Science fiction films have come a long way, as it’s a genre that’s inextricably linked with technology. Fans on Letterboxd – a popular social platform for film buffs – have chosen the best ones ever made by rating their favorites on the site.
While some of the highest-rated movies on the platform are more recent technological marvels like Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse, others, like the first-ever Star Wars movie, mark the genre’s important turning points in cinema. Whichever the case may be, every single one of the sci-fi movies that get near-perfect scores on the site should be considered essential viewing for fans of the genre.
Children Of Men (2006) – 4.21
• Available to rent on Apple TV
Children of Men is a gripping social sci-fi movie that thrusts viewers into a dystopian future where infertility has changed the way the world works. 18 years of hopelessness have caused society to crumble, and refugees are flocking to the last nation on earth with a functioning government – the United Kingdom.
The engrossing film will keep audiences on the edge of their seats from start to finish, especially once they see its jaw-dropping twist. It’s a thought-provoking movie that elevates the genre and invites fans to think about how humanity would react to such a unique problem.
Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) – 4.21
Marvel fans finally get a better idea of just how wild the multiverse is in Spider-Man: No Way Home. The sequel follows Peter Parker and Dr. Stephen Strange’s misadventures as they attempt to conceal Spider-Man’s identity to help him regain privacy and a normal life again.
There’s no shortage of positive reviews about the superhero film, with some fans calling it the best entry in the franchise so far. Its riveting action sequences and compelling plot make it a true standout in the MCU, as well as in the sci-fi genre as a whole.
Star Wars (1977) – 4.21
• Available to stream on Disney+
Although it may not be considered the best Star Wars movie of all time, the original Star Wars (later known as A New Hope) completely transformed the sci-fi genre when it was first released in 1977. It introduced fans to iconic characters like Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, and Leia Organa and wowed audiences with a captivating story set in space.
It marked the beginning of a new era for science fiction, as the first entry in the franchise underscores the potential of the genre in a totally unique way. It’s a legendary film that continues to shape and influence cinema today.
The Final Exit Of The Disciples Of Ascensia (2019) – 4.26
When a UFO cult invites the unhappy Celisse to join their crew, she finds herself in an outlandish world full of wacky characters with impossible desires. The Final Exit Of The Disciples Of Ascensia is a movie that is as much about an inward journey as it is an exploration of a fascinating group with unclear intentions.
With its creative animation style that makes use of materials like construction paper and watercolor to mark the shifts in Celisse’s journey, audiences will find themselves constantly surprised by what’s around the corner. It’s a peculiar but moving film that perfectly captures the feeling of being lost and the need for acceptance.
Alien (1979) – 4.29
• Available to rent on Apple TV
Alien is a sci-fi horror film that needs no introduction. The iconic masterpiece takes viewers along for a thrilling ride in the space tug, Nostromo, which has been infiltrated by the titular Alien. Audiences helplessly watch as the ship’s crew scramble to stay alive in the now-lethal environment, but it’s only a matter of time before each of them encounters the extraterrestrial creature.
Aside from the well-designed props and set, what makes the film so remarkable is its groundbreaking use of silence and atmosphere to create tense and genuinely horrifying moments. It’s the build-up that’s often the worst (and best) part, and fans can’t be blamed for feeling just as nervous as the crew members as they carefully navigate the spacecraft.
The Thing (1982) – 4.31
• Available to rent on Apple TV
Viewers are in for a horrifying time in The Thing, as they watch a group of researchers in Antarctica uncover a dangerous extraterrestrial life-form. The titular Thing is an alien that can take the shape of any person, but it has to assimilate them first.
This intriguing premise predictably leads to distrust and fear among the characters, who have no idea if they’re talking to their colleague or a dangerous alien. It’s an exhilarating movie that’s still worth watching today, and is a must-see for fans of the genre.
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) – 4.31
• Available to stream on HBO Max
Despite being released over 50 years ago, there are countless aspects of 2001: A Space Odyssey that still hold up today. Widely considered a groundbreaking avant-garde film when it was first released, A Space Odyssey arguably redefined the genre and showed the industry that sci-fi is worthy of the big screen.
From its cutting-edge visual effects to its enigmatic narrative that leaves viewers with more questions than answers, the movie is a testament to the potential of what the genre could explore and become. The critically-acclaimed film is just as entertaining to watch today as it was five decades ago.
Stalker (1979) – 4.39
• Available to stream on HBO Max
Viewers who enjoy philosophical films will likely fall in love with Stalker, a profound sci-fi film that raises mind-boggling questions about the nature, limits, and consequences of human desire. As audiences follow the titular Stalker while he takes curious visitors into the heart of the Zone, they’ll find themselves spellbound by the hard-hitting conversations the characters have during their journey.
The movie’s interesting main conflict and frustratingly vague ending are what make it worth watching, not to mention its perfect pacing and remarkable art style.
The Empire Strikes Back (1980) – 4.40
• Available to stream on Disney+
Fans will likely never forget the characters introduced in The Empire Strikes Back, which include Yoda and Emperor Palpatine. The epic sci-fi film showcases the battle between the Galactic Empire and the Rebel Alliance, and follows the individual storylines of fan-favorite characters as well.
It’s not too far-fetched to say that the film’s release was a monumental moment in cinema, as it’s still often considered the best entry in the franchise decades later. The Empire Strikes Back is more than just a technical marvel that pushed the limits of the genre, but a movie that defined and continues to influence an entire generation.
Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse (2018) – 4.44
• Available to rent on Apple TV
It’s getting harder to stand out in the increasingly saturated superhero film genre, but Into the Spider-Verse proves that there’s still room for creativity there that can surprise and entertain fans. The critically-acclaimed film has been praised for its fresh take on animation and its likable cast of characters, and has often been described as a love letter to the genre.
Fans likely can’t help but root for the various versions of Spideys as they come together to figure out how to stop the big baddie, Kingpin. It’s a film that’s flawlessly animated and packed with action sequences that perfectly complement its distinctive art style.