Science fiction is such a fun and rewarding genre of cinema because it inherently teases the imagination and can hint at a world that’s both similar and incredibly different than the norm. Science fiction has unlimited potential and it’s also such an appealing genre because it’s a particularly easy variety of film to pair up with something else. Hard science fiction has its appeal, but there are so many possibilities when sci-fi combines with romance, comedy, or action.
Christopher Nolan’s Inception is a delirious blend of science fiction and action and the result is something truly special. Inception has not only become one of Nolan’s most beloved films, but a high point for film in general. The visionary director has a new film, Tenet, on the way that looks to play around with similar ideas, but until that movie’s release there are still plenty of other titles out there that will work as a substitute.
15 Annihilation Is A Trippy Journey Into The Unknown
Annihilation is a startling, mysterious descent into madness that’s unlike any other film. Alex Garland crafts a restrained sci-fi masterpiece that steps away from the artificial intelligence themes he’s used to exploring and instead tells a tale about an unstable area. The mutated “Area X” contains amazing visuals and Garland's movie will stick with audiences long after the credits have rolled.
14 Coherence Is A Mind Game That Refuses To Give Up
Part of the beauty of science fiction is that it doesn’t always require a massive budget to tell a compelling story. Coherence is a great example of how independent, small-scale sci-fi can still connect and explore deep ideas. The movie looks at a bunch of friends who have gotten together for a dinner party, but after a comet passes through the night they all start to experience strange symptoms. Coherence creates a gripping fear that only becomes more intense and unpredictable as this unassuming dinner party continues.
13 Kill Bill Vols. 1 And 2 Are Action Masterpieces
Quentin Tarantino always proves himself to be a master of cinema who truly respects the medium, but his two-part Kill Bill feature marked a turning point for the director where he started to really push himself out of his comfort zone. The revenge caper is a thriving love letter to kung fu cinema, exploitation cinema, and plenty of ‘80s cinema in a way that only Tarantino can deliver. It’s not just some of Uma Thurman’s best work, but the whole bloody affair is filled with amazing action scenes.
12 Hellbound: Hellraiser II Takes The Horror Series To Surprising Places
Pinhead is one of the more terrifying villains to come out of a horror franchise and even though Jason Voorhees or Michael Myers may have more cache, Clive Barker’s creations really embody the dark side of the afterlife. Hellbound, the sequel to Hellraiser is an improvement upon the original in nearly every way, which takes the heroes into Pinhead’s domain and introduces a whole lot more of disturbing Cenobites.
11 Mission: Impossible - Fallout Features Unbelievable Stunts
Against all odds, each Mission: Impossible film somehow tops the previous one and Tom Cruise has collectively accomplished some amazing stunts over the course of the franchise. Fallout, the latest entry in the series, is a celebration of everything that makes the action series so satisfying and Henry Cavill makes for a very entertaining companion for Tom Cruise. The action scenes are still some of the best in the genre.
10 Akira Is A Classic Piece Of Animation That Must Be Seen
It’s been decades since the release of the anime feature film, Akira, yet it’s still viewed as a benchmark of the medium. Akira is set in a futuristic version of Tokyo where crime runs rampant and science has gone mad. It also incorporates some twisted body humor that would even make David Cronenberg cringe. Until Taika Waititi’s proposed live-action film adaptation becomes a reality, this adrenaline-pumping anime is the next best thing.
9 Sorry To Bother You Is One Of The Most Original Films Of The Decade
Sorry to Bother You is one of the most promising debut features from a director in ages. There are few movies that are as filled with eccentric ideas that reflect deep social commentary than Sorry to Bother You. There’s simply too much to break down in this movie and it’s better to go in blind, but a mid-life crisis kind of scenario turns into an end of the world situation that’s impossible to predict.
8 Cabin In The Woods Is A Brilliant Dissection Of The Horror Genre
Horror is a genre that’s so well defined that it’s particularly easy to lampoon and subvert in a self-aware way. Cabin in the Woods is one of the better examples of this because it’s not just a legitimately frightening throwback to old horror films, but it’s also a hilarious, smart dissection of the genre. The monster free-for-all is still one of the best scenes to come along in recent years in the horror genre.
7 Super 8 Is A Love Letter To An Older Kind Of Cinema
J.J. Abrams has made quite the name for himself with his reboots and revivals of both the Star Trek and Star Wars franchises, but before all of that, his original movies offered up much more of a glimpse into the director. Abrams loves to immerse his films in mystery and Super 8 was no different, but the result is a stylized science fiction epic that’s a tribute to some of Spielberg’s films. It’s not Abrams’ best work, but there’s a lot to love in this movie.
6 Baskin Opens Up A Door To Unspeakable Horrors
Baskin is a slow build, but once the horror hits it doesn’t let up and it’s such an uncomfortable experience. Police respond to a distress call that takes them to an abandoned building, but once they investigate they seem to enter a doorway to hell itself. Baskin throws haunting images at the audience that will mess with their minds. It’s an absolute onslaught of an experience.
