Introduction
Science fiction is a genre of speculative fiction that typically deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts such as advanced science and technology, space exploration, time travel, parallel universes, and extraterrestrial life. Science fiction often explores the potential consequences of scientific, social, and technological innovations. It has been around for centuries, but it has become increasingly popular in recent years thanks to the success of franchises like Star Wars and Marvel’s Cinematic Universe.
In this article, we’ll explore what to watch in science fiction. We’ll look at the top 10 must-see science fiction movies of all time, the best sci-fi TV series of the last decade, a guide to must-watch sci-fi films from the 1980s, influential science fiction films, and a beginner’s guide to science fiction classics. Read on to learn more about the best science fiction films and series to watch.
Top 10 Must-See Science Fiction Movies of All Time
When it comes to science fiction movies, there are so many to choose from. To make it easier, here are the top 10 must-see science fiction movies of all time:
- 1. Blade Runner (1982): Directed by Ridley Scott, Blade Runner is a classic sci-fi noir film set in a dystopian future Los Angeles. It stars Harrison Ford as Rick Deckard, a blade runner tasked with hunting down replicants – bioengineered humanoids.
- 2. The Matrix (1999): Written and directed by the Wachowskis, The Matrix is a groundbreaking action movie starring Keanu Reeves as Neo, a computer hacker who discovers the truth about reality.
- 3. Alien (1979): Directed by Ridley Scott, Alien is a classic sci-fi horror movie about a crew of astronauts who encounter an alien life form aboard their spacecraft.
- 4. Back to the Future (1985): Written and directed by Robert Zemeckis, Back to the Future is an iconic time-travel comedy starring Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly, a teenager who travels back in time to the 1950s.
- 5. Star Wars (1977): Directed by George Lucas, Star Wars is a beloved space opera about a group of freedom fighters battling against the oppressive Galactic Empire.
- 6. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968): Directed by Stanley Kubrick, 2001: A Space Odyssey is a landmark sci-fi movie about a sentient computer named HAL 9000.
- 7. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991): Directed by James Cameron, Terminator 2: Judgment Day is an action-packed sequel to the original 1984 movie. It stars Arnold Schwarzenegger as a cyborg sent back in time to protect John Connor from an advanced robot assassin.
- 8. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982): Directed by Steven Spielberg, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is a family-friendly sci-fi movie about a young boy who befriends an alien stranded on Earth.
- 9. The War of the Worlds (1953): Directed by Byron Haskin, The War of the Worlds is a classic adaptation of the 1898 novel by H.G. Wells. The movie follows a group of scientists trying to stop an alien invasion.
- 10. The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951): Directed by Robert Wise, The Day the Earth Stood Still is a classic sci-fi movie about an alien visitor who comes to Earth with a warning about the dangers of nuclear weapons.
These movies can be watched through streaming services like Netflix and Hulu, or you can rent them on iTunes or Amazon Video. Some of these movies may also be available on DVD or Blu-ray.
Ranking the Best Sci-Fi TV Series of the Last Decade
The last decade has seen a surge in the popularity of science fiction TV shows. Here are the top 10 best sci-fi TV series of the last decade:
- 1. Westworld (2016-present): Based on the 1973 movie of the same name, Westworld is a dark and complex sci-fi drama set in a Wild West-themed amusement park populated by android hosts.
- 2. Stranger Things (2016-present): Created by the Duffer Brothers, Stranger Things is a nostalgic sci-fi horror series set in the 1980s. It follows a group of kids who uncover a secret government experiment involving supernatural forces.
- 3. Black Mirror (2011-present): Created by Charlie Brooker, Black Mirror is an anthology series exploring the dark side of technology and its impact on humanity.
- 4. Battlestar Galactica (2004-2009): Developed by Ronald D. Moore, Battlestar Galactica is a reboot of the 1978 series of the same name. It follows a ragtag fleet of survivors in search of a new home after their homeworld is destroyed.
- 5. The Expanse (2015-present): Based on the book series of the same name, The Expanse is a sci-fi drama set in a future where humans have colonized the Solar System.
- 6. Doctor Who (2005-present): Created by Sydney Newman, Doctor Who is a British sci-fi series about a time-travelling alien known as the Doctor.
- 7. Orphan Black (2013-2017): Created by Graeme Manson and John Fawcett, Orphan Black is a sci-fi thriller about a woman who discovers she’s a clone.
- 8. The Twilight Zone (1959-1964): Created by Rod Serling, The Twilight Zone is an anthology series exploring strange and mysterious events.
- 9. Dark (2017-present): Created by Baran bo Odar and Jantje Friese, Dark is a German sci-fi mystery series about four families living in a small town plagued by mysterious disappearances.
- 10. Altered Carbon (2018-present): Based on the 2002 novel of the same name, Altered Carbon is a cyberpunk sci-fi series set in a future where death is no longer permanent.
These shows can be watched through streaming services like Netflix and Hulu, or you can buy them on DVD or Blu-ray.
A Guide to Must-Watch Sci-Fi Films from the 1980s
The 1980s saw the emergence of some of the most iconic science fiction films ever made. Here are the top 10 must-watch sci-fi films from the 1980s:
- 1. The Terminator (1984): Directed by James Cameron, The Terminator is an iconic action movie about a cyborg sent back in time to kill Sarah Connor.
- 2. Aliens (1986): Directed by James Cameron, Aliens is a sequel to the 1979 movie Alien. It follows a group of marines on a mission to investigate a distress call from a colony on LV-426.
