11 '90s Movies That Were a Big Deal Then, But You've Kinda Forgotten About Now

Not every movie stands the test of time. Some movies that were a big deal ten or 20 years ago have been all but forgotten now. Here a few hidden gems that are worth revisiting.

'In the Line of Fire' (1993)

This political thriller boats a strong lineup both in front of and behind the camera, and it tells a smart, gripping story about a rogue CIA agent trying to assassinate the president. The movie was liked by audiences and critics, and it scored three Oscar noms -- including Best Screenplay and one for John Malkovich's unsettling portrayal of the assassin. So why has it been all but forgotten 25 years later? We're not sure, but hopefully plans to turn the movie into a TV series may help revive interest.

'Clear and Present Danger' (1994)

Harrison Ford had a good run in the '90s playing grizzled, middle-aged action heroes. Unfortunately, none of those movies have really stuck around in the way classics like "Blade Runner" and the Indiana Jones films have. "Clear and Present Danger" has become regarded as just another entry in the increasingly convoluted Jack Ryan franchise, rather than a pillar of '90s action moviemaking.

'Legends of the Fall' (1994)

It was probably inevitable that "Legends of the Fall" would fade from public consciousness eventually. As popular as the film was at the time, most of its appeal was superficial, whether it's the Academy Award-winning cinematography or Brad Pitt's dreamy face. Pitt has gone on to tackle far more interesting roles in the decades since, leaving this historical drama by the wayside.

'The Mask' (1994)

"The Mask" was among a trio of groundbreaking comedies that turned Jim Carrey into an instant superstar in 1994. But for various reasons, it hasn't maintained nearly as rabid a fanbase as "Ace Ventura" or "Dumb & Dumber." Perhaps it's the reliance on flashy special effects that aren't quite so impressive two decades later. Or maybe it's the fact that the long-delayed, Carrey-less sequel was the polar opposite of "Smokin'".

'Crimson Tide' (1995)

There's a lot to like about this military thriller, from its strong cast to the punchy, intelligent storyline (which even features an uncredited polish from Quentin Tarantino). But none of that has helped "Crimson Tide" maintain a huge following over the years, sadly. It may be that the film is just too dated, given how much the geopolitical state of the world and the relations between the US and Russia have evolved in the last 20 years.

'The English Patient' (1996)

"The English Patient" is a bizarre case. It dominated the awards season that year, raking in nine Academy Awards. Yet, when was the last time anyone has talked about this historical romance, much less actually wanted to watch it? It's exceptionally well-made, but lacks staying power.

'The Game' (1997)

This atmospheric thriller was received well by critics, but even at the time its lukewarm box office performance suggested that audiences just weren't that enthused. That hasn't changed over the last 20 years. Compared to director David Fincher's previous thriller, "Seven," this one just hasn't found a lasting pop culture foothold, settling for slightly above cult-following.

'Life Is Beautiful' (1998)

"Life Is Beautiful" managed two impressive feats, becoming the highest-grossing foreign movie in the US at the time and proving that it's possible to combine humor and the Holocaust without driving audiences away. Jerry Lewis must have felt vindicated. Despite all that, its popularity seemed to fade relatively quickly. We're pretty confident that Roberto Benigni's followup effort, the very terrible "Pinocchio," didn't help. 

'Shakespeare in Love' (1998)

"Shakespeare in Love" isn't a particularly well-regraded film for something that won the Best Picture Oscar in 1999. If anything, a lot of film buffs actively despise this historical romance. It's basically the poster child for Oscar bait movies, with many still decrying the fact that it beat out frontrunner "Saving Private Ryan" for Best Picture.

'Three Kings' (1999)

"Three Kings" was among the more critically adored films of 1999. At the time, it was nice to have a reminder that George Clooney was a legitimate thespian and not just the guy who helped kill the Batman franchise. Yet, despite gaining newfound relevance thanks to the second Gulf War, "Three Kings" tends to be overshadowed by director David O. Russell's more recent work.