The Best 90s Monster Movies

Updated June 5, 2019 1.7k votes 265 voters 14.2k views24 items

List RulesVote up your favorite monster films that were released in the 1990s.

For all the horror and action nerds, here is a list of the best ‘90s monster movies, ranked by other movie fans on Ranker. This decade boasts new, high profile versions of both Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and Godzilla. Hollywood’s commitment to the monster genre only increased in the '90s, as special effects gradually got better and better.

Also on this 1990s monster film list are originals The Relic, Mimic and Tremors. You’ll also find three more films in the Godzilla brand (all from Japan), a film called Frankenhooker (the title should tell you what that’s about), and Leprachaun (plus three sequels in the decade).

So, which of the movies on this list of good 90s monster movies would you recommend to others? Vote up the top 90s monster movies and make sure to add any we might have missed.

Photo:

...more

1
114
24
Tremors
Kevin Bacon, Reba McEntire
Released: 1990
Directed by: Ron Underwood
Tremors is a 1990 American western monster film directed by Ron Underwood, written by Brent... more
More Tremors
#160 of 480 The Greatest Movies For Guys#438 of 1,540 The Most Rewatchable Movies
2
83
28
Lake Placid
Betty White, Mariska Hargitay
Released: 1999
Directed by: Steve Miner
Lake Placid is a 1999 American monster horror comedy film. The film was written by David E.... more
3
49
13
Arachnophobia
John Goodman, Brandy Norwood
Released: 1990
Directed by: Frank Marshall
Arachnophobia is a 1990 American horror comedy film directed by Frank Marshall and starring... more
More Arachnophobia
#79 of 317 The Greatest Disaster Movies of All Time#8 of 136 The Scariest Animal Horror Movies Ever Made
4
42
15
Predator 2
Gary Busey, Bill Paxton
Released: 1990
Directed by: Stephen Hopkins
Predator 2 is a 1990 American science fiction action horror film written by Jim and John... more
More Predator 2
#182 of 224 The Worst Sequels Of All Time#270 of 372 'Old' Movies Every Young Person Needs To Watch In Their Lifetime
5
59
34
The Relic
Tom Sizemore, Linda Hunt
Released: 1997
Directed by: Peter Hyams
The Relic is a 1997 science fiction/horror film directed by Peter Hyams and based on the... more
6
54
34
Mimic
Josh Brolin, Mira Sorvino
Released: 1997
Directed by: Guillermo del Toro
Mimic is an American 1997 science fiction horror film co-written and directed by Guillermo del... more
7
44
36
Gremlins 2: The New Batch
Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates
Released: 1990
Directed by: Joe Dante
Gremlins 2: The New Batch is a 1990 American horror comedy film, and the sequel to Gremlins.... more
More Gremlins 2: The New Batch
'Gremlins 2' Brilliantly Makes Fun Of Everyone Who Loved The First Movie#602 of 925 The All-Time Greatest Comedy Films

