The 1990s had plenty of action movie superstars, although many of this era’s most notable heroes had lots of movies that have been hugely underrated. While this decade was categorized by major franchises as legendary sequels likeTerminator 2or the dawning of revolutionary series such asThe Matrixdominated the conversation, those willing to dig below the surface will be rewarded with incredible hidden gems. As the 1980s stars like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone continued to hit big at the box office, this was also the heyday for new heroes like Nicolas Cage, Steven Seagal, and Wesley Snipes.
Thebiggest action movie starsof the 1990s all had several underrated releases that have failed to maintain the same kind of pop culture dominance as their most acclaimed work. This was a real shame, as many ofthese movies were packed with heart-racing action sequences and spectacular big-budget set pieces that truly hold up upon rewatch. While these movies may not be as well known, they boasted the decade’s biggest action star among their casts and were bursting with 1990s style and energy.
10Sudden Death (1995)
Jean-Claude Van Damme as Darren McCord
The karate and kickboxing champion Jean-Claude Van Damme first gained widespread recognition after his breakout role inBloodsportin 1988. However, it was during the 1990s that Van Damme truly made a name for himself as a major action star in beloved movies likeUniversal SoldierandTime Cop. While Van Damme saw major success working with Hong Kong directors, like John Woo, Tsui Hark, and Ringo Lam, making their Western movie debuts, he also had plenty of underrated releases in the 1990s that were well worth checking out.
Sudden Deathrepresented the best of Van Damme during the 1990sas he played a fire marshal left with no choice but to take on a group of extortionists who held NHL players and 17,000 hockey fans hostage at the Stanley Cup Finals. With his daughter held hostage and the Secret Service unwilling to meet the captor’s over $1 billion demand, Van Damme showed his incredible fighting skills and action star credentials. WhileSudden Deathunderperformed at the box office, it was one of the most excitingaction movies of the 1990sand deserves far more attention.
Sudden Death
Cast
Following a brain injury, a woman suspects her husband is an impostor and struggles with unsettling visions and calls from someone claiming to be her real spouse, pushing her to question her sanity.
9Drop Zone (1994)
Wesley Snipes as U.S. Marshal Pete Nessip
Throughout the 1990s, Wesley Snipes established himself as an action star, playing heroes and villains opposite Sylvester Stallone inDemolition Man,Rising Sunwith Sean Connery, andMoney Trainwith Woody Harrelson. Although Snipes was well-known for his visually spectacular turn in the early superhero movieBlade, he also had plenty of underrated releases during this decade.Drop Zonewas an example of a Snipes movie that had the potential to become a true classic, yet it received mixed reviews and never built up the acclaim it deserved.
This action movie in the sky kept viewers on the edge of their seats as Snipes played U.S. Marshal Pete Nessip in pursuit of Gary Busey as Ty Moncrief, a criminal attempting to hack the DEA’s mainframe and criminal database.Drop Zonewas a high-octane thriller packed with one impressive stunt after another. While audiences may have to suspend their disbelief to truly be astounded by the impressive sequences in the sky inDrop Zone, it’s just so much fun that it swoops audiences away who are ready to be taken along for the ride.
Drop Zone
Drop Zone is an action thriller directed by John Badham. Wesley Snipes stars as U.S. Marshal Pete Nessip, who goes undercover in the skydiving world to track down a group of criminals using parachuting skills for daring heists. Gary Busey and Yancy Butler also feature prominently in this high-flying pursuit, highlighting the extreme sport’s potential for both law enforcement and criminal activity.
8The Glimmer Man (1996)
Steven Seagal as CIA Agent Jack Cole
Part of the appeal of Steven Seagal was he had the real-life fighting credentials needed to pull off his role as an action movie star. With a 7th-dan black belt in aikido and as a former martial arts teacher, these skills quickly made Seagal one of the biggest stars of the 1990s with movies likeUnder SiegeandThe Patriot. However,one release that should gain more acclaim was his portrayal of the fast-moving CIA operative Jack Cole inThe Glimmer Man.
The Glimmer Man had everything a viewer could want out of a Seagal action movie.
The Glimmer Manwas a buddy cop action movie that paired Seagal with Keenen Ivory Wayans for a dark and satisfying story of two police officers forced to work together to solve a string of mysterious killings. With several incredible fight sequences that were balanced with a lighthearted sense of humor,The Glimmer Manhad everything a viewer could want out of a Seagal action movie. While it didn’t break down any cinematic boundaries, as a swift action-packed 91-minute movie, it just works.
The Glimmer Man
The Glimmer Man is a 1996 action thriller directed by John Gray, featuring Steven Seagal as Jack Cole, a former covert operative turned detective. Paired with partner Jim Campbell, played by Keenen Ivory Wayans, the duo investigates a series of gruesome murders attributed to a serial killer. Their contrasting styles lead to tension as they navigate the perilous investigation.
7Striking Distance (1993)
Bruce Willis as Sergeant Thomas Hardy
While Bruce Willis took the action movie world by storm with the release ofDie Hardin 1988, it was during the 1990s that he solidified his stature as one of that decade’s biggest stars. This was an era filled with beloved roles inDie Hardsequels, sci-fi classics like12 Monkeys, and an iconic turn inPulp Fiction, but there were also several lesser-known releases likeStriking Distance. With Willis as a police sergeant known as Tom Hardy, this was just one of many movies wherefictional characters accidentally had famous names.
As the story of a cop pursuing the man he believed murdered his father,Striking Distancedealt with themes of family trauma, hero worship, and the endless desire for justice. While it may not live up to the very best Willis action movies, there’s plenty to enjoy, and it did not deserve to be so harshly dismantled and dismissed by critics at the time of its release.Striking Distancemay be slightly generic and bogged down by tropes and clichés, but itfeatured Willis at the height of his famewith his movie star charisma on full display.
Striking Distance
Striking Distance follows Tom Hardy, a police officer demoted to waterway duty after suspecting a fellow cop is his father’s killer. Working with new partner Jo Christman, Hardy searches for clues along the rivers amidst a series of new murders involving women he knows.
6Johnny Mnemonic (1995)
Keanu Reeves as Johnny
While Keanu Reeves will forever be associated with cyberpunk due to his role as Neo inThe Matrix, many viewers may be unaware of his highly underrated performance inJohnny Mnemonic. This 1995 cyberpunk action film was based on a short story by William Gibson, and Reeves played a man who had stored confidential information inside his own head due to a futuristic brain implant. As a depiction of a tech-savvy dystopian future,Johnny Mnemonicwas a fascinating exploitation of technological themes that was badly received upon release but has since gained a cult following.
WhileJohnny Mnemonicfailed to live up to the blockbuster expectations of ReevesSpeedfrom the previous year and would be vastly overshadowed by The Matrix, for contemporary viewers, it’s a unique time capsule into the 1990s representation of tech. As a movie released just as the potential for the internet was starting to reveal itself,Johnny Mnemonicrepresented societal fears about what the future holds and the dangers of information overload. A new edition titledJohnny Mnemonic: In Black and Whitewas released in 2022, which Gibson characterized as closer to his original vision (viaScreen Slate.)
Johnny Mnemonic
Johnny Mnemonic is an action sci-fi film directed by Robert Longo and based on William Gibson’s novel. The film follows data courier Johnny, who carries a large implant in his brain that holds significant information that could change everything - but a yakuza member takes on a hit request and sends a dangerous assassin to stop incriminating information from getting out.
5Broken Arrow (1996)
John Travolta as Major Vic “Deak” Deakins
Although John Travolta’s greatest 1990s action movie role came opposite Nicolas Cage inFace/Off, this would not have been possible without his starring role in John Woo’s previous movieBroken Arrow. As a highly underrated release with Travolta and Christian Slater, this highly engaging action thriller saw thieves steal nuclear weapons as the U.S. military authorities attempted to recover them. With an ongoing feud between Travolta and Slater’s characters, tension, high stakes, and a whole lot of style madeBroken Arrowa truly engaging cinematic experience.
Broken Arrowrepresented Woo’s transition from Hong Kong action movies into Hollywood blockbusters and was preceded by his American debut,Hard Target,with Jean-Claude Van Damme the year before. While neither film reached the lofty heights ofFace/Off, it showcased Woo’s incredible potential as he consistently carved his now iconic status in the action movie genre. Although this Travolta movie may not be as well known,Broken Arrowwas a must-watch for those interested in 1990s action and the unique trajectory of Travolta and Woo’s careers.
Broken Arrow
Broken Arrow is a 1996 action thriller directed by John Woo. The film stars John Travolta as rogue pilot Vic Deakins and Christian Slater as his co-pilot Riley Hale, who must thwart Deakins' plan to steal nuclear warheads. As they engage in a dangerous cat-and-mouse game, the fate of millions hangs in the balance.
4Crime Story (1993)
Jackie Chan as Inspector Eddie Chan
While the Kung Fu legend Jackie Chan has been acting since as far back as the 1960s, it was during the 1990s that he truly transformed into a global superstar and a major action hero in the West. As perhapsthe greatest Kung Fu star of all time,Crime Storygave a glimpse into Chan’s more serious side. While Chan’s unique skills were to blend action movie spectacle, martial arts skills, and slapstick comedy, this underrated release was a far more serious film that many Chan lovers would be used to.
WhileCrime Story’smore serious undertones may be a reason it is so underrated among action lovers, this was also a major part of its appeal. Chan plays a good cop trying to save a kidnapped businessman, and the more serious aspects ofCrime Storycome from the fact that it was based on a real 1990 kidnapping (viaSCMP). With a career packed with underappreciated and lesser-known releases,Crime Storywas a Jackie Chan Hong Kong action movie that’s well worth checking out.
Crime Story
Crime Story, directed by Kirk Wong, features Jackie Chan as Inspector Eddie Chan, who is assigned to protect a wealthy businessman targeted for kidnapping. The film is notable for its darker tone compared to other Jackie Chan movies, focusing on the intricate criminal underworld of Hong Kong. As tensions rise, Inspector Chan must navigate the treacherous landscape while dealing with his own internal struggles.
3Eraser (1996)
Arnold Schwarzenegger as U.S. Marshal John “Eraser” Kruger
When it comes to action movie stars, it does not get any bigger than Arnold Schwarzenegger, a performer whose brooding physique, thick Austrian accent, and unique blend of action-star charisma and comedic skill made him a true cinematic icon. While the 1980s saw Schwarzenegger gaining some of his most iconic roles, like inThe Terminator, this carried forward into the 1990s with performances in the legendary sequelTerminator 2: Judgment Day, James Cameron’sTrue Lies, and the much-malignedBatman & Robin.
However, among all these well-known roles, one 1990s Schwarzenegger release that seems to get left out of the conversation wasEraser. This was where Schwarzenegger portrayed Kruger, a man specializing in erasing witnesses caught in a massive government conspiracy where even his own men were working against him. With plenty of over-the-top action and some truly awe-inspiring sequences, such as Schwarzenegger somehow catching up with an airplane with his parachute,Eraserwas high-octane fun that deserves to be spoken about alongside some of his best work in the action genre.
Eraser
Eraser is an action thriller directed by Chuck Russell, featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger as U.S. Marshal John Kruger, who specializes in erasing identities to protect witnesses. The plot centers on Kruger’s mission to safeguard a key witness, Lee Cullen, portrayed by Vanessa Williams, against a corrupt conspiracy within the defense contractor she works for. The film blends intense action sequences with themes of betrayal and technological warfare.
2Assassins (1995)
Sylvester Stallone as Robert Rath
As the first produced script by the Wachowskis coming three years beforeThe Matrix, this Sylvester Stallone vehicle was packed with great ideas and had plenty of style. While Brian Helgeland rewrote the script to the point that Wachowskis tried to have their name removed from it (viaCollider), this star-studded release with Stallone, Julianne Moore, and Antonio Banderas was an enjoyable offering from theLethal Weapondirector Richard Donner. With fantastically grounded performances from Stallone, it was Banderas as the sweaty, unpredictable, and stressed-out assassin Miguel Bain who gave this film its manic energy.
Assassinswas a classic cat-and-mouse game between two highly skilled assassinsplayed by Stallone and Banderas. This was mixed with Stallone’s love story with Julianne Moore as the computer hacker Electra and the delivery of a multi-million dollar computer disk to a mysterious buyer. While it was at times too convoluted for its own good, at its core,Assassinswas a pure action movie that’s highly underrated and would likely have been even better had Wachowski’s original vision been maintained.
Assassins
Assassins (1995) is a thriller directed by Richard Donner, starring Sylvester Stallone and Antonio Banderas. Stallone plays Robert Rath, a professional hitman aiming to retire while Banderas portrays Miguel Bain, a younger assassin challenging Rath’s status. As they face off in a deadly game, Rath protects a target, played by Julianne Moore, from both Bain and his own dark past in a high-stakes battle of wits and survival.
1Red Rock West (1993)
Nicolas Cage as Michael Williams
The 1990s were an extraordinary time in Nicolas Cage’s career, as he not only took home the Oscar for Best Actor forLeaving Las Vegas, but he also carved out a place for himself as one of Hollywood’s most bankable and unique stars. During this time, Cage starred in three of the best action movies of all time, with roles inCon Air,The Rock, andFace/Off. However, these achievements were just scratching the surface when it came to Cage’s filmography, as those willing to seek out his most underrated releases will be rewarded with pure cinematic gold.
The story involves Cage being mistaken for a hitman in a rural town, and all hell breaks loose when the real hitman (Dennis Hopper) shows up.
The best example of a hidden gem in Cage’s vast filmography wasRed Rock West, an action-packed neo-noir Western that oozed style and featured countless twists and turns to keep viewers engaged. The story involves Cage being mistaken for a hitman in a rural town, and all hell breaks loose when the real hitman (Dennis Hopper) shows up.Red Rock Westwas packed with idiosyncratic characters, a terrific sense of style, and a hilarious script that made it one of the most slept-on movies of the 1990s.
Red Rock West
Red Rock West is a neo-noir thriller directed by John Dahl, featuring Nicolas Cage as Michael Williams, a drifter in need of employment. Mistaken for a hitman, he becomes embroiled in a web of deception, with the town’s inhabitants, including J.T. Walsh’s Wayne and Lara Flynn Boyle’s Suzanne, further complicating matters. The film explores themes of identity and morality, set in the arid landscapes of the American Southwest.
