Every Robin Williams Movie of the 1990s

“Cadillac Man” (1990)

Robin Williams headed into the 1990s on a high note, following his Academy Award-nominated performance in the critically acclaimed 1989 film, “Dead Poets Society.” However, his first film of the 90s wasn’t another hit. In fact, “Cadillac Man” - a dark comedy starring Williams and Tim Robbins - was called one of the worst films of the year by Variety. The film, about a stressed-out car salesman taken hostage by a heartbroken motorcyclist, ended up falling flat. But, audiences wouldn’t have to wait very long to see Williams again. And this time, with much better results.

“Awakenings” (1990)

Many people slept on “Cadillac Man” when it was released in May of 1990, but just seven months later, they awoke to what the Academy Awards deemed one of the year’s best pictures. Directed by Penny Marshall, “Awakenings” features Williams as neurologist Dr. Malcolm Sayer, who uses a new drug to awaken multiple patients who’d been catatonic for decades. Setting aside his comedic talents, Williams once again showed he could do dramatic work. Both critics and audiences responded well to his performance and to the film itself.

“Dead Again” (1991)

Robin Williams kept up his busy pace in 1991, doing multiple films. The first was “Dead Again,” a romantic thriller in the neo-noir genre. The film was directed by Kenneth Branagh, who also co-starred with his then-wife, Emma Thompson. Vulgar, former psychiatrist Cozy Carlisle is merely a side character. With Williams in the role, though, he’s not only an important character, but one of the movie’s most memorable. Following this supporting role, Williams took a lead spot in his next two films that year.

“The Fisher King” (1991)

“The Fisher King” might not’ve been Williams’ biggest box office hit - taking home just over $72 million - but it’s certainly one of his best films from any decade. Terry Gilliam’s film would win an Oscar for Mercedes Ruehl’s supporting performance, while Williams scored his third nomination for Best Actor. This modern fantasy Holy Grail quest is funny, dramatic, and, as one critic put it, “no Williams film can hit harder.” However, as great as this film was, when it comes to 1991, there is one Robin Williams movie that gets talked about most, for good or bad…

“Hook” (1991)

That’s right, 1991 was the year of “Hook.” Directed by Steven Spielberg, “Hook” served as a sequel of sorts to the classic J. M. Barrie novel “Peter and Wendy.” With Williams, Dustin Hoffman, and Julia Roberts in front of the camera, this was all set up to be a huge hit. And if you look at the $300 million box office, you might think that’s what it was. However, while those are good numbers, they were below expectations. Critics also disliked the movie, as indicated by its Rotten Tomatoes score. Amongst all the criticism, though, there was praise for Williams in his role as Peter and Hoffman as Captain Hook. No matter what critics said, it remains a timeless classic for millennials.

“FernGully: The Last Rainforest” (1992)

When it comes to 1992 Robin Williams animated movies, we know what film everyone is thinking about. But first, we need to mention “FernGully: The Last Rainforest.” Set in the Australian rainforest, “FernGully” is a front-facing, pro-environmental story of fairies and animals who save their precious land from loggers and polluters. One of those animals is Williams as Batty Koda - a bat living with the emotional and physical results of having been used for experiments by humans. “FernGully” proved profitable over time, but it was nothing compared to where we heard Williams next.

“Aladdin” (1992)

“Aladdin” was a great movie, with a fun story and an award-winning song. But let’s be honest here. This movie was as great as it was because of the Genie - and the Genie was as great as he was because of Robin Williams. From the moment he emerged from that lamp, Williams’ Genie grabbed on to the movie and the audience, never letting go. And we didn’t want him to. Williams’ sweet, manic, highly improvised performance is laugh-out-loud funny and endlessly rewatchable. How many 90s kids saw this one in the theaters more than once? Our hands are raised… how about yours?

“Toys” (1992)

“Toys” was a movie that director Barry Levinson had been trying to make since co-writing the script back in 1979. For one reason or another, various attempts to get it off the ground never materialized. That was, until Levinson hit it big with “Rain Man” and Robin Williams agreed to star in it. So, the movie finally got made. Unfortunately, not very well, if you look at the reviews and the disappointing box office numbers. Although visually it looked amazing - ergo the Oscar noms for Art Direction and Costume Design.

“Mrs. Doubtfire” (1993)

1993 was the first year of the decade where Williams only starred in one movie. But boy was it a big one. On just a $25 million budget, “Mrs. Doubtfire” took home a whopping $441 million at the worldwide box office - and it forever made “run-by fruiting” a thing. With Oscar-winning makeup effects, Williams escaped into the titular role. He also brought his signature ad-libs to the equation, although some of the more R-rated improvisations had to be left on the cutting room floor. You can have your Big Momma and your Madea. When it comes to comedies with men dressing up like old ladies, we’ll still take Euphegenia Doubtfire every time.

