At first glance, science fiction and fantasy don’t really seem like two genres that would mesh well together, since their way of looking at the world is so different. Time and again, however, Hollywood has shown that there is a significant amount of humor to be found in the world of science and technology.
The 2010s proved to be a particularly fruit decade for these sorts of films, due in no small part to the fact that this was the decade in which the Marvel Cinematic Universe really came into its own and achieved a significant amount of both critical and financial success.
Paul (2011) - 7.0
Usually when aliens appear in films, they’re a source of terror and anxiety, a way in which a culture can work through its fears of the other. In a film like this one, however, that’s definitely not the case, as the titular character is an alien that doesn’t really seem very scary.
Given that it stars the comedy greats Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, with Seth Rogen providing the voice of Paul, it’s no surprise that this is a brilliant satire of the science fiction genre.
The World’s End (2013) - 7.0
Given that Nick Frost and Simon Pegg are two of the funniest men of British film, it’s not really surprising that yet another of their films would appear on this list, in this case The World’s End.
To no one’s surprise, it has the two actors once again having to contend with some sort of cataclysmic event, this time an invasion of aliens. As is always the case when these two are involved, hilarious hijinks ensue, and the film is a blast from beginning to end.
Safety Not Guaranteed (2012) - 7.0
Time travel seems to be one of those conceits that emerges time and again in Hollywood filmmaking, perhaps because the idea of being able to change the immutable nature of the past is itself such a deep-rooted desire.
Whatever the case, Safety Not Guaranteed also explores this issue, and while the science fiction element takes a back seat to the comedy and the drama, it’s still a fantastic little film that proved to be very successful.
The History of Future Folk (2012) - 7.2
By its very nature, the science fiction comedy film is a strange creature, and the narratives are rendered even more implausible by the fact that the film as a whole is supposed to be funny.
Even by that standard, The History of Future Folk is a bit of an odd film, since it’s ostensibly about a pair of aliens who are also folk singers. Despite, or perhaps because of, its oddness, the film manages to be both endearing and puzzling in equal measure.
Ant-Man (2015) - 7.3
Paul Rudd is one of those actors who seems to succeed in whatever genre of film he appears. While he certainly excels at comedy, he also has a dramatic side that he can use to full effect.
Both of these are on display in Ant-Man, one of the many films that comprise the MCU. There’s no question that Rudd is the absolute perfect person to play the reluctant hero in this film, and he owns the role from the beginning of the film until the final scene.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) - 7.6
Given that the first film was such an enormous success, it’s not exactly a surprise that there would be a sequel.
While it wasn’t quite as critically applauded as its predecessor, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is still a fun film to watch, in no small part because of the amazing chemistry among the cast and Chris Pratt’s Starlord/Peter Quill is definitely one of the best heroes to emerge out of the MCU.
Big Hero 6 (2014) - 7.8
While normally Pixar is the studio that’s known for creating compelling and lovable creatures, this time Disney managed to hit it out of the park with Big Hero 6. Baymax the robot is one of those animated beings that it’s impossible not to love, and it’s a marker of the film’s success that it makes the viewer care about this non-human being as much as it cares about the human characters.
This film is a reminder that science fiction often flourishes in the realm of animation.
About Time (2013) 7.8
About Time is yet another time travel film, this time about a man who travels to different points in his life in an attempt to improve his romantic life.
It’s a silly concept to be sure, but there is still something quite moving and beautiful about this film. The actors all give stunning performances, and it’s very easy to find oneself caught up in the sentiment and the romance that this funny, touching, and charming film manages to conjure.
Thor: Ragnarok (2017) - 7.9
Of all of the entries in the sprawling MCU, those focusing on Thor tend to be the most straightforwardly fun. A lot of this has to do with the fact that Chris Hemsworth has an infectious charm that makes him perfect for the role.
Thor: Ragnarok has a lot going for it in terms of the rest of the cast as well, particularly since it features none other than the divine Cate Blanchett, who manages to own the entire screen any time that she appears.
Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) - 8
When it was released in 2014, very few probably thought that Guardians of the Galaxy would be an enormous success, particularly since it seemed rather tangential to the rest of the MCU.
Very quickly, however, it became clear that the creative team had captured lightning in a bottle, and the film was a great success. It manages to be both exciting and funny at the same time, with lots of great performances, and it’s a reminder of just how great the MCU can be.