When discussing the crime genre and the movies that fall into this category, they’re often described as gritty, real, and unflinching, especially when they’re from the 1990s. Since the ’90s was a decade that featured some of the best crime thrillers and dramas in recent history, it’s unsurprising that there are plenty of films that have flown under the radar and aren’t as well remembered today. However, part of the fun of these underrated movies is that viewers can discover them for the first time today and get swept up in the action and intrigue of their stories.
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Some of these projects are cult classic 1990s movies that deserve a remake and have remained popular among smaller film circles since their initial premiere. Many iconic actors are featured in leading roles in these movies. Sometimes, they play against type and step outside their comfort zone, or they portray familiar archetypes that viewers are used to seeing them embody. Either way, the actors’ commitment to the projects is vital to their success, as they keep the narrative grounded when the stories dive into the melodrama of over-the-top storytelling.
You are watching: 8 Gritty & Underrated Crime Movies From The 1990s
8
Carlito’s Way (1993)
Directed by Brian De Palma
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Carlito’s Way
R
Crime
Drama
Romance
Thriller
10/10
Release Date
November 10, 1993
Runtime
144 minutes
Cast
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Al Pacino
Carlito Brigante
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Sean Penn
David Kleinfeld
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Some of the best crime thriller movies of the 1990s feature familiar faces, as when an actor works within the genre, they often reprise similar roles. This is why it’s unsurprising to see icons like Al Pacino leading the cast of Carlito’s Way. The film is too often overlooked in both Pacino’s filmography and the genre in general. Set in the 1970s in New York City, Pacino plays Carlito, the protagonist, a criminal who gets involved in a complex web of lies and betrayals after being released from prison.
Though Pacino does a great job in Carlito’s Way, it could be argued that the fact that he had played similar roles in the past ultimately hurt the reception and longevity of the project. However, the direction by Brian De Palma and the supporting performances from Sean Penn and John Leguizamo make the film worth revisiting today. Entrenched in classic elements of the crime genre and the grit of New York during this era, Carlito’s Way remains engaging to the very end.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
Carlito’s Way (1993) |
84% |
91% |
7
King Of New York (1990)
Directed by Abel Ferrara
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King of New York
R
Crime
Thriller
Release Date
July 18, 1990
Runtime
103 minutes
Cast
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Christopher Walken
-
David Caruso
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Laurence Fishburne
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Victor Argo
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There are so many enduring qualities of King of New York, in addition to the unforgettable cast, that it’s easy to recommend it as a 1990s thriller to revisit. Christopher Walken and Laurence Fishburne anchor the ensemble as Frank and Jimmy, the drug kingpin and his closest ally. The story follows the pair and the detectives chasing them down as they attempt to take control of the drug trade in New York and sacrifice countless lives in their journey to the top.
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There are many movies where Christopher Walken plays a crime boss, but King of New York is easily one of the best, highlighting Walken’s skills as a performer. It’s a sweeping and tense narrative that captures the audience’s attention from the first moments of the story. Even when King of New York becomes too incredible to be believed, it’s still engaging to watch the characters battle it out on the streets and see how the movie brings the atmosphere of New York in the early ’90s to life.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
King of New York (1990) |
73% |
77% |
6
New Jack City (1991)
Directed by Mario Van Peebles
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New Jack City
R
Action
Crime
Drama
7/10
Release Date
March 8, 1991
Runtime
97 Minutes
Cast
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Wesley Snipes
Nino Brown
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Ice-T
Scotty Appleton
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The acclaimed actor-director Mario Van Peebles brings to life the story of New Jack City, which features an iconic ensemble cast that includes Wesley Snipes, Ice-T, and Chris Rock. Set in New York City, New Jack City juxtaposes the impact of the crack epidemic on historically Black neighborhoods in the city through the eyes of a crime boss, Nino (Snipes), and a detective for the NYPD, Scotty (Ice-T). New Jack City has the difficult job of tackling deeper issues that lead to drug problems while avoiding their glamorization.
However, for the most part, New Jack City succeeds, eliciting strong emotions in the audience as they watch the characters fall victim to circumstances outside their control. The performances in New Jack City also help ground the narratives and cement the seriousness of the story. Revisiting New Jack City today demonstrates how well the film has aged in many ways and shines a light on an aspect of the crime genre that’s too often overlooked.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
New Jack City (1991) |
81% |
80% |
5
The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996)
Directed by Renny Harlin
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The Long Kiss Goodnight
R
Crime
Action
Mystery
Thriller
9.4/10
Release Date
October 11, 1996
Runtime
121 Minutes
Cast
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Geena Davis
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Samuel L. Jackson
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Geena Davis and Samuel L. Jackson lead The Long Kiss Goodnight, an espionage thriller that takes many shocking twists and turns as the story progresses. Though the premise of The Long Kiss Goodnight is a little out there, it’s fun to lean into the action and mystery of the explosive narrative turns. Davis’s character eventually discovers that she’s a CIA agent with amnesia, and from there, she dives headfirst into a world of violence and intrigue.
Though The Long Kiss Goodnight doesn’t have a deeper message, it’s stylish enough not to need one.
