The 9 Movies Essential For '90s Kids In 2016

I feel very strongly that the '90s was a golden age for media content. The television shows were creative, the movies were inspiring, and the video games were groundbreaking. We children of the '90s are so lucky to have been born into such a wonderful time for visuals. Though sometimes, when looking at all the junk that came after, it feels like we were cursed, cursed to never find any content that was as good as things from the years we were young. And I feel even more strongly that no decade will ever bring us anything as great ever again. That being said, there are some movies coming out in 2016 that will strike right to the core of a '90s kid. These are the nine movies '90s kids need to watch in 2016, for one reason or another.

These were chosen for their nostalgic places in our hearts, or their actors, or their subject material. They will hopefully remind you of the grand times of old, when the heartthrobs had bowl cuts, the Disney movies had dirty jokes in them that you didn't understand, and you still hadn't realized that Jack could have fit on the stupid door also (come on, Rose).

1. Zoolander 2

The first Zoolander didn't actually take place in the '90s; it came out in 2001. But, for a lot of us, it was our first PG-13 movie, and it would come to define adult humor. So, as something that fits the nostalgia bill for '90s kids, this one makes the cut. Let's just hope this sequel is half as "really, really good looking" as the first.

2. 10 Cloverfield Lane

In 10 Cloverfield Lane, a girl (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) chills in an underground bunker with two men (John Goodman, John Gallagher Jr.) because they claim that, above ground, a dangerous chemical has taken over the world. This one makes the cut because, if you squint really hard, you can pretend this is just a weird episode of Roseanne.

3. The Jungle Book

Sure, the original animated Jungle Book didn't come out in the '90s, but we milennials definitely watched it in the '90s. Hopefully, this movie is just as good as the 1997 live-action 101 Dalmations. Trussssst in Disssssssney.

4. The Little Prince

The Little Prince will bring the '90s child back to the early days of summer reading. I only hope it holds up to the novel by Antoine de Saint-Exupery.

5. My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2

Sure, My Big Fat Greek Wedding isn't from the 90s; it's from 2002. But the '90s love affair surrounding this sequel isn't from that movie. It's from the nostalgia of Nia Vardalous in the short-lived series, Team Night Rider. She was also a guest star in Boys Meets World and every other '90s show ever. So, it's nice to see her again.

6. Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them

The wonderful world of Harry Potter entered our lives in 1997 with Harry Potter and the Sorcer's Stone. Thanks again, J.K. Rowling. I only hope this movie can hold up to that brave and noble tradition.

7. Midnight Special

Our favorite '90s goddess shows her beautiful face in this film about government and a group of religious extremists pursuing a father-son duo (Michael Shannon and Jaeden Liberher). She plays the ex-wife who joins in on the chased side of the chase. Since the group is on the run because their son possesses some powers, this also makes the list due to it's The X-Files-esque nature of it.

8. The BFG

This one's going back to our summer reading lists. Disney and Steven Spielberg better do justice to this Big Friendly Giant and his gal pal Sophia, who are just trying to save London from evil giants, or I'm going to lose it.

9. Ride Along 2

Remember in 1995, when Ice Cube transitioned from rapper to actor with his role in Friday? Never forget. In Ride Along 2, Kevin Hart plays the Robin to Ice Cube's Batman again. Maybe not the most serious of movies, but, for the fan of Ice Cube and the goofy cop movies (Bad Boys, anyone?) that were so prevalent in the '90s, this one is worth it.

We can never go back to the glorious time that was '90s film and television. But we can give it our best shot by watching movies that remind us of our nostalgic pasts. So many movies, so little time.

Image: Paramount Pictures