From some of the most important films from the very beginning of cinema like A Trip to the Moon, to recent critically acclaimed blockbuster hits like Project Hail Mary, science-fiction continues to have a long-lasting appeal and potential in the world of filmmaking. There is just something about the creative possibilities of space, aliens, or high-end technology that is so versatile within the medium of film, laying the groundwork for countless exceptional sci-fi masterpieces.
However, when considering the absolute best and top films within the sci-fi genre, many of these films are legends in their own right and among the most influential and recognizable films of their respective era, if not of all time. Each of these films has helped shape the genre into the widely popular place that it is in today, largely deserving their spot in the conversation of the greatest that the genre has to offer. While this may only be the tip of the iceberg in terms of sci-fi greatness, the genre simply wouldn’t be the same without these cinematic masterpieces.
20
‘Starship Troopers’ (1997)
While the film presents itself as a relatively basic sci-fi war blockbuster at first glance, the brilliant fascist satire combined with some exceptional practical effects makes Starship Troopers one of the most well-aged movies of the 90s. It’s one thing to have great, energizing action or insightful commentary and messaging, yet Starship Troopers is so widely revered thanks to its ability to balance these two things as if it were the easiest thing in the world.
Director Paul Verhoeven’s distinct style of striking satire lends itself to the world of Starship Troopers perfectly, ironically having a completely different tone than the novel it adapts, yet at the same time is all the better for it. It’s distinct flavor of sci-fi action and utilization of the genre for exceptional satire makes the film feel similar to many other great sci-fi films, but also feels wildly original in its messaging. The film’s cult classic status has grown year after year, with it now being considered a sci-fi classic.
19
‘Children of Men’ (2006)
Alfonso Cuarón is often celebrated as one of the most mesmerizing and exceptionally talented filmmakers of the 21st century, and while many will be quick to point at Gravity as his defining sci-fi achievement, Children of Men manages to hit even harder in terms of emotional pull and impressive filmmaking. Its usage of top-notch production and striking long shots gives the film an exceptional, high-stakes energy and tension that makes it among the very best sci-fi thrillers out there.
However, these thrills only serve to lay the groundwork for some of the greatest emotional heights that a film from the 2000s has to offer, as that ending sequence of walking through the war zone with a crying baby is the type of beautiful work of art filmmaking is made for. Its legacy continues to be solidified as it directly inspires films like Logan and video games like The Last of Us, with it arguably being the greatest dystopian sci-fi film out there.
18
‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’ (2018)
Superhero movies have proven to be some of the most widely accessible and energizing films in the sci-fi genre, yet even after the vast number of great superhero sci-fi films released, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse breaks new ground and feels more original than any other superhero film out there. The superhero masterclass combines exceptional, stylized animation with a striking, compelling multiverse setup that serves as both a love letter to Spider-Man fans and a great entry point for the character.
The clear highlight of the film that has made it such a substantial fan favorite is its stylish animation quality, rife with personality and fluid movement that has almost single-handedly revolutionized 3D animation in the modern era. However, this animation is only that much more memorable thanks to the impactful writing and storytelling that it amplifies, adding more layers and personality to every aspect of the filmmaking.
17
‘Planet of the Apes’ (1968)
An icon of classic-era sci-fi filmmaking that made great waves thanks to featuring one of the all-time greatest endings in cinema history, Planet of the Apes tells a brilliant reflection of humanity and persecution through the lens of a world entirely run by intelligent primates. While much of the conversation and legacy of the film surrounds its legendary ending, the surrounding film is also worthy of high praise, featuring exceptional costuming and production design, as well as a commanding lead performance from Charlton Heston.
While the series has seen a multitude of highs in the various reboots and sequels that it has received over the years, none of these renditions come close to the psychological layers and messaging of this sci-fi classic, with its messaging of human self-destruction still feeling relevant nearly 60 years after its release. Few sci-fi films from this era have stood the test of time and been continuously celebrated as much as this all-time classic.
16
‘Akira’ (1988)
An absolute icon of Japanese animation and often considered to be one of the absolute greatest examples of sci-fi anime filmmaking, Akira has stood as a beacon of 2D animated mastery ever since its release. It’s the type of film whose distinct details and layered worldbuilding only grow more impactful and mesmerizing with each passing year, being so ahead of the curve in terms of sci-fi animated storytelling that it laid the groundwork for many sci-fi films, both animated and live-action.
