The Best Sci-Fi Movies

The Best of the Best Science Fiction Movies

See the ranking

The Sci-Fi genre is arguably one of the most exciting in the film industry. The freedom of Sci-Fi allows almost endless subject matter possibilities. Hence, Science Fiction movies, unlike other movie genres, are able to explore novel ideas and ask insightful questions about what the future holds.

There have been some fantastic Sci-Fi movies over the past couple of decades, but there have also been some terrible Sci-Fi films made too. As an avid watcher of science fiction movies, I've sifted through my fair share of disappointing Sci-Fi flicks. To help others find the best Science Fiction movies out there, I've made a recommendation list of the Top 10 Science Fiction movies.

Note, you might also want to check out the Top 10 Science Fiction Movies that Make You That Make You Thinklist for some related recommendations.

The ranking

1

Blade Runner

The dystopian future presented by Blade Runner is one scourged by social decay; it's an intense and prophetic look at a world plagued with some of the realities we face today: overpopulation, globalization, climate chang...

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2

Gattaca

Gattaca

In a world increasingly influenced by genetic research, Gattaca has some terrifying relevance: what if you could be distinguished, not on the basis of race or color, but by your very genes? This movie came out in 1995 an...

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3

The Matrix

The world is a machine and reality is a fake; this action-packed thriller really makes you question your perception of reality. With the increasing role computer technology plays in our lives and the ever-expanding compu...

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4

Alien

A horror masterpiece set in an alien landscape. Everything about this film just works. The big debate is between fans about whether Ridley Scott's film, Alien, is superior to the James Cameron's sequel, Aliens. Both film...

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5

Star Wars (iv, V, And Vi)

A blend of almost every mythical archetype you can think of but wow, what a set of movies. There's something magical about these movies; maybe it's the vicarious pleasure of juggling some badass-looking lightsaber while...

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6

2001: A Space Odyssey

This movie explores several ideas but the most prominent (and famous) is the idea of an AI rebelling against human masters. 2001: A Space Odyssey is the most realistic portrayal of this scenario. To some extent, this ide...

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7

Children Of Men

A recent movie that gives us a glimpse of a terrible dystopian future without hope: humans can no longer reproduce. This dark future is just realistic enough to send chills up your spine. With current headlines monopoliz...

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8

The 5th Element

Sometimes you need a stylish, fun, over-the-top sci-fi action flick like The 5th Element. The 5th Element is full of bizarre characters and an even more bizarre world. It's great blend of high adventure, cyberpunk, adven...

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9

Tron

This oldie is still a real goodie. Tron is both action story and allegory critique of the personal computer revolution of the 80s. The Tron world makes techies into heroes (sadly, no longer true). With special effects ou...

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10

12 Monkeys

An action sci-fi flick with an intelligent plot and lots of action. While it lacks the pure visual style and situational comedy of The Fifth Element, 12 Monkeys delivers an altogether different sort of thrill ride. It's...

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11

Inception

Inception

by Nolan, Christopher

A man, highly skilled in entering people's dreams to extract secret information, is offered a chance to implant an idea in another man's head, a practice known as inception.

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12

Interstellar

Interstellar

A journey through the otherworldly science behind Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated film, Interstellar, from executive producer and theoretical physicist Kip Thorne. Interstellar, from acclaimed filmmaker Christophe...

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13

Avatar

by Dimartino, Michael Dante

Avatar: The Last Airbender creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko bring The Promise to its explosive conclusion! The Harmony Restoration Movement has failed, and the four nations are plunged back into war!...

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14

The Empire Strikes Back

The Empire Strikes Back

by Glut, Donald F.

Based on the story by George Lucas and the screenplay by Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan The adventures of Luke Skywalker did not end with the destruction of the Death Star. Though the Rebel Alliance won a significant...

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15

Terminator 2

Terminator 2

The Terminator’s back in this magnificent, behind-the-scenes look at The Terminator and Terminator 2: Judgment Day. Long before Titanic and Avatar broke box-office records and won countless awards, James Cameron announce...

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16

Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind

Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind

by Kaufman, Charlie

In the new Charlie Kaufman film directed by Michel Gondry, Joel (Jim Carrey) is stunned to discover that his girlfriend Clementine (Kate Winslet) has had her memories of their tumultuous relationship erased. This shootin...

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17

2001 A Space Odyssey

2001 A Space Odyssey

by Clarke, Arthur C.

The classic science fiction novel that captures and expands on the vision of Stanley Kubrick’s immortal film—and changed the way we look at the stars and ourselves. From the savannas of Africa at the dawn of mankind to t...

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18

Big Hero 6

Big Hero 6

The villainous Yokai has stolen the microbots, so Hiro develops high-tech super suits for his team in order to get the microbots back.

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19

Jurassic Park

Jurassic Park

by Crichton, Michael

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From the author of Timeline, Sphere, and Congo, this is the classic thriller of science run amok that took the world by storm. Nominated as one of America’s best-loved novels by PBS’s The G...

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20

Her

Her

by Lane, Harriet

You don't remember her--but she remembers you. Two different women; two different worlds. On the face of it, Emma and Nina have very little in common. Isolated and exhausted by early motherhood, Emma finds her confidence...

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21

Star Trek

by Miller, John Jackson

"Based on Star trek and Star trek: the next generation created by Gene Roddenberry, and Star trek: deep space nine created by Rick Berman & Michael Piller."

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