10 Underrated ’90s Adventure Movies You Probably Forgot About

Thanks to the work of creatives like Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, the 1980s were an immensely profitable time for adventure movies. Whether it was a pastiche genre like Indiana Jones or a time travel comedy like Back to the future, there was no denying the staying power that many of these 1980s adventure films had. As the decade progressed, however, its production would slow with a growing wave of action films and independent films taking up space.

Adventure films of the 1990s, which were not big-budget spectacles, had to adjust their productionappealing to smaller demographics to achieve success. This led to many riskier choices, leading to a decade full of strange and underrated attempts to popularize ideas new and old. Ideas that were long considered impossible have been revitalized for a new era by new technologies and changing attitudes. The adventure seemed to be ending, but not without a fight.

10

The Phantom (1996)

Directed bySimon Wincer

A trend of adapting famous comic book characters from the 1930s began to take hold in Hollywood in the 1990s thanks to the success of Batman (1989). It all started with the launch of DickTracy in 1990, followed by The shadow in 1994 and, finally, by The Phantom. The film would faithfully adapt the comics, telling the bold and adventurous story of a superhero operating in the fictional country of Bengal and his journey to thwart an evil mastermind in New York.

The film would fully embrace the 1930s settingrecreating the theatricality of old Hollywood series that pastiches. This approach alienated audiences at the time, unable to reckon with Billy Zane’s bright purple suit and swashbuckling charm. Failing to recoup its box office budget The Phantom He would have fallen into obscurity if it weren’t for the cult following he managed to accumulate thanks to his dedication to creating comic books. Although it is as much a superhero story as it is an adventure, The Phantom however, it presents many of the characteristics that make the genre increasingly popular.

9

Mystery Men (1999)

Directed by Kinka Usher

Throughout the 1990s, superhero films proved immensely unstable at the box office following the failure of films such as Batman and Robin. This led to a strange landscape, perfect for parody, and one of the first to do so was Mysterious Men. Featuring a cast of heavy hitters including; Ben Stiller, William H. Macy, Hank Azaria and Janeane Garofalo. Returning to Joel Schumacher’s style Batman filmsfollows a group of aspiring superheroes as they try to fill the hole left by a kidnapped superhero.

The film is unique in its approach to the genre, creating an immensely vibrant city and more than enough different superheroes to support its adventure-filled story. Although the film was a box office failure, it remains a burst of creativity that has only become more interesting because of how it differentiates itself from other superhero and adventure properties.

8

Deep Ascension (1998)

Directed by Stephen Sommers

Set aboard an abandoned cruise ship, Deep Ascension follows a crew of thieves as they face a tentacled monster that has killed the passengers. It was Stephen Sommers’ first foray into horror and adventure films, providing the foundation for 1999. The mummy. That means it has a lot of that film’s charm, led by an equally robust hero and a fun supporting performance from Kevin J. O’Connor.

The film stands out for utilizing the cruise ship it is aboard to full effect.destroying elevators and flooding floors to create an even more exciting environment to survive. All while maintaining a fun atmosphere enhanced by a who’s who of fantastic actors. It’s this excitement and fun that makes Deep Ascension a worthwhile watch and the reason it has become such a dedicated cult watch over the years.

7

Assassins (1995)

Directed by Richard Donner

Assassins is by no means Richard Donner’s (who also directed The Goonies and Lethal weapon), but that doesn’t mean it isn’t without merit. Starring Sylvester Stallone and Antonio Banderas as warring assassinsthe film takes on a breakneck pace and never misses exciting action sequences. Characters break into windows, overturn cars and trigger shootouts in cemeteries, never allowing the plot to get in the way of pure escapist action.

The film is elevated by Banderas’ performance as a crazed killer, obsessed with defeating the hero at any cost to himself and others. This dynamic provides an outrageously entertaining performance from the Spanish actor and allows the film to maintain its cat-and-mouse chase without asking any questions. The film is not Lethal weaponbut it’s worth watching for any Donner fan.

6

Pagemaster (1994)

Directed by Joe Johnston and Pixote Hunt

Despite failing at the box office, Page master it maintained a decent following due to how it affected young children. Its creative blend of live action and animation has brought to life an entirely unique and magical world. for characters to explore and for viewers to marvel at. The film follows a boy, played by Macaulay Culkin, who hides in a library after a storm only to be transported to a magical world of books.

