It’s Time to Reboot: 10 ’90s Sci-Fi Movies That Deserve Remakes Like The Running Man

The 90s were a sweet spot for sci-fi: big swings, wild concepts, and just enough tech to pull them off (mostly). With The Running Man getting a new pass led by Glen Powell — and the trailers making it look like a blast — I rounded up 10 more 90s sci-fi movies that either have real movement behind them or are just begging for a modern redo. Below, what they are, what needs fixing, where things stand, and where to watch in the US.

1. Demolition Man (1993)
   Stallone vs. Snipes, cryo-prison thawed in a sanitized future that uses three seashells and outlaws fun. The core idea still slaps, but the movie never fully capitalized on its world-building or tone. A remake could bring sharper jokes, tighter action, and an actual coherent future-society logic. In 2020, Sylvester Stallone said a sequel was in the works, then radio silence since (per Let’s Talk Movies).
   Where to watch: AMC+ (USA).
   Rotten Tomatoes: 66% critics, 67% audience.

2. Starship Troopers (1997)
   Teen enlists, propaganda blares, bugs eat people — and the satire does a lot of heavy lifting if you catch it. A new movie is in development as of March 2025, not a straight remake, and it will lean back into Robert A. Heinlein’s novel as the main source (per The Hollywood Reporter). Fair warning: some folks worry the satirical edge may get lost again, or skipped entirely.
   Where to watch: Paramount+ (USA).
   Rotten Tomatoes: 72% critics, 70% audience.

3. 12 Monkeys (1995)
   Bruce Willis gets sent back in time to track a virus that wrecked the future, with a group called the Army of the Twelve Monkeys in the mix. The 2015–2018 TV series reimagined the concept rather than continuing it. A new film take could scale the story globally, diversify the cast, and play with cause-and-effect in smarter, twistier ways.
   Where to watch: Buy on Amazon and Apple TV+ (USA).
   Rotten Tomatoes: 88% critics, 88% audience.

4. Event Horizon (1997)
   It’s 2047. A search crew boards a ship that vanished and reappeared near Neptune, only to discover its gravity drive basically punched through reality and brought back nightmares. A remake could deepen the characters and raise the emotional stakes. The universe actually expanded recently with a new comic book prequel, and the series idea is still alive: in 2024, Adam Wingard said they already have a script and that the show would broaden the movie’s concept (per Inverse).

   "We already have a great script."

   Where to watch: Fubo and Apple TV+ (USA).
   Rotten Tomatoes: 36% critics, 62% audience.

5. Face/Off (1997)
   John Woo’s doves-and-duality classic: FBI agent Sean Archer (John Travolta) literally wears terrorist Castor Troy’s (Nicolas Cage) face — and then Castor steals Sean’s life right back. Does it need a reboot? Not really. A sequel is the move, and it’s currently in development, with the project being publicly confirmed back in 2022 and creatives continuing to tease it since (per World of Reel).
   Where to watch: Rent or buy on Apple TV+ (USA).
   Rotten Tomatoes: 93% critics, 82% audience.

6. Waterworld (1996)
   Polar ice melts, sea everywhere, Kevin Costner’s gills become a lifestyle, and Dryland is the mythic endgame. There were rumblings of a TV series, but the latest update is that Dan Trachtenberg was only in very early talks and the announcement jumped the gun (per Collider). He was actually more interested in a video game sequel. Nothing has moved since, so no reboot in motion right now — though this one keeps popping up in development conversations.
   Where to watch: Prime Video and Apple TV (USA).
   Rotten Tomatoes: 59% critics, 44% audience.

7. Ghost in the Shell (1995)
   In 2029, cybernetic upgrades are common and direct brain-to-network connections blur the line between human and machine. The original anime is still the high-water mark despite follow-ups, a TV series, and a live-action version. I’d love a new animated feature that uses modern CG and VFX to reimagine that world while keeping the existential questions front and center.
   Where to watch: Prime Video and Apple TV (USA).
   Rotten Tomatoes: 95% critics, 89% audience.

8. The Rocketeer (1991)
   A stunt pilot finds a rocket pack, puts on a helmet, and becomes an old-school hero while gangsters and spies try to steal the tech. Disney had a sequel lined up called The Return of the Rocketeer, but it stalled; David Oyelowo has said the lack of diversity in Hollywood was a factor (per Deadline). If they want to reboot first, go bigger on the visuals and push the tone past formula.
   Where to watch: Disney+ and Apple TV (USA).
   Rotten Tomatoes: 67% critics, 65% audience.

9. The Fifth Element (1997)
   Bruce Willis’s Korben Dallas gets pulled into a prophecy about a cosmic threat that resurfaces every 5,000 years, with the mysterious Fifth Element reconstructed into a living being and a priest guiding the way. The film underperformed, which iced any sequel plans, but the bones are strong. With the right creative team, a reboot could finally match the style with story momentum.
   Where to watch: Rent or buy on FuboTV (USA).
   Rotten Tomatoes: 71% critics, 87% audience.

10. Gattaca (1997)
    In a society sorted by genetic design, Vincent (Ethan Hawke) hides his status to chase a space dream, only to get pulled into a murder investigation that could expose him. Showtime had a reboot series in the works, but scrapped it (per Deadline). The premise feels even timelier now; a careful film reboot could land with real impact.
    Where to watch: Fubo and Apple TV (USA).
    Rotten Tomatoes: 82% critics, 87% audience.

That’s the list. Each of these brought something genuinely new to the genre back in the day — some just need a tune-up, others probably demand a full rebuild. Which one would you revive first?