Why are audiences today so fascinated by some of the best things the 1990s offered? It’s always fun to look back on the decade, remembering the style and culture and evensome of the marvelous television showsthat came out at that time. But, more than anything, it was the decade that released some of the most impressive and explosion-heavy blockbusters of all time.
The ’90s was a thrilling decade, an age that saw the biggest, loudest, and most enjoyable action blockbusters ever dominate the box office season every year. There’s nothing quite like watching these films today, as they’re non-stop joyrides full of escapism and endless fun. So, in honor of this awesome time,let’s look at and appreciate the most explosive ’90s blockbusters, fromMarco Brambilla’sDemolition MantoRoland Emmerich’sIndependence Day.
10’Demolition Man' (1993)
Directed by Marco Brambilla
Demolition Manis a unique blendof sci-fi, comedy, and action that all comes together to create a truly unforgettable experience. Set in the not-so-distant future of 2032, where violence and aggression have all been abolished, a hardened supercop, John Spartan (Sylvester Stallone), from the ’90s, is wakened from his cryogenic sleep to hunt down his old nemesis, the ruthless crime lord Simon Pheonix (Wesley Snipes), who has escaped captivity.
Right from the start of its jaw-dropping, explosive opening scene, audiences knew they were in for a wild ride.Demolition Manisan intense, at times hilarious, and overall brilliant action-comedythat has improved with age. There are death-defying stunts, delightfully over-the-top shootouts, and plenty of things that go boom to make it entertaining throughout. Plus, the mere sight of Stallone and Snipes going toe-to-toe should be more than enough for fans of the genre to be satisfied.
Demolition Man
9’GoldenEye' (1995)
Directed by Martin Campbell
Six years afterTimothy Dalton’s final outing as 007 inLicense to Kill, the famed gentleman spy returned in one of his most action-packed missions yet in 1995’sGoldenEye, this time played to perfection byPierce Brosnan. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Bond faces one of his toughest challenges as he races against time to stop a rogue MI6 agent, Alec Trevelyan (Sean Bean), from using a secret advanced satellite to topple England’s economy.
Widely consideredone of the most thrilling 007 flicks,GoldenEyeis a non-stop action rollercoaster that brought Bond back with a bang. This spy flick is an absolute blast of entertainment, following 007 on anotherthrilling adventure full of gunfights, exciting spy work, and some noticeably massive explosions. There are intense battles, an epic chase in a tank through Saint Petersburg, and a finale that ends this ’90s Bond classic with one hell of a boom.
8’The Matrix' (1999)
Directed by Lana and Lilly Wachowski
FromLana and Lilly Wachowskicomes their highly influential, iconic 1999 movie,The Matrix, a groundbreaking mix of sci-fi and action thrills that stands asone of the most important films of the decade. StarringKeanu ReevesandLaurence Fishburne, it follows a computer hacker as he rises to become a savior when he realizes humanity has been enslaved and put into a simulated reality by an artificial intelligence race of machines.
The Matrixis simply one of the greatest action movies of all time, an innovative masterpiece full of unique visuals, jaw-dropping effects, and a thought-provoking story. While it isn’t as explosive-heavy as some others featured on this list — at least not in the literal sense —The Matrixstill has plenty ofexciting gun battles and an occasional huge blast here and thereto keep viewers excited from beginning to end.
The Matrix
7’Die Hard with a Vengeance' (1995)
Directed by John McTiernan
Hardly any other actor kicked more butt in the late ’80s and throughout the ’90s thanBruce Willis. In 1995, he returned to his marvelous role as John McClane from theDie Hardseries in the exciting third installment,Die Hard with a Vengeance. It follows McClane as he teams up with a store owner, Zeus (Samuel L. Jackson), to stop a brilliant bomber, Simon (Jeremy Irons), from terrorizing New York City.
It’sa fist-pumping joyride featuring so much action and certainly more eye-catching explosions.Die Hard with a Vengeanceis often hailed asthe best sequel in the franchise, delivering just as many thrilling moments as the first film, though nothing will top that masterpiece. Overall,Die Hard with a Vengeanceis an exciting ’90s action hit that’s a blast throughout and doesn’t fail to entertain.
Die Hard with a Vengeance
6’Speed' (1994)
Directed by Jan de Bont
For an intense edge-of-your-seat experience, check outJan de Bont’s quintessential action masterpieceSpeed, the pulse-pounding thriller from 1994. Once again starring Keanu Reeves, this time joined byDennis HopperandSandra Bullock, it follows hot-shot LAPD officer Jack Traven as he plays a dangerous game of wits with a mad bomber to save a bus full of people rigged to explode if the vehicle slows down below 50 miles per hour.
