The pages of cinema history are marked by a handful of science fiction movies that shaped the genre’s future forever, and these important movies will never be forgotten. Sci-fi is one of cinema’s cornerstone genres, and the growth of movies has gone hand in hand with the growth of science fiction. The best sci-fi movies have pushed the boundaries of what’s possible.
Every generation has one or two science fiction movies that are not only excellent works, but groundbreaking moments in time. Sometimes they introduce new ideas that radically alter the perception of the genre, and other times they break technological boundaries that transform film production forever. Great sci-fi movies are pretty common, but important ones are a rare breed indeed.
Important science fiction movies go all the way back to the birth of cinema itself, with the earliest example coming around the turn of the 20th century. They are still being made today, and the most recent came out a little over a decade ago. It’s impossible to predict when the next important movie will arrive, but it is assured that it will one day. The future is always changing, and fiction is a great way to interpret and deal with the uncertainty.
This list of important science fiction movies is not ranked in order of quality. Instead, the movies are presented in chronological order. This is not a list of the best science fiction movies of all time, though there is considerable overlap between the two. They are all instantly recognizable to the average viewer, even if they have never actually been seen.
10
A Trip To The Moon (1902)
Pioneering filmmaker Georges Méliès left an indelible mark on cinema with his early editing techniques, and A Trip to the Moon is his magnum opus work. The sci-fi fantasy story sees a group of astronomers fly to the moon on a rocket, and meet the inhabitants of the satellite. At only 14 minutes, A Trip to the Moon predates the notion of feature-length movies.
The image of the moon’s face with the rocket stuck in its eye is an iconic part of the cinematic tapestry, and it has been parodied endlessly in the century since its release. However, A Trip to the Moon‘s real legacy is the influence it had on other storytellers. Though the science is purely fantastical, Méliès proved that cinema could be used as a means to predict the future.
9
Metropolis (1927)
Still in the Silent Era, Metropolis broke new ground for science fiction storytelling and practical effects. A utopian future thrives on an exploited underclass, and one man is determined to correct the injustice he sees. The movie’s title location blends Art Deco sensibilities with intriguing retrofuturism, crafting a stylized future that can never be.
The robot featured prominently in the advertising for Metropolis is the precursor to beloved androids like C-3PO, and the futuristic city inspired dozens of fictional locations. The visuals of Fritz Lang’s breathtaking classic have stood the test of time, but its story is just as important. The rich and layered narrative is one of the earliest examples of science fiction being used as a platform to critique modern society.
8
The Day The Earth Stood Still (1951)
Before drive-ins were stuffed with alien invasion movies, The Day the Earth Stood Still offered a surprisingly nuanced view on the subject. A peaceful alien arrives on Earth to warn humanity about their impending doom, but the people aren’t ready to hear his prophetic message. Underneath all its sci-fi trappings, The Day the Earth Stood Still is a morality play.
Science propelled humanity into a new future after WWII, but storytellers were already seeing cracks in the facade of post-war America. The Day the Earth Stood Still is a response to nuclear proliferation during the Cold War, and it uses sci-fi to get its point across. It’s so important because it came during an era of simplicity in science fiction, and shows it can still be a thoughtful genre.
7
Forbidden Planet (1956)
Pre-Space Race science fiction often depicted exploration beyond the stars as fantastical, but Forbidden Planet offered a different view. In an adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Tempest, the story concerns a space crew sent to investigate a mysterious planet and the disappearance of some scientists. The movie’s rich color visuals are still eye-catching to this day.
Forbidden Planet is a precursor to franchises like Star Trek, and it deftly blends space opera elements with hard science fiction. It may look like a cheesy B-movie on the surface, but the snappy script and exquisite detail make it one of the most well-crafted sci-fi films of the ’50s. Forbidden Planet is an enjoyable classic, and a groundbreaking film at the same time.
6
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
2001: A Space Odyssey is the largest turning point in the history of science fiction, and no film has so quickly changed the genre since. Mysterious black monoliths appear at various points in the history of human development, from the dawn of time to man’s first tentative steps beyond the stars. Stanley Kubrick’s psychedelic vision is one of the best movies ever made.
Up to that point, science fiction had always been about what’s outside. 2001 explores both inner and outer space at the same time, using lavish visuals and a truly mind-bending plot. Not only is the film perfect, but it opened the door for altogether new approaches to science fiction. As in the earliest days of the genre, 2001 freed storytellers from the shackles of cohesive reality.
5
Star Wars (1977)
Though a debate will rage on forever about whether Star Wars is even true science fiction, its importance can’t be overstated. Luke Skywalker learns that he possesses a power known as the force, and joins a band of rebels against an evil empire. Inspired by the serials of George Lucas’ childhood, Star Wars takes a page from the science fantasy stories of Flash Gordon and others.
While 2001 freed sci-fi from conventional storytelling, Star Wars grounded it in classic hero mythology. The broader Star Wars universe is merely hinted at in the 1977 blockbuster, inspiring generations to return to a galaxy far, far away. Unlike niche sci-fi, Star Wars‘ universal appeal is what makes it such a great story.
4
Alien (1979)
Science fiction flirted with horror in the 1950s, but Ridley Scott’s Alien finally blended the two disparate genres together. The crew of the Nostromo accidentally pick up a deadly alien passenger that begins wiping them out one by one. In a lot of ways, Alien is like a slasher movie in space. Scott’s genre mashup changed science fiction forever.
The Xenomorph design is arguably the scariest extraterrestrial ever put on screen, and the claustrophobic halls of the Nostromo are the perfect setting for his rampage. Killer space monsters are nothing new, but Alien‘s gruesome body horror elements add another wrinkle. Earlier sci-fi inspired wonder at the vastness of space, but Alien inspired fear of the unknown reaches of the galaxy.
3
Blade Runner (1982)
Just a few years after Ridley Scott transformed sci-fi, he left another big mark on the genre with Blade Runner. In the near future, a police officer is dispatched to hunt four escaped replicants who live among people on Earth. The rain-soaked streets of future Los Angeles are a nod to the noir films of the past.
The film’s deliberate pacing and oppressive bleakness bring the world to life brilliantly, and Blade Runner creates a setting that feels real. It inspired countless imitators over the next few decades, all trying to recreate a snippet of the film’s tech-noir glory. Despite its financial failure and complicated production, Blade Runner is an all-time classic that launched its own corner of the sci-fi genre.
2
The Matrix (1999)
Though it may seem somewhat quaint today, The Matrix influenced an entire generation of science fiction films. An average Joe is invited into The Matrix, where he learns that he is the savior of reality. With its groundbreaking bullet time effects and explosive action, The Matrix turned a page in the sci-fi history book.
Burgeoning CGI technology allowed the Wachowski’s to bring every idea to life, and The Matrix feels like a truly unlimited story. Unlike other cyberpunk films from the ’90s, The Matrix found a clever way to integrate modern advancements into its storytelling without dating itself. In the process, it shaped both action and science fiction in the 2000s.
1
Interstellar (2014)
Modern science fiction has become about finding humanity in its heady concepts, and Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar helped usher in that trend. With mankind teetering on the brink of global destruction, astronauts are dispatched through a wormhole to find a suitable home for humans. The journey is one of sacrifice, so Interstellar is doubly emotional.
Interstellar feels like the culmination of over a century of science fiction advancement. It is about the wonder of the galaxy, and the technological future of humanity, but it is ultimately about the very real emotions of the characters. In a way, the most important science fiction films ever made are all about finding meaning in the pursuit of the future.