Sci-fi has been a staple of cinematic history since the early days of Hollywood. The genre explores concepts that go beyond reality’s capabilities, making film the perfect medium for these types of stories. On-screen sci-fi first garnered widespread popularity during the 1950s, mainly due to technological advancements and stylistic changes. However, it’s had a strong presence in cinema since the beginning of the 20th century. Georges Méliès’ 1902 masterpiece A Trip to the Moon is often cited as the earliest and most iconic sci-fi picture.
✕ Remove Ads
Since then, the genre has grown considerably. Several new sci-fi movies are coming out in 2025 that will surely be successful in theaters. Time and again, projects of this nature dominate box office numbers and captivate audiences. Sci-fi also holds the title of the highest-grossing film ever made, Avatar, which will continue its story with the new sequel Avatar: Fire and Ash. In consideration of the genre’s history, the early 2000s were filled with great releases, and many of them will turn 20 next year.
10 Sky High
Directed By Mike Mitchell
Close
Mike Mitchell’s 2005 superhero comedy Sky High is a forgotten gem that receives too little credit given how fun it is. Although it’s not a traditional sci-fi film by any measure, the presence of superhumans and baby-creating plasma rifles gives it enough content to fit the bill. Despite its more lighthearted nature, the movie is downright hilarious and deserves a shout-out. A Sky High sequel was originally put into motion but unfortunately got canceled.
✕ Remove Ads
Sky High is set in a world where certain humans are born with miraculous abilities. Will Stronghold (Michael Angarano) is the son of two mighty heroes and is just starting to get his powers. Consequently, he is sent to “Sky High,” a floating school for gifted students. As Will makes friends and becomes stronger, he starts to discover that there are dangerous motives behind his peers. The movie doesn’t take itself very seriously, but it only adds to its likability.
9 Fantastic Four
Directed By Tim Story
Your Rating
close10 stars9 stars8 stars7 stars6 star5 stars4 stars3 stars2 stars1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review
Your comment has not been saved
Your changes have been saved
Email is sent
Email has already been sent
My List My Favorite MoviesMy Watchlist
Success!
14 8.2/10 Fantastic Four PG-13
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US Release Date June 29, 2005 Runtime 106 Minutes Cast Ioan Gruffudd , Jessica Alba , Chris Evans , Michael Chiklis , Julian McMahon Director Tim Story
✕ Remove Ads
When it comes to superhero movies, the first, or techinically second, attempt at a Fantastic Four franchise is typically the laughingstock of the genre. There are a myriad of complaints surrounding the movie, especially compared to modern superhero films. Although it’s far from perfect, the hate towards the project is a bit excessive. Certain criticisms have merit, but all things considered, Fantastic Four is one of the most enjoyable sci-fi films to come out in 2005.
The 2015 version of
Fantastic Four
won three Razzies awards, including Worst Picture, Director, and Remake.
Fantastic Four is a perfect example of a movie whose lack of substance doesn’t detract from its entertainment value. If someone watches the film with certain expectations of story quality, then they’ll probably be disappointed. However, beyond the rough narrative exterior, there is a lighthearted adaptation of the heroic team’s origin that’s filled with laughs. Hopefully, Marvel’s dreams of creating a blockbuster about these superheroes will come true with Fantastic Four: First Steps in 2025.
✕ Remove Ads
8 Zathura: A Space Adventure
Directed By Jon Favreau
Your Rating
close10 stars9 stars8 stars7 stars6 star5 stars4 stars3 stars2 stars1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review
Your comment has not been saved
Your changes have been saved
Email is sent
Email has already been sent
My List My Favorite MoviesMy Watchlist
Success!
Zathura: A Space Adventure PG
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US Release Date November 6, 2005 Runtime 101 minutes Cast Jonah Bobo , Josh Hutcherson , Dax Shepard , Kristen Stewart , Tim Robbins , Frank Oz , John Alexander , Derek Mears , Douglas Tait , Joe Bucaro III , Jeff Wolfe Director Jon Favreau
When it first hit screens in 2005, Jon Favreau’s Zathura was slammed with horribly negative critical reception. While it might’ve been expected to be a family classic, it was a massive flop upon release. The Space Adventure movie had a heavy budget of $65 million but only managed to bring in $58 million worldwide, causing significant losses. Most people considered it to be a blatant rip-off of the beloved Jumanji and were consequently deterred from giving it a chance.
✕ Remove Ads
Thankfully, Zathura has slowly started to get the recognition it deserves. Although the premise is essentially a copy and paste of its jungle predecessor, the film is elevated by a sci-fi-themed twist. As brothers Danny (Jonah Bobo) and Walter (Josh Hutcherson) continue to play their galactic board game, the obstacles they face become increasingly more creative and whimsical. All in all, the movie takes its source material in an imaginative direction. While there unfortunately hasn’t been a sequel, the parent franchise will continue its modern adaptation in Jumanji 4 in 2026.
