10 Must-Watch 1990s Slashers That Aren’t Scream

While Scream is often remembered as a key horror film of the 1990s, it wasn’t the only popular slasher movie from that decade. The ’90s are currently experiencing a wave of nostalgia, but when it comes to horror, the decade’s identity is surprisingly unclear. It’s easy to categorize horror from previous decades, but the ’90s were a bit all over the map.

Horror movies didn’t really hit their stride until the late 1990s, and films like Scream perfectly captured what people were feeling at the time. Scream was a clever mix of a traditional slasher film and a thoughtful look at the horror genre itself, and how its fans engage with it. Director Wes Craven, already a master of horror, used the film to reflect on the genre he’d helped define. While sequels were made, the first Scream remains a standout classic.

The success of Scream led to a resurgence of slasher films in the late 1990s. While few matched Scream‘s impact, many enjoyable and frightening movies were made during that time. The decade marked a second peak for the slasher genre, with Scream facing some strong rivals.

Maniac Cop 2 (1990)

Most horror movie sequels don’t live up to the original, but Maniac Cop 2 is a rare exception – it’s actually better than the first film. The undead ex-cop, Matt Cordell, returns to terrorize New York City, delivering his own brand of brutal justice to anyone he considers a criminal. Director William Lustig’s sequel takes the familiar slasher formula and cleverly improves on it.

Despite its over-the-top horror, Maniac Cop 2 is a surprisingly well-made film, thanks to strong acting from Bruce Campbell and Robert Davi, and some impressive special effects. Unlike many slasher movies that simply follow trends, the Maniac Cop films have a unique style and feel like a genuine expression of the filmmakers’ creativity.

Child’s Play 2 (1990)

Following the surprising success of the first Child’s Play movie, the series returned with a sequel, Child’s Play 2. The film picks up with Andy, who is once again being terrorized by Chucky, who is determined to take over his body. While the sequel doesn’t stray too far from the original, it feels like a natural continuation of the story rather than a simple repeat.

While it has all the ingredients of a classic slasher movie, Child’s Play 2 stands out because of its supernatural twists and unusual story. Later films in the series, like Bride of Chucky, would change direction significantly, making this sequel one of the last times Chucky truly felt like a terrifying villain.

Popcorn (1991)

Despite feeling like it came straight from the 1980s, Popcorn stands out as a strangely captivating horror film of the 1990s. The story follows college students setting up a movie theater for a festival when they’re terrorized by a killer who can blend into their surroundings. It’s full of familiar horror elements, but Popcorn is even more unsettling thanks to its delightfully bizarre nature.

What really stands out is the movie’s impressive practical effects, and it clearly didn’t hold back on makeup despite its small budget. While the story is simple and a bit confusing, the film intentionally feels like the campy, low-budget horror movies it’s paying tribute to. Once largely overlooked, this slasher film is now gaining a dedicated following as a cult classic.

Wes Craven’s New Nightmare (1994)

Before Scream came out, Wes Craven explored similar ideas with the film New Nightmare. The movie presents a unique premise: the actors and filmmakers behind the A Nightmare on Elm Street series find themselves terrorized by a real-life Freddy Krueger. Rather than being a typical sequel, New Nightmare feels like a final chapter to the franchise.

This movie succeeds in two ways: it honors the original film it’s based on, and it offers a critique of how the horror genre became focused on making money. While Scream later perfected this approach, New Nightmare should be recognized for being a truly original film when horror movies weren’t very innovative. It doesn’t rely as much on typical slasher tropes, but makes up for it with genuinely smart and surprising scares.

Jack-O (1995)

Unlike most horror films from the 1990s, which were very serious, Jack-O embraces being silly and over-the-top. The story follows a group of teenagers who unintentionally bring back a century-old spirit on Halloween, and it seeks revenge on their town. Critics didn’t like the movie, and it currently has a very low score—under 15%—on Rotten Tomatoes.

Despite its age, Jack-O still feels like Halloween, offering a fun, nostalgic trip back to the cheesy horror of the mid-90s. It’s a light and entertaining film that doesn’t hold back on the over-the-top gore, which is sometimes all you need in a slasher movie. Ultimately, Jack-O is pure, uncomplicated fun.

I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)

Following the huge success of Scream, I Know What You Did Last Summer perfectly captures the feel of ’90s horror. The movie centers around a group of friends who, a year after accidentally causing a death, are hunted by a mysterious killer. Featuring popular teen actors like Sarah Michelle Gellar, it’s a classic example of a ’90s slasher film.

While Scream offers a critique of the horror genre itself, I Know What You Did Last Summer is simply a thrilling and enjoyable slasher mystery. It builds great suspense, and the murders are creative without being overly graphic. In fact, I Know What You Did Last Summer played a significant role in popularizing the slasher film trend of the 1990s.

Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998)

The Halloween series has restarted its story several times, and the recent trilogy made Halloween H20 irrelevant. The film picks up twenty years after Michael Myers’ original killing spree, finding Laurie Strode and her son at a California boarding school. H20 essentially continues the story from Halloween II, ignoring the complicated storylines introduced in the films that came in between.

While not a classic, Halloween H20 is a genuinely exciting slasher film that hits all the expected marks. It’s an enjoyable and suspenseful ride, and it successfully brings Jamie Lee Curtis back as the iconic scream queen. Surprisingly, the film’s simplicity is what makes it work so well, and it stands out as one of the better sequels in the Halloween franchise.

Urban Legend (1998)

Folk tales and slasher movies often go well together, and the 1998 film Urban Legend directly combines them. The story follows a series of murders on a college campus, each based on a common urban legend, and one student must figure out who’s behind them. The premise allows for some truly memorable scenes, and for the most part, Urban Legend delivers on that promise.

Okay, so it’s not going to reach the iconic status of a movie like Scream, but I really appreciate that Urban Legend tried something new when slasher films were making a comeback. Coming out right as the internet was becoming a big thing, it’s actually pretty smart about how rumors and information spread – it almost predicted how things would be! It doesn’t rely on super intense scares, but honestly, it’s still a fun and interesting watch.

Idle Hands (1999)

Idle Hands isn’t your typical slasher movie – in fact, it’s not a typical movie at all. The story follows a teenage slacker whose hand becomes possessed by a demon, leading him to unintentionally harm the people he cares about. The film playfully mocks 90s slacker culture and is more of a comedy with horror elements than a true horror film.

Critics didn’t love Idle Hands when it came out, and it’s still underrated. While the movie’s humor isn’t always successful, its unique and quirky style is charming and makes up for its flaws. Similar to Scream, Idle Hands was ahead of its time, playfully satirizing the trends of its era before they became overdone.

Cherry Falls (1999)

Censorship damaged a lot of horror movies, and Cherry Falls is a prime example of a film that could have been great. The movie centers on a town terrorized by a string of murders specifically targeting people who are virgins, leading to widespread fear. Despite being independently made, it couldn’t find a distributor and ended up being released as a TV movie.

As a horror fan, I’ve always had a soft spot for Cherry Falls. It’s a bit of a hidden gem from the ’90s slasher era. I understand the original cut had some problematic stuff, so they re-edited it, which unfortunately did mess with the film’s flow a little. But honestly, it still delivers! It’s not about gore; it really relies on building suspense and a creepy atmosphere. And when you look at all the movies that tried to copy Scream, I think Cherry Falls is one of the stronger ones from that late ’90s wave.

2025-11-12 21:24