As October heads into its final stretch, the pumpkins are out, the Halloween costumes are being prepared, and the candy is being purchased in distastefully large quantities. And while there is plenty of great horror to watch online, the major streaming platforms also offer a vast collection of top-tier sci-fi movies for those who aren’t looking to be spooked out of their skins quite yet.
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The Vast Of Night (Prime Video)
An overlooked modern gem, Prime Video’s The Vast of Night is perfect for sci-fi fans who are ready to start slipping into the Halloween mood. Released in 2019, the plot follows two youngsters in the 1950s as they investigate an unseen threat to their small-town community. Stranger Things lovers – and, by extension, Steven Spielberg lovers – will be well-catered for here.
An understated and low-budget production, be advised that The Vast of Night is not a sci-fi movie that relies upon grand CGI and big-name actors. What The Vast of Night does bring to the table is a tightly-crafted script, bundles of tension, and a terrifying climax that provides the perfect amount of questions to ponder as the credits roll.
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Men In Black (Paramount+)
For those seeking sci-fi suited to group viewing and nostalgia, Men in Black is the obvious solution. Sequels have released to diminishing returns since, but the magic of Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones’ original 1997 effort remains unmatched. Most of Men in Black‘s comedy holds up well in 2025, the Smith/Jones partnership never wavers, and the wacky ’90s aliens are brilliant fun.
It’s hard to find a movie that straddles the divide between amusing ’90s cheese and “oh, this is actually still great” as sweetly as Men in Black. Sequels exist, should Men in Black leave you in the mood for more, but the original is satisfying enough by itself to negate any need for delving into inferior follow-ups.
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Elysium (Netflix)
Neill Blomkamp soared to global prominence with the excellent District 9, and was quickly afforded a bigger budget with which to realize his lofty sci-fi ambitions. Elysium stars Matt Damon in a futuristic tale revolving around elitism and social injustice on the movie’s titular space station. Visually beautiful, clever in its messaging, and featuring a wondrously lush soundtrack, Elysium is a sci-fi movie that rewards repeat viewing.
Elysium often gets compared negatively to District 9, and while the latter certainly feels more vital and fresh, don’t let comparison be the thief of cinematic joy. Blomkamp’s first two directorial efforts are both deeply impressive, and judged on its own merits, Elysium remains one of the 21st century’s must-see sci-fi movie blockbusters.
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