Sci-fi is one of the best genres of film purely for the imagination and creativity that go into making the movies, but some iconic sci-fi hits go under the radar, amassing a cult following. Sci-fi is a huge genre which encompasses fictional stories grounded in some sort of scientific rationality. Whether that equates to these movies being based in the distant future, on a far-off planet, or simply including some sort of alien invasion, there are plenty of ways for the genre to be interpreted.

However, movies don’t always reach levels of critical and commercial success, despite being incredibly well-crafted films. Whether the marketing budget was non-existent after expensive sets and CGI, or the movie failed to grab attention upon initial release, there are plenty of great sci-fi movies that have grown to have a cult following after they left theaters. Fortunately, in the era of streaming, many of these movies are available to be viewed without needing to have a physical copy of the original movie.

10

Sunshine (2007)

The Sci-Fi Cult Classic That Rose from Commercial Failure to Fan Favorite

Sunshine is a 2007 movie directed by Danny Boyle, who previously had huge success with films like Trainspotting and 28 Days Later. He also teamed up with writer, Alex Garland, who wrote the screenplay for 28 Days Later, and would go on to write and direct incredible films like Ex Machina. However, despite the talent behind the project, and the incredible ensemble cast featuring Cillian Murphy, Chris Evans, Michelle Yeoh, Benedict Wong, Mark Strong, and more, the film was a commercial flop (via The Numbers).

The reviews for the film are largely positive, scoring 77% on Rotten Tomatoes, but the film failed to reach a large audience upon release. In the years since it’s release, and with several of the cast and crew continuing to grow ever more popular, the film has begun to see a resurgence. With a dying sun and the future of the solar system in danger, it is down to one team to save the world.

9

High Life (2018)

The Polarizing Indie Sci-Fi Horror That Garnered a Devoted Fanbase

2018s High Life starring Robert Pattinson is an independent production which performed extremely well in festivals, but did not quite manage to capture imaginations for a wider release. The film follows a non-linear format, and adopts a sci-fi horror element as the narrative unfolds and the truth about what happened on a ship hurtling towards a black hole plays out. Pattinson plays a man named Monte who remains on the ship with his young daughter as the only survivor.

The film received a great deal of praise from critics, but proved incredibly divisive among most. While it is certainly not a movie intended for everyone, the movie does have a fanbase that is extremely loyal and passionate about the movie and its deeper meanings. For anyone considering watching this movie, it is important to at least briefly look at the reviews and choose whether to watch what could equate to an extremely traumatizing or triggering film.

8

Galaxy Quest (1999)

From Parody to Beloved Sci-Fi Comedy Classic

On a very different note, Galaxy Quest is a sci-fi comedy film that acts as a clear parody to Star Trek and similar films and fanbases. The movie features a star-studded cast including Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman, Sam Rockwell, Tony Shalhoub, Tim Allen, and Daryl Mitchell as the leading characters. A movie about a popular sci-fi TV series get recruited to save a race of aliens who have watched the show and believed it was a documentary.

The movie is hilarious, and plays with the audience who are likely to also be fans of projects like Star Trek. The film did gain popularity and recognition, with some outlets even ranking it among the best Star Trek movies of all time (via The Verge). However, the movie’s greatest success came in the years after it released as the movie became more widely known and celebrated.

7

Scanners (1981)

David Cronenberg’s Cult Classic of Telepathic Terror

By the time that David Cronenberg made Scanners in 1981, he had already been making movies and TV for the best part of 20 years. However, Scanners was different. However, his work had just begun to be recognized in more mainstream circles. However, it did mean that Scanners failed to have a significantly wide release, but in the years since it was first released, it has grown to have a dedicated cult following.

Scanners explores a futuristic world where some people are gifted with telepathic and telekinetic abilities. However, these special few are hunted and used by a malicious group known as ConSec. The film is one of Cronenberg’s most notable and influential, as his style of body horror continued to inspire other iconic filmmakers such as Guillermo del Toro and Shin’ya Tsukamoto.

6

Tetsuo: The Iron Man (1989)

Shin’ya Tsukamoto’s Visceral Sci-Fi Horror Masterpiece

Speaking of Shin’ya Tsukamoto, his most renowned film, Tetsuo: The Iron Man, was heavily inspired by David Cronenberg’s movies. Tsukamoto rose to prominence in 1989 when he released a horrifying and twisted science fiction horror movie as his feature-length debut. Not to be confused with the famous Marvel superhero, Tetsuo is the harrowing story following the transformation of a man into a mechanical hybrid monster.

