The decade opened with one foot in the 80s: neon, big hair and hip hop going mainstream, while turtle mania ruled the playground.
This guide rounds up what was popular in 1990, from what people wore and played with to what they watched and listened to. Use it to settle a nostalgia debate, write trivia for a 90s party, or plan a 1990-themed birthday or reunion.
Quick answer
In 1990, the biggest trends were slap bracelets, neon and color-block clothes, MC Hammer-style pants, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Super Soaker-style water blasters, the Game Boy, "Ice Ice Baby", The Simpsons and Home Alone.
1990 at a glance
| Category | Biggest in 1990 |
|---|---|
| Hit movie | Home Alone |
| TV phenomenon | The Simpsons (Bart mania) |
| Toy craze | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles |
| Fad | Slap bracelets |
| Song everyone knew | "Ice Ice Baby" |
| Tech | Game Boy and a new Windows version |
Fashion trends of 1990
Here is what people were wearing in 1990. For the full decade, see 90s fashion trends.
Neon and color block
Leftover 80s brights on windbreakers and leggings.
Harem pants
Baggy "hammer" pants made famous by a rap superstar.
Biker shorts
Worn under oversized tees.
Scrunchies
In every color.
Slap bracelets
The year's big accessory craze, soon banned from many schools.
High-top fades
Hip hop's signature haircut.
Popular toys and games in 1990
The toy aisle in 1990 looked like this. More in our list of popular 90s toys.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Figures, a live-action movie in March and endless merch.
Water blasters
Pressurized blasters arrived and changed summer.
Polly Pocket
Pocket-sized compacts.
Game Boy and NES
Handheld and home Nintendo dominated.
Sega Genesis
The 16-bit challenger.
Technology in 1990
- Game Boy, launched in late 1989, became the must-have handheld.
- Microsoft released Windows 3.0 in May 1990, bringing graphical computing to many homes and offices.
- The Hubble Space Telescope launched in April 1990.
See every gadget of the decade in 90s tech gadgets and every console in 90s video game consoles.
Popular movies of 1990
| Movie | US release |
|---|---|
| Home Alone | November |
| Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles | March |
| Ghost | July |
| Pretty Woman | March |
| Dick Tracy | June |
| Total Recall | June |
TV shows of 1990
| Show | Premiere / big year |
|---|---|
| The Simpsons | First full season airing (premiered Dec 1989) |
| The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air | September 1990 |
| Beverly Hills, 90210 | October 1990 |
| Twin Peaks | April 1990 |
| Bobby's World | September 1990 |
| TaleSpin | September 1990 |
For cartoons specifically, see 90s cartoons.
Popular songs of 1990
| Song | Artist |
|---|---|
| Ice Ice Baby | Vanilla Ice |
| U Can't Touch This | MC Hammer |
| Vogue | Madonna |
| Nothing Compares 2 U | Sinéad O'Connor |
| Hold On | Wilson Phillips |
| Poison | Bell Biv DeVoe |
Build a full playlist with our 90s party songs.
Big moments of 1990
- Nelson Mandela was released from prison in February.
- Germany reunified in October.
- The Hubble Space Telescope launched.
Fun fact: Slap bracelets were so popular in 1990 that schools across the US banned them, partly because cheap versions could have sharp metal under the fabric.
Throw a 1990 themed party
1990 party checklist
- A playlist of 1990 hits
- Posters from Home Alone and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
- A dress code inspired by neon and color block
- Trivia about 1990
- Toys from 1990 as decorations or prizes
- Disposable cameras
The story of 1990
The first year of the decade still looked a lot like the 80s. Neon windbreakers, big permed hair, high-top sneakers and bright leggings filled school hallways, and many of the year's biggest pop stars had started their careers in the previous decade. But underneath, change was coming fast: hip hop was moving from cult status to the top of the charts, and the TV landscape was shifting toward edgier, more irreverent shows.
For kids, 1990 belonged to four pizza-loving turtles. A live-action movie arrived in March and the toy line was everywhere, from action figures to cereal. Meanwhile, a yellow cartoon family took over prime time, and its rebellious son became a T-shirt icon, sometimes to the dismay of schools. In theaters, a boy accidentally left home alone over the holidays became one of the biggest comedies of all time.
In the wider world, 1990 was a year of historic change, from the release of Nelson Mandela to the reunification of Germany. Technology was quietly moving forward too: the Game Boy, launched the previous year, became the must-have handheld, and new versions of desktop software made home computers easier to use.
If you are throwing a 1990 party, lean into the transition: neon and color-block clothes, early hip hop and dance-pop, slap bracelets and turtle-themed snacks. It is the perfect year for people who love both the late 80s and early 90s.
Conclusion
1990 was the year of Home Alone, The Simpsons (Bart mania), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. It kicked off the decade, or fast-forward to what was popular in 1991.
Frequently asked questions
What was popular in 1990?
In 1990, the biggest trends were slap bracelets, neon and color-block clothes, MC Hammer-style pants, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Super Soaker-style water blasters, the Game Boy, "Ice Ice Baby", The Simpsons and Home Alone.
What was the biggest movie of 1990?
Some of the biggest movies of 1990 were Home Alone, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Ghost.
What toys were popular in 1990?
Popular toys and games in 1990 included Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Water blasters, Polly Pocket, Game Boy and NES, Sega Genesis.
What songs were popular in 1990?
Popular songs in 1990 included "Ice Ice Baby" (Vanilla Ice), "U Can't Touch This" (MC Hammer), "Vogue" (Madonna), "Nothing Compares 2 U" (Sinéad O'Connor), "Hold On" (Wilson Phillips).
What TV shows started in 1990?
Shows that premiered or became hits in 1990 include The Simpsons, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Beverly Hills, 90210, Twin Peaks, Bobby's World.
What did people wear in 1990?
Fashion in 1990 included neon and color block, harem pants, biker shorts, scrunchies, slap bracelets. See our 90s fashion trends guide for more.
How do I throw a 1990 themed party?
Use the songs, movies and toys from 1990 on this page: a 1990 playlist, movie posters, era snacks and trivia about the year. Our 90s party ideas guide has a full plan.