12 Outrageous '90s Comedies That Are Unbothered by Your Sensitivities

      These unabashed ’90s comedies have no regard for potential offense; their sole purpose is to generate laughter. Many even incorporate clever insights along the way.

      There’s Something About Mary (1998)

      Twentieth Century Fox – Credit: 20th Century Fox

      What’s in Mary’s hair (as seen above) will deter some viewers from enjoying this film, regardless of its qualities. The movie contains an abundance of bathroom humor and jokes about private parts (particularly in the memorable opening scene), which may be intolerable for the sensitive.

      If viewers persevere past that, the film takes a bold stance, suggesting that individuals with disabilities should be included in the humor — not as the targets, but throwing jokes just like everyone else.

      Yet, There’s Something About Mary, similar to many Farrelly Brothers films and other ’90s flicks, has a sincere heart beneath its crude humor.

      Friday (1995)

      New Line Cinema – Credit: C/O

      The straightforward dialogue from Craig (Ice Cube) and Smokey (Chris Tucker) may turn off many, but let’s be honest: Friday is hilarious. We enjoy the premise of well-meaning Craig getting mixed up with Deebo (Tommy Lister Jr.) by merely taking a tiny portion of Smokey’s stash.

      Additionally, Friday conveys a meaningful message about gun violence and what it truly means to stand up. While resolving conflicts verbally is preferable, if that’s not feasible, using fists is notably less lethal.

      Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)

      New Line Cinema

      Austin Powers is filled with countless risky jokes, overflowing with innuendo and explicit humor.

      However, the film's admission of its own silliness and vulgarity gives it a clever edge, allowing us to feel intelligent while laughing. It pays tribute to years of James Bond-style wordplay.

      Plus, the moment when Austin refrains from sleeping with Vanessa — “because you’re drunk, it’s not right” — has aged remarkably well. We once witnessed it in a theater full of millennials in 2017, and the line received applause. Yeah baby!

      Kingpin (1996)

      MGM

      The second Farrelly Brothers film on this list might upset Amish individuals if their convictions allowed them to watch it. They miss out on much risqué humor, largely delivered by Claudia (Vanessa Angel), along with a brilliantly crude joke involving a bull.

      Woody Harrelson’s response to the film's best line — spoken by an Amish character, no less — stands as one of his best performances, exemplary of understated acting. You'll never view a milk mustache the same way again.

      Fear of a Black Hat (1994)

      The Samuel Goldwyn Company – Credit: C/O

      Featuring Rusty Cundieff, who penned and directed, Fear of a Black Hat is a sharp satire of the constantly changing trends in hip-hop that reacts almost as fast as they emerge.

      This Sundance premiere follows a political/gangster rap group called NWH (the H stands for hats) as they break off into various genres, including desperate diss tracks, P.M. Dawn-like philosophizing, and C&C Music Factory-style dance music.

      The film's affection for hip-hop is evident — one can't satirize something this thoroughly without a deep understanding of it. We cherish this movie.

      Clerks (1994)

      Miramax – Credit: C/O

      As a Kevin Smith creation, Clerks is inherently packed with crude humor — none coarser than a scene where Dante (Brian O’Halloran) rants about his girlfriend’s sexual past (Marilyn Ghigliotti). In contrast, Dante’s ex, Caitlin (Lisa Spoonauer) suffers a horrifying mix-up with an elderly customer at the store where Dante works.

      Not even the questionable moments prevented the Library of Congress from including Clerks in the United States National Film Registry as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” Created on a meager $27,575 budget, the film helped spur the indie film movement of the ’90s.

      Freeway (1996)

      Republic Pictures – Credit: C/O

      Matthew Bright’s darkly comedic Freeway, featuring a young Reese Witherspoon, is one of our all-time favorite ‘90s films due to its unyielding, almost grindhouse dedication to sensationalism. It critiques the sensational tabloid culture of the ’90s while simultaneously perfecting it.

      In this twisted retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, Witherspoon portrays an illiterate runaway attempting to reach her grandmother’s home after her mother is jailed for sex work. Her version of the Big Bad Wolf is Bob (Kiefer Sutherland), who presents himself as a good Samaritan but is, in fact, a serial killer.

      One of the film's many delights is its exceptional casting, featuring not just strong leads but also Dan Hedaya, Amanda Plummer, Brooke Shields, and