32 Shocking ‘90s Movies You Won’t Believe Went Straight To Video!

In days gone by, before streaming became popular, studios would hold back movies they thought weren’t good enough for a cinema release and sell them for home video instead. Yet, there were some fantastic ’90s films (or even just some delightfully cheesy gems) that should have been enjoyed on the big screen but ended up being released directly to video. Here are some entertaining classics that could originally only be found on VHS tapes.

Showdown In Little Tokyo (1991)

In “Showdown in Little Tokyo”, starring Dolph Lundgren and the late Brandon Lee, we follow an unlikely duo of detectives as they confront the Yakuza in the city of Los Angeles. Directed by Mark L. Lester, this beloved action movie had a brief stint in cinemas but was withdrawn early due to financial reasons. However, it found a second life on video.

The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride (1998)

Among the highly acclaimed full-length movies in the Lion King series after the 1994 Disney animated masterpiece, “The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride” stands out as its first direct-to-video sequel. In this film, Matthew Broderick reprises his role as the voice of Simba, while Neve Campbell voices his daughter, Kiara. The story unfolds as Kiara develops a relationship with Kovu, who is the son of one of Scar’s followers.

The Stoned Age (1994)

As a film enthusiast, I must say that while many were captivated by “Dazed and Confused,” an alternate group of early ’90s cinephiles found solace in a movie that mirrored the epic party vibe: “The Stoned Age.” Written and directed by James Melkonian, this often overlooked comedy offers a humorous and authentic portrayal of late ’70s excess, through the eyes of two road-tripping protagonists, led not only by their libidos but also by the irresistible allure of peach schnapps.

Samurai Cop (1991)

Featuring Matt Hannon as a U.S. detective wielding a sword, Samurai Cop stands out as one of the most memorable instances of an unintentionally funny ’90s action movie. Known for its stiff acting and exaggerated fight sequences, it even led to a sequel 24 years later, but failed to replicate the original’s side-splitting impact.

No Code Of Conduct (1998)

At first glance, “No Code of Conduct” might appear to be a movie that would have had a theatrical premiere, given its star-studded cast featuring Martin and Charlie Sheen portraying a father-son detective team investigating a murder case. Notably, Mark Dacascos is also part of this action-packed film. Interestingly, “No Code of Conduct” was not only acted in by Charlie but also co-written and co-produced by him, along with director Bret Michaels – yes, the same Bret Michaels known for his music career.

Scooby-Doo On Zombie Island (1998)

As a diehard cinephile with a soft spot for the original Hanna-Barbera cartoons, I’d have to say that “Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island” stands out as Mystery Inc.’s most exceptional feature-length escapade. This movie finds our beloved gang – Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy, and Scooby – squaring off against a completely different breed of danger during their Louisiana vacation, a region steeped in voodoo lore.

Body Count (1998)

Because unexpectedly disappointing test viewings led to it being bypassed for a theatrical premiere, the film “Body Count,” boasting an impressive ensemble cast including David Caruso, Linda Fiorentino, John Leguizamo, Ving Rhames, Donnie Wahlberg, and Forest Whitaker, was not released in movie theaters. Nonetheless, some viewers consider its tale about a gang of robbers trying to evade detection after a heist that results in one of their number’s death as an entertaining crime-thriller.

Aladdin And The King Of Thieves (1996)

In the animated movie “Aladdin and the King of Thieves,” Aladdin (Scott Weinger), the protagonist, has his upcoming wedding to Jasmine (Linda Larkin) disrupted by a group of robbers. The leader of these crooks, voiced by John Rhys-Davies, surprisingly shares a past with Aladdin. This direct-to-video sequel from 1996, which is the second one, is often praised more than its predecessor, primarily because Robin Williams, who played Genie in the original, reappears in this one but not in “The Return of Jafar.

Overnight Delivery (1998)

A standout Paul Rudd film you may not be familiar with is “Overnight Delivery,” marking the actor’s initial collaboration with Reese Witherspoon before their later work in “How Do You Know” (2010). This romantic comedy revolves around a man, accompanied by a stripper, pursuing an angry letter he wrote to his girlfriend, whom he mistakenly believed was unfaithful.

Tremors 2: Aftershocks (1996)

In the ’90s, the critically acclaimed monster movie, “Tremors”, didn’t perform well at the box office, but it was quite popular on VHS tapes, leading to a series of direct-to-video sequels. Among these, “Tremors 2: Aftershocks” is often praised as the best. In this installment, Earl (played by Fred Ward), is hired to hunt Graboids in Mexico, where he uncovers the next stage in their evolution – two-legged creatures called Shriekers.

