10 Best Sci-Fi Movies To Watch After You’ve Seen All the Classics

The sci-fi genre has given us some of the most cherished and memorable films in cinema history, ranging from early classics inspired by Jules Verne to today’s big-budget blockbusters. Because the genre is so expansive and diverse, deciding what to watch can sometimes feel overwhelming. Naturally, there are always the well-known favorites, like Alien, Terminator, Star Wars, Back to the Future, Planet of the Apes, 2001: A Space Odyssey, and Blade Runner, but what else is out there?

Whether you enjoy lively animated films or beloved, quirky sci-fi, here’s a list of 10 movies for genre fans who’ve seen all the staples and are ready for some fresh, out-of-this-world storytelling. Explore these films and discover your next favorite!

‘Paprika’ (2006)

The 1988 film Akira was a major turning point, greatly increasing the popularity of Japanese anime and manga-style animation in Western countries. This success opened doors for many other Japanese animated films, such as Paprika released in 2006.

The movie centers on a conflict between a mysterious “dream terrorist” – someone who induces nightmares by taking a device that enables shared dreaming – and Paprika, a dream investigator who is also the other self of the scientist who invented the stolen device.

‘Paprika’ Is a Must-see for Fans of Sci-fi Anime

Combining the dark, futuristic setting of Akira with the dreamlike beauty of Spirited Away, Paprika is a visually impressive and thought-provoking film. It was widely praised for its beautiful animation and intricate, multi-layered story.

‘The Endless’ (2017)

The Endless draws heavily from cosmic horror, a style of storytelling that began with the 20th-century horror tales of H.P. Lovecraft. Unlike traditional horror, which features threats like aliens or robots, cosmic horror presents enemies that are much more disturbing-powerful, unknowable forces that humans can’t understand. This genre was masterfully explored in films like Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey and John Carpenter’s The Thing, and it’s recently become popular again with critically praised and devoted fanbases for movies such as Annihilation and Color Out of Space.

‘The Endless’ Demonstrates That a Mega Budget Isn’t Always Needed

Despite being made with very limited funds, The Endless compensates for its lack of big-budget visuals and polish with a strong sense of suspense and a captivating atmosphere. The film tackles themes like cults, time loops, and an extraterrestrial danger, which builds a constant feeling of dread. This creates a subtly disturbing mood, making you feel like something is just not quite right with time and reality.

With a remarkable 92% score on Rotten Tomatoes, The Endless is a truly captivating and frightening science fiction horror film that has quickly become a favorite among genre fans and is likely to gain a dedicated following.

‘Coherence’ (2013)

Following a dinner party where a group of friends spot a comet, they realize there are many different parallel universes. When various versions of themselves start appearing, things become complicated and tensions rise as they try to deal with this broken, multi-dimensional reality.

‘Coherence’ Isn’t for Everyone

Heavily influenced by the famously complex film Primer from 2004, Coherence doesn’t try to simplify its challenging ideas about reality, how we see things, the choices we make, and what happens as a result. It looks at these concepts using ideas from multiverse theory, quantum entanglement, and chaos theory. Though made with very little money, Coherence is a film for a specific audience, but if you enjoy movies that require close watching and benefit from being seen multiple times, it could be perfect for you.

‘Sunshine’ (2007)

Taking place in the year 2057, Sunshine tells the story of a team of astronauts on a perilous mission: to restart our fading Sun and rescue humankind. The film delves into how vulnerable we are compared to the immense scale of space, and shows the increasing stress within the crew as they battle equipment malfunctions and the psychological impact of being alone. Celebrated for its intense atmosphere, stunning visuals, and impressive cinematography, Sunshine is a captivating science fiction thriller and a hidden treasure that’s well worth watching.

An Underrated Sci-fi Gem

Directed by the acclaimed Danny Boyle – famous for films like Slumdog Millionaire, Trainspotting, and the 28 Days Later series – and featuring a strong cast including Chris Evans, Rose Byrne, and Cillian Murphy, this movie certainly had the talent to succeed. However, it didn’t connect with audiences when it first came out and wasn’t a box office hit. It’s possible that its deliberate pace and thought-provoking ideas weren’t what most viewers were looking for at the time, but those who enjoyed emotionally resonant and visually stunning films such as Gravity and Interstellar will probably find themselves engrossed in Sunshine’s grand scale and focus on its characters.

‘Occupation’ (2018)

Honestly, sometimes I just want to switch my brain off and enjoy a really good, fast-paced action movie, and that’s exactly what Occupation gives you. It’s a total thrill ride about humanity facing an incredibly intense alien invasion – a real fight for survival. The whole thing is just packed with amazing explosions, non-stop gun fights, and cities getting wrecked. Occupation doesn’t really let up, and when it *does* slow down for a moment, the actors do a solid job of keeping the tension high. It’s exactly what I needed!