Tetsuo is not a movie for the faint of heart, and the bizarre imagery, pacing and style make it very unique. However, the movie has developed a cult fanbase that hold it and its director in high regard. While the movie and its style is difficult to summarize, it has been compared to works by David Lynch and Sam Raimi, along with Tsukamoto’s biggest inspiration, David Cronenberg.

5

Idiocracy (2006)

The Sci-Fi Comedy That Predicted the Future

Once again, changing tone and looking at a much more light and laidback sci-fi story, Idiocracy is one of the greatest sci-fi comedy movies of all time. However, the movie received significant pushback from studios and major sponsorship partners due to the derogatory way in which brands and corporations were featured in the film. In fact, it was surprising the film got made in the first place.

Despite receiving a minimal release by the studios, the film starring Luke Wilson and an array of great comedy actors such as Terry Crews, Maya Rudolph, Dax Shepard, and Justin Long went on to gain cult status. The movie centers on a man of extremely average intelligence who accidentally ends up in the future, where IQ levels have dropped to an astonishing low, and brands and mega-corporations rule the world.

4

Under The Skin (2014)

Scarlett Johansson’s Enigmatic Sci-Fi Gem

A much more recent sci-fi release that boasts incredible talent managed to slip under the radar when it was released in 2013. Under the Skin stars Scarlett Johansson as an alien who appears in a small Scottish village. Uniquely, the film features very few professional actors, with many scenes being recorded with hidden cameras and Johansson being the only professional performer involved.

The movie provides an interesting look at humanity through the lens of an actual alien, who is unfamiliar with humans and their quirks. The film initially made the rounds at festivals before receiving a small release where it failed to recoup the $13.3 million invested to make the film (via The Numbers). However, it has been the recipient of many awards and praise from critics. It now enjoys a small, but dedicated fanbase who laud it as one of the best sci-fi movies of all time.

3

Brazil (1985)

Terry Gilliam’s Absurdly Dark Sci-Fi Satire

In 1985, a much darker sci-fi comedy movie explored a possible future where a bureaucratic dystopian tale plays out. Similar to the world of the novel Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell, the world of Brazil dives deep into a reality where the staples of modern society are pushed to their extremes and reveal a terrifying future. Hyper-surveillance, technology that is used to guide every aspect of daily life, corporate greed and so much more plagues the people of this futuristic satire.

The film is, like many of the other cult films listed here, distinctly different to other movies in its genre. Where dystopian movies frequently lean into the darker nature of their stories, Brazil is lifted by comedy and humor. The story may be similar, but the absurd humor sets it apart and creates a barrier between the darker messages and ideology, and the audience. However, for the dedicated fanbase, exploring that narrow divide is a large part of the enjoyment when it comes to watching Brazil.

2

They Live (1988)

A True Cult Classic Sci-Fi Satire

John Carpenter is best known for his contributions to the world of horror, with films like Halloween, The Thing, and The Fog. However, one of his best films is severely underappreciated outside the cult following it built. They Live is a sci-fi horror movie which shines a light on the dark underbelly of a society ruled by the greed and consumption of secret alien invaders.

The message of the film is clear with the protagonist, a drifter, finding a pair of magical sunglasses that reveal the truth of alien overlords and subliminal messaging coming from every direction. While the film conveys this greed and corporate rule being doled out by a group of aliens who have nothing to do with the poor and struggling human population, Carpenter draws clear parallels between the haves and the have-nots with his clever storytelling, which ultimately made this movie a cult classic.

1

Repo Man (1984)

A Quirky Dive into Sci-Fi Comedy

Repo Man is a gem of a sci-fi comedy film starring Emilio Estevez. The film features an array of bizarre and surreal scenes, as the story follows a young man who is struggling to get by and takes a job as a repo man. On his journey, he encounters some odd figures who declare that aliens are on Earth, but he shrugs this off as being ridiculous.

As the movie progresses, the events and figures mentioned throughout coincide in a massive crescendo as they all end up chasing a car with some extraterrestrial passengers. The movie is quirky and wild, but it also managed to grow a cult following. While it may not be a traditional sci-fi story, and it certainly didn’t resonate with everyone, the movie is confident and assertive in delivering its own brand of twisted comedy, earning it respect and admiration from many.