The only reason Shawshank is so popular is that they printed too many dvds of it at the beginning of dvds gaining popularity. So they basically gave them away. You couldn’t buy a DVD player without them bundling a copy in with it, and it filled bargain bins for years.
It’s not shit, but it’s so far from being ‘the best film ever’ as many lists (IMDb) included, would have you believe.
Forgot it was 90s tbh, as I’ve watched it at least twice a year since it came out, even went and watched it at the cinema a few years ago when it was remastered. It’s unashamedly one of my favourite films.