The 25 Best Sci-Fi Movies Of All Time

Best Sci-Fi Movies: Read on for a list of 25 great science-fiction movies that will prod your imagination and intelligence.

Science fiction films are about exploration and the scope of ideas. Such movies have dealt with aliens, robots, space travel, time travel, the future, and more. So if you are someone who enjoys watching cutting-edge scientific dramas then read on. We bring you some of the best sci-fi movies ever made. 

Best Sci-Fi Movies

Here is a list of the most amazing sci-fi movies to watch. 

List Of Best Sci-Fi Movies

1. Star Wars

Star Wars remains one of the earliest and most loved science fiction movies ever made. In 1977, a small side project from George Lucas’s creative genius irrevocably altered the science fiction scene. The franchise has created several Star Wars movies. However, Star Wars Episode IV – A New Hope, is one of the best. It provides a compelling tale with a satisfying conclusion and a memorable antagonist.

2. 2001: A Space Odyssey

Stanley Kubrick’s gigantic philosophic film about space exploration is regarded as one of the greatest artistic achievements of the 20th century. The movie’s plot is broken up into four major sections – The apes, Heywood Floyd’s moon mission, Discovery One’s Jupiter flight, and the LSD finale. 

3. Blade Runner 2049

Blade Runner 2049 is so much more than just an improvement over the first Blade Runner. It has Roger Deakins’ stunning cinematography and is directed by Denis Villeneuve. Ryan Gosling and Harrison Ford share a leading role in the film, which was co-written by Hampton Fancher (Blade Runner) and Michael Green (Logan). 2049 is a long film that lasts three hours, but sci-fi aficionados will find it to be completely worth it.

(Also Read: 20 Best Motivational Hollywood Movies To Inspire You To Never Give Up)

Amazing Best Sci-Fi Movies

4. Planet Of The Apes

The first Planet of the Apes is an incredibly imaginative film. A crew of astronauts is taken by sentient apes after landing on a strange planet. In this movie, humanity returns to its primitive origins and faces the dreadful knowledge that time is passing. The picture’s conclusion is one of the best in science fiction history. It is also one of the very first genre franchises to emerge from Hollywood, spawning four sequels, two reboots, a TV series, a cartoon, comics, toys, and every kind of commercial tie-in you can imagine.

5. Men In Black

Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith have fantastic chemistry. Both the officers find themselves on an alien-infested Earth. With a delightful tone, filmmaker Barry Sonnenfeld indulges all of our craziest conspiracy fantasies. And transforms the world we live in into a hidden haven for a wide range of fascinating alien animals. 

6. The Day The Earth Stood Still

The Day the Earth Stood Still aimed to halt audiences around the world and ask them to consider what direction humanity should go in during a time of significant moral change. Many people consider The Day the Earth Stood Still to be a pacifist movie and a critique of the widespread use of atomic weapons during World War II.

Fantastic Best Sci-Fi Movies

7. Space Sweepers

Korean director Jo Sung-hee’s Space Sweepers is a well-rounded and coherent presentation with just as much dazzle. The leader of a large tech firm establishes an Eden on Mars virtually condemning the majority of mankind to poverty and pollution. A motley crew of space trash hunters, each looking out for their own self-interest, stumbles across a fascinating little girl who gets them involved in far bigger concerns. It’s a solid contender for Korea’s first sci-fi blockbuster, including captivating characters, exciting action sequences, and an interesting narrative.

8. The Matrix

The Matrix, produced by the inventive, genre-defying Wachowskis, sparked the imaginations of sci-fi fans everywhere. The first movie in the trilogy is absolutely awesome, even though the franchise never became the “new Star Wars” everyone thought it would be. There are many philosophical issues in this Keanu Reeves film. Also, the movie aspired to be more insightful and thought-provoking than the typical action flick. But it was never hesitant to bring in expertly choreographed gunfights and martial arts mayhem.

Thrilling And The Best Sci-Fi Movies

9. Alien

The Alien film series was characterized by the slogan “In Space, No One Can Hear You Scream.” Alien is a “monster in the home” horror flick. But here home is a spacecraft and the monster is a mouth-tongued beastie that lays eggs and uses people’s chests as doorways. The science fiction in this story is grimmer and the horrors feel more urgent and authentic.

10. Primer

Primer is a fantastic movie because it never simplifies its subject matter for the audience. Also, the film was made on a much lesser budget than most of the other sci-fi films. One must applaud Shane Carruth, who is the Primer’s writer, director, performer, and editor, for his consistently intriguing work. Primer is one of the most academically demanding films ever.

11. Her

Her is an emotionally devastating sci-fi film. Theodore (Joaquin Phoenix) has a tumultuous divorce and tries to reintegrate into a society that is changing. He establishes a connection with Samantha (Scarlett Johannson.), his artificial intelligence system after multiple failed relationships. What comes next is an endearing but ultimately heartbreaking story of loneliness in a society built to separate people more than ever. (Watch it on Amazon Prime)

Best Sci-Fi Movies Continued

12. Solaris

One of the most difficult movies in the genre is Andrei Tarkovsky’s science fiction epic Solaris. Even the most devoted fans of science fiction could get lost in the picture’s fictitious narrative. But don’t lose heart. Solaris rewards perseverance with an excellent conclusion. 