“Being Human” (1994)

From a 1993 movie that everyone saw to a 1994 film that almost no one saw. “Being Human” was an original and interesting film that explored the experiences of one human soul throughout a variety of said soul’s incarnations. The movie was told through a series of vignette-style stories with Williams as the through-line, and the only actor to appear in all the various scenarios. While most felt the film fell short of its lofty ambitions, it once again showed Williams’ ability and desire to try something different.

“Nine Months” (1995)

Given the critical tongue-lashing this film received, Robin Williams was probably glad he wasn’t the star of “Nine Months.” While Hugh Grant was overacting his way through a ridiculous performance in a subpar rom-com, Williams was getting some genuine laughs as Dr. Kosevich, a former Russian obstetrician to rats and monkeys. After that one, Robin had a brief and uncredited cameo in “To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar.” But it was five months after “Nine Months” when audiences got their next full helping of Mr. Williams.

“Jumanji” (1995)

To everyone who saw “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” in 2017 and didn’t realize it was a sequel… It was. A sequel to a film that came out 22 years earlier and starred Robin Williams. It’s been said that both Tom Hanks and Bruce Willis were first choices for 1995’s “Jumanji,” but were unavailable due to other film commitments. However, it’s also been reported that the production company TriStar agreed to finance the film only if Robin Williams agreed to star in it. Whatever the truth is, it was Williams who landed the role and, in so doing, was once again a part of many '90s kids' happy memories.

“The Birdcage” (1996)

Robin Williams had a very busy 1996 - appearing in four films (five, if you count his uncredited cameo in “The Secret Agent”). He started the year off strong with the March release of “The Birdcage” - a film about a gay couple marrying off their son to the daughter of a conservative senator. Williams and Nathan Lane played the aforementioned gay couple. The movie has been praised for being one of the earliest from a major studio to have LGBTQIA+ characters at the center of it. Along with critical praise, the film also saw box office success, taking home over $185 million on a $31 million budget.

“Jack” (1996)

You’d think that a film about a young boy with a medical condition that causes him to age four times faster than normal would be made for Robin Williams. While Francis Ford Coppola might not seem like the obvious directorial choice for said film, he is one of the greatest directors to ever live. So, he gets the benefit of the doubt. Unfortunately, “Jack” didn’t work - at least according to its measly Rotten Tomatoes score and Worst Picture nomination at the 1996 Stinkers Bad Movie Awards. However, the film did get a B+ from the CinemaScore audience survey. So, any Williams fans who missed this one back in ‘96 might want to give it a shot.

“Aladdin and the King of Thieves” (1996)

Normally, a direct-to-video movie wouldn’t get that much attention, but given the history of Robin Williams and the Aladdin franchise, “Aladdin and the King of Thieves” was kind of a big deal. You see, Williams had made the first “Aladdin” movie for scale, with the agreement that, among other things, his voice and name would not be part of marketing for the film. Disney didn’t live up to their end of the deal. An angry Williams refused to be part of the first sequel, 1994’s “The Return of Jafar.” However, after an apology from Disney chairman Joe Roth, Williams came back for “King of Thieves” and all was right in the Aladdin-verse once again.

“Hamlet” (1996)

There have been many “Hamlet” movies made, but Kenneth Branagh’s beautiful and brilliant 1996 version was the first to do so using an unabridged version of the original Shakespeare masterpiece. Branagh even added dialogue from subsequent versions, which would explain the run time of just over four hours. But don’t let those 242 minutes scare you. This is a great film with stunning visuals, and to call it star-studded would be an understatement. You have Kate Winslet, Gérard Depardieu, Jack Lemmon, Billy Crystal, Rufus Sewell, Charlton Heston, Richard Attenborough, Judi Dench, and, of course, Robin Williams - to name just a few. Williams plays Osric - the courtier Claudius sends to Hamlet to invite him to duel with Laertes.

“Fathers' Day” (1997)

Back in the 90s, Robin Williams and Billy Crystal were two of the biggest comedic forces around. So, having them together in a movie seemed like a no-brainer. In fact, the two had been looking for something to do together. When Crystal found the 1983 French film, “Les Compères,” it felt like a perfect remake vehicle for him and his friend. Throw in Ivan Reitman - the director of “Ghostbusters” - and it seemed like a guaranteed hit. Needless to say… It wasn’t! Instead, the film bombed with most critics as well as at the box office, taking home just $35 million on a $85 million budget. Thankfully, when it came to the movies, the rest of Williams’ 1997 went much better.

