50 Best Lifetime Movies From The 90s You Can’t Help But Binge Watch On

1996 | 1 hour 36 minutes | Directed by Noel Nosseck Starring
 
Candace Cameron Bure, Fred Savage, Gregory Alan Williams
 
When the school hottie starts dating her, a teenager assumes all of her dreams have come true. However, there's more to it than meets the eye. It doesn't take long for the darker side of the teen boy's nature to show itself. This film is based on the true story of Jamie Fuller, a 16-year-old high school senior who murdered his 14-year-old girlfriend, Amy Carnevale, in 1991. All young women should watch this movie as it sends an important message. The film portrays how ignoring or denying the abuse only makes it worse. The victim is often abandoned by her pals and left all alone. If you are someone who has always wondered why people don't get out of abusive relationships, this movie perfectly depicts the other point of view.

1995 | 1 hour 27 minutes | Directed by Christopher Leitch
 
Starring Tiffani Thiessen, Brian Austin Green, Isabella Hofmann
 
The film's plot is about a girl (Tiffani Thiessen) who is humiliated in her small rural village after being raped by a football player. Although her boyfriend (Brian Austin Green), mother, and attorney do their utmost to defend her, her high school peers are not so supportive. This is the kind of movie (P.S. also based on a real-life story) that never received the publicity it deserved. One thing is sure, though: this movie and its overall message are incredibly distressing. It makes you pause before deciding who is right and who is wrong. This film, especially for a movie made for TV, exhibits a level of realism that is quite rare in today's cinema. Excellent and brilliant - far too good to be solely a TV movie.

1994 | 1 hour 31 minutes | Directed by William A. Graham
 
Starring Kellie Martin, Tori Spelling, James Avery
 
A Friend to Die For, also known as Death of A Cheerleader, is another real-life case adapted into a film. Based on the 1984 murder of Kirsten Costas, the film's brief plot is about the encounter of two teenage girls from different backgrounds, leading to tragic results. Angela Delvecchio (Kellie Martin) is a quiet high school sophomore who strives to be perfect in every way - popular, attractive, and successful. Everything that Stacy Lockwood (Tori Spelling) was. When Angela meets Stacy, she feels threatened and inadequate because she's everything Angela wanted to be. Jealousy toward a classmate is fueled by Angela's ambition to be the most popular, which eventually results in tragedy. The most impressive aspect of this movie is that it shows how far someone will go to gain acceptance. Although this was created in 1994, its message is still very much relevant today. An absolute must-watch, especially for young teenage girls.

1992 | 1 hour 36 minutes | Directed by Charles Robert Carner
 
Starring Patty Duke, Tiffani Thiessen, Margaret Welsh
 
One day, Jenny (Tiffani Thiessen) leaves the house to go to the park with her friends but never returns home. A few days later, Jenny is discovered lifeless in a lake. Jenny's mother (Patty Duke) sets out to find the ruthless killer of her daughter. When Jenny's real murderer is revealed, you won't be as surprised by their identity as by how the crime was carried out. The very title of the film creeps one out. And the more terrifying fact is that this movie is based on the real-life murder of Michele Avila, which happened in 1985. It's a terrific film that convinces one that some explicitly made-for-TV movies are significantly more gripping and skillfully done than many overrated films playing in theaters.

1998 | 1 hour 36 minutes | Directed by Sam Pillsbury
 
Starring Kirsten Dunst, Park Overall, Julia Whelan
 
In this film, Kirsten Dunst plays Tina, a 15-year-old girl who believes her life is pretty much perfect as it is. There are parents she occasionally gets along with, lots of friends she can hang out with, and a boyfriend she adores. Then the unexpected happens. After having unprotected sex, Tina gets pregnant. And this "accident" changes her life forever. Teenagers who believe they are ready for a child should watch this movie since it is relatively realistic. It's also very likely that they would change their minds if they knew what comes with having a baby. And perhaps decide to wait a little longer before committing to becoming a parent. Overall, this film will make you laugh, cry, and possibly get angry all at once. It's well-acted and speaks volumes about personal responsibility.

