90s action movies indeed had a unique factor. We have such wonderful memories from the time of Steven Seagal, Jackie Chan, Pierce Brosnan, Jean Claude, and many more. Their films continue to win our hearts. Well, it just doesn’t end here.
Why limit ourselves to only real-world movies when we also have great action animation flicks? The films on the list range from Batman and Spider-Man to Naruto! The space created in one’s heart cannot replace the new era of animation.
There are so many science fiction movies and action comedies that include hilarious antics. Most of the movies are via Universal Pictures or Paramount Pictures. Here is the list of 30 best 90s action films with iconic actors like Tommy Lee Jones, Will Smith, Bruce Willis, Tom Cruise, and other action stars.
You might even know many action movies by John Woo and Cameron! Some movies were presented with an Academy Award, and some directors got awards at the Cannes film festival.
30 Best 90s Action Movies:
30. Point Break (1991)
About Point Break:
This 90s action film starts with a fantastic IMDb rating of 7.2, starring Keanu Reeves. Point Break is a 1991 action movie that revolves around the story of an F.B.I. agent who tried to catch a gang of potential robbers. The thieves in this action movie call themselves the Ex-Presidents.
The young man suspects the robbers to be surfers because of the visible tan lines on their bodies. The movie is filled with intense action and will leave one stuck to their seat till the end. However, Utah (the agent) falls in love with the female surfer, complicating his investigation case. At the movie’s end, one can witness that Utah escapes a big wave, but the same waves engulf Bodhi.
This movie has some incredible nail-biting stunts. For example, the sky-diving scenes were recorded by making the cameras float from the actors’ side! Yes, you heard that right. This is how the illusion of them floating was portrayed in Point Break. You can find this movie on Netflix.
29. Troopers (1997)
About Troopers:
Movies of the 90s are unique and have different sub-genres. So, after Keanu Reeves, let’s move on to a cult classic! This is a 1997 action movie; the more you watch it, the more exciting and intense it gets.
Moreover, the story focuses on two young individuals, Carmen and Johnny Ricko, on future Earth. He joins the military for Carmen but for the wrong reasons. After he realizes that the task is not for him, he decides to leave.
However, he learns that his parents died because of an asteroid that hit Earth. The movie is about him and his team killing all the aliens and bugs that started to inhabit the planet.
28. Men in Black (1997)
About Men in Black:
Men In Black is the 90s action film that one loves the most! You can watch this movie on YouTube or Amazon Prime Video. This Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith starrer is a fun sci-fi comedy where both the cops create a memorable story. Their mission is simple!
They have to keep an eye on the aliens living on Earth. They come to know that the planet is under threat, and they try to save it. The duo works for an unofficial government agency and is highly paid. Will they be able to save the Earth from the potential threat?
The M.I.B. is a covert agency that keeps tabs on these extraterrestrials and uses neutralizers to wipe off anyone who observes alien activity. As James decides to join, his common name is removed from government databases, and he is given the new name Agent J. In the meantime, an extraterrestrial kills farmer Edgar in upstate New York before donning his shell as a disguise.
However, when J and K look into the crash site, they find that the alien is a “bug,” a very dangerous kind of extraterrestrial that resembles a cockroach. Two masked aliens are killed by the bug and taken to a police mortuary under the control of coroner Laurel Weaver. J and Laurel accidentally open the skull of one of the dead. When J and K examine the bodies, uncovering a little, dying extraterrestrial in a cockpit.
27. Die Hard With a Vengeance (1988)
About Die Hard With a Vengeance:
Die Hard With A Vengeance, starring Bruce Willis, is yet another action movie that one cannot miss out on! The film scored 8.2 on IMDb, released in 1988. The thrilling movie is based on a novel called, Nothing Lasts Forever.
Here is a short synopsis for those who do not know much about the story. The movie’s main character, John McClane, an N.Y.P.D. officer, travels to his home to meet his wife. Holly works in Nakatomi Corporation, and the couple meets there for a Christmas celebration.
However, the office is attacked by robbers to carry out a heist. Everyone gets captured except for John. He takes the whole matter into his hands as the police delay finding a solution.
Will he be successful? Watch the movie to find it out! Slowly, all the sequels are going to be one’s guilty pleasure!
