Science fiction is a crowd favorite not only because of its interesting storyline but also for its many references to science and technology. The fictitious part of sci-fi brings an element of imagination and creativity to science based concepts that are practiced in reality. Anyone who enjoys science and technology or thinking outside the box will definitely enjoy this genre!
For anyone who wants stimulating entertainment that drives them to challenge their preconceived assumptions and notions, you have come to the right place. Here is a list of 35+ best sci-fi movies of all time that will help you escape reality!
1. The Matrix (1999)
Action
Watch Trailer
A classic sci-fi movie that illustrates a dystopian timeline where humans are fed a stimulating environment and reality named “The Matrix” by robots to conquer humanity. The heat and electrical activity generated by human bodies are fuel used to power the machines.
Neo, a programmer, finds out about what is going on and wants to rebel against the robots. He later meets people who left the Matrix and lived in hiding, afraid that they will get caught. Neo also finds that within the Matrix, he could manipulate space and time. Do not lose your focus for even a minute as you will feel lost if you do.
2. Avatar (2009)
Action
Watch Trailer
Avatar is an epic film about another world where creatures thrive and live harmoniously with nature. Humans who have depleted the resources on Earth try to penetrate that world to extract their resources.
It is a typical story about a good guy who gets sent on a mission but turns against his initial motives, instead he does what is right. Avatar won multiple awards for their visuals and rightfully so. Everything fictional in the movie looked realistic and their intrinsic details did not fail to mesmerize everyone who watches.
3. Inception (2010)
Action
Watch Trailer
A highly trained thief set out on a mission to implant an idea into another person’s subconscious. He has the ability to invade a person’s subconscious to extract information, hence he was the perfect candidate for this mission. In return, he gets to erase his criminal records if he succeeds.
Inception is incredibly well crafted combining a mind-blowing plot with great casts and music that sends chills to your bones.
4. The Hunger Games (2012)
Action
Watch Trailer
A divided nation has 12 districts that are ruled by the Capitol. People living in these districts are oppressed with poor living conditions and they decide to revolt. Unfortunately, they failed so these districts were punished.
Their punishment is to send 2 tributes to take part in a survival competition with only 1 survivor. These tributes must be between 12 to 18 of age, one female and the other male. They named this annual event the Hunger Games. Katniss, a female 16 year old, volunteered as tribute to take her younger sister’s place in the 74th Hunger Games.
5. Jung E (2023)
Action
Set in the 22nd century, climate change has caused the planet to become uninhabitable and humans live within a man-made shelter. A war takes place within the shelter. Yun Jung-Yi (Kim Hyun-Joo) is the elite leader of the allied forces. She becomes the subject of a brain cloning experiment. The cloning experiment is a potential key to win the war.
Seo-Hyun (Kang Soo-Yeon) and Sang-Hun (Ryoo Kyung-Soo) are responsible for the success of the brain cloning experiment. Seo-Hyun is the team leader of the laboratory that develops brain cloning and AI technology. Sang-Hun is the director of the laboratory.
6. The Terminator (1984)
Action
Watch Trailer
The Terminator, a cyborg assassin, was sent to the past(1984) from the year 2029 to kill the mother of a future leader who will lead a major war against machines to save humankind. At the same time, a soldier traveled back in time to save this mother from the Terminator.
The Terminator was a heartless and merciless killer that induces fear and anxiety to the audience. You can expect an intense and action-filled film that transports you in time.
7. Robocop (1987)
Action
Watch Trailer
This movie is about a city that became chaotic due to lack of law enforcement. Murphy, a cop, was shot and died but was revived as a cyborg to serve the city as Robocop.
This movie is a satisfying movie to watch with a great plot and bombastic shooting scenes that will definitely entertain any action enthusiasts. It is also filled with iconic catchphrases you can pick up for your own duels!
8. Tron: Legacy (2010)
Action
Watch Trailer
This film will blow you away with its spellbinding cinematography, visuals and audibles. Its plot, though based on the original Tron movie, has its own independent elements that enhanced audiences’ experience.
