Dive into the world of hidden sci-fi gems that flew under the radar! We're exploring the most underappreciated and mind-bending science fiction movies that deserve way more love. From mind-twisting time travel to existential space adventures, these films will challenge everything you thought you knew about the genre.
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00:00Free will is obviously not a big factor in this little world of ours.
00:05Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the most
00:08underappreciated and undervalued science fiction movies.
00:12The last man alone with God.
00:16Number 20. Pitch Black
00:18Paris P. Ogilvie. Antiquities dealer. Entrepreneur.
00:24Richard B. Riddick. Escaped convict. Murderer.
00:28The movie that started a franchise, Pitch Black is widely remembered for introducing the world
00:33to the beloved anti-hero Riddick. But in the process, many people seem to forget that the
00:37movie itself is actually quite good. Of course, Riddick is an intense character with complex
00:41motivations, and watching him scheme and interact with the crew of the Hunter Gratzner is always
00:45captivating. Watching the movie today, you can really see why he was the breakout star.
00:49The movie also has a fun premise with the night aliens and cinematographer David Egbe
00:54shoots the heck out of it, with a desaturated color palette,
00:57dynamic camera angles, and a brilliant use of shadows.
01:11Number 19. The Endless
01:24This movie belongs to creative partners Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead. They both directed,
01:30edited, and starred in the film, while Benson wrote the screenplay and Moorhead provided the
01:33cinematography. It's amazing what just two guys managed to accomplish, and on a shoestring budget
01:38at that. The Endless explores concepts of existential horror and uses some low-budget
01:42ingenuity to make its world feel expansive and ominous. It is also incredibly effective at
01:48building a sense of unease through its atmosphere, with slow-burning pacing, fun production design,
01:53and a delightfully eerie tone that blends David Lynch with H.P. Lovecraft.
01:56Fans of those two owe it to themselves to check it out.
02:11Number 18. Dark City
02:17Do you like The Matrix? Well, then you'll probably love Dark City. It shares many similarities with
02:22the Wachowskis' masterpiece, like profound philosophical themes about the nature of
02:26identity, memory, and reality. These themes are woven seamlessly into the captivating narrative,
02:31which sees amnesiac John Murdoch being suspected of murder, but the real star of the show is the
02:35movie's atmosphere. The production design expertly employs retrofuturism, mixing elements of sci-fi
02:41with 1940s film noir, with stark lighting, deep shadows, and high-contrast cinematography.
02:47Meanwhile, the distorted architecture and exaggerated perspectives evoke the classic
02:51German Expressionist films of the 1920s. Both elements combine to create a very surreal tone
02:56that sticks in the mind and never leaves. Number 17. Ad Astra
03:21This movie sort of came and went in the fall of 2019, grossing $135 million
03:31and earning one Oscar nomination. For our money, it deserves much more respect.
03:36Ad Astra is a film that explores deeply human themes through the lens of space exploration,
03:40like emotional isolation, the endless search for purpose, and the undying bond between father and
03:45son. Luckily, you're treated to some breathtaking visuals while you ponder these difficult questions.
03:50The cinematography from Hoyte von Hoytema is out of this world good, and the minimalist
03:54production design provides an authenticity to the story and settings. Plus, Brad Pitt,
03:59you can't go wrong. Number 16. A Scanner Darkly
04:20Much has been written about this movie's use of rotoscoping, which we understand can be divisive
04:39and likely led to the movie's underperformance. It's distinctly unique, and it gives the film
04:43a highly stylized, almost hallucinatory aesthetic. But even if you don't like the visuals,
04:48you should stay for the story. It's a faithful adaptation of Philip K. Dick's novel,
04:52preserving its unique drug-induced narrative structure and bizarre dialogue.
04:56It also tackles heavy philosophical themes that are prevalent in dystopian fiction,
05:00like the loss of identity in the midst of governmental overreach. And with a story
05:04about mass surveillance and a drug epidemic, it seems grossly ahead of its time.
05:18Number 15. Crimes of the Future
05:32David Cronenberg is the master of the body horror genre, and he carried his grotesque
05:36work into the 2020s with Crimes of the Future. This was Cronenberg's first movie in eight years
05:40and his first horror film in 23. And what a comeback it was. Crimes of the Future explores
05:45a world where humans have evolved to develop new organs and mutations, turning surgery into
05:49performance art. As you can imagine, the disgusting body horror is at an all-time high. The movie also
05:54comes equipped with a stunning atmosphere and some thought-provoking themes centered around
05:58evolution and our often troubling relationship with technology. Oh, how we missed you, Cronenberg.
