Some sci-fi movies earn overwhelming praise from audiences and critics alike, and only a select few actually deserve all the praise they get. Since the beginning of cinema, science fiction films have been pushing the limits of what’s possible on screen. The boundless imagination of the genre has inspired generations of filmmakers to express themselves.
However, the science fiction genre has also long been derided by critics as mere disposable Hollywood products, and has had to overcome a stigma. Despite being dismissed by the critical establishment, some sci-fi movies have broken through and become recognized classics. There is a rare cross-section of the genre that earns praise from critics and fans in equal measure.
Movies like Star Wars and The Matrix are obvious examples, and it’s no surprise that those films are still beloved today. On the other hand, there are some sci-fi classics that weren’t always destined to be popular, and had to earn their reputation the hard way. Those movies are worth celebrating, and are still garnering praise to this day.
Invasion Of The Body Snatchers (1978)
Remakes rarely fare very well, but the 1978 reimagining of Invasion of the Body Snatchers is an exception. The remake was released a mere two decades after the original, but a lot had changed in the years since. The Donald Sutherland vehicle adds a tinge of urban paranoia that makes the sci-fi plot all the more terrifying in its modernity.
Much like its predecessor, the 1978 version of Invasion of the Body Snatchers is a genre-defining movie, and it represents the perfect mix of sci-fi and horror. Nearly 50 years on, it has only gotten scarier and more prescient because it removes the dated Cold War context of the original. Other remakes have followed and have paled in comparison.
High Life (2018)
The 2010s produced several sci-fi movies that put hard science first and foremost, and High Life is one of the strangest examples. Starring Robert Pattinson, the movie utilizes a non-linear narrative to disorient the viewer as the story plays out at different points in the timeline. Unflinching in its disturbing themes, High Life is hardly utopian sci-fi.
With its dark concepts, complex sci-fi, and borderline horror storytelling, High Life was never going to be a universally beloved movie. However, it did garner praise from critics, who appreciated the unique approach to the genre. It’s still being rediscovered, and has earned its reputation as a 2010s hidden gem.
Gattaca (1997)
Some sci-fi movies absolutely bomb at the box office, only to become popular later on. Gattaca was a financial disaster, though the heady sci-fi did earn high marks from critics when it arrived in the late 1990s. The story dissects the idea of eugenics, and makes biting commentary about how disabilities are treated in modern society.
Director Andrew Niccol’s sleek cinematography compliments the film’s dramatic storyline, and Gattaca is a prime example of a sci-fi movie that uses the genre as a backdrop to say something bigger. Because it bombed, it has a negative reputation in some circles. However, it is absolutely worth revisiting nearly 30 years since its disastrous debut.
Predestination (2014)
Underrated time travel movies abound, but few match the level of quality that 2014’s Predestination reached. Ethan Hawke anchors the complex sci-fi story that dives deep into concepts that are usually too complicated for mainstream science fiction movies. Predestination is brilliant because it is rich without being too confusing or isolating.
Critics were seemingly the only people who actually saw the movie back in 2014, and it had a forgettable run in theaters. Thankfully, the movie has found a niche for itself in sci-fi circles, largely because of brilliant performances from Hawke and co-star Sarah Snook. Time travel isn’t very original, but Predestination makes old clichés seem new again.
Under The Skin (2014)
Aliens are a key part of science fiction, and Under the Skin is a most unusual addition to the aliens-on-Earth subgenre. The movie’s story is told from the perspective of an apathetic extraterrestrial who abducts men to study them, while slowly learning lessons about human nature. Scarlett Johansson leads the film, but it’s a far cry from her blockbuster work.
Under the Skin is generally regarded as one of the 21st century’s best sci-fi movies, though it remains a divisive addition to the genre. Exploring the human condition is what the genre does best, but Under the Skin shuns conventional storytelling. It’s because of that fact (not in spite of it) that the movie has earned such a strong reputation.
District 9 (2009)
Critical acclaim and financial success don’t often go together in the sci-fi genre, but District 9 was released right at the perfect moment to find both. Director/writer Neill Blomkamp uses his alien refugee storyline as thinly veiled commentary on apartheid in his native South Africa, but the story shines beyond its obvious political messaging.
Besides that, District 9 is a great science fiction film overall. The visual effects are strong and the subtle use of design brings the world to life without feeling synthetic. The movie was nominated for several Oscars, including Best Picture, and was a box office success. It isn’t as celebrated today, but still deserves the accolades it received.
Edge Of Tomorrow (2014)
Due to poor marketing decisions, Edge of Tomorrow was not as big a hit as it should have been. However, the Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt action film is still one of the 2010’s best sci-fi films, and critics were apt to agree. Underneath its abundant action and excitement is a story about the dehumanizing effects of war.
Edge of Tomorrow looks like just another big-budgeted CGI spectacle, but is actually a compelling character drama too. It also subverts the traditional roles seen in Hollywood blockbusters, with a woman acting as the leader and mentor instead of just the hero’s girlfriend. As far as accessible sci-fi goes, few modern movies do it as well as Edge of Tomorrow.
The Vast Of Night (2019)
Hearkening back to the alien invasion films from the ’50s, The Vast of Night is a surprising low-budget gem. Loosely based on a real-life case, the movie follows two characters in real time as they receive mysterious signals from outer space. The production design really sells the small-town ’50s vibe, and the movie knows exactly where to put its money.
Sadly, it was dumped onto streaming and forgotten, although it did get rave reviews. It has since earned a strong cult following, and it will likely only grow in reputation as the years go by. Few independent films succeed in the sci-fi genre, but The Vast of Night smartly knew its limitations and put all the emphasis on story first.
Brazil (1985)
Excluding other films directed by Terry Gilliam, there are no movies quite like Brazil. The sci-fi comedy is set in a dystopian future where the government is bloated and corrupt, and the entire story is designed to poke holes in the opulence of 1980s culture. The absurdist approach was divisive, and Brazil bombed at the box office.
It almost immediately became a cult classic, and critics had nothing but good things to say from the beginning. Its weirdness is its greatest strength, though that can sometimes turn off viewers who aren’t expecting such a wild ride. Brazil isn’t really hard sci-fi, but there are enough futuristic concepts to satisfy the genre’s lax requirements.
Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind (2004)
A perennial favorite of the Aughts indie movie explosion, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind really is that good. Penned by Charlie Kaufman, the film’s story is about the importance of memories (good and bad), and how they can shape people into who they are. It saw Jim Carrey break into dramatic acting, and is an emotional and mind-bending experience.
Toeing the line between sci-fi and fantasy, the movie uses sci-fi to get to the heart of the story. It employs humor, absurdity, and tear-jerking moments to explore every facet of existence, and it’s a movie that makes the viewer feel more alive. Other sci-fi movies might better embrace the tenets of the genre, but few are as powerful.
