The 1990s were a huge decade forDisney. The studio was gaining traction with its animation department and entering the period known as the Disney Renaissance. Whilethe iconic animated movies of the ’90s are more widely talked about,likeAladdin,Beauty and the Beast, andThe Lion King, the live-action releases deserve as much recognition. Some of the live-action contributions to Disney’s filmography spark nostalgia in viewers today, as they’re reminiscent of a time when Disney was arguably at its best. Though Disney has put out amazing live-action projects in recent years, these are especially sentimental.
Today,Disney’s live-action remake moviesare some of the studio’s biggest draws outside of animation. However, there used to be many more original films being made within the live-action side of production.Huge stars of the ’90s were prominently featured in some of these films,as well as young actors who would go on to have long and critically acclaimed careers through their later work. Though some movies from the 1990s have dated elements or special effects that haven’t aged well, that doesn’t stop audiences from returning to these works and watching them with hearts full of nostalgia.
As he does in every project,Robin Williams brings his characteristic charisma and comedic timing toFlubber,elevating the somewhat fantastical premise and giving it an emotional edge. One of the biggest filmmakers of the 1980s, John Hughes, wrote the script based on the original 1961 filmThe Absent-Minded Professor. Williams' character, Philip Brainard, is an eccentric inventor inFlubber, inventing the magical product he calls Flubber while trying to win back the love of his life and save the university where he works.
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Though Williams is the best part ofFlubber, the rest of the cast is just as dedicated to the outlandish premise, rolling with the silly humor and somewhat dated effects at every turn. However, even ifFlubberdoesn’t rise far above its predictable story beats, that doesn’t make it any less fun to revisit today.Flubbersuccessfully pays tribute to its predecessor,The Absent-Minded Professor,and gives the story a modern twist and sensibility, earning a place in the hearts of everyone who watches it.
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One of thebest movies from a member of the Brat Pack,The Mighty Ducks, stars Emilio Estevez as Gordon Bombay. Bombay is a lawyer who becomes a local hockey team’s unexpected hero. However, Gordon isn’t back on the ice but behind the scenes as the coach of the rag tap ground of young boys who are in desperate need of leadership. ThoughThe Mighty Ducksdelivers a classically uplifting conclusion,it’s a darker and more nuanced story than other Disney films, as it begins with Gordon being arrested for drinking and driving.
However, rewatchingThe Mighty Duckstoday demonstrates thatthis tough beginning gives Gordon a compelling arc throughout the story.He grows a lot by the end ofThe Mighty Ducks, and the audience is rooting for him because it’s clear that he’s capable of change. With Gordon’s redemption arc and the iconic underdog tale of a team rising from the ashes to become champions, there’s something moving about the message ofThe Mighty Ducks.
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Well known for being Lindsay Lohan’s breakout movie and featuring the warm, lived-in quality of all of Nancy Meyers' movies, the 1998 version ofThe Parent Traphas eclipsed the popularity of the 1961 original. Though the ’90s update includes plenty of the same beats and gags as the first film, it made enough changes to justify the remake and arguably has an even stronger legacy. WhileLohan leads the cast in her dual role as Hallie and Annie,Natasha Richardson and Dennis Quaid make believable romantic leads in the story.
It’s not surprising thatThe Parent Trapso effectively catapulted Lohan to fame, as she’s just as believable as each of the twins today as she was when the film was released.
It’s not surprising thatThe Parent Trapso effectively catapulted Lohan to fame, as she’s just as believable as each of the twins today as she was when the film was released. Though a large part of the movie’s success can be attributed to the cast and Meyers' creative vision, it’s the heart of the narrative that has allowed it to remain such a large part of the cultural conversation. The girls' desire to see their parents reunited and in love, restoring the idyllic conception of family, is a familiar theme that the audience can relate to.
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The 1996101 Dalmatianswas the first-ever live-action remake, and though it didn’t receive the strongest critical reception, it set a compelling precedent (viaPeople). It performed well at the box office, despite the critical dissent, and features an incredible cast, with Glenn Close giving a campy and memorable performance as the evil Cruella de Vil. Like every iteration of101 Dalmatians, the film has a simple premise,with villains who are easy to hate, and a touching message of love and family at the heart of the story.
BeforeDisney’s live-action remake movie strategywas to release these adaptations in quick succession,101 Dalmatianswas something of a risk, even with its star-studded cast. While101 Dalmatiansisn’t the most famous or popular live-action remake, revisiting it is a reminder of its many merits.It’s clear that the cast is having a lot of fun with the outlandish premise,and Close is enjoying her turn as the dastardly de Vil.
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The cult classic Halloween fantasy movie,Hocus Pocus, hasn’t lost any of its staying power, as the long-awaited 2022 sequel performed well despite being released on streaming. Additionally,Hocus Pocus 3has been confirmedand will likely be another fun and slightly scary addition to the franchise. However, it will be difficult to top the humor and unabashed spirit ofthe original, which stars Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy as the central trio of witches.
