Top 40 Greatest Sci-Fi Movies of All Time-Science fiction has always played a vital role in moving us forward and making our dreams come true. For this list of the best science fiction movies of all time, we’ve rounded up the best of a vital and ever-evolving genre, considering the films’ overall quality, All of these imaginative films are recommended; the very best are must-sees.
Our Top 40 Best Science Fiction Movies of All Time
40) Abyss – 1989
39) Sunshine – 2007
38) Hunger Games – 2012
The Hunger Games broke box office records and launched a franchise. It was followed by the arguably superior and more substantial The Hunger Games: Catching Fire , and two lesser sequels to The Hunger Games: Mockingjay . One of the best sci-fi movies ever.
37) The 5th Element – 1997
36) Her – 2013
Joaquin Phoenix falls for an operating system (Scarlett Johansson) after a bitter divorce in this sci-fi parable. Nominated for five trophies at the 86th Academy Awards, and winner of Best Original Screenplay, Along with top-notch films like Moon , Under the Skin, Annihilation , and another romantic hybrid that we’ll cover later in this list, Her stands out as one of the most impressive sci-fi films of this century.
35) Predator – 1987
We gradually and intelligently learn the monster’s macabre code of honor and his incredible powers. The difficult shoot in the Mexican jungle put a strain on the cast and crew, but McTiernan’s inventive direction exploits the location to its fullest. One of the best science fiction films ever.
34) Interstellar – 2014
The storytelling isn’t as tight as Inception and, at worst, it goes a bit off the rails, but Christopher Nolan ‘s space-travel epic , The performances are so good that you start to believe that, say, love is something that can travel through time and space.
33) Army of 12 Monkeys – 1995
Twelve Monkeys is one of them. Terry Gilliam’s hypnotically offbeat thriller earned Brad Pitt his first Golden Globe and an Oscar nomination. Bruce Willis and Madeline Stowe also star in this time-traveling story about a prisoner trying to prevent a global epidemic.
32) Contact – 1997
The film is full of wonder and awe—it sensitively and accurately examines the issues of science, religion, and politics—and it’s brought to life by an incredible Jodie Foster. One of the best sci-fi movies of the ’90s.
31) Looper – 2012
Looper is still one of the amazing science fiction films of all time. Yes, that’s right. Time travel is a plot element in countless films of the genre; Rian Johnson’s acclaimed Looper is a breath of fresh air.
Now let’s move on to the films ranked from 30th to 21st position…
30) Gravity – 2013
Beyond the technical aspects – which, to be clear, are revolutionary – viewers were hooked by the simple, emotionally charged story of a lost soul finding the will to live in extreme circumstances.
29) The Fly – 1986
The humor is everywhere and the thrills and shocks are not lacking. A staple of midnight movies, this film stands as one of Cronenberg’s defining works. It is the only film by the auteur to win an Oscar (for Best Makeup).
28) Ex Machina – 2015
The first A24 film to win an Oscar (a surprise win for visual effects, against Star Wars , Fury Road and The Revenant ), Alex Garland’s violent and unusually sexy thriller about an android who stands up to his brilliant creator showcases a brilliant Oscar Isaac in a 21st-century version of the madman archetype.
27) Planet of the Apes – 1968
Avoid Tim Burton’s remarkably stupid 2001 remake of the same name like the plague. But it’s worth noting that Matt Reeves’ 21st-century reboot, starring Andy Serkis, is pretty incredible. One of the best trilogies in cinema.
26) AI Artificial Intelligence – 2001
AI received mixed to positive reception upon its release; in recent years, it has been reevaluated as a masterpiece in its own right. It is a film of singular sadness that may have caught fans of Spielberg’s more audience-pleasing films off guard.
25) Under the Skin – 2014
Under the Skin garnered a lot of attention because it featured Scarlett Johansson’s first *ude scenes. It’s also one of the best films of this century so far. A masterpiece of genius and originality, Jonathan Glazer’s loose adaptation of Michael Faber’s sci-fi novel gave the Black Widow star and recent two-time Oscar nominee one of her best roles to date.
24) Total Recall – 2014
This is a kind of 80s blast, mixing space travel, gore, biting humor, and sex with a light touch. A cult sci-fi film. For another outrageously entertaining (if less polished) sci-fi satire from Verhoeven, check out 1997’s Starship Troopers .
23) Minority Report – 2002
Tom Cruise is at his best, dominating the screen as a cop from the future struggling to clear his name in an electrifying adaptation of Philip K. Dick’s book about the ethics of fighting crime before it happens.
