Science fiction movies have been a staple of cinema since the early days of filmmaking. They tend to transport audiences to far-off worlds and explore the endless possibilities of the unknown.
Without any doubt, the best sci-fi films deliver stunning visuals coupled with mind-blowing concepts that delve into the human experience and the future of humanity. Here is a list of the top 10 must-watch sci-fi movies, ranging from obscure to hugely influential ones.
Star Trek
- Year released: 1969
- IMDb Score: 7.9/10
- Director: Gene Roddenberry
- Stars: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Leonard Nimoy, Eric Bana
- Running time: 3,950m
This is a legendary science fiction franchise that has entertained audiences for over 50 years with its utopian vision of humanity's future. Star Trek is characterized by its progressive themes, social commentary, and emphasis on exploration and discovery. Its influence extends beyond the world of entertainment, inspiring real-world innovations in science and technology.
In recent years, the popularity of the franchise has also spread to the world of online gaming. Many casinos, including Bodog, offer Star Trek-themed slot games that allow fans to immerse themselves in the universe while potentially winning big prizes. The operator even offers a https://www.bodog.eu/crypto-casino option, allowing punters to use cryptocurrency for their wagers.
2001: A Space Odyssey
- Year released: 2017
- IMDb Score: 8.3/10
- Director: Stanley Kubrick
- Stars: Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood, William Sylvester, Daniel Richter
- Running time: 2h 19m
If you're looking for an exceptional science fiction movie, Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey should be at the top of your list. This masterpiece is not easily summarized, but it's primarily an introspective look at the evolution of humanity, conveyed through stunning cinematography and a grandiose scope.
The movie is also remarkably prophetic, as it portrays a group of astronauts aided and then threatened by HAL 9000, an AI that appears more "human" than its biological counterparts. Despite its slow pace, the film's innovative storytelling and groundbreaking filmmaking techniques set it apart from other movies in cinematic history.
Star Wars: Episode IV
- Year released: 1977
- IMDb Score: 8.6/10
- Director: George Lucas
- Stars: Mark Hamill, Luke Skywalker, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher
- Running time: 2h 1m
In 1977, George Lucas introduced audiences to a galaxy far, far away with the release of Star Wars: Episode IV. This epic space adventure revolutionized the world of cinema with its groundbreaking special effects, memorable characters, and timeless story.
From the lovable droids R2-D2 and C-3PO to the towering Wookiee Chewbacca and the iconic villain Darth Vader, the characters of A New Hope have become cultural touchstones. But it was the journey of young Luke Skywalker, from a farm boy on the desert planet of Tatooine to a hero fighting against the evil Empire, that captured the hearts and imaginations of audiences around the globe.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
- Year released: 1978
- IMDb Score: 7.6/10
- Director: Steven Spielberg
- Stars: Richard Dreyfuss, Roy Neary, François Truffaut, Claude Lacombe
- Running time: 2h 17m
Two years after the success of Jaws, Steven Spielberg teamed up with Richard Dreyfuss to create a groundbreaking film about extraterrestrial life: Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Dreyfuss stars as Roy Neary, a family man whose life is forever changed after a close encounter with a UFO.
Unlike other sci-fi movies of its time, Close Encounters shifts the focus from alien invasion to the practical implications of communicating with extraterrestrial life.
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
- Year released: 1982
- IMDb Score: 7.9/10
- Director: Steven Spielberg
- Stars: Henry Thomas, Drew Barrymore, Peter Coyote, Dee Wallace
- Running time: 1h 45m
E.T. marked a turning point in Steven Spielberg's career, cementing his status as a household name in Hollywood. The film tells the heartwarming story of a young boy named Elliott (Henry Thomas) who befriends a stranded alien called E.T. on Earth. Spielberg’s unique approach to capture the essence of childhood and the power of friendship in a way that made the audience resonate even after nearly 40 years.
Aliens
- Year released: 1986
- IMDb Score: 8.4/10
- Director: James Cameron
- Stars: Sigourney Weaver, Carrie Henn, Michael Biehn, Paul Reiser, Lance Henriksen
- Running time: 2h 17m
The action-packed sequel to Ridley Scott’s Alien sees the iconic heroine Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) return to a remote planet after her escape pod is discovered 56 years after the events of the first film.
This time, Ripley joins a team of colonial marines to investigate a reported loss of contact with a human colony on the planet. But when they arrive, they find that the aliens Ellen had encountered before have wiped out the entire population.
The Terminator
- Year released: 1985
- IMDb Score: 8.1/10
- Director: James Cameron
- Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Michael Biehn, Linda Hamilton, Paul Winfield
- Running time: 1h 47m
With his breakout smash, The Terminator, James Cameron's influence on the science fiction genre was seen right away. Although having a limited budget, the movie displayed Cameron's imaginative vision, which addressed the complicated effects of time travel in the future. The plot centers on a murderous cyborg played by Arnold Schwarzenegger, whose goal it is to assassinate Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton), the mother of the future savior of mankind.
The film's action scenes are ground-breaking, and Brad Fiedel's pounding music is memorable. The Terminator is still regarded as a landmark sci-fi movie, even if its sequel eventually outperformed it and established director James Cameron as a major talent.
The Day the Earth Stood Still
- Year released: 2008
- IMDb Score: 5.5/10
- Director: Scott Derrickson
- Stars: Michael Rennie, Patricia Neal, Hugh Marlowe, Sam Jaffe
- Running time: 1h 32m
This 1951 Robert Wise picture is a classic work of science fiction. In the film, Michael Rennie plays Klaatu, an alien visitor to Earth who travels with his robot Gort. It's noteworthy to note that Klaatu's goal is to warn us about the risks of our violent and destructive ways rather than to eradicate mankind. In the wake of the atomic explosion and World War II, Robert Wise preached a message of peace and togetherness that is still important today.
Jurassic Park
- Years: 1993-2001
- IMDb: 8.2/10
- Director: Steven Spielberg
- Stars: Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Richard Attenborough, Bob Peck
- Running time: 2h 7m
In the 1990s, cloning was no longer an exciting idea until Jurassic Park came along, bringing the concept of dinosaur cloning to the forefront. Based on Michael Crichton's novel, Steven Spielberg's film adaptation is a groundbreaking blockbuster that takes audiences on an adventure to a prehistoric theme park that goes horribly wrong. While providing a dino-spectacle, Jurassic Park trilogy also explores sci-fi themes of chaos theory and the dangerous consequences of manipulating nature.
Blade Runner
- Year released: 1982
- IMDb Score: 8.1/10
- Director: Ridley Scott
- Stars: Harrison Ford, Sean Young, Rutger Hauer, Edward James Olmos
- Running time: 1h 57m
Ridley Scott's 1982 film Blade Runner, which was loosely adapted from a book by Philip K. Dick and debuted to mixed reviews, had a dismal opening weekend. A renowned sci-fi masterpiece, nevertheless, has subsequently emerged from it. Harrison Ford plays a detective searching for a gang of renegade androids in the movie, which recounts his adventures.
Harrison's character digs more into the case as the plot develops, which causes him to doubt both the humanity itself and the accuracy of our own recollections. Today's audiences are still enthralled by the aesthetically amazing world-building in the film.
If you have yet to watch Blade Runner or any of the other must-see sci-fi classics from our list, here are a few more reasons to dive into the world of science fiction productions.
