While the 1990s tend to spark a great amount of conversation around genres like comedy or action, or even the emergence of the independent film scene, one notable genre for the time isthrillers. Audiences love great suspense films, but these films don’t spur sequels and franchises the way horror or comedy vehicles do, so they often aren’t afforded the same level of discussion. Yet the 1990s were a great decade for thrillers.
Update July 13, 2025: This article has been updated with even more great underrated thrillers from the 1990s.
There’s particular electricity to 90s thrillers: They’re stylish, vibrant, and tackled the complex nature between good and evil. The decade gave instant classics likeSeven,The Silence Of The Lambs,andMisery, most notably. But beyond the respected classics, take a look at some of the decades' most overlooking thrillers. These are undersung thrillers from the 90s worth revisiting.
15Hana-Bi (1997)
Takeshi Kitano is one ofthe most accomplished filmmakers in Japan. Most of his stories are subjugating thrillers that immerse audiences in the minds of people committing heinous acts. Sometimes for good, most of the time for evil.Hana-bi(known as Fireworks in the West) is a story about a disgraced police officer named Yoshitaka Nishi who faces difficulties after a botched arrest leaves two of his partners crippled and another dead.
With his wife dying of terminal leukemia, he borrows money from the Yakuza to pay for her treatment. Unable to pay back his debt, Nishi commits a bank robbery and uses the money to pay the Yakuza and numerous good deeds that will haunt him until the last moments of his life.
14By Dawn’s Early Light (1990)
For most of the 80s and well into the 90s, every studio was filled with films brimming with threats of World War 3. Many of these depictions played hypothetical scenarios.By Dawn’s Early Lightis one of the best efforts, made on a low budget. This film by Jack Sholder is based on the book Trinity’s Child written by William Porchnau.
The story begins when rogue dissidents launch a nuke from a NATO silo at Russia. Russia responded to the attack, not knowing America didn’t start the conflict. With America ready to respond in kind, the Russians realize the attacks come from a rogue agent. They are willing to accept an attack based on their previous response, but escalating the conflict would mean the extinction of both countries. The encompassing tension keeps an incredible pace, andyou never notice this is supposed to be a made-for-tv filmat all, thanks to the outstanding performances of Powers Boothe, James Earl Jones, and Martin Landau.
13Catchfire (1990)
Catchfireis one of the weirdest thrillers of the 90s. Directed by Dennis Hopper on a screenplay by Rachel Kronstadt Mann, the movie tells the story of a conceptual artist namedAnne Benton (played by Jodie Foster)who must go on the run after witnessing a mafia execution. After the mob tracks her down and kills her boyfriend, Anne tries to gain access to the witness protection program but realizes the agency has been infiltrated.
The mob sends a hitman named Milo (played by Dennis Hopper) to kill her, but she manages to dodge him for years. After finally catching up to Anne, Milo confesses he loves her and keeps her captive. She slowly begins to fall for him, leading to Milo being targeted by the mob as he fails to accomplish his mission. With Anna and Milo both a target now, they must face their pursuers and take them out before disappearing forever and searching for a new life in greener pastures.
12Clockers (1995)
Clockersis a crime thrillerdirected by Spike Leeand produced by Martin Scorsese. Fun fact about this underrated classic: the film was supposed to be directed by Scorsese himself, but he chose to makeCasinoover this movie. The feature stars Harvey Keitel, John Turturro, Delroy Lindo, and Mekhi Phifer. It’s a harrowing story about a group of “clockers,” the nickname used to refer to drug dealers in housing projects located in Brooklyn.
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A kid named Strike is tasked with the dirty work of his boss Rooney, but he’s unwilling to kill anyone, so he pegs the work on his mentally unstable brother. The police, who usually don’t give a damn about crime in the suburbs, make a big deal out of this occurrence as the story of the perpetrator has too many holes in it. Strike has to deal with the backlash of his actions and ensure nothing can get pinned on him or his boos, which he fails miserably to do at every turn. Ultimately, he’s left with very little and put on a train to search for a better life away from the slums.
11Hackers (1995)
Hackersis a minor cult classic directed by Iain Softley and starring Jonny Lee Miller and Angelina Jolie. It’s a story about a group of young kids using the internet to gain clout and power (don’t be surprised, things weren’t that different back in the 90s). The film plays like a spy thriller, with former hackers forced into government work taking notice of their handiwork being used for other purposes.
They sic the Secret Service on these young upstarts who must do anything in their power to avoid being captured. Meanwhile, another hacker collective want their talents to capsize a company’s oil tanker fleet. The game of cat and mouse involves dated technology, but the stakes feel real, as well as the excellent resolution that allows our main characters to walk away scott-free.Hackersis one of the most 90s movies ever, from the fashion to the lingo, and is an engaging thriller not to be overlooked.