Fantasy movies have used the witch archetype for many years, andHocus Pocushas fun subverting and adhering to the many tropes that can be seen across the genre.
Fantasy movies have used the witch archetype for many years, andHocus Pocushas fun subverting and adhering to the many tropes that can be seen across the genre. Since it’s meant for kids,Hocus Pocusis never truly scary but does have some exciting thrills and enough stakes to keep the viewer engaged. The central chemistry between Midler, Parker, and Najimy is reason enough to keep theHocus Pocusfranchise and fandom alive, as they’re easy to watch onscreen.
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BeforeHomeward Bound: The Incredible Journey, there was the 1963 movieThe Incredible Journey, which inspired the surprisingly moving story of the 1993 iteration. Any animal lover will be immediately compelled byHomeward Bound. The narrative revolves around the connection between a pet and their person and how strong this relationship is, especially in childhood. InHomeward Bound,Chance, Shadow, and Sassy are so devoted to their people that they face overwhelming odds to get back to them.
Featuring iconic voice work from Michael J. Fox, Sally Field, and Don Amecheas the three pets,Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journeysees them trek across some of the most beautiful parts of the U.S., making for a visually appealing film. However, the meat of the story comes from the seriousness with which the movie treats the relationships between the kids and their pets. The film allows adult viewers to remember their youth and engage with the narrative with as much emotion as possible.
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A young Christian Bale leads the cast of the 1992 musicalNewsies, which loosely adapts the true story of the 1899 newsboys strike. Bale plays Jack Kelly, the protagonist ofNewsieswho wants to escape his life as a newsboy and eventually becomes the face of the movement to unionize the boys. Thoughmuch ofNewsiesrevolves around Jack’s personal and emotional arcs,there are some poignant themes about the importance of grassroots organizing and giving the working class a voice.
The musical numbers from the film lent themselves to being translated to the stage, as the large ensemble numbers that showcased the cast’s dancing abilities are still fun to sing along with today.
Despite its lukewarm critical reception and poor performance at the box office,Newsieshas found a second life as a stage production, allowing the original movie to recover its reputation. The musical numbers from the film lent themselves to being translated to the stage, as the large ensemble numbers that showcased the cast’s dancing abilities are still fun to sing along with today. Though Bale wouldn’t return to his musical roots in later work, he’s undeniably charming as Jack, giving the story the boost it needs.
A remake of the 1951 movie of the same name,Angels in the Outfield, got a modern reimagining in 1994 starring a young Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Danny Glover. While many moments spark nostalgia inAngels in the Outfield,the film holds up well thanks to the many iconic actors featured in the cast,like Christopher Lloyd and Tony Danza, as well as Adrien Brody and Matthew McConaughey before they were stars. However,Angels in the Outfieldisn’t just worth watching because of its ensemble.
The relationship between the struggling coach George (Glover) and the young Roger (Gordon-Levitt) is an excellent example of the found family trope that doesn’t feel formulaic. This emotional core helps balance the comedic moments inAngels in the Outfield, as doesthe underdog story that sees the titular Anaheim Angels evolve into a real team.Angels in the Outfieldis an uplifting tale that allows the audience to escape the harsher aspects of reality into a world where hope carries a lot of weight.
Angels in the Outfield (1994)
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TheCinderellafairy tale has been brought to life onscreen many times over the years, but the 1997 iteration is one of the best versions.Starring Whitney Houston as the Fairy Godmother and Brandy as Cinderella,it’s not surprising that the musical numbers in the film are all fantastic, as the cast is overflowing with talented singers. These performances, combined with the gorgeous fairy tale world crafted for the film, makeCinderellaa vivid and engaging take on the timeless story.
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Receiving almost universal praise,Cinderellais a great example of how to naturally make a fairy tale story compelling and relevant as time passes. Outside the central performances of Brandy and Houston,the rest of the cast delivers skillful work that helps establish the film as a classic of the era.In every way,Cinderellais dedicated to being as magical as possible, elevating the importance of emotional realism above all. Brandy’s take on the iconic character ranks among the best iterations of the Disney princess.
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Though the puppets are what makeThe Muppet Christmas Carolstand apart from other takes on Charles Dickens' traditional tale, it’s Michael Caine who makes it memorable. As Ebenezer Scrooge,Caine plays the character completely straight, giving a performance that would be at home in a dramatic Shakespearean adaptationin the midst of an army of colorful puppets. However, this commitment to the part and the gravity of the story are what allows the story to hit its biggest emotional and comedic beats.
Today,The Muppet Christmas Carolis frequently mentioned on roundups of the best Christmas movies and is easily one of the best projects within the Muppet universe. ThoughDisneywas one of the distributors ofThe Muppet Christmas Carol, the heart and soul of the Jim Henson Company can be seen throughout the work. Combining Dickens' enduring story with one of the biggest cultural touchstones of children’s media, the Muppets, turned out to be a stroke of genius.
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