Science fiction has often helped pioneer real world science and films have definitely done a good job of portraying that. The 90s were known for a lot of great science fiction films and being a child growing up in the 90s I got to see some of the best films of all time.
(1) Waterworld (1995)
In a future where the polar ice-caps have melted and Earth is almost entirely submerged, a mutated mariner fights starvation and outlaw “smokers,” and reluctantly helps a woman and a young girl try to find dry land.
(2) Predator 2 (1990)
Set ten years after the events of the first film, in Los Angeles, the film focuses on the Predator, a technologically advanced extraterrestrial hunter, and the efforts of a disgruntled police officer and his allies to defeat the malevolent creature.
(3) The Matrix (1999)
When computer programmer Thomas Anderson, under the hacker alias “Neo”, uncovers the truth that the world he lives in is a simulation controlled by machines, he “is drawn into a rebellion against the machines” along with other people who have been freed from the Matrix.
(4) Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
The malevolent artificial intelligence Skynet sends a Terminator—a highly advanced killing machine—back in time to 1995 to kill the future leader of the human resistance, John Connor, when he is a child. The resistance sends back its own reprogrammed Terminator to protect Connor and ensure the future of humanity.
This sequel is one of the few that surpasses the original. There’s tons of action, good special effects, great music, and even a deep underlining theme about what makes a person human. It’s safe to say that Schwarzenegger and Hamilton have both immortalized their names in cinema history. Not to mention a big thumbs up to Robert Patrick as the T-1000.
(5) The Fifth Element (1997)
Set in the 23rd century, a taxicab driver named Korben Dallas joins forces with a mysterious young woman to recover four mystical stones in order to save the world.
If you like action, romance and comedy wrapped up in a perfect science fiction package, this movie has it. This is the movie where I literally fell in love with Milla Jovovich, fought along side Bruce Willis, and laughed with Chris Tucker. It’s a solid movie that’s entertaining with a great soundtrack.
Release Date: 1997
Directed by Luc Besson
Starring Bruce Willis, Gary Oldman, Milla Jovovich, Chris Tucker, Ian Holm
Also featured in:
(6) Demolition Man (1993)
A police officer is brought out of suspended animation in prison to pursue an old ultra-violent nemesis who is loose in a non-violent future society.
Sylvester Stallone and Wesley Snipes are just brilliant with their performances, Stallone as a no nonsense cop and Snipes as a chaotic serial killer. There’s plenty of action, humor, and the themes of the price for an utopia. Easily one of the best films of the decade. Not to mention Sandra Bullock looks absolutely stunning.
(7) Star Trek: First Contact (1996)
The Borg travel back in time intent on preventing Earth’s first contact with an alien species. Captain Picard and his crew pursue them to ensure that Zefram Cochrane makes his maiden flight reaching warp speed.
First Contact feels like its a part of the television series but with a much bigger budget. The performances are just solid, set pieces, makeup and costume designs have never looked better, and Alice Maud Krige just kills it as the Borg Queen.
(8) Total Recall (1990)
When a man goes in to have virtual vacation memories of the planet Mars implanted in his mind, an unexpected and harrowing series of events forces him to go to the planet for real – or is he?
Arnold Schwarzenegger is a legend and the 80s and 90s were his golden years. But aside from seeing one of my favorite actors doing what he does best, the story is actually pretty solid. It’s filled with mystery and intrigue, and it’s hard knowing who to trust. The set pieces for the Mars location are utilized rather well.
(9) Jurassic Park (1993)
A pragmatic paleontologist touring an almost complete theme park on an island in Central America is tasked with protecting a couple of kids after a power failure causes the park’s cloned dinosaurs to run loose.
Steven Spielberg has proven his brilliance time and time again but under his direction was the vision of an extraordinary book fully realized in film. The story is both thrilling and scary as the same technology that birthed the dinosaurs isn’t so far off from our own. But the use of practical and special effects are great and still hold up till this day.
(10) Coneheads (1993)
Cone-headed extraterrestrials Beldar (Dan Aykroyd) and Prymaat (Jane Curtin) find themselves in New Jersey after a recon mission for their home planet of Remulak goes awry. Stranded, they are forced to live as typical suburban humans.
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