Cult classic movies from the 1990s are beloved by audiences everywhere and spark nostalgia in the viewer. Movies likeSmall SoldiersorHackersare often overlooked by contemporary audiences because they’re so of their time. However, these projects have enduring themes that hold up today and would translate to contemporary remakes. While remaking a film can be difficult, all of these works have stories that are relevant in the modern era, andbringing them back to life today would be the perfect way to pay tribute to their legacies.
Manymovies from the 1990s are considered masterpieces, and many of these cult classics have had a recent resurgence in popularity or interest.The style and aesthetic of the ’90s has taken hold of the 2020s,leading younger viewers to seek out these ’90s classics and discover how much fun they are. There are cult classics in every genre, from sci-fi action to teen rom-coms, providing something for all viewers to enjoy. Though most of these projects tackle the biggest cultural issues of the ’90s, many of these conversations are even more relevant today.
Small Soldiersneeds a sequel more thanToy Story, as this cult action movie boasts a universal story that audiences would fall in love with today. Starring a young Kirsten Dunst as Christy,Small Soldierssees her and Alan (Gregory Smith) have to navigate the attacks from a group of sentient action figureswho are programmed with experimental military microchips. Though the premise is a little outlandish,Small Soldiershas fun with the concept, not taking itself too seriously and playing into the hilarity of the premise.
Unafraid to get dark and explore the emerging terrors of inanimate objects gaining sentience,Small Soldiersreads as more campy than scary today.
Unafraid to get dark and explore the emerging terrors of inanimate objects gaining sentience,Small Soldiersreads as more campy than scary today. However, this is largely because of the dated visual effects, and a modern remake ofSmall Soldierswould solve this problem. Though action figures aren’t as popular today as they were in the 1990s, a new take on the movie’s conceit could utilize different toys and be in conversation with other films that explore the concept of the robotic playmate.
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Well ahead of its time in its satirization and exploration of the superhero genre,Mystery Menboasts an iconic comedic ensemble cast that would have helped the film make waves today.With Ben Stiller, Hank Azaria, and William H. Macy among the principal cast,Mystery Mencould’ve been made today.Mystery Menlooks at the juxtaposition between superheroes and the way they’re venerated by the public. Though there are some silly gags, this doesn’t undermine the quality ofMystery Men.
Unfortunately,Mystery Menwas largely overlooked at the box office, earning only $33,461,011 worldwide against a $68 million budget (viaBox Office Mojo).Today, the market is oversaturated with superhero movies,but this has paved the way for satirical projects that poke fun at the genre to perform well with audiences and critics. There are many contemporary comedians who could easily step into the shoes of the original actors, embodying the heart ofMystery Men.
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After the significant success ofThe Substance, it’s clear that the central messages and themes ofDeath Becomes Herhave lost none of their potency. Thoughit would be impossible to replace Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn,a good remake of any cult classic understands that it’s not replacing the original, just putting a fun new spin on it. The campy and grotesque visuals thatDeath Becomes Herwas instantly praised for would be just as effective today.
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Another take onDeath Becomes Hercould go further in terms of gore to bring the horror and supernatural elements to the forefront.Death Becomes Herwas recently translated into a stage musical,and it would be interesting to see the musical version brought to life onscreen as a twist on a remake. This was how the 2024Mean Girlsremake happened, and it could work forDeath Becomes Her. The fact that women’s experiences of aging haven’t changed that much since 1992 proves how much we needDeath Becomes Her.
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One of thebest dystopian movies of the 1990s,Dark City, is a mind-bending sci-fi thriller that keeps the audience guessing until the very end. ThoughDark Citythrives because of its ensemble cast,Rufus Sewell anchors the project as John Murdoch, the protagonist who serves as the audience’s stand-ininside the complex world. Full of references to classic film noir movies and surrealism,Dark Citycould easily be translated into a contemporary remake.
Though there are plenty of similar sci-fi films from the ’90s that have remained popular,Dark Cityis a more underrated addition to the genre. Thanks to its cult classic status, a remake ofDark Citywouldn’t be overshadowed by the original and could be an exciting extension of the 1998 movie’s narrative. Visually,Dark Cityis intricate and engaging, and mimicking this style today would be even more dynamic.Additionally, the conversations about augmented reality would hit hard for modern audiences.
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Lisa Kudrow and Mira Sorvino are hilarious and relatable inRomy and Michele’s High School Reunion,a movie that tackles just how much the hurts of high school can follow you into adulthood. However, by the end ofRomy and Michele, audiences will have no trouble agreeing that true friendship is far more important than popularity. Though it’s hard to imagine a pair of actors with as much chemistry and comedic timing as Kudrow and Sorvino, aRomy and Michelleremake could help establish the next great comedic duo.
Nostalgic and unapologetically itself,Romy and Michele’s High School Reunionimparts a universal message of kindness and acceptance without getting too sentimental.
