1. Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves 1991，IMDB Rating: 6.9，Douban Rating: 7.2，ID: tt0102798 Photo by douban movie, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, a film from the ’90s, is a classic example of a movie that hasn’t aged well. Despite its high-profile cast and ambitious storytelling, the film falls short in several areas. The lack of an English accent from Kevin Costner, who plays Robin Hood, is jarring and detracts from the authenticity of the film.
2. Congo 1995，IMDB Rating: 5.3，Douban Rating: 6.6，ID: tt0112715 Photo by douban movie, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 ‘Congo 1995’ embarks on an audacious journey into the heart of the jungle, promising an adventure filled with mystery, danger, and a talking ape. However, the film stumbles and loses its way amidst its own chaotic plot. The movie attempts to juggle too many elements, resulting in a tonal inconsistency that leaves the audience bewildered rather than thrilled. The dialogue is riddled with lines so terrible they border on comedic, further detracting from the film’s credibility. The special effects, a crucial aspect of any adventure film, fail to impress, appearing dated and unconvincing.
3. Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace 1999，IMDB Rating: 6.5，Douban Rating: 8.2，ID: tt0120915 Photo by douban movie, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 As a movie fan who appreciates informative and cultural films, I found ‘Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace’ to be a mixed bag. The film, part of the iconic Star Wars saga, was highly anticipated upon its release in 1999. However, it has since been listed among the ’90s movies that are popular but actually terrible.
4. The Boondock Saints 1999，IMDB Rating: 7.8，Douban Rating: 8.2，ID: tt0144117 Photo by douban movie, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 The Boondock Saints, a film that straddles the line between terrible and enjoyable. Its plot, centered around two brothers taking law into their own hands, is a familiar trope, yet it’s the execution that leaves much to be desired. The film’s attempt to channel the style of Tarantino falls flat, resulting in a movie that feels more like a caricature than a homage.
5. Godzilla 1998，IMDB Rating: 5.4，Douban Rating: 7.1，ID: tt0120685 Photo by douban movie, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 As a movie lover who enjoys adventurous and creative films, I found ‘Godzilla 1998’ to be a disappointment. The film, while ambitious in its scope, failed to deliver a compelling narrative or characters. The titular monster, Godzilla, was often obscured, making it difficult to fully appreciate the creature’s design or the film’s special effects.
6. Rookie of the Year 1993，IMDB Rating: 6.1，Douban Rating: 6.6，ID: tt0107985 Photo by douban movie, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Rookie of the Year, a 1993 comedy, spins a tale that is as charming as it is preposterous. It centers around a young boy, Henry, who, after a freak accident, finds himself catapulted into the world of professional baseball. The film, while not a cinematic masterpiece, has a certain allure that is hard to ignore. Its humor, though often missing the mark, brings a light-heartedness that is infectious. The plot, albeit far-fetched, is engaging and keeps you rooting for the underdog.
7. Mortal Kombat 1995，IMDB Rating: 5.8，Douban Rating: 5.5，ID: tt0113855 Photo by douban movie, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Mortal Kombat 1995, a film that takes us on a journey to an inter-dimensional fighting tournament, is a classic example of a popular ’90s movie that falls into the ‘so bad it’s good’ category. Despite its shortcomings in plot construction, dialogue, and acting, the film’s otherworldly atmosphere and cheesy visuals provide a unique charm that makes it enjoyable in its own right.
8. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie 1995，IMDB Rating: 5.2，Douban Rating: 7.5，ID: tt0113820 Photo by douban movie, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Based on the information I found, “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie” from 1995 is often listed as one of the popular ’90s movies that are actually terrible. The movie was criticized for being nothing more than a longer episode of the series with better special effects. Critics pointed to the plot and screenplay as the main faults. The movie received mixed reviews, with a 32% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. However, it grossed $66.43 million worldwide.
9. Showgirls 1995，IMDB Rating: 4.9，Douban Rating: 6.9，ID: tt0114436 Photo by douban movie, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 As a teacher and a lover of meaningful and uplifting movies, I found ‘Showgirls’ to be a stark contrast to my usual preferences. The movie, despite its flashy Las Vegas setting and high-energy performances, lacks the depth and relatability that I seek in films. Its portrayal of women and the world of show business is often criticized as being overly garish and even misogynistic.
