We all love a good sci-fl flick, but we also all know that they’re really hit and miss. Some will always be our all-time favs, while others completely missed the mark. Whether you’re looking to expand your horizons or already love the genre, we’ve made a list of some of the best sci-fi flicks out there.
From aliens, space, technology, all the way to a dystopian world, we love every part of science fiction and all of the crazy, out-of-this-world ideas it has to offer. So, with 2020 around the corner, here are 10 sci-fi masterpieces of the decade, ranked from oldest to newest.
Super 8 (2011)
This underrated flick is the perfect mystery sci-fi thriller. Directed by the brilliant J.J. Abrams, this film takes place in the summer of 1979. A group of friends begin to investigate a series of mysterious events in the city, starting with a train crash. Soon, their discovery becomes all the more out of this world, and more terrifying than they could have imagined.
This movie will have you on the edge of your seat the whole time, and is definitely one of the better alien flicks out there today. Starring Elle Fanning, AJ Michalka, and Kyle Chandler, this is definitely one of our favs from the decade.
Interstellar (2014)
This film is pretty well-loved by physics nerds, but it’s still incredibly intriguing for anyone and everyone. Starring Matthew McConaughey, Jessica Chastain, Anne Hathaway, John Lithgow, Timothee Chalamet, and Mackenzie Foy, this movie is also directed by Christopher Nolan. We know, it must be fantastic, right? Well, it is.
This movie has all the wormhole mystery you could ever need, and is full of space travel, differing timelines, and the fight for humanity’s survival. Plus, it’s absolutely stunning. Go watch it, or re-watch it, for one of the best sci-fi experiences of the decade.
Ex Machina (2014)
This one definitely strays from the typical sci-fi space or alien story, but it’s just as riveting and intriguing. A young programmer is chosen to participate in an experiment dealing with artificial intelligence. To do so, they must evaluate the humanity of a highly advanced humanoid.
Directed by Alex Garland, this film stars Alicia Vikander, Domhnall Gleeson, and Oscar Isaac. This is a different, mind-blowing treat that might just shake you to your core.
The Martian (2015)
None of us can really pass up a Matt Damon flick, right? He plays an astronaut who ends up stranded on Mars. The twist, though, is that his entire team assumes he’s dead, so he must find a way to signal his survival.
This movie was nominated for 7 Oscars, and is definitely a visual masterpiece. You can also find Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Jeff Daniels, and Sean Bean in the mix. Matt’s performance is also astounding, but we don’t even need to tell you that, do we?
Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
This action adventure flick takes a more futuristic, dystopian spin on the genre. In a post-apocalyptic wasteland, a woman (Charlize Theron) decides to rebel against the cruel, tyrannical ruler of their society. She travels the wasteland in search of her homeland with a group of female prisoners, a worshiper, and a drifter – Max (Tom Hardy).
This movie is visually one of the most masterful films of the decade, regardless of genre. It won 6 Oscars, and definitely has a mad (pun intended) amount of action and high speed chases.
Arrival (2016)
This is another alien flick. However, this one will definitely send your mind for a spin. Starring Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, and Forest Whitaker, this film will definitely have you intrigued from start to finish and will make you feel like you should watch it all over again immediately. Amy Adams plays a linguist who is hired by the military to help them communicate with alien lifeforms that have appeared on Earth.
Seriously, this movie is mesmerizing, and we can’t explain it’s brilliance and mind-blowing content with words, so you’ll just have to watch it.
Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
We’ve be lunatics if we didn’t include this infamous flick, right? Ryan Gosling takes the lead reins in this one, and travels in the futuristic, apocalyptic world for secrets to his real past and identity. Yes, the original man from the original film, Harrison Ford, is also in the mix, along with Ana de Armas, Mark Arnold, Robin Wright, and Jared Leto.
This movie is honestly flawless from start to finish, from the visuals to the story to the acting to the pretty-much-everything-about-it.
Annihilation (2018)
This is another hidden gem that will definitely blow your mind and make you question what the heck you just watched. Our favorite kind of sci-fi flick, right? This movie has an all female cast of powerful and brilliant women, with Natalie Portman at the forefront. These women embark on a secret (and highly dangerous) mission into a mysterious zone that appears to be alien – and no laws of nature apply there.
This one is also directed by Alex Garland, and you can find Jennifer Jason Leigh, Tessa Thompson, Gina Rodriguez, Oscar Issac, and many more in the mix. Seriously, this movie is terrifying, brilliant, and totally messed up. We loved every second of it.
Ready Player One (2018)
Stepping away from aliens and space, this flick takes place in a dystopian, technology-consumed future. Everyone lives in a virtual reality, and when the creator of this world dies, it is revealed he left Easter Eggs in the world, and that the finder of them will receive his fortune and take control over the entire reality. This movie follows Wade (Tye Sheridan), a young boy who works together with his virtual friends to find the clues. However, it becomes a dangerous and volatile mission.
This is the perfect movie for video game nerds, movie geeks, and just about every lover of technology. This is the most fun film on the list, and it’s definitely entertaining from start to finish.
Ad Astra (2019)
The newest flick of the decade on this list is this visual masterpiece starring Brad Pitt. He plays an astronaut who is chosen to embark on a mission deep into the solar system to find out the truth about his missing father, whose 30-year-old mission is threatening the earth’s survival.
This movie actually tells an incredible story about humanity, and it’s definitely intriguing to watch. Plus, who doesn’t love a James Gray flick with this brilliant actor? Definitely one of our favs of the decade, and we think we’re hearing Oscar bells.