13. The Midnight Sky 

The Midnight Sky is a contemplative voyage that portrays the Earth as a fast-degrading wasteland and space as a perilous but ultimately optimistic new frontier. The movie, which alternates between the Arctic and a complex spaceship called the Aether, follows dying scientist Augustine Lofthouse (George Clooney). He tries to persuade those aboard the Aether to forgo their attempt to return to Earth after a cataclysmic event leaves most of the planet uninhabitable. Although it contains certain clichés, the entire plot is riveting and terrifying—and in the year 2020, it hits a bit too close to home.

14. Jurassic Park

We still get chills when Richard Attenborough’s John Hammond announces, “Welcome to Jurassic Park.” Only a Spielberg film could evoke such amazement and wonder! The film’s successes helped pave the road for CG technology advancements. The film provides just enough passion and character development to take the movie above plain popcorn entertainment.

(Also Read: 30 Best Christmas Horror Movies That Are A Must-Watch)

Best Sci-Fi Movies That Are A Must-Watch

15. Metropolis

Not only is Metropolis a fantastic sci-fi movie, but it’s also unquestionably among the finest silent movies ever made. The film depicts a society separated by class conflict. The wealthy elite resides in Metropolis’s tall skyscrapers and the underclass toil below. The graphic design and special effects of Metropolis are outstanding and still relevant today. Numerous additional sci-fi ventures, both on and off-screen, have been influenced by the movie. 

16. Okja

Okja is one of the best illustrations to date. It addresses how we may behave with integrity and, more importantly, how we can act with humanity toward all living things, including humans. Because Okja has asked all the correct questions and done it in a style it is really entertaining too. 

17. Forbidden Planet

The film is weirdly ancient and not-of-this-time, yet undoubtedly beautiful and compelling. It is a big-budget movie with astonishing visual effects. In what is in many respects an early version of the Star Trek scenario, Leslie Nielsen portrays the commander of the Earth spacecraft C-57D. The enigmatic figure of Nielsen finally discovers that there is only one other person living in this world, the Monster from the Id.

18. Black Mirror

You will find the black mirror on every wall, desk, and in the palm of every hand. The black mirror is the cold, glossy screen of a TV, a monitor, or a smartphone. This is not technically a movie, but the British TV show, Black Mirror portrays the negative impacts of technology on society. Even if our brave new world is unavoidable, it is largely horrifying.

List Of More Best Sci-Fi Movies

19. 12 Monkeys

Terry Gilliam elevates 12 Monkeys to the pinnacles of science fiction. The film is an amazing delight to see since it is jam-packed with humor, drama, and exciting action. A young Brad Pitt, Madeleine Stowe, and Bruce Willis all deliver standout performances that help the film come to life.

20. Sorry To Bother You

Sorry To Bother You is about a telemarketer (Lakeith Stanfield) who uses an accent to succeed at work. However, there is a conspiracy and he has to choose between continuing to gain profits or helping his friends. 

21. Back To The Future

In this science fiction classic, Michael J. Fox’s Marty unintentionally sends himself back to 1955. Before he can return home, he needs to stop his mother from pursuing a relationship, make sure his parents fall in love, and deal with the bully Biff. With Marty McFly, time travel mischief has never been more fun. Two movies were made as sequels, and in them, Marty’s issues only become more intricate. Though the series as a whole was considerably more consistently enjoyable than many sci-fi shows, we still think the original is the best of the bunch.

(Also Watch: 20 Best Korean Romantic Movies For Perfect Binge-Watching)

Best Sci-Fi Movies To Watch

22. Oxygen

This movie isn’t what you may expect. The renowned filmmaker Alexandre Aja, who created Haute Tension, is well-known for his extreme work. He’s not afraid to put his characters in intense and terrifying situations. The main difference between Oxygen and the rest of his work is that it is ultimately a love letter to human survival. The protagonist of the story wakes up in a cryogenic cell with no recollection of who she is or how she got there. She is informed by M.I.L.O the pod’s internal computer system, that she only has 33 percent of her oxygen reserve left. Only the inside of this pod is visible to us, thus we are unable to determine her exact location. What happens next?  You have to watch the movie to know. (Watch it on Netflix)

23. Under The Skin

In Scotland, a mysterious young woman lures lonely males at night. But circumstances force her to start a journey of self-discovery. Also, most of the characters in Under the Skin are genuine individuals going about their daily lives in Scotland rather than actors. 

Best Sci-Fi Movies

24. Inception

Cobb is a skilled thief who engages in corporate espionage by penetrating his targets’ subconscious minds. His task is to incept or implant another person’s idea into a target’s subconscious mind. Using dream-sharing technology he and his team have a tumultuous mission to accomplish. 

25. Arrival

A fascinating science fiction film with significant contemporary ramifications, Arrival is clever, complex, and somber. When an enormous spacecraft crash-lands at 12 different sites around the planet, linguistics professor Louise Banks (Amy Adams) is in charge of an elite team of investigators. Banks and her crew are in a race against time to figure out how to connect with the alien visitors as the world teeters on the brink of nuclear war. She takes a risk in an attempt to solve the enigma that may endanger her life and potentially the survival of all humanity.