Best Sci-Fi Movies 2026: Visionary, Thought-Provoking Films

In Los Angeles, a wealthy man, known as Mr. Fuller, discovers a shocking secret about the world he lives in. Fearing for his life, he leaves a desperate message for a friend of his in the most unexpected place.

eXistenZ

1999

97 Min

MOVIE

Action Thriller Science Fiction

A game designer on the run from assassins must play her latest virtual reality creation with a marketing trainee to determine if the game has been damaged.

Available on: Freevee

The Matrix

1999

136 Min

MOVIE

Action Science Fiction

Set in the 22nd century, The Matrix tells the story of a computer hacker who joins a group of underground insurgents fighting the vast and powerful computers who now rule the earth.

Cube

1998

90 Min

MOVIE

Thriller Science Fiction Mystery

A group of strangers find themselves trapped in a maze-like prison. It soon becomes clear that each of them possesses the peculiar skills necessary to escape, if they don't wind up dead first.

Lost in Space

1998

130 Min

MOVIE

Science Fiction Adventure

The prospects for continuing life on Earth in the year 2058 are grim. So the Robinsons are launched into space to colonize Alpha Prime, the only other inhabitable planet in the galaxy. But when a stowaway sabotages the mission, the Robinso…

Dark City

1998

101 Min

MOVIE

Mystery Science Fiction

A man struggles with memories of his past, including a wife he cannot remember, in a nightmarish world with no sun and run by beings with telekinetic powers who seek the souls of humans.

The Postman

1997

178 Min

MOVIE

Science Fiction Adventure Action

In 2013, there are no highways, no I-ways, no dreams of a better tomorrow, only scattered survivors across what was once the United States. Into this apocalyptic wasteland comes an enigmatic drifter with a mule, a knack for Shakespeare, an…

Starship Troopers

1997

129 Min

MOVIE

Adventure Action Thriller Science Fiction

Set in the future, the story follows a young soldier named Johnny Rico and his exploits in the Mobile Infantry. Rico's military career progresses from recruit to non-commissioned officer and finally to officer against the backdrop of an in…

Available on: Disney+

Gattaca

1997

107 Min

MOVIE

Science Fiction Drama

Vincent is an all-too-human man who dares to defy a system obsessed with genetic perfection. He is an "In-Valid" who assumes the identity of a member of the genetic elite to pursue his goal of traveling into space with the Gattaca Aerospac…

Men in Black

1997

98 Min

MOVIE

Action Adventure Comedy Science Fiction

After a police chase with an otherworldly being, a New York City cop is recruited as an agent in a top-secret organization established to monitor and police alien activity on Earth: the Men in Black. Agent K and new recruit Agent J find th…

Available on: Netflix

Le Cinquième Élément

1997

126 Min

MOVIE

Science Fiction Action Adventure

In 2257, a taxi driver is unintentionally given the task of saving a young girl who is part of the key that will ensure the survival of humanity.

Available on: Netflix

Space Jam

1996

87 Min

MOVIE

Family Animation Science Fiction Fantasy Comedy

With their freedom on the line, the Looney Tunes seek the help of NBA superstar Michael Jordan to win a basketball game against a team of moronic aliens.

Available on: HBO Max

Independence Day

1996

145 Min

MOVIE

Action Adventure Science Fiction

Strange phenomena surface around the globe. The skies ignite. Terror races through the world's major cities. As these extraordinary events unfold, it becomes increasingly clear that a force of incredible magnitude has arrived. Its mission:…

Available on: Disney+

Twelve Monkeys

1995

129 Min

MOVIE

Science Fiction Thriller Mystery

In the year 2035, convict James Cole reluctantly volunteers to be sent back in time to discover the origin of a deadly virus that wiped out nearly all of the earth's population and forced the survivors into underground communities. But whe…

Stargate

1994

121 Min

MOVIE

Action Adventure Science Fiction

An interstellar teleportation device, found in Egypt, leads to a planet with humans resembling ancient Egyptians who worship the god Ra.

Available on: Magenta TV

Demolition Man

1993

115 Min

MOVIE

Crime Action Science Fiction

In 1996, brash L.A. detective John Spartan and maniac killer Simon Phoenix are both sentenced to decades in a cryogenic prison as punishment for a rescue mission gone wrong. When Phoenix escapes 36 years later to wreak havoc on the future,…

Jurassic Park

1993

127 Min

MOVIE

Adventure Science Fiction

A wealthy entrepreneur secretly creates a theme park featuring living dinosaurs drawn from prehistoric DNA. Before opening day, he invites a team of experts and his two eager grandchildren to experience the park and help calm anxious inves…

