With numerous sci-fi-horror films on streaming platforms, it’s easy to overlook some hidden gems in the genre that are a must-watch. The combination of sci-fi and horror often works seamlessly, as science-fiction elements open up new realms of terror to be explored. These films can include killer robots, menacing aliens, futuristic technologies with dire consequences, and even alternate realities that are devastating to humanity.
The combination of these two genres can lead to stories on a grand scale, like space exploration or even smaller narratives that take place in a single room. The sub-gernre’s boundless possibilities have given rise to iconic films like Alien, The Thing, and Predator, some of which can be found in rankings of both the best sci-fi movies of all time and the best horror films ever. Due to the multitude of films in the sci-fi horror genre, some truly outstanding films may slip through the cracks. There are excellent, lesser-known sci-fi horror films that are available for streaming right now.
10 Cube
Directed By Vincenzo Natali
The 1997 movie Cube has a relatively simple premise of humans trapped in cubes working to escape. However, the film delves into a deeper study of human life. The story begins with five strangers waking up in the same room with no recollection of why they are there. As they navigate different cubes, they encounter new deadly obstacles that challenge their hopes of escaping.
The movie does not rely on brutal kills as its only source of horror, with the main fear coming from the threat posed by those around them. The film spawned two sequels, featuring new groups of people trapped in the cubes. Cube predated films like Saw and Hostel, making it a true pioneer in the genre.
9 High Life
Directed By Claire Denis
High Life is the A24 2018 science fiction horror film that follows criminals serving out their death sentences by being sent on a space mission to extract alternative energy from a black hole. The storyline is presented non-linearly, allowing the plot to unravel meticulously throughout the film. High Life stars Robert Pattinson, who delivers a sensational performance as Monte. The film explores themes of crime and punishment and finding hope in a helpless situation. High Life’s ending is both horrific and heartbreaking, making it a must-watch for any lover of the sci-fi horror genre.
8 Circle
Directed By Aaron Hann And Mario Miscione
Circle sets itself apart by having the majority of the story happen in a single room. The narrative revolves around 50 people waking inside a circular room, where they begin to be eliminated based on a distinctive set of rules that the room has set. The interesting part of Circle is that the group discovers they have the power to decide who dies next. The horror in this film comes from the people turning on each other to ensure that they are the last ones standing. The film is tense until the very end and delivers a satisfying twist ending.
7 Under The Skin
Directed By Jonathan Glazer
The A24 horror movie, Under the Skin, has a creepy atmosphere right from the start, which is maintained throughout the entire film. Under the Skin stars Scarlett Johansson as Laura, an alien entity inhabiting the form of a young woman searching for human prey. Johansson is masterful in her role, as she conveys so much while saying very little. The film explores themes of sexism, xenophobia, and self-identity. While the horrors of Under the Skin don’t come from excessive gore, they do come from the raw portrayal of humanity seen through the eyes of an alien.
6 Aniara
Directed By Hugo Lilja And Pella Kågerman
Aniara is a well-crafted horror film that is bleak, raw, and has a devastating ending. The movie starts with an overview of how pollution has ravaged Earth, rendering the planet uninhabitable. Humans board a ship that will take them to Mars, but things take a dire turn when the ship is knocked off course. The people on the ship grapple with the harsh realities of their new existence, which leads them to lose their sanity. The film focuses on themes of consumerism and culture, while the travelers face the devastating reality of the vastness of space.
5 Pandorum
Directed By Christian Alvart
Pandorum follows astronauts Payton and Bower, who wake up in hypersleep chambers with no memory of who they are and their mission. The horror intensifies once the pair realizes that they are not alone, and the fate of humanity hinges on what they do next. What sets this sci-fi horror film apart is the well-developed storyline. Pandorum also boasts impressive effects and a chilling atmosphere that continues throughout the film, which enhances the viewer’s experience and contributes to its unique tone.
4 The Platform
Directed By Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia
The Platform is a film that delivers an interesting take on capitalism and the class system. The story starts with Goreng volunteering to spend six months in The Pit to get an accredited degree. The Pit is an experiment where the inmates are fed on a descending platform, allowing the upper levels to take more than their fair share, leaving nothing for those below. The film’s ultimate message is that there is enough to go around, but greed is what leads to inequality. The film is thrilling until The Platform‘s ending, as Goreng works to change a broken system.
3 Event Horizon
Directed By Paul W. S. Anderson
Event Horizon starts with immediate intrigue as a spacecraft that vanished years earlier reappears, and a team is dispatched to investigate the ship. While the ship seems abandoned, it is clear that something is lurking in the corridors. Event Horizon‘s cast is led by Laurence Fishburne and Sam Neill, who deliver stellar performances as they go up against the formidable alien race. The film has truly terrifying elements and well-done special effects, which create an atmosphere that resembles a haunted house in space.
2 Men
Directed By Alex Garland
The movie Men follows Harper Marlowe, who spends the holiday alone in a small village after her husband commits suicide. The film contains many sci-fi elements like clones, androids, and an algorithm that takes away free will. While there are many gory effects and violence, a major part of the horror comes from the exploration of toxic masculinity. The film Men is multilayered, as it doesn’t rely on one thing to deliver horror. Instead, it seamlessly blends multiple horror and sci-fi elements, making the film both frightening and thought-provoking until Men‘s ending.
1 Vivarium
Directed By Lorcan Finnegan
Vivarium follows a couple who get trapped in a suburban neighborhood and are forced to raise a mysterious humanoid creature. The film stars Imogen Poots and Jesse Eisenberg, who work to escape the environment they have found themselves stuck in and the creature that has infiltrated their day-to-day lives. The movie feels almost claustrophobic for the audience, as the reality of the situation of being stuck in suburbia sets in. With its unique concept and intriguing sci-fi and horror elements, Vivarium is a must-watch for those seeking a compelling film in the sci-fi horror genre.
