The 1990s were a prolific time for kids’ and family movies. Disney began its renaissance with The Little Mermaid in 1989, and a wave of fantasy and sports-themed movies meant for kids began to emerge. Filmmaking technology was changing rapidly during the era, and computer-generated graphics not only lent photo-realism to box office giants like Jurassic Park and Titanic, but would make history with the first fully CGI animated movie in Toy Story.
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 isa solid adventure movie, and the brilliant soundtrack took home two Oscars. Aladdin is also one of the rare Disney animated films thatfocuses 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’, features inner dialogue from animals on an adventure. Voiced by Michael J. Fox as Chance, Don Ameche as Shadow, and Sally Field as Sassy, these pets traverse thousands of miles to reunite with their owners.
This film mixes humor with heart through practical effects rather than animation for animal mouths. It remains entertaining even over three decades later.
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