06:15Number 14. Enemy Mine
06:32If you like more pulpy science fiction, then you need to check out a little movie from 1985 called
06:37Enemy Mine. It's about a man and an alien overcoming their differences and working together to survive
06:41on a volcanic planet. And considering this was released in 85, the Cold War parallels are
06:46obvious. Not only does the story make for great pulpy entertainment, but the production design
06:50is immaculate. The filmmakers created a believable alien world using practical sets, matte paintings,
06:55and miniatures, and the intricate makeup work on the reptilian Drax is easily one of the film's
07:00highlights. But despite the movie's many strengths, it grossed only $12 million on a $29 million
07:05budget and was quickly forgotten. Number 13. The 13th Floor
07:23This is one of those movies in which the professional critics and general audiences
07:38vehemently disagree. The 13th Floor did not receive good reviews, with many critics calling
07:42out its bad script and messy storytelling. The film also has a ton of strong qualities that have
07:47made it a cult favorite among sci-fi enthusiasts. Like another prominent movie released in 1999,
07:52the film uses a virtual world to delve into deep philosophical questions about reality,
07:56consciousness, and the nature of existence. The cast also delivers solid performances. It has a
08:01unique aesthetic with a noir-inspired atmosphere, and for its time, the visual effects were quite
08:06impressive. Don't write this one off. Number 12. 2010. The Year We Make Contact
08:22This sequel to Stanley Kubrick's classic 2001 A Space Odyssey
08:35is likewise based on Arthur C. Clarke's writing, but doesn't get nearly as much attention as it
08:40deserves. We know that sequels are often terrible, but this is definitely an exception to the rule.
08:45American and Russian astronauts head to Jupiter trying to understand what happened to the first
08:49ship that attempted the mission, and what went wrong with sentient computer HAL. Not only is the
08:54film well-acted, action-packed, and beautifully filmed, but it tackles a lot of mysteries that
08:58the original left conspicuously unanswered. Number 11. Primer
09:13This micro-budgeted movie is a complicated film that puts a lot of faith in its audience's
09:17intelligence. The premise is simple enough. Two guys build a time machine and try to use
09:21it to make money. But it becomes very complex in the telling. Primer delves deeply into all
09:26the classic time travel issues, like what happens if you change something in the past or if you run
09:30into yourself in another time. Like we said, the movie, written by a former engineer, doesn't dumb
09:35things down. And while it's a complex watch, it's worth it. If we could travel to the future,
09:39we would certainly find that Primer goes down in history as a classic.
09:48Number 10. Heavy Metal
10:04It may be an animated film, but it certainly wasn't made for kids. Heavy Metal features
10:08several different storylines, all set in different times and places, linked only by the ever-present
10:12Loch Nahr, a physical manifestation of evil. They're also linked by their use of,
10:17you guessed it, heavy metal music by some of the biggest acts of the time,
10:20including Black Sabbath, Blue Oyster Cult, and Sammy Hagar. Though this anthology film
10:25received mixed reviews at the time of its release, it has since developed a cult following. We figure
10:29that's at least in part thanks to its extreme violence, nudity, and sexuality.
10:43Number 9. Mr. Nobody
10:59This artistic drama combines a great story with fascinating ideas and excellent cinematography.
11:04Not to mention Jared Leto's stunning performance as Nemo Nobody, the last mortal human in the world.
11:09In a world where science has eradicated death and old age, Nemo fascinates the immortal humans
11:14that surround him. And why not? He's a man with a past that is contradictory and jumbled.
11:18The movie was a bust at the box office, but has been steadily gaining viewership ever since.
11:22And not just among immortals. A story about choices and time emotionally
11:26weaved together by great acting and effects. Number 8. Silent Running
11:40Imagine a live-action version of WALL-E made for adults, and you've got something pretty close to
11:52Silent Running. In the film, plant life can no longer grow on Earth, and the last samples are
11:56now housed in spacecraft orbiting Saturn. What happens when the crew, including botanist Freeman
12:01Lowell, are ordered to destroy the last remaining greenhouses in order to make room for standard
12:05cargo? Freeman disobeys, of course, and teams up with three drones named Huey, Dewey, and Louie
12:10to protect the last forest at all costs. Okay, we know that environmental destruction is a common
12:15theme in science fiction, but rarely is it presented as compellingly as it is in this movie.
12:19Until that day, may God bless these gardens and the brave men who care for them.
12:30Number 7. Equilibrium
12:32We both know they never go easy. Then I'm sorry.
12:39No, you're not. You don't even know the meaning. It's just a vestigial word for a feeling you've
12:47never felt. Emotion and art are so threatening to the leaders of society in Equilibrium that
12:52they're illegal. Taking no chances, the leaders also force citizens to take drugs that suppress
12:57all feelings and artistic impulses. That may sound a little familiar, but it's presented in a totally
13:01absorbing manner. The cinematography and the production designer key, creating a dark,
13:05unsettling ambiance for this dystopian vision of humanity's future. Not only that, the stylized
13:10fight scenes combine gun work with martial arts to create truly impressive action sequences.
13:15There's also an adorable puppy. You can't ask for more.
13:17It's circular. You exist to continue your existence. What's the point?
13:25What's the point of your existence? To feel.