Nostalgic and unapologetically itself,Romy and Michele’s High School Reunionimparts a universal message of kindness and acceptance without getting too sentimental. It’s unsurprising that the project has become such a beloved cult classic in recent years, as it’s full of so much heart and joy that it’s impossible not to be swept away by the infectious spirit. A modern take onRomy and Michele’s High School Reunionwould have to stay true to these elements to succeed.
Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion (1997)
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The 1990s were an incredible decade for rom-coms and teen comedies. However,Jawbreakerwastes no time in lampooning both of these genres. A dark comedy rife with crime, backstabbing, and lipgloss,Jawbreakermakes a direct commentary on the bubblegum pink sweetness that was associated with teenage girls during this period and undermines this one-dimensional concept. The pop culture references and meta-textual themes that madeJawbreakersomewhat controversial when it first came out are nostalgic elements today.
Jawbreakerwas unfairly compared to earlier dark teen comediesdespite the fact that it was an original work and stood apart from its inspirations while paying tribute to them. IfJawbreakeris remade, this wouldn’t be the first time that a ’90s comedy was remade. However,Jawbreakerdeserves another chance to capture the hearts of audiences everywhere. The ’90s are having a resurgence, so a lot of the style and dialog inJawbreakerwould translate to a modern remake.
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The corporate workplace was a major thematic throughline of movies in the 1990s,and few projects embody this as clearly asOffice Space. With Ron Livingston and Jennifer Aniston starring as Peter and Joanna,Office Spacesees Peter become disillusioned with the corporate grind of his life as he slowly disentangles himself from the dullness of his life. Though office culture is satirized and exaggerated inOffice Space, many people still connect with the way the film represents it to this day.
The characters' desire to express individuality and not be controlled by their bosses is the catalyst for the story’s tension and the characters' development.
As time has progressed,Office Spacehas only gained recognition for taking on the implications of corporate life and, therefore, capitalism. The characters' desire to express individuality and not be controlled by their bosses is the catalyst for the story’s tension and the characters' development. BringingOffice Spaceback to the forefront of the cultural conversation would likely result in a narrative that tackles both the isolation and convenience of remote work, as well as the way corporate expectations manifest now.
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Infamously controversial and explicit,Showgirlsis a movie that’s sparked conversation since it was first released in 1995.At the time,Showgirlswas considered “trashy” and wasn’t taken seriously by audiences or critics. While there are undoubtedly issues withShowgirls, especially its violent turn in the final act, its subject matter is less taboo today, and there’s clearly an interest in the topic.The Last Showgirl, a recent addition to the canon, proves that there’s a place for aShowgirlsremake.
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Making a new iteration ofShowgirlstoday would be a kind of redemption for the project,showing audiences that there are many aspects of the original that are worth expanding upon. The wayShowgirlsis enamored with the color and life of Las Vegas demonstrates the movie’s insight into a unique aspect of American culture. Taking the things that makeShowgirlsgreat and crafting a remake that’s more socially relevant and takes itself seriously would be iconic.
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A young Angelina Jolie stars inHackers, a mid-’90s crime dramathat explores the exciting new world of hacking, which was on everyone’s minds in the 1990s. Johnny Lee Miller co-stars with Jolie as Dade, a talented young hacker who gets embroiled in a life of crime when he corrupts a file in the wrong system. ThoughHackersmight seem dated by today’s standards, it was at the cutting edge of this new skill that was used both as a tool for crime and a way for a community to express themselves.
Though many action and espionage movies touch upon the subject, few modern films have focused solely on hacking, using it as a secondary plot line instead.
WhenHackerswas first released, the cyber age was just beginning, and people didn’t yet know the importance that these computer abilities would have. However, things have changed a lot since then, and any remake ofHackerswould have the unique opportunity to see how underground hacking has evolved. Though many action and espionage movies touch upon the subject, few modern films have focused solely on hacking, using it as a secondary plot line instead.
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Denzel Washington is an underrated action hero, andVirtuosityis one of the movies that proves this. Russell Crowe stars alongside him in this sci-fi thriller that sees Washington’s character, a former police officer, go head-to-head with the sadistic artificial intelligence that Crowe embodies. It’s an intense and interrogative film, and considering the contemporary conversation around AI, all the more relevant today.Virtuositywould shine today, especially considering howrecent VFX technology would make the virtual aspects more intricate.
As time has progressed,Virtuosityhas proven to be ahead of its time in conversations surrounding emerging technologies,which was a prominent topic in the 1990s. It makes sense to remakeVirtuositybecause it’s a relatively unknown addition to both Washington and Crowe’s careers, but their participation would immediately spark interest in the project. There are many great contemporary actors who could star in the film, with Washington and Crowe appearing to appeal to our nostalgia.
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