25 Favorite Science Fiction Movies

My favorite film of all time. It brilliantly blends sci fi, fantasy, action, and adventure. The characters are well-developed and the film has so much heart. The attack on the Death Star and the medal ceremony at the end still evoke emotion.

It's hard to believe that a sequal can be this good! The relationship and evolving love story between Han Solo and Princess Leia is better than what you find in most romantic comedies nowadays. This film has a dark edge but also a comedic touch.

While this is clearly a notch below the previous two episodes, this is still a great film in its own right. It provides a very satisfactory conclusion to the Star Wars saga. I don't even mind the Ewoks all that much!

A mind-blowing, dazzling, sci-fi action film! The question of "what is the Matrix?" is posed early on. The answer is surprising and not disappointing. The ground-breaking action sequences make this one worth watching again and again. Too bad that the sequels were terrible!

This is a timeless film that is full of wonder. It's very touching to see the relationship develop between the friendly alient E.T. and the boy, Elliot. This film appeals to young children and adults alike. It's one of the first films to show to your four-year-old.

This is Nolan's best film and the greatest sci film to come out in the last ten years. The film looks amazing and has exciting action. The most fun part about it is trying to decide which parts of it are "real" and which parts of it are a "dream." There are many different theories to explain the plot in this one.

This is a very rare example of a sequel being as good as the original. Arnold is awesome once again. The special effects and action sequences improve greatly from the original film. It also has a trippy plot and characters that we care about.

This is classic action and sci fi, with some horror elements as well. This film is cool and very intelligent. It explores some mind-blowing aspects of time travel and Arnold is great as the Terminator.

This is an under-appreciated Spielberg film. Movies inspired by the writings of Philip K. Dick are usually excellent, but this one is my favorite. Visually, it looks great and Cruise plays a very sympathetic protagonist. The plot has many fascinating twists and turns.

Interstellar is superior science fiction. There's a lot to say about the human condition and the meaning of life. It also uses theories about space, time, and gravity that come from scientific minds.

The Matrix lifted some of its plot from this film. Dark City does not feature a great deal of action, but it establishes mood with its "Metropolis"-like atmosphere. This is a film that will have you thinking about it long after it is over.

As a fan of the old "Quantum Leap" TV series, I really enjoyed this film. The film explores alternate realities, changing the past, and other sci fi themes. It has a solid cast and a fascinating plot.

Edge of Tomorrow is a "Groundhog Day" sci fi action film, in which a man keeps getting sent back in time every time he dies. Hostile aliens have invaded earth, and he has to keep trying new things until he gets it right.

This is an excellent sci fi flick from the 1960s, staring Chareton Heston. It has plenty of action and excitement, but also offers social comentary on animal rights and other issues. It's spawned a lot of lousy sequals and remakes, but also some good ones such as 2011s Rise of the Planet of the Apes.

Ex Machina is one of the best modern science fiction films and it deals with the concept of artificial intelligence about as well as any. Oscar Isaacs steals the show as a modern-day Dr. Frankenstein. This film gives the viewer a lot to think about, as there are many unanswered questions by the end of the film.

This is an Orwellian film from the future, in which humans lose the ability to procreate. However, Clive Owen, as an unlikely hero, tries to help preserve humanity at great risk. This film is superior science fiction and it is brilliantly directed.

Stalker is an old Soviet film, but it requires the viewer to use his or her imagination. I haven't seen anything quite like it and it is difficult to describe, but it is well worth seeing for patient science fiction fans.

This is a great prequel and tribute to the original Star Wars. The filmmakers show respect and answer the question of how the rebels acquired the Death Star plans.

This is probably my favorite sci fi/comedy. It has fun with time travel, but it also shows some 1950s life and culture. Parts of it are laugh-out-loud funny and we're pulling for Marty McFly all the way. It's hard to believe that this film is almost 30 years old and as far removed from us today and the 1950s were to original viewers of this film.

This is another example of a sci-fi horror. This is also one of the earliest entries on the list. I love the paranoia about not knowing who to trust. Today's friend or loved one could be trying to kill you tomorrow (or a pod person replica anyway). The 1970s remake is different, but quite good as well. See both versions!

This is a landmark science fiction film and one of the first philosophical/intellectual ones. It tackles issues such as artificial intelligence with HAL. It also explores the nature of human existence.

This is another philosophical science fiction film that does not just explore space, but the nature of our very beings. The story unfolds quite slowly, but it is very rewarding. This is an original and influential film.

There were many classic sci fi films from the 1950s, and this is one of the best. It is influential to Star Trek and was way ahead of its time. It’s smart science fiction.

This film was the first of a great wave of 1950s UFO movies. This one presents the aliens as morally superior beings and the humans as savages. It's also influential to Star Trek.