Summary
- Not all sci-fi movies are created equal; some push boundaries in unexpected ways, changing viewer expectations.
- Genre tropes are subverted in films like “Under the Skin,” “Arrival,” and “Primer,” offering unique storytelling experiences.
- “Blade Runner,” “Moon,” and “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” challenge traditional sci-fi narratives with complex themes and characters.
Sci-fi is an inherently innovative and creative genre that ignites the imaginations of its viewers. However, not every sci-fi movie is created equal, as some push boundaries in ways the audience would never expect. These films break new ground on the viewer’s expectation of formula and the rules of space and time within the science fiction oeuvre. Frequent viewers of sci-fi movies can usually guess how a story will unfold based on previous films, but these projects changed what critics and viewers thought they knew about sci-fi.
Every genre includes plot twists and misdirects to a certain extent, but that’s not what makes sci-fi movies popular and interesting as works of speculative fiction.
There are certain sci-fi thriller movies with confusing stories that audiences and critics agree might never be fully understood. However, the mark of a genuinely creative and unique work of science fiction isn’t in its success at tricking the audience. Every genre includes plot twists and misdirects to a certain extent, but that’s not what makes sci-fi movies popular and interesting as works of speculative fiction. In order to subvert expectations and break away from the tropes that define the genre, a film must have an intimate understanding of the rules of sci-fi.
Related 10 Underrated Sci-Fi Movies With A Cult Following
Sci-fi movies are brilliant, but some niche and off-beat sci-fi films have managed to secure a cult following thanks to their incredible creativity.
10 Under The Skin (2013)
Directed by Jonathan Glazer
Under the Skin R Sci-FiThrillerDramaHorror
Under the Skin is a sci-fi thriller directed by Jonathan Glazer and starring Scarlett Johansson. Johansson plays “The Female,” an alien from another world that hunts men in Scotland. Despite receiving high praise upon release, Under the Skin was a box office bomb, only making a little over half of its budget.
Director Jonathan Glazer Release Date April 4, 2014 Studio(s) A24 Cast Dougie McConnell , Lynsey Taylor Mackay , Jeremy McWilliams , Scarlett Johansson , Kevin McAlinden Runtime 108 minutes
In a dramatic shift in her career, Scarlett Johansson signed on to play the protagonist of the film, an alien who takes the form of a young woman and preys on the men who cross her path.
Before Jonathan Glazer’s movie The Zone of Interest turned heads at the Academy Awards, the filmmaker was playing with form and character for many years. In a dramatic shift in her career, Scarlett Johansson signed on to play the protagonist of the film, an alien who takes the form of a young woman and preys on the men who cross her path. However, Under The Skin doesn’t make obvious claims about its themes or message. Moral judgments that would be obvious in a lesser script are left more ambiguous in Under The Skin.
Though praised by critics upon its release, Under The Skin remains popular only with its cult following despite Glazer’s recent successes. Equally beautiful and terrifying, Under The Skin toes the line between sci-fi and horror, making the audience question who they’re rooting for. The meandering nature of Under The Skin and the film’s ability to communicate so much with sparse dialogue is a testament to how much can be understood through visual language.
9 Arrival (2016)
Directed by Denis Villeneuve
Arrival PG-13Sci-FiDocumentaryDramaMysteryThriller Where to Watch
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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.
Director Denis Villeneuve Release Date November 10, 2016 Studio(s) FilmNation Entertainment , 21 Laps Entertainment , Lava Bear Films Cast Michael Stuhlbarg , Forest Whitaker , Tzi Ma , Amy Adams , Mark O’Brien , Jeremy Renner , Nathaly Thibault Runtime 116 Minutes
For audiences familiar with the short story, Story of Your Life by Ted Chiang that Arrival is based on, the twist might have been obvious, but it was still enormously impactful. The beats of Arrival wouldn’t work without Amy Adams’s anchoring performance as Louise, who is a linguist, called in to decode and understand the language of a species of aliens who land on Earth. Unlike other films surrounding alien invasions, Arrival is not a story of violence and destruction. It’s about communication and understanding.
Though there’s little direct physical action until the end of Arrival, the movie has no shortage of stakes and tension, as Louise is uncovering the secrets of the alien’s gift as soon as they encounter each other. Much of Arrival hinges on the fact the way humans experience time is only one way of traveling through the world and that nonlinear time could open up the human world to new possibilities. However, the most impactful part of Arrival is the choice Louise makes after she sees the entirety of her life laid out in front of her.
