50 Best Sci-Fi Movies of All Time, Ranked (2024)

The science fiction genre has been one of the most consistently thrilling to explore throughout the history of cinema. The way a visual medium like film can depict futuristic worlds or alternate realities means that almost anything that can be imagined can be depicted on-screen. Since the silent era, filmmakers have been using the medium to their advantage, commenting on humanity's present and hypothesizing about its future through the science-fiction genre.

There are countless great sci-fi movies that have been released since the birth of cinema as an art form, and it's ultimately futile to try and name every single amazing one. There are simply too many top sci-fi movies, and it's a genre that's still thriving, with new potential classics released seemingly every year. The following are among the best of the best from the sci-fi genre, being classics for their entertainment value, excellent technical qualities, and historical significance, and are ranked below in order from great to greatest.

50 'The Abyss' (1989)

Directed by James Cameron

If you want to talk about great science fiction movies, bringing up the works of James Cameron is going to be as inevitable as Thanos; the guy just understands how to make films of this kind. In fact, it’s somewhat rare to find a James Cameron movie that doesn’t have science fiction elements (though he can still do those well, as films like True Lies and, of course, Titanic demonstrate).

The Abyss might not quite be one of his very best films overall, but it still has a ton to offer and feels distinct from his other sci-fi movies, owing to it not really being focused on action like many of his other sci-fi movies are. It follows a group of people undertaking a dangerous deep-sea mission regarding the recovery of a sunken nuclear submarine, only to find unexpected phenomena while down there. It’s a slow burn to some extent, but a successful one, and has some jaw-dropping effects by late 1980s standards.

The Abyss

PG-13

Where to Watch

*Availability in US

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

Release Date

August 9, 1989

Director

James Cameron

Cast

Ed Harris , Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio , Michael Biehn , Leo Burmester , Todd Graff , John Bedford Lloyd

Runtime

140 minutes

Directed by Robert Zemeckis

Robert Zemeckis has, in more recent times, been behind a somewhat divisive run of animated movies, but he also made some groundbreaking live-action movies that shouldn’t be overlooked. Admittedly, it can sometimes feel easy to overlook something like Contact, though, what with its fairly generic title, the fact it came out in a crowded year for movies, and because it’s something of a slow burn with a runtime that clocks in at 2.5 hours.

But Contact shouldn’t be overlooked, because it’s a uniquely quiet and character-focused piece of science fiction, containing some prominent mystery elements and taking its time to build up to a final act, whereupon some answers are finally given. It’s intriguing and very well-made from a technical perspective, and also features a typically great lead performance from Jodie Foster.

Contact (1997)

PG

Where to Watch

*Availability in US

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

Release Date

July 11, 1997

Director

Robert Zemeckis

Cast

Jena Malone , David Morse , Jodie Foster , William Fichtner

Runtime

150 minutes

48 'Total Recall' (1990)

Directed by Paul Verhoeven

With a bold central performance by Arnold Schwarzenegger, typically wild direction from Paul Verhoeven, and plenty of memorably strange special effects, Total Recall is a classic piece of 1990s sci-fi. It’s got a decent amount of camp and intentional humor, but there’s also enough here that can be taken somewhat seriously; it rides a fine – and interesting – line between being thought-provoking and being a bit of a joke.

It's hard to totally recall the strange plot of Total Recall, but at its core, it’s about a man getting an implanted memory that begins to cross over with his reality, sending him on a wild and violent mission to get answers and make sense of the messiness going on around him. It’s a strange ride, but also an exceedingly entertaining one, with Verhoeven and Schwarzenegger both giving it 110%, which is always great to see.

Total Recall

R

Where to Watch

*Availability in US

• stream
• rent
• buy

Release Date

June 1, 1990

Director

Paul Verhoeven

Cast

Arnold Schwarzenegger , Rachel Ticotin , Sharon Stone , Ronny Cox , Michael Ironside , Marshall Bell

Runtime

113 Minutes

47 'Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes' (2020)

Directed by Junta Yamaguchi

Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes is one of the best Japanese movies of the last few years, and also stands as one of the most entertaining and rewatchable sci-fi films in recent memory. It deals with an initially limited form of time travel that involves a screen that shows footage from two minutes in the future, which leads to wonder, fortunes, and eventual chaos for the people who discover this strange phenomenon.

