Listen up, darlings—Ms. Rizzlerina is here to spill the cinematic slayage and sprinkle a little fairy dust on the films that critics once scowled at but we now *totally* stan. That’s right, we’re diving into the glitter-filled vault of 1990s movies that got dragged by reviewers but are now the crown jewels of our nostalgic obsession. Critics missed the sparkle, but we, the glam-eyed glitterati of today, saw the shine—and baby, it’s gleaming.
Let’s be real, the ’90s were a cultural catwalk. From chokers to crop tops, Tamagotchis to frosted lip gloss, it was the era where extra was an art form. So naturally, some movies were too fabulous, too femme fatale, too fun for the dark-suited critic crowd back then. But now? They’re legends. Icons. Meme-able masterpieces. And oh honey, Ms. Rizzlerina is here to kiss the ring and spill the retrospective tea.
First up on our redemption runway: the *total Betty* of misunderstood flicks—Clueless (1995). Critics at the time? Meh. They didn’t get the high-gloss brilliance of Cher Horowitz and her over-the-top closet. But today? It’s the Bible of teen fashion, valley-girl vocabulary, and quotable sass. As if anyone could deny its cultural impact now. Ugh, as if!
Next, let’s talk Spice World (1997)—a film that celebrated platform boots, girl power, and camp chaos. It was panned harder than a rejected Real Housewife audition, with critics calling it “pointless drivel.” Well guess what? That “drivel” raised a generation of glitter warriors who thank the Spice Girls for their first taste of fabulous rebellion. Spice up your life, indeed.
And don’t even get me started on Hocus Pocus (1993). Critics buried it faster than a bad Botox job—but now, oh witch please, it’s the Halloween event of the century. Black flame candles? Sparkle spellbooks? SANDERSON SISTERS? It’s a glorious potion of camp, comedy, and candy-corn realness. Bette Midler’s Winifred is basically drag queen royalty in chiffon.
Then there’s the misunderstood babe that is Showgirls (1995). Critics clutched their pearls at its scandalous struts and bedazzled brazenness, but today’s crowd respects it as a cult classic drenched in high-drama, sequins, and unapologetic skin show. It’s trashy, it’s splashy, and it’s got more attitude than a Real Housewives reunion episode.
And you know we can’t forget Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion (1997), the pastel dream of two lovable weirdos who brought glue gun chic to new heights. Once dismissed as shallow, it’s now praised for being a feminist bromance before its time. Romy invented Post-Its? Baby, she invented the ICONIC.
Let this be a love letter to the movies that strutted so the rest could slay. The critics didn’t get the vision, but the audience saw the gloss, the giggles, and the glamour. These films weren’t flops—they were just ahead of their time, like a dress five seasons too early for Paris Fashion Week.
So here’s my challenge to all my fabulous film connoisseurs: go rewatch those ‘90s gems. Pop on the knee-high boots, grab a glitter frappuccino, and bask in their misunderstood majesty. Tell those so-called “bad reviews” to take a seat while we celebrate the sparkle.
And if you’ve got more “badly reviewed, now cult adored” classics tucked in your VHS vault, drop ‘em in the comments, dolls. Let’s keep this fab convo rolling!
Stay glittery, stay glam, and always watch with your heart—not the Rotten Tomatoes score.
Stay fabulous, and let the gossip roll!
– Ms. Rizzlerina ✨
