There are many streaming services available to provide us with hours of entertainment in the form of television shows and films.
This is a great time to start looking into films that might have flown under the radar until now. For those who subscribe to Hulu, here are ten obscure (but awesome) science fiction films that you can stream right now.
Battle for Terra (2007)
This film tells the story of an alien planet that finds itself the victim of destructive efforts by humans. It’s a remarkably thoughtful film, exploring issues such as technology, colonialism, and sacrifice. It’s also a beautiful film to watch, with some truly impressive visuals. Unfortunately, the critical reception was less than ecstatic, though it was nominated for and won the Grand Prize for Best Animated Feature at the 2008 Ottawa International Animation Festival.
Colossal (2016)
This film flew under the radar, which is a shame, since it managed to combine the genres of science fiction and black comedy. It also stars a truly stunning array of voice talent, including Anne Hathaway, Jason Sudeikis, and Dan Stevens. It also explores the always-fascinating idea of a writer whose actions have an impact on the real world. It was rather disappointing at the box office, though the critics liked it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Time Travel (2009)
Sometimes, the British just do it better. That’s certainly the case with this film, which is another combination of science fiction and comedy. It also throws in time travel into the mix, when two science fiction fans and their friend have to contend with a time travel conundrum (one of the fans is played by comic genius Chris O’Dowd).
It was actually a co-production of HBO and the BBC, and it delivers quite a few laughs.
Time Freak (2018)
This is a rather interesting film, yet another lesser-known science fiction film that shows the effects of time travel. In it, a young man named Stillman (Asa Butterfield) invents a time machine in order to go back in time and fix his relationship with his girlfriend (Sophie Turner). There’s an undeniable chemistry between the two leads and, of course, it’s always a pleasure to see Sophie Turner.
Fast Color (2018)
It’s no secret that Marvel seems to corner the market on superhero films, earning billions of dollars with every release. Occasionally, however, one comes along that challenges what we thought we knew about the genre.
Such is the case with this film, which stars Gugu Mbatha-Raw as a young woman with extraordinary powers to change the weather. It’s a deeply philosophical film, a rather refreshing change from the frantic pacing and explosions of so many other superhero movies. It was well-received by critics, and Amazon has greenlit a TV series.
Aniara (2018)
If you’re in the mood for a film that explores the deadly and devastating consequences of climate change, then this is the film for you. In this film, a group of humans inhabiting a spaceship attempt to find a new home after Earth is destroyed. A series of time jumps takes us, and the characters, further and further into the future, forcing us to confront and explore exactly the type of questions that the genre of science fiction is so good at asking.
Coherence (2013)
There seems to be something fundamentally frightening about the prospect of a comet passing close to Earth, as indicated by this film. In Coherence, sort of a mash-up of Us and The Monsters are Due on Maple Street, a group of friends have to confront the uncanny happenings that occur after just such a celestial event. It’s one of those independent films that shows how a science fiction film doesn’t have to have a huge budget in order to ask deep questions about human nature.
The Island (2015)
Though Michael Bay is best known for producing films that feature lots of explosions and beautiful women, but he has on occasion produced films that are a bit more thoughtful, and this is one of those films. In it, the two main characters have to contend with the ugly realities of the compound in which they live. The film poses fascinating questions about the nature of humanity, the issue of whether clones are deserving of human rights, as well as other similar moral questions.
Midnight Special (2016)
What do you get when you combine special powers, a cult, and several mysteries? This film. The story revolves around a man trying to save his young son from the manipulations of a cult of which they are a part of. The narrative is a fascinating one, full of all sorts of enigmas that keep you guessing from the first moment to the last. It also features a truly stellar cast, including the one and only Adam Driver.
Just a Breath Away (2018)
One of the staples of science fiction is the plot that revolves around a family attempting to save themselves from an apocalypse that threatens to destroy their city. Though that is often New York, in this Canadian-French film, the cataclysmic event takes place in Paris, when an earthquake releases a toxic cloud that threatens a family and their immuno-compromised daughter. It was fairly well-received by critics, and it was even nominated for several awards.