The Ultimate 90s Movie Checklist – 52 Films Perfect for Families
Let’s talk about Family Movie Night. For those of you who don’t already know about my family’s tradition, every week a different person selects their favorite movie which we all watch together – along with homemade treats, fresh popcorn, and under a big, warm blanket.
When it’s been my turn to choose, I usually pick an epic flick from my 90s movie checklist. It’s a great list to rediscover your favorites, and my kids have loved all the movies I’ve shown them (so far).
Ready to see the ultimate 90s movie checklist? You can download and print off my ULTIMATE 90s movie checklist right here. See if your picks make the cut or if there are some you even forgot about!
Keep Reading for 52 Must-See 90s Movies on the ULTIMATE 90s Movie Checklist
Edward Scissorhands (1990)
We’ll go in chronological order, and we start with Tim Burton’s Edward Scissorhands. An artificial man – with scissors for hands – lives a solitary life until he’s discovered by a loving suburban woman.
Kindergarten Cop (1990)
Action hero Arnold Schwarzenegger is given his toughest assignment yet when, as an undercover cop, he has to keep up appearances by pretending to be a kindergarten teacher.
Encino Man (1991)
The Stone Age meets the rock age when two high schoolers discover a caveman in their backyard. They thaw him out and attempt to introduce him to 90s life.
Hook (1991)
Directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Robin Williams as an adult Peter Pan, our hero must return to Netherland and relive the old days to defeat his famous enemy.
My Girl (1991)
Anna Chlumsky and Macaulay Culkin star in this 90s classic. A young girl on the cusp of teenhood forms an unlikely friendship when her world turns upside down.
White Fang (1991)
Adapted from the classic Jack London novel, a Yukon gold hunter saves a dog-wolf mix from an abusive owner and forms an unforgettable friendship.
A League of Their Own (1992)
This one definitely had to make the ultimate 90s movie checklist! A tale of two sisters who join up to the first female professional baseball league. But their own rivalry could get in the way of their chances.
Fern Gully (1992)
A movie relevant now more than ever, a mythical race must save their rainforest home from logging and a magical polluting force called Hexus.
Sister Act (1992)
Starring Whoopi Goldberg, Dame Maggie Smith, and Kathy Najimy, a singer witnesses a mob crime, and the police hide her as a nun for her protection. Cue plenty of comedy when this superstar has trouble fitting into her holy surroundings.
The Mighty Ducks (1992)
I love this movie! A Minnesota lawyer is sentenced to community service where he ends up coaching a mismatched ice hockey team.
Three Ninjas (1992)
Who doesn’t want to watch a 90s ninja movie? Three brothers visit their highly-skilled ninja grandfather, who passes on his techniques.
Cool Runnings (1993)
This is one of my favorites on this ultimate 90s movie checklist! (Slightly) based on a true story. When three Jamaican sprinters fail to make it into the summer Olympics, they try their hand at bobsleigh. A brilliant movie with a very poignant message.
Free Willy (1993)
A boy learns that a famous whale is to be killed by the aquarium, so he hatches a plan to save the mammal. My kids loved this one!
Groundhog Day (1993)
Bill Murray lives the same day over and over again. Bill Murray lives the same day over and over again. Bill Murray lives the…
Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993)
A bulldog, a Himalayan cat, and a golden retriever set off on an epic journey through the Sierra Nevada mountains to return home to their beloved owners.
Jurassic Park (1993)
Scientists discover they have the power to clone dinosaurs, but when the theme park that hosts the extinct creatures has a power outage, the dinos are on the loose.
Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
Another Robin Williams classic. Freelance voice actor Daniel Hillard cannot see his kids following a divorce. He disguises himself as the children’s new nanny – the hilarious Mrs. Doubtfire. This one is a must for the ultimate 90s movie checklist!
Searching for Bobby Fischer (1993)
A young chess prodigy refuses to change his ways to become more like the famous but disliked Bobby Fischer.
The Sandlot (1993)
It’s summer 1962, and the new kid in town is taken under the wing of the youth baseball team. The boys get up to several hilarious misadventures.
The Secret Garden (1993)
Based on Frances Hodgson Burnett’s famous book, a young orphan moves from India to England and uncovers a hidden garden full of magical treasures.
Angels in the Outfield (1994)
A young boy prays to have a family if the baseball side the California Angels win the pennant. Angels intervene to try and make that happen.
Black Beauty (1994)
One incredible animal and so many brilliant stories. Horse Black Beauty narrates his life and tells the tales of his owners and adventures.
Little Giants (1994)
A bunch of misfits form their own peewee football team to take on the heavy favorites coached by their boss’ brother.
Little Rascals (1994)
The Little Rascals are back with an action-packed movie. Alfalfa is wooing Darla, but his pals at the “He-Man-Woman-Hating” club attempt to sabotage the relationship. My kids loved to the sing the “I got a pickle” song after watching this one!