26. Jurassic Park (1993)
About Jurassic Park:
This 90s action film has aged fine with the exciting plot it showcased to its audience in 1993. The story is about a wealthy entrepreneur who builds a Dinosaur theme park, but secretly. The park consists of genetically engineered dinosaurs brought back to life from the past.
It was created on a remote island called Isla Nublar. However, before he opened the park to the public, he invited a paleontologist, a paleobotanist, a polymath, and his two grandchildren. They set on a journey to explore the park but meet an unexpected end.
The security system stops working, the dinosaurs escape, and all the wrong things happen. Want to know more about the adventures? Check out the movie today!
25. Princess Mononoke (1997)
About Princess Mononoke:
There are plenty of animated 90s action films to talk about. Not sticking to the usual Toy Story but Princess Mononoke. Undoubtedly, this movie is an excellent action animated film from Studio Ghibli.
The story settles in a world where both humans and Gods live together before a fatal incident. Ashitaka gets bitten by a demon, doing her search for a deer god to save her. But unfortunately, he gets a deadly curse and diseases from which he cannot recover.
Now, this is where the adventure begins! Hiyao Miyazaki directed the movie and has received several academy awards like the “Japan Academy Prize for Picture of the Year Award”. Director Hiyao Miyazaki has also received an Honorary Award at the 2014 Governors Awards.
24. Home Alone (1990)
About Home Alone:
In this movie, the Callister family is preparing to leave for a vacation to Paris. However, the young boy, Kevin, got into a fight with his brother, resulting in him getting grounded in his room. The following day, the family was in a rush to reach the airport.
But interestingly, the parents forgot about their youngest son in the house. But this didn’t make things worse for him. Instead, he had a pizza all by himself, jumped around, and messed up the house.
Soon, he finds out that two thieves are trying to plunder his house. This is where the main plot starts, followed by action comedy and much more! Did you know that the movie was brutal to make?
Searching for the right house to carry out the stunts was a colossal job. However, there are plenty of funny scenes in the movie, one of which was when a spider dropped on Marv. You might be surprised to know that the spider was real.
23. Terminator 2 Judgment Day (1991)
About Terminator 2 Judgment Day:
The sci-fi film, directed by James Cameron and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as a cyborg, protects Sarah Conor’s son from other cyborgs. In Terminator 1, the cyborg failed to kill Sarah, but now he must protect her son from the T-1000 cyborg. The movie follows intense actions and shows an incredible bond growing up between John and the robot T-800 (Arnold).
Interestingly, the movie hit the box office and raised about $520 million. The ardent followers of the Terminator franchise also claim part 2 to be the best one. Terminator 2 Judgment Day is a great blockbuster movie with stunning effects and a great plot twist.
22. The Fugitive (1993)
About The Fugitive:
This movie received an Oscar nomination in the year 1993. The film adaptation is based on a T.V. show and has also been nominated for a Best Picture award. The movie stars Harrison Ford, who was wrongly charged with killing his wife.
He flees from the authorities to track down her killer and clear the misunderstanding. Tommy even won the Academy Award for his role in this movie. One can witness Tommy Lee Jones as the officer who tries to capture Harrison Ford.
However, the series of incidents show us that the officer gets clues about the real killer of Ford’s wife. Will the compelling characters can catch the real murderer before it’s too late, or will Richard land up in prison?
21. The Matrix (1999)
About The Matrix:
There are so many action movies to choose from! But nothing is comparable to Keanu Reeves’ Matrix. The movie starts with Thomas, an average worker, who turns into the savior of the other world. He was a night hacker and called himself Neo, who questioned his entire life.
The movie involves other essential characters, such as Trinity and Morpheus. They battle against the sentinels, who have a dark tale and shed some light on the truth about the world they live in. The Matrix, released in 1999, was the first film in its franchise.
The Matrix Resurrections is the latest chapter released and is available on the big screen. However, the original film cannot be forgotten as it was the beginning of something super hit.
20. The Titanic (1997)
About The Titanic:
Moving on from movies like Point Break and other action movies, let’s talk about The Titanic. The wonderful movie hit theaters in 1997. Caprio became world-famous, and the movie constitutes a great storyline.
