Travel to new worlds with these eye-catching sci-fi movies
Here at Film Daily, we love our fair share of fun blockbuster sci-fi movies. Yet, nothing really beats a science fiction movie that’s both visually hypnotic & narratively unique. Whether sci-fi movies take place in space, a dystopian future, or a post apocalyptic wasteland, they can make the unreal seem possible in both beautiful & frightening ways.
From Hollywood high-end productions to internationally acclaimed classics, these sci-fi movies will surely have you feeling like you’ve experienced something altogether not of this earth.
Under the Skin
Directed by Jonathan Glazer, this 2013 sci-fi film features Scarlett Johansson as an alien entity. She has no name and is only referred to as “The Female”. The story follows “The Female” as she roams the streets of Scotland and lures unsuspecting men into her trap.
This trap can only be described as an otherworldly dimension where these men are stripped & consumed into an ocean of absolute darkness. The visuals in this film successfully create a terrifying extraterrestrial world. Additionally, Mica Levi’s score is both eerily sterile & at times emotional.
Interstellar
Christopher Nolan’s 2014 masterpiece has been regarded by many as one of the best sci-fi movies of the 21st century and of course we can’t disagree. The film’s spectacular graphics & heart-racing action make it an instant sci-fi classic. The film even received an Oscar award for Best Achievement in Visual Effects.
It’s a tragedy if you never got the chance to witness it in theaters. An experience like no other, if you haven’t seen Interstellar yet, what are you waiting for?
Solaris
No, not the George Clooney remake. We’re talking about the 1972 Russian sci-fi classic directed by Andrei Tarkovsky. Nearly three hours, we won’t contest the argument that the film is too long. However, we do argue that regardless of its almost three hour timestamp, it’s still an impeccable & thought-provoking science fiction masterpiece.
The film follows a psychologist who is sent to a station orbiting a far off planet to understand why the crew has gone insane. Mind-bending visuals despite it being from the 1970s only add to the film’s challenging philosophical narrative. If you’re looking for a movie that’ll stay on your mind for the years to come, then Solaris should be next on your watchlist.
Annihilation
This sci-fi movie directed by Alex Garland seems to have a love or hate effect on its viewers. Whether you hated the ending or not, this film has some seriously mesmerizing visual effects with cinematography by Rob Hardy who has also worked on Garland’s Ex Machina.
As one would imagine, a financier at Paramount was worried that the film was “too intellectual” and “too complicated” for the majority of viewers. However, producer Scott Rudin had sided with Garland and insisted that the ending should not be altered.
As a result, the film has received mixed reviews. Similar to Solaris, Annihilation has an abstract storyline that will either infuriate or invigorate you. It’s up to you to decide which side you fall on!
Stalker
Another classic directed by Tarkovsky, Stalker is a science fiction movie that never actually travels through space but rather a dimension (if that’s what you want to call it). The film follows a guide who leads two men into an area known as The Zone to find a room which grants wishes.
It sounds absurd but the film doesn’t have an 8.1 star rating on IMDb for no reason. Once again, Tarkovsky’s film runs just under three hours. Yet, Stalker is able to keep you engaged through not only its narrative but visual storytelling. The film jumps back and forth between sepia and color which only adds to the jarring nature of the sci-fi movie.
2001: A Space Odyssey
Now, what kind of sci-fi movie list would this be without Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey? Only ten minutes shorter than Stalker, you really have to buckle yourself down for this one because it’s definitely a wild ride.
The film takes place in both the past and the future. We watch as humanity evolves with the help of a mysterious monolith placed on Earth by beings unknown. Fast forward to the future, a similar monolith is found on the moon’s surface. Humans and technology race to find the monolith’s origin first.
Nearly 241 people walked out of the film’s premiere in 1968. Those kinds of stats make us just want to watch a movie even more. Finally learn what all of the hype is about and watch this science fiction classic!
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Which of these sci-fi movies do you love (or hate)? Let us know in the comments below!
