Sci-fi movies make up one of Hollywood’s biggest markets, and there are lots of exciting releases to look forward to in 2024. The best sci-fi movies allow viewers to explore vast and imaginative worlds, providing a sense of escapism. 2023 saw a number of successful sci-fi movies debut, from franchise installments like Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 to the original film The Creator. 2024 will have an upward trend for the genre, with far more releases slated.
2024 will see book adaptations, video game adaptations, original sci-fi films, and the return of major franchises like Alien, Planet of the Apes, Godzilla, and Mad Max. These movies are set to be directed by some of the best talent in the film industry, including Bong Joon-ho and Denis Villeneuve. Due to the SAG-AFTRA strike, many films have seen delayed release dates. While hopefully many of 2024’s films are set now, it’s still possible they could be pushed back again. If all goes as planned, 2024’s sci-fi lineup could make it one of the best years ever for sci-fi films.
14 Distant – January 19, 2024
The first sci-fi movie of 2024 is one that’s seen a rocky road to release. Distant was shot during the COVID-19 pandemic and was originally set to release in March 2022. The film was pushed back three times before finally setting on a January 2024 release date. With a cast that includes Anthony Ramos, Naomi Scott, Zachary Quinto, and Kristofer Hivju, Distant will follow an asteroid miner whose ship crashes on an alien planet. There, he must contend with his AI spacesuit and his environment as he attempts to rescue his crew member and survive.
13 Elio – March 1, 2024
Elio is Disney and Pixar’s newest animated film, which will hopefully break Pixar’s disastrous five-movie trend of box office bombs like Lightyear and Elemental. The movie will follow an 11-year-old boy named Elio, who accidentally becomes an Ambassador for planet Earth after being beamed into space by aliens. Elio has a fun sci-fi premise that promises bring some of the lighthearted and thoughtful joy Pixar movies have a reputation for.
12 A Quiet Place: Day One – March 6, 2024
A Quiet Place was a massively successful debut for John Krasinski as a writer and director, with both the movie and its sequel being commercial and critical successes. A Quiet Place: Day One is a prequel film led by Michael Sarnoski, who previously directed the film Pig. The prequel is set to star Lupita Nyong’o, Joseph Quinn, and Djimon Hounsou. With great talent involved, the franchise appears to be in safe hands as Krasinski takes a backseat as a producer.
11 Dune: Part 2 – March 14, 2024
Dune: Part Two is one of the most-anticipated sci-fi movies of 2024, especially after its delay from its original November 2023 release date. Directed by Denis Villeneuve and starring an ensemble cast headlined by Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Austin Butler, and Rebecca Ferguson, Dune has the chance to be one of the biggest films of the year. The film will conclude the story established in Dune: Part One, bringing the events of Frank Herbert’s classic sci-fi novel to a close and setting up an adaptation of its sequel.
10 Mickey 17 – March 27, 2024
South Korean director Bong Joon-ho received international acclaim for Parasite, building great anticipation for his upcoming sci-fi movie, Mickey 17. The film is set to star Robert Pattinson, Toni Collette, and Steven Yeun. Mickey 17 is one of the few sci-fi movies releasing in 2024 that isn’t connected to a larger franchise. The story follows a disposable human employee named Mickey, who is sent to colonize the ice world Niflheim. Mickey can be regenerated every time he dies, making him the perfect candidate for such a dangerous mission — though it may not go as smoothly as expected.
9 Untitled Ghostbusters: Afterlife Sequel – March 28, 2024
Reboots aren’t often met with praise, making Ghostbusters: Afterlife’s success a huge accomplishment. Ghostbusters: Afterlife 2 is in the works, with Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Finn Wolfhard set to reprise their roles. The film was delayed from its original December 2023 release date due to the SAG-AFTRA strike, which will likely ramp up anticipation further when it does debut.
8 Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire – April 12, 2024
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire will be the fifth movie in the MonsterVerse and a sequel to 2021’s Godzilla vs Kong. For fans of giant monster action movies, the film is set to continue in the franchise’s usual brand of storytelling. Godzilla x Kong was delayed to a new release date in order to avoid competing with Dune and the other blockbusters in March. It will see Brian Tyree Henry and Rebecca Hall reprising their roles from the previous installment. For Godzilla fans, the Japanese film Godzilla Minus One will also release on December 1, 2023.
7 Rebel Moon: Part 2 – April 19, 2024
Zack Snyder has become one of the most popular directors in Hollywood in recent years. Rebel Moon will be a sci-fi epic fans won’t even have to leave their homes for. Rebel Moon Part 1 will release on Netflix on December 22, 2023, and Part 2 will follow shortly after on April 19, 2024. Snyder’s original science-fiction epic is highly anticipated, promising tons of action and a mature tone. Rebel Moon takes major inspiration from Star Wars, as well as classic samurai films like Seven Samurai.
6 Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes – May 23, 2024
While Tim Burton’s Planet of the Apes reboot was a disaster, the 2010s reboot trilogy was a great success due to the direction of Matt Reeves. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is a follow-up to War for the Planet of the Apes, and it will be the first film of a new trilogy. The movie will star Owen Teague as Cornelius, the son of Caesar, as well as The Witcher star Freya Allan.
5 Furiosa – May 23, 2024
Mad Max: Fury Road was one of the best movies of the 2010s, as well as being a great reboot to George Miller’s classic sci-fi films. The primary difference between Fury Road and most reboots is that Miller himself returned to direct it. He’ll also be directing the prequel film, Furiosa, which will release in 2024. The spinoff will follow Anya Taylor-Joy as Furiosa, the character Charlize Theron portrays in Fury Road, as well as Chris Hemsworth as Fury Road antagonist Immortan Joe.
4 Transformers One – July 19, 2024
The Transformers returned to theaters for the start of its new saga with Transformers: Rise of the Beasts in 2023. While this series is set to continue, Transformers One is actually going to be an animated prequel film exploring the relationship between Megatron and Optimus Prime in their early days on Cybertron. Brian Tyree Henry will play Megatron, and Chris Hemsworth will play Optimus Prime. Scarlett Johansson is also set to appear as the Transformer Elita, meaning the cast of Transformers One has multiple A-list stars.
3 Borderlands – August 8, 2024
Video game adaptations have become more popular in recent years, and the upcoming Borderlands movie will add another one to the list in 2024. Based on the massively popular game, the film is set to be a summer blockbuster, starring Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, and Jamie Lee Curtis. Borderlands is intended to be a sci-fi action and comedy movie and is directed by Inglourious Basterds star Eli Roth.
2 Untitled Alien Film – August 16, 2024
The Alien franchise has been hit or miss since the first two movies, with Prometheus and Alien: Covenant both receiving mixed reviews. The upcoming installment is the first since Alien: Resurrection not directed by Ridley Scott, who will instead be producing. The film will be led by horror director Fede Álvarez and Priscilla star Cailee Spaeny. It is reportedly titled Alien: Romulus, though that isn’t confirmed as of this writing.
1 Sonic The Hedgehog 3 – December 20, 2024
The Sonic the Hedgehog movies have been surprisingly successful so far, with growing anticipation for the third installment due to the possibility of Shadow the Hedgehog joining the franchise. The popular character was hinted at in the Sonic the Hedgehog 2 post-credits scene and will hopefully be the antagonist of the third chapter. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 veers into sci-fi territory and is set to see most of its cast return, though Jim Carrey has not been confirmed as Dr. Eggman after announcing his retirement from acting.
