Everyone has favorite movies and TV shows shaped by the era they grew up in. For some, that nostalgia points to classic musicals and family films, while for others it centers on the movies that defined the 1990s. For many who came of age during that decade, few things resonate more than the cult classic films that left a lasting mark on pop culture.
The 1990s produced blockbuster hits and hugely popular TV shows, but cult classics are a different category entirely. These are films that may not have been massive successes at release, yet grew devoted fan bases over time. Often endlessly rewatched and quoted, cult classics inspire loyalty, discussion, and a sense of shared identity among fans.
Defined as works embraced passionately by a dedicated audience, cult classics tend to grow in influence long after their debut. To identify the top cult classic films of the 1990s, 24/7 Tempo reviewed rankings and commentary from sources including IMDb, The Guardian, and ComicBook.com. While the list could be much longer, these titles stand out as some of the most beloved cult favorites of the decade.
Romeo + Juliet
- Year released: 1996
Romeo and Juliet is a Shakespearian play that has been adapted into several different versions but it is the 90s version of “Romeo + Juliet,” that has reached cult status. This film starred Claire Danes and Leonardo DiCaprio, who was already a rising star before he famously played Jack in “Titanic” the following year. People like this movie because it kept the original language as written by William Shakespeare, but it took place in the modern world. One of the most shocking parts was that the movie featured guns instead of swords. The film was incredibly well-acted and very stylish. Plus, it had a stellar soundtrack with hits from the 90s.
Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion
- Year released: 1997
This is another great movie, starring Mira Sorvino and Lisa Kudrow (“Friends”) that was not much of a hit back when it premiered, having cost about $20 million to make and only recouping $29 million at the box office. The movie is about two women who want to impress their old classmates at their high school reunion, and they do it by showing their fun personalities and their unique outfits, which define the fashion of the 90s. Plus, the movie has a great message of staying true to yourself no matter what.
Clueless
- Year released: 1995
“Clueless” was a box office smash that everyone was talking about in the ’90s, a film that encapsulates the decade and shows how fun the people, music, and fashion were at the time. It was about a rich girl (played by Alicia Silverstone) with everything except love as she grows up and learns what’s truly important in life.
Fargo
- Year released: 1996
This dark comedy provides a great combination of quirkiness and crime within a thrilling story (and even spawned a hit TV series). The movie also taught us about the people of Fargo, Minnesota, and their many eccentricities. In the film, a husband (William H. Macy) hires criminals (Steve Buscemi) to kidnap his wife so he can get money from his rich father-in-law. However, things quickly go south, and it’s a wild ride, investigated by the very pregnant chief of police (Frances McDormand).
Pulp Fiction
- Year released: 1994
Directed by Quentin Tarantino, this movie centers around several different stories that come together, culminating in a great film. Fans of Tarantino will watch anything he makes, and this one is no exception. The movie continues to be on the movie channels around the clock. The movie is also famous for revitalizing John Travolta’s career, which was a big deal at the time (it also starred Uma Thurman, Samuel L. Jackson, and Bruce Willis).
Fight Club
- Year released: 1999
Undoubtedly one of the most talked about movies of the ’90s, “Fight Club” is a film that keeps us guessing all these years later. The movie stars Ed Norton as a white-collar guy who starts a fight club with a soap salesman. It’s a movie based on a book, and it was directed by David Fincher, who continued to make other cult classics, including “Panic Room” and “Seven.” “Fight Club” is a movie that means something different to everyone who watches it, and it has an ending that will blow your mind.
The Big Lebowski
- Year released: 1998
The “Big Lebowski” has a major cult following (it’s from the directors of Fargo) and is the story of The Dude (Jeff Bridges), who is mistaken for a millionaire with the same name. After being wronged, The Dude seeks retribution and teams up with his bowling team to do it (John Goodman, Steve Buscemi). This cult classic has a different meaning to everyone who sees it. To some, it’s one of the best comedies of the decade. To others, it means something much deeper.
Casino
- Year released: 1995
Many consider Martin Scorcese’s classic “Casino” to be one of his best works and a cult classic that’s still celebrated to this day. This is a three-hour movie, a film length that was almost unheard of during that time, is about the gangsters who ran the city at that time. The acting is great, with Robert DeNiro and Joe Pesci starring, and many people still consider “Casino” to be the best film of Sharon Stone’s career.
Office Space
- Year released: 1999
The 90s ended with a bang with the release of the classic comedy “Office Space.” In it, several tech company employees go through their day-to-day lives and hate every minute of it. The work is repetitive, the bosses are rude, and the boredom is too much to take. When they’ve finally had enough, the employees decide to try to steal money from the company, and it goes badly. Anyone who works in an office in real life now or during the 90s can relate to this comedy as it hits on that type of atmosphere perfectly.