- 3. Back to the Future (1985): Directed by Robert Zemeckis, Back to the Future is an iconic time-travel comedy starring Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly, a teenager who travels back in time to the 1950s.
- 4. Blade Runner (1982): Directed by Ridley Scott, Blade Runner is a classic sci-fi noir film set in a dystopian future Los Angeles. It stars Harrison Ford as Rick Deckard, a blade runner tasked with hunting down replicants – bioengineered humanoids.
- 5. The Thing (1982): Directed by John Carpenter, The Thing is a classic sci-fi horror movie about a group of scientists in Antarctica who discover a shape-shifting alien creature.
- 6. Tron (1982): Directed by Steven Lisberger, Tron is a groundbreaking sci-fi movie about a computer programmer who is transported inside a computer mainframe.
- 7. RoboCop (1987): Directed by Paul Verhoeven, RoboCop is a classic sci-fi action movie about a cyborg police officer tasked with cleaning up a crime-ridden Detroit.
- 8. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982): Directed by Steven Spielberg, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is a family-friendly sci-fi movie about a young boy who befriends an alien stranded on Earth.
- 9. The Fly (1986): Directed by David Cronenberg, The Fly is a remake of the 1958 movie of the same name. It follows a scientist who accidentally merges with a fly during a teleportation experiment.
- 10. The Neverending Story (1984): Directed by Wolfgang Petersen, The Neverending Story is a fantasy adventure about a young boy who embarks on a quest to save a fantasy world.
These films can be watched through streaming services like Netflix and Hulu, or you can rent them on iTunes or Amazon Video. Some of these films may also be available on DVD or Blu-ray.
Exploring the Science Fiction Genre Through its Most Influential Films
Science fiction is a vast and varied genre, and some of the most influential films have pushed the boundaries of the genre. Here are the top 10 most influential science fiction films:
- 1. Metropolis (1927): Directed by Fritz Lang, Metropolis is a silent sci-fi movie set in a futuristic city divided into two classes – the wealthy elite and the working class.
- 2. Frankenstein (1931): Directed by James Whale, Frankenstein is an iconic horror movie about a mad scientist who creates a monster out of body parts.
- 3. The War of the Worlds (1953): Directed by Byron Haskin, The War of the Worlds is a classic adaptation of the 1898 novel by H.G. Wells. The movie follows a group of scientists trying to stop an alien invasion.
- 4. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968): Directed by Stanley Kubrick, 2001: A Space Odyssey is a landmark sci-fi movie about a sentient computer named HAL 9000.
- 5. Star Wars (1977): Directed by George Lucas, Star Wars is a beloved space opera about a group of freedom fighters battling against the oppressive Galactic Empire.
- 6. Blade Runner (1982): Directed by Ridley Scott, Blade Runner is a classic sci-fi noir film set in a dystopian future Los Angeles. It stars Harrison Ford as Rick Deckard, a blade runner tasked with hunting down replicants – bioengineered humanoids.
- 7. The Terminator (1984): Directed by James Cameron, The Terminator is an iconic action movie about a cyborg sent back in time to kill Sarah Connor.
- 8. The Matrix (1999): Written and directed by the Wachowskis, The Matrix is a groundbreaking action movie starring Keanu Reeves as Neo, a computer hacker who discovers the truth about reality.
- 9. District 9 (2009): Directed by Neill Blomkamp, District 9 is a sci-fi allegory about a group of aliens stranded on Earth.
- 10. Ex Machina (2014): Directed by Alex Garland, Ex Machina is a psychological sci-fi thriller about a computer programmer who is tasked with testing an advanced artificial intelligence.
These films can be watched through streaming services like Netflix and Hulu, or you can rent them on iTunes or Amazon Video. Some of these films may also be available on DVD or Blu-ray.
A Beginner’s Guide to Science Fiction Classics
For those just getting into science fiction, it can be daunting to know where to start. Here are the top 10 must-watch science fiction classics:
- 1. Frankenstein (1931): Directed by James Whale, Frankenstein is an iconic horror movie about a mad scientist who creates a monster out of body parts.
- 2. Metropolis (1927): Directed by Fritz Lang, Metropolis is a silent sci-fi movie set in a futuristic city divided into two classes – the wealthy elite and the working class.
- 3. The War of the Worlds (1953): Directed by Byron Haskin, The War of the Worlds is a classic adaptation of the 1898 novel by H.G. Wells. The movie follows a group of scientists trying to stop an alien invasion.
- 4. Forbidden Planet (1956): Directed by Fred M. Wilcox, Forbidden Planet is a classic sci-fi movie about a spaceship crew who explore a distant planet.
- 5. The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951): Directed by Robert Wise, The Day the Earth Stood Still is a classic sci-fi movie about an alien visitor who comes to Earth with a warning about the dangers of nuclear weapons.
- 6. Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956): Directed by Don Siegel, Invasion of the Body Snatchers is a classic sci-fi horror movie about a group of people who realize their friends and neighbors are being replaced by emotionless alien duplicates.
- 7. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968): Directed by Stanley Kubrick, 2001: A Space Odyssey is a landmark sci-fi movie about a sentient computer named HAL 9000.
- 8. The Andromeda Strain (1971): Directed by Robert Wise, The Andromeda Strain is a sci-fi thriller about a team of scientists investigating a deadly virus from outer space.
- 9. Star Wars (1977): Directed by George Lucas, Star Wars is a beloved space opera about a group of freedom fighters battling against the oppressive Galactic Empire.
- 10. Blade Runner (1982): Directed by Ridley Scott, Blade Runner is a classic sci-fi noir film set in a dystopian future Los Angeles.
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