8 Primer (2004)
Directed by Shane Carruth
Primer (2004) PG-13DramaSci-FiThriller
Primer is a low-budget independent film directed by Shane Carruth that centers around two engineers, Aaron and Abe, who accidentally invent a device capable of time travel. As they explore the potential and ramifications of their discovery, the boundaries between reality and possibility blur, leading to unexpected consequences. Known for its complex narrative and minimalist approach, Primer challenges viewers with its intricate plot and scientific dialogue.
Director Shane Carruth Release Date October 8, 2004 Studio(s) Studio Canal Cast Shane Carruth , David Sullivan , Casey Gooden , Anand Upadhyaya , Carrie Crawford , Samantha Thomson , Brandon Blagg Runtime 77 Minutes
The time travel proposed by
Primer
is unlike anything else seen onscreen.
Primer is one of the best time travel movies of all time and for a film made on a microbudget, and many intense discussions about the physics behind time travel, this was quite a feat. Shane Carruth, the writer, director, and star of the film, has a background in mathematics and software development, making him uniquely qualified to dream up a project like Primer. However, the time travel proposed by Primer is unlike anything else seen onscreen.
It is an unglamorous and grueling process that takes intense physical and emotional tolls on the travelers. It becomes increasingly difficult to follow the many timelines and multiple versions of the past and future characters as they make the time stream more complex and convoluted. While the main characters turn to predictable time travel tropes like cheating the stock market and saving their loved ones, the ultimate effects are nothing the audience could have imagined.
7 Run Lola Run (1999)
Directed by Tom Tykwer
Run Lola Run (1999) RActionDramaThriller
Run Lola Run is a German thriller film that follows Lola, a young woman who must navigate the streets of Berlin to find 100,000 Deutschmarks to save her boyfriend’s life within 20 minutes. With the clock ticking, Lola’s desperation grows as she encounters a series of obstacles and characters that test her resolve.
Director Tom Tykwer Release Date March 3, 1998 Studio(s) X Filme Creative Pool , WDR Cast Franka Potente , Moritz Bleibtreu , Herbert Knaup , Nina Petri , Armin Rohde Runtime 81 Minutes
The German experimental film Run Lola Run is less about time travel than it is about the time loop that the protagonist, Lola, is stuck in until she can save her boyfriend. Franka Potente plays Lola and works herself to the bone as the loop gets more dangerous and heart-pounding with each iteration. Run Lola Run is a great sci-fi movie because it doesn’t explain how she came to be trapped in this time loop or the science at work behind the scenes, opting to let the audience draw their own conclusions about what’s happening to Lola.
Run Lola Run transcends genres as it’s just as fast-paced as an action movie and has all the sex and gore of a thriller, but it uses these familiar elements of filmmaking to play with the form and concept of a movie. Even while depicting the basest human desires and impulses, Run Lola Run remains introspective and pushes the audience to think critically about what they’re viewing onscreen. A smash at the international box office, the film remains a standout of the late 1990s.
6 Planet Of The Apes (1968)
Directed by Franklin J. Schaffner
Planet of the Apes (1968) GSci-FiAdventure Where to Watch
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George Taylor, an astronaut, finds himself on a strange planet ruled by apes after his spaceship crashes. In this topsy-turvy world, apes are the intelligent rulers while humans are mute and oppressed. Captured and held in captivity, Taylor’s struggle for survival leads him to an alliance with Zira and Cornelius, two chimpanzee scientists who recognize his intelligence. As Taylor uncovers the dark secrets of this civilization, he faces shocking revelations that challenge everything he knows about his own species and their future.
Director Franklin J. Schaffner Release Date April 3, 1968 Cast Charlton Heston , Roddy McDowall , Kim Hunter , Maurice Evans , James Whitmore , James Daly , Linda Harrison , Robert Gunner Runtime 112 Minutes
The timelines of all the Planet of the Apes movies have gotten confusing by this point in the series, but the original remains the best and most groundbreaking of the franchise. It stars Charlton Heston as George Taylor, the astronaut who finds himself on a planet where humans have primate-like intelligence and apes are the apex species. Planet of the Apes was unlike anything audiences had seen in 1968, as it openly questioned what it meant to be human and was a metaphor for the many social justice movements of the decade.
Though the final reveal at the end of
Planet of the Apes
might seem corny by today’s standards, it was an unbelievable twist in 1968.
