The Best Sci-Fi Films of All Time
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- DirectorRidley ScottStarsSigourney WeaverTom SkerrittJohn HurtThe crew of a commercial spacecraft encounters a deadly lifeform after investigating a mysterious transmission of unknown origin.This film could easily be in a Horror Film Top 10 but that is another discussion. This is a seminal film, terrifying, engrossing, and unforgettable. Helen Ripley ups the ante for all action movie heroines that follow, and the Alien itself is on the Mount Rushmore of film Monters. Ridley Scott creates a tangible tension and claustrophobia with his directing and gives us a preview of his blossoming brilliance behind the camera.
- DirectorStanley KubrickStarsKeir DulleaGary LockwoodWilliam SylvesterAfter uncovering a mysterious artifact buried beneath the Lunar surface, a spacecraft is sent to Jupiter to find its origins: a spacecraft manned by two men and the supercomputer HAL 9000.A haunting and patient epic. Before this film, Sci-Fi was a corny, cheap medium. You can thank this film for all that comes after. Star Wars in particular.
- DirectorGeorge LucasStarsMark HamillHarrison FordCarrie FisherLuke Skywalker joins forces with a Jedi Knight, a cocky pilot, a Wookiee and two droids to save the galaxy from the Empire's world-destroying battle station, while also attempting to rescue Princess Leia from the mysterious Darth Vader.Something about Luke's story appeals to everyone. Darth Vader enters our lives for the first time and, the powers of the force are revealed to us. Consider Empire Strikes Back and Jedi to be included with this film on my list. It will save space.
- DirectorRidley ScottStarsHarrison FordRutger HauerSean YoungA blade runner must pursue and terminate four replicants who stole a ship in space and have returned to Earth to find their creator.The Maltese Falcon set in the future, this Noir detective story grows on you. First time I saw this I thought it looked great but was slow and boring. By the 4th and 5th viewings I was converted. A brilliant mood-piece with outstanding direction and great performances, this is a film I find myself watching every couple of months.
- DirectorFranklin J. SchaffnerStarsCharlton HestonRoddy McDowallKim HunterAn astronaut crew crash-lands on a planet where highly intelligent non-human ape species are dominant and humans are enslaved.Best...ending...ever
- DirectorJames CameronStarsSigourney WeaverMichael BiehnCarrie HennDecades after surviving the Nostromo incident, Ellen Ripley is sent out to re-establish contact with a terraforming colony but finds herself battling the Alien Queen and her offspring.The original Space Marines epic. Markedly different from the original, Cameron goes for the action and does not disappoint. Yet, the script is great and the acting superb throughout. Wanna know how successful and influential this movie is? The Halo Video Game Series is a direct knock=off of this film and 20 million people bought the latest Halo game.
- DirectorAndrei TarkovskyStarsNatalya BondarchukDonatas BanionisJüri JärvetA psychologist is sent to a station orbiting a distant planet in order to discover what has caused the crew to go insane.Haunting, haunting, haunting. Sci Fi behind the Iron Curtain
- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsRichard DreyfussFrançois TruffautTeri GarrRoy Neary, an Indiana electric lineman, finds his quiet and ordinary daily life turned upside down after a close encounter with a UFO, spurring him to an obsessed cross-country quest for answers as a momentous event approaches.One of the best "hard" science fiction films, Spielberg teaches us all that you don't need guns or lasers to make a brilliant sci fi film.
- DirectorPaul VerhoevenStarsCasper Van DienDenise RichardsDina MeyerHumans, in a fascist militaristic future, wage war with giant alien bugs.A hilariously tongue in cheek ode to Aliens, this splatterfest allows the brilliant Paul Verhoeven to riff on macho action movie tomes. Michael Ironside, Neil Patrick Harris, and Clancy Brown are unforgettable in supporting roles.
- DirectorNicholas MeyerStarsWilliam ShatnerLeonard NimoyDeForest KelleyWith the assistance of the Enterprise crew, Admiral Kirk must stop an old nemesis, Khan Noonien Singh, from using the life-generating Genesis Device as the ultimate weapon.How I love thee Ricardo Montalban, how I love thee. The best of the original cast films, this is an enjoyable ride from start to finish. This film has it all, a Superb villain, top-notch effects, a great plot, and of course a lifetime of timeless Capt. Kirk lines. Here's one-"Khaaaaaaaaaaaaan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
- DirectorSteven LisbergerStarsJeff BridgesBruce BoxleitnerDavid WarnerA computer hacker is abducted into the digital world and forced to participate in gladiatorial games where his only chance of escape is with the help of a heroic security program.Way ahead of its' time, this overly ambitious Disney project didn't seem to connect with audiences upon release. However, given the direction the world has gone with the Internet, Virtual Worlds, Computers etc, this film was a forecast of the 90's. Very few borrowed themes in this one. It is a true original.
- DirectorJ.J. AbramsStarsChris PineZachary QuintoSimon PeggThe brash James T. Kirk tries to live up to his father's legacy with Mr. Spock keeping him in check as a vengeful Romulan from the future creates black holes to destroy the Federation one planet at a time.Just a great ride. Perhaps the best re-boot ever.