Made on a limited budget and filmed in a way that makes it appear like a single take, Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes is quite dazzling for such a small-scale movie, and endlessly inventive/clever. It’s got an infectious spirit and is overall the kind of movie that will provide significant entertainment value for just about anyone who seeks it out.

Watch on Amazon Prime

46 'Voyage of the Rock Aliens' (1984)

Directed by James Fargo

Calling Voyage of the Rock Aliens ridiculous would be underselling it to a considerable extent, but that’s obvious, given it’s literally called Voyage of the Rock Aliens. It functions as a surprisingly good (and wonderfully cheesy) musical, a comedy that feels like a throwback to teen movies of the 1950s and ‘60s, and a sci-fi movie about aliens coming to Earth and trying/failing to fit into life on the planet.

Voyage of the Rock Aliens is a cult movie through and through, and one of the most 1980s-feeling movies to come out of the decade. It’s sloppy, the music probably isn’t for everyone, and watching it is an undeniably chaotic experience, but there’s so much energy and vibrancy to the whole thing that it’s hard to resist, particularly for any sci-fi fans who have a particular fondness for science fiction of the B-movie variety.

Watch on Tubi

45 'August in the Water' (1995)

Directed by Gakuryu Ishii

Blending some fantasy/supernatural elements with an odd yet compelling science fiction story, August in the Water is both a unique and underrated film. It focuses on several teenagers living in the Japanese city of f*ckuoka, and explores what happens when one of them – a young girl – begins to develop mysterious powers, all the while strange occurrences continue to happen to the city’s population.

August in the Water isn’t exactly clear about the story it’s telling, nor is it particularly narrative-centered in the first place, but it is undeniably atmospheric and provides a distinct look/feel. It’s broad and open-ended enough to leave many things up to interpretation, and even those who get a bit lost in August in the Water will still be able to appreciate its visual style and singular tone.

Buy on Amazon

44 'Poor Things' (2023)

Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos

Poor Things was surprisingly successful for such an odd and offbeat movie, but those willing to get immersed in something a little different will likely find the film to be a rewarding one. It’s a surprisingly funny and always visually dazzling sci-fi movie about a woman who’s brought back to life, and then goes on a strange and sometimes alarming journey, rediscovering life and effectively coming of age for a second time.

Yorgos Lanthimos is perfectly suited to this kind of story and this sort of style, with the cast also shining while digging into the strange material they’ve been given, especially Emma Stone in the lead role, who won a second Oscar for her performance. Poor Things is a movie that’s a highlight of the 2020s so far, and feels like the sort of sci-fi movie that will one day be held up as a classic.

Poor Things

R

Where to Watch

*Availability in US

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

Not available

Release Date

September 8, 2023

Director

Yorgos Lanthimos

Cast

Mark Ruffalo , Willem Dafoe , Margaret Qualley , Emma Stone

43 'Mad Max: Fury Road' (2015)

Directed by George Miller

Blending some of the most amazing action of all time with a post-apocalyptic/science fiction setting, Mad Max: Fury Road is the rare universally praised blockbuster that unquestionably lives up to the hype. Narratively, it’s simple, following a group of women who make a daring escape from a tyrannical wasteland overlord, during which the titular Max gets involved (and perhaps ultimately overshadowed by Furiosa, who now has a 2024 prequel about her).

Though Mad Max: Fury Road keeps things basic from a narrative perspective, there is still engaging storytelling, world-building, and memorable characters to be found here, even among all the amazing chase sequences and explosions. It’s visually dazzling and extremely intense for almost its entire runtime, and quite possibly the very best film in the Mad Max series so far.