Though the final reveal at the end of Planet of the Apes might seem corny by today’s standards, it was an unbelievable twist in 1968. Additionally, the makeup and prosthetics used to create the visual effects of Planet of the Apes were groundbreaking for the time, and they make an excellent case for the use of practical effects. While the newer Planet of the Apes films have incredible CGI, they have lost some of the warmth of the original.
5 Blade Runner (1982)
Directed by Ridley Scott
Blade Runner RDramaSci-FiThriller Where to Watch
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The original Blade Runner is a sci-fi neo-noir film set in 2019 in a dystopian cyber-punk society. Harrison Ford stars as Rick Deckard as a Blade Runner for the LAPD, tasked with hunting rogue replicants, genetically engineered humans designed to tackle tasks that human beings cannot. When four replicants go rogue and begin killing humans, Deckard is forced out of retirement to hunt them down and stop them – but the truth isn’t as simple as it seems. Deckard will have to reckon with the philosophical dilemma of what makes someone human.
Director Ridley Scott Release Date June 25, 1982 Studio(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Cast Harrison Ford , Rutger Hauer , Sean Young , Edward James Olmos , M. Emmet Walsh , Daryl Hannah , William Sanderson , Joe Turkel Runtime 117 minutes
Ridley Scott was and is one of the biggest names in sci-fi, with landmark films like Alien and his revolutionary project Blade Runner under his belt. Few cinema buffs can claim that they haven’t been transformed by the aesthetics and storytelling of Blade Runner. Harrison Ford, who was already associated with one of the most famous sci-fi franchises of all time, Star Wars, managed to shed the persona of Han Solo. He stepped into the role of Rick Deckard, creating one of the most iconic characters of all time.
The long-awaited sequel, Blade Runner 2049, is visually even more dynamic than the original, but the first Blade Runner has inspired generations of filmmakers. It could be argued that landmark works of film and television like Ghost in the Shell, Cowboy BeBop, and Gattaca wouldn’t exist without Blade Runner. However, being influential doesn’t automatically mean that something is innovative. Few other movies have been bold enough to interrogate critical intelligence and human violence as Blade Runner does.
Related 10 Best Sci-Fi Movies Based on Short Stories
Some of the most influential sci-fi movies of all time began life as short stories from writers such as Ted Chiang, Ray Bradbury and Philip K. Dick.
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4 Moon (2009)
Directed by Duncan Jones
Moon RMysteryDrama Sci-Fi Where to Watch
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Duncan Jones presents Moon, a sci-fi mystery drama that follows Astronaut Sam Bell, who has spent the last three years working at a lunar mine in isolation and is coming up at the end of his shift. However, as Sam prepares to return home to his family and meet his daughter for the first time, he begins to experience vivid hallucinations of a younger version of himself and begins to experience hazardous events. Before Lunar Industries arrives to relieve him of duty, he must uncover the reason for his recent psychosis and free himself of his mental prison.
Director Duncan Jones Release Date July 10, 2009 Studio(s) Sony Cast Sam Rockwell , Kevin Spacey , Kaya Scodelario , Benedict Wong , Dominique McElligott Runtime 97 minutes
The protagonist Sam, played by a brilliant Sam Rockwell, appears in many forms throughout the story, and the audience questions who the real Sam is.
Though fewer audiences have seen Moon than many of the biggest sci-fi heavy hitters, that doesn’t make it less important in the history of the genre. Moon is a test of patience and willpower for both the character and the audience. The protagonist Sam, played by a brilliant Sam Rockwell, appears in many forms throughout the story, and the audience questions who the real Sam is. Moon relies heavily on Rockwell’s performance, as he is practically the only character in the entire movie, and his scene partner is often himself.
It’s incredible that Moon was the director Duncan Jones’ directorial debut, as he’s in conversation with the whole of science fiction cinema that came before him. It’s this knowledge and understanding of cinema that allows filmmakers to then break the rules and defy all expectations. Moon asks questions about the ethics of cloning, humanity’s reach as we begin to travel the stars, and what it means to be human. It’s refreshing to see a film about a lunar station and not worry if the computer is going to take over, as Moon deftly avoids these overly done traps.
