10 Greatest Sci-Fi Films of All Time
Originally published in April 2012.
Since the days of Isaac Asimov and H.G Wells, science fiction has always been one of the most enjoyed genres of any medium. Whether it be in written from, audio or visual, the Sci-Fi genre has allowed us to escape to a different time or place…good or bad.
This list looks at some of my personal favourite science fiction movies, movies that others may agree with and some that others may detest. I am however quite sure that everyone will agree that most of films were instrumental in shaping and refining the genre that is as popular today as it was upon its inception.
This is a list that I hope you all enjoy…lets get started!
10. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
With eleven movies in the bag since 1979, you have to go all the way back to 1982 to witness the best of the bunch. The sequel to the original series episode “Space Seed” finds the villainous Khan (Ricardo Montalbán) on a revenge driven quest to find and kill his nemesis, the now Admiral James T. Kirk (William Shatner).
Montalbán puts in a classic turn as the crazed but brilliant Khan. Add to this not only the memorable and emotional death of Spock (Leonard Nimoy) but some of the best space battle scenes ever depicted and what do you have? A film lauded by critics for almost three decades as not only the best Star Trek movie ever but also one of the best Sci-Fi actioners too.
9. The Matrix
The Wachowski’s take on the Sci-Fi genre resulted in this movie released in 1999. Helped by a strong marketing campaign, The Matrix gained a significant amount of hype before its release but nobody could predict the brilliance that they were about to witness.
The film follows Thomas Anderson/Neo (Keanu Reeves), a computer hacker whose world is turned upside down by the mysterious Morpheus (Laurence Fishbourne). Morpheus and his band of rebels reveals to him that he and the rest of humanity are slaves, the world he lives in is not real and he is the only one who can save them all.
The Matrix became one of the biggest films of that year. Yes the sequels were nowhere near as good but The Matrix undoubtably changed the way Sci-Fi movies were made. With its ground breaking special effects, use of philosophy and emphasis on character development, The Matrix earns its spot on this list…and rightfully so!
8. 2001: A Space Odyssey
Stanley Kubrick’s epic released in 1968 can be credited for significantly influencing decades worth of directors, changing the way science fiction movies are made and even inspiring real-world science.
Stating with a 15 minute dialogue free sequence charting the discovery of a monolith by our earliest ancestors, the film then jumps forward 4 million years and covers a series of further encounters between humans and more of these strange objects. These monoliths, spread throughout the solar system lead a group of astronauts on the ultimate journey of discovery and evolution.
With innovative filming techniques and special effects that still look amazing, Kubrick’s vision of the future is a timeless masterpiece that has to be seen to be believed.
7. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Already responsible for one classic Sci-Fi movie in the form of Close Encounters, Steven Spielberg followed this up in 1982 with E.T., a film that in my opinion surpassed his previous effort by improving the special effects and adding a better and more emotionally involving story.
E.T. follows the eponymous extra terrestrial, accidentally left on earth alone. The alien finds his way into the home of a young boy (Henry Thomas) who, whilst trying to keep his discovery a secret to his family and the authorities, attempts to try and help his new friend “phone home”.
E.T. is a fine example of a simple story brought to life using great characters and brilliant special effects. The movie has stood the test of time and is a film that everyone, young and old, can enjoy as a timeless tale of compassion and friendship. A true classic.
6. Alien
In 1979 rookie director Ridley Scott brought something totally new to audiences in the shape of Alien; a horror film set in the far reaches of space. Originally inspired by B-movie horrors of the time, the finished product ended up being a very different animal…and much better for it.
Set in the near future, the crew of the mining ship Nostromo under the orders of the company, land on a barren planet and soon make a terrifying discovery, a creature which which is hellbent on the destruction of the ship and it’s crew.
Alien was the sleeper hit of 1979, launched the careers of Sigourney Weaver and John Hurt and gave birth to a successful media franchise which is still going strong today. By combining techniques usually found in haunted house movies and special effects on par with 2001, Scott created a terrifying and gorgeous film that still scares to this day.
5. The Terminator
Inspired by a nightmarish vision brought on by an illness, James Cameron sought to bring his idea to the big screen. Little did he know back in 1984 that he was creating a movie which would inspire a whole new sub-genre of science fiction but also create a global megastar.
In the future, machines rule the world after almost wiping out humanity with a nuclear holocaust. Determined to wipe humans out once and for all, they send the Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger) back in time to kill Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton), the future mother of the leader of the human resistance. Trying to protect her and her unborn son is Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn) but can they stop this relentless killing machine from achieving it’s goal?