Mad Max: Fury Road

R

Action

Adventure

Sci-Fi

Thriller

Where to Watch

*Availability in US

• stream
• rent
• buy

Release Date

May 13, 2015

Director

George Miller

Cast

Tom Hardy , Charlize Theron , Nicholas Hoult , Hugh Keays-Byrne , Josh Helman , Nathan Jones

Runtime

120

42 'Godzilla Minus One' (2023)

Directed by Takashi Yamazaki

Speaking of relatively recent science fiction movies that already feel like modern classics, Godzilla Minus One was one of the biggest surprises of 2023, and one of the best Godzilla movies of the past couple of decades. It takes things back further in time than any other movie in the long-running series, taking place right after World War II, following people who are already struggling with surviving the war’s aftermath when the titular monster emerges and makes life even more difficult.

All the monster action in Godzilla Minus One is exciting and satisfying, but it’s the human characters – and their story – that give it the edge overall, and make it function as a genuinely good drama on top of being a kaiju movie. It’s very approachable and a perfect entry point into the series, particularly for anyone who’s more familiar with the American Godzilla movies and has yet to watch any from Japan.

Watch on Netflix

41 'Woman in the Moon' (1929)

Directed by Fritz Lang

The most famous sci-fi movie directed by Fritz Lang came out before Woman in the Moon (more on it a little down the line), but this 1929 shouldn’t be overlooked just because it’s his second-best science fiction film. It’s a remarkable cinematic achievement, considering it’s close to a century old, and remains an engaging film about an expedition to the moon – led by a scientist – in search of gold.

Now, given its age and premise, there are aspects here that feel more fictional than ever in a post-moon landing world, but considering Woman in the Moon predated humanity actually reaching the moon by 40 years, the sci-fi movie's predictions were still impressive. It’s also got inventive special effects and a surprisingly well-told and dramatic story, making it one of the best – and most underrated – films of the silent era, sci-fi or otherwise.

Watch on Kanopy

40 'Electric Dreams' (1984)

Directed by Steve Barron

Perhaps feeling more like a quirky and heartfelt romantic comedy than a full-on science fiction movie, Electric Dreams does still center around an advanced computer that begins to fall for a young woman. The computer, in a sense, enters into a love triangle of sorts with the young man who purchased it, given the man also has feelings for the same woman, yet is too shy to approach her.

Electric Dreams then becomes like a sci-fi take on Cyrano de Bergerac, with the computer being Cyrano, helping a more conventional romantic partner while also having his own intense feelings of love toward a romance that can’t be. It might sound ridiculous, and Electric Dreams is kind of silly, but it’s also got a sincerity to it that makes it hard to resist. The cynical need not apply, but those open to the film’s odd charms might be it to be one of the more underrated sci-fi flicks of the ‘80s.

Watch on Tubi

39 'Godzilla vs. Destoroyah' (1995)

Directed by Takao Okawara

Throughout the remarkably long history of the Godzilla series, the titular monster has fought many other powerful and intimidating titans. For as mighty as foes like King Kong and King Ghidorah have been, there’s an argument to be made that his most powerful enemy wasn’t even a “King,” and that it was actually Destoroyah, a monster who’s only been featured in one Godzilla film to date: 1995’s Godzilla vs. Destoroyah.

Notable for being one of the most intense, frightening, and moving films in the entire series, Godzilla vs. Destoroyahserves as a grand finale for Godzilla’s Heisei era, which comprised seven movies released between 1984 and 1995 that told a surprisingly continuity-heavy narrative spanning just over a decade. It might not be as powerful outside the context of the series/era, but it’s nevertheless one of the finest of all Godzilla films, and stands as a great work of science fiction as a result.

Watch on Amazon Prime

38 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi' (2017)

Directed by Rian Johnson

There are certainly things to criticize when it comes to the most recent Star Wars movies, largely owing to the messily constructed and planned-out sequel trilogy. Yet buried within this flawed trio of films is a genuinely great sci-fi movie that itself is divisive: Star Wars: The Last Jedi. This eighth entry in the Skywalker Saga has passionate fans and vocal detractors, but that seemed inevitable, given it was directed by the guy who was behind what some people call the worst Breaking Bad episode (“Fly”) and what many call the best Breaking Bad episode (“Ozymandias”).

