50 Kids Movies You Definitely Watched in the ’90s, But Might've Forgotten
LOL, remember Flubber?
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If the ‘90s perfected one thing, it was romantic comedies. But also kids' movies, and I’m not just talking about ‘90s Halloween movies, like Hocus Pocus, or ‘90s sports movies like The Mighty Ducks. I’m talking about the more obscure talking animal movies—Air Bud and Homeward Bound ring any bells?—or the coming-of-age “young girl gets through bitter growing pains thanks to a connection with wild animals” genre (Fly Away Home is a personal fave). There are so many great forgotten ‘90s movies that I, as a millennial, loved as a kid and that we, as humans living in 2024, have let go uncelebrated. That ends now.
Since it's been sooo long since these movies debuted (1990 was over 30 years ago, just in case everyone needed to feel old as hell), I feel I should warn you: the '90s were a different time. And in that time, Hollywood was even less diverse, thoughtful, and considerate to non-white cultures and points of view than it is now. Are some of these movies supes cringe to watch now? Yep. Does that make them any less nostalgic? Not necessarily! Remember, this was the same decade that gave us Mrs. Doubtfire, a supposed family movie about a man who disguises himself as a woman so that he can, essentially, stalk his kids and estranged wife. Sooo, yeah. But problematic plot points and lines that have aged not so gracefully aside, these are allll still worth a re-watch. So press play, sit back, and enjoy.
Mighty Joe Young (1998)
What do you mean, you don’t remember that time Charlize Theron took a 15-foot mountain gorilla across the globe to live in an animal sanctuary in California and protected him from poachers, making you sob uncontrollably?
Man of the House (1995)
You can't talk about '90s movies without talking about JTT, aka the one and only Jonathan Taylor Thomas. In Man of the House, he played Ben, a kid who is forced to bond with his mother's new boyfriend, Jack (Chevy Chase). Warning: their bonding does involve a Native American-inspired father-son club. Let's just say this movie wouldn't be made today.
I'll Be Home for Christmas (1998)
JTT was fully in his heartthrob era in I’ll Be Home for Christmas, a movie about a college student who gets stranded in the desert on his way home for Christmas. Oh, and did I mention that he’s wearing a full Santa suit most of the time? If you’ve ever met a ‘90s baby and wondered why they had the hots for Santa, this is why.
Paulie (1998)
There was a time in the ‘90s when you couldn’t turn on your TV without seeing a movie about talking live-action animals or Hallie Eisenberg’s Pepsi commercials. Paulie combined both as a movie about talking parrot who has traveled far and wide, bonding with many strangers and new owners along the way, starting with a girl played by Eisenberg.
Smart House (1999)
In the Disney Channel Original Movie pantheon, Smart House will go down in history as one of the most iconic for a few reasons: 1) It totally predicted siri and other AI being used in the home; 2) It launched the DCOM career of Ryan Merriman, and 3) There’s a moment when three middle school boys perform a choreographed dance to Five’s “Slam Dunk (Da Funk).”
Wish Upon a Star (1996)
As a little sister, I fully identified with Hayley (Danielle Harris), a nerdy younger sister who wishes on a shooting star to switch places with her popular older sister, Alexia (Katherine Heigl), in Wish Upon a Star. I used to make that same wish all the time. The only difference is that mine never came true!
Brink! (1998)
Yet another DCOM, Brink explores the extremely ‘90s sport of rollerblading through the eyes of a rag-tag group of teens, led by Brink (Erik von Detten). Brink is a “Soul-Skater” who skates for fun, but when money gets tight, he starts being seduced by the rival sponsored skaters, led by his nemesis, Val (Sam Horrigan).
The Borrowers (1997)
Finally, a movie that answers the question: “What if we remade Home Alone, but instead of a kid defending his home from burglars, it was about tiny people who live in the walls protecting their home from evil real estate developers?”
Thumbelina (1994)
Thumbelina tends to get lost in a world that idolizes Disney animated movies, but this ‘90s fairytale is just as good, if not slightly creepier. Fun fact: Jodi Benson, the actor who voiced Ariel in The Little Mermaid also voices Thumbelina, the tiny, thumb-sized girl, who is kidnapped by toads, passed onto nefarious beetles, and engaged to a mole before finally—spoiler alert—finding her happily ever after.
Good Burger (1997)
Good Burger isn’t exactly a forgotten movie of the ‘90s, but it is an underrated one. The absurdist comedy starring Kel Mitchell and Kenan Thompson as fast food workers is ‘90s Nickelodeon in a nutshell, and it gave ‘90s kids everywhere one of their favorite catchphrases: “Welcome to Good Burger, home of the Good Burger, can I take your order?”
Kazaam (1996)
Not to be confused with the fake movie Shazaam starring Sinbad that people were convinced was an actual thing, Kazaam is a movie starring Shaquille O'Neal as a genie, Kazaam, who is awoken by a young boy, Max (Francis Capra).
Romy and Michele's High School Reunion (1997)
This movie will have you cackling, crying, cringing, and never wanting to attend your own high school reunion. So settle for Romy and Michele's, and avoid the awkward moments with your own former classmates.
The Addams Family (1991)
TBH, the outfits are so good that I just straight-up forget about the rest of this classic. Could never get the damn song out of my head, tho. *Cue finger snaps and "da-da-da-das"*
Angels in the Outfield (1994)
What's cuter than a baby Joseph Gordon Levitt playing a baseball-obsessed foster kid who just wants to get his family back together? That's right, nothing!!
Free Willy (1993)
Free Willy: the movie that had every '90s kid thinking they should definitely become a whale trainer when they grow up.
Johnny Tsunami (1999)
A very underrated DCOM movie that asks one of life's more important questions: can a surfer really become a snowboarder?!
A Goofy Movie (1995)
After many, many years, Goofy FINALLY got the attention he deserves in the form of a feature film. And in case you haven't, do yourself a favor and listen to the soundtrack 'cause it's catchy as hell.
Zenon (1999)
As far as DCOM movies go, Zenon CRUSHED. IT. Also, LOL at the fact this was set in the year 2049. Forget about colonized space stations, if we're able to figure out a way to close TikTok while still listening to it by then, I'll be happy.
The Sandlot (1993)
IDK about you, but this movie made me want to get all my friends together ASAP to form a scrappy yet lovable baseball team and go on wholesome adventures stat.
A Little Princess (1995)
If A Little Princess didn’t make you break down in tears when (uh, spoiler) Sara reunites with her NOT-DEAD dad at the end, you are made out of ice and we have nothing in common. And, no, I will not be told I’m overreacting!!!!!
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