It’s hard to definitively categorize sci-fi into an individual box. Unlike other genres, there is never a singular concept that sci-fi focuses on. Rather, it imagines scenarios in which humanity is unbounded from limits on technological innovation and advancement. Thus, the possibilities are virtually endless. In these movies, dystopian futures are a reality, the universe is explored to its greatest ends, and extraterrestrial life is prominent. Even with unlimited potential, it seems like the most famous sci-fi works typically implement a pessimistic perspective.
✕ Remove Ads
For example, Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner franchise, which will continue in 2025 with the series Blade Runner 2099, takes on the concept of hyper-advanced AI but does so in a bleak, depressing tone. Meeting other life forms has some positive implications, but the genre always assumes the worst. Several upcoming Alien movies will surely reinforce this trend, and offer a continuation in the story of the vicious Xenomorphs. Despite these tendencies, many great sci-fi movies feature feel-good endings.
10 Evolution (2001)
Directed By Ivan Reitman
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!
Evolution PG-13ComedyScience FictionAction
Evolution is a 2001 sci-fi comedy directed by Ivan Reitman. The film follows scientists Ira Kane and Harry Block, portrayed by David Duchovny and Orlando Jones, who are joined by Seann William Scott and Julianne Moore. They must thwart an alien threat after a meteor brings extraterrestrial life to Earth, jeopardizing human existence.
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US Release Date June 8, 2001 Runtime 101 minutes Cast David Duchovny , Julianne Moore , Orlando Jones , Seann William Scott , Ted Levine , Ty Burrell , Ethan Suplee , Michael Bower , Dan Aykroyd , Gregory Itzin , Pat Kilbane , Sarah Silverman , Michelle Wolff , Katharine Towne , Stephanie Hodge , John Cho , Steven Gilborn , Wayne Duvall , Kyle Gass , Jerry Trainor , Jennifer Savidge , Wendy Braun , Michael Chapman , Mary Pat Gleason , Andrew Bowen Director Ivan Reitman Writers David Diamond , David Weissman Expand
When it comes to the genre, Ivan Retiman’s Evolution is a hidden gem that’s often forgotten about. It’s one of the best sci-fi comedies and offers a lighthearted story that doesn’t take itself too seriously. The plot follows X-Files star David Duchovny as Ira Kane, a college science professor in Arizona. With the help of his geologist friend Harry Block (Orlando Jones), the two discover a new alien life form originating from a meteor.
✕ Remove Ads
Related 10 Best Sci-Fi Movies Of The Last 10 Years
The past decade has seen some incredible sci-fi movies which push the genre’s boundaries, including original ideas and the return of big franchises.
Posts3
The only problem is, it’s a malicious organism that rapidly evolves into more dangerous forms. As the species continues to change, the lead characters group up with unlikely individuals to take down Earth’s violent invaders. The movie is so much fun from start to finish, and the conclusion features newfound friends coming together to fight the complex creature using a hilarious method.
9 Free Guy (2021)
Directed By Shawn Levy
Close
✕ Remove Ads
Free Guy asks a question that video game enthusiasts have wondered for ages: What would it be like if a non-player character suddenly went off the rails? The film follows Guy (Ryan Reynolds), a bank teller who moves through his life in a routine that never changes. Suddenly, he starts getting the urge to do things differently and break free from his usual schedule.
Free Guy
marks late Jeopardy host Alex Trebek’s final movie appearance.
Guy quickly discovers that he is a background character in a massive open-world video game, and he suddenly has the power of free will. After becoming friends with a real player named Millie (Jodie Comer), he begins to uncover the truth about his circumstances, leading him into an epic battle for his reality. Free Guy features a great cast and cameos that truly elevate the plot. The ending is incredibly heartwarming, as the NPC ends up in an environment that contains all the best parts of life.
✕ Remove Ads
8 Edge Of Tomorrow (2014)
Directed By Doug Liman
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!
