1990s movies that still hold up

The “Tremors” series has become extensive, though in truth most people have only ever seen the first one. In terms of horror comedies, though, this film still works and is a lot of fun. Plus, it is an early big role for Kevin Bacon, which certainly helps.

If you weren’t around in 1990, the phenomenon that was “Ghost” might be lost on you. After all, it’s a supernatural drama not based on any existing property. It was a blockbuster hit and an Oscar winner, and the special effects even mostly (mostly) hold up. And since you're here, check out our 20 facts you might not about 'Ghost'.

These days, “Goodfellas” is considered an American classic. If you have cable TV, odds are you could be watching it right now on some channel. Martin Scorsese is an icon of American cinema for a reason, and “Goodfellas” is considered by many his top film. It's certainly one of our favorite gangster films of all time.

At the time, “The Rocketeer” was actually kind of a flop. It wasn’t until several years later that it started to get more love and became something of an overlooked gem in the minds of many. As a period piece, it’s easier for it to hold up, and it has some “Captain America: The First Avengers” vibes, which obviously work for people these days.

Keanu Reeves? Still one of the biggest movie stars in the world. That makes it a lot easier for “Point Break” to hold up. Plus, it’s just a slick action film, which is a timeless kind of movie when done right. “Point Break” was indeed done right. Check out our 20 facts you might not know about the film here.

The premise of “Beethoven” is so simple, it’s effectively immune to aging as a movie. Charles Grodin’s family adopt a Saint Bernard. He despises the dog. He learns to love the dog. People love dogs, and Grodin’s performance remains a delight.

We had to get a Batman movie in the mix, obviously. However, “Batman” came out in 1989, and “Batman Forever” and “Batman & Robin” were both misfires that didn’t hold up a week later, much less years later. Of the ‘90s Batman films, “Batman Returns” is the best of the bunch. Want to know more about the film? We've got you covered.

We don’t get to see as many legal dramas in the vein of “A Few Good Men” as we used to. As such, we are left to continue to return to the ones from the 1990s. The speechifying still crackles, and “You can’t handle the truth!” is an iconic film line for a reason. The film remains one of Jack Nicholson's finest roles, as well as Tom Cruise's.

People refer to “Groundhog Day” more than they refer to déjà vu or history repeating itself these days. It has become a part of the vernacular. It has become a venerated piece of ‘90s cinema and one of Bill Murray's most memorable roles. That did not seem like it would be the case back in the day, but “Groundhog Day” has endured. As long as radio stations exist, “I Got You Babe” will be played on February 2nd. Check out these facts you might not about this classic right here.

Steven Spielberg wisely didn’t over rely on CGI when he made “Jurassic Park.” That has helped it hold up better. It’s not perfect, but “Jurassic Park” looks way better than films that would come out in the next few years that could quite get a handle on how to do visual effects. Plus, you know, it just absolutely rips from a plot standpoint. Here are some facts from the film that you probably didn't know.

“The Fugitive” has entered the “on cable all the time” pantheon. That is a great sign that a movie holds up . Harrison Ford is still a star and an icon, and Tommy Lee Jones won an Oscar for this film. The only thing that doesn’t hold up? Some of the hairdos. But between this film, "Jurassic Park," and "Groundhog Day," 1993 can lay claim to being possibly the finest year in the history of film.

Netflix’s “Wednesday” has made Wednesday Addams a beloved pop culture figure again. “Addams Family Values” is heavy on the Wednesday. As a result, this movie now probably holds up better than it did just a few years ago.

Nowadays, there are a lot of people with the opinion that “Apollo 13” should have won Best Picture for 1995, as opposed to “Braveheart,” which does not make this list. Even as the Apollo 13 event recedes further into the past, the film still works. You may even potentially find out that Apollo 13 was a thing that happened through watching the film, but you can still enjoy the movie.

Chalk this one up as a little ahead of its time. Nicole Kidman stars in this satire as a woman who is desperate for celebrity and attention. She’ll do anything to be on TV. In the era of reality television, that certainly hits harder.

This is a simple, grisly crime story just done really well, and one of the finest neo-noirs of all time. Frances McDormand has won two more Oscars since starring in “Fargo,” so her star has only risen. They also used this film as a jumping-off point for a TV series, so clearly something about it still works. Check out our 20 facts from this Coen Brothers classic.

The argument here is simple. The “Mission: Impossible” series is still going on, and in the last decade or so has become one of the defining film franchises out there. Tom Cruise is one of the last remaining true movie stars. As long as they keep making “Mission: Impossible” movies, the older films in the franchise will remain relevant. Except for the second one, but only because it’s bad.

As we mentioned before, period pieces age better, because they were always looking into the past. “That Thing You Do!” is a charming film about a band in the 1960s that becomes a one-hit wonder. While that style of music was, and is, out of style, it doesn’t matter when you have such an earworm of a song at the center of your movie. R.I.P. Adam Schlesinger.

Yes, the technology of “Scream” is dated. Drew Barrymore’s phone gives that away, and the fifth “Scream” movie made a point of showcasing the way technology has advanced. On the other hand, they are still making “Scream” movies, and it’s because of how effective the first one (with a very strong whodunit plot) was that they decided to do that.

Right now, while Will Smith is primarily thought of as the guy that slapped Chris Rock, maybe “Men in Black” flags a bit in terms of “holding up.” However, devoid of that, this is the best of the Will Smith action blockbusters of the 1990s. It’s a fun sci-fi comedy that does have some spotty special effects here and there, but nothing too shabby.

“Titanic” was the biggest movie of all-time for over a decade for a reason. They re-released it recently for a reason as well. It’s an epic love story. It’s the most successful movie ever made when you combine box office and awards love. “Titanic” is “Casablanca” or “The Sound of Music” or whatever indelible film you want to mention. Also, it gave us one of the craziest on-set stories in film history.

Quentin Tarantino was a defining figure of the 1990s, and his most iconic film from that decade is “Pulp Fiction.” That being said, “Pulp Fiction” is a very Gen X, very ‘90s film, and also frankly it has always been hamstrung by Tarantino’s inner snotty teenager who loves shock value. In a vacuum, “Jackie Brown” is the director’s best film of the 1990s, and it also holds up the best, with two of the director's greatest characters — including the titular Jackie — featured.

At the time, Stanley Kubrick’s final film was received coolly. Now, a couple decades later, many film fans see it as a masterpiece. That certainly sounds like a film that holds up, and perhaps even is more effective these days than it was back then. See where it rates on our best films from the legendary director.

Pixar was a major force in film for decades, and it began with “Toy Story.” However, the animation on “Toy Story” is really rough. “Toy Story 2” isn’t exactly perfect, but it’s a step up to be sure. Also, a lot of people just consider “Toy Story 2” a better film in general.