People who love suspense and romance would love the movie James Cameron directed. The Titanic was a vast ship that led 1500 people to their death bed.
19. Mission Impossible (1997)
About Mission Impossible:
The infamous movie, Mission Impossible, starring Tom Cruise, is the best picture one can witness. He plays the role of a secret agent and thought the movie. He is forced to accomplish some dangerous missions! So, how does it start?
Ethan (Tom Cruise) and his team are on a mission, but everyone is killed except for Tom. He becomes the main suspect in his colleague’s murders. He is on a mission to reveal the truth and find the answers to everything. Moreover, Mission Impossible has more chapters, and Fallout hit the box office with a whopping $791.7 million.
18. Bad Boys (1995)
About Bad Boys:
Michael Bay’s 1995 is an action movie about two cops, including Will Smith. The Bad Boys is set in the United States. Marcus Burnett and Mike Lowrey, who have been palling their whole lives, are Miami police investigators looking into the theft of $100 million worth of Mafia heroin from a safe police vault.
Internal Affairs believes it was a covert operation and has threatened to block the whole unit if the narcotics aren’t found within 72 hours. However, things get tangled when the friends suspect each other’s identity. The movie showcases great fights and car chases. What will the end lead to? Keep watching to know more.
17. Joy Luck Club (1993)
About Joy Luck Club:
Released in 1993, it showcases the connection between Chinese-American women and their mothers. Interestingly, this is the first film with a story like this. The experiences of 4 Chinese women who escaped the country in the 1940s are chronicled in The Joy Luck Club.
Their four heavily American cultured offspring accompany them. The book’s protagonist is Jing-mei “June” Woo, a 36-year-old daughter who attends the Club meetings in her mother’s place following her death. The elder ladies tell tales about the past and bemoan the hurdles between their children and themselves.
16. Demolition Man (1993)
About Demolition Man:
Demolition man is an American sci-fi movie. Nobody was secure in 1996 Los Angeles when terrorism and violent acts controlled the streets. Only policeman John Spartan could stop Simon Phoenix, among the worst criminals America has ever seen.
When John apprehended him, Phoenix was unexpectedly discovered to be an accomplice to the current crime, but he was also taken to the CryoPrison. Los Angeles’ theme and culture underwent a significant shift from one of violence to another of peace throughout Spartan’s 36-year imprisonment.
Phoenix, who was resurrected for a parole hearing, was able to flee and now makes use of Los Angeles. With their non-violent tactics failing to deter him, the police are forced to release Spartan. Now Spartan must adjust to the future civilization he is unaware of, in addition to stopping Phoenix.
15. Face/Off (1997)
About Face/Off:
This movie features John Travolta along with Nic Cage. John Woo has directed plenty of movies of the 90s, and this was one of them. It was first released in 1997. Here, Caster Troy, the most ruthless terrorist in the world.
He is being pursued by Sean Archer, the F.B.I.’s top agent. Archer is determined to kill Troy since Troy accidentally kills Archer’s little kid during his attempt to assassinate Archer. Troy is put in a coma after the F.B.I. learns that he has detonated an enormous bomb that will blow up in a couple of days.
Troy’s younger brother Pollux, incarcerated in a maximum security facility, is the only other person familiar with the bomb’s location. The F.B.I. convinces Archer to get surgery where he would don Troy’s face to fool everyone and obtain information from Pollux.
Soon after his awakening, Troy does the same procedure on Archer’s face. To portray himself as a hero, Troy eliminates all proof of Archer’s real identity and disarms the bomb himself. Archer breaks out of jail and joins Troy’s former gang to finish Troy for good.
14. Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
About Beverly Hills Cop:
In 1984 Beverly Hills Cop movie was released. Martin Brest directed this movie. Daniel Petre Jr. wrote this movie. The character of Axel Foley was played by Eddie Murphy who was a smart street cop of Detroit who visited Beverly Hills, California, to investigate his best friend’s murder case. The supporting cast of the film consists of Ronny Cox, John Ashton, Judge Reinhold, and Paul Reiser.
13. Hook (1991)
About Hook:
Everyone talks about Toy Story! But here is Hook! A film where one can finally witness a grown-up Peter Pan and Hook! You can cherish all the memorable characters from your childhood animation show! So, what happens in the film?
