It’s always enjoyable when a sci-fi movie leans further into the fiction part of the genre, taking impossible and outlandish concepts and weaving them into the story. Though it’s easy to appreciate when a work of science fiction is dedicated to drawing its story from realistic and logical concepts of math and science, this doesn’t always equal entertainment value onscreen. These works take loosely scientific premises and blend them with unforgettable action and intense emotional drama, making for engaging pieces of media anyone can enjoy.

Many of these are sci-fi movies that aren’t as bad as their reviews said, as several of them were critically panned for their over-the-top sensibilities. However, sometimes, a film that leans into the melodrama and explosive action of sci-fi is exactly what we’re looking for as audience members. Time has been kind to many of these тιтles, as they’ve been reevaluated and become cult classics as the years have progressed. As sci-fi keeps evolving, it will be interesting to see what new technological developments and discoveries are woven into fiction.

10

The Core (2003)

Directed by Jon Amiel

Any movie’s plot that revolves around having to get to the center of the Earth is automatically going to be rooted in unrealistic and inaccurate science. The Core, which stars Aaron Eckhart and Hilary Swank, follows a group of scientists and astronauts who attempt to restart the rotation of Earth’s core. However, the complex scientific explanations for how this happened and how the characters are going to fix this never quite make sense.

The Core is a disaster movie that should get a sequel or reboot, as it’s been a long time since the film first premiered, and its success on streaming proves that there’s renewed interest in the story. It’s clear that The Core drew inspiration from classic sci-fi stories like Jules Verne’s Journey To The Center of the Earth, adding to its cultural context and relevance. Though imperfect, The Core is a great blockbuster to put on with friends and get swept away by.

9

Moonfall (2022)

Directed by Roland Emmerich

Roland Emmerich’s Moonfall is widely considered one of the most inaccurate sci-fi movies released in recent years, unseating many iconic additions to the genre, like Armageddon​​​​​. Despite being critically panned, there’s a lot to love about Moonfall. Though the stakes are high and the drama is intense, the movie doesn’t take itself too seriously. Like all the best disaster films, Moonfall acknowledges that its premise is out there and quickly dives headfirst into the most outlandish plot twists possible.

Unfortunately, Moonfall was also a failure at the box office, only making $67,319,703 worldwide against an estimated budget of $150 million (via The Numbers). However, this hasn’t stopped fans of the project from pushing for a sequel and for new audiences to discover and fall in love with Moonfall in the years since it premiered. Halle Berry and Patrick Wilson lead the cast of Moonfall, and though they’re put in confusing situations, the skilled actors make it work.

8

Armageddon (1998)

Directed by Michael Bay

There are many reasons why Armageddon is a sci-fi movie that’s far from rooted in reality, but that hasn’t stopped it from becoming a cult classic despite the lukewarm critical reception. It’s unlikely that a crew of oil drillers would be tapped to travel into space to stop an asteroid from colliding with Earth, but Armageddon invites the viewer to suspend their disbelief early on in the story. With an ensemble cast that includes Bruce Willis, Billy Bob Thornton, and Ben Affleck, it’s easy to get swept away in the drama of Armageddon.

Audiences enter into the film expecting to be entertained, not provided with accurate descriptions of the laws of physics.

Like most of Michael Bay’s filmography, Armageddon doesn’t prioritize science, instead focusing on thrilling set pieces and action-packed sequences throughout the story. As time has progressed, Armageddon has become an iconic addition to the disaster genre. Audiences enter into the film expecting to be entertained, not provided with accurate descriptions of the laws of physics. Though there are moments when Armageddon leans further into funny and campy territory than serious, this is what has allowed it to age well.

7

Mickey 17 (2025)

Directed by Bong Joon Ho

Robert Pattinson is hilarious as the тιтular Mickey in Mickey 17, Bong Joon Ho’s latest addition to the sci-fi genre. It’s safe to say that it will be a long time before humanity has the technology to print a person out, as this might never happen. While we’re also a long way off from space travel of this magnitude and being able to easily communicate with aliens, this doesn’t hinder Mickey 17 from being hilarious and action-packed.

Though Mickey 17 is very different in tone from Bong Joon Ho’s Oscar-winning Parasite, the movie is a more slapstick, over-the-top project that’s in conversation with the director’s earlier work. Even when Mickey 17 is on the outlandish side, Pattinson’s work, as well as the supporting performances from Naomi Ackie and Mark Ruffalo, help root Mickey 17 in an emotional reality, if not a physical one. As strange as some of Mickey 17 is, going on the journey with Mickey is a ride that viewers will not soon forget.

6

Jurᴀssic Park (1993)

Directed by Steven Spielberg

One of Steven Spielberg’s most popular and iconic blockbusters, Jurᴀssic Park draws its story from the novel by renowned sci-fi writer Michael Crichton. Though it’s fun to imagine that there could be a world where the dinosaurs come back, the idea that they could be genetically recreated today and live on Earth despite the intense changes in the atmosphere and environment is not at all realistic. However, Jurᴀssic Park never pretends to be anything other than fun.

Jurᴀssic Park‘s story is a classic allegory about the dangers of humanity playing God and messing with powers they don’t understand.