Speedis 116 minutes of pure enjoyment, featuring some ofthe most nail-biting suspense and crowd-pleasing actionthe ’90s had to offer. It’s perfectly paced, excitingly acted, and gloriously over-the-top, sure to leave anyone satisfied by the end. But what’s really the takeaway from this one is the explosions, and boy, are they truly striking and worth the wait to see.
5’Star Wars: Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace' (1999)
Directed by George Lucas
Rounding out an impressive decade for summer blockbusters in 1999 wasStar Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, the long-awaited prequel film from George Lucas' epic franchise. Starring a magnificent cast includingLiam Neeson,Ewan McGregor, andIan McDiarmid, it returns audiences to a galaxy far far away, in time before the rise of the empire, when two Jedi Knights of the Galactic Republic were sent to resolve a conflict between the peaceful people of Naboo and the ambitious Trade Federation.
While it’s a secret that most audiences have their problems with this admittedly not-so-great installment and the rest of the prequel trilogy, there’s no denying thatEpisode Iisone of the most thrilling entries in the series. It delivers a mostly enjoyable experience, featuringplenty of cool space battles, lightsaber duels, and, most notably, tons of awesome explosions. Yeah, it’s nowhere near the best of the series, but it’s one of the funniest blockbusters of the ’90s.
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace
4’Terminator 2: Judgment Day' (1991)
Directed by James Cameron
Not only one of the greatest sci-fi and action films but also among the most compelling sequels in cinema history,James Cameron’s epic second entry in his iconicTerminatorfranchise,Terminator 2: Judgment Day, is a must-watch for action fans. Returning to his career-defining role,Arnold Schwarzeneggerplays the cyborg assassin, the T-800, this time as a reprogrammed protector sent to the past to defend the future leader of the resistance, John Connor (Edward Furlong).
T2is widely considered one of themost impressive action films of all time, agroundbreaking achievement with greater battle sequences and explosionsthan the first one. It’s got pulse-pounding action, incredible stunt work, visionary special effects, and iconic moments that have become significant to pop culture. There’s no mention of the best action movies of the ’90s without talking about this undeniable masterpiece.
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
3’The Rock' (1996)
Directed by Michael Bay
If it’s loud, intense, and full of ridiculous spectacles and excessive explosions, it’s probably aMichael Bayflick. Known today for his highly budgeted, insanely profitable, and admittedly over-the-top action movies, Bay’s name is synonymous with the genre, and whether audiences love him or hate him, he’s definitely produced some enjoyable entertainment. Often seen as one of his genuinely solid works isThe Rock, the 1996 action blockbuster that seesNicolas Cageand the lateSean Conneryas an unlikely pair tasked with infiltrating Alcatraz Island to stop a rogue General (Ed Harris) from unleashing a poison gas attack on San Francisco.
The Rockhasgunfights, fist-fights, and explosions galore, enough to keep everyone watching it excited from start to finish. Yeah, it’s wildly over-the-top andfeatures so many of Bay’s most infamous “Bay-isms,“but that’s what’s so special about this badass ’90s gem. There’s just no way to watchThe Rockwithout feeling captivated by all the explosions and mayhem that’s going on.
2’Armageddon' (1998)
What? Did you think Michael Bay was done appearing on this list afterThe Rock?Not just yet. Next, he returns with his mega-hit blockbusterArmageddon, released in 1998 and forever enduring in cinematic notoriety. It’s a wild,endlessly rewatchable disaster flickabout a team of astronauts and deep-core oil drillers as they go into space to destroy an extinction-level asteroid before it hits Earth.
With non-stop entertainment and one over-the-top explosion after another,Armageddoniseasily one of Bay’s most recognizable and exciting filmsand one of the most emblematic entries into his directing career. It’s a popcorn delight that’s mindlessly fun and thrills audiences with its ridiculous story and lovable performances. Plus, Bruce Willis is at the top of his game, and who doesn’t love to see him in action?
Armageddon
1’Independence Day' (1996)
Directed by Roland Emmerich
Finally, in a decade bustling with so much excitement, it’s director Roland Emmerich’s 1996 sci-fi action disaster masterpieceIndependence Daythat takes the top spot asthe most explosive blockbuster of the 1990s.Will Smith,Bill Pullman, and the always enjoyableJeff Goldblumstar in this unforgettable smash-hit that sees humanity come together to defeat an extraterrestrial threat when aliens in a citywide destroying flying saucers arrive to plunder the Earth’s natural resources.
Who doesn’t remember the iconic destruction sequence where New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, DC, are all engulfed in fiery, awesome explosions? It’s a fascinating, memorable scene that’s become a defining cinematic moment of the decade.Independence Dayisaction-packed, has tons of fun, and certainly doesn’t skimp out on explosions; it’san essential blockbuster of the ‘90sthat only gets more fun with every watch.