12 8.7/10 Edge of Tomorrow PG-13 Sci-FiActionThrillerAdventure
Edge of Tomorrow is a science fiction action film where Major William Cage, forced into combat against an alien invasion, discovers he is reliving the same day after dying. Partnering with Special Forces warrior Rita Vrataski, he utilizes this time loop to improve his battle skills and devise a strategy to defeat the extraterrestrial threat. The movie explores themes of resilience, adaption, and transformation in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US Release Date June 6, 2014 Runtime 1h 53m Cast Tom Cruise , Emily Blunt , Bill Paxton , Brendan Gleeson , Noah Taylor , Kick Gurry , Dragomir Mrsic , Charlotte Riley , Jonas Armstrong , Franz Drameh , Masayoshi Haneda , Tony Way Director Doug Liman Writers John-Henry Butterworth , Christopher McQuarrie , Jez Butterworth Studio(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Expand
After the release of the legendary 1993 comedy Groundhog Day, there have been many attempts to take on the challenge of a time-loop movie. Over the years, filmmakers have tackled the premise from many angles, whether it be from sources of technology or the supernatural. From the outlook, it may seem like a run-of-the-mill action film, but Doug Liman’s Edge of Tomorrow offers a sci-fi time cycle that’s incredibly well-thought-out.
✕ Remove Ads
The story portrays a future in which Earth is in the midst of a devastating war with formidable aliens. Major William Cage (Tom Cruise), an officer with no combat experience, is thrown onto the battlefield and dies immediately. However, he quickly wakes up two days before the invasion, realizing he’s stuck in a time loop. Edge of Tomorrow delivers a surprising amount of emotional and scientific depth for such a high-octane project. Better yet, it’s brought to a close with a cheerful ending that ties up all loose ends.
7 Arrival (2016)
Directed By Denis Villeneuve
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!
7/10 Arrival PG-13Sci-FiDocumentaryDramaMysteryThriller
Based on Ted Chiang’s short story “Story of Your Life”, Denis Villeneuve’s Arrival follows Louise Banks (Amy Adams), a linguist brought in to establish a line of communication with an alien species that have recently landed on Earth. With the help of physicist Ian Donnelly (Jeremy Renner), Banks begins to understand more of the aliens’ communications, and it alters her perception of life forevermore.
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US Release Date November 10, 2016 Runtime 116 Minutes Cast Michael Stuhlbarg , Forest Whitaker , Tzi Ma , Amy Adams , Mark O’Brien , Jeremy Renner , Nathaly Thibault Director Denis Villeneuve Writers Eric Heisserer , Ted Chiang Studio(s) FilmNation Entertainment , 21 Laps Entertainment , Lava Bear Films Distributor(s) Paramount Pictures Expand
As Alien and other related franchises have proven, it’s typically common practice to imagine otherworldly life forms as inherently malicious creatures. Although this route is more entertaining in some respects, it’s refreshing to see films that take the idea in a new direction. In Arrival, Denis Villeneuve takes on the gauntlet of cinematic alien depictions, but does so in an unconventional way.
✕ Remove Ads
The plot follows Dr. Louise Banks (Amy Adams), a linguist who is recruited to help make first contact with a mysterious alien species that suddenly appears on ships across the world. While it may seem like the visitors have ill intentions, the story takes a lighthearted turn. They’ve come for a virtuous reason, and it’s up to Banks to understand why. Although Arrival’s timeline can be a bit confusing, the intricate ending is heartwarming and offers a nuanced perspective on the perception of time.
6 Interstellar (2014)
Directed By Christopher Nolan
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!
49 9.2/10 Interstellar PG-13 Sci-FiDramaAdventure
From Christopher Nolan, Interstellar imagines a future where the Earth is plagued by a life-threatening famine, and a small team of astronauts is sent out to find a new prospective home among the stars. Despite putting the mission first, Coop (Matthew McConaughey) races against time to return home to his family even as they work to save mankind back on Earth.
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US Release Date November 7, 2014 Runtime 169 Minutes Cast Matthew McConaughey , Anne Hathaway , Jessica Chastain , Mackenzie Foy , Ellen Burstyn , Michael Caine , Bill Irwin , Timothée Chalamet , David Oyelowo , John Lithgow Director Christopher Nolan Main Genre Sci-Fi Writers Jonathan Nolan , Christopher Nolan Studio(s) Warner Bros. Pictures , Paramount Pictures Distributor(s) Paramount Pictures , Warner Bros. Pictures Expand
✕ Remove Ads
Christopher Nolan’s 2014 space adventure Interstellar truly needs no introduction. When it comes to the sci-fi genre, this film is in a league of its own. It effectively checks all the boxes, whether they be for writing, cinematography, or soundtrack. The story follows Cooper (Matthew McConaughey), a former NASA pilot living in a world plagued by crop blight. Eventually, Cooper is cast out on a mission into the stars to seek out potentially habitable planets.
