7 Underrated Sci-Fi Movies of the 90s to Stream for Free in May 2024

Sci-fi came alive in the '90s, with special effects and futuristic dystopian landscapes taking over cinemas; iconic releases like The Matrix, Mars Attacks and Men in Black captivated and thrilled audiences, but also drew attention away from some truly imaginative, underrated films.

Cube (1997)

IMDb 7.1/10

Trapped among many other overlooked sci-fi films is Cube. This sci-fi horror is shrouded in mystery right off the bat, as a group of complete strangers wake up to find themselves trapped in cubic cells. The group must combine and use their unique skills to escape the cube and the deadly booby traps along the way.

Claustrophobic but intriguing, this low-budget Canadian film earned a 76% rating from audiences, though it flopped in its home country and received a mediocre response in the U.S. at the time. Nevertheless, for those who have since discovered the film, Cube has proven to be a timeless and criminally underrated addition to the sci-fi horror genre.

The Arrival (1996)

IMDb 6.2/10

Aliens and conspiracy meet Two and a Half Men's Charlie Sheen in this sci-fi. Even then, his character was not taken seriously. After receiving a transmission from outer space, he tries to warn his boss, but his pleas fall on deaf ears.

Desperate to get to the source, he tracks the signal to a point in Mexico, but his journey to find answers quickly puts him in great danger. With all the pieces in place for an inventive and entertaining sci-fi, The Arrival is a worthy and entertaining watch.

The Fifth Element (1997)

IMDb 7.6/10

In the distinctive and thoroughly entertaining The Fifth Element, the fate of the world rests in the hands of a humble taxi driver after he crosses paths with Leeloo, the physical embodiment of a mysterious fifth element who must combine with the other four elements to save mankind and the universe from pure evil.

Action legend Bruce Willis stars in this over-the-top sci-fi adventure, which was well-received by fans and critics in its time, though today it tends to be overshadowed by Willis' other work.

Dark City (1998)

IMDb 7.6/10

Adding to the selection of mind-bending sci-fi is Dark City, but just like the main character, many movie lovers seem to have their memories wiped when it comes to this movie, or have never seen it in the first place.

Dark City follows a man who wakes up in a hotel only to discover that he is being accused of a series of brutal murders that he cannot remember. His grim and gripping quest to uncover the truth leads him to question his own sanity and identity, and to discover a group of dark, otherworldly beings.

Fortress (1992)

IMDb 5.9/10

When Fortress first came out, it failed to please critics or audiences. With time, however, it seems to grow on people as an underrated classic. This may also be due to its cast, despite criticism of their acting.

Starring Christopher Lambert and Loryn Locklin, this dystopian flick follows a married couple who are imprisoned for disobeying the one-child rule. Fortress' thoughtful exploration of political and social issues makes for an enlightening watch, with action to keep it entertaining. If you're looking for a blast from the past, this might be the movie for you.

Time Cop (1994)

IMDb 5.9/10

What would happen if mankind finally conquered time travel?

Time Cop explores this very idea by following a police officer who is recruited to target criminals who are attempting to alter the natural timeline. When his investigation uncovers more than he realizes, his wife and the fate of the world are threatened, and he must travel through time to save his partner and the future.

Time Cop isn't perfect, but it's a thrilling and action-packed ride you won't want to miss.

Species (1995)

IMDb 5.9/10

Species may not have been well-received by audiences and critics in 1995, but today it's everything you could want in an old-school alien thriller.

The movie follows 'Sil', an alien-human hybrid created by a scientist who discovered the genetic sequence for alien life. As expected, Sil quickly becomes violent and uncontrollable, escaping from the lab in search of a human with whom to procreate. The government and an assassin join the hunt for Sil before time runs out.

Exploitation and alien life come together to give us a taste of 90's sci-fi paranoia in a highly suspenseful story.