Warning: This article discusses extreme violence.
Many still love‘90s movies, but not every pop culture reference works with a modern audience. Some ofthe best movies of all timefrom the ‘90s are remembered for their gags and nods to a pastime, but in 2024, these references make little sense.
These references are either no longer relevant or have simply been forgotten about.While movies will always try and stay up-to-date with the world, these ‘90s titles contain references that just don’t work now.
10"Dionne And I Were Both Named After Famous Singers Of The Past, Who Now Do Infomercials."
Clueless (1995)
Two characters intheCluelesscastare named after iconic music artists - Cher and Dionne Warwick.While both of the singers are notable ‘90s names, the reference to the pair “now do[ing] infomercials” is even funnier.
10 Cult Classic Movies From The ’90s That Have Aged Poorly
Whether it’s the outdated jokes or offensive stereotypes, even the cult classics of the ’90s fall victim to contemporary criticisms thrown at them.
This is a nod to Cher’s commercials for Lori Davis hair products in the 1990s, but Davis is no longer alive, so it’s unlikely that any modern audiences know who she is today.
Clueless
Cast
Clueless is a 1995 comedy film that follows Cher Horowitz, a wealthy and popular high school student in Beverly Hills, who navigates adolescence while matchmaking friends and discovering her own feelings. The film offers a modern adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel Emma, set in a contemporary American high school.
Warwick was the face of Psychic Friends Network.The company still exists, but psychic services are no longer prominent, especially in a talk-show format.
9"Have You Seen This Boy?"
Wayne’s World (1992)
WhenWayne’s World’s titular character is pulled over by the police, he is stunned to faceRobert Patrick making an appearance as T-1000fromTerminator 2: Judgement Day. The polaroid image he shows is a great ‘90s reference, but the robotic-voiced question of “Have you seen this boy?” is even better.
Wayne’s World
Penelope Spheeris takes the classic Saturday Night Live recurring sketch and expands it into its own film with Wayne’s World, a comedy film that stars Mike Myers and Dana Carvey as Wayne and Garth. The movie follows the two music fans as they begin to climb the ladder of success by taking their public access show in their basement to a worldwide audience after “selling out,” leading the two stuck in a situation where they lose creative control of their passion project - and must find a way to take it back.
WhiletheTerminatormoviesare still popular today, audiences are less likely to immediately recognize Patrick’s cameo.Hilariously, Wayne knows who the man is, and so he panics and screams in fear.
8"Are You Lookin' At Me?"
Aladdin (1992)
1992’sAladdinhas plenty of brilliant pop culture references, but one that isn’t as recognizable now is the Genie recreatingRobert De Niro’s iconicTaxi Driverquote.After Aladdin first meets the Genie and tries to leave, the large blue figure breaks out his best De Niro impression and asks “Are you lookin’ at me?”
Aladdin
Aladdin, directed by Ron Clements and John Musker, is an animated film featuring a street urchin who discovers a magical lamp. The story follows Aladdin’s adventures, including his encounters with Princess Jasmine and the villainous Jafar, who seeks to wield the lamp’s extraordinary powers to seize control.
While the Genie’s words aren’t the exact same as De Niro’s, older viewers are quick to spot the nod toTaxi Driver.The late Robin Williams’ impressions are fantastic and this moment proves his talents, although a lot of children wouldn’t understand why this is so funny.
7"You’re Not A Postal Worker, Are You?"
Jumanji (1995)
In the first oftheJumanjimovies, one scene shows Van Pelt purchasing a rifle from a gun store.In one quick, yet comical, line of dialogue, the owner asks Van Pelt if he’s a “Postal worker.”
Jumanji
Jumanji is an action-adventure comedy film by director Joe Johnston and starring Robin Williams. Two orphan siblings move into a home occupied by the former Parrish family, whose son disappeared years ago. When the two start playing a mysterious board game known as “Jumanji,” they unknowingly release the missing Alan Parrish later, along with various other jungle-themed dangers that can only be stopped if they finish the game.
Nowadays, this reference would go over many peoples’ heads.However, this isn’t the worst thing, as this line is a rather sour joke about “going postal,” a term describing several incidents in the ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s where USPS workers were killed in workplace shootings.
6"A Woman Could Cut Off Your Penis While You’re Sleeping."
Fight Club (1999)
A very short reference to Lorena Bobbitt crops up inFight Club.While sharing a drink together, Tyler reassures the narrator by telling him “it could be worse,” before reminding him of John Bobbit’s fate in 1993.
Fight Club
Fight Club, released in 1999 and directed by David Fincher, stars Edward Norton as an insomniac who forms an underground fight club with a soap salesman, played by Brad Pitt.
