The 10 Best Science Fiction Films in History

The science fiction genre is beloved by thousands not only because it’s has an inexhaustible source of ideas for stories but also because it deals with issues we currently face and the various scenarios that can result from it. Science fiction films have also been at the forefront when it comes to spectacular production and better technology to tell stories.

Here are the best films science fiction has to offer.

The Matrix (1999)

If you have ever heard of the simulation hypothesis as the explanation for our existence, then the world probably looks like the one in The Matrix. Not only does it have an intriguing premise but it also has some of the best action scenes and special effects.

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

Who would have thought an epic story that spans the history of humanity from the primitive hominids to space age squeezed into 142 minutes could work? The films still holds up today with its accurate depiction of space flight, beautiful imagery, and unforgettable soundtrack.

Blade Runner (1982)

The cyberpunk subgenre has been around since the 1960s, but it only became mainstream with the cult success of Blade Runner in 1982, which is based on of one of the best science fiction novels of all time, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick. The movie focuses on the conflict between replicants and humans, particularly on the hunt of escaped replicants to Earth.

Metropolis (1927)

This silent film is considered one of the of the pioneers of the science fiction genre. Its dystopian setting that depicts the contrast of the life of the wealthy and the poor workers looks familiar even today. Over the years, the film has gained mixed reactions from viewers because of its message. You need to see it for yourself to decide.

Interstellar (2014)

Hard science fiction has struggled to go mainstream for obvious reasons, but this film shows what good storytelling can do when you strip the idea of time travel and wormholes down to the important questions about love, family, and connections.

Children of Men (2006)

There are a lot of great dystopian films to choose from but most of them come down to totalitarian governments controlling people. This one is slightly different because it’s not war or governments that has brought humanity to the brink of extinction, but infertility.

Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1997)

Most of us would picture the first alien contact as bloody, but this film has a more positive approach to the subject and is probably closer to the truth with its depiction of a government cover-up.

Alien (1979)

Speaking of grim alien encounter, nothing is as terrifying as meeting an intelligent but deadly alien let loose in a commercial spaceship.

Inception (2010)

If you are tired of aliens and space, explore the idea of dream space as interconnected worlds. If a person has the power to alter memory by implanting a new memory, then just imagine the possibilities.

The Thing (1982)

Imagine being trapped in a research station in Antarctica with a creature that imitate the form of other life forms it consumes. What ensues is a mad search for the possible impostor and a way to kill it.