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This is a comprehensive list of the top 10 sci-fi movies of the 21st century, based on aggregated opinions of critics, as well as personal preferences.
The 10 Best Sci-Fi Movies of the 21st Century
| 1 | Inception | Release Date: 2010 Country: USA, UK Director: Christopher Nolan Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ellen Page, Tom Hardy, Dileep Rao, Ken Watanabe, Tom Berenger, Cillian Murphy, Marion Cotillard, Michael Caine, Pete Postlethwaite, Lukas Haas |
Inception is a broad and intricate tale that encompasses elements of science fiction, action, adventure, and a good old-fashioned heist movie. It challenges our perception of reality (quite literally) and prompts questions over the ethical aspects of further integration between humanity and technology. Dom Cobb is a thief by trade. Known as an ‘extractor’, Cobb uses his targets’ subconscious to steal valuable secrets. He is approached by a Japanese businessman named Saito to coordinate a complex job, involving a business adversary and energy heir, Robert Fischer. Cobb is joined by his long-term associate, Arthur, as well as architecture student Ariadne, identity theft expert Eames, and sedative-focused chemist Yusuf. The team must carefully craft a pathway of dreams within dreams to place an idea of Saito’s creation in Fischer’s brain. If successful, Fischer will dissolve his father’s corporation, allowing Saito to capitalise on its downfall. Saito promises to pull strings to help Cobb, who has been in hiding after the suspicious death of his wife, to see his children again. Inception is intense, exciting, and poignant, right until its infamous final scene. A treat for every audience! |
| 2 | Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens | Release Date: 2015 Country: USA Director: J.J. Abrams Cast: Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Lupita Nyong'o, Peter Mayhew, Max von Sydow, Gwendoline Christie |
After the mixed reception of the prequel trilogy, beginning in the late 1990s, there was understandable hesitation from Star Wars fans at the news of a brand new trilogy, taking place after the events of 1983’s Return of the Jedi. Fortunately, The Force Awakens is a triumph. Looking both to the past of the future, this movie provides the perfect fusion of beloved idols and a new generation of heroes, all packaged within an innovative storyline. We are introduced to Kylo Ren, the son of Princess Leia and Han Solo. Formerly known as Ben, the promising young Jedi turned to the dark side and found himself at the right hand of Supreme Leader Snoke. Estranged from both of his parents, Kylo styles himself on his grandfather, the notorious Darth Vader. Meanwhile, a nameless stormtrooper, disgusted by the violence he is forced to commit, breaks free. The intrepid young adventurer takes the name Finn, and soon meets X-wing fighter Poe Dameron, with whom he forms an instant bond. However, it is while on Jakku that Finn meets Rey, a scavenger who is strong with the force. The pair meet legendary Han Solo and his companion Chewbacca, then find themselves on an interstellar escapade aboard the Millennium Falcon. The Force Awakens did the impossible; giving die-hard Star Wars fans a new hope (sorry). The movie also generated a hype around Star Wars that hasn’t been seen since the 1980s. The best part? It was entirely deserved! |
| 3 | The Martian | Release Date: 2015 Country: UK, USA Director: Ridley Scott Cast: Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Jeff Daniels, Michael Peña, Benedict Wong, Sean Bean, Sebastian Stan, Aksel Hennie, Kate Mara, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Mackenzie Davis, Donald Glover |
In a scenario straight out of an astronaut’s worst nightmare, botanist Mark Watney is left behind on Mars after an unexpected storm forces the rest of his crew to abandon their mission. In the absence of life signs from the surface, the team reluctantly returns to their orbiting vessel. Watney, meanwhile, has actually survived, and faces the prospect of dying alone on Mars. However, he realises that in approximately four years, a new crew will pass by the Schiaparelli crater, allowing him to finally escape. In the meantime, Watney uses his botany skills to nurture viable plants within the surface operations habitat, known as Hab. Watney eventually manages to craft a basic communication device and communicate with Earth. After inadvertently destroying his crops and witnessing a failed attempt to send supplies from Earth, Watney considers whether his idea will work, or if the endeavour is futile. The Martian is a poignant tribute to the simultaneous fragility and strength of humanity, while Matt Damon skilfully portrays Watney’s frustration, terror, and determination. |