SubZero (1998)

Among the underestimated Batman films, “SubZero” stands out. In this movie, voiced by Kevin Conroy as Batman and Loren Lester as Robin, they set out on a mission to save Barbara Gordon (portrayed by Mary Kay Bergman) who’s in peril at the hands of Mr. Freeze, played by Michael Ansara. Originating from “Batman: The Animated Series”, many consider this animated feature to be a superior portrayal of Batman versus Mr. Freeze compared to the 1997 live-action film “Batman & Robin”.

The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit (1998)

As a movie enthusiast, I’d say one of my favorite films I’ve had the pleasure to work with is none other than “The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit,” according to the legendary Ray Bradbury himself. This comedy, directed by Stuart Gordon in his first departure from horror flicks like “Re-Animator,” was a refreshing change of pace. The movie tells the story of five Latino gentlemen (portrayed brilliantly by Joe Mantegna, Edward James Olmos, Esai Morales, Clifton Collins Jr., and Gregory Sierra) who stumble upon an extraordinary white business suit with some enchanting properties. The suit seems to open up a world of unimaginable opportunities for them!

Firepower (1993)

Firepower can be likened to a fusion of John Carpenter’s Escape from New York and an action movie starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, as it is set in the not-too-distant future and follows two police officers, portrayed by Gary Daniels and Chad McQueen. Their mission involves penetrating a lawless sector of Los Angeles to retrieve a potential cure for AIDS.

Castle Freak (1995)

Director Stuart Gordon brought together once more his stars Jeffrey Combs and Barbara Crampton, from the films _Re-Animator_ and _From Beyond_, for the direct-to-video cult sensation _Castle Freak_. The narrative revolves around an American family who acquire an Italian castle, unaware of its secret inhabitant – a monstrous being confined in the basement. After their move, this creature eventually escapes from captivity.

Never Say Die (1994)

In the action-packed film Never Say Die, formerly military man and now part-time boat repairer Frank Zagarino takes center stage. When a general’s daughter gets kidnapped by an old adversary from his commando days, he is forced to step out of retirement. Billy Drago delivers an intense performance as the cult leader, earning praise for his memorable portrayal of larger-than-life action movie villains in this era.

Dennis The Menace Strikes Again (1998)

In a different wording: Justin Cooper, famously cast as Max in Jim Carrey’s classic film “Liar Liar,” delivers an impressive portrayal of the main character in the sequel to the 1993 adaptation of “Dennis the Menace,” titled “Dennis the Menace Strikes Again.” Nevertheless, it is the hilarious performance by comedy legend Don Rickles as Mr. Wilson that truly sets this family comedy apart and makes it a must-watch.

Summer Of The Monkeys (1998)

Among the popular live-action Disney movies launched on VHS in the 1990s, one that stood out was director Michael Anderson’s adaptation of Wilson Rawls’ 1976 novel, “Summer of the Monkeys”. This heartwarming tale follows the journey of a young boy named Cory Sevier, who forms an unlikely friendship with four escaped circus monkeys in 1910 Canada.

Rage (1995)

1990s straight-to-video action star Gary Daniels, known for films like The Expendables, steps out of his usual mold in the movie Rage. In this film, he plays Alex Gainer, a compassionate California school teacher who unexpectedly finds himself in a whirlwind of rapid, dangerous violence when he is selected to be cloned for a militia’s army.

Scooby-Doo And The Witch’s Ghost (1999)

As a diehard fan of Mystery Incorporated, if not “Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island,” it’s often “Witch’s Ghost” that I turn to when I crave a feature-length adventure from the Hanna-Barbera cartoon. The film, which boasts Tim Curry as one of its stars, has earned classic status not just because of its spooky title antagonist, but also due to the introduction of a band called The Hex Girls. Their music is an essential addition to any Halloween playlist, making this movie a must-watch for fans like me during the spooky season.

Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves (1997)

In 1992, the follow-up to “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids,” titled “Honey, I Blew Up the Kid,” didn’t have enough box office success to warrant a theatrical release for the third movie, “Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves.” In this film, character Wayne Szalinski (played by Rick Moranis) and his family—his wife, brother, and sister-in-law—find themselves in a situation similar to what their children went through years ago when an accident with his inventive shrink ray occurs.

From Dusk Till Dawn 3: The Hangman’s Daughter (1999)

Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez’s film, “From Dusk Till Dawn,” is often considered one of the top vampire movies from its era. However, the same praise has not been extended to its first sequel, “From Dusk Till Dawn 2: Texas Blood Money,” which was a direct-to-video release. On the other hand, many viewers and critics had more positive opinions about “From Dusk Till Dawn 3: The Hangman’s Daughter.” This film serves as a prequel, shedding light on the backstory of Santanico Pandemonium.

Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas (1999)

A must-watch Christmas movie for Disney enthusiasts of all ages is “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas”. This animated film, narrated by Kelsey Grammer, offers an enjoyable set of three holiday tales with Mickey Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck, and other beloved characters. A less engaging computer-animated sequel titled “Mickey’s Twice Upon a Christmas” was released later on.

Casper Meets Wendy (1998)

In “Casper Meets Wendy,” the lovable ghost character (voiced by Jeremy Foley) and a kind young witch (portrayed by Hilary Duff in her early career) join forces to conquer an ominous warlock. This hybrid film, which is a step-up from its direct-to-video prequels, is often praised as the superior of the two that followed the 1995 original “Casper,” with the other being “Casper: A Spirited Beginning” from 1997.

The Land Before Time III: The Time Of The Great Giving (1995)

1988’s timeless animated film by Don Bluth, titled “The Land Before Time“, gave rise to numerous direct-to-video sequels that chronicled the ongoing escapades of Littlefoot and his dinosaur companions. One of the most acclaimed is the third installment, “The Great Giving’s Time“, where an ancient prehistoric society, comprising creatures of various species, are compelled to seek a new habitat with a reliable water source due to their current living conditions becoming uninhabitable.

Hercules And Xena – The Animated Movie: The Battle For Mount Olympus (1998)

In different adventures, the godly hero Kevin Sorbo portrayed on Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and Lucy Lawless’s title character from Xena: Warrior Princess would occasionally intersect. Later, both actors returned to their famous roles in a fresh format for Hercules and Xena – The Animated Movie: The Battle for Mount Olympus. Here, they joined forces against a brutal band of Titans.

Basket Case 2 (1990)

In 1982, renowned director Frank Henenlotter entered the cult horror scene with one of its most memorable twin films – “Basket Case“. The story revolves around a young man named Kevin VanHentenryck and his deformed, mutant brother Belial who was once conjoined. They embark on a quest for vengeance against the doctors responsible for their separation. Interestingly, some fans find the first sequel, “Basket Case 2“, more appealing as it delves deeper into the realm of horror-comedy films.

Our Friend, Martin (1999)

It’s quite likely that numerous elementary school students were fortunate enough to possess a copy of “Our Friend, Martin” in their classroom, which was frequently shared during Black History Month. This animated movie, boasting the vocal talents of James Earl Jones, Samuel L. Jackson, Whoopi Goldberg, and others, follows the story of two friends who gain the extraordinary ability to traverse time, meeting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a prominent figure in the civil rights movement, at different points throughout his life.

Head Of The Family (1996)

In a more conversational style, one could say: “Without a doubt, the title that deserves the award for ‘Most Humorously Absurd Pun in a Horror Movie’ would be ‘Head of the Family’. This film, produced by Charles Band, founder of Full Moon Features, offers a quirky blend of thrills. The story revolves around a Southern duo attempting to extort a family of mutants, whose shrewd chief – portrayed by J.W. Perra – is literally nothing more than a giant head with a couple of arms.

Demonic Toys (1992)

In the world we live in, you can find two distinct groups of people: those who are fond of the Puppet Master film series, and others who lean towards Full Moon Entertainment’s tale about toys that have been possessed. One such example is the movie Demonic Toys, where a police officer expecting a baby and others find themselves in a haunted warehouse and can’t escape. This movie led to several follow-ups, including one that crossed paths with Full Moon’s miniature superhero, Dollman.

Ice Cream Man (1995)

One notable role outside the films directed by his brother Ron, for Clint Howard, is that of the main antagonist in the movie titled “Ice Cream Man“. In this film, Olivia Hussey and David Naughton also star. The comedic slasher film gained a dedicated fanbase after it was showcased by Joe Bob Briggs on an episode of MonsterVision on TNT.

Drive (1997)

In a different context, “Drive” is not the same movie that came out in 2011 featuring Ryan Gosling. Instead, it’s a science fiction action film that initially aired on HBO before becoming available for home viewing. Mark Dacascos plays a genetically enhanced individual on the run, who seeks aid from an ordinary man portrayed by Kadeem Hardison in order to avoid capture.

Dark Angel: The Ascent (1994)

Dark Angel’s Rise”

In this captivating tale, Angela Featherstone portrays a character who manages to break free from the Underworld’s grasp. Her journey takes an unforeseen turn when she encounters love on Earth. This enchanting blend of romance, fantasy, and horror has earned itself a significant place among Full Moon Entertainment’s original productions. For instance, Fangoria praised it as “truly entertaining.

2025-04-21 19:43