26 High School Prom Photos From the ’90s

Vintage Photos Nostalgia May 6, 2025

Last Updated on May 6, 2025 by Matt Staff

High school and its whole social scene have changed in many ways over the years. Even going back to the ’90s, the high schools of back then seem so strikingly different. We’ll take a look at 26 exceptional ’90s prom photos. Prom has always been one of those big high school milestones that folks either look forward to or proactively dread. So, these photos are filled with emotions.

1. Well this guy certainly looks familiar.

A young man in a tuxedo poses with a young woman in a green dress, both smiling gently at the camera against a dark background at what appears to be a formal event.
anonymous

In case you didn’t know, yes, that is indeed Jason Momoa.

2. If you could grow the goatee in high school you probably went for it.

A young man wearing a blue tuxedo with a black collar, white shirt, bow tie, and white rose boutonniere, smiling at the camera in a dimly lit indoor setting.
mildly_maria

This guy has the smug grin of a troublemaker.

3. This dude’s dad had that sleek cool look down.

A young man wearing sunglasses and a black tuxedo with a red pocket square stands in front of a framed, floral-decorated quote on a wall.
beatlesguy8i9

It’s all in the shades, man.

4. Someone’s mom headed out for her prom back in the early ’90s.

A woman in sunglasses stands by the open driver's door of a white Toyota with Texas plates, smiling and raising her hands. A person sits in the passenger seat. The car is parked on a grassy roadside with trees in the background.
rosesflowers1

It’s kind of giving that cool couple vibe.

5. Rumor has it that this special prom dress was homemade.

A woman in a black off-shoulder dress stands smiling in a decorated room with balloons, chairs, and tables. The setting appears to be a celebration or party.
mysteriousgrocery898

The homemade dresses are always the most impressive.

6. Nothing like the moments after a big prom.

Three young people in formalwear relax in a dimly lit, cluttered room. One person reclines on a vintage gold couch, another stands in the foreground, and a third sits partially obscured. Snacks and drinks cover a round table.
goldenboychicago

The prom gatherings that occur after prom could get out of hand quickly.

7. All the love for that rad ’90s vest.

A smiling woman in a red dress and a man in a blue shirt with a patterned vest pose together in front of a backdrop with flowers and greenery.
anonymous

It seems like there’s a genuine connection going on here.

8. The shades are ahead of their time.

A young man in a tuxedo and a young woman in a red floral dress crouch side by side on a wooden porch. Both are wearing corsages and have their eyes obscured. The background features wood paneling and a door.
deleted

It’s not uncommon to see plenty of bros out there with these shades and mullets nowadays.

9. Yes, that is Nicki Minaj posing for her ’90s prom pic.

A young couple poses together, dressed formally. The man wears a black suit and looks to the side, while the woman, in a sleeveless dress with earrings, smiles and leans on his shoulder. Both have braided hair.
deleted

Time certainly flies.

10. They seem stoked.

A young man in a black tuxedo and a young woman in a sparkly red dress pose together with corsages, smiling in front of a warm-toned backdrop and a decorative white vase with flowers.

He professional prom smile too.

11. Maybe the funniest of the ’90s prom photos that I’ve seen yet.

A young man in a white tuxedo jacket with a stained sleeve and a young woman in a red dress pose together at a formal event; she smiles while he looks surprised. Both wear corsages and stand against a pink backdrop.
deleted

Got to love the suit here too.

12. That guy’s got some height to him.

anonymous

And his shoe size, too? Those are boats, man.

13. The lads seemed like they wanted to match each other.

Four teenagers pose in pairs at a dance or prom, standing in front of a colorful, balloon-decorated backdrop. The girls wear dresses, one floral and one black, and the boys wear dark blazers and light pants.
richelus

And they (unfortunately) kind of nailed it.