1996 | 1 hour 38 minutes | Directed by Bethany Rooney
 
Starring Candace Cameron Bure, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Jenna von Oÿ
 
The film's plot is about a college freshman (Candace Cameron Bure) who seeks to prove that she was raped by a fraternity member (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) during a party. Many similar films were produced in the past before She Cried No (also known as Freshman Fall) made it to the TV screens. However, the ending of this film is the one thing that distinguishes it from other films of its genre; it is surprising and unorthodox. It's good to see a movie that doesn't give up too easily and holds the tension. She Cried No is an excellent drama that'll have you on the edge of your seat. This film demonstrates the lasting effects that a sexual assault may have on a victim, even years after the crime was committed. The events depicted in this movie are actual events that still happen in many higher education institutions. While they will continue to occur, films like She Cried No can educate young people on the importance of treating one another with respect.

1997 | 1 hour 26 minutes | Directed by Noel Nosseck
 
Starring Ari Meyers, Soleil Moon Frye, Mark Kassen
 
You've perhaps already caught what many of these movies have in common, haven’t you? And the name says it all. Once again, inspired by a real-life event, the film's plot follows the search for the murderer of a pregnant young woman. A high school cheerleader (Ari Meyers) suspects her boyfriend (Mark Kassen) is to blame. With the help of the deceased girl's mother, she works to bring the killer to justice. You are on the edge of your seat watching this Lifetime movie until the very last moment. You genuinely have no idea where it will end up. Because it is based on a true story, it is all the more tragic and compelling. This is for you if you enjoy thought-provoking factual stories that leave you feeling frustrated and inspired to root for the good fellas and boo the bad ones. Overall, it's a fascinating true story about the pressures teenagers face and the choices they have to make. And it's not always the best choice that they make.

1998 | 1 hour 38 minutes | Directed by Anjelica Huston
 
Starring Jennifer Jason Leigh, Ron Eldard, Glenne Headly
 
A single mother, Anney (Jennifer Jason Leigh), struggles to raise her little daughter, Bone (Jena Malone), until she weds Lyle (Dermot Mulroney), a gentle guy who loves Bone like his own child. But after Lyle perishes in a car accident, Anney remarries Glen (Ron Eldard), who starts abusing Bone physically and sexually and ruins the once tight-knit family. Bastard Out of Carolina is among the most disturbing yet finest films ever made in history. Based on the 1992 novel by Dorothy Allison, in this film, Jena Malone stars in her debut as a poor, physically abused, and sexually assaulted girl. There's not a single superfluous scene or line. It's a potent 1996 film featuring outstanding performances that tackles the incredibly sensitive subject of child abuse. This is one of those uncommonly powerful and moving movies that one will never forget seeing.

1996 | 1 hour 23 minutes | Directed by Marina Sargenti
 
Starring Cassidy Rae, Vincent Irizarry, Allison Smith
 
Amy Miller (Cassidy Rae) is a young and very attractive high school student. She lives with her mother, who sells homes nonstop and pays very little attention to her. One day, Amy meets a handsome man (Vincent Irizarry) who is enamored by her gorgeous figure and youthfulness, and soon, the older gentleman sweeps the young high school senior off her feet. She gets seduced and mistakenly takes on the role of his mistress, believing that he has genuine feelings for her. However, she soon learns he is married and has a family of his own. She starts receiving messages, cruel jokes, and life-threatening threats while they are together. There are just enough unexpected story twists and turns for you to be entertained while being kept on your toes. It has a great plot and is worth an hour and a half of your attention.

1996 | 1 hour 28 minutes | Directed by Alan Metzger
 
Starring Gary Cole, Nicholle Tom, Mac Davis
 
The movie's plot is about a well-known and respected football coach and biology teacher in Tate, Oklahoma, named Pete Nash, who is accused of sexually abusing one of his students, a 14-year-old named Amy. However, everyone seems to blame the young girl and defend the influential teacher. This film is surprisingly well-crafted and has quite a bit of an edge to it - more so than one might anticipate from a TV movie. This movie could also have an educational effect on teenagers and teach them what they should and shouldn't do and what warning signs to look for when older people abuse their powers. This is a relatively difficult topic to discuss in real life and especially to depict in film. Hence, the filmmakers deserve kudos on this one for making the movie very thought-provoking without being overly sexually explicit.