Thanks to the work of creatives like Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, the 1980s were an immensely lucrative time foradventure movies. Whether it was a genre pastiche likeIndiana Jonesor a time travel comedy likeBack To The Future,there was no denying the staying power that many of these1980s adventure movieshad. 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 1990swhich 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.
10The 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 ofBatman(1989). It began with the release ofDick Tracyin 1990, followed byThe Shadowin 1994, and then finally byThe 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 Phantomwould 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 Phantomnevertheless features many of the hallmarks that make the genre enduringly popular.
Throughout the 1990s, superhero movies proved immensely fickle at the box office after the failures of films likeBatman & Robin.This led to a strange landscape perfect for parody, with one of the first to do so beingMystery 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 SchumacherBatmanfilms, it follows a group of wannabe superheroes as they attempt to fill the hole left by a kidnapped superhero.
The film is unique in its approach to the genre, creating an immensely vibrant cityand 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 toShrek,Smash Mouth’s hit song “All Star” was the first single fromMystery Men’s original soundtrack.
8Deep Rising (1998)
Directed By Stephen Sommers
Set aboard an abandoned cruise ship,Deep Risingfollows 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’sThe 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 makesDeep Risinga worthwhile watch and the reason it has grown such a dedicated cult following over the years.
Assassinsis by no means the best work to come from Richard Donner (who also directedThe GooniesandLethal Weapon),but that does not mean it is not without merit.Starring Sylvester Stallone and Antonio Banderasas 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 noLethal Weapon, but it is a worthwhile watch for any Donner fan.
6Pagemaster (1994)
Directed By Joe Johnston & Pixote Hunt
Despite failing at the box office,Pagemasterhas 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 worldfor 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 CGIprovides 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.
Coming close to capturing the same excitement and fun as hisGremlinsmovies,Small Soldiersproves 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 Storyby 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, butSmall Soldiersremains one of the forgotten gems of the 90sin any genre.
4Posse (1993)
Directed By Mario Van Peebles
After the success ofNew Jack City, Mario Van Peebles turned his sights away from crime and toward the long-dormant Western genre. The film would take the form ofPosse,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 actorswith 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.
3Gold 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 Diggerscaptures 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 toThe Goonies.
Much like Joe Johnston’s underrated 90s adventure moviePagemaster,The Rocketeerproves the director’s ability to create lighthearted and fun adventures. Adapting a character inspired by 1930s serials, the movieis the story of a young pilot who becomes embroiled in a Nazi plot when a prototype jetpack falls into his hands.The Rocketeeris full of homages to the 30sand lets itself have fun with much of the era’s iconography.
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The supporting characters help elevate the film, withthe 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 ofIndiana Jones.Its inventive action sequences and airy humor keep the momentum going until the explosive finale.
Written and directed by two heavyweights of the 1980s, Shane Black and John McTiernan,Last Action Heroput 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 Herowas hugely disappointing for the studio and Schwarzenegger, losing a great deal of attention toJurassic Park, but it is that very failure that has given the action-packedadventure moviesuch a dedicated fan base.