Star Wars: The Last Jedi brings Luke Skywalker back into the fold, taking his character in interesting directions while ultimately having him live up to his legacy by the film’s end. Other aspects of the film seem odd or disappointing at first, but all of it comes together in an interesting way by the end. It reckons with the history of Star Wars, celebrates it, and critiques it all at once, and does so while also being tremendously moving, emotionally speaking, and spectacular, from a visual standpoint.

Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi

PG-13

Where to Watch

*Availability in US

• stream
• rent
• buy

Release Date

December 15, 2017

Director

Rian Johnson

Cast

Daisy Ridley , John Boyega , Mark Hamill , Carrie Fisher , Adam Driver , Oscar Isaac , Andy Serkis , Lupita Nyong'O

Runtime

152 minutes

37 'The Terminator' (1984)

Directed by James Cameron

A standout film from 1984 (which is saying something, given that year had a ton of classics), The Terminator established James Cameron as a filmmaker who could do interesting and even groundbreaking things with the sci-fi genre. It’s quite brilliant, in many ways, how Cameron worked with certain limitations and turned them into strengths, having a story be about the prevention of a future war, rather than trying to show elaborate sequences of futuristic warfare on a budget.

Similarly, Arnold Schwarzenegger had limited range as an actor back in the 1980s, but when he’s cast as a physically imposing cyborg devoid of emotion, he’s perfect, and makes one hell of an impression. The Terminator is also a surprisingly great love story, and continually keeps the tension high throughout, featuring a little action and a decent amount of horror, too. It’s great stuff, and yet still Cameron would go on to improve upon it in the future, with a certain sequel made seven years later.

The Terminator (1984)

R

Action

Sci-Fi

Thriller

Where to Watch

*Availability in US

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

Release Date

October 26, 1984

Director

James Cameron

Cast

Arnold Schwarzenegger , Michael Biehn , Linda Hamilton , Paul Winfield , Lance Henriksen , Bess Motta

Runtime

107 Minutes

36 'Forbidden Planet' (1956)

Directed by Fred M. Wilcox

Of all the science fiction movies made during the 1950s, Forbidden Planet is undeniably up there with the most iconic. It follows a crew of space travelers who go in search of another exploration party that's been missing for years, only to make some unusual and startling discoveries during their attempted rescue/recovery mission.

It has an undeniably distinct aesthetic that's inextricably tied to the look and feel of classic '50s sci-fi. It's also notable for having what's perhaps Leslie Nielsen's best-known non-comedic role, given his career was rejuvenated in the 1980s thanks to starring in a range of iconic parody/spoof movies. Some may find Forbidden Planet to be a little old-fashioned and maybe even slightly cheesy by today's standards, but it's the aesthetics on offer here that might also prove charming to others.

Forbidden Planet

G

Where to Watch

*Availability in US

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

Release Date

March 23, 1956

Director

Fred M. Wilcox

Cast

Walter Pidgeon , Anne Francis , Leslie Nielsen , Warren Stevens , Jack Kelly , Richard Anderson

Runtime

98

35 'Inception' (2010)

Directed by Christopher Nolan

Inception certainly was a cinematic highlight of 2010, and it had some pretty tough competition that year, too. It's Christopher Nolanblending his affinity for action and science fiction in one, and making this blend go down smoothly with an engaging premise that's about performing a reverse heist within a target's subconscious, making it function well as an action/thriller movie as well as a piece of science fiction.

It's a movie that throws tons of fairly complex ideas at the viewer in rapid succession, and so if there's one criticism that can be thrown Inception's way, it's that it's a little heavy on the exposition at times. But the action-packed scenes serve well as payoffs, and the narrative does find interesting and sometimes unexpected places to go beyond the explanatory dialogue-heavy opening act.

