Bad Graphics, Great Stories: 5 Forgotten Sci-Fi Films Worth Watching
Low budgets, strange plots, forgotten stars, but these films truly hit the mark.
Not everything that glitters is The Matrix. The 90s were packed with sci-fi films, and many hidden gems got buried under blockbusters. While exploring this theme, I found a few strange but surprisingly engaging titles — and now I’m sharing them with you.
They may look cheap, even ridiculous at times, but the ideas? Bold. The energy? Raw. Sometimes, charm lies in the imperfections.
Fortress (1992)
In a future where having more than one child is a crime, Christopher Lambert plays a father who gets sent to an underground prison. This feels like RoboCop meets Brave New World, with spinal biotrackers and high-stakes escape.
IMDb rating: 5.9 — but it deserves more.
Arcade (1993)
A group of teens ends up trapped in a video game. Sure, the CGI is hilariously outdated, but the concept hits hard. Written by future Dark Knight writer David S. Goyer, this virtual villain is still haunting.
IMDb: 5.2.
Brainscan (1994)
Edward Furlong launches a mysterious game — and soon, murders from it start happening in real life. Dark, moody, and way ahead of its time. It’s like a proto-Black Mirror episode.
IMDb: 5.5.
Solo (1996)
An android built to kill decides to fight for a village instead. He’s part Terminator, part John Rambo — and played with surprising sincerity by Mario Van Peebles.
IMDb: 4.0, but don’t let that stop you.
Space Truckers (1996)
Dennis Hopper hauls space cargo — only to find it full of killer robots. This one’s goofy, chaotic, and pure 90s gold. Also featuring Stephen Dorff and Charles Dance.
IMDb: 5.3.