Peter Banning, a successful corporate attorney in San Francisco, has a strained relationship with his wife Moira and their kids, Jack and Maggie, due to his workaholism. So, who brings Peter Pan to life? It was Robin Williams who brought out the movie in 1991.
Peter travels to London to see Moira’s grandmother after promising to go to at least one of Jack’s baseball games but missing the season’s final game. The children are left in the care of Wendy’s old friend Tootles and housekeeper Liza as Peter, Moira, and Wendy travel to London to attend a charity dinner at the Great Ormond Street Hospital in Wendy’s honor.
One might be surprised that Peter forgot his role as an influential leader of the Lost Boys. Then, however, Captain Hook kidnaps his kids, and that’s when he realizes his role and rescues them.
12. Hard Boiled (1992)
About Hard Boiled:
There are more 90s action films to watch than Die Hard and other movies involving bad guys or a world war. However, the list brings back John Woo’s fantastic direction in the movie Hard Boiled.
The images can be a little graphic and introduce violence to a Hong Kong crime scene. The movie is a thriller and shows a cop who hunts bad guys. He is in search of criminals who killed his partner.
11. Lethal Weapon (1987)
About Lethal Weapon:
Lethal Weapon is a 1987 movie where an elderly family man and sane veteran police officer, Roger Murtaugh, wants to get through the day without getting in trouble. Police officer Martin Riggs is a reckless hothead who doesn’t give a damn if he survives the day.
The odd team is forced to work together to solve the death of a banker’s daughter. They discover a hazardous network of drug traffickers that uses ex-military mercenaries. After a terrible twist of fate, the investigation takes on a personal dimension, forcing the mismatched detectives to forge a two-person alliance as they battle a dangerous criminal gang.
10. Fifth Element (1997)
About Fifth Element:
Unlike most films, the movie has a twist to its classic tale. It is a science fiction 90s action movie released in 1997, unlike Demolition Man. The film tells about periods in the universe where overwhelming evil threatens all existence.
The Element is the ultimate anti-evil weapon that has been created in the past and is kept secure on Earth. It was pretty amazing to a professor who found it in the 1910s.
The Element was taken by a race known as the Monascheiwans, who arrived on Earth with the promise to restore it in time for the following cycle. In the far-off year 2200, the Earth is a vastly different yet mostly unchanged world.
What Happened Next in the Movie: Fifth Element?
People disobey the law, smoke, and leave messes. A former elite commando, Korban Dallas is now a cab driver in the megalopolis of New York City. The venomous species of beings known as the Mangalores destroys the Monascheiwans.
They are bringing the required Element back to Earth to protect it from the oncoming evil. The Fifth Element’s fragment, known as “Leeloo,” which they use to recreate “the ideal being,” was found among the wreckage of the Monascheiwans’ ship. Leeloo physically stops by Korban Dallas’ cab and introduces himself.
Dallas frees her from governmental control and delivers her to Vito Cornelius, a priest. The latter is looking for the Elemental Stones required to power the Element because he sees the evil that is predicted to come. But unfortunately, he is standing in the way of Zorg, a vicious industrialist already under the control of evil.
9. Speed
Speed is one of the most amazing movies of all time! It is about a cop who has to keep the speed of the bus above a specific range to save his city. This would ultimately prevent the bomb from exploding.
Speed Plot:
Here is a little summary! Howard Payne, a retired bomb squad member from the Atlanta police department, is enraged when a young S.W.A.T. officer named Jack thwarts his endeavor to use an explosive to take hostages trapped in an elevator.
In retaliation, Payne equips a bus with a bomb that will detonate if the speed drops below 50 mph. Jack and Harry Temple attempt to save everybody on the transport before the bomb detonates with the assistance of enthusiastic passenger Annie while also attempting to determine how Payne is keeping an eye on them.
8. Rush Hour
About Rush Hour:
One cannot miss out on action movies starring Jackie Chan, and Rush Hour is one of the movies where he captured our hearts. Han, an 11-year-old daughter of a Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles, is abducted in broad daylight. The distraught father asks Inspector Lee, an excellent investigator with the Hong Kong Police, to be called in to help the F.B.I. with the investigation.