Available on: Netflix Sky

Terminator 2: Judgment Day

1991

137 Min

MOVIE

Action Thriller Science Fiction

Ten years after the events of the original, a reprogrammed T-800 is sent back in time to protect young John Connor from the shape-shifting T-1000. Together with his mother Sarah, he fights to stop Skynet from triggering a nuclear apocalyps…

Back to the Future Part II

1989

108 Min

MOVIE

Adventure Comedy Science Fiction

Marty and Doc are at it again as the time-traveling duo head to 2015 to nip some McFly family woes in the bud. But things go awry thanks to bully Biff Tannen and a pesky sports almanac. In a last-ditch attempt to set things straight, Marty…

Available on: Disney+ Prime Video

Spaceballs

1987

96 Min

MOVIE

Comedy Science Fiction

When the nefarious Dark Helmet hatches a plan to snatch Princess Vespa and steal her planet's air, space-bum-for-hire Lone Starr and his clueless sidekick fly to the rescue. Along the way, they meet Yogurt, who puts Lone Starr wise to the …

Available on: Netflix

Predator

1987

107 Min

MOVIE

Science Fiction Action Adventure Thriller

A team of elite commandos on a secret mission in a Central American jungle come to find themselves hunted by an extraterrestrial warrior.

Available on: Disney+ Sky

Back to the Future

1985

116 Min

MOVIE

Adventure Comedy Science Fiction

Eighties teenager Marty McFly is accidentally sent back in time to 1955, inadvertently disrupting his parents' first meeting and attracting his mother's romantic interest. Marty must repair the damage to history by rekindling his parents' …

Available on: Netflix Disney+ Prime Video

The Terminator

1984

108 Min

MOVIE

Action Thriller Science Fiction

In the post-apocalyptic future, reigning tyrannical supercomputers teleport a cyborg assassin known as the "Terminator" back to 1984 to kill Sarah Connor, whose unborn son is destined to lead insurgents against 21st century mechanical hege…

Available on: Netflix

Return of the Jedi

1983

132 Min

MOVIE

Adventure Action Science Fiction

Luke Skywalker leads a mission to rescue his friend Han Solo from the clutches of Jabba the Hutt, the Emperor prepares to crush the Rebellion with a more powerful Death Star, and the Rebel fleet mounts a massive attack on the space station…

Blade Runner

1982

118 Min

MOVIE

Science Fiction Drama Thriller

In the smog-choked dystopian Los Angeles of 2019, blade runner Rick Deckard is called out of retirement to terminate a quartet of replicants who have escaped to Earth seeking their creator for a way to extend their short life spans.

Available on: HBO Max

The Empire Strikes Back

1980

124 Min

MOVIE

Adventure Action Science Fiction

The epic saga continues as Luke Skywalker, in hopes of defeating the evil Galactic Empire, learns the ways of the Jedi from aging master Yoda. But Darth Vader is more determined than ever to capture Luke. Meanwhile, rebel leader Princess L…

Available on: Disney+

Alien

1979

117 Min

MOVIE

Horror Science Fiction

During its return to the earth, commercial spaceship Nostromo intercepts a distress signal from a distant planet. When a three-member team of the crew discovers a chamber containing thousands of eggs on the planet, a creature inside one of…

Star Wars

1977

121 Min

MOVIE

Adventure Action Science Fiction

Princess Leia is captured and held hostage by the evil Imperial forces in their effort to take over the galactic Empire. Venturesome Luke Skywalker and dashing captain Han Solo team together with the loveable robot duo R2-D2 and C-3PO to r…

Available on: Disney+

A Clockwork Orange

1971

137 Min

MOVIE

Science Fiction Crime

In a near-future Britain, young Alexander DeLarge and his pals get their kicks beating and raping anyone they please. When not destroying the lives of others, Alex swoons to the music of Beethoven. The state, eager to crack down on juvenil…

Available on: HBO Max

2001: A Space Odyssey

1968

149 Min

MOVIE

Science Fiction Mystery Adventure

Humanity finds a mysterious object buried beneath the lunar surface and sets off to find its origins with the help of HAL 9000, the world's most advanced super computer.

Available on: HBO Max

Best Sci-Fi Movies: Visionary, Complex, Genuinely Thought-Provoking

The Thirteenth Floor

eXistenZ

The Matrix

Cube

Lost in Space

Dark City

The Postman

Starship Troopers

Gattaca

Men in Black

Le Cinquième Élément

Space Jam

Independence Day

Twelve Monkeys

Stargate

Demolition Man

Jurassic Park

Terminator 2: Judgment Day

Back to the Future Part II

Spaceballs

Predator

Back to the Future

The Terminator

Return of the Jedi

Blade Runner

The Empire Strikes Back

Alien

Star Wars

A Clockwork Orange

2001: A Space Odyssey