Each year, sci-fi movies tend to be among the most anticipated and popular releases. 2021 was no different as some of the biggest titles of the year were sci-fi movies which showed the amazing opportunities of the genre and told exciting new stories within these exciting worlds.
Critics were also very receptive to the sci-fi genre in 2021 with some of them ranking among the best-reviewed movies of the year. Whether they were fun family-friendly adventures, giant blockbusters, or intimate character-driven stories, these acclaimed sci-fi movies wowed critics this year.
Godzilla Vs Kong (75%)
As the Monsterverse continued to grow, fans got increasingly eager to see the two most famous movie monsters face off on the big screen. Godzilla vs Kong fulfilled that dream with an epic showdown for monster supremacy with plenty of destruction to please fans.
According to most critics, Godzilla vs. Kong delivered exactly what the title promises. While those looking for human drama and character development should look elsewhere, the movie was praised as a fun spectacle.
Stowaway (77%)
Survival movies in space have always been an exciting experience for audiences, from Gravity to The Martian. Netflix's Stowaway is another worthy entry into that subgenre as it focuses on a three-person mission to Mars that is jeopardized when a fourth unexpected passenger is introduced.
Instead of focusing on big special effects set pieces, Stowaway gets its tension from a simple yet challenging moral dilemma. Critics praised the movie's exploration of these ideas which were further elevated by the work of a talented cast including Toni Collette and Anna Kendrick.
Ron's Gone Wrong (80%)
Disney introduced its newest odd and dysfunctional friendship with the sci-fi comedy Ron's Gone Wrong. The movie follows Barney, a socially awkward young boy who gets the latest popular gadget, a robot best friend. But when the robot, Ron, malfunctions, the two must make the most of their imperfect relationship.
While the movie's message about social media obsession didn't strike critics as anything new, they acknowledged that Ron's Gone Wrong maintained that expectation of Disney movies to deliver heart and humor in a family-friendly adventure.
Free Guy (80%)
While video game movies have rarely impressed critics, Free Guy managed to earn considerable acclaim by being set inside a video game. Ryan Reynolds stars as Guy, a background character in an outrageous game who begins to take charge of his repetitive and overlooked life.
The clever concept for the movie was a great jumping-off point for most critics, and they seemed to agree that Free Guy held up to that initial promise. The humor, heart, and fun energy of the movie made it one of the biggest surprises of the year.
Dune (83%)
Long before its release, Dune was one of the most talked-about movies of 2021. Denis Villeneuve took an ambitious approach in adapting the first part of Frank Herbert's influential sci-fi novel about a royal family who is targeted by their enemies to be overthrown on the unforgiven desert planet known as Dune.
While some critics noted that the movie sometimes gets weighed down with the denseness of the source material, Villeneuve's engrossing scope and vision for the story make it an unforgettable cinematic experience.
Oxygen (88%)
Like Stowaway, Oxygen is a sci-fi survival story, however, it also shares similarities with movies like 127 Hours and Buried as it focuses on one character the whole time. Melanie Laurent stars as a woman who wakes up in a cryogenic chamber that won't open and must find a way to escape as the oxygen runs out.
The claustrophobic setting makes for a truly intense thriller in the eyes of many critics. Laurent's powerful solo performance also received considerable praise for keeping the viewers engaged in the single-setting story.
The Suicide Squad (90%)
James Gunn's The Suicide Squad is a lot of different things rolled into one wild movie. It is a superhero adventure, a war adventure movie, and with the emergence of Starro in the second half, it turns into an alien invasion movie.
Despite all the different aspects being melded together, critics largely agreed that Gunn's twisted vision made it all work surprisingly well. As the movie embraces the violence and outrageousness of the source material, it makes for a fast and fun adventure.
A Quiet Place Part II (91%)
The first A Quiet Place ended up being one of the biggest sci-fi surprises in recent years and the sequel continues to make it a gripping saga. Set just after the events of the first movie, it follows the Abbott family still trying to survive in the dangerous new world while also introducing a potential weapon against the alien invaders.
Most critics were pleased to see the movie maintain its nerve-wracking style from the first movie without feeling stale. It was also praised for growing the world without losing the family element that made the first one work so well.
Spider-Man: No Way Home (94%)
Every Spider-Man movie has a bit of sci-fi fun thrown in given the characters involved. However, Spider-Man: No Way Home leans into that genre even more with this story of a fracturing multiverse that Peter Parker is faced with fixing.
The bigger and bolder direction of the sequel only improved the Spider-Man franchise rather than overwhelming it in the eyes of most critics. The movie managed to maintain the humor and heart of the predecessors and featured some truly crowd-pleasing moments.
The Mitchells Vs. The Machines (98%)
Yet another animated family adventure to explore technology run amok was The Mitchells vs. the Machines. The movie follows the titular family embarking on a cross-country trip when a rogue A.I. program takes over the world.
The movie was one of the biggest surprises of the year and a favorite among critics. The eye-catching animation style helped it to stand out from other movies in the genre while it also featured some laugh-out-loud comedy and a sweet message at its center.