Jurᴀssic Park‘s story is a classic allegory about the dangers of humanity playing God and messing with powers they don’t understand. There are many reasons why Jurᴀssic Park is such a beloved project, including the blend of computer-generated and physical visual effects and the moving emotional journey the characters go through. No matter how many times we revisit Jurᴀssic Park, the movie loses none of its entertainment value. There’s something universally engaging about humanity’s interest in the dinosaurs and the things that came before us.

5

Starship Troopers (1997)

Directed by Paul Verhoeven

The misunderstood cult classic Starship Troopers is a unique war movie that separates itself from the genre. Combining sci-fi, action, satire, and political commentary, Starship Troopers is a dark comedy that uses its premise to discuss colonialism and the military-industrial complex. While these are heavier subjects, Starship Troopers delivers its message in an entertaining package, poking fun at itself and including plenty of explosive moments to contrast the sly criticism.

When it first premiered, Starship Troopers was taken at face value and considered a celebration of the concepts that it was commenting on. However, time has been kind to Starship Troopers, and the project comes off as a sharp and enjoyable addition to the sci-fi genre today. The hilarious ensemble cast delivers their performances sincerely, giving their all to the outlandish space travel, aliens, and violence that make Starship Troopers pure fiction in concept but deeply critical in its story.

4

Gattaca (1997)

Directed by Andrew Niccol

Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman, and Jude Law lead Gattaca, a futuristic exploration of a world where eugenics has become commonplace and has started to rule our society. Though genetic testing and gene selection aren’t unimaginable in the modern day, the way Gattaca realizes them is what makes the story less than fully scientific. Hawke’s character, Vincent, wasn’t genetically engineered before birth, and he spends the story carefully collecting his DNA so he can pᴀss as a “valid.”

Gattaca doesn’t show the most complex understanding of DNA and genetic screening because it uses these concepts to examine the idea of perfection in any form.

Gattaca doesn’t show the most complex understanding of DNA and genetic screening because it uses these concepts to examine the idea of perfection in any form. As the movie progresses, the tension stems from Vincent masquerading as a “valid” and the many instances when his true idenтιтy is nearly exposed. Though Gattaca uses science fiction elements, it’s just as much of a thriller and a character study of Vincent as he learns to accept himself.

3

Tron (1982)

Directed by Steven Lisberger

The 1980s cult classic sci-fi movie Tron was immediately hailed for its visual effects and use of computer-generated imagery that was well ahead of its time. Though it’s unrealistic that people would ever be able to enter a computer program, this is the premise of Tron, and the way the filmmakers realized this onscreen is gorgeous to watch today. Like many sci-fi movies of the 1980s, Tron features many ideas about where technology is heading that aren’t necessarily true, but they are imaginative and surprisingly predictive.

Though the 2010 sequel, Tron: Legacy, didn’t revive the franchise the way Disney might have hoped, there’s still a lot of love for the original Tron within sci-fi circles. Tron blends emerging concerns and interest in a computerized world with the exciting action-adventure of ’80s blockbusters. Even the more dated elements and early attempts at utilizing CGI are compelling to watch because they’re a precursor to so much science fiction in contemporary films.

2

Brazil (1985)

Directed by Terry Gilliam

Out of all of Terry Gilliam’s films, Brazil might be the most out there. Part of Gilliam’s Trilogy of Imagination, Brazil is a bizarre take on the dystopian genre that has drawn comparisons to the work of George Orwell. Jonathan Pryce leads the cast as Sam Lowry, who lives in this near future, weathering the authoritarian surveillance state and looking for a way out of his repeтιтive life and job. The offbeat and twisting narrative of Brazil allows it to stand out and be memorable despite its outlandish premise.

Brazil takes many real concepts, like invasive plastic surgery, government work, and technological surveillance, and satirizes them.

Brazil takes many real concepts, like invasive plastic surgery, government work, and technological surveillance, and satirizes them. By taking all of these subjects and heightening them to the point of unreality, Brazil makes a larger comment on the direction society is going. Of course, Brazil is elevated by Gilliam’s characteristic whimsy and humor, but it’s equally impressive that the 1985 project has held up so well, remaining relevant and interrogative in the modern context.

1

Ex Machina (2014)

Directed by Alex Garland

Alicia Vikander gives a landmark performance as Ava, the artificial intelligence who gains consciousness and executes a complex escape plan in Ex Machina. Tense and atmospheric, Ex Machina explores a terrifying yet unmissable exploration into the future of AI and how to determine true humanity and consciousness. Though Ava manipulates those around her, the audience can’t help feeling empathy towards her and her desire to see the outside world instead of being trapped inside her creator’s home.

Though Ex Machina is a movie to avoid if you’re nervous about AI, it’s wildly entertaining from beginning to end. When it comes to the hard science of Ex Machina, the film isn’t concerned with a truthful depiction of how AI is trained and learns from humans. However, the interactions between Ava and the two human men, Domhnall Gleeson and Oscar Isaac, capture the audience’s attention from the start. Ex Machina is a great example of a sci-fi movie that uses its otherworldly premise to grapple with contemporary issues.