22) Avatar – 2009
James Cameron’s 3D action epic captured the imagination of a generation, a thrilling, global cinematic experience that grossed $2.814 million worldwide. Avatar briefly lost its throne as the highest-grossing film of all time to Avengers: Endgame
21) Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind – 2004
With non-linear storytelling and psychological thriller elements, Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind examines a broken bond – ultimately uncovering a unique and unforgettable way to make us believe in true love.
Our top 20 of the best science fiction films in the history of cinema
20) Dune – 2021
We start our top 20 best science fiction films in history with a cult story for a film that will surely become one in the coming years, Dune by Denis Villeneuve. Villeneuve’s breathtaking film is one of the best films of 2021, and an instant reference in science fiction.
19) Children of Men – 2006
Nominated for three Oscars, Alfonso Cuarón’s dystopian thriller is technically ingenious, gripping and prescient. Clive Owen plays an archetypal common man called to action in a future where infertility has nearly destroyed society. Children of Men is a powerful and resounding reminder of the power of great science fiction to give us hope in dark times.
18) First Contact – 2016
First Contact takes its time, exploring its themes with gravity and curiosity. It all culminates in a surprising final act of spirituality that catches you off guard.
17) ET – 1982
16) Terminator – 1984
The micro-budget sci-fi thriller Terminator was an instant hit in its day, establishing writer-director James Cameron as one of the greatest action filmmakers and Arnold Schwarzenegger as an icon.
15) Robocop – 1987
Another cult classic from the 80s on our list of the best sci-fi movies is Robocop. Paul Verhoeven’s bold, uncompromising masterpiece works best as a satire – and it succeeds very well as a superhero action thriller. Most superhero movies are adapted from comic books; here, it’s the other way around.
14) Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope – 1977
Every movie studio except Fox turned down the unusual project, and although some feared the production would be a failure, Star Wars surpassed Jaws to become the highest-grossing film of all time, influencing all subsequent blockbusters.
13) The Thing – 1982
A box-office failure and critical disappointment upon its release (summer ’82 sci-fi was dominated by ET ), John Carpenter’s ingenious, atmospheric body horror is now recognized as a masterpiece of proximity. Kurt Russell stars in this icy, nihilistic thriller that pits American researchers against an alien shapeshifter in Antarctica. One of the very best sci-fi films of all time.
12) Aliens – 1986
Her powerful work and James Cameron’s technical wizardry transform what could have been a dull shooter into a dazzling film about maternal instinct and true strength.
11) Close Encounters of the Third Kind – 1977
And our top 10 is…
10) Inception – 2009
One of Christopher Nolan’s most ambitious and successful blockbusters—arguably his most accomplished—they follow a thief (Leonardo DiCaprio) who infiltrates the world of dreams. The sci-fi classic was nominated for eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and has grossed over $836 million worldwide. Nolan surprisingly didn’t get a Best Director nomination.
9) Jurassic Park – 1993
Eventually, the rights went to Spielberg and Universal. Jurassic Park was the subject of a record-breaking $65 million marketing campaign, including tie-ups with over 100 companies. It all paid off when the film became (without adjusting for inflation) the highest-grossing film of all time.
8) Mad Max: Fury Road – 2015
Fury Road is a rare thing, a movie of nonstop violence that preaches peace. And it works. Furiosa is its beating heart, and it’s hard to imagine anyone else pulling it off. A lesser action movie would, of course, have given Max and Furiosa a romantic arc.
7) Back to the Future – 1985
Enter the first film in one of cinema’s greatest trilogies, Back to the Future. Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd star in Robert Zemeckis’ special effects-heavy but character-driven sci-fi comedy that spawned a franchise. The adventure of Marty McFly, who travels back in time to meet his parents and secure his existence, was recently adapted for the stage. One of the greatest sci-fi films of all time.
6) Terminator 2: Judgment Day – 1991
Critics have raved about the production, and audiences have loved it year after year. The groundbreaking CGI and breakneck pace are spine-tingling; the evergreen themes of artificial intelligence and the machine rising up against its creator still tickle your brain today.
5) The Matrix – 1999
4) Alien – 1979
3) Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back – 1980
While it may be the darkest film in the series, it’s also the funniest, made with more time and money than Lucas had for the first one, with deeper ambitions and a confidence in this visionary material. Welcome to the podium of the best science fiction films .
2) 2001: A Space Odyssey – 1968
1) Blade Runner – 1982
It’s probably impossible to overstate its impact on the genre and cinema in general, and it’s the ultimate exploration of that most timeless of questions: what makes us human?
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