‘90s audiences remember John and Lorena Bobbitt for one of the wildest arguments of all time.Lorena notably cut her husband’s penis off and threw it from a car window, although his genitalia is now reattached to his person. While this was a massive topic of discussion in the ‘90s, younger generations have no idea what this remark means.
5"She’s Banging The Pepperidge Farm Guy."
Big Daddy (1999)
After Sonny is dumped by his girlfriend for an older man in Big Daddy, he hilariously calls Sid the “Pepperidge Farm Guy.” The Pepperidge Farm company is known for selling a variety of snacks and baked goods, but especially cookies.
Big Daddy
Big Daddy is a 1999 comedy film by director Dennis Dugan. Sonny Koufax (Adam Sandler) has gone the first 32 years of his life avoiding any responsibility. But when his girlfriend dumps him out of the blue and shacks up with an older man, he’s confronted by the need to prove he’s got a plan for life to win her back. As a strike of luck, 5-year-old Julian (Dylan and Cole Sprouse) is dropped off on his doorstep, and to impress her, he pretends to be Julian’s father.
While some modern audiences may be familiar with Pepperidge Farm, they’re probably not as aware of the company as people were in the ‘90s.Pepperidge Farm’s presence has dwindled in recent decades, and its iconic commercials are no longer in circulation.
4"RC’s Trying To Say Something!"
Toy Story (1995)
After Buzz falls from the bedroom window inToy Story, RC Car excitedly tries to share information with Rex, who announces that the toy is “Trying to say something.”This is a joke about the 1950s TV showLassie, an intelligent Collie dog who was a part of a huge multi-media franchise.
Toy Story
Toy Story is a 1995 animated feature from Pixar Animation Studios. It follows Woody, a cowboy doll, as he faces rivalry with new toy Buzz Lightyear. The film explores the dynamics between the toys as Woody and Buzz are inadvertently separated from their owner, embarking on a journey to return home.
The children of today may have heard the name Lassie, but they probably don’t know who she is.Lassie’s famous whining could be understood by the humans around her, amazingly, andToy Storydoesn’t hesitate to make the same gag about RC, who communicates only through sounds.
3"When? High Noon?"
Back To The Future III (1990)
There are multipleoutdated references in theBack to the Futuremovies, and one of the subtler nods happens in a bar inBack to the Future III.When Marty McFly is challenged to a duel, he asks, “When? High Noon?” However, few modern viewers know thatHigh Noonis a famous Westernfrom the 1950s.
Back to the Future Part III
The final entry in Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale’s timeless trilogy, Back to the Future Part III wraps up Marty McFly and Doc Brown’s adventures through time when Marty travels to 1885’s Wild West to save his mentor, meeting Biff Tannen’s ancestor “Mad Dog” and almost changing the course of history once again along the way.
The concept of fighting at “High Noon” is used all across popular culture, too.Since its release in 1952,High Noonhas also been referenced in titles such asThe SopranosandDirty Harry, all of which use the premise of a deadly fight occurring at the peak of the day.
2"This Is My Happening And It Freaks Me Out!"
Austin Powers: International Man Of Mystery (1997)
When Austin and Vanessa attend the nightclub opening inAustin Powers: International Man of Mystery, the titular character shouts over the noise"This is my happening and it freaks me out!“While there are loads ofmovie references in theAustin Powersfranchise, this nod to the 1970 titleBeyond the Valley of the Dollsis a less obvious one.
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery is the first film in Mike Myers' James Bond parody series. Myers plays both Austin Powers and Dr. Evil, arch-enemies who are frozen in time and brought back in the ’90s. The film was followed by two sequels in 1999 and 2002, with a fourth film stuck in development hell.
InBeyond the Valley of the Dolls, Ronnie “Z-Man” Barzell famously says this same line during a party.It’s extremely unlikely that current audiences are aware of Z-Man orBeyond the Valley of the Dolls, so it’s easy to think that Austin is making a silly remark about the bustling nightclub.
1Harry Burns His Hand
Home Alone (1990)
Although Harry only screams when he is caught byKevin’s trap inHome Alone,the M that is left on his palm is an outdated reference to the 1931 movieM.
Home Alone
Home Alone tells the story of Kevin McAllister, an eight-year-old who is left behind in his Chicago home when his family flies to Paris for the holidays. Not only must Kevin keep himself safe while his mother flies back across the world, but he must protect his home from the Wet Bandits - serial burglars who are targeting the McAllister House. Kevin must use every trick in the book to keep the Wet Bandits from stealing Christmas before his mother returns.
Modern audiences probably aren’t familiar with this film, which follows a serial killer who marks his victims with the letter M by using chalk.While it’s a very subtle reference, it’s still a fascinating one.
