10 Sci-Fi Movies With Rotten RT Scores That Are Worth Watching At Least Once

Science fiction movies come in many varieties, and some films that initially received negative reviews from critics are worth revisiting. The genre includes diverse subgenres like space operas – think Star Wars – time travel adventures such as Back to the Future, and post-apocalyptic stories like Terminator.

It’s common for critics to be tough on genre films, and harsh reviews can sometimes hurt a movie’s performance at the box office. But even though some sci-fi movies have poor ratings on Rotten Tomatoes, many of them are actually much better than critics suggest.

Mortal Engines (25%)

There was a lot of anticipation for Mortal Engines because it was written by the same team behind The Lord of the Rings – Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, and Peter Jackson. Unfortunately, with Peter Jackson not directing, the movie didn’t attract a large audience and ultimately failed at the box office.

The movie received largely negative reviews, which was a major factor in its poor performance. Critics gave it a low 25% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, arguing that the story wasn’t strong enough to support the impressive visuals and set design. Essentially, the beautiful effects couldn’t save a weak plot.

The movie also received poor reviews from general audiences, with a 48% rating. However, Phillip Reeve, who wrote the popular science fiction novel the film is based on, enjoyed it, calling it fantastic and emotionally resonant. Despite a rocky start, this sci-fi movie might be worth another chance.

Æon Flux (9%)

I remember when the Æon Flux movie came out, there was a lot of buzz because it was based on this really cool, experimental animated series that aired on MTV back in the early ’90s. It dropped in 2005 with Charlize Theron playing Æon, and it’s set in a pretty bleak future – basically, a virus wiped out almost everyone on Earth. It’s a wild ride if you’re into that kind of dystopian sci-fi.

Æon Flux is a highly trained fighter and member of a rebel group fighting against the oppressive, scientifically-driven government of a futuristic city. The rebels have advanced abilities, including telepathic communication, and Æon is currently on a mission to assassinate the nation’s leader.

The plot has several unexpected developments, including the surprising reveal that the group was secretly controlled by a competing political group. The movie received very negative reviews, earning only a 9% rating and often being unfavorably compared to the animated series it’s based on. However, the action sequences are well-done, and it’s worth checking out if you haven’t experienced the original story.

Terminator Genisys (26%)

When Terminator Genisys came out, it was widely disliked by both fans and critics – it only received a 26% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. A lot of the negative feedback stemmed from people comparing it to earlier Terminator films. However, many didn’t realize the movie was intended as a fresh start, a reboot of the franchise.

Many people didn’t understand Terminator Genisys, but it was actually a really clever sci-fi film. It cleverly revisited iconic scenes from the original movies and reshot them, altering past events to create a new timeline and set up possibilities for future installments.

Despite being the most innovative Terminator film since Terminator 2, Terminator Genisys received negative reviews, leading the studio to abandon plans for sequels and a TV series that would have continued its storyline. This was a disappointing outcome for fans.

Underwater (48%)

The movie Underwater struggled because bad reviews discouraged people from watching it, and many never gave it a chance. It also faced an uphill battle, as some viewers weren’t willing to see past Kristen Stewart’s earlier role in the Twilight films.

The film features Stewart as one of the crew members working at an underwater drilling site. While it was surprising to see him play a mechanical engineer, that wasn’t the main reason this movie deserves more recognition. The ending of Underwater is what truly makes it a must-see for science fiction fans.

The movie concluded with Norah, Stewart’s character, investigating the source of attacks on their underwater base. She discovered a creature inspired by Cthulhu from the stories of H.P. Lovecraft. Many viewers considered this twist ending the most surprising in a science fiction film for over ten years.

Species (42%)

It’s surprising that the movie Species has a negative score on Rotten Tomatoes, considering how popular it’s become as a cult classic. Typically, films that gain a cult following see their Rotten Tomatoes scores improve over time, but Species has consistently remained a B-grade film, and its score hasn’t budged.

In the film Species, directed by Roger Donaldson, Natasha Henstridge plays a being created from alien and human DNA after scientists make contact with an extraterrestrial civilization. When she becomes dangerously violent, the scientists attempt to eliminate her, but she escapes and begins a deadly killing spree.

The movie featured a fantastic cast including Ben Kingsley, Michael Madsen, Alfred Molina, Forest Whitaker, and Marg Helgenberger, and it’s still an enjoyable blend of science fiction and horror. Despite negative reviews, Species proved popular enough to spawn two sequels and even a comic book series.

