5 Netflix Sci-Fi Movies That Deserve Their Masterpiece Status

by

Not all sci-fi movies on Netflix are great, but a few truly stand out. Science fiction and Netflix are a perfect match, and you can’t talk about modern sci-fi without mentioning Stranger Things – Netflix’s most popular show.

Netflix offers more than just sci-fi TV shows; they’ve also been producing original sci-fi movies since 2015. Despite exploring many genres, sci-fi seems to be one of the least successful for them. Netflix hasn’t consistently delivered high-quality sci-fi films.

While many recent sci-fi movies on Netflix, like The Electric State and Rebel Moon, haven’t been hits with viewers or critics, Netflix occasionally releases a truly successful sci-fi film. These five movies stand out as some of the platform’s most popular and well-received sci-fi offerings.

Ultraman: Rising (2024)

Ultraman: Rising is a new animated series based on the popular Ultraman franchise. The show follows the story of Ultraman, a race of aliens who can transform into giant, robotic-like heroes to protect Earth from huge monsters. In this adventure, Ken Sato, a baseball player who is also Ultraman, unexpectedly becomes responsible for taking care of a young monster.

Even though the military wants to eliminate the monster, Ken forms a quick bond with the young creature, giving her the name Emi. This unexpected connection is a fresh take on the classic Ultraman story and actually makes the series even better. Ultraman: Rising is visually stunning, with exciting action sequences and clever humor, but it’s the emotional core of the story that truly shines.

Nimona (2023)

Nimona is an exciting sci-fi fantasy adventure inspired by ND Stevenson’s 2015 graphic novel. The story takes place in a unique world that blends medieval and futuristic elements. Riz Ahmed provides the voice for Ballister Boldheart, a knight who’s broken tradition – he’s one of the first commoners to join a knightly order previously exclusive to nobles.

After being wrongly accused of killing the Queen, Ballister flees, and is joined by Nimona (Chloë Grace Moretz), a shapeshifting rebel. The movie is beautifully animated and boasts inventive sci-fi concepts. It’s a consistently unpredictable and thought-provoking story with a strong underlying message.

Apollo 10 ½: A Space Age Childhood (2022)

Richard Linklater’s Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Childhood is a charming and funny coming-of-age story with a touch of science fiction. The film centers on Stanley, who, as a 10-year-old boy (played by Milo Coy and Jack Black as an adult), is unexpectedly chosen for a secret mission to the moon.

Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Childhood is a charmingly nostalgic film that lovingly portrays the 1960s. It’s also a very personal story, drawing heavily from director Richard Linklater’s own childhood growing up in a Texas town similar to the one shown in the movie. The filmmakers made a smart decision using a technique called roto-scoping, which results in consistently beautiful and captivating visuals.

Frankenstein (2025)

Guillermo del Toro has been building towards directing his version of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein for years, and it’s finally happening in 2025. His passion for horror and classic, dramatic style perfectly suit the story. Oscar Isaac will play the scientist, and Jacob Elordi will play the creature.

Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein is visually stunning and explores timeless philosophical themes, successfully bringing this challenging story to the screen. Jacob Elordi delivers a remarkable performance as the Creature, imbuing the monster with a deeply human and poignant quality that draws you into the narrative alongside the film’s captivating atmosphere.

Don’t Look Up (2021)

When Don’t Look Up first came out, it was confusing for many. While advertised as a comedy, its harsh and bleak themes left some viewers feeling cold. However, with time, the film has proven to be a sharp and hilarious satire, boosted by its incredible cast.

Adam McKay’s film, Don’t Look Up, centers around scientists discovering a massive asteroid on a collision course with Earth. Surprisingly, most people don’t seem to care, dismissing the threat as overblown. While the movie has been called both condescending and pessimistic, it’s more accurately described as deeply anxious and fearful rather than self-satisfied.

Read More

2026-01-14 02:59