Page masterThe film’s combination of animation and CGI offers a valuable and unique perspective on children’s imagination, further enhanced by the rich colors and animation that fill the frames. It was vilified by critics upon release for being too similar to Saturday morning cartoons of the time, but it is this very similarity that has maintained its staying power with children.

5

Little Soldiers (1998)

Directed by Joe Dante

Coming closer to capturing the same excitement and fun as your Gremlins films, Little Soldiers proves that Joe Dante is at his best when dealing with small threats. Using a mix of great practical and special effects, the film positions itself as an almost anti-Toy story placing toy versus child. It tells the story of action figures who are enhanced with military technology and wreak havoc on a small town, with only one boy to stop them.

The film unleashes the perfect amount of carnage on a city unprepared to deal with it, allowing for countless fun situations in the film. The cast also stands out with an especially good performance from the late, great Phil Hartman and a delightful supporting performance from Kirsten Dunst. It may not be Joe Dante’s best, but Little Soldiers remains one of the forgotten gems of the 90s in any genre.

4

Possession (1993)

Directed by Mario Van Peebles

After the success of Jack’s New TownMario Van Peebles turned his gaze from crime to the long-dormant Western genre. The film would take the form of Possession, an extremely fun adventure that stretches from Cuba to the Wild West. Betrayed by a corrupt colonel (Billy Zane), a group of soldiers flee Cuba with a chest of gold and a dream of revenge.

The film features a cavalcade of incredible actors with Big Daddy Kane, Tommy Lister Jr., Blair Underwood and Mario Van Peebles himself. The sheer representation that is on display is commendable, while also utilizing real issues relating to the erasure of black history in the West. It’s a gripping watch that doesn’t hold back in providing historical context, but it’s all in the service of a larger film.

3

Prospectors: The Secret of Bear Mountain (1995)

Directed by Kevin James Dobson

Like many of the great adventure films that have stuck with viewers over the years, Gold Diggers captures the thrill of youthful exploration. Beth (Christina Ricci) and Jody (Anna Chlumsky) play two girls and their journey to discover a wealth of gold hidden in a mountain. It’s warm and sweet, never taking the focus away from the heart of the film, which is the relationship between these young women. Explores the classic dynamics of a big city girl and a small town girllearning to trust each other through the challenges we each face.

Filled with the lush green forests of the Pacific Northwest and the kind of optimism that can only come from children, the film unfolds with warmth and care. It contains just the right amount of enthusiasm and emotion to bring a child to tears and laughter. Dark caves, rushing rivers, and an adorable friendship make this a worthy successor to The Goonies.

2

The Rocketeer (1991)

Directed by Joe Johnston

Much like Joe Johnston’s underrated 90s adventure film Page master, The rocket proves the director’s ability to create light-hearted and fun adventures. Adapting a character inspired by 1930s series, the film is the story of a young pilot who becomes involved in a Nazi plot when a prototype jetpack falls into his hands. The rocket It’s full of homages to the 1930s and lets you have fun with much of the era’s iconography.

The supporting characters help to elevate the film, with names like Alan Arkin, Paul Sorvino and Jennifer Connelly, delivering great twists. The real standout is Timothy Dalton, however, who performs excellently as a scene-chewing villain. It’s perhaps the closest any other film has come to capturing the charm of Indiana Jones. Its inventive action sequences and breezy humor maintain the momentum until the explosive finale.

1

Last Action Hero (1993)

Directed by John McTiernan

Written and directed by two 1980s heavyweightsShane Black and John McTiernan, Last Action hero it placed itself at odds with the work both men had previously produced. A parody of 80s and 90s action films, it follows a young teenager who is transported to the world of his favorite film franchise starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. It features hilarious and explosive action sequences, rip-roaring car chases and a litany of legendary jokes.

Whether it’s Schwarzenegger parodying himself, Charles Dance’s glassy-eyed villain, or the legendary action recreation of Hamlet, there are more than enough bits to keep you entertained. Even outside of the film’s humor, there’s a lot to enjoy about its young protagonist and his attempts to save the day at any cost. Ultimate Action Hero was extremely disappointing for the studio and Schwarzenegger, losing a lot of attention to Jurassic Parkbut it was exactly this failure that led to the action-packed film adventure film such a dedicated fan base.