The sci-fi genre has long been a place where strange and mind-bending movies come to thrive, and some truly amazing sci-fi movies have been directed by talented and creative women. Sci-fi, otherwise known as science fiction, is a genre that blends scientific elements with storytelling. Thus, tales of space, aliens, robots, and burgeoning technology all fall under the category of sci-fi. Over the years, sci-fi has grown immensely. From 1977’s very first Star Wars movie to 2024’s Dune: Part Two, audiences have plenty of content to enjoy. Yet, some may be yearning for a more feminine perspective.
There have been some outstanding sci-fi movies that have been directed by women. Though it could be argued that sci-fi is a male-dominated genre, many women directors have thrown their hats into the ring and proven that they have just as much to offer audiences. The best sci-fi movies directed by women are those with unique concepts, incredible performances, and groundbreaking visuals. These are films that are unforgettable, and one or more of them have made a serious impact on the genre as a whole. All in all, these are definitely worth the watch.
10 Testament (1983)
A Small California Town Faces Nuclear Disaster
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One early example of a fantastic woman-led sci-fi movie is Testament. This film, directed by Lynne Littman and based on a short story called “The Last Testament” by Carol Amen, is about Hamlin, California. The fictional and idyllic California town is just like any other suburb until they receive the horrifying news that nuclear devices up and down the coast have detonated. One family, the Wetherlys, must press pause on their regular lives in order to survive in this new apocalyptic world.
Jane Alexander was nominated for an Academy Award for her role as Carol Wetherly in
Testament.
Upon its release in 1983, Testament received largely positive reviews. It has an 89% on Rotten Tomatoes, and in recent years, has been continually lauded as an evocative sci-fi movie. The best part of Testament is that it isn’t like other sci-fi movies. There are no explosions or special effects. Instead, the movie relies solely on its characters and how they interact with each other. In this way, Testament will certainly make audiences think about how society might change in the face of disaster.
9 Turbo Kid (2015)
An Orphaned Teen Takes On A Dystopian Wasteland
Turbo Kid 0
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In a post-apocalyptic future, THE KID, a young solitary scavenger obsessed with comic books must face his fears and become a reluctant hero when he meets a mysterious girl named APPLE. Despite their efforts to keep to themselves, ZEUS, the sadistic and self-proclaimed leader of the Wasteland, plagues THE KID and APPLE. Armed with little more than blind faith and an ancient turbocharged weapon, THE KID learns of justice and friendship and embarks on an incredible journey to rid the Wasteland of evil and save the girl of his dreams.
Director François Simard , Anouk Whissell , Yoann-Karl Whissell Release Date August 15, 2015 Writers François Simard , Anouk Whissell , Yoann-Karl Whissell Cast Munro Chambers , Laurence Leboeuf , Michael Ironside , Edwin Wright , Aaron Jeffery
A more recent sci-fi film with a lot to offer is Turbo Kid. Directed by filmmaking trio, Anouk Whissell, Yoann-Karl Whissell, and François Simard, Turbo Kid follows The Kid, a teenager who is an expert in scavenging the wastelands of his dystopian home. However, when a cruel overlord kidnaps The Kid’s crush, he must take on his most dangerous mission yet by saving the girl he loves.
Related 10 Most Influential Sci-Fi Movies That Inspire Every Film In The Genre
These sci-fi movies completely changed the genre, and their influence can be seen in the many visual and narrative references in other sci-fi movies.
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Turbo Kid is quite the opposite to Testament in that it gives audiences exactly what they would expect from a sci-fi movie: a strange new land full of quirky technology and risky conflicts. Yet, what puts Turbo Kid over the edge is its dedication to fun. The movie leans heavily into its tropes to make for an abundant and vivid piece. Audiences are often left feeling nostalgic, which is probably why the film has earned a 91% on Rotten Tomatoes.
8 Teknolust (2002)
A Bio-geneticist Creates Artificial Intelligence
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For those seeking striking visuals, Teknolust is absolutely the way to go. This 2002 movie is directed by Lynn Hershman Leeson, and follows an altruistic woman named Rosetta Stone. As a bio-geneticist, Rosetta wants to create artificial intelligence that can help improve the world. Yet, once she creates her Self-Replicating Automatons, she finds that changing the world may not be as simple as she once thought.
Teknolust
may not have the best critical reviews, but that doesn’t mean audiences should sweep it under the rug.
Teknolust may not have the best critical reviews, but that doesn’t mean audiences should sweep it under the rug. Leeson’s movie definitely has some experimental elements that are probably not to everyone’s liking, yet the movie explores topics and themes that are still meaningful. Plus, Tilda Swinton gives a strong performance as Rosetta Stone. In this way, Teknolust is a great choice for those who crave something very different.
7 Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (2012)
Neighbors Embark On A Mission As The World Ends
Seeking a Friend for the End of the World 1
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Seeking a Friend for the End of the World follows two strangers, played by Steve Carell and Keira Knightley, who set out on a road trip to find a high school sweetheart before an oncoming asteroid brings forth the end of the world.
