The Best Horror Movies of the '90s

While the 90s are synonymous with excellent science fiction films for me, they also produced great horror films, and some even combined these two genres. Since that’s the case, I decided to prepare a nice 90s list for you.

Misery (1990)

It shows just how far an obsessed fan is willing to go for an author. Honestly, obsessive fandom is some twisted stuff. Those people who wait for hours at airports or outside concert venues just to see a celebrity have always creeped me out, and this movie taps right into that fear. It’s adapted from Stephen King’s novel Misery. (I actually own a classic vintage edition, just to slip in a little humblebrag there.) Kathy Bates is absolutely mesmerizing as a total maniac in the lead role.

It (1990)

Another Stephen King classic. This film has always made me ask this question: Does the fear of clowns make this story terrifying, or did this story elevate the fear of clowns to the heavens? I don’t know the answer, but it’s undeniable that Pennywise is one of the most effective horror icons of all time. Personal note: As a child, I lost my mind at the scene where the photograph winks.

Night of the Living Dead (1990)

Zombies return in this film with their decaying bodies and hunger. I said “return” because the film on this list is the version adapted by Tom Savini of George A. Romero’s 1968 classic. I mentioned how important Tom Savini is in the horror community in my Best Slasher Films list but didn’t give details. I won’t give them now either because I want to announce a Tom Savini article from here.

Tremors (1990)

Giant snakes (well, worms) burst from underground to terrorize a small town. Luckily, Kevin Bacon and his crew are there to handle these beasts. But remember: if the ground starts shaking, run for your life! This feels like one of those movies that played constantly on late-night TV, often unfairly labeled as just another cheesy B-movie. I strongly disagree with that reputation. I’m claiming it right here and now: this isn’t just a guilty pleasure; it is a genuinely great film.

The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

It tells the story of the psychological cat-and-mouse game between FBI agent Clarice Starling and Hannibal Lecter, a serial killer who is so intellectual and charismatic, he almost fits the description of a vampire. As a kid, my parents wouldn’t let me watch it, but I pestered them until they finally gave in. I watched it and understood absolutely nothing. Still, just the idea that it was a horror movie meant I was petrified every time Hannibal appeared on screen. Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster deliver unforgettable performances. Directed by Jonathan Demme, this masterpiece swept the Oscars in 1992, turning 5 of its 7 nominations into golden statues.

Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)

Gary Oldman’s mesmerizing performance, Francis Ford Coppola’s direction, and a modern interpretation of the legendary story… Here you have the masterpiece where Dracula, the legendary character of horror cinema, is reborn. Gary Oldman appears as Count Dracula and breaks away from the classic “bloodsucker” image. He’s introduced more as a “pained romantic” vampire. This means when looking from Dracula’s eyes, you have to think about love stories and quests for immortality. Winona Ryder and Keanu Reeves are also in the cast. Ryder plays Mina Harker and masterfully reflects the complexity of her character. Reeves, meanwhile, struggles with the challenges of being an actor in a film set in the Victorian era.

Candyman (1992)

Standing in front of a mirror and saying “Candyman” three times can lead to a ghost killer’s manifestation. A bad idea for those wanting to joke around—I think they should reconsider. The film begins with a researcher named Helen Lyle investigating these popular “Candyman” rumors in Chicago. Of course, things quickly take a strange turn. Directed by Bernard Rose, the film offers an interesting story about the origins of “Candyman.” It also includes social criticism about ghettos. Virginia Madsen and Tony Todd deliver excellent performances in this film adapted from horror writer Clive Barker’s story.

Interview With the Vampire (1994)

“Interview with the Vampire” came along, compiled all the vampire clichés, and beautifully revived them. This film adapted from Anne Rice’s novel brings together big names like Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt. But it should be noted, these two handsome men are only busy sucking blood in this film! A film that perfectly captures the allure and terror of classic vampire mythology. The film also beautifully addresses the moral dilemmas the vampire faces and even nihilism.

In the Mouth of Madness (1994)

I can say it’s my favorite film on the list, maybe even number one. This film directed by the great master John Carpenter is told from the perspective of John Trent, an insurance detective who enters the fictional world of famous writer Sutter Cane while pursuing his latest novel. Trent’s adventure begins to question both the boundaries between reality and fiction and his own sanity. As Trent goes mad, so do we. The film’s Turkish title is “Beyond Madness” and actually, this name clearly states the experience we’ll have. Although the fictional writer Sutter Cane in the film resembles Stephen King more in image, the film progresses in a more Lovecraftian atmosphere. Perhaps what makes the film so good is that it blends two great writers. Also, Sam Neill brings the character John Trent to life in the film and truly delivers an applause-worthy performance.

