Today’s category: Sci-Fi. The genre where we explore the future, question humanity, and occasionally solve problems by blowing up alien spaceships.
Science fiction has always been one of my favorite spaces to live in. It asks big questions. What does it mean to be human? How far should science go? What if? And also, how cool would it be to fly a spaceship? It’s the genre that mixes imagination, philosophy, action, and wonder better than almost anything else. It’s also the genre most likely to make me immediately start a conversation that begins with, “Okay, but what if…”
As always, these are not ranked. Prepare for lasers, existential dread, and at least one heroic sacrifice.
- Serenity
- Rogue One
- The Empire Strikes Back
- Spaceballs
- District 9
- The Martian
- Everything Everywhere All at Once
- Attack the Block
- Men in Black
- Independence Day
Honorable Mention: Project Hail Mary
Here are some brief bits of rationale:
Serenity
This movie is pure found-family storytelling wrapped in space adventure. It balances humor, action, heartbreak, and character like a leaf on the wind. It was my introduction to the Firefly universe as well as Chiwetel Ejiofor. There are so many great lines and moments and has a reason to be on everyone’s best sci-fi lists.
Rogue One
Maybe the best Star Wars movie? It shows us the gritty reality of living in the Empire and in such a short time emotionally bonds us to all the characters so their fates are so much more compelling. There’s a reason it got its own spin-off series. Which is also fantastic, btw.
The Empire Strikes Back
Maybe the best Star Wars movie? It expands the universe while also delivering one of the most iconic twists in movie history. Sometimes the bad guy wins. Sometimes heroes don’t live happily ever after. There is where the characters breaks out in the original trilogy. Also, what a neat way to incorporate Mark Hamill’s car accident.
Spaceballs
Maybe the best Star Wars movie? Mel Brooks perfectly skewers the genre while clearly loving it. The casting is fantastic and the jokes are delivered with just the right amount of camp. There aren’t any other movies quite like this because no one can ever compete.
District 9
Raw, uncomfortable, and thought-provoking. The world-building is incredible, and the social commentary is powerful without being preachy. It’s one of the most original sci-fi films of the last few decades. Also it tickles me that it’s set in South Africa.
The Martian
When I read the book I remember being impressed with the science. I was concerned the movie wouldn’t hit that as hard. It totally did. This was like space MacGyver and had us feeling lost and alone right along with Matt Damon.
Everything Everywhere All at Once
Sometimes when you finish a movie, you know exactly what you think of it. Sometimes you don’t. This was both. My initial thought was a simple acknowledgment that this was a phenomenal movie. My next was what the hell did I just watch, and how the hell did that work? It was serious and ridiculous and heartfelt and just plan fun, all at the same time.
Attack the Block
Fresh, energetic, and full of personality. It localized the concept of alien invasion movies into a very small, urban area. Of course survival was key, but community became more important. Not your cookie cutter invasion story.
Men in Black
There are so many perfect moments in this movie. Will Smith only shooting the child. Tommy Lee Jones’ casual marksmanship. Vincent D’Onofrio in every moment he’s on screen. This was cool, fun, crazy sci-fi for my childhood brain, and to this day it one of the more entertaining genres films out there.
Independence Day
Peak blockbuster sci-fi. There’s enough Will Smith humor to keep it from being too serious, and that presidential speech is one of the most iconic an all cinema. Also, Jeff Goldblum just makes everything better.
Honorable Mention: Project Hail Mary
I’m adding this here because I watched it after making this list. It was amazing? Does it belong in the top ten? Maybe. Probably. Is recency bias affecting my judgment? Maybe. Long and short of it: this movie was great.
What sci-fi movies would you add? Which ones do you think I left off that should absolutely be here? Let me know.
Eric Taveren 