Top 10 Best Sci-Fi Movies
The Sci-Fi genre is arguably one of the most exciting in the film industry. The freedom of SciFi allows almost endless subject matter possibilities. Hence, Science Fiction movies, unlike other movie genres, are able to explore novel ideas and ask insightful questions about what the future holds.
There have been some fantastic Sci-Fi movies the past couple decades but there have also been some terrible Sci-Fi films made too. As an avid watcher of science fiction movies, I've sifted through my fair share of disappointing Sci-Fi flicks. To help others find the best Science Fiction movies out there, I've made a recommendation list of the Top 10 Science Fiction movies.
Note, you might also want to check out the Top 10 Science Fiction Movies that Make You That Make You Think list for some related recommendations.
#1: Blade Runner (1982)
A science fiction movie that pioneered the whole cyber punk movement and influenced the whole futuristic dystopian look that's now popular in video games and in cinema. The movie (which was originally panned in the North American box office) is hailed for its thematic complexity. With the retrofitted future portrayed by the film, Blade Runner has spawned an entire cinema and literary subculture. At its core, this movie grapples with what it means to be human in a world where humans can be manufactured. The film is credited with prefiguring important concerns such as globalization, overpopulation, climate change, and genetic manipulation. There are multiple versions of this film, but most fans feel the director's final cut is the true version.
#2: Gattica (1995)
In a world increasingly becoming influenced by genetic research, this movie has some terrifying relevance: what if you could be discriminated, not on the basis of race or color, but by your very genomes. This movie came out in 1995 and was way ahead of its time. The plot, characters, and questions explored make this film a must watch.
#3: The Matrix (1999)
The Matrix was pretty much a hodgepodge of Philip K. Dick ideas and various eastern mythologies -- but somehow the blend just works. Perhaps it was the over-the-top, never-been-seen special effects, or Trinity's skin-tight suit, but whatever the reason, the Matrix just plain rocks. Oh and the sequels? Forget they were ever made.
#4: Alien (1997)
A horror masterpiece set in an alien landscape. Everything about this film just works. It? big debate between fans whether Ridley Scott?'s film, Alien, is superior to the James Cameron's sequel, Aliens. Both films are great and the directorial style of both films is quite different. Out of personal preference, I prefer Alien, but Aliens is equally enthralling (and terrifying!).
#5: Star Wars (IV, V, and VI) (1977)
A blend of almost every mythical archetype you can think of but wow, what a set of movies. There's something magical
about these movies; maybe it's the vicarious pleasure of juggling some badass looking lightsaber while rescuing scantily clad princesses
that appeals to the nerd inside of us; or maybe it's the idea of a grand adventure in a far away galaxy infested with our
nerd fantasies. Whatever the case, the original Star Wars movies have been around for decades but still retain the original magic.
Star wars is a story that will appeal to all ages.
The new "prequel" series (Episodes I,II,III) are worth watching but lack the magic of the "original" trilogy.
#6: 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
If Helen was a face that spawned a thousand ships, then Author C. Clarke's 2001: A Space Odyssey is a book that spawned a thousand science fiction novels. The style of the movie (it's a Stanley Kubrick film so of course its got style) and the film's atmosphere really add dimension to Clarke's original novel. This is one of the great science fiction movies out there.
#7: Children of Men (2007)
This recent movie is one of the great disaster movies of our time. What's even more disturbing is the movie shows a plausible future that may not be that far off. The plausible storyline, great acting, and memorizing action sequences make this movie something special.
#8: The 5th Element (1997)
Sometimes you need a stylish, fun, over-the-top sci-fi action flick like The 5th Element. The 5th Element is full of bizarre characters and an even more bizarre world. It's great blend of high adventure, cyberpunk, adventure, romance, comedy, and Bruce Willis throwing around his guns. If you want a fun fun thrill ride through the galaxy that? entertaining as hell, you need to check out The Fifth Element.
#9: Tron (1982)
This oldie is still a real goodie. Tron is both action story and allegory critique of the personal computer revolution of the 80's. The Tron world makes techies into heros (sadly, no longer true ). With special effects out of this world in 1982, this cult classic is still enjoyable today and can be appreciated for what it was an still is: a damn fine science fiction flick.
The new Tron (Tron 2) lacks some of the magic of the old Tron, but is a pretty good action flick. Not good enough to replace Tron 1, however.
#10: 12 Monkeys (1996)
An action sci-fi flick with an intelligent plot and lots of action. While it lacks the pure visual style and situational comedy of The Fifth Element, 12 Monkeys delivers an altogether different sort of thrill ride. It's darker, more intelligent, and ultimately one of the best "intelligent" action sci-fi films out there. If you loved the likes of the Fifth Element and the action of Terminator series, 12 Monkeys is a film you should definitely check out.
Honorable Mentions
Here are quite a few more science fiction movies that could easily make the list:
- Equilibrium
- Minority Report,
- AI
- Jurassic Park.