From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)

Tarantino’s vampire flick. Honestly, I shouldn’t even need to say more. I’m pretty sure anyone who didn’t know about this just closed the tab to go find it. This movie plays out like a crime thriller up to a certain point, and then pulls one of the sharpest U-turns in cinema history to become something else entirely. The story follows two fugitive brothers, Seth (George Clooney) and Richie Gecko (Quentin Tarantino), trying to escape to Mexico after a crime spree. But once they take a family hostage and hit a certain bar, everything changes. By midnight, they find themselves smack in the middle of a vampire invasion, fighting for survival against the bar’s daring undead owners. Aside from Clooney and Tarantino, the film features Salma Hayek and as you might guess her feet.”

Scream (1996)

I’m pulling a shameless copy-paste from my ‘Best Slasher Movies’ article for this one: Yet another Wes Craven hit. That is what true influence looks like. The late master has so many other absolute gems that aren’t even on this list. This 1996 slasher follows a masked killer targeting high schooler Sidney Prescott and her friends. It stars Neve Campbell (Sidney), Courteney Cox (Gale), David Arquette (Dewey), and Drew Barrymore (Casey). The film single-handedly revitalized the slasher genre with a meta-approach that both critiques and pays homage to the tropes. Pro tip: If you’re new to the genre, watch a few other slashers first to really appreciate the humor here. It also spawned five sequels and a TV series.

Event Horizon (1997)

Another film I can say is my favorite on the list. Dr. William Weir designs a giant spaceship called Event Horizon. However, this ship disappears while going into space. Seven years later, the ship appears around Neptune, solid despite some cosmetic flaws. Of course, people immediately examine this and send a rescue team to understand exactly what happened. We could also say they’re searched for by a group with no paint obsession. When this team enters the ship, they begin to understand the terrible things the previous crew experienced, and things get even stranger. “Event Horizon” is a film that drags you into deep thoughts about the dark sides of human psychology and the difficulty of understanding the universe. The visual effects and atmosphere are tremendous and a real feast for horror lovers. Sam Neill also stars in this film and delivers a great performance just like in In the Mouth of Madness. Remember, in space no one can hear you, so your screams are doomed to go to waste!

The Blair Witch Project (1999)

This one holds a very special place in my heart. I saw it in theaters a few years after its 1999 release. I was just a high schooler, and a friend and I went to the Kılıçoğlu Cinema to push our luck. While we were wondering, ‘Will they let us in or not?’ we breezed right into our seats. We went in blind, watched it believing it was 100% real, and walked out of that theater with faces white as sheets. My friend actually stopped talking to me for a bit, swearing off horror movies forever. Looking back, I’m glad I have that memory; I got the full experience. Anyway, let’s talk about the plot. It is a major turning point for horror cinema. You could argue it steered the genre in a new direction by popularizing the ‘found footage’ style. Three student filmmakers, Heather, Josh, and Mike, head into the Black Hills Forest in Maryland to document the legend of the Blair Witch. But things go south fast as they get lost and face all sorts of threats. As strange events unfold around them, their project turns into a nightmare. The cameras capture the terror, giving the audience a first-person experience. Also, I condemn anyone watching it today saying, ‘What the hell? Nothing is happening!’ and I invite them to judge it within the context of its time.

The People Under the Stairs (1991)

It’s almost describing our present day. I used the template we’re accustomed to hearing for the novel 1984 for this film because in this magnificent work, Wes Craven addressed landlord-tenant relationships, poverty, and racial discrimination blended with horror and thriller sauce. Also, Wes Craven stated that when writing the story for this film, he was inspired by a real event that happened in the 70s. A child and his family are under threat of losing their home in the poor neighborhood where they live. The family’s financial difficulties lead to them being exploited by the ruthless and strange married couple who own their house, Mrs. and Mr. Robeson. When this child enters their house with the intent to steal, he discovers incredible secrets in the house’s basement. And Events Unfold…

Cronos (1993)

It’s an unforgettable film shot at the beginning of Guillermo del Toro’s career. The film tells the story of an elderly antique dealer who discovers a mysterious device resembling a clock mechanism. While this device takes him to the threshold of immortality, he begins to be pursued by a strange creature. A millionaire businessman who owns the device is ready to do anything to obtain this immortality. At this point, “Cronos” focuses on both vampire mythology and how immortality affects humanity.