| 4 | Star Trek | Release Date: 2009 Country: USA, Germany Director: J.J. Abrams Cast: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Leonard Nimoy, Eric Bana, Karl Urban, Bruce Greenwood, Winona Ryder, Zoe Saldana, Simon Pegg, Jennifer Morrison, Anton Yelchin, Ben Cross, John Cho, Chris Hemsworth, Rachel Nichols |
Rebooting the beloved franchise was a huge gamble, but with J.J. Abrams at the helm, Star Trek was a resounding success. A solid script combined with excellent acting and gorgeous cinematography combined to create a movie that not only won over sceptical Trekkies, but appealed to a brand new audience. An impressive feat! This outing of the franchise takes a closer look at the circumstances that brought the beloved crew together. We witness the young Kirk channel his adolescent recklessness into a new career with Starfleet, while Spock joins the Academy in protest at the Vulcans’ treatment of his human mother. Kirk and Spock do not strike up a friendship at first; in fact, Spock accuses Kirk of cheating during a simulated exercise. However, once they are thrown together to save Spock’s home planet, the two discover their camaraderie. Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto are perfect in the roles of Kirk and Spock; portraying an authentic friendship that stays true to the original series. Plus, there’s a wonderful cameo from the late Leonard Nimoy. |
| 5 | Blade Runner 2049 | Release Date: 2017 Country: USA, UK, Hungary, Canada Director: Denis Villeneuve Cast: Ryan Gosling, Dave Bautista, Robin Wright, Mark Arnold, Wood Harris, Vilma Szécsi, Tómas Lemarquis, Ana de Armas, Sylvia Hoeks, David Dastmalchian, Edward James Olmos, Jared Leto, Sallie Harmsen |
There is something about a reboot that everyone loves and Blade Runner is back from the 80s, bringing some of the original case with them. As a film that has heavily influenced games and sci-fi TV shows, the original was based on Ford’s character (Deckard) having to hunt down replicants, and much of this storyline hasn’t changed. A fugitive replicant group needs hunting, but this time around it’s Gosling’s turn to also find Rick Deckard who has been missing for three decades. Showing that he is more than just the Star Wars franchise, Harrison Ford who is one of the main characters from the original 1982 version is back in the reboot and he’s bringing fan favourite Ryan Gosling with him. Blade Runner 2049 is the perfect mix of new age sci-fi film with a splash of the 80s for that futuristic memory you’ve been looking for in a film. |
| 6 | Pacific Rim | Release Date: 2013 Country: USA Director: Guillermo del Toro Cast: Charlie Hunnam, Diego Klattenhoff, Idris Elba, Rinko Kikuchi, Charlie Day, Burn Gorman, Robert Kazinsky, Max Martini, Clifton Collins Jr., Brad William Henke, Larry Joe Campbell, Ron Perlman, Santiago Segura |
As the largest ocean on Earth, the Pacific is full of secrets; that’s the starting point of this action-packed movie, directed by Guillermo Del Toro. Beneath the deep, gigantic lizard-like creatures are lurking. The Kaiju arrived through a portal to a parallel dimension at the foot of the Pacific Ocean, and soon find their way to land. During a three-year rampage, they wreak havoc on cities around the Ring of Fire; namely San Francisco, Hong Kong, Sydney, and Manila. Initially stumped over how to deal with this threat, a global effort finally produces a response; huge robots known as Jaegers. Each Jaeger is controlled by a human pilot, connected by a neural link. Despite the best efforts of the Jaegers and their pilots, the Kaiju prove to be a formidable enemy. Facing defeat, humanity has one final shot at survival. Former pilot Raleigh Beckett is the man for the hob. Hesitant to re-join after the death of his brother in a Kaiju attack, Beckett is persuaded by charismatic Marshal Pentecost. Alongside his new co-pilot, Mako Mori. Together, they must undertake a life-or-death operation with the survival of humanity at stake. No pressure! Pacific Rim is the perfect sci-fi/action crossover; fans of both genres will be satisfied with the smart plot, stunning visuals, and breathtaking battle sequences. |
