The thriller genre hit its peak in the 1990s, but there were so many great films in the decade that some excellent movies have been overlooked. Defining what makes a thriller is actually quite tricky, and they subtly combine elements from other genres. Thrillers often involve crime, and incorporate elements of horror without ever dipping into the supernatural.

Classic ’90s films like The Silence of the Lambs walk a fine line between thriller and horror, while others are more action-centric, like Fight Club. Though the genre is tough to nail down, there’s no denying that some thriller films just work. They can be scary, exciting, and surprising, and capture a wide range of emotions compared to other genres.

Besides the classic thrillers from the ’90s, the decade produced films that went unnoticed. With a wealth of movies releasing during the period, a slew of classics didn’t get a chance to shine. Thankfully, these overlooked thrillers are finally getting the attention they deserve, and they are just as effective now as they were in the ’90s.

Bound (1996)

A few years before the Wachowskis delivered The Matrix, the duo produced an underseen thriller gem. Bound concerns two women who start a pᴀssionate love affair, and devise a plan to escape with millions from the mob. The neo-noir film features a taught script with plenty of thrills, but also has a tongue-in-cheek sense of humor too.

The movie’s frank depiction of a lesbian relationship was something new, and it scored points for its honest portrayal of Sєxuality. The movie got great reviews but was a box office disappointment, and would go unnoticed until the Wachowskis found greater success. Bound is one of the decade’s great thrillers because it feels fresh while also hitting the genre staples.

Fearless (1993)

Fearless is one of those critically-acclaimed movies that should have been a smash-hit, and it’s the most thoughtful thriller of the decade. The plot concerns a survivor of a plane crash who decides to abandon his old life as he spirals out of control. Though light on high-octane moments, Fearless is still a textbook thriller because of its implications.

It challenges the viewer to ᴀssess what they would do if they were suffering from survivor’s guilt, and the answers can be chilling. Jeff Bridges gives a stellar performance, and Fearless is all about the inward personal experience instead of something larger. It bombed at the box office, but was a critical darling, and even scored an Oscar nomination.

Bad Influence (1990)

Bad Influence is a relic of the 1980s that just happened to release at the beginning of the ’90s. The movie stars James Spader as a wealthy executive who treats his insecurity by seeking advice from a mysterious man who steers him into a life of crime. The movie’s cheesy style is its greatest strength all these years later.

Over-the-top and exaggerated, Bad Influence hits all the familiar marks of the thriller genre. The bombastic story is anchored by a strong performance from James Spader, and it’s the kind of movie that must be taken with a grain of salt. It isn’t the best thriller of the decade, but certainly one of the most fun.

Freeway (1996)

Matthew Bright’s Freeway is a difficult movie to pin down, and it blends aspects of thrillers with the basic framework of a fairy tale. A young girl is orphaned and decides to seek out her grandmother. Along the way, she encounters a notorious serial killer. The film uses its overt sleaziness to comment on the disaffected culture of the ’90s.

While Freeway is clearly making a point, it also delivers plenty of excitement in the classic thriller tradition. However, its weirdness makes it somewhat inaccessible, and it stands apart from the usual ’90s thrillers by subverting the most obvious expectations. Freeway isn’t for everyone, but it’s well worth the ride.

Breakdown (1997)

Breakdown was a modest box office success that scored big with critics, but the Kurt Russell vehicle has largely been forgotten. A husband and wife get stuck in the New Mexico desert, but when a helpful trucker arrives to give the wife a ride into town, a mystery ensues. Breakdown is a perfect example of a great story well-told.

The movie effectively builds tension by slowly dropping small twists and turns, until the finale explodes in an action-packed confrontation. It earns its bombastic conclusion through brilliant character development, and Breakdown makes the audience really care about the heroes. It’s a classic thriller because, as the tagline says, “It could happen to you.”

Dolores Claiborne (1995)

Dolores Claiborne is one of the best Stephen King adaptations, but the thriller is often overlooked in favor of the author’s horror offerings. Kathy Bates plays the тιтle character, the housekeeper of an elderly woman who is accused of killing her employer. The story explores the psychology of Dolores, and is a gripping mystery from start to finish.

The movie’s subtle changes from the book make it more suited to the screen, but the depth of character isn’t lost. Bates is electric in the тιтle role, and the thrills come from the slow unraveling of the movie’s central mystery. Other films show off King’s nightmarish ideas, but Dolores Claiborne is a showcase of his brilliance with character.

The Spanish Prisoner (1997)

Continuing writer/director David Mamet’s obsession with cons, The Spanish Prisoner is an overlooked ’90s gem that still hasn’t been rediscovered. A businessman is roped into an elaborate con when he finds himself accused of murder while on vacation. Written in Mamet’s almost theatrical style, The Spanish Prisoner isn’t like other ’90s thrillers.

The film forces the audience to sit in suspense as events play out, and there isn’t a proper payoff until the final moments. The complex conspiracy is tangled, but understandable, and the viewer is along for the ride instead of being left behind. It also features an unusual dramatic performance from Steve Martin, who excels outside his typical roles.

ᴅᴇᴀᴅ Again (1991)

ᴅᴇᴀᴅ Again was a hit with critics and audiences, but it hasn’t stood the test of time quite like many of its contemporaries. Kenneth Branagh directs and stars as an investigator who must help a mute woman with amnesia recover her memories. Looking past the cheesy and contrived premise, the movie is actually quite gripping.

What works about ᴅᴇᴀᴅ Again is that it uses noir tropes to deliver a modern thriller. The duo of Branagh and Emma Thompson is strong, and the twists are effective and shocking. It features a heaping helping of style without sacrificing any substance, and it has that distinctly ’90s tone in its technical execution. ᴅᴇᴀᴅ Again deserves a modern reᴀssessment.

Copycat (1995)

The rediscovery of Copycat is currently happening in real time, thanks in large part to its popularity on streaming. A mentally-scarred psychiatrist ᴀssists the police in catching a copycat killer who models his crimes after notorious cases. Made in The Silence of the Lambs mold, Copycat is nearly as effective as the earlier ’90s gem.

The movie tries very hard to be as disturbing as possible, and it mostly succeeds in its goal. Harry Connick Jr. offers a dynamic turn as the deranged criminal, and the movie perfectly blends 1990s Hollywood gloss with classic thriller grit. Despite its box office success and critical acclaim, Copycat was largely forgotten until very recently.

Narrow Margin (1990)

Though it isn’t usually ranked among Gene Hackman’s best movies, Narrow Margin is a worthy addition to the ’90s thriller genre. Hackman plays a Los Angeles D.A. who must help a potential witness escape the clutches of the mob. The simple setup is paid off brilliantly, and the movie is a lesson in tension from the very beginning.

The action makes up for a lack of depth in the storytelling, and Gene Hackman is his usual commanding self. Narrow Margin falls squarely in the suspenseful thriller category, and subtly nods to other classics like the works of Alfred Hitchcock. Gene Hackman made a lot of thrillers in his career, and Narrow Margin deserves a second look.