Director Lorene Scafaria Release Date June 22, 2012 Writers Lorene Scafaria Cast Steve Carell , Keira Knightley , Connie Britton , Melanie Lynskey Runtime 101minutes
Where some sci-fi movies can be devastating, others bring more light into the world. The next movie is the latter. Seeking A Friend For The End of the World is a rom-com movie that begins when society learns that an asteroid is headed towards earth, and will obliterate everything in a month. As a result, boring salesman Dodge must deal with his wife suddenly leaving him. However, when Dodge’s quirky neighbor delivers him a love letter from his wife, they decide to team up in the name of love and win Dodge’s wife back.
Once again, Lorene Scafaria’s Seeking a Friend for the End of the World does not have the most stellar reviews, at 55% on Rotten Tomatoes, but that shouldn’t be a huge strike against the movie. Keira Knightley and Steve Carell bring hilarious and heartwarming performances to this movie, which is almost sure to touch anyone who watches it. Furthermore, the movie’s ending may not be for everyone, but as Roger Ebert noted, “Isn’t the dilemma of the plot the essential dilemma of life?”
6 Deep Impact (1998)
A Comet Hurtles Toward Earth
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Deep Impact follows a group of astronauts and scientists who race to stop a massive comet from destroying all life on Earth. Téa Leoni stars as journalist Jenny Lerner alongside Elijah Wood as novice astronomer Leo Beiderman, Robert Duvall as Captain Spurgeon “Fish” Tanner, and Morgan Freeman as US President Tom Beck.
Director Mimi Leder Release Date May 8, 1998 Writers Michael Tolkin , Bruce Joel Rubin Cast Tea Leoni , Elijah Wood , Morgan Freeman , Robert Duvall , Vanessa Redgrave
One of the very first box office hits on this list is Deep Impact. Directed by Mimi Leder, this sci-fi flick has a fairly simple premise. A comet is on its way to destroy Earth, forcing the President to make a difficult decision. He sends a team of astronauts into space with the mission of putting explosives on the comet to blow it up before it can hit the planet. Humanity sits and waits with the hope that they can all survive this crisis.
Related 10 Classic Sci-Fi Movies That Can’t Actually Be Rebooted
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On a budget of $80 million, Deep Impact earned a stunning $349 million at the box office. It ended up being the sixth-highest-grossing movie of 1998. Aside from that, Deep Impact has remained a memorable disaster film. Though some critics felt that the film was melodramatic, others noted that the film was more brooding than your typical action flick. In this way, Deep Impact offers sci-fi fans a little bit of everything, from an action-packed premise to thoughtful themes.
5 Advantageous (2015)
A Mother Tries To Survive In An Opulent World
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Advantageous is a science fiction drama set in a near-future dystopia where a single mother, played by Jacqueline Kim, faces unemployment and must undergo a radical procedure to secure her daughter’s future. Directed by Jennifer Phang, the film explores themes of identity, sacrifice, and economic disparity, highlighting the societal pressures on women to conform and succeed in a technologically advanced but increasingly unequal world.
Director Jennifer Phang Release Date June 23, 2015 Writers Jacqueline Kim , Jennifer Phang Cast Jacqueline Kim , James Urbaniak , Freya Adams , Ken Jeong , Jennifer Ehle , Samantha Kim
An underrated sci-fi movie that is definitely worth checking out is Advantageous. The film, directed by Jennifer Phang, tells the story of Gwen, a woman in a dystopic future who works hard to provide a good education for her daughter. When she gets fired from her job though, Gwen must find a new way to make money. From there, she undergoes an intense procedure that will help her get her old position back by making her more youthful and racially ambiguous.
Advantageous
was originally released on Netflix.
Though not perfect, Advantageous is ideal for those viewers who want a movie to make them think. By exploring ideas of ageism, racism, and family dynamics, Phang creates a world that is stunning, scary, and effective. What makes this film truly great though, is how it connects to reality. The issues that Gwen faces easily parallel real problems society faces nowadays, making this movie something of a wake-up call to audiences.
4 Strange Days (1995)
A VR Salesman Stumbles On A Shocking Murder
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Strange Days is a science fiction film directed by Kathryn Bigelow, set in the near future of 1999. The plot revolves around ex-cop Lenny Nero (Ralph Fiennes), who deals in illegal virtual reality recordings. As the city erupts in chaos, Nero uncovers a conspiracy linked to the recordings, involving a range of characters played by Angela Bassett and Juliette Lewis. The film explores themes of technology and socio-political unrest.
Director Kathryn Bigelow Release Date October 13, 1995 Writers James Cameron , Jay Cocks Cast Ralph Fiennes , Angela Bassett , Juliette Lewis , Tom Sizemore , Michael Wincott , Vincent D’Onofrio , Glenn Plummer , Brigitte Bako , Richard Edson , William Fichtner , Josef Sommer , Joe Urla , Nicky Katt , Michael Jace , Louise LeCavalier , David Carrera , Jim Ishida , Todd Graff , Malcolm Norrington , Anais Munoz , Ted Haler , Rio Hackford , Brook Susan Parker , Brandon Hammond , Donald Donnie Young Expand
A film with a really unique and interesting premise is 1995’s Strange Days. Directed by the iconic Kathryn Bigelow, this movie follows Lenny Nero, a former police officer who makes money by selling virtual reality recordings to the public. These recordings allow users to relive moments from someone else’s life. Yet, when Nero discovers a recording of a murder, he enlists the help of his bodyguard friend to figure out what happened and who is responsible.
