However, kids are a discerning audience, and not every film made during the decade was a hit (RIP Jack Frost and Dudley Do-Right). Narrowing this list down to 20 was no easy task. There are plenty more amazing ‘90s kids and family movies that deserve their due credit. These selected titles stood out for their innovation, audience adoration, or exceptional storytelling. So cuddle up with your favorite Beanie Baby, put on some baggy denim, and revisit the nostalgia of the 20 greatest family movies of the ‘90s, ranked.
20
‘Hook’ (1991)
A live-action movie starring Robin Williams as a fully grown Peter Pan takes no prisoners. Audiences either love or hate Hook, and there seems to be no middle ground. In Hook, Williams plays a version of the infamous anti-aging hero who has chosen to grow up and have a family of his own. When his two children are kidnapped by his sworn enemy, Captain Hook (Dustin Hoffman), Peter must relearn all he has forgotten and travel back to Neverland to save them.
Directed by Steven Spielberg, Hook has some truly lovely acting moments. Williams is luminous as Peter, Hoffman is definitive as Hook, and Julia Roberts brings a pathos to Tinkerbell that no one has been able to eclipse. Even though Spielberg wasn’t confident in the overall result, the movie spoke for itself and has earned a following of loyal fans.
19
‘The Mighty Ducks’ (1992)
The 1990s were abundant with sports movies for kids, and one that took the theme and put it on ice was The Mighty Ducks. Centered around a rag-tag team of hockey hopefuls, The Mighty Ducks stars Emilio Estevez as Gordon Bombay, a lawyer who is forced to do community service after a moving violation. As luck would have it, the service Gordon is sentenced to is coaching a kids’ hockey team that no one has been able to get into shape.
The Mighty Ducks is an immensely fun movie. It has everything a good athletic underdog story requires: the coach who seeks redemption, the kid who needs a father figure, a person who is a natural but has never played before, and a motivational training montage. Hockey fans and family film buffs will enjoy The Mighty Ducks for all the quintessential and time-tested tropes.
18
‘Aladdin’ (1992)
Another entry on this list featuring Robin Williams is Disney’s Aladdin. In the film, Williams voices Genie, a magical entity that is summoned when the main character, Aladdin (Scott Weinger), wakes him from a 10,000-year slumber. With his magical powers, Genie helps Aladdin pretend to be a prince so he can woo the princess, Jasmine (Linda Larkin).
Though Aladdin is not a perfect film (the obvious whitewashing of the cast), it is a solid adventure movie and the brilliant soundtrack took home two Oscars. Aladdin is also one of the rare Disney animated films that focuses on a male lead character. Disney was tracking solid success during the decade, and Aladdin is definitely one of their triumphs.
17
‘Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey’ (1993)
Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey is a near-perfect movie that features the inner dialogue of animals that go on a harrowing adventure. In the film, Michael J. Fox, Don Ameche, and Sally Field voice the three main characters, Chance, Shadow, and Sassy, respectively. As the three pets break free from a farm and traverse thousands of miles to reunite with their owners, they encounter wilderness, wildlife, and all kinds of peril.
Homeward Bound has a perfect mix of humor and heart. There are moments of levity and slapstick comedy along with action, and touching scenes. The choice to use practical effects and refrain from attempting to animate the animals’ mouths was key in creating longevity for the film. Homeward Bound is as entertaining to watch now as it was upon its debut, over three decades ago.
16
‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’ (1996)
Adhering to Walt Disney’s original vision of animated movies telling compelling stories, The Hunchback of Notre Dame tells the gripping tale written by Victor Hugo. A man born with physical deformities named Quasimodo (Tom Hulce) is manipulated and isolated by Judge Frollo (Tony Jay), an authority figure whose self-righteousness knows no bounds. When a beautiful young woman named Esmeralda (Demi Moore) enters their lives, their relationship becomes fraught with tension. Quasimodo cherishes her as his only true friend, and Judge Frollo vows to kill her unless she agrees to be his mistress.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame is metal. It feels more like a Broadway show or morality play than a traditional Disney film. With murder, kidnapping, and torture all at play, the movie adds comical relief with talking gargoyles that live with Quasimodo in the bell tower. The Hunchback of Notre Dame is the last great example of Disney daring to tell impactful stories, and even though it was a box office success, the studio has largely played it safe ever since.
