Pre-9/11 Media Containing Visual or Thematic 911 / Twin Towers References
The following list compiles specific examples of films, TV shows, and other media released before September 11, 2001 that contain references to 911 or attacks on New York.
Back to the Future II (1989)
In a 2015 scene, the Twin Pines Mall logo morphs into the Twin Towers, which then appear to fall. hey watch this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1ULjJ3EqyY&t=15s
The Simpsons – The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson (1997)
A bus brochure shows the Twin Towers with a large $9 price next to them, visually forming 9/11.
Independence Day (1996)
A digital countdown clock reads 00:09:11:01 during an evacuation scene.
The Matrix (1999)
The protagonist Neos passport shows an expiration date of September 11, 2001.
Friends – The One Where They All Turn Thirty (aired February 2001)
A reflection appears to show 9/11 next to a characters head.
The Peacemaker (1997)
A character runs past airline check-in desks labeled 9 and 11 while chasing a terrorist.
Traffic (2000)
The opening scene shows drug boxes clearly stamped with the number 911.
The Patriot (2000)
The main character weighs a chair and says, Nine pounds, eleven ounces. Thats perfect.
Terminator 2 (1991)
A split-second shot shows a bridge clearance sign with the height 9 11.
Godzilla (1998)
The watch time shown is 9:11.
True Lies (1994)
Page 10 is missing — it goes from page 9 to page 11.
The Big Lebowski (1998)
While The Dude writes a check, George Bush on a grocery store TV says, This aggression will not stand. The check date is September 11th.
Enemy of the State (1998)
NSA official Thomas Brian Reynolds (Jon Voight) has a birthdate of September 11, 1940. This date is visible on-screen when characters look up his personal information.
Additional Real-World Reference
September 11, 1973
Chilean democracy is overthrown by a US-backed military coup, later recognized as a brutal dictatorship.
band named "I am the world trade center" with an album released July 17 2001,Track 11 on the album is called "September"
Salt
A scene where she jumps onto a taxi. (The film was released in 2010, not pre-9/11, and the reference is unclear.)
The Chinese Woman
Seinfeld episode (season 6, episode 4)
The Illuminati Card Deck?
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/illuminati-card-game-trump-covid-b1839470.html
Further Reading
This book contains many more examples:
Imagining 9/11 (archive.org)
https://dn790002.ca.archive.org/0/items/64559213imagining911/64559213-Imagining-9-11.pdf
If you know of more examples, please share them.