By the end of the movie, Cooper embarks on a journey across different dimensions, demonstrating that actions aren’t confined to linear time and space. His voyage highlights the unspoken connection he shares with his daughter, and their eventual reunion is beautiful. Interstellar’s ending is extremely complex and a difficult concept to wrap one’s head around. However, it’s executed perfectly, which makes it one of Nolan’s best works.
✕ Remove Ads
5 Palm Springs (2020)
Directed By Max Barbakow
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!
Palm Springs RRomanceComedy
Palm Springs is a sci-fi comedy film that sees two strangers, Nyles and Sarah, who meet at a wedding reception and, after heading off for a night of debauchery, are tossed into a strange vortex that keeps them date locked in November 9th with no perceivable way out. Nyles and Sarah bond while trying to find an escape from the odd time loop as the truth behind the vortex slowly unravels.
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US Release Date July 10, 2020 Runtime 90 minutes Cast Dale Dickey , Jena Friedman , Camila Mendes , Cristin Milioti , Meredith Hagner , Conner O’Malley , Tyler Hoechlin , Chris Pang , June Squibb , Andy Samberg , Tongayi Chirisa , Brian Duffy , J. K. Simmons , Peter Gallagher , Jacqueline Obradors Director Max Barbakow Writers Andy Siara Studio(s) Hulu Distributor(s) Hulu Expand
Although Groundhog Day is typically considered to be the crown jewel of time-loop movies, there are several others worth watching. One of the most underappreciated films of this nature is Max Barbakow’s Palm Springs, a fun take on the traditional formula. The story is set on the day of a wedding, and one of the guests, Nyles (Andy Samberg), becomes stuck in an anomaly and is forced to repeat the same day over and over.
✕ Remove Ads
He eventually meets another wedding guest, Sarah Wilder (Cristin Milioti), who ends up in the same situation. The movie is downright hilarious, and it explores the possibility of an infinite day in a laid-back style. Since they’re both at a resort, there isn’t much for them to do, but they make the most out of their space. By the end, the two characters form a special bond and come to appreciate the life they’re given.
4 Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022)
Directed By Daniel Scheinert And Daniel Kwan
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!
10 9.4/10 Everything Everywhere All at Once RAdventureComedyAction
In Everything Everywhere All at Once, a middle-aged laundromat owner (Michelle Yeoh) is distracted from her financial and family issues by a multiversal crisis. With just her husband (Ke Huy Quan) to support her through the confusion, she must contend with her overbearing traditional father (James Hong), a pencil-pushing auditor (Jamie Lee Curtis), and her emotionally-distant daughter (Stephanie Hsu).
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US Release Date March 25, 2022 Runtime 132 minutes Cast Jenny Slate , Ke Huy Quan , Stephanie Hsu , Harry Shum Jr. , Jamie Lee Curtis , James Hong , Michelle Yeoh Director Daniel Kwan , Daniel Scheinert Writers Daniel Scheinert , Daniel Kwan
When it comes to A24 movies, they’re virtually guaranteed to feature an imaginative premise. However, the fabled film company’s 2022 action sci-fi Everything Everywhere All at Once was a true work of art and blew expectations out of the water. Truth be told, there isn’t any other project quite like it. The plot is packed with an absurd amount of content, and it’s really hard to put into words.
Everything Everywhere All at Once
brought home a whopping seven Oscars at the 95th Academy Awards.
✕ Remove Ads
The story portrays the life of Evelyn (Michelle Yeoh), who suddenly discovers that other dimensions exist. She is connected to additional versions of herself, and can effectively tap into different realities and abilities. By the end, Evelyn quite literally experiences everything, everywhere, all at once. As a result, she learns profound lessons and comes to realize the complex nature of love, family, and relationships. It’s a beautifully heartwarming film by all accounts, and the critical reception speaks for itself.
3 Gravity (2013)
Directed By Alfonso Cuarón
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!