“Deconstructing Harry” (1997)

“Father’s Day” was released in May of 1997. While most audiences wouldn’t see Williams again until November, those attending the Venice Film Festival in August got to see him as part of the large ensemble of characters that showed up in Woody Allen’s “Deconstructing Harry.” Well, actually, they got to see an out-of-focus Robin Williams in the movie, as his character is - as they say in the biz - soft. “Deconstructing Harry” is, as one reviewer called it, “one of [Woody Allen’s] most provocative and challenging” films. While Williams is only in it for a short time, his unfocused character is quite memorable.

“Flubber” (1997)

Robin Williams’ reconciliation with Disney continued with his next release of 1997, “Flubber” - a remake of the 1961 film, “The Absent-Minded Professor.” Written by the great John Hughes, “Flubber” was a family-friendly hit for the Mouse House. While the critic didn’t like it, audiences showed it some box office love - $178 million worth to be exact. Let’s not forget that it’s the movie that gave us everyone’s favorite little yellow robot, Weebo. Although it was a coveted little yellow statue that would be the most significant result of Williams’ year of movies.

“Good Will Hunting” (1997)

The first week of December 1997 was a huge one for Robin Williams, Matt Damon, and Ben Affleck. “Good Will Hunting” was released into theaters, changing all three of their lives forever. For Damon and Affleck, it took them from relative unknowns to Hollywood stars - a perch from which they never looked back. For Williams, it gave him the one thing he didn’t have yet… an Oscar. Although nominated three times previously, he finally heard his name called at the 70th Academy Awards as the winner of the Best Supporting Actor trophy. How you like them apples?!

“What Dreams May Come” (1998)

“What Dreams May Come” is a dramatic fantasy film that sees Robin Williams as Chris Nielsen, a man who loses his kids in a car crash. He then passes away in the same manner, leaving a grieving wife behind. The film is an exploration of ideas of heaven and hell, love and loss, told in an utterly beautiful way that saw it take home an Oscar for Best Visual Effects. While “What Dreams May Come” didn’t quite live up to its lofty goals, we would definitely call this visually stunning and wholly original film a bright spot on his resume.

“Patch Adams” (1998)

A doctor who helps patients using the healing power of humor and laughter… Along with the Genie in “Aladdin,” can you think of a role more suited to Robin Williams than that? Unfortunately, while it may have been perfect for Williams, the movie itself had a whole lotta problems. The film was highly criticized for its over-sentimentality and simplification of Dr. Adams’ story. Even the real Patch Adams himself hated the film. However, it speaks to the power of Williams and his connection to audiences that the film, despite its flaws, was a big financial success, grossing $202 million at the box office.

“Jakob the Liar” (1999)

Williams’ next movie was 1999’s “Jakob the Liar.” Set in German-occupied Poland during World War II, it tells the story of a local shop owner who tried to uplift spirits in the ghetto by telling positive lies he claims to have heard on his secret radio. Although the truth is that he’s just been eavesdropping on a German commander's radio. If you were thinking that it sounds somewhat thematically similar to “Life Is Beautiful,” you aren’t alone. Unfortunately, many reviews did compare it unfavorably to Roberto Benigni’s Oscar-winning film from two years prior.

“Get Bruce” (1999)

Robin Williams bookended 1999 with two movies. The first one came out in January and featured Williams playing his greatest character ever….. Himself! “Get Bruce” is a documentary film celebrating comedy writer Bruce Vilanch. Among the comedians and talking heads in the film are Whoopi Goldberg, Billy Crystal, Bette Midler, and Robin Williams. In case you didn’t know who Bruce Vilanch is, he’s someone that the comedy mastermind Robin Williams says he is in awe of. Makes you wanna see the movie now, doesn’t it?

“Bicentennial Man” (1999)

The last film that Robin Williams appeared in in the 1990s was “Bicentennial Man.” Directed by Chris Columbus, the man behind the camera of “Mrs. Doubtfire” and “Nine Months,” “Bicentennial Man” was a big-budget sci-fi comedy drama. With a price tag of close to $100 million, the film, based on an Isaac Asimov novel, sees Williams playing an android servant who desires to become human. As with a few other of his 90s offerings, “Bicentennial Man” leans heavily on the sentimentality and doesn’t live up to its grand Asimovian potential. When you have Robin Williams in the lead role, though, there’s bound to be something of value.

What’s your favorite Robin Williams movie from the 1990s? Let us know in the comments.