5 uplifting sci-fi films to watch after Project Hail Mary
With the exception of “Star Trek” and a handful of other movies, so few sci-fi flicks feature positive and uplifting themes, instead portraying humankind caught in mass conflict with extraterrestrials or a never-ending struggle against oppression. And while many do a great job at portraying these grim scenarios, these days it’s refreshing to see hope for a rosier future.
“Project Hail Mary” does just that. It tells the story of science teacher Ryland Grace waking up on a spaceship thousands of miles from Earth with no recollection of how he got there. To save humankind, he must engage his smarts and some unexpected help. It is a journey that proves even the most daunting cosmic hurdles can be cleared with a bit of ingenuity.
Seeing the optimistic future of “Project Hail Mary” has us yearning for more sci-fi movies that highlight collaboration, compassion and understanding — traits that make us yearn for a better tomorrow. With that in mind, let’s look at five uplifting sci-fi films to watch after “Project Hail Mary.”
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‘Arrival’ (2016)
When expert linguist Louise Banks is called upon by the US government to study one of 12 extraterrestrial craft that have suddenly appeared over Earth, she must understand the alien heptapods’ deal, but this is one language she can’t learn from Duolingo. And he needs to pick it up fast, as all manner of suspicion, paranoia, and fear across world governments threaten to plunge the world into a global conflict.
A unique, haunting and visually arresting film, “Arrival” leans heavily into its non-linear narrative and redefinition of how we perceive and understand time and language. It’s anchored by Amy Adams’ melancholic yet empathetic performance as Banks, and its big reveal is a revelatory gut-punch to the senses. With a time-flipping narrative that enriches repeat viewing, the film is not just about the power of language and understanding, but also about determinism and cherishing what we have while we have it.
Released to critical acclaim — and yet another hit for director Denis Villeneuve, an auteur who never seems to miss — the film’s central message emphasizes that to truly understand one another, we must be open, vulnerable, and accepting.
“Contact” walks a tightrope between the intersection of science and faith, before declaring, like several films released since its ‘97 debut, that the answer to life, the universe, and everything else might have something to do with both. A Robert Zemeckis film based on the beloved Carl Sagan’s novel of the same name, the movie tells the story of Dr. Ellie Arroway, a SETI scientist looking for signs that little green men might just be out there. It all comes to a head when she receives a transmission of prime numbers originating from the Vega system.
Ironically, “Contact” is a much underappreciated and overlooked sci-fi film, eschewing big-budget action spectacle for a more philosophical and thought-provoking take on the genre. It’s a slow burner, but its reverence for science, knowledge, and discovery takes us on a journey of wonder, where our burning curiosity to know and better ourselves might have finally earned us a place among the stars.
Jodie Foster delivers a standout performance as the determined scientist Arroway, who is burdened by grief but learns to embrace her own faith and witness. Oh, and that breathtaking reverse bathroom mirror shot still has us shook.
Watch on Roku’s Howdy
‘The Martian’ (2015)
![The Martian | Official Trailer [HD] | 20th Century FOX - YouTube](https://img.youtube.com/vi/ej3ioOneTy8/maxresdefault.jpg)
After a freak accident, witty botanist Mark Watney becomes marooned on Mars after his team evacuates, believing him dead. With little hope of rescue and dwindling resources, Mark puts it best by saying he must “science the sh*t out of this.” It’s a story rooted in science fact rather than science fiction, making our main character’s plight all the more relatable and believable.
What we love about “The Martian” is its gratifying competence. You’ll find no tired sci-fi character tropes here — no weasely coward, no brilliant doctor who loses their mind, no confident leader who gets offed first — just Earth’s brightest minds working together to bring a stranded man home. Though today’s world feels as far removed from that as the idea of leaving someone on the red planet, “The Martian” leaves us yearning for experts using their smarts for the betterment of the Earth, championing brain power and the perseverance of the human spirit in the face of certain doom.
“The Martian” remains highly watchable, lending much of its DNA to the likeable success of “Project Hail Mary”, another Andy Weir movie adaptation.
Rent/buy on Apple TV or Prime Video
‘Interstellar’ (2014)
It’s the near future, and a catastrophic blight has gripped the Earth, forcing scientists to conjure solutions for a dying planet. They recruit ex-NASA pilot Cooper, tasking him and a team of scientists with travelling through a wormhole to find and colonize a new home that can sustain human life.
It certainly feels like a hopeless, one-way trip into the unknown infinite void, as the team is set upon by black holes, unflinching nature, selfish saboteurs, and even time itself, but a hope begins to shine through the nihilism. Here is a team prepared to do what it takes, with an unyielding human spirit to strive not just for survival but to thrive. And the central and emotional core that ties humanity and its willingness to fight on is love — unassailable, tangible, and a physical force that can transcend space and time. Balancing complex, hard physics with a heartfelt bond between father and daughter (and son, I guess), “Interstellar” is Christopher Nolan at his most epic and affecting.
That docking scene alone still stands out as one of the most cinematic moments that left the entire theater I was in breathless.
Watch on Paramount+
‘The Wild Robot’ (2024)
This adaptation of Peter Brown’s first novel in this bestseller trilogy became a huge hit, with audiences and critics alike loving its emotionally resonant storyline, vibrant, hand-painted animation style and memorable voice performances. Notably, this movie left me a blubbering wreck during a family outdoor screening with my daughter, so be warned, moms and dads.
When service robot Roz crash-lands on an unknown land, this optimistic automaton must reassess its own purpose, particularly when its actions lead to unexpected consequences. With engrossing and heartfelt themes, including going beyond what’s expected of us, the importance of kindness and helping others fulfill their potential, “The Wild Robot” is a wildly entertaining and moving tale about a robot willing to adapt and change its own nature, gaining a soul in the process. And look out for “The Wild Robot 2”, which is officially in the works, likely slated for 2027.
Watch on Peacock
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