Armageddon (43%)

Despite receiving negative reviews – with a 43% score on Rotten Tomatoes – Armageddon was a huge box office hit. Critics didn’t like the plot or Michael Bay’s directing, but audiences did, making it the top-grossing film of 1998. It earned $553.7 million and remains Touchstone Pictures’ most successful movie ever.

This film centers on a team of deep-core drillers tasked with a dangerous mission: flying into space to bore into a massive asteroid on a collision course with Earth. Their goal is to plant a nuclear bomb and obliterate the asteroid, saving the planet from destruction. Featuring stars like Ben Affleck and Bruce Willis, the movie proved to be far more enjoyable than many critics suggested.

It’s remarkable that Armageddon got a Criterion Collection release, considering its negative reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. Criterion releases are typically only given to critically acclaimed films.

Jason X (20%)

Look, I’m a big horror fan, and when I saw Jason X got a measly 20% on Rotten Tomatoes, I just didn’t get it. By that point, the Friday the 13th movies weren’t exactly known for deep storytelling. Honestly, the series had become all about delivering creative and over-the-top kills, and that’s what fans were tuning in for. The critics seemed to miss the point!

Okay, let me tell you about Jason X. It’s…ambitious, let’s put it that way. A lot of folks think this is where the Friday the 13th series really went off the rails, sending Jason Voorhees into space! The setup is a future crew landing back on Earth and, naturally, stumbling across our favorite hockey-masked killer. There’s even a really cool, unexpected cameo from David Cronenberg before things get truly wild and Jason ends up orbiting the planet. It’s a bizarre turn, but I have to admit, it’s a memorable one.

Jason Voorhees gets a power-up and embarks on a series of exciting adventures, including a funny take on the iconic sleeping bag scene from Friday the 13th: The New Blood. After battling a cyborg, the film delivers exactly what fans have been hoping for, and it’s possibly the most enjoyable Friday the 13th movie yet.

Event Horizon (36%)

Event Horizon is a true cult classic, and its low 36% score on Rotten Tomatoes doesn’t reflect how good it actually is. It was the film that launched director Paul W.S. Anderson’s career, before he became known for adapting video games, and many consider it his best work.

This horror sci-fi film takes place in 2047 and follows a team of astronauts sent to investigate the reappearance of the Event Horizon, a spaceship that vanished seven years before. Like the movie Alien, they encounter something terrifying, but this film explores even more disturbing territory.

You know, when Event Horizon first came out, a lot of critics felt it was all flash and no substance – that it looked amazing but didn’t have much depth. It’s something director Paul W.S. Anderson kept getting dinged for throughout his career. But honestly, it’s developed this incredible cult following over the years! It’s really cool to see it finally getting the respect it deserves as a genuinely great sci-fi horror film, especially knowing it influenced a game like Dead Space. I always thought it was special, and it’s awesome others are starting to see that too.

Tank Girl (46%)

Despite a low 46% rating, Tank Girl is a favorite film for many comic book enthusiasts from the 1990s. Starring Lori Petty as the rebellious Tank Girl, the movie is set in a post-apocalyptic Australia where she joins forces with Jet Girl (Naomi Watts) to fight against a powerful and controlling corporation.

Many people compared the film to Mad Max, but it was originally inspired by the comic book series created by Alan Martin and Jamie Hewlett. Despite objections from the comic’s creators during production and negative reviews, the movie didn’t perform well at the box office.

Despite its initial reception, Tank Girl has gained a dedicated following and is celebrated for its empowering message about women. The movie is incredibly fast-paced and energetic, and while it’s definitely strange – featuring odd choices like Ice-T playing a kangaroo-like character – there’s a lot to enjoy about it.

The Meg (47%)

Critics didn’t love the sci-fi film The Meg – it has a 47% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and audiences gave it an even lower 44%. However, that didn’t stop it from being a box office success, earning $529 million globally on a $130 million budget.

Jason Statham plays Jonas Taylor, a deep-sea diver who rescues a trapped crew. But their rescue inadvertently awakens a massive, ancient shark – a megalodon – and Taylor must stop it from reaching the shore and causing widespread destruction.

The Meg is a classic monster movie, and it delivers exactly what you’d expect from that genre. Jason Statham is fantastic, and the whole cast really makes the film work. It was successful enough to get a sequel, proving that some sci-fi movies can thrive even if critics don’t love them – especially when those critics are off the mark about how good the movie actually is.

2026-01-31 17:13