| 7 | Interstellar | Release Date: 2014 Country: USA, UK Director: Christopher Nolan Cast: Ellen Burstyn, Matthew McConaughey, Mackenzie Foy, John Lithgow, Collette Wolfe, Timothée Chalamet, Francis X. McCarthy, Wes Bentley, Bill Irwin, David Oyelowo, Anne Hathaway, Andrew Borba, Michael Caine |
According to the narrative of Interstellar, humanity is heading straight toward a crisis of viability. By the end of this century, crops will fail, weather systems will become insurmountably harmful, and our species will be forced to look elsewhere for a new home. Pretty bleak, right? Enter, Joseph Cooper. The former navy and NASA pilot has traded in rockets for the simple life, running a farm with his children and father-in-law. Cooper, alongside his daughter, Murphy, discovers a secret NASA facility, headed by his former boss, Professor Baird. The professor explains that his team have been working on an alternative home for humanity. There are two plans; Plan A is a mass-evacuation, while Plan B involves giving a new generation the chance to start afresh. Plan B requires a pilot to deposit 5,000 frozen embryos to a newly-discovered planet. Baird asks Cooper to take charge of the journey, which Cooper accepts. As you might expect, not everything goes to plan. Cooper faces ethical dilemmas, mutiny, and the fact that time is passing much faster on Earth than it is for him. Whilst he secures the future of humanity, his own children are growing old without him. Interstellar is a visually impressive movie with an intelligent and thought-provoking storyline. |
| 8 | Minority Report | Release Date: 2002 Country: USA Director: Steven Spielberg Cast: Tom Cruise, Max von Sydow, Steve Harris, Neal McDonough, Jessica Capshaw, Patrick Kilpatrick, Richard Coca, Klea Scott, Frank Grillo, Keith Campbell, James Henderson, Kirk B.R. Woller, Anna Maria Horsford, Sarah Simmons |
If you want your sci-fi with a heavy dose of real-world relevance, look no further. Minority Report delves into the complicated intersection of law enforcement ethics, technology, and freedom. We meet Captain John Anderson, a senior police officer, who works within a program known as PreCrime. Under this protocol, psychics known as ‘precogs’ are used to predict criminal activity. Precogs have the ability to determine who will commit a crime, when, and where. This gives PreCrime operatives the opportunity to apprehend the criminal before they act. In theory, it’s a system that’s guaranteed keep the population safe. Anderson is completely on board until he is made aware of the newest suspect: Anderson himself. A precog has predicted that he will murder a man named Leo Crow, who is unknown to Anderson at that point. He is tasked with avoiding capture, whilst unravelling the circumstances that will bring the two men together. Over the course of Minority Report, we learn the complex details of Anderson’s personal life, and Crow’s previously unknown involvement. Minority Report is clever, sophisticated, and gripping. A must-see! |
| 9 | Avatar | Release Date: 2009 Country: UK, USA Director: James Cameron Cast: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Michelle Rodriguez, Stephen Lang, Joel David Moore, Giovanni Ribisi, Wes Studi, Scott Lawrence, Laz Alonso, Dileep Rao, Matt Gerald |
