5 ‘90s Movies That Need A Where-Are-They-Now Sequel With The Original Cast

5 ‘90s Movies Ready For a Where-Are-They-Now Sequel

For the longest time, children who grew up in the ‘80s were high on nostalgia, asking why certain movies have not been given their proper sequels. We all know Hollywood loves a good sequel. But the ‘80s nostalgia is slowly taking a backseat to the ‘90s, and lately, there are those of you digging into your film library asking that same question – where are the sequels to some of those fun ‘90s movies?

There are a number of ‘90s movies just sitting there, begging for a where-are-they-now sequel, original cast in tow. Now we know bringing back the original cast after so many years have passed can be a challenging task, but if Arnold can return as The Terminator and Conan and Eddie Murphy as Prince Akeem and (soon) Axel Foley, then surely we can find a way to bring back most of these stars for a ‘90s movie sequel.

We have identified five right off the top that could be ripe for a sequel.

200 Cigarettes (1999)

As far as ‘90s movies go, 200 Cigarettes made it by the skin of their teeth. Made in 1999, this story stars the Affleck brothers (Ben and Casey), Dave Chappelle, Janeane Garofalo, Kate Hudson, Courtney Love, Jay Mohr, Martha Plimpton, Christina Ricci, and the never-aging Paul Rudd.

The film is set in 1981 and follows a number of characters in New York City on New Year’s Eve before eventually heading to Monica’s (Plimpton) house to finish off their New Year’s Eve. Bringing everyone back wouldn’t be an issue and the story could easily show where everyone ended up today.

Given the fact that Monica completely missed her own party (and she also missed an appearance from rock star Elvis Costello) because she was passed out drunk, the story could easily revolve around another Monica party where she is bound and determined not to pass out again.

Empire Records (1995)

While the 1995 comedy Empire Records was a coming-of-age story that starred Anthony LaPaglia, Renée Zellweger, Maxwell Caulfield, Debi Mazar, Robin Tunney, and Liv Tyler, a 2023 sequel to the ‘90s movie would be more of an aging story bringing back co-workers to the once popular record store.

The film revolved around Empire Records store employees who find out that their store is being bought and turned into a national chain. The employees love the independent aspect of the store, so they aim to keep it that way.

We could see a reverse in thinking if a where-are-they-now sequel was to happen. With vinyl records becoming more vogue, a chain that used to be Empire Records could want to get their independence back by trying to go at it solo again. This could bring ex-workers and original cast members back into action with a shared goal.

Can't Hardly Wait (1998)

Although Can’t Hardly Wait was made in the late ‘90s, it definitely is a film that harkens back to those teenage comedies of the ‘80s. The film stars Jennifer Love Hewitt, Ethan Embry, Charlie Korsmo, Lauren Ambrose, and Seth Green and takes place at a high school graduation party.

The film is very familiar as one kid intends to express his love for his four-year high school crush, while another “nerd” seeks revenge on a bully. Meanwhile another kid, a wannabe thug, has chosen the graduation party as to where he wants to lose his virginity.

Teenage high school films are always perfect excuses to have class reunion films and the ‘90s movie, Can’t Hardly Wait, would easily fit that bill. The kid who has been pining over his four-year crush could still be doing the same, all these years later (troubling, right?).

Maybe the “nerd” who exacted his revenge is going to be greeted by “karma” and the bully is back for revenge. And maybe, our wannabe thug is still, after all these years, looking to get laid for the first time.

10 Things I Hate About You (1999)

This one might actually be a tough one to sell. The 1999 comedy starred Julia Stiles and Larisa Oleynik as sisters and Joseph Gordon-Levitt and David Krumholtz as fast high school friends. Stiles was the outcast rebel, Oleynik was the virgin freshman, Gordon-Levitt was the one who had a crush on the virgin freshman, and Krumholtz was the nerd who eventually found the love of his life. Oh yeah, the film also starred Heath Ledger before he turned into the Joker.

Again, as a high school flick, the simplest way to have everyone return would be through a high school reunion. We know it’s lazy, but it can be effective. We could also have Gordon-Levitt and Oleynik’s characters, having been married for some time now, going through a rough patch and on the verge of divorce, bringing back the original characters from the ‘90s movie.

Of course, the moviemakers would have to also deal with Heath Ledger no longer being with us, which brings us to another idea. Ledger’s character’s death could be the impetus for the original cast’s return.

Clueless (1995)

For years there has been talk of a Clueless sequel. The film, one of the most popular of the ‘90s movies, already has one spin-off television series in the bank that ran for three seasons, but it has never made it to the sequel stage on the big screen.

The classic ‘90s movie starred Alicia Silverstone as Cher Horowitz, a high school student who lives a rich, spoiled, and pampered life in Beverly Hills, California. Cher is a busy girl whose life gets even busier when she decides to give the new girl a makeover while at the same time, Cher is trying to play matchmaker for a couple of her teachers.

The film also stars Paul Rudd (who we all know has made a deal with the devil to continue looking so young), Stacey Dash, Donald Faison, Breckin Meyer, Jeremy Sisto, and the late Brittany Murphy. For the longest time, Silverstone has rebuffed the notion of returning as Cher, but after Rakuten convinced her to reprise her role for a Super Bowl ad earlier this year, Silverstone has reconsidered her stance. As if.

Who cares what story would bring her back, let’s just make it happen.