Critical reaction isn't always correct, and there are a ton of classic '90s movies that got bad reviews when they first debuted. Critics are an important part of the art of film, and their opinions often help shape the way that audiences view movies. However, opinions are ultimately subjective, and critics often go against the tide of popular opinion.
The 1990s was a time of expansion in the world of film, with new voices taking the art-form in exciting directions. Hollywood's grip on the industry was weakened somewhat by the rise of independent cinema, and home video formats democratized the way that audiences consumed media. This reduced the need for critics as arbiters of taste.
However, that didn't stop them from giving shockingly bad reviews to classic '90s films, and many reviews simply don't hold up in retrospect. Sometimes movies were ahead of their time, or had an intentionally confrontational approach that didn't sit well with reviewers. Either way, plenty of excellent films were lambasted by critics, only to become definitive movies of the decade.
Death Becomes Her (1992)
Director Robert Zemeckis' Death Becomes Her was a box office hit, but critics were unimpressed when the horror comedy debuted. The plot concerns two women who, to stave off aging, take potions of eternal life and must deal with the consequences. With plenty of dark humor and pioneering visual effects, the film exemplifies changing trends in '90s cinema.
Holding a 58% score on Rotten Tomatoes, the reviews for Death Becomes Her are about as mixed as they can be. While its tone is somewhat inconsistent, it's certainly better than its middling reviews. The performances of Goldie Hawn and Meryl Streep are legendary, and it has gone on to become a cornerstone film in the LGBTQ+ community.
Mars Attacks! (1996)
One of the lesser-known films in Tim Burton's catalog, Mars Attacks! mostly left critics scratching their heads back in the day. When Martians arrive on Earth, various people from around the country must survive the sudden invasion. With its huge ensemble cast and pitch-black humor, Mars Attacks! feels like a jab at '90s blockbusters.
Most reviews were tepid, and many critics (see Roger Ebert) didn't seem to get what Burton was going for. The film intentionally copies the style of '50s B-movies, but it does so with a wink to the audience. It's absurd and silly, and part of the fun is seeing legends like Jack Nicholson make fools of themselves.
What Dreams May Come (1998)
Critics weren't ready for such a serious Robin Williams film, and What Dreams May Come was greeted with apathy. Williams plays a recently deceased man who must traverse the afterlife to save his wife after she committed suicide from grief. Even if the story is convoluted and flimsy, the movie's imaginative surrealism is brilliant for a mainstream product.
Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas (1998)
Hunter S. Thompson's non-fiction book exploded onto the screen in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, but the reception was somewhat cold. Johnny Depp plays the infamous gonzo journalist as he travels to Sin City to write a story, only to get lost in a haze of psychedelic drugs. The Terry Gilliam film takes viewers on their own drug trip.
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is the kind of movie that was never meant to be appealing to the mainstream. It's weird and sometimes off-putting, and it perfectly recreates the tone of Thompson's book. Critics couldn't make heads or tails of the film, but audiences were quicker to pick up its meaning.
To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything! Julie Newmar (1995)
Garnering 49% on Rotten Tomatoes, To Wong Foo's reviews don't do the movie justice. Not only is it a hilarious comedy with lots of heart, it's one of the first mainstream movies to show the LGBTQ+ community in a flattering light. Though it's imperfect by today's standards, it opened a lot of doors into the movie industry for Queer stories.
Hocus Pocus (1993)
It may be unthinkable, but Hocus Pocus was something of a bomb back in 1993, losing money and getting poor reviews. At Halloween, a trio of witches is accidentally revived, and it's up to a few teens to stop their nefarious plans. Few films have ever captured the spirit of the Halloween season quite like Hocus Pocus.
Roger Ebert notoriously gave the film 1 star, and while some of his critiques are valid, they miss the point of the experience. Hocus Pocus is a spooky and fun romp, and it explores its horror concepts through the lens of a child's imagination. There's a reason it quickly became an all-time Disney cult classic.
Arnold Schwarzenegger was one of the biggest stars in the world in the early '90s, but Last Action Hero was a rare miss. The film concerns a teen who is pulled into the universe of an action film, while the film spills out into the real world. The movie is essentially a meta commentary about the action genre in general.
Goofy and weird, Last Action Hero was not what anyone was expecting. Critics gave it below-average reviews, and the box office suffered too. However, there's a hidden gem behind all the bad press, and it's a legitimately fascinating action spoof. Even when looking past all of its clever commentary, Last Action Hero is just a fun ride.
Newsies (1992)
Though Disney's animation in the '90s couldn't be touched, they had a few duds in their live-action feature film department. Newsies is a musical dramatization of the 1899 newsboy strike, and the young heroes who led the charge. Despite its somewhat obscure premise, the movie is supplemented by brilliant original music and strong choreography.
Days Of Thunder (1990)
Arguably the biggest cult classic in Tom Cruise's filmography, Days of Thunder was hated by critics but loved by audiences. Cruise stars as a rookie stock car driver who flirts with disaster on his quest to be the best driver in NASCAR. Director Tony Scott's brilliant camerawork brings the aura of racing to the big screen.
Critics lambasted the film as unoriginal, but it has since become an important movie to stock car fans because of its well-researched representation of the sport. Modern reassessments have recognized its brilliance, and it is now regarded as a classic '90s sports movie. It combines the structure of a sports drama, with the unparalleled excitement of stock car racing.
The Bone Collector (1999)
Holding a measly 30% on Rotten Tomatoes, it seems as if the blockbuster is absolutely terrible. However, the Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie vehicle is actually a creepy thriller with more than a few surprises. 1990s movies are often noted for their originality, but derivative films like The Bone Collector are no less exciting.