The film makes the absolute most of the stylistic possibilities of the medium of animation to bring to life masterful visuals that simply wouldn’t be possible in a traditional live-action film, complementing these visuals with a powerful and reflective story of power and corruption amidst a dystopian city. It’s the type of film that will always have a dedicated audience of fans, utilizing the strengths of the sci-fi genre like few others are capable of.
15
‘Metropolis’ (1927)
Often considered to be one of the first true masterpieces of sci-fi in cinema history, Metropolis tells a vast and expansive story of class divide and technological ramifications all within the limitations and prospects of the silent era of cinema. German director Fritz Lang‘s visual masterpiece helped lay the groundwork for just about every major sci-fi film to follow, with its breathtaking visuals and expansive creation of a dynamic, futuristic world still having an impact almost a century after its release.
While it’s easy to simply praise the film due to its long-lasting influence upon the genre, the film itself also manages to hold up tremendously in the modern age, feeling more complete and impactful than many other experiences of the silent film era. The mesmerizing tone and energy of the film is still unmatched, with its technological fever dream of a setting feeling equal parts expansive as well as psychedelic and daunting in nature.
14
‘Dune: Part Two’ (2024)
Frank Herbert‘s legendary sci-fi epic novel has often been attributed to being one of the greatest and most influential sci-fi stories of all time, although there have been continuous difficulties in adapting this legendary story to film. However, with the blockbuster scale of the modern day, combined with the distinct visionary craft of Denis Villeneuve, Dune has been perfectly adapted to a cinematic lens, with Dune: Part Two easily standing as the best of the two currently released films.
The sci-fi action movie masterpiece finds the absolute perfect balance between striking visuals, powerful messaging and evolving on the themes and setup of the previous film, and stylish action sequences that captivate the audience with its glorious scale. It truly does feel like it takes everything that worked so well about the original novel and translates it seamlessly to the big screen, even managing to improve considerably against the previous Dune film that Villeneuve directed. Its widespread acclaim has only made the expectations for Dune: Part Three that much more palpable.
13
‘Star Wars’ (1977)
A ranking of the greatest offerings of sci-fi filmmaking simply wouldn’t be complete without Star Wars, which is arguably the most immediately recognizable and influential sci-fi blockbuster to have ever been released. While the most widely accessible version of the film is the one complete with various changes and shifts, it’s that simple, earnest 1977 original version of Star Wars that forever changed the sci-fi genre and still holds a special place in the hearts of audiences everywhere.
It’s about as perfectly executed as a hero’s journey story could be, with a wide array of memorable and compelling characters exploring a vast galactic empire and fighting for justice in a way that still continues to captivate audiences like nothing else. To many audiences, Star Wars in itself is synonymous with the very genre of sci-fi when it comes to filmmaking, as it cannot be understated just how impactful the film is to the genre as a whole.
12
‘WALL·E’ (2008)
A powerful story of environmental messaging as well as standing as one of Pixar’s greatest masterpieces,WALL·E is about as charming and lovable as a family sci-fi movie can get. It accomplishes the exceptional task of being massively approachable and enjoyable by audiences of all ages while simultaneously not holding back in terms of its darker, heavy themes and important messaging. The unrelenting charm does wonders in terms of making the film an absolute joy to witness from start to finish, as it’s impossible not to fall in love with the whimsical sweetness of this little trash robot.
More than any other Pixar film released during their golden era, WALL·E has stuck with audiences and proven itself to be a massively important, fundamental cinematic experience that helped many young audiences fall in love with sci-fi storytelling. It’s a feel-good masterpiece whose charms simply never wear off and only manage to make the film more lovable and endearing with each passing year.
11
‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’ (2004)
Screenwriter Charlie Kaufman has always been one to tell wildly abstract and non-traditional stories that are rife with emotional depth and layered storytelling, with no singular film quite exemplifying his overwhelming strengths as in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. The soft sci-fi film is as much about the emotional pain and lingering of its characters as it is about the wild, sci-fi setup that literally sends audiences into the perspective of its characters’ minds and thoughts.
The sheer creativity of its premise works in tandem with an array of exceptional performances to create depth and passion at every opportunity, telling a beautiful story of love for the sake of love, even if it will inevitably end. It may take a bit to actually get a handle on all the moving pieces and non-traditional plot, but Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind delivers emotional mastery that was leaps and bounds ahead of its competition as far as 2000s sci-fi movies are concerned.
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