From Blade Runner to superhero movies, sci-fi films have become one of Hollywood’s biggest markets, but some have distinguished themselves as the best of the best. For movie lovers or sci-fi fans, some films are essential viewing. Narrowing down so many great sci-fi films requires an examination of their influence on the genre, direct cultural appeal, and how their quality has held up since their release.
Sci-fi is one of the most versatile genres in film. Whether it be epic, galactic warfare, dystopian societies, or family-friendly adventures, there’s something to love for everyone. The genre allows its viewers to escape into vast and imaginative worlds that often tell an important story about humanity, as the real world progresses rapidly through technology. Here are the best sci-fi films ever made, including some of the best movies of all time.
Frank Herbert’s novel, Dune, is a pillar of science fiction, and while it was previously adapted in the 1980s, it’s the 2021 film that really brings the book to life. Denis Villeneuve has had multiple notable contributions to the sci-fi genre already, having also made Blade Runner 2049 and Arrival in his first decade of Hollywood films. The 2021 Dune adaptation is only the first of two parts, but its success and popularity have already sparked talk of more Dune sequels beyond Dune 2‘s story, video games, as well as an HBO prequel series, all of which could be fantastic for the Sci-Fi genre in media.
9 The Thing (1982)
John Carpenter was known in the late 21st century for horror films, having revolutionized the genre with Halloween. The Thing is a sci-fi film that leans heavily into its horror premise, following a group of scientists in Antarctica who must survive against a creature that can take the form of its victims. The Thing is a terrifically crafted film, excelling in its performances and technical aspects which help hammer in the suspense of the monster plot.
8 E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
Steven Spielberg has made a number of great sci-fi films, like Jurassic Park, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and A.I. Artificial Intelligence. His crowning jewel in the genre is E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, one of the greatest family-friendly movies ever. As opposed to most sci-fi stories about war or dystopia, E.T. is the most grounded, following believable characters that have immediate and relatable problems. Appropriate for all ages, E.T. will be an experience that’s continuously passed on through generations.
7 Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991)
The Terminator is a great sci-fi movie, but Terminator 2: Judgement Day is commonly considered the best in the saga. Among James Cameron’s work in the genre, which also includes Avatar and Aliens, Terminator 2 is considered a revolutionary action film and one of the best movie sequels ever. Terminator 2 subverts expectations viewers would have after watching the first film, and takes the franchise in a new direction, following T-800 as the hero. The film also elevates Sarah Connor into becoming the iconic action hero she’s known as today.
6 Back To The Future (1985)
The ’80s were a legendary decade for Sci-Fi films, with classics coming out almost every year. While other films explored ideas of galactic empires, space travel, and alien life forms, Back to the Future brought time travel into the mainstream of Hollywood films while also showing that Sci-Fi could be mixed well with comedy. Filled with good-natured humor, iconic quotes, and lovable performances, Back to the Future is the best entry in the trilogy. That said, revisiting all Back to the Future timelines is always fun.
5 The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Though A New Hope is one of the greatest and most innovative sci-fi stories in cinema, The Empire Strikes Back is generally considered the greatest Star Wars film. Between epic war scenes, lightsaber duels, swamp planet training sessions, and parental drama, Episode V has it all. The film introduces Yoda, Boba Fett, and Lando into the Star Wars universe, and delivers the most shocking plot twist in the history of cinema. The cultural impact of Star Wars is undeniable, and The Empire Strikes Back sees the saga at its peak.
4 Alien (1979)
While Aliens is an incredible Sci-Fi film, the first Alien was like catching lightning in a bottle. Ridley Scott combined elements of horror with the science fiction premise, telling a story that completely contradicted what the genre imagined space like in Star Wars and Star Trek. While those science fiction hits captured a feeling of adventure and excitement, Alien made being on a spaceship seem dreadful and terrifying. Even compared to other monster films, Alien has always felt scarier due to the intelligence level of the alien, who continuously outsmarts the crew of the Nostromo.
3 The Matrix (1999)
The 21st century of action filmmaking owes a ton of credit to the influence of The Matrix, a film that utilized the CGI boom to show audiences something unique. While The Matrix is known for its wild action sequences, it also prompts the viewer to ask important questions about their own reality. These mind-bending ideas about free will and simulations were a central appeal of the film, tapping into the nerves of audiences who were surrounded by mass technological advancements in the real world. Over two decades later, The Matrix is even more relevant, with the divisive The Matrix Resurrections deconstructing the original’s legacy.
2 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
2001: A Space Odyssey is one of the most influential Sci-Fi films ever, pre-dating the genre being known for blockbuster action. 2001 is far slower-paced than most modern sci-fi or space exploration films, with many, long, slow-moving shots. The benefit of this is that every frame in Stanley Kubrick’s sci-fi epic is stunning. The painting-like visuals are the primary storyteller in 2001, a film that lacks exposition almost entirely and leaves many of its mysteries up to the viewer to ponder. With barely any dialogue, 2001 manages to tell a deeply captivating story about humanity’s place in the universe.
1 Blade Runner (1982)
Ridley Scott isn’t exactly known as a science fiction director, but he has directed two of the greatest and most influential science fiction films ever. From its cyberpunk aesthetic to its musical score, to its philosophical ideas, the final cut of Blade Runner is a beautiful film from start to finish. While it may not have large battles, Blade Runner’s action sequences are tense and visceral. Though, the film’s main strength is its writing, which offers some of the most profound storytelling in sci-fi cinema, which uses the medium to look inward at humanity.
