John Carpenter's cult classic They Live is the definitive sci-fi action thriller from the 1980s. It has the charm of the movies of that period and social commentary that is still so relevant to this day. Moreover, mass media seems to be even more dominant nowadays, and the culture of consumerism is prospering.
Though not every sci-fi action movie has the same kind of powerful messages behind them, many of such movies are still incredibly entertaining to watch. These are the ten movies that fans of They Live will definitely enjoy and maybe even find some new favorites among them.
Demolition Man (1993) - Available On AMC+, Sling TV, And FuboTV
One of Wesley Snipes' most well-known roles, the sci-fi action movie Demolition Man also stars such big names as Sylvester Stallone and Sandra Bullock and is particularly notable for its allusions to other works in the genre such as the dystopian novels Brave New World and The Sleeper Awakes.
Set in the year 2032, the story follows a police officer and a criminal thawed from their cryogenic sleep that began in 1996. The current society is pretty much free of any crime, which is why the two feel like fish out of water.
Resident Evil (2002) - Available On Tubi TV
Starring Milla Jovovich in one of her many iconic action roles, Resident Evil is an action-horror movie with numerous sci-fi elements. Adapted from the video game series of the same name, it developed into a complete movie franchise with mostly negative reviews from critics but varying love from audiences.
The story follows the amnesiac Alice who joins forces with a group of fighters from the Umbrella Corporation as they try to prevent the T-virus from spreading beyond the secret underground facility of the company.
Blade (1998) - Available On HBO Max And Sling TV
Another movie starring Wesley Snipes, Blade and its two sequels are gems in the world of PG-rated superhero movies because this trilogy doesn't shy away from its dark source material. The R-rated superhero horror movie is one of the most beloved works from the sci-fi action genre.
The story follows a human with vampire abilities called Blade who, along with his mentor and a hematologist, fights the vicious vampires and protects humankind from them.
Escape From New York (1981) - Available On HBO Max
Starring Kurt Russell in probably his most famous role, Escape from New York quickly became a cult classic and is still considered one of John Carpenter's best. In fact, this sci-fi action movie is quite similar to They Live in tone and atmosphere.
Set in a dystopian 1997 in Manhattan which has been turned into a huge prison, it follows a criminal called Snake Plissken who is tasked by the government to rescue the American President from this prison after his plane has crashed in Manhattan.
Men In Black (1997) - Available On DirecTV, FuboTV, And Starz
Co-starring Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones as a duo with perfect onscreen chemistry, Men in Black is not just a sci-fi action movie—it's also a comedy. When it first debuted, it was a huge success, and it would go on to have two sequels, an animated series, and a spin-off in addition to the comic book series the franchise is based on.
The story follows an NYPD undercover officer who finds out that aliens exist and that there is a special organization known as the Men in Black that makes sure that aliens and humans coexist peacefully.
Robocop (1987) - Available On Prime Video, DirecTV, Showtime, And FuboTV
The violent sci-fi action classic Robocop is often also categorized as a cyberpunk work. But, no matter what its genre is, its satirical tone and explorations of philosophical issues of self will likely ring true long into the future.
Taking place in the near future in Detroit, Michigan, it follows a police officer murdered by criminals. The officer is officially pronounced dead but is secretly transformed into a cyborg law enforcer known as RoboCop who doesn't remember his past life and acts more as a machine than a human being.
Predator (1987) - Available On DirecTV, FuboTV, And Starz
With Arnold Schwarzenegger delivering one of his most iconic performances, Predator has elements of three different genres (sci-fi, action, and horror), but blends them together almost seamlessly to create a story with its own unique lore.
The story follows a group of elite paramilitary rescuers who find themselves in a Central American rainforest while on a mission to save hostages somewhere in the area. Unexpectedly, the group encounters the so-called Predator, an alien with advanced sci-fi weaponry who aims to hunt them down one by one.
District 9 (2009) - Available On DirecTV
Neill Blomkamp's feature directorial debut, District 9 is unique in numerous ways. It uses the found footage format to accommodate its low-budget sci-fi action story while also discussing such relevant issues as xenophobia and social segregation.
In an alternate 1982, an alien spaceship finds its way to Johannesburg, South Africa which leads the local government to confine the sick insectoid crew to an internment camp known as District 9. Two decades later, the government is initiating a relocation of the aliens to a different camp while, unbeknownst to them, an alien attempts to escape with his son.
Aliens (1986) - Available On HBO Now And DirecTV
James Cameron's Aliens transformed the premise of the original movie from a sci-fi horror to a sci-fi action flick, creating yet another masterpiece in the process. Often considered to be one of the best sequels in history, Aliens consistently received praise for its action sequences and Sigourney Weaver's performance.
After the events of the first movie, Ellen Ripley remains the sole survivor of the Alien's attack. Ripley discovers that there is no contact with the human colony stationed on the moon where her own crew encountered the Alien, so she agrees to return with a group of colonial marines and investigate the issue.
Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) - Available On AMC+
When it comes to sequel quality, one of the few movies that could rival Aliens is none other than Terminator 2: Judgment Day, which was also directed by James Cameron. Like with Aliens, Cameron masterfully uses the original premise in a new and exciting way to tell a more actionable story.
Some years after the events of the first movie, Sarah Connor is confined at a mental hospital while her twelve-year-old son John lives with foster parents. Skynet sends a more advanced Terminator model to the past, while the future John Connor reprograms the original Terminator and also sends him back in time to protect Sarah and John.