Relive the ’90s With These 20 Classic Photos

Written by Alina Wang on May 15, 2025

The ’90s were a wild time. From light-up Skechers and Beanie Babies to dial-up internet and frosted tips, the decade was known for being fun, quirky, and unapologetically loud. Whether they depict grunge-flannel fashion, cringe-worthy school dances, or Tamagotchi adventures, these 1990s photos are pure nostalgia. Get ready to laugh, cry, and maybe even dig out your old CD collection.

1. Watermelon Bubblicious Was Fire, and You Can’t Tell Me Otherwise

Two packages of watermelon-flavored Bubblicious gum and one package of original bubble gum flavor are shown, with text reading, "This was the #1 gum of the 90's" across the top. — ComedianRegular8469

2. Mom Was Serving ’90s Realness In That Windbreaker

A woman in a purple tracksuit leans against a vintage yellow car, holding a baby on her shoulders. A young boy in a white shirt and blue cap sits on the car’s hood. Green foliage is in the background. — middelveld/istockphoto

3. Times Were Rough Before Spotify; Finding the Perfect CD Could Take All Day

A black CD binder is open, showing eight assorted CDs in clear plastic sleeves. The visible disks have various colors and labels, featuring music albums and movie soundtracks. A box and papers are partially visible nearby. — ComedianRegular8469

4. Nothing Says the ’90s Like TLC and Kriss Kross

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5. We Still Remember the Smell of Those Plastic Bubbles

A hand holds a pink straw with a blue glob from a tube labeled "B'loonies," with another tube nearby. Below, a package labeled "Plastic Bubbles" shows a similar toy and a large bubble. — ComedianRegular8469

6. Video Game Graphics Hadn’t Quite Caught Up Yet

A video game character riding a horse in a 3D environment with simple graphics; text above reads "WHAT ELITE GRAPHICS LOOKED LIKE IN 1998." Another character on horseback is visible in the background. — ComedianRegular8469

7. Mind You, These ‘Snacks’ Only Looked Like McDonald’s Fries. A Cruel Joke, Indeed

A McDonald’s French Fry Snack Maker toy box shows the toy, resembling a mini fry machine, with fries in containers. The packaging is colorful, with images of kids, fries, and McDonald’s branding. — ComedianRegular8469

8. ‘Middle School Dance, 1991’

A group of ten boys pose together in front of a sign that reads "STAR-IS-BORN." Most of the boys are wearing patterned shirts and standing closely for the photo. The background is dimly lit. — krustybatman2

9. Every ’90s Kid Had a Tamagotchi — and Was Left Traumatized When It Died

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10. Back When Pizza Hut Had Some Character

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11. Tupac Shakur, Circa 1992

A man wearing a blue bandana, brown leather vest over a checked shirt, and blue jeans stands in front of a black brick wall, looking at the camera with a slight smile. — Appropriate_Fail_371

12. A Very ’90s School Library

A small public library computer area with four wooden desks, CRT monitors, and wooden chairs, surrounded by bookshelves filled with books on carpeted flooring. — Ok_Possibility5499

13. Light-Up Kicks Were Rad, and I Don’t Care What Anyone Else Says

A person wearing black and white sneakers with "LA TECH" on the heels stands on a wooden floor; the shoes have small red lights glowing at the back. — WhoisTylerDurden

14. Porcupine Hair (Aka, Frosted Tips) Was Certainly in Style

Three young men with spiky, blonde-tipped hair pose for photos against different backgrounds, each wearing neutral facial expressions. — Cubelock

15. You Just Knew It Was Gonna Be Lit When This Bad Boy Got Wheeled Out

Two young boys push a cart with a large boxy TV and VCR down a school hallway with shiny floors and colorful artwork on the walls. — Djf47021

16. Nostalgia Overload!

A classroom with empty desks, a world map, an old TV on a cart, alphabet cards with animals above the chalkboard, and colorful decorations on the walls. School supplies are scattered on the desks. — Djf47021

17. ‘High School in the Mid-90s’

Four teenage boys stand outside a building, two in front and two in back. One in front makes a peace sign and smiles. Three wear dark t-shirts, one has long hair. Another person is blurred in the background. The image is in black and white. — burningmeadows

18. ‘Late ’90s Rave Scene’

A crowded indoor rave scene with people dancing energetically. Some attendees wear surgical masks, while others sport casual '90s streetwear like baseball caps, baggy clothes, and sports jerseys. Dim lighting creates a lively atmosphere. — blackmothrainbow

19. In Case You Couldn’t Tell, Aerobics Were BIG in the ’90s

A group of women in colorful leotards and tights participate in a step aerobics class, exercising in front of mirrors in a fitness studio. — RetroFitnessBabes

20. Two Words: Pogo. Sticks.

A black and green pogo stick stands next to its box, which features colorful graphics and photos of children using the pogo stick, with the label "Master Pogo Stick" in bold yellow and orange letters. — Porkchopp33

Craving more ’90s content?

Be sure to check out 10 School Items Every Middle-Class Kid Had in the ’90s and 15 Design Trends That Scream 1990s. Plus, don’t miss 15 Items From the ’90s That Could Still Be Valuable and 10 Polly Pocket Toys From the ’90s That Are Way More Valuable Today.