The 1990s spawned a ton of terrifying monster movies, and these 10 creature features are some of the best horror films of the decade. Unlike the decades that preceded it, there wasn’t a very clear trend in the genre of horror in the 1990s. The popularity of slashers waned and then picked up again, and horror exploded into various subgenres.
One of the horror subgenres that came back into favor in the 1990s was monster movies, and the decade produced a few gems. As with horror in general during that time, the monster movies of the decade were just as diverse and varied as the rest of the cinematic landscape. Many felt like throwbacks, but others pushed the envelope.
1990s monster movies crossed over with sci-fi and comedy, and some even featured elements of crime thrillers. The best of the decade had something more to offer than just cheap thrills, with the choicest monster flicks transcending horror and gaining acceptance as bona fide classics. However, some were just fun diversions that reminded audiences what popcorn movies are all about.
It’s important to note that this list only includes movies that are considered horror. Unfortunately, films like Jurassic Park don’t fit the bill. Similarly, the Godzilla films of the 1990s don’t match the criteria because they focus on sci-fi and action, instead of horror. The ’90s was a cinematic golden era, and these monster movies prove it.
10
Sleepwalkers (1992)
One of the many projects to slap “Stephen King’s” in front of its title in the 1990s, Sleepwalkers is a rare monster movie from the King of Horror. King penned the screenplay, and Sleepwalkers is not based on any of his existing stories. Instead, it’s a new tale involving nomadic energy vampires who target the denizens of a small town.
Though it barely makes this list, Sleepwalkers is a memorable film for its over-the-top concept and completely unhinged execution. The titular monsters are fun and outlandish, and the cast hams it up appropriately. There are a ton of horror cameos in the film, and it’s the perfect hidden gem for aficionados of the genre.
9
Anaconda (1997)
There was a resurgence of giant animal movies in the late 1990s, and Anaconda is one of the most memorable. The Jennifer Lopez vehicle concerns a documentary crew in the Amazon, who have a deadly encounter with a huge snake. The film hearkens back to the adventure flicks of a bygone era, and Anaconda is just a fun ride overall.
By all metrics, Anaconda isn’t a great movie, but it is definitely an entertaining watch. The cheesiness of its concept is balanced by some surprisingly gritty moments, and it scores a lot of points for trying to be scary even if it doesn’t always succeed. Viewers with ophidiophobia might get even more out of the experience.
8
Deep Blue Sea (1999)
Jaws created its own subgenre of sharkspoitation movies and few lived up to the trend quite like Deep Blue Sea. Combining sci-fi and underwater horror, the film involves a humongous shark with human intelligence that goes on a rampage at a research facility. Deep Blue Sea ups the ante with an even bigger shark menace.
The film never tries to be anything but an elevated B-movie, and that is part of its charm. The dialogue and characters are exaggerated, and the attack sequences are pure ’90s gold. Deep Blue Sea would be higher on this list if it wasn’t for its overreliance on bad CGI that has aged the film quite poorly.
7
Mimic (1997)
Mimic was Guillermo del Toro’s introduction to Hollywood, but his first brush with Tinseltown wasn’t very successful. The plot involves a breed of mutated cockroaches living under New York City, and the film combines a plethora of fears into one harrowing experience. The movie bombed, and lacked del Toro’s signature touch.
Despite its woes, Mimic achieves what it sets out to do. It’s a creepy monster film with some legitimately effective moments. It just barely misses the mark, and could have been a real classic if not for a few shortcomings. It’s still one of the best monster movies of the ’90s because of its atmosphere and gross-out horror.
6
Alien 3 (1992)
Perhaps the most divisive entry in the entire Alien franchise, the third installment is also one of the most unique. Ripley arrives on a prison colony and must convince the former inmates that the Xenomorph is hunting them down one by one. After Aliens opted for an action-centric plot, Alien 3 returned the series to its roots.
Unfortunately, the film is far too dour. The monster is just as terrifying as ever, and it doesn’t feel like a step back to return to one alien. Alien 3 could have been great, but it ended up being pretty good. It isn’t the worst of the franchise, and is a pretty decent monster movie, all things considered.
5
Night Breed (1990)
Depending on which cut of Night Breed is being shown, it’s either an intriguing and surreal horror film or a complete disaster. Clive Barker’s adaptation of his novella, Cabal, the story concerns a young man who discovers a world of monsters outside the realm of reality. The monsters are actually the heroes, and Night Breed isn’t the usual horror film.
There’s a dreamlike quality that makes it more eerie than frightening, but it has some genuine chills. The problem with Night Breed is that its ideas are too big to fit into one film, so everything is rushed. As for its status as one of the best monster movies of the ’90s, it earns the distinction because it subverts expectations.
4
Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990)
Gremlins was one of the best monster movies of the ’80s, and its sequel is one of the best of the ’90s. The mogwai return to terrorize a high-tech office building in New York City, and Billy Peltzer must once again stop them. Joe Dante was tapped to direct the sequel, and he took things in an entirely new direction.
Gremlins 2 is ostensibly a parody of the first, and it takes many unsubtle jabs at contemporary culture. The movie was hated upon release, but has since become a beloved cult classic. Putting that aside, it’s an ideal monster movie because it serves up plenty of gremlins-run-amok action.
3
From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)
Showcasing the flexibility of monster movies, From Dusk Till Dawn spends the first half of its running time as a gritty thriller before taking an even darker turn. Criminals kidnap a family on their way to the Mexican border, and stop at a biker bar that’s frequented by vampires. Robert Rodriguez’s outlandish vision is a monster flick and then some.
The vampires come in a variety of shapes and forms, each more scary than the next. Though the film emphasizes action, it’s still pretty scary in its own right. It captures the ’90s zeitgeist perfectly, with quippy anti-heroes and an above-it-all attitude. It’s immediately apparent that Quentin Tarantino wrote the screenplay.
2
Braindead (1992)
Before he conquered Middle-earth, Peter Jackson made some of the grossest horror films of the 1990s. Braindead (a.k.a. Dead Alive) follows a hapless man whose mother is turned into a zombie. This sets off a chain of events that takes down the whole neighborhood. The monster action is as scary as it is funny, and Braindead takes things to extremes.
The gore is stomach-churning and hilarious, and the zombies aren’t the usual shambling undead. Monster movies are all about celebrating the fun possibilities of horror cinema, and Braindead is gleeful in its nastiness. The rebelliousness of the film still works today, and it’s a masterclass in boundary breaking.
1
Tremors (1990)
Tremors is the quintessential monster movie of the 1990s, and one of the best of any era. Two handymen dream of leaving their podunk town, but get trapped by a subterranean monster that gobbles people alive. The titular graboids are both a monster and a clever storytelling device, and Tremors hinges on its set pieces.
The script is airtight, and the movie flows with such ease that it’s endlessly rewatchable. Though other horror movies are scarier, there’s a sense of excitement and whimsy to Tremors that hearkens back to classic monster movies of old. It spawned a lengthy franchise, but the original is the only perfect film in the bunch.