The Sequel Ups the Ante

The film was a success in Australia, leading to a sequel with a much larger budget-and a lot more mayhem. The visual effects team included artists who previously worked on Star Wars: The Last Jedi, so viewers who enjoy films like Independence Day and The Edge of Tomorrow should find the alien-based action quite enjoyable.

‘Crimes of the Future’ (2022)

Don’t mistake this 2022 film for the 1970 movie with the same name (both directed by David Cronenberg)-they share only a title. The story centers on Saul, who allows his partner to perform operations on him as a public spectacle, set in a future where people no longer feel pain. When a determined group tries to accelerate human evolution, Saul is forced to choose between accepting or rejecting this altered state of being.

A Spectacular Return to Cronenberg’s Roots

Director David Cronenberg is a celebrated figure in his genre, famous for using disturbing and graphic imagery to examine ideas about who we are, feelings of isolation, the inner workings of the mind, and the moral implications of scientific research and excessive pride. He’s created many popular films, including The Fly, Videodrome, and Scanners. However, after eXistenZ in 1999, he shifted gears, moving away from science fiction and horror to direct crime thrillers such as A History of Violence and Eastern Promises, and the dark comedy Maps to the Stars.

Crimes of the Future signals David Cronenberg’s comeback to science fiction after a 25-year hiatus. The film explores themes he’s known for, delivering his signature brand of disturbing storytelling. Critics largely praised it, with some even calling it one of his best films yet.

‘Under the Skin’ (2013)

Under the Skin stars Scarlett Johansson as an alien who takes on the form of a woman in Scotland. She’s on a mission to attract men, but things become more complex when she starts experiencing human feelings and a growing awareness of who she is. While critics generally praised the film, it didn’t perform well with general audiences and didn’t earn back its production costs in theaters. However, it has since gained a dedicated cult following.

Perfect for Those Looking for Something a Little Less Traditional

With its strong focus on visuals and a disturbing soundscape, Under the Skin tells a deliberately unclear story using very little dialogue. This can make it a confusing and demanding film to watch. However, if you enjoy intelligent, popular sci-fi films such as Interstellar, Arrival and The Matrix, and you’re willing to try something a bit different, Under The Skin delivers a memorable and deeply unsettling experience that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

‘Upgrade’ (2018)

Upgrade centers around Grey Trace, who gains extraordinary robotic skills after receiving an experimental AI chip following a violent attack that leaves him paralyzed. He then uses these abilities to relentlessly pursue revenge against those who harmed him. Throughout his journey, he grapples with questions about free will and discovers a complex network of deceit, corruption, and conspiracy. Described as bleak, gritty, and laced with dark humor, critics widely praise Upgrade as a strong sci-fi revenge film, giving it an 88% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

‘Upgrade’ Blends Sci-fi, Horror, and Action

Made by Blumhouse Productions, Upgrade is a fast-paced sci-fi action film that brings a new take on well-known ideas, especially for fans who’ve seen all the genre’s older hits. The mix of action, science fiction, and horror has created some of the most memorable films ever, like Aliens, Terminator, and Predator. This movie is a contemporary reimagining of those classics, with an extra dose of psychological suspense.

‘Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets’ (2017)

Distinctly unique and unconventional, Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets feels similar to fun, offbeat space adventures such as The Fifth Element and Guardians of the Galaxy. The story centers on elite agents Valerian and Laureline, who journey to the massive, galactic city of Alpha to find a secret, dangerous power that could destroy everything.

The Most Expensive Independent Movie Ever Made

Directed by Luc Besson and featuring Dane DeHaan, Cara Delevingne, Clive Owen, Rihanna, Ethan Hawke, and Rutger Hauer, Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets was an incredibly expensive film to produce, costing a whopping $209 million. While it earned $226 million globally, it was considered a financial failure because of its large production and marketing expenses. However, despite not succeeding commercially, the film’s ambitious world-building, unique humor, and extravagant visuals suggest it could become a cult favorite, especially for viewers who enjoy a bit of playful exaggeration in their science fiction.

‘TimeCrimes’ (2007)

Time travel is a popular theme in science fiction movies, ranging from funny stories like Back to the Future and Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure to more serious and intense films such as Terminator and Donnie Darko. TimeCrimes, while not strictly a horror film, leans towards the more unsettling side of sci-fi. The movie centers around Héctor, a man who accidentally gets caught in a time loop and has to prevent his duplicate selves from continuing to live.

A Refreshing Take on the Time-travel Genre

TimeCrimes offers a fresh and original approach to the genre, filled with surprising turns and a subtle, dark wit. The film has received high praise from critics for creating a powerful and engaging experience, all without needing expensive special effects. It earned several awards, including Best Picture at the 2007 Fantastic Fest, the Gold Medal from the Jury Award Competition, and a Silver Medal from the Audience Award Competition.

2025-10-04 23:52