Sam, the son of a CEO who disappeared, stumbled upon a computer and laser in a hidden basement. He gets digitized and downloaded into a virtual reality where he needs to escape to come to the real world.
9. The Maze Runner (2014)
Action
Watch Trailer
A teen boy finds himself in an elevator without recollection of his identity. He was ushered into a land with a huge maze and was told that people there had to pass through the maze to escape. However, there are beings in the maze that can fatally injure people who get stung.
These captives were apparently part of an experiment conducted by scientists to develop an antidote for a virus that caused a pandemic.
10. Predators (2010)
Action
Watch Trailer
Predators is about a group of skilled killers who get abducted and relocated to the home planet of predators to test the strengths and limits of the human species. These selected people are a mix of warriors and death row criminals in the human world.
They had to find a way to stay alive and return to Earth. This film has a great blend of sci-fi, action and horror with lots of tense scenes. For anyone who needs an adrenaline rush, this movie is for you.
11. Starship Troopers (1997)
Action
Watch Trailer
The Earth in the future is governed by a military organization after human civilization is almost brought to the verge of destruction by democracy. The organization grants citizenship to people who sign up to serve it.
People with citizenship are given rights to produce offspring and to vote. In that era, humans started missions to colonize civilizations in the galaxy and ran into enemies that are superior and lethal to the human race.
12. Skyline (2010)
Action
Watch Trailer
Skyline is a pretty light sci-fi movie that doesn’t require too much thinking. If you are a sci-fi lover and want something with low intensity to unwind with, check this movie out. It is about the lives of a group of friends who are amidst an alien invasion and have to fight for their survival. The plot does not run deep but there are thrilling moments that can keep you engaged.
13. Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)
Action
Watch Trailer
Looking for the action sci-fi movies? This movie is about an extraordinarily intelligent chimpanzee who is a product of a terminated scientific experiment. He is secretly taken care of by a scientist from the experiment and one day he realizes that this is not the life for him. The chimpanzee then escapes and involves more chimpanzees to rise against their captors to live freely on their own will.
The CGI of this movie is brilliantly executed paired with a plot that relays a powerful message about our co-inhabitants. It takes you on an emotional roller coaster with a good amount of action and hints of heartwarming moments that will leave you with heartbreak and sheer satisfaction.
14. Free Guy (2021)
Action
Watch Trailer
A bank teller felt that his life was the same day in and day out. He wants a way out of the same thing every day. One day, he realized that he could just start doing what he wanted and later he found out that he was a non-player character in an online video game.
Free Guy is a thought provoking and action-packed hilarious movie. It is suitable for anyone who wants a breath of fresh air from movies with heavy plots.
15. Independence Day: Resurgence (2016)
Action
Watch Trailer
An alien invasion happened right before independence day in the United States. The government and soldiers were called back to defend the nation on the independence day itself. The plot is very original and straightforward.
There is a good mix of excitement and anxiety that will keep you on the edge of your seat. If you enjoy aliens, enormous explosions and cheesy conversation, you can count on this movie for a good time.
16. Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Action
Watch Trailer
This movie is a blockbuster sequel of the movie Avengers: Infinity War. If you are a Marvel fan, you probably wish you hadn’t seen this movie and have short term memory loss so you could re-watch it for the first time over and over.
Be prepared to be taken on an emotional roller coaster ride accompanied by incredible special effects and epic background music. You will not regret watching this top tier masterpiece.
17. Pacific Rim (2013)
Action
Watch Trailer
The setting of Pacific Rim is in the future where the culture of society is infused with advanced technology. There is war, monsters, invasions that are paired with outstanding visuals and soundtrack. This engaging plot, realistic physics applied and the well developed characters will keep you wanting more.
18. Alien (1979)
Horror
Watch Trailer
A commercial starship named Nostromo landed on a moon after getting a distress signal. The crew went down to investigate the source of the signal but was infected by an unknown lifeform.
The script is very well written as the story is straightforward and answers all the questions you have as you watch. Expect time to just fly by as you watch this movie.
