This is a list of bestselling novels in the United States in the 1990s, as determined by Publishers Weekly. The list features the most popular novels of each year from 1990 through 1999.
The standards set for inclusion in the lists – which, for example, led to the exclusion of the novels in the Harry Potter series from the lists for the 1990s and 2000s – are currently unknown.
1990
The Plains of Passage by Jean M. Auel
Four Past Midnight by Stephen King
The Burden of Proof by Scott Turow
Memories of Midnight by Sidney Sheldon
Message from Nam by Danielle Steel
The Bourne Ultimatum by Robert Ludlum
The Stand by Stephen King
Lady Boss by Jackie Collins
The Witching Hour by Anne Rice
September by Rosamunde Pilcher
1991
Scarlett by Alexandra Ripley
The Sum of All Fears by Tom Clancy
Needful Things by Stephen King
No Greater Love by Danielle Steel
Heartbeat by Danielle Steel
The Doomsday Conspiracy by Sidney Sheldon
The Firm by John Grisham
Night Over Water by Ken Follett
Remember by Barbara Taylor Bradford
Loves Music, Loves to Dance by Mary Higgins Clark
1992
Dolores Claiborne by Stephen King
The Pelican Brief by John Grisham
Gerald's Game by Stephen King
Mixed Blessings by Danielle Steel
Jewels by Danielle Steel
The Stars Shine Down by Sidney Sheldon
The Tale of the Body Thief by Anne Rice
Mexico by James A. Michener
Waiting to Exhale by Terry McMillan
All Around the Town by Mary Higgins Clark
1993
The Bridges of Madison County by Robert James Waller
The Client by John Grisham
Slow Waltz in Cedar Bend by Robert James Waller
Without Remorse by Tom Clancy
Nightmares & Dreamscapes by Stephen King
Vanished by Danielle Steel
Lasher by Anne Rice
Pleading Guilty by Scott Turow
Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel
The Scorpio Illusion by Robert Ludlum
1994
The Chamber by John Grisham
Debt of Honor by Tom Clancy
The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield
The Gift by Danielle Steel
Insomnia by Stephen King
Politically Correct Bedtime Stories by James Finn Garner
Wings by Danielle Steel
Accident by Danielle Steel
The Bridges of Madison County by Robert James Waller
Disclosure by Michael Crichton
1995
The Rainmaker by John Grisham
The Lost World by Michael Crichton
Five Days in Paris by Danielle Steel
The Christmas Box by Richard Paul Evans
Lightning by Danielle Steel
The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield
Rose Madder by Stephen King
Silent Night by Mary Higgins Clark
Politically Correct Holiday Stories by James Finn Garner
The Horse Whisperer by Nicholas Evans
1996
The Runaway Jury by John Grisham
Executive Orders by Tom Clancy
Desperation by Stephen King
Airframe by Michael Crichton
The Regulators by Richard Bachman (Stephen King) Malice by Danielle Steel Silent Honor by Danielle Steel Primary Colors by Anonymous Cause of Death by Patricia Cornwell The Tenth Insight by James Redfield