8
43
35
Deep Rising
Famke Janssen, Djimon Hounsou
Released: 1998
Directed by: Stephen Sommers
Deep Rising is a 1998 American action horror film directed by Stephen Sommers and starring... more
9
37
31
Nightbreed
David Cronenberg, Doug Bradley
Released: 1990
Directed by: Clive Barker
Nightbreed is a 1990 American dark fantasy film written and directed by Clive Barker, based on... more
10
37
36
Tremors 2: Aftershocks
Fred Ward, Michael Gross
Released: 1996
Directed by: S. S. Wilson, Andy Wilson
Tremors II: Aftershocks is a 1996 direct-to-video sequel to Tremors, in which the character of... more
11
32
31
Tales from the Darkside: The Movie
Julianne Moore, Steve Buscemi
Released: 1990
Directed by: John Harrison
Tales from the Darkside: The Movie is a 1990 American horror anthology film directed by John... more
More Tales from the Darkside: The Movie
#2 of 15 15 Terrifying Anthology Horror Movies Perfect for a Halloween Binge#32 of 49 The Best Movies Based on Stephen King Books
12
41
44
Godzilla
Matthew Broderick, Hank Azaria
Released: 1998
Directed by: Roland Emmerich
Watch for Free with Amazon Prime Free Trial
Godzilla is a 1998 American science fiction monster film directed and co-written by Roland... more
More Godzilla
#22 of 63 Movies Set in Brooklyn#6 of 24 Movies You Loved As A Child That Just Don't Hold Up
13
34
43
Leprechaun
Jennifer Aniston, Warwick Davis
Released: 1993
Directed by: Mark Jones
Leprechaun is a 1993 cult American horror comedy film written and directed by Mark Jones. It... more
More Leprechaun
The Making Of The 'Leprechaun' Series#10 of 20 20 Bad Horror Movies That Are Actually Good
14
32
42
Jack Frost
Shannon Elizabeth, Rob LaBelle
Released: 1996
Directed by: Michael Cooney
Jack Frost is an American horror comedy film written and directed by Michael Cooney and... more
More Jack Frost
#10 of 12 12 Ridiculously Scary Christmas Movies to Watch During the Holidays#6 of 18 Gimmick VHS Covers Were Once A Way To Grab Your Attention At The Video Store
15
31
41
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein
Robert De Niro, Helena Bonham Carter
Released: 1994
Directed by: Kenneth Branagh
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is a 1994 American horror film directed by Kenneth Branagh and... more
More Mary Shelley's Frankenstein
#29 of 35 Rainy Day Horror Movies You Can Watch Again And Again#292 of 382 The Greatest Movie Themes
16
27
34
Godzilla Millenium
Amy Hill, Hiroshi Abe
Released: 1999
Directed by: Takao Okawara
Godzilla 2000: Millennium is a 1999 Japanese science fiction kaiju film directed by Takao... more
More Godzilla Millenium
#38 of 64 The Scariest Giant Monster Movies#20 of 46 The Best Giant Monster Movies
17
20
31
Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah
Akiji Kobayashi, So Yamamura
Released: 1991
Directed by: Kazuki Ōmori
Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah, is a 1991 Japanese science fiction kaiju film produced by Toho... more
18
21
34
Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla
Akira Emoto, Akira Nakao
Released: 1994
Directed by: Kensho Yamashita
Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla is a 1994 Japanese science fiction kaiju film produced by Toho.... more
More Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla
#20 of 182 The Best Monster Movies#5 of 14 The Visual Evolution Of Godzilla
19
20
40
Leprechaun 2
Clint Howard, Warwick Davis
Released: 1994
Directed by: Rodman Flender
Leprechaun 2 is a 1994 American comedy horror film and the second film in the Leprechaun... more
More Leprechaun 2
#140 of 154 The Best Movie Sequels Ever Made#115 of 149 The Best Horror Movies Of The 1990s
20
13
41
Leprechaun 3
Warwick Davis, Leigh-Allyn Baker
Released: 1994
Directed by: Brian Trenchard-Smith
Leprechaun 3 is a 1995 American comedy fantasy horror film. It is the third installment and... more
More Leprechaun 3
#98 of 105 The Best Horror Movie Sequels#14 of 20 20 Bad Movies That Are Actually Really Good
21
9
28
Castle Freak
Barbara Crampton, Jeffrey Combs
Released: 1995
Directed by: Stuart Gordon
Castle Freak is a 1995 American horror film directed by Stuart Gordon, slightly based upon the... more
22
9
33
Metamorphosis: The Alien Factor
George Gerard, Greg Sullivan
Released: 1990
Directed by: Glenn Takakjian
Metamorphosis: The Alien Factor is an American 1990 science fiction horror film written and... more
23
8
43
Leprechaun 4: In Space
Debbe Dunning, Warwick Davis
Released: 1997
Directed by: Brian Trenchard-Smith
Leprechaun 4: In Space is a 1997 direct-to-video horror comedy/science fiction film directed... more
24
7
33
Frankenhooker
Heather Hunter, Louise Lasser
Released: 1990
Directed by: Frank Henenlotter
Frankenhooker is a 1990 American black comedy horror directed by Frank Henenlotter. Very... more