Inception

PG-13

Where to Watch

*Availability in US

• stream
• rent
• buy

Release Date

July 15, 2010

Director

Christopher Nolan

Cast

Leonardo DiCaprio , Ken Watanabe , Joseph Gordon-Levitt , Marion Cotillard , elliot page , Tom Hardy

Runtime

148

34 'Under the Skin' (2013)

Directed by Jonathan Glazer

Those who prefer their sci-fi conventional may want to steer clear of Under the Skin, or approach it very cautiously, given it's another strange, haunting, and unapologetic film directed by Jonathan Glazer. It's essentially an arthouse take on a story about an alien coming to Earth, perhaps being for the 2010s what the equally bizarre and captivating The Man Who Fell to Earth was for the 1970s.

Scarlett Johansson plays the alien at the center of Under the Skin, and much of the movie is about this life form - after taking on a human appearance - stalking and capturing various men who become prey. It offers little by way of easy answers, and much of the film is up to the interpretation of the individual viewer, for better or worse (probably more better, so long as you know roughly what you're in for).

Watch on Max

33 'Avatar' (2009)

Directed by James Cameron

James Cameron might've referred to himself as the king of the world after his 1997 film Titanic swept the Oscars, but it's perhaps more accurate to call him the king of the sci-fi genre. He's made some of the biggest and most popular works of science fiction in cinematic history, with none being as successful (at least financially) as his 2009 film Avatar. Indeed, Avatar joins Titanic and its own sequel, Avatar: The Way of Water, as a movie that can claim to be the highest-grossing of its decade of release.

It recycles familiar tropes and story beats, but does so in a fantastical world and with breathtaking visual effects. Typical of Cameron, Avatar is also successful in blending genres to ensure it has mass appeal, with this movie being a sci-fi film, an action/adventure movie, and a romance all at once.

Avatar

PG-13

Where to Watch

*Availability in US

• stream
• rent
• buy

Release Date

December 18, 2009

Director

James Cameron

Cast

Sam Worthington , Zoe Saldana , Sigourney Weaver , Stephen Lang , Joel David Moore , Giovanni Ribisi

Runtime

162 minutes

32 'Planet of the Apes' (1968)

Directed by Franklin J. Schaffner

For as good as the reboot/prequel trilogy released throughout the 2010s was, it's hard to top the original Planet of the Apes film from 1968, at least when judging each movie in the series on its own merits. It's an eerie and oftentimes mysterious film, building to a fantastic conclusion that might still surprise those lucky enough to avoid knowing about it without having seen the movie.

It flips things around by having human beings be the subservient species, and forced to contend with an advanced race of apes who do indeed rule the planet they're on. It's not nearly as cheesy as you'd think (the sequels don't fare quite so well), and holds up as a compelling and entertaining sci-fi/action movie with some interesting things to say about humanity and its possible future.

Planet of the Apes (1968)

G

Where to Watch

*Availability in US

• stream
• rent
• buy

Release Date

April 3, 1968

Director

Franklin J. Schaffner

Cast

Charlton Heston , Roddy McDowall , Kim Hunter , Maurice Evans , James Whitmore , James Daly , Linda Harrison , Robert Gunner

Runtime

112 Minutes

31 'District 9' (2009)

Directed by Neill Blomkamp

Though some are clamoring for a sequel that will probably never arrive (never say never, unless you can cowardly include a "probably" in there), District 9 still stands on its own as a great film regardless. It's part mockumentary, part action movie, and part body horror, detailing what happens to an alien ship that becomes stranded over the city of Johannesburg.

It's also packed with social commentary regarding race and how refugees are mistreated in real life, considering in this movie, it's the aliens who find themselves in the middle of a large-scale refugee crisis. It's thought-provoking, unique, exciting, and one of the best science-fiction movies of the 21st century so far, as well as one movie that demonstrated how 2009 was an unusually good year for the sci-fi genre as a whole.

District 9

R

Where to Watch

*Availability in US

• stream
• rent
• buy

Release Date

August 5, 2009

Director

Neill Blomkamp

Cast

Sharlto Copley , Jason Cope , Nathalie Boltt , Sylvaine Strike , Elizabeth Mkandawie , John Sumner

Runtime

112