James Cameron’s beautifully-crafted Avatar was a massive hit upon its release in 2009. Audiences flocked to the cinema to enjoy the fully-immersive 3D experience. Its innovative approach to CGI, combined with lush landscapes and a compelling storyline, made it unmissable. Avatar takes place in the 22nd century, when humans have depleted much of the world’s natural resources. Facing a catastrophic energy crisis, government agencies have infiltrated an Earth-like satellite, Pandora, which has a plentiful supply of usable reserves. Due to a toxic atmosphere, humans cannot be physically present on Pandora, but they can be projected onto hybrid creatures known as avatars, formed from a mix of human and native Na’vi DNA. Avatars are controlled from Earth by humans with a genetic match. One of these operatives is Jake Sully; a former marine who was paralysed in the line of duty. He soon forms a close relationship with a Na’vi named Neytiri. He is accepted into her family and develops an affinity with the tribe. Sully discovers that the head of the program’s security team, Miles Quaritch, plans to destroy the Na’vi’s sacred Hometree, in an effort to fully colonise Pandora. Conflicted between his newfound commitment to the Navi and his duty to the program, Sully faces an impossible dilemma; stay on side or defect? Avatar is a treat for the eyes, but it also has a compelling storyline that works perfectly with the high-quality visuals. |
| 10 | A.I. Artificial Intelligence | Release Date: 2001 Country: USA Director: Steven Spielberg Cast: Haley Joel Osment, Frances O'Connor, Jake Thomas, Sam Robards, Jude Law, William Hurt, Kevin Sussman, Ken Leung, Clark Gregg, Tom Gallop, Eugene Osment, Matt Winston, April Grace, Sabrina Grdevich |
Stephen Spielberg’s heart-warming story gives a nod to Pinocchio, with a distinctly modern approach. Set in the 22nd century, A.I. tells an enchanting story that explores the intersection of humanity and technology. David is no ordinary robot; he is child-like, and programmed with the ability to love. David is sent to live with the Swinton family, whose son, Martin, is in suspended animation whilst waiting to receive a cure for a rare condition. The matriarch of the family, Monica Swinton, forms an immediate bond with David, but her husband Henry is more reserved. Martin is successfully treated and welcomed home to his family. He becomes jealous of his robotic sibling, due mostly to having to share his mother’s affection, and sets about sabotaging David’s reputation within the family. After convincing David to cut off a piece of Monica’s hair, Martin gets his wish. David is sent away to fend for himself. He soon finds Joe, another robot, and the two join forces to find the mythical Blue Fairy, who David believes will have the power to transform him into a real boy. Along the way, David meets his creator, confronts the forces that wish to destroy him, and learns that the human experience is both fragile and precious. Be prepared for some tears! |
The evolution of Sci-Fi: from the near future to strange new worlds
Early days
The first science fiction film is widely considered to be Georges Méliès’ A Trip To The Moon, released in 1902. However, it was not until the 1920s that the genre began to take off, thanks to Fritz Lang’s Metropolis in 1927. Although reviews were mixed at the time, the enduring legacy of the movie helped to propel sci-fi as a viable category of creative filmmaking.
All creatures great and small
The 1950s saw the emergence of Japan as a science fiction powerhouse, due mostly to the popularity of Ishiro Honda’s Godzilla, released in 1954. When Planet of the Apes premiered in 1968, audiences were amazed by the post-apocalyptic storyline and that twist ending.
Looking to the stars
The space race had a profound impact on the genre. Humanity turned its attention to the galaxy, which ignited a passion for extra-terrestrial stories. 2001: A Space Odyssey, directed by Stanley Kubrick, took us on an adventure to Jupiter, while Star Trek created a whole new universe within a universe. The popular television series led to a successful run of feature-length movies, with the franchise still churning out hits in this century.
The Star Wars phenomenon
When Star Wars Episode IV was released in 1977, it wasn’t expected to become an enduring hit, but audiences were captivated by the characters, storyline, and warm humour, prompting the birth of a very modern phenomenon. Star Wars remains an exciting and cherished franchise, with the latest trilogy prompting a new influx of devoted fans.
The not-so-distant future
Sci-fi continues to be a huge draw for filmmakers and audiences alike, and its influence permeates other genres, particularly action and superhero movies. With no sign of sci-fi slowing down, it’s the perfect time to embrace your inner geek!