- Terminator 1 and 2
- Moon
- District 9
- Monster
- The Thing
- Avatar
- close encounters with the third kind
- back to the future
- Brazil
- A Clockwork Orange
- Mad Max
- Planet of the Apes
Do you have your own Top Sci Fi Movie recommendations? Share them by posting a comment below!
The Fifth Element is one of my favorite science fiction movies.
5th element? Meh.
Movies that should have been on the list imo:
Planet of the apes
Metropolis
1984
the Road Warrior
Really? Moon was quite possibly the most overrated movie for a supposedly underrated movie. It was slow, boring, and not all that interesting. The story itself was a good idea, however it had the worst execution in writing. The low budget sets didnt help either. I cringed every time I saw the moon vehicle.
I thoroughly enjoyed Children of Men, The Matrix, Blade Runner, 12 Monkeys and The Fifth Element. Avatar, on the other hand, is a hyped-up piece of junk hatched from an over-used plot. I will never understand why some people thought that garbage was worthy of any awards, let alone being watched.
I thoroughly enjoyed Children of Men, The Matrix, Blade Runner, 12 Monkeys and The Fifth Element. Avatar, on the other hand, is a hyped-up piece of junk hatched from an over-used plot. I will never understand why some people thought that garbage was worthy of any awards, let alone being watched.
Oh come on now seriously lol that movie is junk,what about Babylon AD or the Terminators instead even Total recall but not that xD?
Oh come on now seriously lol that movie is junk,what about Babylon AD or the Terminators instead even Total recall but not that xD?
Just want to point out that the original Star Wars movies are IV, V, and VI...
Okay. First off, this is NOT a list of "fantasy" movies at all. These are all Sci-Fi or Post-Apocalyptic. BIG difference.
Gattaca sucked...plain and simple. And although I personally loved Blade Runner, Matrix and 12 Monkeys, they are not even close to being on a Top 10 list for fantasy. Maybe futuristic or sci-fi.
Alien was more Horror anyway. But fun movies.
Seriously...if you are going to say it is a list of Fantasy Movies. Then MAKE them fantasy movies.
My Top Ten list for "Fantasy" movies are:
#1) The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
#2) Conan the Barbarian (Original w/Schwarzenegger)
#3) Willow
#4) Legend
#5) The Princess Bride
#6) The 13th Warrior
#7) Ladyhawke
#8) Excalibur
#9) Highlander (1st one)
#10) The Dark Crystal / Labyrinth (tie)
Special Mention: The Clash of the Titans (1981 Original), Red Sonja, Dragonheart, Krull, Dragonslayer, The Beastmaster and The Neverending Story (1st one).
Movies I didn't like in the genre: Eragon, Dungeons & Dragons, Kull the Conqueror.
Now THAT is a fantasy list.
Cheers!
the infinite worlds based on the book by the grandmaster of science fiction h g wells an excellent 3 part mini series by hallmark deserving to be high on this list
too bad terminator isnt here. Well with lists like these its really hard to choose I guess, and hard to make everybody happy cuz each individual would come up with a very different list. I found the first two terminator movies to be a lot better than matrix and 5th element. Matrix was OK, just a nice action sci-fi flick but I find it overrated. Other movies that would make it to my list would be: pitch black (best survival sci-fi of recent rimes), Back to the future trilogy, equilibrium (which I see is in the other list), minority report, AI and Jurassic Park.
too bad terminator isnt here. Well with lists like these its really hard to choose I guess, and hard to make everybody happy cuz each individual would come up with a very different list. I found the first two terminator movies to be a lot better than matrix and 5th element. Matrix was OK, just a nice action sci-fi flick but I find it overrated. Other movies that would make it to my list would be: pitch black (best survival sci-fi of recent rimes), Back to the future trilogy, equilibrium (which I see is in the other list), minority report, AI and Jurassic Park.
too bad terminator isnt here. Well with lists like these its really hard to choose I guess, and hard to make everybody happy cuz each individual would come up with a very different list. I found the first two terminator movies to be a lot better than matrix and 5th element. Matrix was OK, just a nice action sci-fi flick but I find it overrated. Other movies that would make it to my list would be: pitch black (best survival sci-fi of recent rimes), Back to the future trilogy, equilibrium (which I see is in the other list), minority report, AI and Jurassic Park.
I'm a Sci movie lover... the 2001: A Space Odyssey it's a masterpiece no only in SCI but also in directing ... it's supposed to be the number one , he created all other movies .
:-)
Pandorum!!! Has anybody seen the movie Pandorum! if not you MUST!
Pandorum!!! Has anybody seen the movie Pandorum! if not you MUST!
This is a strong list, but you'll have to update it now that Avatar is out. Make room for it at the top! 
This is a strong list, but you'll have to update it now that Avatar is out. Make room for it at the top!