The Definitive ’90s Horror Movie For Each Year Of The Decade

The 1990s were a particularly fascinating time for horror films. While the ’70s and ’80s established classic slasher movies and iconic villains, and more recent years have brought back popular franchises and innovative new movies, the ’90s stand out as a uniquely interesting decade for the genre.

The horror genre experienced a fascinating evolution throughout the 1990s. The decade began with a string of well-received horror films, followed by a period where the genre lost some momentum. However, it bounced back strongly in the latter half of the ’90s with several now-classic movies and directors, making each year of the decade interesting for horror fans.

1990: Misery

The beginning of the decade was marked by popular horror movies. Films like Jacob’s Ladder were critically acclaimed, Tremors gained a dedicated following, and Flatliners and The Witches remain fan favorites. We also saw new installments in established franchises like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Child’s Play, and Gremlins.

Considered one of the most successful Stephen King adaptations ever made, Misery tells the story of a famous novelist (James Caan) who is saved by a nurse (Kathy Bates) following a car crash. However, he soon discovers she’s a dangerously obsessed fan and holds him captive.

The film Misery received a lot of praise from critics, largely thanks to Kathy Bates’ incredible performance as Annie Wilkes. It was a truly unsettling, yet captivating, portrayal. Bates’ work was historic – she won the Best Actress Oscar, making Misery the only Stephen King adaptation to ever win an Academy Award.

1991: The Silence Of The Lambs

1991 wasn’t a great year for horror, with many releases like Child’s Play 3 and Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare quickly fading from memory. The few good horror movies that year were either obscure or blended horror with comedy, such as The People Under the Stars.

Even considering all the great horror films released in 1991, The Silence of the Lambs still stands out as the best. Jonathan Demme’s 1991 film, based on the 1988 novel, remains remarkably effective even today. The plot centers on a rookie FBI detective who teams up with a jailed cannibal to catch a serial killer who brutally murders women and skins them.

The captivating conversation between Hannibal (Anthony Hopkins) and Clarice (Jodie Foster) immediately draws you in and keeps you on the edge of your seat. The Silence of the Lambs was a huge hit with audiences and critics alike. It’s famous for being the only horror film to win all five major Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Adapted Screenplay.

1992: Candyman

1992 proved to be a good year for horror films. While nothing quite matched the success of The Silence of the Lambs, there were several notable releases, including Braindead and Bram Stoker’s Dracula. The year also saw the arrival of some fantastic horror comedies like Army of Darkness, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Death Becomes Her.

Choosing the best horror movie can be tough, but Candyman stands out. This film blends the slasher genre with supernatural elements, and it’s based on a story by Clive Barker. It centers around a graduate student who accidentally calls forth Candyman, a ghostly figure with a hook for a hand. He’s the spirit of a Black man who was killed for loving a white woman.

The movie draws on the popular legend of Bloody Mary, with the character Candyman appearing when his name is said five times in front of a mirror. Despite being released some time ago, Candyman remains well-regarded, earning a 79% score on Rotten Tomatoes, largely because it offers insightful commentary on issues of race and social class.

1993: Body Snatchers

Picking the best horror movie from 1993 is surprisingly difficult. Many of the big releases that year were letdowns, like Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday. Others weren’t strictly horror, falling more into comedy (Leprechaun) or thriller (The Good Son) territory.

Despite being the third adaptation of the classic story, the 1993 film Body Snatchers stands out as the best movie of that year. It’s based on the 1955 novel The Body Snatchers, but had to compete with the highly praised 1978 version.

Although the movie Body Snatchers isn’t as good as the 1978 version, critics generally liked it. The special effects were a highlight, even though the story itself isn’t particularly strong. Overall, it’s a film that leaves a lasting impression with some truly memorable scenes.

1994: Wes Craven’s New Nightmare

1994 offered a strong year for horror fans, with several notable films released. Highlights included Interview with the Vampire and In the Mouth of Madness, and international favorites like Cemetery Man and Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein also made an impact.

Surprisingly, the biggest hit of 1994 was a continuation of a well-known series. Wes Craven’s New Nightmare reinvented Freddy Krueger by presenting him as a movie villain who terrorizes the people making the films about him – the actors and filmmakers themselves.

