Dark Angel (1990)
A tough cop (Dolph Lundgren) investigates a series of bizarre murders in Houston, eventually uncovering an alien drug dealer who extracts endorphins from human brains to sell on the intergalactic black market. He must team up with an FBI agent to stop the extraterrestrial threat. Directed by Craig R. Baxley, the film blends action, sci-fi, and crime thriller elements with a cyberpunk-adjacent flair. While not fully within the genre, its themes of synthetic drugs, tech-enhanced bodies, and shadowy dealings brush against cyberpunk sensibilities.
Dark City (1998)
A man (Rufus Sewell) wakes up with no memory in a city where night never ends and reality constantly shifts. Hunted by mysterious beings known as the Strangers, he uncovers a secret experiment that manipulates time, space, and identity — and may hold the key to human freedom. Directed by Alex Proyas, Dark City is a cult classic praised for its noir aesthetics, philosophical undertones, and exploration of memory and self. Its visual style and themes heavily influenced later films like The Matrix and cemented its legacy in dystopian sci-fi.
Death Machine (1994)
In a corporate-run future, a weapons manufacturer (Brad Dourif) develops a cybernetic killing machine controlled by a deranged programmer. When the project spirals out of control, employees are trapped inside the building with a relentless mechanical predator. This was the directorial debut of Stephen Norrington, who would later direct Blade (1998). Despite its limited budget and mixed reviews, the film gained cult status among cyberpunk and horror fans for its gritty aesthetic, practical effects, and subtle references to genre icons like “Scott Ridley” and “Weyland.”
Demolition Man (1993)
After being cryogenically frozen in 1996, a violent cop (Stallone) is awakened in a sterilized utopian future to stop a criminal (Wesley Snipes) from his own time. As he confronts a world obsessed with control and “civilized” behavior, the cracks in the perfect society begin to show. The film became a pop culture touchstone thanks to its satirical take on political correctness, the mysterious “three seashells,” and Taco Bell’s monopoly in the future. Stallone and Snipes' dynamic, along with Sandra Bullock's breakout performance, helped solidify its cult appeal.
Dredd (1995)
In a dystopian future where judges act as police, jury, and executioner, Judge Dredd (Stallone) is framed for a crime he didn’t commit. As chaos unfolds in Mega-City One, he must uncover the truth and restore justice to a corrupt system. Despite being based on the gritty 2000 AD comic, the film took a more Hollywood-style, action-comedy approach, which disappointed fans of the source material. Sylvester Stallone’s removal of the helmet — a big break from the comic's strict rule — became one of its most criticized choices.
Dredd (2012)
In the violent sprawl of Mega-City One, Judge Dredd (Karl Urban) is tasked with evaluating a rookie with psychic abilities. Trapped inside a megablock controlled by a ruthless drug lord, they must fight their way out while upholding the law. Unlike the 1995 version, this adaptation stayed faithful to the dark tone of the comics, with Karl Urban keeping the helmet on throughout the film. Though it underperformed at the box office, Dredd gained a strong cult following for its brutal realism, slow-mo visual effects, and stripped-down storytelling.