The works of Dune, Star Wars, and Star Trek reveal how mankind strives to think far ahead into the future of science, technology, and civilization. These sci-fi movies explore society and technological advancement, both positively and negatively.
With mind-blowing aesthetics, many of these films may now be watched from the comfort of our homes thanks to the growth of streaming services. For one, streaming services like Hulu offer a variety of high-tech movies that spark this surreal imagination, if you are a fan of sci-fi movies.
Keep scrolling to find out what movies to watch:
Akira
Akira, a 1988 anime film, became the first to cross over into Western culture, featuring a futuristic cyberpunk setting and captivating animation. The story follows Tokyo, devastated by a storm of destruction caused by a psychic youngster in 1988. After 30 years, Tokyo devolves into Neo-Tokyo, with gangs and government control. A peculiar man named Tetsuo develops similar abilities, threatening Tokyo’s fate once again.
Dredd (2012)
Dredd is a 2012 science fiction crime thriller directed by Pete Travis, based on the 2000 AD comic strip Judge Dredd. Despite criticism for extreme violence and missing elements, the film’s visual effects and action sequences were exceptional. Set in a future America, urban cops known as “Judges” are the only force capable of stopping drug lords and criminals. Dredd, the ultimate Judge, is tasked with eradicating the city’s illegal drug epidemic, known as “Slo-Mo.”
Alita: Battle Angel
Alita: Battle Angel is a captivating sci-fi film directed by James Cameron and Robert Rodriguez, featuring a cyborg named Alita. The story follows Alita, who awakens in a futuristic world with no memories of her past. She is taken in by Dr. Ido, who believes she can end the cycle of carnage caused by the Tiphares. As she navigates her new life with Dr. Ido’s help, she uncovers clues to her past events, leading her to the beings controlling the world. The film’s visuals and sci-fi world-building are visually stunning and captivating.
Dune
Denis Villeneuve, known for his work on Blade Runner 2049, directed the sci-fi film Dune, which won six Academy Awards. Dune is a unique adaptation of Frank Herbert’s novel, focusing on the House Atreides, led by Duke Leto, who accepts the Emperor’s order to take over Arrakis. The plot revolves around Duke Leto’s struggle to save Arrakis and the Spice, while House Harkonnen prepares to destroy House Atreides. Paul Atreides, Leto’s son, is crucial in freeing Arrakis from their clutches.
Prometheus
Prometheus is a sci-fi thriller prequel to 1979’s Alien, focusing on the alien spaceship. The film is an intellectually stimulating and action-packed sci-fi thriller, with an ambitious script that traces humanity’s origins. Two young scientists, Shaw (Noomi Rapace) and Holloway (Logan Marshall-Green), embark on a journey to uncover the world’s darkest corners after discovering a hint about humankind’s origins. Shaw believes she will see a godlike being, while Holloway intends to disprove them, putting them in unfathomable danger. The film deserves praise for its ambitious script and engaging action-packed visuals.
After Earth
Will Smith and M. Night Shyamalan co-wrote After Earth, a risky science fiction film that has gotten mixed reviews. Despite its flaws, it is regarded as one of the most misunderstood science fiction films in recent years. The story is set in the future, when Earth becomes unsustainable and humanity is forced to relocate to Nova Prime. When their ship crashes into Earth, General Cypher Raige (Will Smith) and his son Kai (Jaden Smith) embark on a space trip. To demonstrate his admiration for his father and his capacity to become one like him, Kai must cross the treacherous wilderness to collect their rescue beacon while avoiding or battling alien animals.
Prey
The Predator franchise, featuring the fifth installment Prey, follows Naru, a young Comanche healer, as she aspires to become a great hunter like her brother Taabe. However, she becomes entangled in the pursuit of an intelligent alien predator with advanced weapons. The film challenges Naru to protect her home and kill the intelligent alien, knowing she could be killed if she makes a mistake.
Ender’s Game
Ender’s Game is a military science fiction film directed by Gavin Hood and starring Harrison Ford. It resembles The Hunger Games in space but is more violent and creative. Earth is ravaged by the Formics in the far future, and after fifty years, everyone banded together to prevent their annihilation. Ender Wiggin, separated from his siblings, is sent to a battle school in space to train as a killer and save the world.
Dual
In this film, Sarah (Karen Gillan) decides to clone herself after discovering her terminal illness was incurable. She synthesizes a clone to live with her mother and boyfriend as her replacement. However, after months of remission, the clone seems to be better with them than she did. As the law states only one person can survive, Sarah and her double face a duel to death. Sarah trains with a martial arts instructor (Aaron Paul) to prepare for self-defense.
I, Robot
In 2004, I, Robot a cautionary tale talks about the potential consequences of advanced technology, particularly robots and artificial intelligence, when they become too powerful. In 2030s Chicago, robots become ubiquitous, and society is turned upside down. Del Spooner, played by Will Smith, is a mistrustful detective who discovers when robots and their AI go haywire, bending the three robot laws to control them.
Voyagers
Voyagers is a sci-fi movie with a strong human element, focusing on overpopulation and climate change. By 2063, a mission with adolescents aims to colonize a habitable exoplanet. However, their suppressed personalities and emotions lead to a turn on, reminiscent of Lord of the Flies. The teens must navigate their way through the complexities of space exploration and colonization.
Crimes Of The Future
Viggo Mortensen plays Saul Tenser, a character in accelerated human evolution, in the sci-fi movie Crimes of the Future. People no longer suffer from illness or agony in the future; instead, they enjoy surgery. Performance artists Saul and Caprice hack open bodies and remove organs as a form of art. The peculiarity of the future world is highlighted by some characters who see surgery as a brand-new method of sexual fulfillment.
Settlers
Settlers is a suspenseful science fiction film set in a distant Mars colony populated by a nuclear family. When a gang of armed bandits storms the community, Jerry murders the family’s father. Jerry tries to replace him, but Ilsa is unable to do so. Years later, Remmy and Jerry, the family’s daughter, encounter conflict on the harsh deserts of Mars, with Remmy attempting to flee.
Surrogates
Surrogates are futuristic robot body doubles that people will use to live remotely. Jared Canter, the son of the surrogate inventor, died, and FBI agent Tom Greer is looking into it. He comes into a weapon that can kill substitutes. Tom finds himself in a region that opposes surrogates and is governed by the Prophet, who is working to create a civilization in the future where robots will dominate.
The Shape of Water
Guillermo del Toro’s film, The Shape of Water, tells the story of a human woman and a fish-man, referencing his filmography and incorporating elements of his 2006 breakout film, Pan’s Labyrinth. The film is set in 1960s Baltimore, where Elisa Esposito works the janitorial night shift. Elisa’s life is disrupted by the arrival of the Asset, a fish-man in Colonel Strickland’s custody. The film’s success relies on performance and direction, with Del Toro’s focus on the well-being of freaks and aberrations. The film screams dieselpunk, reminiscent of Bioshock, but bears the indelible stamp of folkloric mythmaking, making the product feel entirely new.
Attack the Block
In Attack the Block, Joe Cornish’s sci-fi action comedy follows a group of teenage thugs, led by disgruntled leader Moses, who becomes plagued by alien invaders. These creatures, with jet black fur and glowing blue fangs, want to destroy the boys and their tower block. The film uses alien beings as a catalyst for supernatural redemption, focusing on London’s socioeconomic bottom half and the turmoil surrounding them. Cornish points to hope through Moses’ battles with the aliens, highlighting the darkness that binds them and the power of community.
