The 10 Celebrity Crushes Every 90s Kid Will Remember

There was something magical about the 90s, a time when our favorite celebrities felt larger than life yet somehow close enough to pin on our bedroom walls. Whether they were romancing us from the big screen, making us swoon in sitcoms, or dazzling us in music videos, these stars had an undeniable charm that kept us glued to our TV sets and concert stages. They weren’t just crushes—they were icons of a generation, the faces we couldn’t get enough of, and the ones who made us believe in love stories, teen angst, and fairytale endings. Let’s take a trip back to celebrate the biggest celebrity crushes of the 90s and remember why we were head over heels for them.

When Titanic hit theaters in 1997, Leonardo DiCaprio officially became the king of 90s crushes. He was already swoon-worthy thanks to his role in Romeo + Juliet, but his portrayal of Jack Dawson didn’t just sink a ship—it sank hearts worldwide. With his boyish looks and undeniable charm, Leo became a regular in teen magazines, and you know you wondered what it was like to stand on the bow of ship with this dreamboat.

If you didn’t have a Jonathan Taylor Thomas (JTT) poster on your wall, were you even a 90s kid? The Home Improvement star, with his blonde hair and bright smile, captured the hearts of preteens everywhere. Not only did he light up the screen on TGIF, but he also lent his voice to young Simba in The Lion King, making him a double threat in the world of 90s crushes.

As Buffy Summers, Sarah Michelle Gellar didn’t just slay vampires—she slayed our hearts. Her fierce, independent character made her a role model, while her beauty and charisma made her a 90s icon. Whether you loved her as Buffy or were intrigued by her more daring roles, Sarah Michelle Gellar captured the hearts of fans everywhere.

Devon Sawa was the quintessential boy-next-door crush. With roles in Casper, Now and Then, and Little Giants, his easygoing charm and heart-melting smile made him the guy we all wanted to bring home to meet our parents. Who could forget when he appeared as human Casper and whispered, “Can I keep you?”

Alicia Silverstone became an instant 90s icon with her role as Cher in Clueless. With her flawless fashion sense and witty catchphrases, she wasn’t just a crush—she was the definition of cool. Her mix of confidence, style, and humor made her a standout star, and her effortless charm kept us hooked.

Freddie Prinze Jr. was the ultimate romantic lead of the late 90s, starring in She’s All That and I Know What You Did Last Summer. With his classic good looks and laid-back vibe, Freddie made us all dream of finding our own high school makeover moment. His warm, genuine smile and relatable charm made him a permanent fixture on bedroom walls.

Jennifer Love Hewitt’s girl-next-door charm and talent in Party of Five and I Know What You Did Last Summer made her one of the decade’s biggest crushes. Her genuine sweetness and natural beauty made her relatable and easy to love. It wasn’t just her on-screen roles that drew fans in—it was her ability to feel like the girl next door.

For those who preferred a bit of edge with their crush, Rider Strong’s portrayal of Shawn Hunter in Boy Meets World was irresistible. With his rebellious streak, leather jacket, and smoldering gaze, Shawn represented the “bad boy” archetype we all wanted to fix. He was the misunderstood character with a heart of gold, and that made him even more attractive.

Britney Spears skyrocketed to fame with her hit “…Baby One More Time,” instantly becoming the crush of the late 90s. Her catchy songs, signature dance moves, and iconic music videos solidified her status as the pop princess of the decade. Whether you were singing along to her hits or trying to learn her choreography, Britney became a cultural phenomenon.

Long before vampires were a trend, David Boreanaz stole the show as Angel in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. His brooding, mysterious character made him the ultimate dark heartthrob. As Buffy’s tortured love interest, he brought a mix of danger and passion that kept fans swooning—and rewatching their favorite episodes repeatedly.