Science fiction is a genre that allows filmmakers a vessel to talk about things that bother them. It can be used to tell futuristic stories, as well as stories that dig deep into the problems of our contemporary world. We have curated the top 25 science fiction films of all time.
Over the years, we have seen several films in the genre that had an impact on its viewers. For this list, we are choosing the ones that did well critically and had a good story. So let’s find out.
Read More: Top 25 Oscar-Winning Films Of All Time
Top 25 Science Fiction Films Of All Time
1) Edge Of Tomorrow (2014)
Adapted from a Japanese light novel, the film takes place in the future where most of Europe is occupied by an alien race. Major William Cage (Tom Cruise), a public relations officer with no combat experience, is forced to join an operation where he gets in a time loop.
2) Coherence (2013)
The film follows eight friends who meet up for a get-together dinner party when strange things start happening following the close passing of a comet from the earth. The film is a masterpiece and a must-watch for sci-fi lovers.
3) Primer (2004)
This film proved that you don’t need a big budget to tell a good science fiction story. Made for just $7,000, this film deals with two engineers who try to create a time travel machine. The film met with critical acclaim for its innovative ideas and enjoys a strong cult following among movie lovers.
4) Minority Report (2002)
Loosely based on the 1956 short story The Minority Report by Philip K. Dick, this Steven Spielberg film follows a specialized police department that prevents crime before they take place. Despite being a sci-fi story, some of the technology designs shown in the film have proven prescient.
5) Moon (2009)
Directed by Duncan Jones, this proves that a sci-fi film can also tell a very personal and intimate story. It follows a man who experiences a personal crisis as his three-year solitary stint mining helium-3 on the Moon comes to an end. It was well received by critics.
6) Donnie Darko (2001)
Easily one of the most complicated sci-fi flicks of all time, ‘Donnie Darko‘ follows a troubled teenager who starts having visions of a giant rabbit after escaping an accident. It launched the career of Jake Gyllenhaal and is regarded as one of the best films in the genre for its innovative ideas and visuals.
7) Gravity (2013)
This film follows American astronauts (played by Sandra Bullock and George Clooney) who are stranded in space after the mid-orbit destruction of their Space Shuttle and try to return to Earth. It met with critical acclaim and was praised for its visual effects. The film was also a box-office success and took home seven Oscars.
8) Alien (1979)
Probably one of the first films to intelligently blend sci-fi with horror, this Ridley Scott-directed film follows the crew of the commercial space tug Nostromo, who encounter a deadly alien on their tug. The film met with critical acclaim and massive financial returns and also spawned a franchise.
9) 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
The granddaddy of all sci-fi, this 1968 epic was a revolutionary film of its time thanks to the practical effects and massive set pieces. Several filmmakers like Chris Nolan, James Cameron, and Scott have cited it as their inspiration. It is often regarded as one of the best films of all time.
10) Looper (2012)
A high-concept film by all measures, ‘Looper‘ chronicles present-day contract killers called loopers who are hired by criminal gangs from the future to terminate victims whom they send back through time. The film stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Emily Blunt, Jeff Daniels, and Bruce Willis.
11) Snowpiercer (2013)
Directed by Bong Joon-ho, it was Bong’s first Hollywood film. The film takes place aboard the namesake train as it travels across the globe carrying the last remnants of humanity. It tackles issues like global warming and class divide among other things. It continues to remain one of the most expensive South Korean productions ever.
12) Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes (2014)
A sequel to ‘Rise of the Planet of the Apes’, this second installment in the reboot franchise follows Caesar, a leader of the apes, as he tries to stay alive with his group during a pandemic. The film received favorable reviews for its visual effects and storyline. Its sequel and final film in the franchise ‘War for the Planet of the Apes’ was released in 2017.
13) District 9 (2009)
This 2009 film is unlike any other sci-fi film as it uses found footage style to tell the story of poverty-stricken aliens captured in South Africa. It deals with themes of humanity, xenophobia, and social segregation. It’s a must-watch for any sci-fi fan.
14) Ex Machina (2014)
Directed by Alex Garland, this film follows a computer programmer employed by a billionaire who is given the task to assess whether a humanoid robot is sentient. But the story isn’t as simple as it sounds.
15) Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
Considered to be one of the greatest sequel as well as science fiction films of all time, T2 follows John and Sarah Connor as a terminator is sent from the future to kill him. This James Cameron-directed feature contains some of the most breathtaking action scenes in cinema history.
16) Blade Runner (1982)
Unlike most films on the list, this science fiction film was criticized during its original theatrical run and failed to perform well at the box office. It has since gained a strong cult following and is considered to be a masterpiece.
17) Jurassic Park (1993)
Directed by Steven Spielberg, this film introduced an entire generation to dinosaurs. It received universal acclaim for its groundbreaking visual effects and took home several Academy Awards. The film was followed by five sequels.
18) Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
The first film in the ‘Star Wars’ film series, it kick-started a massive franchise that’s active to this date. Often regarded as one of the greatest films of all time, the film quickly became a pop-cultural phenomenon, launching a series of things.
19) E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
This lovely science fiction film tells the story of Elliott, a boy who befriends a friendly alien E.T., who is left behind on Earth. The rest of the film chronicles how Elliott helps the alien find his home. It is a critical and commercial darling and took home four Oscars in different categories.
20) Inception (2010)
One of the most influential science fiction films in recent times, this Christopher Nolan-directed feature follows a bunch of professionals tasked with the implantation of another person’s idea into a target’s subconscious. One cannot afford to miss this piece of art.
21) Arrival (2016)
Based on the 1998 short story ‘Story of Your Life‘ by Ted Chiang. The film stars Amy Adams as Louise Banks, a linguist enlisted by the United States Army to discover how to communicate with extraterrestrials who have arrived on Earth before tensions lead to war.
22) Under The Skin (2013)
Unlike most films on the list, this one slipped under the radar and failed to get the recognition it deserves. Starring Scarlett Johanson as an otherworldly woman who preys on men in Scotland. Her performance and the film met with critical acclaim and it was named the best film of the year by various critics.
23) Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind (2004)
Starring Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet, this romantic science fiction film follows Joel and Clementine who are in a relationship. However, having had their memories clinically erased, they do not remember their past. The film is a must-watch for those who enjoy a beautiful blend of romance and sci-fi.
24) The Martian (2015)
This light-hearted film by Ridley Scott chronicles the efforts of an astronaut’s struggle to survive on Mars after being left behind and the efforts of NASA to bring him back. Unlike most survival films that have a serious tone, this Matt Damon starrer is funny with a rewatch value. The film was a critical and commercial success.
25) Children Of Men (2006)
Set in 2027 when two decades of human infertility have left society on the brink of collapse, this film follows a civil servant who must help the last pregnant lady escape the chaos. It was voted 13th among 100 films considered the best of the 21st century by 117 film critics from across the globe.