10. Street Fighter 1994，IMDB Rating: 4.0，Douban Rating: 5.2，ID: tt0111301 Photo by douban movie, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Street Fighter, a 1994 action/adventure film, is a cinematic adaptation that seems to miss its mark. Despite its star-studded cast, including Jean-Claude Van Damme and Raul Julia, the film falls short in delivering a compelling narrative. The over-the-top performances, particularly by Julia, offer some entertainment value, but they’re not enough to compensate for the film’s lackluster plot and character development.
11. Super Mario Bros. 1993，IMDB Rating: 4.1，Douban Rating: 5.3，ID: tt0108255 Photo by douban movie, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Super Mario Bros. 1993, a film that attempted to bring the beloved video game characters to life, is a cinematic experience that is as baffling as it is unique. The movie, starring Bob Hoskins and John Leguizamo, is a whirlwind of bizarre plot twists, over-the-top performances, and special effects that are more amusing than awe-inspiring.
12. Anaconda 1997，IMDB Rating: 4.8，Douban Rating: 6.7，ID: tt0118615 Photo by douban movie, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Anaconda, a film from 1997, is a wild ride that perfectly encapsulates the essence of ’90s cinema. It’s a creature feature that’s both slick and scary, yet it’s imbued with a sense of humor that makes it a fun watch. The film is beautifully shot, and the performances, particularly Jon Voight’s, are nothing short of high adventure.
13. Waterworld 1995，IMDB Rating: 6.2，Douban Rating: 7.4，ID: tt0114898 Photo by douban movie, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 “Waterworld” is a cinematic paradox, a film that simultaneously floats and sinks. Its ambition is as vast as the ocean it depicts, yet it’s weighed down by its own grandeur. The movie presents a fascinating post-apocalyptic world, a planet drowned by melted polar ice caps. Yet, it fails to explore this world in depth, leaving us adrift in a sea of missed opportunities.
14. The Avengers 1998，IMDB Rating: 3.8，Douban Rating: 5.6，ID: tt0118661 Photo by douban movie, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 The Avengers (1998) is often listed as one of the popular ’90s movies that are actually terrible. The film, featuring big names like Ralph Fiennes, Uma Thurman, and Sean Connery, was a disaster in terms of plot and casting. It was described as an ‘ineptly written, woefully miscast disaster’ and ‘jaw-dropping bad’. The acting was deemed suitable but not laudable, and the plot was too run-of-the-mill for a spy movie.
15. The Postman 1997，IMDB Rating: 6.1，Douban Rating: 7.5，ID: tt0119925 Photo by douban movie, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 The Postman, a 1997 film directed by and starring Kevin Costner, is a film that’s often criticized for its length and pretentiousness. Despite these criticisms, some viewers find it endearing due to its good-hearted nature. It’s considered a film that’s so bad, it’s good, fitting into the category of popular ’90s movies that are actually terrible.
16. Highlander II: The Quickening 1991，IMDB Rating: 4.3，Douban Rating: 6.7，ID: tt0102034 Photo by douban movie, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Based on the information I gathered from the web search results, “Highlander II: The Quickening” is often cited as a low point in the science fiction genre. The movie is described as “hilariously incomprehensible” and “almost awesome in its badness”. It’s also noted for its overplotted storyline and years that “rush by and pile up like cars in an interstate wreck”. Despite these criticisms, it has gained a certain level of notoriety among fans of so-bad-they’re-good movies.
17. Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot 1992，IMDB Rating: 4.3，Douban Rating: 6.4，ID: tt0105477 Photo by douban movie, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Based on the information I gathered, “Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot” is a 1992 action-comedy film that stars Sylvester Stallone and Estelle Getty. The film has been widely criticized for its lack of humor and originality. However, some viewers found the comedic chemistry between Stallone and Getty entertaining and fun to watch. As a movie critic who enjoys analyzing movies, I find “Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot” to be a fascinating study in the realm of ’90s cinema that didn’t quite hit the mark. The film attempts to blend action and comedy but falls short due to its contrived situations and humorless dialogue.
18. Baby Geniuses 1999，IMDB Rating: 2.6，Douban Rating: 6.8，ID: tt0118665 Photo by douban movie, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 As a movie critic, I approach films like ‘Baby Geniuses’ with a critical eye. This 1999 film, directed by Bob Clark, is often listed among the ‘terrible’ popular movies of the ’90s. It’s a film that attempts to charm with its premise of super-intelligent babies, but unfortunately falls flat due to its overreliance on toilet humor and less-than-stellar special effects.
18 Popular ’90s Movies That Are Actually Terrible: A Nostalgic Nightmare