10Breakdown (1997)
Calling a 90s Blockbuster starring Kurt Russell “undersung” or “underrated” may seem out of touch, but the fact isBreakdowndoesn’t receive enough praise for being an agreeable, fun, and partially frightening chase flick. The movie follows a couple as they are moving cross-country to California. When they find themselves stranded in the desert, a trucker gives the wife a ride to a local diner to phone for help. The husband goes looking for his wife only to discover nobody has any idea who or where she is, and it becomes a missing person search and chase for the ages.
Breakdownis about as good as a mediocre film could be or as mediocre as a good film could be, butBreakdownis worth the watch. There’s much fun to be had: This is a nail-biter that ups the ante and heightens tension around every corner.Breakdownis a bitSpielberg’sDuelmeetsDeliverancein that it’s big on the chase with horror elements - vulnerable people fighting to survive the senseless wrath of maniacs. It is an exciting action film and an engrossing mystery.
9Pacific Heights (1990)
Though it isn’t remarkable as a whole, John Schlesinger’sPacific Heightsis a surreal and entertaining look at a nutty sociopath and their damaging impact on well-meaning people. The plot is simple as it revolves around a couple renovating their dream home in the hopes of being landlords, only to come into conflict with the tenants. Schlesinger builds suspense quite nicely and does what he can with a lackluster script that’s littered with plotting issues.Michael Keatonis fantastic as the cunning and manipulative maniac villain, remaining wacky and likable despite atrocious behavior.Pacific Heightsis as ever a 1990s as a film from the year 1990 can be.
8Unlawful Entry (1992)
Unlawful Entryisn’t exactly forgotten, but it isn’t spoken of highly enough. A yuppie couple faces a violent home invasion. They seek the help of a local cop, who seemingly has their best interest at heart but eventually becomes a bigger threat.Unlawful Entryhas a list of fun appearances from the likes of Roger E. Mosley, Ken Lerner, Andy Romano, and others, including lead roles by Kurt Russell and Madeline Stowe, but everybody’s playing second-fiddle toRay Liotta’s as the bad cop.
Ray Liotta’s portrayal is one of the most deranged (and hilarious) charismatic villains to bless a thriller. His frighteningly crystal-blue eyes shine with a glow of the deranged, appearing hilariously but grippingly maniacal as he terrorizes a naive and timid couple. The man’s ready to explode anywhere on anyone at any given moment, and it’s a pleasure to watch. Liotta’s harsh intensity carries the show, which is just fine when it’s all said and done. His jumps from composed but cunning to violent with rage set the tone - one that makes for a manic, never-dull thriller, rollercoastering from paranoia to volcanic action. The movie’s crafted to create suspense, so it’s a strong thriller, but the overblown rage of Liotta proves to have the firmest hold on viewers.
7Shattered (1991)
After a horrific car accident, a man is left with amnesia and forced to piece together the troubling past that led to the crash. If one can overlook outlandish implausibility in a suspense film and soapy moments with the acting to match,Shatteredis a compellingly mysterious, stylish, and weird little early 90s number. Tom Berenger and Greta Scacchi make a dynamite, confused couple of adulterous liars in this highly suspenseful mess of amnesia, murder, and cheating.
To describe much of the plot would be to take away much of the fun, but worth noting is thatShatteredis set in the hills of early ’90s San Francisco. Whether it’s rolling green hills, beautiful ritzy homes, or crisp blue water, there is almost always going to have your eyes set on something visually appealing.
Editing and effects may be questionable, but such choices make for good ol' hokey entertainment, with cheesy transitions, transparent shots of waves crashing over love-making scenes, and glass shattering whenever our hero Dan recollects trauma. The colors inShatteredare from the quintessential vibrant late 80s/early 90s palette - cool blues and glowy purples. Generally,Shatteredis high in style.
6The Vanishing (1993)
Throughout watchingThe Vanishing, one may find yourself asking, “How is this not better?” On the surface, the plot’s exhilarating. The cast is stacked with stars likeKiefer Sutherland, Nancy Travis, Sandra Bullock, and Jeff Bridges. Bridges is playing a maniac creep and having fun with the opportunity. It’s a remake of a legendary Dutch suspense film directed by the very same guy who did the original. Why isn’t this a knockout thriller with a cult following?
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Put simply,The Vanishingfollows too standard a route and sticks around safe, 90s blockbuster thriller territory when it calls for more off-the-wall treatment. Given the insanely evil lengths Bridges' character, Barney Cousins, goes to ensure Jeff (Sutherland) never lives peacefully, this calls for sharper turns and wilder twists. Don’t get me wrong,The Vanishingis an enthralling ride. There’s both a ferocity and a weirdness that locks you in.The Vanishinghas its thrills and is worth a view.