New Nightmare was remarkably self-aware for its time, anticipating many trends in horror that would emerge later. Despite not being a box office success, it’s now considered a standout entry in the Nightmare on Elm Street series and one of director Wes Craven’s finest works.

1995: The Addiction

As a horror fan, the ’90s were a bit of a rollercoaster, and 1995 really felt like a mixed bag. We got movies like Copycat, Vampire in Brooklyn, and Species, but honestly, while they’re popular, they often felt more like thrillers or sci-fi than straight-up horror. They dipped their toes into different areas, which isn’t always a bad thing, but it wasn’t consistently scary!

That makes the independent film The Addiction the best of the year. Despite not being a widely released movie, it features a fantastic cast including Lili Taylor, Christopher Walken, Edie Falco, and Michael Imperioli, among others.

I recently revisited The Addiction, and it truly is a standout vampire film. It’s not your typical monster movie; instead, it’s a really compelling story about a college student grappling with becoming a vampire and, more importantly, the intense addiction to blood that comes with it. It’s a shame it’s flown under the radar for so long, especially considering it earned a Best Feature nomination at the Independent Spirit Awards. And honestly, the black-and-white cinematography still looks fantastic – it really adds to the film’s haunting atmosphere.

1996: Scream

1996 was a strong year for horror fans. Classic films like The Craft, a standout witch movie, and the enduring vampire favorite From Dusk Till Dawn were released. Don’t forget Peter Jackson’s often-overlooked The Frighteners, either!

However, it’s hard to beat the original Scream. Wes Craven built on the successful ideas from New Nightmare and created a truly outstanding slasher film. It was clever and self-aware, expertly using and subverting common horror tropes – and it did all of this better than any other film.

The actors in Scream – including Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, and Matthew Lillard – are truly memorable, and Ghostface has become a legendary horror villain. The film’s opening, featuring Drew Barrymore, is considered one of the greatest ever in the genre. Remarkably, the Scream series continues to be made today, consistently delivering high-quality movies.

1997: Funny Games

The huge success of the movie Scream in 1996 paved the way for a wave of horror films in 1997. We got a strong sequel with Scream 2, and I Know What You Did Last Summer, which offered a similar vibe. Other notable releases that year included Cure, The Devil’s Advocate, and Wishmaster, making it a great year for horror fans.

However, when it comes to the best film of the year, we need to look no further than Austria. Funny Games is a disturbing psychological horror film about two men who hold a family hostage and subject them to cruel and sadistic games.

What sets the horror film Funny Games apart is its unsettling realism and the senselessness of the violence. The attackers commit terrible acts simply for their own amusement, making it truly frightening. A nearly identical remake was released ten years later, but it wasn’t well-received.

1998: The Faculty

The 1998 horror landscape was heavily influenced by the success of Scream, leading to a resurgence of slasher films. Popular releases included I Still Know What You Did Last Summer, Urban Legend, and a new Halloween movie, Halloween H20: 20 Years Later. The year also offered diverse options like Bride of Chucky and Vampires, making it a strong year for horror fans.

Robert Rodriguez delivered one of the year’s scariest and most enjoyable movies with The Faculty. While it has science fiction elements, the film genuinely delivers on the horror. It’s about a group of high school students facing an alien invasion right at their school.

When The Faculty first came out, opinions were divided. However, over time, it’s become a beloved film for many. Critics and fans now particularly appreciate its impressive special effects, Robert Rodriguez’s skillful directing, and the strong performances from the cast, which includes stars like Jordana Brewster, Clea DuVall, and Josh Hartnett.

1999: The Sixth Sense

As a horror fan, I have to say 1999 was a really strong year for the genre. Everyone was talking about The Blair Witch Project – it genuinely scared the pants off people! But it wasn’t just that one film; we also got some fantastic releases like Audition, Sleepy Hollow, Idle Hands, and Deep Blue Sea. It was a great time to be watching horror!

But The Sixth Sense stands out. It’s largely a psychological thriller about a child psychologist working with a young patient who says he can see ghosts. The movie creates a consistently unsettling and creepy atmosphere.

The Sixth Sense was a major box office success that launched M. Night Shyamalan into the spotlight. It received six Academy Award nominations and is famous for its incredible plot twist, widely considered one of the greatest ever. Many consider it to be one of the best horror movies of the 1990s.

2025-10-26 17:32