30 Mind-Blowing Sci-Fi Movies Everyone Should Watch in Their Lifetime
From aliens and outer space to time travel and A.I., we take a look at some of the most iconic sci-fi flicks ever.
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When it comes to great movies, there's no film genre as infinitely creative or original as sci-fi — especially when you consider how expansive the subject matter of science fiction really is. In fact, just like survival movies and end-of-the-world movies, there's truly not much that the sci-fi genre hasn't already explored on screen. (Think aliens and outer space, time travel, technology, artificial intelligence — you name it!) To honor this long-beloved genre that's produced a whole lot of spectacular, mind-bending films, we've rounded up some of the best sci-fi movies to date, spanning from iconic classics like 2001: A Space Odyssey to new modern favorites such as The Matrix and Inception.
Of course, the great thing about sci-fi is that there's truly something on the list for everyone: from exhilarating action movies and heart-pumping horror-thriller hybrids, to even romantic films that set a poignant love story against a futuristic setting. Regardless of the particular subject matter, though, any one of these sci-fi films will be a great pick for a truly thrilling, awe-inspiring watch — and will definitely lead you to reflect, wonder, and marvel at life's mere possibilities.
Inception (2010)
The winner of four Academy Awards (as well as a nomination for Best Picture), Christopher Nolan's blockbuster hit from 2010 explores an inventive, multi-layered dream world that's truly mind-boggling to revel in — and remains jaw-dropping as ever even with every rewatch of the masterful film.
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Ex Machina (2014)
For fans of cerebral thrillers about artificial intelligence (as well as smart, steely anti-heroines), this intriguing and visually stunning film tells the story of a programmer who's chosen to take part in a Turing test designed to determine the capabilities of a robot named Ava (Alicia Vikander) — only to find that the robot is far more self-aware than anyone ever imagined.
Arrival (2016)
While plenty of great sci-fi films explore that moment of "first contact" with extraterrestrials, few do so with as much profound realism or quiet thoughtfulness as Arrival. Following a linguistics expert (Amy Adams) who must discover how to communicate with aliens who arrive on Earth, this must-see film examines questions of time, language, and humanity with great poignancy and emotion.
Her (2013)
In this heartfelt romantic drama set against a near-future L.A., a lonely, introverted man (Joaquin Phoenix) falls in love with an operating system, raising thought-provoking questions about humanity's modern relationship with technology — and ultimately delivering a sentimental and mesmerizing masterpiece of a film that's unlike any of its genre.
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The Matrix (1999)
There's a reason why The Matrix is regarded as one of the most influential contemporary films of the sci-fi genre. Besides being a movie unlike anything anyone had seen before at the time of its release (thanks to its then-cutting edge tech and striking digital effects), this iconic '90s flick blends everything great you could think of: kung fu, action, virtual reality (even Keanu Reeves!).
Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
What if you were forced to relive the same vicious battle — and your brutal death — over and over again? In this truly underrated action-packed film that takes place in an apocalyptic, alien-invaded world, a military officer (Tom Cruise) is assigned to join an operation against the aliens — and finds himself in a time loop that sends him back to the same battle every time he is killed.
Annihilation (2018)
Sci-fi and psychological horror come together in this chilling, gripping film that follows a group of scientists as they embark on a dangerous expedition into a mysterious zone of alien presence called "The Shimmer." The result is an exhilarating story that's simultaneously terrifying and thought-provoking — with plenty of scenes that will remain etched into your mind well after you've finished the movie.
Back to the Future (1985)
As one of the most iconic time travel films to date, Steven Spielberg's Back to the Future still endures today as a classic sci-fi movie, following the time-traveling adventures of high schooler Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) and eccentric scientist Doc (Christopher Lloyd) as they're accidentally zapped back thirty years from the present-time '80s.
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Interstellar (2014)
Interstellar sees director Christopher Nolan return with another epic sci-fi movie four years after Inception, gripping viewers once again with yet another riveting and mind-bending story — but this time about futuristic space exploration, as a group of astronauts (including Matthew McConaughey) embark on a dangerous mission to travel through a wormhole in search of a new home for humanity.
