Moviegoers can't get enough of films that feature imaginative, futuristic, and magical stories. This is why the sci-fi and fantasy genres are so popular. While there are many movies that fall into this category, we thought it was time to look at the best of the best. Rather than picking our own favorites, however, we'll be turning to these genre rankings at Rotten Tomatoes.
We'll be pulling from a list entitled the "Top 100 Science Fiction & Fantasy Movies" on the review aggregation website. This lineup is based on the number of ratings a film received, the year of its release, and its Tomatometer Score (a percentage based on the positive and negative reviews of critics). In other words, this list is based on the site's Adjusted Score, thus the percentages don't always line up with this list's particular results.
With the logistics noted, it's time to grab some popcorn, take a seat, and enjoy the greatest theatrical hits of all time. Here are the best sci-fi and fantasy films, according to Rotten Tomatoes.
Updated April 14th, 2020 by Mariana Fernandes: The best thing about having a list that provides you with the best 100 movies of certain genres is that there's a lot to go through. And considering that sci-fi and fantasy tend to be audience favorites, we figured that there is no time like the present to keep presenting you with some new and exciting options to fill your weekend nights. If you've been craving that wonder and excitement that comes from films like this, then keep reading to find out the best!
The Terminator (1984) - 100%
The movie that launched a decades-long franchise simply had to be featured on a list like this. Originally released in 1984, The Terminator has garnered unprecedented fame, popularity, and profit for movies of the genre at the time. It's one of those classics that should have a place on everyone's watchlist.
Arnold Schwarzenegger delivers his best performance to date, a number of quotable moments, mixing action and accidental comedy in the best way possible. Hasta la vista, baby!
Frankenstein (1931) - 100%
Black and white movies don't get the credit they deserve. While it's understandable that audiences who grew up on bright colored movies might have a hard time embracing older films, it's an effort worth making. And especially when it comes to a movie with the calibre that Frankenstein possesses.
It's the original live-action re-telling of one of the most famous stories in the world, that is still referenced in pop culture to this day. And if the 100% score won't convince you, perhaps nothing will.
Pinocchio (1940) - 100%
Who doesn't love a good old animation movie? The most surprising thing about Disney's Pinocchio is perhaps how much its popularity pales in comparison to other classics put forward by the studio, such as The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, and more recent projects like Coco.
However, it's still one of the few movies that puts honesty at the forefront of the conflict and manages to marry fantasy with reality in a beautiful manner. Who knows, maybe we'll get a live-action someday.
Mary Poppins (1964) - 100%
And speaking of classics, how can one forget about Mary Poppins? Alongside Sound of Music, this role has gone down in history as one of Julie Andrews' most iconic movie appearances.
Very recently, the world was finally awarded a sequel, with Emily Blunt taken on the role of the eccentric and curious nanny who feeds children spoon fulls of sugar and takes them where only imagination can. We suggest you supercalifragilisticexpialidocious your way into the closest streaming service and watch it!
How To Train Your Dragon (2010) - 99%
It's safe to say that no one was expecting the smashing success achieved by How To Train Your Dragon. And yet, the movie made almost $500 million worldwide, against a budget of $165 million, and introduced a new generation of children and adults alike to joys and pains of dragons.
Vikings, dragons, adventure, and fantasy all come together in what has become one of the highest-rated animated movies of all time. Although the sequel failed to perform as well, it's still one of those movies you want to keep close to your heart.
Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs (1937) - 98%
Kicking things off is Walt Disney Animation Studios' inaugural film: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
This 1937 fantasy follows a beautiful girl who must go into hiding after her jealous wicked stepmother chooses to hunt her down. Though Snow White finds herself helping a group of seven little miners clean up their cottage, it's not long before the witch comes up with a new idea that spells death for her stepdaughter.
A live-action Snow White is in development now.
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982) - 98%
In the '80s sci-fi classic E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, a kind-hearted alien gets lost on earth and ends up running into a young boy named Elliott.
Though Elliot and his siblings grow to love E.T., they must figure out how to send him home after he grows ill in the earth's atmosphere. The threat of government interference doesn't help the cause.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017) - 91%
Though the final 2019 installment in the Star Wars series received mixed reactions, the one that came before it was well-regarded by critics.
In Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Rey disrupts Luke Skywalker's solitude in hopes that he'll team back up with the Resistance. As Kylo Ren, General Hux, and the First Order grow stronger, Leia and the others formulate a plan for survival.
Wonder Woman (2017) - 93%
Wonder Woman jumped back into action in this 2017 superhero film.
Though all Diana Prince has ever known is Themyscira, the utopian island she was raised on, her world gets rocked upside down after an American pilot washes up on the shore. Here, she learns of the threats facing the outside world, and sets out to put an end to World War I, believing her people have something to do with it.
Wonder Woman's sequel, Wonder Woman 1984, is set for release on June 5.
Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) - 97%
Though the Mad Max film series received its first three installments in the late '70s through to the mid-'80s, the franchise was visited once more in 2015 with the release of Mad Max: Fury Road. Thankfully, it was a huge hit.
The post-apocalyptic action film has the evil Immortan Joe enslaving the residents of his desert fortress. Wishing to find solitude elsewhere, Imperator Furiosa runs away. She brings five of Joe's slave wives along with her, and teams up with Max Rockatansky for an epic escape.
Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse (2018) - 97%
This 2018 animated superhero film had the stories of multiple Spider-Men getting tangled in the same web.
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse centers on Miles Morales, a teenager from Brooklyn who gets bitten by a radioactive spider and develops superpowers. While Miles finds it difficult to handle his newfound abilities, he won't have to do it alone; the other Spider-Men from different dimensions have been transported to his world. It's up to the group to find their ways home.
The sequel to Into the Spider-Verse will be swinging into theaters on April 8, 2022.
The Wizard Of Oz (1939) - 98%
Follow the yellow brick road, and you'll end up at one of the most iconic movies in Hollywood history.
1939's Wizard of Oz tells of a girl named Dorothy who lives with her family in Kansas. After getting caught in a tornado, however, Dorothy is transported to the whimsical Land of Oz. She must journey toward the Emerald City in hopes of finding the Wizard, whom she believes has the power to send her home. Along the way, she helps a series of characters with dilemmas of their own.
Toy Story 4 (2019) - 97%
The highest-rated animated film to end up on this list is the last installment in the Toy Story series.
Bonnie's toys embark on a road trip with their owner in Toy Story 4. The problem comes when her newest handmade creation, Forky, struggles to accept his place as a toy and makes an escape for the trash. This requires Woody to bring Forky back to Bonnie. After meeting a newly adventurous Bo Peep, however, Woody starts to question his own place in the world.
Avengers: Endgame (2019) - 94%
The final 2019 installment in the Avengers series has the heroes teaming together for a battle against Thanos.
Though Endgame's villain wiped out half of all life on earth by collecting the six Infinity Stones, Iron Man, Thor, Black Widow, and the rest choose to go back in time in an attempt to reverse fate and resurrect the dead. However, time travel doesn't come without its consequences.
Black Panther (2018) - 97%
Topping off the list as the highest-rated sci-fi/fantasy film of all time is Marvel's Black Panther.
This 2018 superhero movie tells of the fictional African nation of Wakanda where T'Challa is set to take the throne after his father's passing. However, after returning to his home country, T'Challa is faced with an enemy that threatens his place as rightful ruler. It is up to him to become the Black Panther and take back what is his.
Black Panther 2 is scheduled to hit theaters on May 6, 2022.