Richie Rich (1994)
Another 90s classic starring Macaulay Culkin, a young rich boy must use all his cunning to save his family’s fortune.
A Little Princess (1995)
A young girl is sent to boarding school during World War I, but after some heart-breaking news, she has to work in servitude, where she makes a remarkable discovery.
Babe (1995)
Babe is a pig. A pig who was raised by sheepdogs. With a little help from Farmer Hoggett, Babe must learn to shepherd the herd. Farmer’s “That’ll do, pig” will be a line you’ll remember forever.
Balto (1995)
Kevin Bacon is Balto, the outcast husky who must work with other sled dogs to stop an epidemic sweep across Alaska.
Casper (1995)
An afterlife specialist goes to a haunted mansion in an attempt to get rid of the evil spirits. Instead, he meets Casper, the friendly ghost. This one is a 90s classic!
It Takes Two (1995)
Alyssa and Amanda are two kids who look identical. They’re strangers but cause chaos when they meet each other.
Jumanji (1995)
Two kids play a magical board game, accidentally releasing a man who has been trapped in it for decades. But they also set free a whole host of dangers that can only be stopped by finishing the game. If you loved the recent remakes with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, and Karen Gillan, you’ll love this original!
Mr. Holland’s Opus (1995)
A frustrated composer turns to teaching, where he inspires the next generation through music.
The Indian in the Cupboard (1995)
Omri is a young boy growing up in Brooklyn who receives an odd set of birthday presents. A wooden cabinet from his brother, a collection of antique keys from his mother, and a tiny plastic model of a strange man from his best friend.
Matilda (1996)
This is one of my favorites and definitely had to be included on my ultimate 90s movie checklist! A brilliant little girl who just happens to be a genius teams up with a fantastic teacher against the world’s worst parents and headteacher – Mrs. Trunchbull.
Space Jam (1996)
If you love Michael Jordan, basketball, and Bugs Bunny, the whole family will enjoy this one! The Looney Tunes take on evil aliens at a basketball match in a desperate attempt to earn their freedom. Oh, and they’ve got basketball legend Michael Jordan to give them a helping hand.
Harriet the Spy (1996)
Harriet Welsch is a young spy. But when her friends find her notebook, they turn against her. Can Harriet save her friendships and spy career?
Flubber (1997)
A crazy professor discovers flubber, a super-bouncy substance that comes to a local basketball team’s aid.
Air Bud (1997)
Another basketball epic. A circus dog escapes from his cruel master and joins a High School’s basketball team.
Anastasia (1997)
The last surviving child of the Russian royal family gets help from two con men while the undead Rasputin is hunting her down. If your kids love Disney princess movies, this one has the same feel plus a great soundtrack!
George of the Jungle (1997)
George, raised by apes, falls in love with a wealthy American heiress. Watch out for that tree!
Good Burger (1997)
Two teens try to save the burger restaurant they work at from closure when a new-and-improved fast food joint opens across the street.
Jungle 2 Jungle (1997)
When a father discovers he has a 13-year-old son living in the jungle, he brings the boy to New York City and turns his world upside down.
Men In Black (1997)
One of the decade’s best films, whatever your age, a police officer played by Will Smith joins a secret organization that monitors extra terrestrials on earth.
Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella (1997)
A 90s twist on the classic tale. Will Cinderella find her Prince Charming? Plus I loved seeing this diverse cast including Brandy as Cinderella and Whitney Houston as the Fairy Godmother.
Ever After (1998)
Another take on the fairytale, this one starring Drew Barrymore. The Grimm brothers arrive at Grande Dame’s home, who reveals the cinder girl’s fable before telling the true story of her ancestor.
Fly Away Home (1998)
In this wholesome movie, a father and daughter team up when they attempt to lead a flock of orphaned Canadian Geese south for the winter.
The Parent Trap (1998)
Another hilarious comedy as twins Annie and Hallie, who were separated at birth, each raised by one of their biological parents, discover each other at a summer camp and attempt to bring their parents back together.
The Prince of Egypt (1998)
An animated feature of biblical proportions. Moses discovers he’s the chosen one and is destined to be the deliverer of his people. This one definitely had to make the ultimate 90s movie checklist! The soundtrack is so good!
The Truman Show (1998)
A freaky comedy as an insurance agent – played by Jim Carey – discovers that his entire life is actually just a reality TV show.
Galaxy Quest (1999)
The cast of a television soap opera set in space have to pretend to be the real deal when an alien race is in need.
The Iron Giant (1999)
A gem of an animated classic, a young boy befriends and then attempts to save a giant robot that a government agent wants destroyed.
The Mummy (1999)
And our final must-watch nineties movie, The Mummy. An archaeological dig unearths a mummy who begins to cause chaos as he searches for the reincarnation of his long-lost love.
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Several of these 90s classics are available to watch on Disney+. Are you ready to sign up? I have all of the details on how you can get a discounted rate on Disney+ here.
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