The 1990s were a terrific decade for movies.

This decade saw no shortage of spectacles that have gone down in history as masterclasses in action filmmaking.

More often than not, a good action movie needs a good villain.

Blended image showing characters from Heat, Fight Club, and The Matrix with t990s on the background.

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His brother, on the other hand, is one of its most criminally underrated.

Irons flawlessly portrays him with elegance and zeal, making him as intimidating as he is fascinating.

Thirsty for revenge, she becomes his protegee and starts to learn the secrets of the trade.

Jeremy Irons as Simon Peter Gruber wearing sunglasses in ‘Die Hard With A Vengeance’ (1995)

Image via 20th Century Studios

Stansfield is one ofthe most underrated movie villains of the ’90s.

agent goes undercover to catch a gang of surfers who are also bank robbers.

Stylish and over-the-top, it was the adrenaline-fueled and action-packed film that madeKeanu Reevesan action star.

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However, Troy is able to assume Archer’s identity and vows revenge.

First, Nicolas Cage plays Archer with an admirable amount of restraint, considering his unique acting style.

Bouncing off ofJohn Travolta’s Sean Archer flawlessly, the duo makesFace/Offan incredibly good time.

Samuel L. Jackson headshot

Far from a simple villainous caricature, Lady Eboshi feels like a truly complicated human being.

’s radar when they accidentally leave a clue at their latest heist.

NEXT:The Best Movies With a Twist Villain, Ranked

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Cast Placeholder Image

John Malkovich as Cyrus ‘The Virus’ Grissom, pointing a gun at a bunny plushie in ‘Con Air’

Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

con air

Norman Stansfield walking through a curtain of beads in ‘Leon: The Professional’ (1994)

Image via The Walt Disney Company France

leon poster

Agent Smith, with an earpiece, looking intently in The Matrix

Image via Warner Bros.

The Matrix Poster

Castor Troy (Nicolas Cage) dressed as a priest and screaming maniacally in Face Off

Image via Touchstone Pictures

Face Off Movie Poster

The T-1000 dressed as a cop aiming a gun at someone off-camera in Terminator 2 - 1991

Image via Tri-Star Pictures

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Lady Eboshi with one of her rifles turning around and smiling confidently in Princess Mononoke.

Image via Toho

Princess Mononoke Movie Poster

Neil McCauley and Chris Shiherlis wielding guns in traffic in Heat

Image via Warner Bros.

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A shirtless Brad Pitt as Tyler Durden, surrounded by men in Fight Club

Image via 20th Century Studios

Fight Club Movie Poster