7 The Island
Directed By Michael Bay
Your Rating
close10 stars9 stars8 stars7 stars6 star5 stars4 stars3 stars2 stars1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review
Your comment has not been saved
Your changes have been saved
Email is sent
Email has already been sent
My List My Favorite MoviesMy Watchlist
Success!
The Island PG-13
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US Release Date July 21, 2005 Runtime 136 Minutes Cast Ewan McGregor , Scarlett Johansson , Djimon Hounsou , Sean Bean , Steve Buscemi Director Michael Bay
✕ Remove Ads
Considering the star-studded cast and high-octane director, it’s a surprise that The Island didn’t make more of a splash after its 2005 release. The film has predominantly flown under the radar for the majority of its existence. Despite the lack of popularity, this sci-fi action is incredibly entertaining and criminally underrated. The story surrounds a dystopian research facility that holds a shocking and sinister secret. At the front lies Lincoln Six Echo (Ewan McGregor) and Jordan Two Delta (Scarlett Johansson), who are inhabitants of the compound.
Related 10 Sci-Fi Movies That Are Considered Masterpieces
While some critics look down on the sci-fi genre, there are still a few undisputed masterpieces of the genre which receive universal praise.
Posts12
The outside world is supposedly contaminated, and each week, there is a lottery to determine who will go live on a “safe” island. Lincoln ultimately discovers that the island is used for organ harvesting and surrogate pregnancies, which kicks off a crazy sequence of events. When it comes to Michael Bay’s movies, The Island might not make it to the top of the list, but it’s still a solid action flick and a hidden gem.
✕ Remove Ads
6 The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy
Directed By Garth Jennings
Your Rating
close10 stars9 stars8 stars7 stars6 star5 stars4 stars3 stars2 stars1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review
Your comment has not been saved
Your changes have been saved
Email is sent
Email has already been sent
My List My Favorite MoviesMy Watchlist
Success!
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy PG
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US Release Date April 29, 2005 Runtime 109 Minutes Cast Bill Bailey , Martin Freeman , Yasiin Bey , Sam Rockwell , Zooey Deschanel , Bill Nighy Director Garth Jennings
When it comes to the sci-fi genre, there are plenty of disastrous doomsday movies in which the world ultimately gets destroyed. In the case of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, the Earth is demolished within the first few minutes of the runtime. Based on Douglas Adam’s book franchise of the same name, the 2005 comedy film is a certified classic. The plot follows Arthur Dent (Martin Freeman), who is approached by his friend Ford Prefect (Mos Def) with some shocking news.
✕ Remove Ads
It turns out that Ford is an alien trying to save Arthur from the planet’s impending destruction. The two escape on a spaceship into the stars, where Arthur discovers just how crazy the galaxy is. Although the movie isn’t completely faithful to its source material, it’s not meant to be an entirely thoughtful adaptation. Rather, it uses the basic fragments of the story and builds them around a narrative that’s laid back and funny. It’s one of the best sci-fi comedies of all time, and the absurd humor holds up nicely.
5 Robots
Directed By Chris Wedge
Your Rating
close10 stars9 stars8 stars7 stars6 star5 stars4 stars3 stars2 stars1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review
Your comment has not been saved
Your changes have been saved
Email is sent
Email has already been sent
My List My Favorite MoviesMy Watchlist
Success!
Robots PG
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US Release Date March 27, 2005 Runtime 91 Minutes Cast Ewan McGregor , Halle Berry , Paula Abdul , Robin Williams , Lucille Bliss , Terry Bradshaw , Jim Broadbent , Mel Brooks Director Chris Wedge , Carlos Saldanha
Chris Wedge’s 2005 sci-fi Robots is one of those films that always pops up in the old DVD organizers. It never seems to be mentioned in the discussion of the best animated movies, which is a shame considering how well-crafted of a work it is. The story is set in a world where humans are absent, and populations are made up of sentient robots. Rodney Copperbottom (Ewan McGregor) is a young robot who dreams of being an inventor and working for the legendary Bigweld (Mel Brooks).
✕ Remove Ads
Rodney eventually joins up with new friends to get to Bigweld but quickly discovers that things within the company have changed for the worse. Robots was ahead of its time in many ways. It’s rare for modern animated movies to have a premise as unique as this one. The humor is also extremely well-thought-out, with a blend of jokes that both children and adults will appreciate.
4 Serenity
Directed By Joss Whedon
Your Rating
close10 stars9 stars8 stars7 stars6 star5 stars4 stars3 stars2 stars1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review
Your comment has not been saved
Your changes have been saved
Email is sent
Email has already been sent
My List My Favorite MoviesMy Watchlist
Success!
