10 lesser-known sci-fi films from the 1990s that deserve more recognition

1. Dark City (1998) - Directed by Alex Proyas, "Dark City" is a neo-noir sci-fi film set in a mysterious city where its inhabitants are manipulated by a group of extraterrestrial beings. The protagonist, John Murdoch, discovers his reality is not what it seems and embarks on a journey to uncover the truth while evading the sinister forces controlling the city.

2. Strange Days (1995) - Directed by Kathryn Bigelow, "Strange Days" is a cyberpunk thriller set in a dystopian future Los Angeles on the brink of the new millennium. The film follows Lenny Nero, a former cop turned street hustler, who deals in illegal virtual reality recordings that allow users to experience the memories and sensations of others.

3. The City of Lost Children (1995) - Directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Marc Caro, this visually stunning French film is set in a surreal and darkly whimsical world where a mad scientist kidnaps children to steal their dreams. A circus strongman named One and a young orphan girl named Miette embark on a daring rescue mission.

4. Cube (1997) - Directed by Vincenzo Natali, "Cube" is a psychological sci-fi thriller that follows a group of strangers trapped in a maze-like structure consisting of numerous interconnected cubes. As they struggle to escape, tensions rise and secrets are revealed, leading to deadly consequences.

5. eXistenZ (1999) - Directed by David Cronenberg, "eXistenZ" explores themes of reality, identity, and the nature of consciousness in a world where virtual reality gaming has become indistinguishable from actual reality. The film follows a game designer and a marketing trainee as they enter a virtual reality game to test its latest iteration, encountering a series of bizarre and increasingly dangerous events.

6. Perfect Blue (1997) - Directed by Satoshi Kon, "Perfect Blue" is an animated psychological thriller that blurs the lines between reality and fantasy. The film follows a former pop idol who becomes entangled in a series of disturbing events after transitioning to an acting career, leading to a descent into madness and obsession.

7. Hardware (1990) - Directed by Richard Stanley, "Hardware" is a post-apocalyptic sci-fi horror film set in a dystopian world ravaged by war and environmental decay. The story follows a scavenger who discovers the remains of a military robot and unwittingly brings it back to life, unleashing a deadly killing machine.

8. Nirvana (1997) - Directed by Gabriele Salvatores, "Nirvana" is an Italian cyberpunk film that follows a virtual reality designer who becomes embroiled in a conspiracy involving artificial intelligence and corporate intrigue. As he navigates a surreal and immersive virtual world, he uncovers dark secrets about the nature of reality and the true purpose of his creations.

9. The Iron Giant (1999) - Directed by Brad Bird, "The Iron Giant" is an animated sci-fi film that follows a young boy named Hogarth Hughes who befriends a giant alien robot that crash-lands near his small town. As they evade government agents and military forces, they form a bond that transcends their differences.

10. Freejack (1992) - Directed by Geoff Murphy, "Freejack" is a sci-fi action film set in a dystopian future where the wealthy elite can prolong their lives by stealing the bodies of people from the past. The story follows a race car driver who becomes a target for body snatchers and must fight to reclaim his identity and future.

These films offer unique and imaginative takes on the sci-fi genre, exploring complex themes and pushing the boundaries of storytelling and visual effects. Despite being lesser-known, they are all deserving of more recognition for their creativity and impact.