14. It looks like everyone is having a bit of a moment here.

A young man in a tuxedo and a young woman in a white prom dress with a red corsage stand indoors near a door labeled "PRIVATE." The woman looks at the camera while the man holds a cup.
deleted

Who even knows how long she could’ve spent on her hair here? Same goes for the lad.

15. The fits and the hairstyles are on point as far as prom looks go.

A young couple dressed in formal attire stands on a city sidewalk, with the young man’s arm around the young woman. Several people walk by in the background, and tall buildings line the street. The photo appears to be from the 1990s.
anonymous

Yes, they’ve got the soft-spoken, cool look going on nicely.

16. The background really steals the limelight.

A young couple dressed in formal attire poses for a prom photo, standing in front of a backdrop with a city skyline and swirling, abstract patterns resembling Van Gogh’s "Starry Night.
frozenhistory

The background here is intense to say the very least.

17. The dudes really loved the bangs look in the ’90s.

Four young adults dressed formally pose together and smile. Two women in white and green dresses stand beside two men in white tuxedos against a dark background.
frozenhistory

At least they seem to having a good enough time.

18. Everyone needs to lighten up just a tad.

Six young people wearing formal prom attire, with three men in white tuxedos and three women in pastel and black dresses, pose together in front of a shimmering silver backdrop.
frozenhistory

It’s like they don’t want to be there or something.

19. You might recognize this strapping young man on his way to his high school prom back in the ’90s.

A young man in a black tuxedo stands next to a young woman in a gold dress, both smiling, outside near a white limousine at night, with other people in formal attire in the background.
anonymous

Rest in peace to the legend that was and always will be, Kobe Bryant.

20. Yes, they nailed their fancy looks.

A young couple dressed formally pose together at a prom, standing on a small decorative bridge with green vines, against a navy blue backdrop with white star and constellation patterns.
frozenhistory

Good for them.

21. It seems we’ve arrived at the one friend that has everyone else’s facial hair prom picture.

Eight young men dressed in tuxedos and suits pose together in front of pastel balloons and a decorative backdrop, smiling at the camera, likely at a formal event such as a prom or dance.
anonymous

Plenty of us had that one friend who could pull off the epic facial hair while the rest of the group walked around sporting their peach fuzz.

22. Love a proper baby blue fit for prom.

A young couple poses in front of a blue, moonlit backdrop. The man wears glasses, a white tuxedo jacket, and black pants; the woman wears a shiny blue, vintage-style prom dress with white lace trim and a corsage.
frozenhistory

They went all in on the baby blue. I see you.

23. This guy seems like one of the cool kids in class.

A young couple in formal attire poses together, smiling. The woman wears a dark dress with green puffed sleeves and a floral corsage, while the man stands behind her in a tuxedo with a bow tie and boutonniere. They stand against a brick wall.
frozenhistory

Or at least his earrings look cool enough.

24. The fancy vest was a nice touch there, man.

A young woman in a black and white formal dress with gloves stands beside a young man in a vest and tie. They are smiling, posing for a formal photo with floral arrangements in white vases on either side.
frozenhistory

Because why not break out the fancy vest for a big prom night?

25. So many tender moments at those proms.

A young man in a tuxedo puts a corsage on a young woman wearing a dark green dress. They stand indoors by a brick wall with a golden map decoration behind them. Both appear dressed for a formal event.
anonymous

The anxiety that can build up before one attends their first prom is no joke.

26. These two knew how to get dressed up for the big night out.

A young couple dressed formally, with the woman in a black dress and the man in a black tuxedo, stand outside at night. There is a white car and some flowers visible in the background.
anonymous

High school kids can never seem to get enough prom pics, regardless of the decade.

Explore more nostalgic yearbook photos:

For more blasts from the past, check out 23 High School Yearbook Photos From the 1970s That Are Pure Gold, or 20 Images That Show What It Was Like To Go To High School In The 1980s, and 25 Photos That Show What High School Looked Like in the 1990s.

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