9.8/10 Serenity PG-13
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US Release Date September 30, 2005 Runtime 119 Minutes Cast Nathan Fillion , Gina Torres , Chiwetel Ejiofor , Alan Tudyk , Morena Baccarin , Adam Baldwin , Jewel Staite , Sean Maher Director Joss Whedon
✕ Remove Ads
Serenity is a continuation of the 2002 sci-fi series, Firefly, a space western about a small transport crew amidst the aftermath of a futuristic universal civil war. Although the show had a relatively short existence, its popular story picked up three years later with the 2005 film. Upon its release, the movie went relatively unnoticed. During its theatrical run, it had a worldwide gross of $40 million against a budget of $39 million, which wasn’t impressive.
Considering that Serenity had a great premise that made it applicable to those who weren’t familiar with its source material, it’s a surprise that the film wasn’t more successful. There were a few inconsistencies concerning the continuity of the show, but overall, it’s a quality work of sci-fi that is bolstered by a great cast. Even without having seen the series, its cinematic follow-up offers an entertaining story on its own. In celebration of Serenity’s 20th anniversary, the Firefly cast recently had a reunion.
✕ Remove Ads
3 War Of The Worlds
Directed By Steven Spielberg
Your Rating
close10 stars9 stars8 stars7 stars6 star5 stars4 stars3 stars2 stars1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review
Your comment has not been saved
Your changes have been saved
Email is sent
Email has already been sent
My List My Favorite MoviesMy Watchlist
Success!
War of The Worlds PG-13
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US Release Date June 29, 2005 Runtime 116 Minutes Cast Tom Cruise , Dakota Fanning , Miranda Otto , Tim Robbins , Justin Chatwin , Rick Gonzalez , Yul Vazquez , Lenny Venito Director Steven Spielberg
In the discussion of fan-favorite sci-fi movies, War of the Worlds frequently makes an appearance. It’s one of the biggest-name blockbusters of the genre, and it’s got all the right components to meet the criteria. The film has excellent source material, an intriguing concept, and a heavy enough budget to bring the vision to life. The story follows Ray Ferrier (Tom Cruise), a divorced father going through the motions.
War of the Worlds
is based on H.G. Well’s 1898 sci-fi novel of the same name.
✕ Remove Ads
Things take a drastic turn when hectic events start to signal an alien invasion. When it comes to Steven Spielberg’s best movies, War of the Worlds isn’t one of the top contenders, but it’s a refreshing change from his typical style. The world is incredibly bleak and unforgiving, but it fits the tone of the narrative nicely. It’s all about the chaos and hysteria that would surround a potential nonhuman threat, and the film captures these emotions to the fullest extent.
2 Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge Of The Sith
Directed By George Lucas
Close
Without a doubt, Star Wars is the largest cinematic sci-fi franchise to ever exist. George Lucas effectively created an entire universe with these films, which has grown to insane lengths over the years. The original trilogy is universally loved, but in terms of the prequels, audiences are typically divided. Many people claim they weren’t necessary to begin with, while others think they round out the story.
✕ Remove Ads
Despite any conflicting opinions on where it should be ranked among Star Wars movies, Episode III – Revenge of the Sith was one of the greatest releases to come out of 2005, and it’s arguably the best installment of the prequel trilogy. The film finally brought Anakin’s (Hayden Christensen) transformation into Darth Vader to fruition, which audiences were dying to see. Even though it was far from perfect, the finale gives an epic sendoff to this early chapter of the saga.
1 V For Vendetta
Directed By James McTeigue
Your Rating
close10 stars9 stars8 stars7 stars6 star5 stars4 stars3 stars2 stars1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review
Your comment has not been saved
Your changes have been saved
Email is sent
Email has already been sent
My List My Favorite MoviesMy Watchlist
Success!
7.3/10 V For Vendetta R
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US Release Date March 17, 2006 Runtime 132 minutes Cast John Hurt , Hugo Weaving , Stephen Fry , Stephen Rea , Natalie Portman Director James McTeigue
✕ Remove Ads
In terms of sci-fi movies that will be celebrating their 20th birthday in 2025, James McTeigue’s V for Vendetta takes the cake. The film isn’t talked about nearly enough considering how high the quality is. Based on Alan Moore and David Lloyd’s graphic novel of the same name, V for Vendetta imagines a dystopian version of London plagued by fascist government practices.
Related V for Vendetta’s Movie Adaptation Cut Its Most Prophetic Detail
The Wachowskis’ 2005 film V for Vendetta may have been a watershed moment in superhero cinema, but it lost something crucial with one excised element.
Posts
The story follows a masked vigilante known as V (Hugo Weaving), who begins to chip away at the regime using unique acts of terrorism. Although the movie was later released to general audiences in early 2006, it made its first major premiere in December 2005. With an epic leading character, nuanced plot, and captivating fight sequences, V for Vendetta checks all the right boxes. Compared to its source material, it’s a bit more lighthearted, but it’s undoubtedly a thoughtful adaptation and worth a watch.
✕ Remove Ads