6.3/10 Gravity PG-13DramaDocumentarySci-FiThriller
Alfonso Cuarón’s sci-fi thriller Gravity tells the story of Dr. Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) and Matt Kowalski (George Clooney) after they end up stranded in space after the destruction of their shuttle. Faced with near-impossible odds of survival, the pair plan to get themselves safely back to Earth despite the relentlessly harsh reality of space threatening to claim their lives at any moment.
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US Release Date October 3, 2013 Runtime 1h 31m Cast Sandra Bullock , George Clooney , Ed Harris , Orto Ignatiussen , Paul Sharma , Amy Warren Director Alfonso Cuarón Writers Alfonso Cuarón , Jonás Cuarón , George Clooney Studio(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Expand
In consideration of sci-fi, the exploration of the universe is arguably the most popular route to take. Even without the presence of murderous aliens, space itself is terrifying, and Alfonso Cuarón’s Gravity exemplifies this reality. The 2013 thriller takes place in Earth’s orbit, where Dr. Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock), an engineer, is beginning her first shuttle mission alongside astronaut Matt Kowalski (George Clooney).
✕ Remove Ads
During a routine walk, the shuttle is shockingly destroyed, marooning the two characters in the atmosphere with no means of communication. Gravity kicked off an impressive streak of space movies after its release and deserves its spot among the best in the genre. The application of visual effects is stunning, and it compliments the suspenseful nature. Dr. Ryan’s triumph against seemingly lethal circumstances makes it hard not to root for her. The ending is similarly impressive, symbolizing rebirth, resilience, and gratitude.
2 The Martian (2015)
Directed By Ridley Scott
Close
✕ Remove Ads
The Martian is easily one of Ridley Scott’s greatest movies. The film is adapted from Andy Weir’s 2011 novel of the same name. Given the complexity of its source material, the creators did an excellent job bringing the story to life in a thoughtful manner. The plot follows Mark Watney (Matt Damon), a botanist working on a Mars space station with other crew members. When a raging dust storm forces an emergency launch, Watney is left behind and assumed to be dead.
Related The Martian’s Alternate Ending Was Beautiful But Would’ve Ruined Matt Damon’s Sci-Fi Movie
The Martian has an alternate ending, which is arguably as beautiful and memorable as the original. However, it might have potentially ruined the film.
Posts1
As a result, he must do his best to survive in isolation while NASA works to bring him home. Even though there are strong elements of fiction, The Martian is praised for being scientifically accurate in many areas. The concept of being stranded alone on a planet is intriguing in itself, but the film elevates the premise by diving deep into the methodology of Watney’s decisions. As he works, audiences get a detailed look at the implications of surviving on Mars and are ultimately met with a touching sigh of relief by the end.
✕ Remove Ads
1 Back To The Future (1985)
Directed By Robert Zemeckis
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!
41 9.1/10 Back to the Future PGAdventureComedyFamilySci-Fi
Marty McFly, a 17-year-old high school student, is accidentally sent 30 years into the past in a time-traveling DeLorean invented by his close friend, the maverick scientist Doc Brown. In 1955, he meets his parents when they were his age, and must step in to make sure they wind up together before he gets back to 1985.
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US Release Date July 3, 1985 Runtime 116 minutes Cast Claudia Wells , Christopher Lloyd , James Tolkan , Thomas F. Wilson , Michael J. Fox , Wendie Jo Sperber , Crispin Glover , Marc McClure , Lea Thompson Director Robert Zemeckis Main Genre Sci-Fi Writers Robert Zemeckis , Bob Gale Studio(s) Universal Pictures Distributor(s) Universal Pictures Expand
Back to the Future deserves to be labeled as a legendary work of cinema. It’s undoubtedly one of the best time travel movies, and there isn’t much of a debate. The film brought massive popularity to the concept and established many of the genre’s common tropes. The sci-fi adventure follows Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox), who is transported 40 years into the past. Once there, he inadvertently disrupts the events of his existence and must work to make sure his parents fall in love.
✕ Remove Ads
Everything about Back to the Future is iconic. From the DeLorean time machine to the charismatic Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd), there are few other movies with the same level of memorable features. The plot blends nostalgic elements from multiple periods and presents them within a captivating narrative. It’s creative, lighthearted, and extremely entertaining. The conclusion has a similar feel-good tone, which offers a fitting end to an amazing story.