The '90s was not only a decade brimming with horror hits. It also saw the rise of several iconic horror franchises that would go on to define the genre for years to come. Many people remember this time period for the release of popular horror flicks like Scream, I Know What You Did Last Summer, Candyman, Army of Darkness, The Blair Witch Project and many others. But there’s a whole crop of underrated horror films from this decade that just doesn't receive as much love.
These hidden gems are also packed with unique scares, suspense, and twisted plots that will remind you why the '90s was such a fantastic decade for horror. They're just as impactful as the major horror releases of the decade, but no one wants to talk about that. Well, we're about to have that discussion now. Below, we shared a list of seven underrated horror movies of the '90s. These overlooked treasures are well worth the watch!
Jacob’s Ladder (1990)
- Cast: Tim Robbins, Elizabeth Peña, Danny Aiello
- Where to watch: Prime Video, MGM+
After returning home from the Vietnam War, war veteran Jacob Singer is plagued by terrifying hallucinations and flashbacks and experiences an overwhelming sense of paranoia. His loved ones try to help him, but their efforts prove largely ineffective. As he struggles with his mental and physical health, he desperately tries to figure out the truth. But will he find out before he completely descends into madness?
The People Under the Stairs (1991)
- Cast: Brandon Adams, Everett McGill, Wendy Robie, A. J. Langer, Ving Rhames
- Where to watch: Available to rent or buy on digital platforms
Desperate to help his family avoid eviction, a young boy named Fool teams up with two burglars to break into the home of his family's crooked, reclusive landlords. However, as they venture deeper into the house, they discover that the mansion hides far darker secrets. The landlords have been hiding and abusing children, some of whom live in the house’s hidden basement. What starts as a simple home invasion turns into a fight for survival as Fool tries to escape the mansion.
The Craft (1996)
- Cast: Fairuza Balk, Robin Tunney, Neve Campbell, Rachel True
- Where to watch: Tubi for free, Peacock
Sarah is a shy, troubled teenage girl who moves to a new high school and befriends a trio of outcast girls who practice witchcraft. After she joins their coven, they begin to use their magic for personal gain and revenge. But their friendship eventually turns toxic, and their actions become increasingly reckless, leading to dark and dangerous consequences.
Tremors (1990)
- Cast: Kevin Bacon, Fred Ward, Finn Carter, Michael Gross, Reba McEntire
- Where to watch: Paramount+, MGM+
Handymen Val McKee and Earl Bassett were ready to pack their bags and leave their small desert town when giant, monstrous, worm-like creatures suddenly attacked. Now, they must team up with the other townspeople to outsmart the creatures and survive.
The Addiction (1995)
- Cast: Lili Taylor, Christopher Walken, Annabella Sciorra, Edie Falco, Paul Calderón, Fredro Starr
- Where to watch: Plex for free
Kathleen, a New York University philosophy graduate student, is attacked and bitten by a vampire one night and subsequently begins to undergo a disturbing transformation into a vampire herself. She then struggles to come to terms with her new condition and her insatiable craving for human blood.
Cube (1997)
- Cast: Nicole de Boer, Nicky Guadagni, David Hewlett, Andrew Miller, Julian Richings, Wayne Robson, Maurice Dean Wint
- Where to watch: Tubi or Freevee for free
A group of strangers awakens to find themselves trapped in a seemingly endless maze of cube-shaped rooms rigged with deadly booby traps. In order to survive, they must work together to navigate through the maze and find an escape.
The Faculty (1998)
- Cast: Jordana Brewster, Clea DuVall, Laura Harris, Josh Hartnett, Shawn Hatosy, Famke Janssen, Elijah Wood
- Where to watch: Paramount+
When their teachers are taken over by alien parasites, the students of Herrington High School must band together to fight back against the alien threat.