellar, but the original gave us something to think about and a hero to root for in Keanu Reeves’ portrayal of the everyman, Neo. Added to the National Film Registry in 2012, The Matrix has grossed over $463 million worldwide.

4. Jurassic Park (1993)

Recognized as one of the top grossing films of all-time, bringing in over a $1 billion, Jurassic Park was a smashing success with audiences and critics, alike. Based on a novel by Michael Crichton and directed by Steven Spielberg, this cult classic brings dinosaurs to life. And, as they did millions of years ago, they eat most of the humans. I mean, duh. But still, the well-crafted writing and the spot-on performances make this Science Fiction flick a scary, funny, action-packed delight.

3. Body Snatchers (1993)

The title alone is enough to freak you out—really? Snatch my body? Ummm….mmmmmkay, pod people. The Sci-Fi horror movie garnered critical success, despite being one of the big screen adaptations furthest from the novel it’s based on, Body Snatchers. Most notably, it’s set on a military base as opposed to a small town. The social critique of conformity is well executed and the performances certainly are enough to scare you, but it never really caught on at the box office, earning less than a half million dollars. Still, it’s a classic movie that gets your attention for 87 minutes of pure body snatching horror.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okW2UfLNaJc]

 

Trailer Credit: Warner Bros. 

2. Contact (1997)

While the focus on religion can weigh this Sci-Fi movie down a bit, Jodie Foster’s performance is one of her best. The movie certainly makes you question your long-held beliefs – and that’s what a good Sci-Fi flick should do. Plus, the question of whether or not Foster actually traveled through space in a split second leaves you wondering – did she? Your guess is as good as mine. But the uncertainty didn’t stop audiences from heading out to see it – $171 million later, we’re still talking about the controversial Contact.

 

1. (Tie) Independence Day (1996) & Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991)

Raking in over $104 million at the box office its opening week in the United States, Will Smith’s battle against invading alien forces delighted audiences with explosions of the century, annihilating the White House and several other American cities. This buddy Sci-Fi flick has all three elements I’m looking for—it’s a fun ride, makes you think and scares you a little bit. It’s got it all and more, giving it the (co) No. 1 spot on the list. Hmmm, Will Smith starts and ends the list—I guess we know the secret to Sci-Fi success.

 

Arguably Cameron’s best film, T2 is one of the best sequels even in the canon of good sequels. It has a tight plot and methodically expands on all its centrail characters to a point where we have tears in ours by the final frame.

Alongside good scripting comes expertly directed action sequences that we just don’t see that much of anymore. Cameron does well balancing drama and action with each scene; he allows us to slowly dig deeper as the story goes on, while explosions and machine gun fire light up the screen.

Honorable Mentions

Strange Days

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WvKbnYtcXU]

 

Trailer Credit: 20th Century Fox 

Dark City

 

The Arrival

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0wRbbzTdhQ]

 

Clip Credit