Clerks
- Year released: 1994
“Clerks” follows friends Dante (Brian O’Halloran) and Randal (Jeff Anderson) as they go to work and complain about their jobs while also talking about other various topics that come to mind. The movie, shot in black and white, was one of the first to be directed by Kevin Smith. The movie is mostly dialogue, showing the characters as they talk about everything from relationships to movies to difficult customers.
The X-Files
- Date premiered: September 10, 1993
We begin the ’90s cult classic TV shows with “The X-Files,” a groundbreaking series full of mystery, science fiction, and intrigue. It featured FBI agents Mulder (David Duchovny) and Scully (Gillian Anderson) as they hunted monsters, ghosts, aliens, and everything in between. The main actors had incredible chemistry, and their characters played off each other well. Scully was more serious, while Mulder was obsessed with the unknown. This was a groundbreaking show that touched on many different topics, and it’s a formula that continues to be replicated with shows like “Fringe” and “Hannibal.”
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
- Date premiered: March 10, 1997
“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” is a program based on a hit cult movie of the same name. The show starred Sarah Michelle Gellar as a high schooler who also happened to battle the forces of evil with her friends (Alyson Hannigan, Nicholas Brendon). This show had it all from teen drama to a horror showcase, mixed with a bit of comedy as well. The show also helped viewers to learn how to slay the “demons” in their lives.
Twin Peaks
- Date premiered: April 8, 1990
This show was set in the town of Twin Peaks in the Pacific Northwest, which at first glance seemed like a perfectly normal place, but under the surface, there was plenty to discover, and it was equal parts horrifying, mysterious, and darkly comedic. It had an interesting storytelling mechanic while being more unique than many other shows during the time, so viewers could have their own perspective of what was going on.
Xena: Warrior Princess
- Date premiered: September 4, 1995
“Xena: Warrior Princess” is one of the first shows that people think of when they reflect on the decade. The 90s was a time of male-dominated fantasy adventure shows like “Hercules,” but Xena flipped the script. Star Lucy Lawless stole the show and put on a commanding performance. Along with her sidekick, Gabrielle, Xena fought against evil forces while seeking redemption for her past. There was a lot of action, campy humor, wonderfully dramatic dialogue, and more.
Quantum Leap
- Date premiered: March 26, 1989
Though it technically began at the end of the 80s, star Scott Bakula charmed audiences in one of the best science fiction shows of the time. “Quantum Leap” followed Dr. Sam Beckett as he leaped through different periods in history, and while there, got into adventures and tried to right the wrongs of the past. The show always surprised viewers with its intriguing storylines and had great special effects that were relatively groundbreaking for the time. It also gave us plenty to think about regarding how we deal with our fellow human beings. (It also starred former child star Dean Stockwell and spawned a 2022 remake.)
Dinosaurs
- Date premiered: April 26, 1991
One of the most unique sitcoms of the decade was “Dinosaurs,” a show about issues experienced by modern society, including commercialism, family dynamics, and work life. The only difference between this show and one like “Rosanne” is that the show featured people in dinosaur costumes. While the adult dinosaurs were amusing, the star of the show was arguably the baby with his catchphrase, “Not the mama!”
My So-Called Life
- Date premiered: August 25, 1994
- Cast: Claire Danes, Bess Armstrong, Wilson Cruz
This is one of the biggest cult classics of all time, a coming-of-age drama that focuses on the life of 15-year-old Angela Chase (Claire Danes) as she goes through the ups and downs of high school, including pining over her crush, Jordan Catalano (Jared Leto). Many people liked this show because they thought it provided an authentic portrayal of what it was like to be in school and their challenges.
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
- Date premiered: January 4, 1993
- Cast: Michael Dorn, Avery Brooks, Cirroc Lofton
“Star Trek: The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine” followed a crew located near a wormhole in space and unlike previous Star Trek shows, it dealt with slightly heavier topics, like war and politics. But it also had the fun atmosphere of previous shows and featured a lot of science fiction goodness, including many unique alien races.
Absolutely Fabulous
- Date premiered: July 24, 1994
The British sitcom “Absolutely Fabulous,” followed the adventures of public relations pro, Edina Monsoon (Jennifer Saunders) and her friend Patsy Stone (Joanna Lumley) and the characters they met along the way. This show had a unique vibe and a type of biting wit that separated it from most other offerings of the time. Part of the popularity was due to the reruns that were played around the clock on Comedy Central.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures.