10 Movies From The ’90s You Forgot Were Box Office Hits

The 1990s were a fantastic time for movies, with many films earning huge profits in theaters. While independent films also flourished, the decade is best known for its incredibly successful blockbuster hits.

Movies like Titanic really changed the game, ushering in a new age of films that made over a billion dollars. But James Cameron’s blockbuster wasn’t the only huge hit of the 1990s – each year brought several films that became all-time classics. And even if a movie didn’t do great in theaters, it could still become profitable thanks to sales of VHS and DVDs.

The 1990s were a really successful time for movies, and many surprisingly simple films became huge hits. Over time, some of those box office successes have become less well-known, and others are almost completely forgotten. It often felt like any movie released in the ’90s could become popular, regardless of its quality.

Presumed Innocent (1990)

Released in 1990, Presumed Innocent was a major box office success, becoming one of the year’s highest-grossing films. The movie stars Harrison Ford as a charming lawyer suspected of murdering a coworker and lover. While reviews were mixed, the film benefited from a strong cast.

Despite being somewhat forgotten among Harrison Ford’s many famous films, Presumed Innocent was a big financial success, earning $220 million (according to Box Office Mojo). The movie is a classic courtroom drama, but it hasn’t received much attention lately. Thankfully, a recent TV adaptation on Apple TV+ has reminded audiences of this excellent film from the early 1990s.

Sleeping With The Enemy (1991)

Julia Roberts was a huge movie star in the 1990s, and Sleeping with the Enemy followed the success of her hit film, Pretty Woman. The movie features Roberts as a woman escaping an abusive husband, who starts a new life under a different name. However, her husband finds her again. Despite getting negative reviews, the thriller perfectly captures the feel of 1990s cinema.

When it was released, Sleeping with the Enemy broke records, becoming the highest-grossing film led by a female actress at the time, eventually earning over $170 million (according to Box Office Mojo). A lot of the film’s success was due to Julia Roberts, who was already a popular star in 1991. Despite its blockbuster status, Sleeping with the Enemy isn’t considered one of Roberts’ most memorable films.

Boomerang (1992)

The 1990s were a mixed bag for Eddie Murphy, but his 1992 film, Boomerang, did well in theaters. The movie centers on a charming but womanizing executive (Murphy) who gets a taste of his own medicine when he starts dating a new boss who is even more ruthless about love. Despite using familiar romantic comedy clichés, Boomerang felt somewhat outdated.

The film didn’t utilize Eddie Murphy’s skills effectively and failed to deliver a compelling story. While it received mixed reviews, it still earned $130 million (according to Box Office Mojo). Boomerang marked the beginning of a downturn in Murphy’s career, which didn’t recover until The Nutty Professor reignited his box office draw. If Boomerang had been released later in the 1990s, it probably wouldn’t have been successful.

Indecent Proposal (1993)

Erotic thrillers were hugely popular in the mid-1990s, and Indecent Proposal profited from that trend. The movie centers on a young couple facing a difficult ethical dilemma: a wealthy, unusual man offers them a million dollars if his wife will spend a night with him. However, critics quickly recognized the movie’s weak storyline, and it received largely negative reviews.

Even though critics didn’t love it, Indecent Proposal was a big financial success in 1993, earning $266 million (according to Box Office Mojo). However, many viewers found the film morally problematic and ultimately unsatisfying, and it’s often considered a low point for the erotic thriller genre.

The Client (1994)

When Hollywood found author John Grisham, his novels became huge movie hits. The Client is a prime example: it’s about a young boy who witnesses a mafia crime and relies on a lawyer for protection from both the mob and the FBI. It was a captivating and easy-to-follow thriller that perfectly captured the energy of ’90s suspense films.

The movie was a big hit with audiences, earning almost $120 million (according to Box Office Mojo). While it might not be the best legal thriller of the 1990s, The Client is a surprisingly good film that deserves more recognition. However, unlike some other movies from that era, it hasn’t remained a popular choice for repeat viewings over the past thirty years.

Crimson Tide (1995)

While not entirely forgotten, the 1996 film Crimson Tide often gets overshadowed by bigger box office hits. The movie centers on a nuclear submarine where the first officer leads a rebellion against his captain, who intends to launch an attack without authorization. More than just an action thriller, Crimson Tide is a gripping character study and stands out as one of the decade’s finest films.

Submarine movies often feel predictable, but Crimson Tide stands out by taking familiar themes and elevating them with exceptional acting. While it earned a respectable $150 million at the box office (according to Box Office Mojo), it’s often overlooked when people talk about the biggest films of the 1990s. Thankfully, the movie is gaining renewed appreciation today.

Michael (1996)

Nora Ephron’s 1996 film, Michael, is arguably her most unusual, and it still leaves many viewers puzzled. John Travolta plays the Archangel Michael, who briefly lives among humans and impacts their lives. While critics often point to its over-the-top moments, Michael is a charmingly cheesy and lighthearted movie.

Even though critics didn’t love it, Michael earned $120 million (according to Box Office Mojo) and helped keep John Travolta popular throughout the 1990s. When you consider Nora Ephron’s other, more memorable films, Michael is easily overlooked. It’s not a bad movie, but it’s hard to see what made it such a big hit.

Conspiracy Theory (1997)

Director Richard Donner and Mel Gibson previously worked together on Lethal Weapon, but their film Conspiracy Theory didn’t receive as much attention. In it, Gibson plays a taxi driver whose fascination with conspiracy theories unexpectedly leads him into a genuine plot. While not a perfect film, Conspiracy Theory is a reasonably entertaining thriller, boosted by its charismatic stars.

Starring Mel Gibson and Julia Roberts, the film Conspiracy Theory turned a profit, earning $137 million on an $80 million budget (according to Box Office Mojo), though it wasn’t a huge success. Today, the movie is largely overlooked, and both Gibson and Roberts went on to star in more memorable films during the 1990s.

Stepmom (1998)

It’s unlikely a film like Stepmom would earn over $100 million today, but it was a big hit in the 1990s and demonstrated the appeal of dramas with comedic elements. The movie stars Julia Roberts and Susan Sarandon, and tells the story of a woman facing a terminal illness who navigates a relationship with her ex-husband’s new girlfriend. Director Christopher Columbus brings a bright and polished style to the film, which is clearly his signature.

With nearly $160 million in box office revenue (according to Box Office Mojo), Stepmom was a major success. Given the late 1990s and the stars – Julia Roberts and Susan Sarandon – that level of success wasn’t unexpected. Looking back, the film is surprisingly enjoyable, and its genuine emotional moments feel welcome in today’s often cynical world.

Double Jeopardy (1999)

Despite being called Double Jeopardy, the 1999 hit movie gets the legal concept completely wrong. The film stars Ashley Judd as a woman wrongly convicted of killing her husband, and she escapes to prove he’s still alive. While critics found it overly dramatic, audiences didn’t care and still went to see it.

Despite earning over $170 million on a $40 million budget and spending three weeks as the top movie, Double Jeopardy wasn’t a very good film. Critics were right to give it negative reviews – it’s a disappointing thriller. This just proves that a movie’s financial success doesn’t always reflect its quality.

2025-12-06 19:43