19. Area 51 (2015)
Horror
Watch Trailer
A 2015 American found footage science fiction horror film directed by Oren Peli. The movie follows a group of friends who set out to uncover the mysteries of Area 51, the highly classified US Air Force facility in Nevada. As they approach the site, they are confronted by military personnel and strange, otherworldly creatures. The film is noted for its suspenseful buildup and intense climax.
20. Annihilation (2018)
Horror
Watch Trailer
Annihilation is a movie following a group of scientists and explorers into a quarantined area called “The Shimmer”. That zone was closed off due to a strange mutation on living creatures there due to a foreign presence.
This movie is written to be more fictional than scientifically accurate which makes it stand out in the sci fi genre. The cinematography and sounds of the movie complement each other creating great harmony for the audience’s senses.
21. The Host (2006)
Horror
Watch Trailer
A chemical spill mutated a creature in a river to create a monster that terrorized the people living around the river. The story focuses on a family that was affected by the monster’s destructiveness.
One of the family members got abducted by the river monster and the rest of the family try everything they can to save the victim. It is an exhilarating experience and can be funny at some moments.
22. Dreamcatcher (2003)
Horror
Watch Trailer
Four friends were met with parasitic aliens that didn’t hesitate to invade the planet. Dreamcatcher has every element you need to make your emotions run wild. Steven King movies are known for their horrifyingly scary and heart wrenching plot, and this is no exception. Expect to get pulled into this movie by the interesting plot and likable characters.
23. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
Adventure
Watch Trailer
If you have not heard of this movie, E.T. is an alien that came to Earth but was accidentally abandoned by its fellow aliens when they returned to their spaceship. He then befriended a little boy who introduced it to his siblings.
They formed a mental connection where both ET and the boy will experience similar emotions at the same time. Watch the movie to find out what happens if you haven’t. If you have, I bet you won’t mind watching it again.
24. Wall-E (2008)
Adventure
Watch Trailer
In the future, the aftermath of consumerism and greed turned the Earth into an uninhabitable wasteland. Humans stopped living on Earth and started living on huge spaceships in space. Robots are invented to clean up after human waste but after many years, there was only one robot left in operation.
This movie brings to light what the state of the Earth could end up in if we don’t start to be aware of the health of our environment. With great animation, Wall-E sends an important message whilst entertaining people of all ages.
25. Interstellar (2014)
Adventure
Watch Trailer
In a dystopian future, an ex-NASA pilot becomes a farmer as humanity struggles to survive. NASA recruited him again to go through a wormhole to do exploration for a new hospitable environment to live in. of a new home for mankind.
With a heavy heart, he left his kids on Earth and promised they would see each other again. This movie will make you incredibly in awe of the scientific accuracy of the story and emotional from the bond of the dad and daughter.
26. Ant Man (2015)
Action
Watch Trailer
A man with a criminal record just got released from prison. Now he has to get a job and learn to get on with life. He was offered a job that he is good at- break into a place and steal some stuff. He gets to wear a suit that shrinks him into a size equivalent of an ant and gives him superpowers. Ant man will make you laugh and get attached to the characters.
27. The Adam Project (2022)
Drama
Watch Trailer
The movie stars Ryan Reynolds as a middle-aged man who travels back in time to his younger self (played by Mark Ruffalo) in order to find his father and prevent a catastrophic event from occurring.
Along the way, he teams up with his younger self and his father’s former colleague (played by Catherine Keener) to overcome challenges and save the future. The film combines elements of time-travel, adventure, and family drama, and is noted for its strong performances and visually stunning effects.
28. Black Box (2020)
Horror
Watch Trailer
A man who loses his wife and daughter in a car accident and is left with amnesia. He undergoes an experimental procedure at a secret facility, known as the “Black Box,” which claims to restore memories.
As he delves deeper into his past, he begins to uncover dark secrets and a sinister conspiracy, and must fight to survive and uncover the truth. The film is noted for its twists and turns, and its exploration of memory, identity, and the power of the mind.
29. Man in Black (1997)
Comedy
Watch Trailer
Men in Black is a top secret organization that overlooks any aliens that exist on Earth. These highly intelligent beings have the ability to shape shift and morph to look like humans which makes it a little challenging for these agents to identify them.
