10 Wildly Underrated Action Movies Of The 90s

A future-spoofing action-comedy that doesn't shy away from the gruesome stuff, Demolition Man was widely ridiculed for being "noisy and soulless" amongst other things. But even if you find yourself unable to embrace the cheesy sci-fi aspects or can't applaud when a bad guy's frozen head shatters into a thousand pieces, Wesley Snipes' villainous turn as Simon Phoenix will keep you watching.

Snipes was one of the more curious action stars to emerge in the 90s. Unlike the supremely dry and heavy-footed muscle freaks of the 80s, Snipes was as eccentric as he was graceful. He excelled in outright comedies (Major League, White Men Can't Jump) and made even the most lightweight action fare (Passenger 57, Drop Zone) pop.

Demolition Man demonstrates the immense crater between the old and new guards by pairing Snipes with Sylvester Stallone. In their limited screen time together, you can practically see Snipes leapfrog Stallone to the top of the action star heap. That alone is worth the price of admission.

Its leading men aside, Demolition Man only falters when it tries too hard to pile on the broad comedy elements, which feel forced. Still, easily the best Stallone movie of the 90s, featuring one of the most beguiling villains of the decade to boot.