Considering the upcoming arrival of films like Blonde and Knives Out 2, Netflix is now famous for original content but the back catalog also allows subscribers to find past greats they never knew about. Often, a film from a long time ago trends among Netflix's top 10 as people discover it for the first time.
While the '90s were way before the time of Netflix's popularity, the streaming service is still home to some tremendous films from the decade. There are the classics like Titanic, Saving Private Ryan, and Léon: The Professional but there are also hidden gems that are worth seeking out.
Heavy (1995)
These days, James Mangold is a pretty celebrated filmmaker. He broke out with Girl, Interrupted and has helmed Academy Award nominees like Walk The Line, Logan, and Ford v Ferrari but everyone has to start somewhere. Before anyone really knew him, Mangold made his feature debut with 1995's Heavy.
The story centers on an overweight cook who has his life turned around for the better when a new waitress begins working alongside him. Though it didn't even make $1 million at the box office, it was a critical darling. Mangold won several awards at the Sundance Film Festival and Grand Prix Asturias for Heavy.
The Next Karate Kid (1994)
Even the biggest fans of the franchise will likely say that The Next Karate Kid is the worst entry in the series. Critics were also more pleased with the remake of the original starring Jaden Smith. However, a closer look makes The Next Karate Kid something to check out.
While the reviews were negative, there are a lot of classic franchise tropes in here and it still features the iconic Pat Morita as Mr. Miyagi. You also get to see a young Hilary Swank a decade or so before winning an Oscar. Plus, the Cobra Kai creators have teased bringing her character into the hit show.
Menace II Society (1993)
Though it was a mild box office success, not enough people know about just how good Menace II Society is. Directed by the Hughes Brothers in their debut, the movie tells the story of a street hustler attempting to get out of his rough neighborhood to start a better life.
The reception was positive for the realistic portrayal of urban violence and drugs, while the performances of the cast were also met with praise. Menace II Society boasts a strong cast including Jada Pinkett, Larenz Tate, and many others who have impressed in other key roles.
A River Runs Through It (1992)
One of the earliest '90s films among Netflix's hidden gems is A River Runs Through It. Although it was, like the previous entry, another solid success at the box office, it has mostly been forgotten. That's surprising considering the impressive talents who are part of the film.
For starters, the iconic Robert Redford is behind the camera as the director, while Brad Pitt shines in one of his earliest roles. Based on a 1976 novel of the same name, the plot centers on two sons of a stern mother who grow up during World War I, the Great Depression, and the Prohibition Era. A River Runs Through It scored an Oscar win for Best Cinematography and was nominated for three others.
Croupier (1998)
It's always great to find an overlooked movie that features a performance by a notable actor before they became a household name. Croupier falls into that category as it stars Clive Owen and is actually the film that helped launch his career in the United States.
Croupier focuses on a man who becomes the head of games at a casino, only to realize that his adventures there would make great content for the novel he's writing. Reviews were sparkling and it might've gotten Academy Award nods had it not aired on Dutch television, disqualifying it.
Spawn (1997)
For the most part, even the biggest fans of Spawn understand that it's not some kind of incredible film. It isn't going to be mentioned in the same breath as the greatest superhero flicks ever but there's a lot of fun to be had when watching it.
As an antihero, Spawn was allowed to be much darker than other movies in the genre. Michael Jai White delivers as the titular character while John Leguizamo is clearly having a blast as the villain, the Violator. Some of the effects don't hold up but it's a landmark film as one of the first to feature an African American playing a superhero.
Johnny Mnemonic (1995)
These days, everyone seems to love Keanu Reeves. From his standout work as the lead in the John Wick franchise to pretty much every interview of his going viral, Reeves can do no wrong. Recently, Reeves has returned to The Matrix and starred in the video game Cyberpunk 2077.
Interestingly, neither of those marked his first foray into the cyberpunk genre, which came in 1995's Johnny Mnemonic. Based on a story of the same name, the film sees Reeves as the titular character, a data courier who must deliver information stored in a chip in his head before it overwhelms him. Reviews weren't strong but it's the kind of thing that has gotten better with age.
The Quick And The Dead (1995)
Although he is most known for directing horror films like The Evil Dead or the Spider-Man trilogy of the '00s, Sam Raimi has also gotten behind the camera for some other genres. Among them is a western, which was The Quick and the Dead.
Right off the bat, the movie stands out for having a female protagonist and the story sees her enter a gunslinging contest to avenge her dad's death. Sharon Stone is a wonder in that lead role while the supporting cast of Russell Crowe and a young Leonardo DiCaprio make it something fans of those actors must watch.
Gattaca (1997)
There was something about the '90s and dystopian sci-fi movies as they were kind of everywhere. One that flew under the radar was Gattaca, which unfortunately only grossed a measly $12.5 million on a budget of over $30 million. Despite that, the reviews were very strong.
The film scored nominations at both the Oscars and Golden Globes while featuring a great cast of Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman, Jude Law, and more. The story follows a genetically inferior man who steals the identity of a superior one so that he can go to space.