The Sixth Sense (1999)

M. Night Shyamalan’s masterpiece and perhaps his best film. The film focuses on the world of a young boy, Cole Sear (Haley Joel Osment). Cole has a supernatural ability that allows him to communicate with the dead. However, this ability has isolated him from the outside world and placed him under a spiritual burden. Psychiatrist Dr. Malcolm Crowe (Bruce Willis) tries to understand Cole’s strange condition and help him. There’s no need to explain further. The film is built on a huge surprise anyway, and once you know it, all the flavor is lost. Although there’s probably no one left who doesn’t know, but whatever.

Ringu (1998)

A film directed by Hideo Nakata and considered one of the leading examples of Japanese horror cinema. This chilling production offers cultural and psychological tension. The film tells the story of Reiko Asakawa (Nanako Matsushima), a journalist. Reiko, trying to solve the mystery behind a series of mysterious death cases, finally discovers a videotape that may reveal the mystery behind these deaths. However, this tape carries a curse telling its viewers they will die within seven days. After watching the tape, Reiko engages in a race against time to save herself and her son from this curse. “Ringu” is considered one of the cult works of horror cinema, and “The Ring,” remade by Hollywood in 2002, is a remake of this film. We can also call it the film where Sadako Yamamura and her more famous American clone Samara Morgan were born. Well, there was a novel before, but whatever.

Wolf (1994)

An interesting werewolf film starring Jack Nicholson and Michelle Pfeiffer. In this classic production, we see a slightly different approach from traditional werewolf stories.

Will Randall (Jack Nicholson) is a publishing house editor and one night, he’s bitten by a wolf. Following the bite, he gradually undergoes a werewolf transformation. While this transformation gives him physical and emotional powers, it also releases the darkness within him. As Will becomes more competitive in his work life, he also tries to cope with his werewolf nature. The film offers tension that makes you think deeply about the wild aspects of human nature and the allure of power. Actually, calling it a horror film would be wrong, but after all, it’s a werewolf story and a very good film. For these reasons, it would be wrong not to include it on this list.

Sleepy Hollow (1999)

This film directed by Tim Burton is adapted from Washington Irving’s classic story “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” and reflects Burton’s unique style and understanding of dark humor.

The story begins with a detective named Ichabod Crane (Johnny Depp) being sent to the town of Sleepy Hollow to solve the ghost of the mysterious headless horseman. The town’s residents are being terrifyingly killed by a headless horseman ghost. Ichabod is a rational man and believes in the power of science, but the supernatural events and terrible murders he encounters cause him to question his beliefs.

Johnny Depp delivers a striking performance in the role of Ichabod Crane and perfectly reflects the character’s eccentricity. Let’s not forget to mention that Christopher Walken and Christina Ricci are also very successful.

Jacob’s Ladder (1990)

It’s a work that has become a classic as a mind-bending and brain-burning horror film. This film directed by Adrian Lyne and starring Tim Robbins offers viewers a complex experience that makes them question the fine line between dreams and reality.

The story centers on Vietnam War veteran Jacob Singer (Tim Robbins). When Jacob returns to New York after the war, his life quickly becomes strange and terrifying. Strange creatures, frightening events, and dreams he can’t make sense of take over Jacob’s mind. As the boundaries between reality and nightmare become blurred for him, viewers also begin to question their own perceptions. This film leaves deep effects on viewers and its ending is still a subject of discussion. “Jacob’s Ladder” offers an indispensable experience for those willing to explore reality, trauma, and the complexity of the human mind.

BONUS: Army of Darkness (1992)

Is there seriously anyone left alive who hasn’t seen ‘Army of Darkness’ yet? If so, what a pity. You need to watch it immediately, absolutely, urgently, and strictly! It’s another product of the legendary Bruce Campbell and Sam Raimi partnership, and easily the most fun installment of the ‘Evil Dead’ franchise. It begins with a time warp that traps our chainsaw-wielding hero, Ash Williams (Bruce Campbell)—a man who practically majors in cheating death—deep in the forest. Finding himself suddenly transported to the Middle Ages, Ash must find a way back home while fighting Evil once again. But this time, Evil isn’t alone; it has an army. Long story short, get ready to witness an absolute feast of absurdity.