Thanks to the work of creatives like Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, the 1980s were an immensely lucrative time for adventure movies. Whether it was a genre pastiche like Indiana Jones or a time travel comedy like Back To The Future, there was no denying the staying power that many of these 1980s adventure movies had. As the decade wound down, however, their production would slow with an increasing tide of action movies and indie films filling up room.
Adventure films in the 1990s which weren’t big-budget spectacles had to adjust their output, appealing to smaller demographics in order to achieve success. This led to a lot of riskier choices, leading to a decade full of odd and underrated attempts to popularize ideas both new and old. Ideas that were deemed impossible for a long time were revitalized for a new era by new technology and changing attitudes. Adventure looked to be on its way out, but not without a fight.
10 The Phantom (1996)
Directed By Simon Wincer
A trend of adapting famous 30s comic strip characters began to take hold of Hollywood in the 1990s thanks to the success of Batman (1989). It began with the release of Dick Tracy in 1990, followed by The Shadow in 1994, and then finally by The Phantom. The film would adapt the comic faithfully, telling the daring and adventurous story of a superhero who operates from the fictional country of Bengalla and his journey to thwart an evil genius in New York.
The movie would fully embrace the 1930s setting, recreating the theatricality of old Hollywood serials it pastiches. This approach alienated audiences at the time, unable to reckon with Billy Zane’s bright purple suit and swashbuckling charm. Failing to regain its budget at the box office, The Phantom would have fallen into obscurity if it wasn’t for the cult following that it managed to accrue thanks to its dedication to realizing the comic strips. While as much a superhero story as an adventure, The Phantom nevertheless features many of the hallmarks that make the genre enduringly popular.
9 Mystery Men (1999)
Directed By Kinka Usher
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Mystery Men PG-13
Release Date August 6, 1999 Writers Neil Cuthbert , Bob Burden Cast Ben Stiller , Janeane Garofalo , William H. Macy , Hank Azaria , Kel Mitchell , Paul Reubens , Wes Studi , Greg Kinnear Runtime 121 Minutes
Throughout the 1990s, superhero movies proved immensely fickle at the box office after the failures of films like Batman & Robin. This led to a strange landscape perfect for parody, with one of the first to do so being Mystery Men. Featuring a cast of heavy hitters including; Ben Stiller, William H. Macy, Hank Azaria, and Janeane Garofalo. Harping off the style of the Joel Schumacher Batman films, it follows a group of wannabe superheroes as they attempt to fill the hole left by a kidnapped superhero.
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The film is unique in its approach to the genre, creating an immensely vibrant city and more than enough different superheroes to support its adventure-heavy story. Though the film proved a box office failure, it remains a blast of creativity that has only grown more interesting because of the way it sets itself apart from other superhero and adventure properties.
Though often attributed to
Shrek,
Smash Mouth’s hit song “All Star” was the first single from
Mystery Men
‘s original soundtrack.
8 Deep Rising (1998)
Directed By Stephen Sommers
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Set aboard an abandoned cruise ship, Deep Rising follows a crew of thieves as they take on a tentacled monster that has killed the passengers. It was Stephen Sommers’ first push into horror-adventure films, providing the groundwork for 1999’s The Mummy. This means it has much of the charm of that film, fronted by a similarly rugged hero and a fun supporting turn from Kevin J. O’Connor.
The movie stands out by utilizing the cruise ship it is set aboard to full effect, destroying elevators and flooding floors to create an even more exciting environment to survive. All while maintaining a fun atmosphere bolstered by a who’s who of terrific character actors. It is this excitement and fun that makes Deep Rising a worthwhile watch and the reason it has grown such a dedicated cult following over the years.
7 Assassins (1995)
Directed By Richard Donner
Assassins (1995) R
Release Date October 6, 1995 Writers Lilly Wachowski , Lana Wachowski , Brian Helgeland Cast Sylvester Stallone , Antonio Banderas , Julianne Moore , Anatoli Davydov , Muse Watson , Steve Kahan , Kelly Rowan , Reed Diamond , Kai Wulff , Kerry Skalsky Runtime 133 Minutes
Assassins is by no means the best work to come from Richard Donner (who also directed The Goonies and Lethal Weapon), but that does not mean it is not without merit. Starring Sylvester Stallone and Antonio Banderas as warring hit-men, the movie takes on a break-neck pace and never lets up on exciting action sequences. Characters burst through windows, flip cars and have shootouts in cemeteries, never allowing the plot to get in the way of pure escapist action.
The movie is elevated by Banderas’ performance as a crazed killer, obsessed with defeating the hero at any cost to himself and others. This dynamic brings about an outrageously entertaining performance from the Spanish actor and allows for the film to maintain its cat-and-mouse chase with no questions asked. The film is no Lethal Weapon, but it is a worthwhile watch for any Donner fan.
6 Pagemaster (1994)
Directed By Joe Johnston & Pixote Hunt
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Despite failing at the box office, Pagemaster has maintained a decently large following due to the way in which it affected young children. Its creative mix of live-action and animation brought forth a wholly unique and magical world for the characters to explore and for viewers to be in awe of. The movie follows a young boy, played by Macaulay Culkin, who hides out in a library from a storm only to be transported into a magical world of books.
