12 Overlooked '90s Films We Adore

      These overlooked films from the ’90s may not have been the biggest box office successes, but they shine due to their creativity.

      They emerged from a time when filmmakers were willing to take bold risks and push boundaries.

      Moreover, they are simply great entertainment.

      **Pump Up the Volume (1990)**

      New Line Cinema – Credit: C/O

      Pump Up the Volume hasn’t received the recognition it deserves — possibly because the rise of the internet soon after its release made its premise feel outdated. Nonetheless, its themes of rebellion and individuality remain relevant, classifying it as one of the most underrated films of the ’90s.

      Christian Slater portrays a reserved high school student by day who transforms into a pirate radio DJ at night, sharing moody, cool music.

      Though he appears to be a shock jock, he is, in fact, a deeply sensitive individual disturbed by the surrounding hypocrisy and self-censorship.

      The film feels foretelling of an era when people's real-life personas significantly contrast with their online identities.

      **Hangin With the Homeboys (1991)**

      Credit: New Line Cinema

      The ’90s were a golden age for films centered on friendships, and Hangin’ With the Homeboys is a standout.

      Directed by Joseph Vasquez and featuring Mario Joyner, Doug E. Doug, Nestor Serrano, and John Leguizamo, it depicts a group of friends seeking a carefree night out.

      However, they unexpectedly confront maturity and the future in ways they never anticipated. While it received critical acclaim, it didn’t perform notably at the box office, although it found an audience on VHS among young men grappling with life's complexities.

      **Ricochet (1991)**

      Credit: Warner Bros

      Crafted by Steven E. de Souza, known for classics like Die Hard and Commando, Ricochet is an extremely entertaining thriller featuring Denzel Washington as LAPD officer Nick Styles, who plans to become a lawyer after apprehending the infamous killer Earl Talbot Blake (John Lithgow) at a fair.

      Years down the line, Styles is a well-regarded prosecutor. However, Blake, newly released from prison, seeks revenge by framing Styles to destroy his career.

      But Styles isn’t done fighting. He reaches out to Odessa (Ice-T), an old friend who is now a drug dealer — because only a criminal can help him now.

      Colorfully exaggerated in the best possible way, Ricochet benefits from strong performances by Washington, Lithgow, and Ice-T, while director Russell Mulcahy ensures the pace remains lively. This film is especially appealing to fans of ’80s action thrillers, infused with a ’90s twist.

      **Fear of a Black Hat (1993)**

      Credit: Samuel Goldwyn Films

      Written, directed by, and starring Rusty Cundieff, Fear of a Black Hat is akin to a hip-hop version of This Is Spinal Tap, cleverly reflecting and parodying the rap music scene of the early ’90s — arguably hip-hop's golden era.

      Named after the iconic Public Enemy album Fear of a Black Planet, this mockumentary focuses on the NWA-like disbandment of a hip-hop group called NWH. As the former members embark on solo careers, their work amusingly satirizes various artists, from Ice T to Ice Cube to PM Dawn to C&C Music Factory.

      Filled with clever jokes, memorable characters, and sharp commentary, it's a classic example of a satirist who genuinely appreciates the culture he critiques.

      **Freeway (1996)**

      Credit: Republic Pictures

      One of two Kiefer Sutherland films featured, Freeway is an audacious reimagining of Little Red Riding Hood, starring Reese Witherspoon as a runaway on her way to her grandmother's house.

      Naturally, there’s a menacing wolf: Sutherland plays the detestable Bob Wolverton, a serial killer who preys on his victims on the freeway while masquerading as a law-abiding citizen.

      Freeway perfectly encapsulates the tabloid TV era and features a remarkable cast, with surprising appearances, including Brooke Shields as Bob's wife, who cannot fathom her husband’s dark side. The ensemble also includes Dan Hedaya, Amanda Plummer, and Bokeem Woodbine.

      **Bound (1996)**

      Credit: Gramercy Pictures

      Before creating The Matrix, the Wachowskis impressed audiences with this gritty mob film about a gangster's girlfriend (Jennifer Tilly) who falls for the handywoman next door (Gina Gershon).

      They devise a scheme to rob the gangster (Joe Pantoliano, who would later appear in The Matrix), but chaos ensues as various adversaries, including a gangster’s spoiled child portrayed by Christopher Meloni, disrupt their plans.

      Despite barely recouping its budget at the box office, it became a cult favorite largely due to its stylish narrative, exceptional performances, and the empathetic depiction