Fortunately, it’s easy to be swept away by the story and go along for the ride as Davis takes on the role of action heroine. Jackson joins Davis as a private investigator who gets pulled into the story’s dangerous mission. Both actors have fun with the over-the-top project and have a sharp chemistry that keeps the film moving at a strong clip, even during the quiet moments. Though The Long Kiss Goodnight doesn’t have a deeper message, it’s stylish enough not to need one.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996) |
68% |
70% |
4
Hard Eight (1996)
Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson
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Hard Eight
R
Crime
Drama
Thriller
Release Date
February 28, 1997
Runtime
102 minutes
Cast
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John C. Reilly
Sydney
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Gwyneth Paltrow
John
-
Samuel L. Jackson
Clementine
-
Samuel L. Jackson
Jimmy
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Though Hard Eight isn’t the most famous Paul Thomas Anderson and Philip Seymour Hoffman movie, it should be better remembered. Hard Eight is one of Anderson’s most overlooked films, which is surprising, as it features a strong ensemble cast of the director’s frequent collaborators and was one of his earliest feature-length projects. Though Hard Eight isn’t as polished as his later work, it’s interesting to see the aspects of his style that would come to fruition in the future in their early stages.
Entrenched in the world of American gambling in the desert of Nevada, Hard Eight sees the characters dig themselves deeper into their holes of crime and debt as the film continues. Though the themes and story of Hard Eight are familiar, the movie distinguishes itself through its vivid characters and the gorgeous way Anderson uses the setting. The mood, purpose, and intention of Hard Eight are all crystal clear, and the same can’t be said for some thrillers.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
Hard Eight (1996) |
82% |
83% |
3
Copycat (1995)
Directed by Jon Amiel
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Copycat
R
Drama
Mystery
Thriller
8/10
Release Date
October 27, 1995
Runtime
123 Minutes
Cast
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Sigourney Weaver
-
Holly Hunter
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By blending the horror and thriller genres into the story, Copycat, as the name suggests, chronicles the murders of a serial killer. The character models his crimes after famous killers who came before him. The team that comes together to stop him features an all-star cast of Sigourney Weaver, Holly Hunter, and Dermot Mulroney. Tackling discussions of violence against women and the way that mass media has impacted violent crime, Copycat is invested in the relationship between Helen (Weaver) and M.J. (Hunter) as they solve the case.
Copycat provides a satisfying ending that isn’t as hopeless as some of the darkest parts of the plot.
It’s not always easy to watch Copycat, as the characters are subjected to terrible psychological and physical hardship that impacts their ability to investigate. However, Copycat provides a satisfying ending that isn’t as hopeless as some of the darkest parts of the plot. In the years since its release, Copycat has been consistently praised for centering a female duo in traditionally male roles and using their perspectives to uplift the experiences of women onscreen.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
Copycat (1995) |
76% |
64% |
2
Sonatine (1993)
Directed by Takeshi Kitano
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Sonatine
R
Crime
Action
Thriller
Release Date
April 10, 1993
Runtime
94 Minutes
Cast
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Takeshi Kitano
Aniki Murakawa
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Aya Kokumai
Miyuki
-
Tetsu Watanabe
Uechi
-
Masanobu Katsumura
Ryoji
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Though Sonatine did make waves on the international scale when it was first released, it deserves to be more widely mentioned among the ’90s crime movies that have helped push the genre forward. The writer-director, Takeshi Kitano, also stars as Murakawa, the film’s protagonist, who starts to feel too old for his life as part of the yakuza. As the events of Sonatine unfold, Murakawa and his crew have to hide by the sea after a job goes wrong, and he begins to suspect the boss has something to do with it.
Though there are many quiet moments throughout Sonatine, this only builds pressure and suspense for the eventual violence and intensity shown onscreen. In the 1990s, Western gangster and organized crime movies were often predictable and succumbed to the same tropes as all the others. Sonatine is nothing like this, allowing itself to be atmospheric and contemplative, finding meaning, or a lack thereof, in criminal activities. Murakawa is the perfect centerpiece for the story, as he’s already become estranged from his role in this life, but feels compelled to finish the story.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
Sonatine (1993) |
93% |
89% |
1
A Simple Plan (1998)
Directed by Sam Raimi
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A Simple Plan
R
Crime
Drama
Thriller
Release Date
December 11, 1998
Runtime
121 Minutes
Cast
See All
-
Bill Paxton
Hank Mitchell
-
Billy Bob Thornton
Jacob Mitchell
-
Bridget Fonda
Sarah Mitchell
-
Brent Briscoe
Lou Chambers
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With Sam Raimi directing and a stellar cast featuring Billy Bob Thornton and Bill Paxton, A Simple Plan is too often overlooked. Similar in tone to iconic neo-noirs like Fargo, A Simple Plan follows the escalating tension and violence that plague the characters after they discover a crashed plane that holds millions of dollars. Unsurprisingly, it doesn’t take long for the characters to get their stories mixed up and have to resort to extreme measures to keep their secret, as they’re all deeply driven by greed.
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Full of dark comedy and set against a harsh Minnesota winter, A Simple Plan has a tight, twisting narrative that pulls the audience in as the story progresses. Though there are comedic moments, A Simple Plan differentiates itself from similar work by the Coen Brothers by leaning into the true tragedy at the heart of the story. The saddest part of A Simple Plan isn’t just the crime elements but the fact that the characters are quick to turn on each other since their lives are so ruled by money.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
A Simple Plan (1998) |
91% |
81% |
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Category: Entertainment