Men in Black is responsible to keep civilians from finding out the existence of these extraterrestrial lifeforms. The highly trained agents and state of the art equipment will catch your eye from the beginning and keep you entertained with bursts of laughter till the end.
30. Spiderhead (2022)
Thriller
Watch Trailer
Based on a short story by George Saunders and takes place in a future where prison inmates are offered the chance to participate in medical experiments in exchange for shorter sentences. The experiments, conducted by a corporation, involve the testing of drugs that can manipulate emotions, memories, and desires.
As the subjects begin to experience the drugs’ effects, they must navigate a complex web of emotions and moral dilemmas as they grapple with the consequences of their actions. The film is noted for its exploration of themes such as ethics, morality, and the consequences of using drugs to manipulate the mind.
31. Bird Box (2018)
Horror
Watch Trailer
Sandra Bullock as a mother who must navigate a dangerous world blindfolded, along with her two children, to avoid a mysterious force that drives people to suicide. The film takes place in a dystopian future where most of humanity has been wiped out by the supernatural entity, and a small group of survivors must band together to survive and find safety.
“Bird Box” is noted for its suspenseful atmosphere, strong performances, and exploration of themes such as motherhood, survival, and the power of the human spirit.
32. The Martian (2015)
Drama
Watch Trailer
An astronaut who was unintentionally left behind on Mars by his crewmates had to learn to survive on a planet that does not have natural resources for humans to survive. His crew mates thought he was dead after he got struck by debris and due to the state of their space vessel, they had to abruptly leave the planet.
The Martian will keep you entertained with the performance of the amazing casts and the sensational cinematography.
33. Another Earth (2011)
Drama
Watch Trailer
Scientists found another Earth in the vicinity of the Earth we are living in. One night, Rhonda, a teenage girl who drove home intoxicated, rammed into another car as she stared at the other Earth. Everyone in that family died except the father.
She wanted to apologize when she came out of prison but did not have the nerve to. Later she gave him a ticket to go to the other Earth with the theory that his family may still be alive there.
34. IO (2019)
Drama
Watch Trailer
After an apocalypse, the Earth is abandoned by most humans to migrate to a space station near Saturn’s moon IO. The atmosphere is no longer breathable oxygen but toxic gas that is inhospitable to humans.
Sam, a girl who was with her father before he passed away, stays back on Earth with hopes of cleaning the air for humans to return. This movie is a slow and intimate journey of Sam and her choices.
35. Gravity (2013)
Thriller
Watch Trailer
American astronauts get stranded in space as their space shuttle gets destroyed. Gravity will pull you in and hold on to your attention with the cinematography of space from an astronaut’s point of view.
You will not be let down if you had high hopes for Sandra Bullock’s acting. You can feel what she felt as she perfectly expressed the emotions of the character.
36. Ad Astra (2019)
Thriller
Watch Trailer
In the future, an unknown power surge strikes the Solar system which puts Earth in danger. The human race on Earth is also under existential threat. An astronaut took up the mission to find the source of this power surge because it was believed that it came from a project that his father led to look for other life in the galaxy.
His father and crew were presumed dead because no one has made contact with anyone on earth for more than 10 years. What will the astronaut find when he heads out to space? Will he find his long lost father? Watch Ad Astra to find out.
37. Solaris (2002)
Romance
Watch Trailer
A clinical psychologist was requested for a solo mission to a space station by his old friend who works there. This request was granted because he had to help the crew to figure out a queer phenomenon that is happening.
Due to this phenomenon nobody in the space station wanted to come home. Upon arriving, he had illusions of his wife who died and turns out many of the crew members had the same experience of getting illusions. This movie must be digested slowly to fully grasp the essence.
Final Word
Sci-fi movies are well known for exemplary visuals and audibles that will no doubt overwhelm your senses in a good way. Theaters would be a great place to watch them but if you’re home with your laptop, make sure you have great surround sound speakers or headphones to maximize your experience. So what are you waiting for? Pick a movie, grab some snacks and dim the lights. Let movie magic transport you to another universe, boggle your mind and keep you curious.
