You Won’t Believe It! 15 ’90s Movies That Cashed In Big Time

1. Ghost 1990，IMDB Rating: 7.1, IMDB Votes: 238501, ID: 0099653
Photo by Flickr, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

Ghost, a 1990 romantic fantasy thriller film, was a surprising box office hit, grossing over **$505.70 million**. The film, starring Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore, tells a poignant story of love transcending the barrier of death. Despite its supernatural theme, it resonated with audiences worldwide, making it a financial success that one might not initially expect.
2. Problem Child 1990，IMDB Rating: 5.5, IMDB Votes: 33299, ID: 0100419
Photo by cinematicrandomness.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

Problem Child, a 1990 comedy film, was unexpectedly successful at the box office, grossing **$72.27 million**. Despite being critically panned for its mean-spirited humor and lack of comic invention, the film found a substantial audience, proving that sometimes, a movie’s financial success can be hard to predict.
3. Misery 1990，IMDB Rating: 7.8, IMDB Votes: 238520, ID: 0100157
Photo by blogspot.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

Misery, a 1990 psychological thriller, was a box office success, grossing **$61.28 million**. The film, based on Stephen King’s novel, features standout performances from James Caan and Kathy Bates. Its success at the box office might be surprising given its dark and intense plot.
4. City Slickers 1991，IMDB Rating: 6.8, IMDB Votes: 63720, ID: 0101587
Photo by blogspot.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

City Slickers, a 1991 comedy film, surprisingly made **$179.03 million** at the box office. The film, which follows the comedic adventures of three friends at a cattle drive, was well-received for its humor and heart. Its financial success serves as a testament to the universal appeal of well-crafted comedy.
5. Wayne’s World 1992，IMDB Rating: 7.0, IMDB Votes: 172602, ID: 0105793
Photo by blogspot.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

Wayne’s World, a 1992 comedy film based on a popular Saturday Night Live skit, was a surprising box office hit, grossing **$183.10 million**. The film’s unique humor and memorable characters resonated with audiences, leading to a financial success that exceeded expectations.
6. Unforgiven 1992，IMDB Rating: 8.2, IMDB Votes: 439679, ID: 0105695
Photo by blogspot.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

Unforgiven, directed by Clint Eastwood, is a classic Western that explores the transformation of the Old West into a more civilized era. The film’s narrative is compelling, with Eastwood’s character, William Munny, a reformed outlaw turned hog farmer, being drawn back into his old life. Despite its success, it’s surprising to learn that it grossed a whopping $101 million domestically, surpassing expectations for a Western genre film in the 90s.
7. The Fugitive 1993，IMDB Rating: 7.8, IMDB Votes: 322033, ID: 0106977
Photo by Wikipedia, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

The Fugitive, starring Harrison Ford, is a tense and expert thriller that tells the story of an innocent man on the run. The film’s suspenseful chase sequences and Ford’s compelling performance made it one of the best entertainments of the year. Surprisingly, it grossed an impressive $183.9 million domestically, a testament to its gripping narrative and stellar performances.
8. Indecent Proposal 1993，IMDB Rating: 6.0, IMDB Votes: 78933, ID: 0107211
Photo by blogspot.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

Indecent Proposal is a romantic fantasy that explores the moral dilemma of a couple faced with a tempting offer from a billionaire. Despite its controversial premise, the film, starring Demi Moore and Robert Redford, was a box office success, grossing $106.6 million domestically. This success was likely due to its provocative storyline and the star power of its lead actors.
9. The Pelican Brief 1993，IMDB Rating: 6.6, IMDB Votes: 96980, ID: 0107798
Photo by wikipedia.org, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

The Pelican Brief, a political thriller based on a John Grisham novel, features Julia Roberts as a law student who uncovers a conspiracy involving the assassination of two Supreme Court justices. The film’s complex plot and Roberts’ strong performance made it a hit, grossing $100.7 million domestically. Its success at the box office is a testament to its engaging storyline and the popularity of its lead actress.
10. Clear and Present Danger 1994，IMDB Rating: 6.9, IMDB Votes: 109042, ID: 0109444
Photo by wikipedia.org, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

Clear and Present Danger, another adaptation of a Tom Clancy novel, stars Harrison Ford as Jack Ryan, a CIA agent caught in a covert battle between the White House and Colombian drug cartels. The film’s blend of action and political intrigue made it a hit, grossing a surprising $122 million domestically. Its success underscores the appeal of its lead actor and the popularity of political thrillers during the 90s.
11. Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls 1995，IMDB Rating: 6.4, IMDB Votes: 235407, ID: 0112281
Photo by wikipedia.org, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls is a comedy that surprisingly made a whopping **$212.39 million** at the box office. The film, starring Jim Carrey, is a sequel to Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and is filled with hilarious moments that have made it a cult classic. Despite its comedic nature, it managed to draw a large audience, making it a box office success.
12. Se7en 1995，IMDB Rating: 8.6, IMDB Votes: 1819542, ID: 0114369
Photo by blogspot.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

Se7en, a crime thriller directed by David Fincher, grossed an impressive **$327.33 million** worldwide. The film, featuring Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman, presents a chilling narrative of two detectives hunting a serial killer who uses the seven deadly sins as his motives. Its dark theme and suspenseful plot made it a surprising hit at the box office.
13. The Birdcage 1996，IMDB Rating: 7.2, IMDB Votes: 102261, ID: 0115685
Photo by oldaintdead.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

The Birdcage, a comedy film, surprisingly grossed **$185.26 million**. The film, directed by Mike Nichols, stars Robin Williams and Nathan Lane as a gay couple trying to put up a straight front for their son’s conservative in-laws. Its humorous plot and strong performances contributed to its unexpected box office success.
14. Ransom 1996，IMDB Rating: 6.7, IMDB Votes: 136341, ID: 0117438
Photo by Wikipedia, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

Ransom, an action thriller film directed by Ron Howard, made a surprising **$309.49 million** at the box office. The film, starring Mel Gibson, tells the story of a multi-millionaire whose son is kidnapped. Despite its intense and serious plot, it managed to attract a large audience, making it a box office hit.
15. Phenomenon 1996，IMDB Rating: 6.4, IMDB Votes: 84396, ID: 0117333
Photo by Wikipedia, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

Phenomenon, a romantic fantasy drama, surprisingly grossed $152.04 million. The film, starring John Travolta, tells the story of an ordinary man who gains super-intelligence and telekinesis after seeing a bright light descend from the sky. Its unique plot and Travolta’s performance made it a surprising success at the box office.