15
‘Free Willy’ (1993)
A young boy who bonds with a captive killer whale became a smash hit for Warner Bros. in 1993. Free Willy stars Jason James Richter as Jesse, a troubled teen who is required to do community service at a local aquarium. While working at the facility, he forms an unlikely friendship with the orca, Willy (Keiko). When Willy’s life is in danger, Jesse risks everything to liberate his new friend.
With a small budget of $20 million, Free Willy more than earned its welcome with fans, taking home a whopping $153.7 million at the box office. The film’s stirring depictions of large animals in captivity raised passionate concern from viewers, and it became a culturally significant film. Richter gave a dedicated and grounded performance in Free Willy and went on to have a successful career in filmmaking.
14
‘Angels in the Outfield’ (1994)
When a young boy prays for his favorite baseball team to receive some supernatural help, the answer comes in a spectacular way in Angels in the Outfield. Roger (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) desperately wants to reunite with his father, played by Dermot Mulroney. When his dad makes an off-handed comment that the possibility is as likely as the under-performing baseball team winning the pennant, Roger takes it to heart. After praying for some help, Roger is gifted the ability to see actual angels who miraculously appear and give the baseball players some extraordinary assistance.
Angels in the Outfield has a stellar cast. Gordon-Levitt is joined by Danny Glover, Tony Danza, Christopher Lloyd, and Brenda Fricker. The film also features Neal McDonough, Adrien Brody, and Matthew McConaughey in supporting roles, years before they became household names. The 1990s were the go-to era for sports-themed movies for kids, and Angels in the Outfield is the most inspiring. There are meaningful moments of humor and heart, and it definitely deserves a spot on this list.
13
‘Fairy Tale: A True Story’ (1997)
Like a fairy house hidden in a forest, Fairy Tale: A True Story is a hidden gem among ‘90s kids’ movies. Based on the true story of the Cottingley Fairies, two young girls, Frances Griffiths (Elizabeth Earl) and Elsie Wright (Florence Hoath), produced what appeared to be photographic evidence of fairies in 1917. The photos triggered a media phenomenon when they were published by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Peter O’Toole) in 1920.
Fairy Tale: A True Story is a unique fantasy that has solid ties to reality. There are exceptional performances given by all the cast, and Harvey Keitel is quintessential as Harry Houdini. Fairy Tale explores the themes of magic and wonder at their most condensed and truest forms. It endeavors to ponder the “why” behind human belief. It is a film that both the young and the young at heart can enjoy together, and it creates its own form of enchantment.
12
‘The Santa Clause’ (1994)
Tim Allen is well known in the industry for his ability to bring engaging and family-friendly comedic performances. Allen got the chance to play one of the most nuanced and iconic roles of all time, Santa, in The Santa Clause. As Scott Calvin, a divorced father who has his son for Christmas, Allen does a splendid job of navigating Scott’s journey when magical events that defy logic start to take place.
When Santa accidentally falls off Scott’s roof, he puts on the identifiable red and white suit and unwittingly agrees to fulfill the role permanently and become the next Santa Claus. The Santa Clause is one of the best Christmas movies of the 1990s. The costumes and set designs are masterful, using Nordic themes mixed with whimsical tones that feel delightful and intentional instead of oversimplified. Scott goes on more than just a physical transformation throughout the film, and his emotional journey that comes full circle is rewarding to watch.
11
‘Jumanji’ (1995)
Somewhere between a horror, a suspense, and an action movie, Jumanji follows a group of individuals as they play a mystical board game. The players have their lives turned upside down when the consequences of the game impact their real lives. Robin Williams, Bonnie Hunt, Kirsten Dunst, and Bradley Pierce are superb in their performances, and watching them navigate their adventures and work together as a team makes for wonderful family entertainment.
Jumanji is an exciting blend of fantasy and reality. Lions sleeping in bedrooms, alligators swimming through hallways, and monkeys driving motorcycles down the street are just some of the peculiar quagmires that Jumanji conjures up. Fans of the new series of films starring Dwayne Johnson, Karen Gillan, Kevin Hart, and Jack Black will appreciate the high stakes and original creativity of the OG.