With great performances, a quality script and brilliant effects in puppetry, make up and miniatures, The Terminator proved to be one of the biggest success stories in modern cinematic history. A stunningly scary vision of the future and a must see for any fan of science fiction.
4. Star Wars
Quite possibly the most celebrated and successful film series ever, Star Wars debuted in 1977 and quickly became a lasting global sensation. Influenced by classic works of science fiction, George Lucas created a saga with a wealthy back-story, mythology and unforgettable moments…oh and turned Harrison Ford into a household name with one of the best Sci-Fi heroes ever created.
A long time ago in a galaxy far far away, a small band of rebels seek to free themselves from the tyrannical galactic empire. Leading them is Luke Skywalker, a young man whose destiny it seems, is to learn the ways of the force and bring balance to it. The empire’s plans to crush this rebellion is manifested in the form of the dark lord Darth Vader, half man, half machine but completely evil.
The success of Star Wars made film studios aware of the extra capitol that could be made with extensive merchandise ranges. Star Wars can also be credited with creating what we now call the blockbuster. George Luca’s Lord of the Rings in space will never be forgotten as the first modern film and one of the best science fiction yarns ever made. May the force be with you!
3. Aliens
Very rarely are sequels better than their predecessors so it’s no surprise that no-one thought that the James Cameron directed follow up to 1979’s Alien would break that trend. They were proved very wrong with the release of Aliens in 1986. Adding a bigger scope and more action by incorporating a militaristic theme meant that this sequel had a very different feel to it…and boy was it good!
Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver), the sole survivor from Alien awakens from cryogenic sleep after spending 57 years adrift in space. To her horror she learns that the planet her crew originally found the alien on has been terraformed and is now a colony. It’s not long before contact is lost with the planet and Ripley, now aided by a group a marines, finds herself again in a position where she must confront this terrifying species.
While not offering much in the way of innovative special effects, Aliens relied on its seamless blend of science fiction, horror and action to create one of the most explosive and tension filled two hours you will ever see. Backed up with classic performances and a brilliant score by James Horner, Aliens was the surprise of the year and is still considered by many to be the best of the series.
2. The Empire Strikes Back
Much like Aliens, The Empire Strikes Back can be considered another sequel better than the first. Released in 1980, the second in the original saga surprised just about everyone by darkening the tone and actually having the bad guys win. Oh, and thats not even including the unbelievable and now famous revelation at the climax.
After the destruction of the Death Star, the rebels find themselves on the back foot. Darth Vader, obsessed with finding Luke Skywalker has arranged for an array of bounty hunters to target the people nearest to him; Leia and Han Solo. Luke meanwhile makes his way to a backwater planet to begin his Jedi training with master Yoda, well aware that the confrontation with the Vader is inevitable and fast approaching.
Luca’s deeper exploration of his characters can be credited for the major success of Empire as can the better look into the Jedi mythology. Just about everything in this movie was better than it’s predecessor ranging from better interaction between characters, bigger battles and more refined special effects. Vader’s revelation at the end of the movie, was brilliantly done and shocked the world, leaving everyone chomping at the bit for more. Its a film that to this day is not just considered one of the best science fiction movies of all time but perhaps one of the best movies ever made period.
1. Blade Runner
Science fiction movies from the beginning have sought to entertain, provoke, inspire and in some cases even scare. No film has ever done all of these so effectively as Ridley Scott’s timeless classic. Originally released to mixed reviews and a disappointing box office gross, the movie, an adaptation of Phillip K. Dick’s novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, has grown over the years to become one of the most revered movies of any genre.
The movie is set in a dystopian world where robots named Replicants do mans bidding. These “Skinjobs” are off-world workers only, the penalty for hiding on Earth is retirement (Death) by a special police team known as “Blade Runners”. After a crew of Replicants go rouge and hide inside the vast city of Los Angeles, a recently retired Blade Runner (Harrison Ford) is tasked with hunting this crew down and stopping them from meeting their maker.
Use of Neo-Noir elements set in a futuristic L.A created a totally unique look and can be credited for inspiring a generation of filmmakers. Mix into that equation fully realised characters, an emotionally involving storyline, an unusual but rich score and one of the greatest monologues of all time, it’s easy to see why Blade Runner is not only my personal favourite movie ever…but also a favourite for just about anyone else who is a fan of the science fiction genre.
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