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. . For one reason or another, these movies deserved so much better, be it their quality, screenplay, performances, or a combination of all.

In 1990s Los Angeles, "The Dude" Lebowski () 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 (), The Dude recruits the help of his Vietnam veteran friend Walter() and bowling teammate Donnie ().

is an a. It's hard to imagine anyone not liking The 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 and revered for its uniqueness and pop-cultural longevity. Audiences and critics alike may not have anticipated such a wild departure from the ' last movie, (1996), but it's great to see that The Big Lebowski .

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-started the career of .

is one of those movies that, rather than being about something specific, serves as ​​​​. It's the ultimate hangout movie and a quintessential stoner comedy that, disappointingly, never found its legs at the box office. Perhaps Dazed and Confused was of the time, but its lack of a familiar form is what makes this an essential work of 1990s expressionism.

In a quiet Northeastern town in the 1950s, nine-year-old boy Hogarth Hughes () is about to make the unlikeliest of friends: a towering robot from space (). 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 ().

is as heartfelt and imaginative as any of the most beloved '90s animated family films despite its relatively mediocre financial performance. The directorial debut of director , who would eventually go on to direct many of Pixar's greatest hits, The Iron Giant is not an effort that should be overlooked but. All the while, it offers stunningly smooth animation and top-notch voice acting. Now, The Iron Giant is quite influential, cementing its place as an all-time great animation classic.

Successful banker Andy Dufresne () 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 (). 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, is, by all accounts, as close to perfect as any movie could possibly be. , The Shawshank Redemption is the special kind of crowd-pleaser that's as well-crafted as it is enthralling. The commercial mediocrity of The Shawshank Redemption is puzzling; what else could 1990s audiences be looking for in a movie? Thankfully, The Shawshank Redemption that has totally overshadowed its failure to launch at the box office.

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.

is an essential sci-fi horror movie. While it admittedly borrows many elements from certain classics, directs with flair, building a , 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 Horizon seems in line with everything fans of the genre would be looking for at the time, with . Thankfully, rather than fall into obscurity, Event Horizon has since amassed a sizable and dedicated cult following.

Eleven-year-old Danny Madigan () is perhaps the biggest fan of action movie star Jack Slater (). 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 star Schwarzenegger's previous success with films just a few years prior. is as a whole, serving up sensational setpieces and an especially charismatic Schwarzenegger performance. Despite the cultural relevance of its lead and the directorial competence of , Last Action Hero underperformed financially.

Despite its cancellation 18 years prior, the space opera Galaxy Quest is still a widely beloved program that all the while stifled the professional careers of its cast. The series' stars, including Jason Nesmith (), Gwen DeMarco () and Alexander Dane (), 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.

While doesn't strive to be anything groundbreaking, that makes the most of a strong ensemble cast. It's a shame that Galaxy Quest wasn't a financial hit, but it makes sense when considering how strong of a year 1999 was—movies such as and dominated that year's box office. Galaxy Quest may not have received the attention it deserved, but it's .

A nameless insomniac () narrates his pitiful existence as he looks for a fantastical escape from reality. That escape arrives in the form of Tyler Durden (), 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.

is an . This turn-of-the-century classic is chock-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 like Fight 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 Club is , a distinct creative effort from a decade that thrived on adventurous, outside-the-box filmmaking.

The eccentric Edward D. Wood Jr. () 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 director , and such was the case with . Disappointingly, the movie was a total box office flop despite positive reviews. Where Ed Wood does 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 Wood is a testament to the magic of moviemaking, and while it is a shame that it vastly underperformed, .

Nomi Malone () 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 (), 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, is a premiere example of divisive entertainment. Showgirls is a daring and provocative piece of pop culture iconography, one that's just as easy to admire as unabashedly expressionist artistry as it is to enjoy as wildly 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, Showgirls became a hit in home video rentals, cementing its status as a cult classic.

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