3 Vanilla Sky (2001)
Directed by Cameron Crowe
Vanilla Sky (2001) ThrillerSci-Fi
Vanilla Sky is a psychological thriller directed by Cameron Crowe, featuring Tom Cruise as a wealthy publishing magnate named David Aames. Released in 2001, the film explores themes of identity, reality, and the consequences of one’s actions, intertwined with surreal events. Co-starring Penélope Cruz and Cameron Diaz, the film is known for its intricate narrative and engaging performances. Vanilla Sky is a remake of the Spanish film “Open Your Eyes.”
Director Cameron Crowe Release Date December 14, 2001 Studio(s) Cruise/Wagner Productions , Vinyl Films , Sogecine , Summit Entertainment Runtime 136 Minutes Cast Tom Cruise , Penelope Cruz , Kurt Russell , Jason Lee , Noah Taylor , Cameron Diaz
Though viewers now almost exclusively think about Tom Cruise in relation to his action franchises like Top Gun and Mission: Impossible, he used to be a movie star in every genre of film. While his best dramatic performance is in Eyes Wide Shut, Cruise gives his all to portraying David in Vanilla Sky, which begins as a psychological thriller and then becomes so much more by the film’s conclusion. The sci-fi elements of the movie aren’t apparent until later in the story, but once the audience realizes the conceit of the story, everything falls into place.
Despite being a box office hit, Vanilla Sky wasn’t overly praised by critics, as the interweaving themes and metaphors are easily lost as the film treads more nebulous territory. However, this type of narrative has only become more popular in recent years. It is a self-aware project for a movie star as the plot is openly about the narcissism and shallow nature of people with money and power. Cameron Diaz’s turn as Julie is hauntingly unforgettable, as she holds just as much star power as Cruise.
2 Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind (2004)
Directed by Michel Gondry
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind RRomance Sci-FiDrama Where to Watch
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Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet star in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind as Joel Barish and Clementine Kruczynski, a couple who rediscover their love after erasing each other from their memories. The 2004 drama is written by Charlie Kaufman, directed by Michel Gondry, and includes Mark Ruffalo, Elijah Wood, Kirsten Dunst, and Tom Wilkinson in its cast.
Director Michel Gondry Release Date March 19, 2004 Studio(s) Universal Pictures Cast Kate Winslet , Jim Carrey , Elijah Wood , Kirsten Dunst , Mark Ruffalo Runtime 108 minutes
Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet give career-best performances in the incredible film that uses every cinematic trick in the book to give its viewers the most satisfying story possible.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is often misconstrued as a romantic comedy or a vehicle for the vehemently hated “manic pixie dream girl” trope, but it’s neither of these things. The movie is a dramatic meditation on what two people can mean to each other and the fact that the only way to experience true happiness in life is to suffer through loss and pain. Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet give career-best performances in the incredible film that uses every cinematic trick in the book to give its viewers the most satisfying story possible.
Almost universally beloved at its release, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind has only grown in audience and critics’ estimation. Utilizing a non-linear structure is something that many science fiction films attempt. However, few have captured its nuances and abilities so successfully as Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. The otherworldly elements of the films set the story on its path, but it’s the humanity of the characters that keeps the audience invested until the end.
1 Children Of Men (2006)
Directed by Alfonso Cuarón
Children of Men RActionDramaScience Fiction Where to Watch
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Directed by Alfonso Cuaron, Children of Men is a dystopian drama set in the year 2027, where infertility has left humanity facing the possibility of extinction. Clive Owen stars as former activist Theo Faron, with Julianne Moore, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Caine, Charlie Hunnam, and Pam Ferris in supporting roles.
Director Alfonso Cuarón Release Date January 5, 2007 Studio(s) Universal Pictures Cast Julianne Moore , Clare-Hope Ashitey , Clive Owen , Chiwetel Ejiofor , Michael Caine Runtime 109 minutes
Both a dystopian thriller and a dark addition to sci-fi movies, Children of Men doesn’t use the traditional elements of the genre but is still greatly emotionally impactful. The film primarily chronicles the journey of Theo and Kee as they try to find asylum for Kee as the last known pregnant woman on Earth. In the past few decades, dystopian films have seen an increase in themes about fertility and the end of the human race, but Children of Men manages to find some hope amid this darkness.
The director, Alfonso Cuarón, has captured other elements of sci-fi in his film Gravity, and the seeds of this later film can be seen in Children of Men. Children of Men has strong discussions of inequality and other social commentaries in its story, making it easy to forget that the narrative unfolding in front of the viewer isn’t happening in real life. Many of the most innovative and otherworldly films show their skill by transporting the audience completely into the story without overt or clunky exposition.