However, the bureau does not want the newbie to get in the way of their work, so they hook him up with James Carter to keep an eye on him. Naturally, none of them are pleased with their odd alliance, but the mismatched pair of unwilling partners must find answers before the F.B.I.
7. Predator 2 (1990)
About Predator 2:
Here is another sci-fi movie for the lovers of this genre. Predator 2 will be your best picture if you love fiction and science. In this 90s action film, you can witness the Predator return back to planet Earth with some ill intentions.
What happens in the movie? Someone is killing drug lords and innocent people in 1997 Los Angeles during a scorching summer and a never-ending turf battle involving Jamaican and Colombian criminal gangs.
However, more than 10 years have passed since the previous appearance of the fearsome star hunter in Predator (1987), and, unanticipatedly, Lieutenant Mike Harrigan notices the alien killer’s active camouflage. To clean up the city’s seedy streets, the veteran officer is now pursuing the extraterrestrial bone collector as Harrigan disobeys an explicit command.
6. Chain Reaction
About Chain Reaction:
Here is a film that stars two of your favorite individuals, Reeves and Morgan Freeman. The story starts with the murder of a scientist at a university. Two undergraduate students are accused of stealing the formula. They were forced to feel due to the false accusations.
Andrew Davis directed the movie involving good actions and gun fights. But will Eddie be able to provide evidence to prove himself? To know what happens next, check out the movie!
5. Air Force One (1997)
About Air Force One:
Here is yet another 90s action film and a box office hit for you! A suspenseful story about a committed American President who recently declared to the world that he would not deal with terrorists.
Russian neo-nationalists have taken aboard Air Force One. The president must make a difficult choice between caving into terrorist demands and risking the honor of his country and the safety of his daughter and wife.
4. The Last Boy Scout (1991)
About The Last Boy Scout:
90s action film, The Last Boy Scout is about Detective Joe Hallenbeck, who is worn out. One comes to know about the Former LA Stallions player, Jimmy Dix. Hallenbeck was employed to watch over Cory, a dancer.
However, Cory has a boyfriend who goes by the name of Dix. Hallenbeck and Dix work together to solve the crime after Cory dies in a drive-by shooting.
3. Total Recall
Total recall is a 90s action film and just another film like Die Hard. The movie received an Academy Award for best sound mixing. So, here is the summary.
About Total Recall:
In the year 2084, Douglas Quaid works as a frustrated general contractor who longs to travel to colonized Mars. Instead, he goes to “Rekall,” a corporation that creates fake memories and implants them in people’s brains, so they can feel the excitement of Mars without really being there.
However, something goes wrong with the surgery, and Quaid learns that the individuals who put the fake memories in his mind now want to kill him and that his entire existence was only a false memory.
2. The Rock
About The Rock:
This 90s action film features a furious general who wants to get retribution after his special troops were killed in combat, but their families were not given financial support. So, he positions 81 captives within the Alcatraz jail and prepares a launch of poison gas rockets upon San Fran if he is not given $100 million.
Michael Bay Directed the movie, received MTV awards, and was nominated for Academy Awards.
1. Blade
About Blade:
A very interesting film, and amongst the most popular 90s action film. Blade has a purpose in a universe where vampires roam the planet. He wants to eradicate all vampire cruelty from the planet.
Blade drives off the vampire after seeing it attack Dr. Karen Jenson and brings Jenson up to his lair. Here, Blade works with Abraham Whistler to aid in Jenson’s recovery. After Blade attacks, the vampire Quinn informs his Lord Deacon Frost, preparing a massive shock for the general populace.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q1. What are some of the best 90s action movies?
Marked for Death (1990), GoldenEye (1995), Bullet in the Head (1990), 12 Hours of Terror (1990), Out for Justice (1991), The Legend of Drunken Master (1994), Supercop (1992), RoboCop 2 (1990), Rapid Fire (1992), The Mission (1999), Léon: The Professional (1994), A Hero Never Dies (1998), Burning Paradise (1994).
Q2. What are some of the best 90s action films for kids?
3 Ninjas (1992), Heavyweights (1995), Mrs. Doubtfire (1993), Hocus Pocus (1993), The Mighty Ducks (1992), Honey, I Shrunk the Kids! (1989), Now and Then (1995), The Sandlot (1993).