Pagemaster‘s combination of animation and CGI provides a worthwhile and unique perspective on childhood imagination only enhanced further by the rich colors and animation that fill the frames. It was maligned by critics upon release for being too similar to the Saturday morning cartoons of the era, but it is that very similarity that maintained its staying power for children.
5 Small Soldiers (1998)
Directed By Joe Dante
Small Soldiers PG-13
Release Date July 10, 1998 Studio(s) Amblin Entertainment , Universal Pictures Writers Gavin Scott , Adam Rifkin , Ted Elliott , Terry Rossio Cast Kirsten Dunst , Gregory Smith , Jay Mohr , Phil Hartman , Kevin Dunn , Denis Leary Runtime 110 Minutes
Coming close to capturing the same excitement and fun as his Gremlins movies, Small Soldiers proves Joe Dante is at his best when dealing with small threats. Utilizing a mix of great practical and special effects, the movie posits itself as an almost anti-Toy Story by pitting toy vs child. It tells the story of action figures that are enhanced using military technology and wreak havoc in a small town, with only a young boy to stop them.
The movie unleashes the perfect amount of carnage across a town unprepared to deal with it, allowing for numerous fun situations to play out in the film. The cast also stands out with an especially good performance from the late great Phil Hartman and a delightful supporting turn from Kirsten Dunst. It may not be Joe Dante’s best, but Small Soldiers remains one of the forgotten gems of the 90s in any genre.
4 Posse (1993)
Directed By Mario Van Peebles
After the success of New Jack City, Mario Van Peebles turned his sights away from crime and toward the long-dormant Western genre. The film would take the form of Posse, a riotously fun adventure that spans from Cuba to the Wild West. Double-crossed by a corrupt colonel (Billy Zane), a group of soldiers escape Cuba with a chest of gold and a dream of revenge.
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The movie features a cavalcade of amazing actors with Big Daddy Kane, Tommy Lister Jr., Blair Underwood, and Mario Van Peebles himself. The sheer representation that is on display throughout is commendable, all while using real issues regarding the erasure of black history in the West. It’s an exciting watch and one that doesn’t hold its punches when providing historical context, but all in the service of a greater movie.
3 Gold Diggers: The Secret Of Bear Mountain (1995)
Directed By Kevin James Dobson
Like many of the great adventure movies that have stuck with viewers throughout the years, Gold Diggers captures the excitement of young exploration. Beth (Christina Ricci) and Jody (Anna Chlumsky) play two girls and their journey to discover a wealth of gold hidden in a mountain. It’s warm and sweet, never taking its focus off the heart of the movie, which is the relationship between these young girls. It explores the classic dynamic of a big-city girl and a small-town girl, learning how to trust one another through the challenges they each face.
Filled with the lush green forests of the Pacific Northwest and the kind of optimism that can only come from children, the movie plays out with warmth and care. It contains just the right amount of excitement and heart to bring a child to tears and laughs. Dark caverns, rushing rivers, and an adorable friendship make this a worthwhile successor to The Goonies.
2 The Rocketeer (1991)
Directed By Joe Johnston
The Rocketeer PG
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*Availability in US Release Date June 21, 1991 Studio(s) Disney Writers Paul De Meo , Danny Bilson Cast Timothy Dalton , Alan Arkin , Billy Campbell , Terry O’Quinn , Jennifer Connelly Runtime 108 minutes
Much like Joe Johnston’s underrated 90s adventure movie Pagemaster, The Rocketeer proves the director’s ability to create lighthearted and fun adventures. Adapting a character inspired by 1930s serials, the movie is the story of a young pilot who becomes embroiled in a Nazi plot when a prototype jetpack falls into his hands. The Rocketeer is full of homages to the 30s and lets itself have fun with much of the era’s iconography.
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The supporting characters help elevate the film, with the likes of Alan Arkin, Paul Sorvino, and Jennifer Connelly, delivering great turns. The true standout is Timothy Dalton, however, who performs excellently as a scene-chewing villain. It is perhaps the closest another movie has gotten to capturing the charm of Indiana Jones. Its inventive action sequences and airy humor keep the momentum going until the explosive finale.
1 Last Action Hero (1993)
Directed By John McTiernan
Last Action Hero PG-13
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*Availability in US Release Date June 18, 1993 Writers Zak Penn , Adam Leff , Shane Black Cast Arnold Schwarzenegger , F. Murray Abraham , Art Carney , Charles Dance , Frank McRae , Tom Noonan , Robert Prosky , Anthony Quinn Runtime 130 Minutes
Written and directed by two heavyweights of the 1980s, Shane Black and John McTiernan, Las t Action Hero put itself at odds with the work both of these men had previously produced. A parody of 80s and 90s action films, it follows a young teen who is transported into the world of his favorite movie franchise starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. It features hilariously explosive action sequences, roaring car chases, and a litany of legendary gags.
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Whether it is Schwarzenegger parodying himself, Charles Dance’s glass-eyed villain, or the legendary action recreation of Hamlet, there are more than enough bits to keep you entertained. Even outside the movie’s humor, there is a great deal to enjoy about its young lead and his attempts to save the day at whatever cost. Last Action Hero was hugely disappointing for the studio and Schwarzenegger, losing a great deal of attention to Jurassic Park, but it is that very failure that has given the action-packed adventure movie such a dedicated fan base.