Source Code (2011)
In this smart and action-packed sci-fi thriller, a U.S. Army pilot (Jake Gyllenhaal) discovers he's part of a simulated mission to find the identity of a bomber on a Chicago commuter train. What follows is an exhilarating race against time to save lives — complete with some surprising twists and turns that's guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat the entire time.
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Perhaps the most influential sci-fi film of them all, few movies are considered as legendary (or has a more instantly recognizable opening sequence!) than Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey, which has taken generations of viewers on an epic trek through space and time since its first history-making release in 1968.
The Martian (2015)
Based on the 2011 novel of the same name, this compelling sci-fi movie sees Matt Damon as a lone astronaut stranded on Mars. What follows is an awe-inspiring story of survival as a team of scientists back on Earth work to bring him home — a captivating tale that helped the film earn seven Academy Award nominations, including for Best Picture.
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Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
Sci-fi meets drama and romantic comedy in this offbeat, genre-defying flick about a man who follows his ex-lover in undergoing an experimental procedure to erase his memories after a painful breakup. With the help of this inventive concept — as well as outstanding performances from the cast — Eternal Sunshine ultimately emerges as heartfelt and imaginative look at relationships, loss, and heartache.
Blade Runner (1982)
In this iconic sci-fi film loosely based on the novel by Philip K. Dick, Harrison Ford stars as Richard Deckard, a "blade runner" cop living in a dystopian, cyberpunk world who must hunt down rogue human-like androids called "replicants." Praised for its well-crafted vision as well as for its film noir influences, Blade Runner easily remains a cult-favorite sci-fi masterpiece to this day.
Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
More than 30 years after the original Blade Runner hit cinemas, a sequel film revisited the futuristic world of replicants — this time with Ryan Gosling as a new "blade runner" who must find the missing Deckard (Harrison Ford) after uncovering a long-buried secret. A gripping narrative, combined with stunning visuals, make this film a truly worthy sequel to the classic.
Looper (2012)
For fans of nail-biting action and thought-provoking time travel plots, Looper delivers both elements in this thrilling sci-fi film that follows a hired contract killer called a "looper" (Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Bruce Willis), whose job is to assassinate targets by sending them back into the past — until the looper himself must be killed in the same way in order to "close the loop."
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The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
There's no doubt that the Star Wars franchise has had an incredible impact on the world of sci-fi cinema. Even 40 years after its release, The Empire Strikes Back — the second film in George Lucas' trilogy — remains immeasurable in its cultural significance, still fascinating countless Star Wars fans with its captivating narrative and iconic scenes.
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Avatar (2009)
Many will remember this epic blockbuster hit from James Cameron, which also — at the time — claimed the title of the highest grossing movie of all time at the box office. With truly breathtaking visuals and an engaging story of a marine who's dispatched to an alien planet, it's easy to see how Avatar lands a spot in one of the greatest sci-fi films (and why there are not one, but three more sequels currently in the works).
A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001)
Emotionally affecting as it is intellectually compelling, this 2001 film follows a highly advanced robot boy who longs to become "real," ultimately raising thought-provoking questions about what it truly means to be human. Fun fact: This adaptation of a 1969 short story was originally the unrealized project of Stanley Kubrick, but was ultimately passed onto his friend Steven Spielberg.
Wall-E (2008)
In this imaginative animated film, a lonely robot named Wall-E spends his days tidying up a ravaged Earth which humans were forced hundreds of years ago — until he meets another robot with a mission to spot new life on the planet. Charming and entertaining as it is thought-provoking, Pixar's Wall-E is proof that animated children's movies can take on sci-fi with a masterful lens as any.
Hannah Jeon is an Associate Commerce Editor at Prevention, where she covers expert-driven commerce content for all things health, beauty, and wellness. Previously the Editorial Assistant at Good Housekeeping, she earned her bachelor’s degree in creative writing and psychology from Johns Hopkins University. When she’s not on the hunt for all the best products online, you can often find her trying out new food spots in New York City or clicking away behind a camera.
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