Kathryn Bigelow was the first woman to win an Academy Award for Best Director.
In some ways, Strange Days has it all. A well-known director, a star-studded cast including Ralph Fiennes and Angela Bassett, and a premise that is incredibly intriguing. Not to mention, the screenplay was written by James Cameron. All of these elements make Strange Days a perfect watch for sci-fi fans. Of course, this movie is far from perfect, but age has only made the film better. Bigelow explores deep and important topics in a world that is full of questions waiting to be answered.
3 Born In Flames (1983)
Feminist Groups Rebel Against Their Society
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Another feminist sci-fi movie that should definitely be on viewers’ radars is Born In Flames. A docufiction drama, Born In Flames follows several different women who are part of feminist rebellion groups in a dystopic New York City. Though each woman comes from a different background, they each fight for equal rights. Furthermore, each of them faces sexism that drags down their causes. The movie is directed by Lizzie Borden.
On top of that,
Born In Flames
is unapologetic in its feminist themes, which was likely quite groundbreaking in 1983.
With an 88% on Rotten Tomatoes, Born In Flames is an evocative and intense film. Borden uses real footage of violence from the streets of New York to make her sci-fi film feel even more realistic. On top of that, Born In Flames is unapologetic in its feminist themes, which was likely quite groundbreaking in 1983. Overall, Born In Flames is unlikely to be like any sci-fi movie audiences have seen before.
2 High Life (2018)
A Man & His Daughter Struggle To Survive In Space
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High Life, directed by Claire Denis, stars Robert Pattinson and Juliette Binoche in a science fiction story about a group of criminals sent on a mission to extract energy from a black hole. As the journey unfolds, the crew confronts the isolation of deep space while struggling with their pasts and the manipulative intentions of those in charge.
Director Claire Denis Release Date September 26, 2018 Writers Claire Denis , Jean-Pol Fargeau , Geoff Cox Cast Robert Pattinson , Juliette Binoche , Andre 3000 , Mia Goth , Agata Buzek
A highly celebrated sci-fi film from the last few years is High Life. Directed by Claire Denis, the movie follows a man and his young daughter who are the last survivors of a doomed space mission. The pair must rely on each other for hope as their spacecraft hurtles towards a black hole. High Life stars Robert Pattinson and Juliette Binoche. It is told in a nonlinear fashion and explores the ideas of humanity and morality.
Among the many great sci-fi movies on this list, High Life may be the most cinematic. It is visually stunning and offers very deep and blunt questions about humanity. This is yet another movie that is apt to make audiences think about society and what everything means. In this way, it is a movie that isn’t as concerned with action and entertainment as it is with uncovering the secrets of what it means to be a human on this flawed planet.
1 The Matrix (1999)
A Young Man Realizes He Is In A Simulation
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The Matrix, directed by the Wachowskis, stars Keanu Reeves as Neo, a hacker who discovers that reality is a simulated construct controlled by intelligent machines. Laurence Fishburne and Carrie-Anne Moss co-star as Morpheus and Trinity, who help Neo navigate and ultimately challenge the artificial world. The film blends action, philosophy, and groundbreaking visual effects, establishing itself as a pivotal entry in the science fiction genre.
Director Lana Wachowski , Lilly Wachowski Release Date March 31, 1999 Writers Lilly Wachowski , Lana Wachowski Cast Keanu Reeves , Laurence Fishburne , Carrie-Anne Moss , Hugo Weaving , Gloria Foster , Joe Pantoliano
What is likely the most popular sci-fi movie directed by a woman is The Matrix. Directed by Lily and Lana Wachowski, this cult classic follows Neo, a man who wants to learn more about a place called The Matrix. In search of an answer to his question, Neo goes on a journey through space and time, only to discover that all of humanity may be at stake. Society is living in a simulation and Neo must help to break the spell.
|
Every Matrix Movie |
Year of Release |
|---|---|
|
The Matrix |
1999 |
|
The Matrix Reloaded |
2003 |
|
The Animatrix |
2003 |
|
The Matrix Revolutions |
2003 |
|
The Matrix Resurrections |
2021 |
The Matrix is one of the most notable sci-fi films for a number of reasons. The movie was groundbreaking in its use of action and special effects, particularly in the context of The Matrix’s world. Furthermore, the sleek cyberpunk aesthetic of the movie was unique and exciting for many audiences. On top of that, Keanu Reeves gives a great performance as Neo, which he continues to reprise in later The Matrix films. If there is any women-led sci-fi movie that all viewers must see, it is most definitely The Matrix.