13:28Number 6. Strange Days
13:30Memories were meant to fade, Lenny. They designed that way for a reason.
13:35Strange is a good word to describe this film's combination of rock and roll, cyberpunk,
13:39and odd drug addictions. But as it's directed by Catherine Bigelow with some writing, production,
13:44and editing work by her ex-husband James Cameron, it's strange in a fascinating,
13:48artistic, entertaining way. Ralph Fiennes plays a small-time criminal who records people's memories
13:53and sells them on the black market. But he gets in trouble when he picks up the memories of various
13:56murders. What follows is simply mesmerizing. Don't be put off because it didn't do so well
14:01in theaters. Strange Days is definitely worth your time. I can't believe you had to give them
14:05the damned. Yeah, me neither. It was one of my favorites. Me and Faith in the hot tub on my
14:13birthday. Number 5. High Life
14:16Those random images. Maybe they were programmed to keep us on a leash
14:27and make us believe a return was possible. This film from French director Claire Denis
14:32is quite challenging, so it's easy to see why it never attained a huge audience.
14:35But those looking for more complex science fiction found a ton to enjoy with High Life.
14:39The story is captivating but quite untraditional. With morally ambiguous characters,
14:43a raw approach to taboo subjects, and non-linear storytelling, it asks a lot of its viewers. But
14:48those willing to put in the work are richly rewarded. Luckily, you can also enjoy High
14:52Life as a surface-level sci-fi flick, as Denis uses lush cinematography and minimalist production
14:57design to create an awe-inspiring visual treat that evokes intense feelings of cosmic dread.
15:02We were at the halfway point. Four more years to our destination.
15:06We had to begin the deceleration maneuver so the ship could approach a black hole.
15:13One of the closest in our galaxy. Number 4. Exist-Tens
15:17How does it feel? What?
15:25Your real life. The one you came back for. It feels completely unreal.
15:31David Cronenberg strikes again with this virtual reality film, but it's certainly not
15:36just another virtual reality film. The use of nightmare-fuel organic material like bioports
15:41and guns made out of bone and flesh make it a truly creepy and thought-provoking movie.
15:45The characters in this near-future setting voluntarily use bioports to enter a virtual
15:49world, but once there, they slowly lose their grasp of reality. The plot masterfully uses
15:54its imagery to tackle ideas of consciousness, the relationship between nature and science,
15:58and what it means to be human, making this twisty sci-fi an essential gamer movie.
16:02We're both stumbling around together in this
16:06unformed world whose rules and objectives are largely unknown.
16:10Seemingly indecipherable, or even possibly nonexistent.
16:13Always on the verge of being killed by forces that we don't understand.
16:19That sounds like my game, all right. Number 3. Sunshine
16:23Our sun is dying. Mankind faces extinction. The sun is going out, so a team of international
16:30astronauts is sent to reignite it. The film throws all these characters into a very claustrophobic
16:34environment and forces them to deal with the sun's incredible power to both give life and
16:38to destroy. But it also focuses on how the actions of one individual can similarly decide
16:43the fate of an entire planet. The acting is great, the CGI is well done, and director Danny
16:47Boyle skillfully builds it all to a suspenseful and exhilarating climax that helps make this
16:52one a must-watch. So if you wake up one morning and it's a particularly beautiful day,
16:57you'll know we made it. Number 2. Gattaca
16:59You have specified hazel eyes, dark hair, and fair skin. I have taken the liberty of eradicating any
17:07potentially prejudicial conditions, premature baldness, myopia, alcoholism, and addictive
17:12susceptibility, propensity for violence, obesity, etc. Coming from acclaimed screenwriter Andrew
17:18Nichol, Gattaca has a brilliant premise that instantly elevates it to the top tier of dystopian
17:22fiction. The story takes place in a future where humans are conceived through genetic selection to
17:26ensure they attain perfection, while those born outside the eugenics program face genetic
17:30discrimination. It's a wonderful idea to explore, and Nichol smartly minds its potential for all
17:35it's worth. It also comes with masterful art direction that earned an Oscar nomination.
17:39The film has a beautiful, retro-futuristic style, minimalist and symmetrical set design,
17:44and a thematic color palette that utilizes cold and warm hues to meaningful effect. Put simply,
17:49Gattaca is the perfect mix of style and substance.
18:191. Moon
18:30Our choice for the most underrated science fiction movie will keep you on the edge of your seat,
18:34make you love the characters, and seriously mess with your head. Sam Bell has spent three years
18:39completing a mission alone on the moon with only a robot for company. He's all set to return home
18:43when things start going wrong. For the most part, Sam Rockwell is the only actor on screen,
18:47and he does a brilliant job at keeping the tension high and action dynamic.
18:51Like all great science fiction, Moon is an exciting adventure that sheds light
18:55on the human condition that forces you to question your sense of reality. Don't miss it!
19:07Did we miss one of your underrated favorites? Tell us about it in the comments below!
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