Many times the movies of our childhood are brushed aside for the more popular franchises or production companies. It was especially competitive during a time before streaming services had made distribution and access much easier. There were even some times when new family movies were released, and they just were not marketed right, or they could not compete with a bigger release around the same time. This would lead to the film being buried under a lack of exposure. Many family films were not seen for the wonderful movies they were. Here is a list of great underrated family films of the '90s.
8 Faeries (1999)
The 1999 animated movie Faeries follows the story of siblings, Nellie and George, as they fall into a faery ring that surrounds an ancient oak tree on the edge of their family farm. After George eats a faery cake, he is bound to the fae world and under fae law, and must complete challenges set by the faery prince to win their freedom and return to the human world permanently. While they work on the three tasks set for them, the evil brother of the prince has planned a coup that could destroy the faery kingdom. The children must work to save the kingdom while still saving George's humanity.
The film has a very fun, kid-driven story that combines many elements. It had a political rivalry, sweet romance, and a hero's quest, all tied into a fantasy world. Even the familiar portrayal of a brother and sister dynamic was relatable enough for parents to be entertained alongside their children. While the odd animation style was an odd experimentation of the different styles available at the time, it was still able to transport audiences to a magical world for an incredible adventure.
7 Homeward Bound (1993)
The 1993 film Homeward Bound is a great movie that followes a group of pets that are left at a farm during their owners' travels. Due to a big misunderstanding, the animals fear that they have been abandoned. When one of the animals decides to find his way back home, they all embark on a long and dangerous journey in hopes of finding their family.
The Disney movie was well received when it released, it did relatively well for being a remake of The Incredible Journey. The film was a child's fantasy seeing two dogs and a cat that could talk, while also giving an important lesson about faith and hope. The movie was so simply put together that the charms and adventure could draw in any viewer. As much as audiences loved the film, the sequel was not as charming and made the first film fade from a newer audience's view.
6 The Borrowers (1997)
The 1997 movie The Borrowers is a wacky film based on the 1955 novel of the same name. The story takes place in the home of the Lender family, and the small Clock Family that lives inside their walls, quite literally. The Clock family are tiny beings known as Borrowers. They live in secret, taking small items without the Lenders knowing. The only person who has any idea is the Lender's young son, who sets traps for the Clock family in hopes of finding out what is stealing things from around the house. When a scheming lawyer tries to kick the Lender family out of the house, the Borrowers must help them get their property back.
The movie was a fun look at what could be happening to all those misplaced items that seem to disappear forever. This concept was interesting for kids to see a tiny world that lives inside their own. The realistic world with wacky tones was an all-around fun adventure.
5 The Indian in the Cupboard (1995)
1995's The Indian in the Cupboard is a fantasy film that follows a young boy who locks a toy Iroquois warrior, Little Bear, played by Litefoot, in a cupboard overnight. The next morning he wakes to find the toy has come to life. The situation becomes messy as the boy replicates the process with other toys and Little Bear is injured.
The movie starts as a fantasy that kids relate to: their favorite toys coming to life. However, the movie uses figures from real-time eras and real cultures. This shows the frail balance that life has in an ever-important lesson about playing god. While the theme of the film is a mature one, younger audiences are still able to enjoy the story and understand how important the lesson is.
4 Jungle 2 Jungle (1997)
Jungle 2 Jungle is a comedy from 1997 starring Tim Allen as Michael Cromwell. The commodities broker thinks he has a successful life all put together, all he needs his a finalized divorce from his ex-wife in order to marry his current fiancé. When visiting his ex-wife to sign all the papers, she tells him he has a 13-year-old son, Mimi-Siku, played by Sam Huntington, who was raised in the remote tribe she has been living in. In a misunderstanding, Michael brings his son to New York City to bond and show him a different way of life.
This movie tackled parenting and the issues of fatherhood, albeit in a very exaggerated way. Both Michael and Mimi are being given crash courses in how to be a family, and bring their two very different worlds together. While many critics were not impressed with this classic, audiences loved this boy-out-of-the-jungle adventure.
3 FernGully: The Last Rainforest (1992)
The 1992 animated musical FernGully: The Last Rainforest is a fantasy movie that follows the story of Crysta, played by Samantha Mathis, a forest fairy who dreams of meeting a human. Believing humans to be long extinct, the fairies are all surprised when Crista shrinks a human logger named Zak, played by Jonathan Ward, to save him from a falling tree. With humans back in the forest, the evil spirit Hexxus, played by Tim Curry, is released from his prison and is bent on destroying the peaceful forest. It is up to Crista and Zak to stop Hexxus and save FernGully.
This movie was an environmentally-themed adventure that had a rock star cast that included Tone Loc, Cheech Marin, and Tommy Chong. Robin Williams, as the unstable sidekick, was a perfect addition to the fun.
2 The Iron Giant (1999)
The 1999 film The Iron Giant is a story adapted from a 1968 novel The Iron Man by Ted Hughes. The story follows young Hogarth Hughes, voiced by Eli Marienthal, who discovers a giant robot. With the help of a scrap artist, Hogarth attempts to hide the metal alien from the U.S. Military and a paranoid federal agent determined to destroy it.
The film tanked at the box office, mostly due to under marketing. However, the movie became a cult classic with its charming tale about having a choice between doing good or becoming evil. This film deserved much more recognition when it was released, and was given a remastered theatrical release in 2015.
1 Hook (1991)
The 1991 Steven Spielberg film Hook is a continuation to the story of the boy who never grew up. Following Peter, played by Robin Williams, as an adult who has forgotten all about Neverland. When his children are kidnapped by the evil Captain Hook, played by Dustin Hoffman, Tinker Bell, played by Julia Roberts, brings Peter back to where his story began. Tink and the Lost Boys must help Peter remember who he is in order to save his children.
The film was a different take on what would happen to Peter Pan. While the story was fun and captivating, the live-action Neverland was magical. Seeing the world through the eyes of the Lost Boys was amazing. The theme of finding yourself amidst all the burdens of the adult world was a lesson that all ages could relate to.