Science fictionmovies are almost as old as cinema itself, beginning with George Melies' 1902 shortA Trip to the Moon. There is something fun about imagining ourselves in agalaxy far, far away, or on Earth myriad years into the future. The genre is loved both for its creativity and for its ability to showcase scientific possibilities. Scientists often use sci-fi as a stepping stone toreal scientific advancements. Therefore, science fiction has contributed to culture in a way that other movies have not.
Update 17, 2023: This article has been updated bySean Shumanwith even more great science fiction films from the 2010s. This article has been updated with even more exciting sci-fi movies of the 2010s.
The2010ssaw a major boom in science fiction films. From Disney purchasing Lucasfilm and making more Star Wars to Marvel Studios going full cosmic with characters like Thor, Captain Marvel, and the Guardians of the Galaxy to auteur filmmakers like Guillermo del Toro and Christopher Nolan pushing the limits of science fiction. The 2010s were a great time for the genre, and these were the best sci-fi films of the 2010s.
16Snowpiercer (2013)
Snowpiercerwas a bit of an anomaly in Bong Joon-ho’s filmography. It was his first English-language film, it was one of his most expensive films, and it was the first of his films to feature a prominent Hollywood actor, Chris Evans. However, all these elements combined to form a stellar sci-fi adventure.Snowpiercertells the story of the titular train as it travels around the globe, carrying the remnants of humanity after a climate crisis wiped out a majority of the population.
Despite being on a train, familiar systems of power and corruption start to take hold. When a group of lower-class passengers starts a rebellion, they’ll have to work their way to the front of the train to make their message known. A critical and commercial success,Snowpiercerwould also inspire a dedicated series on TNT.
15Alita: Battle Angel (2019)
Robert Rodriguez is one of the most visually stylistic directors working today, so it should come as no surprise thatAlita: Battle Angelis one of the last great sci-fi films of the 2010s. An adaptation of the manga series by Yukito Kishiro,Alita: Battle Angelsees Rosa Salazar playing an amnesiac cyborg who tries to rediscover her past life. But that will be no easy task, as she’ll set her sights on dangerous games of Motorball, the violent Hunter-Warriors of Iron City, and the mysterious figure known only as Zalem.
A co-venture between both Rodriguez and James Cameron,Alita: Battle Angelhas since become Rodriguez’s most financially successful film to date, as well as being the last official film released by 20th Century Fox before their acquisition by Disney. Fans are still clamoring for a sequel, which may finally come to fruition following recent developments from James Cameron.
14Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
With all theStar Warscontent that Disney launched after acquiring Lucasfilm, variations of the franchise could have filled this whole list. The series of films are known for redefining science-fiction and space operas, andRogue One: A Star Wars Storyis the best of the 2010s. Packed with references to the original trilogy, the stand-alone film follows a rag-tag team of rebels who unravel the mystery of the Death Star just before the events inStar Wars: A New Hope.
The film is complete with exciting and innovative visuals, an emotional score, and diverse characters who are impossible not to root for. Its inspirational story of heroism and sacrifice will warm the hearts of old and new fans alike. It’s a movie that can’t be missed and one of the best science fiction films of the 2010s.
13Gravity (2013)
Alfonso Cauron’sGravitytook the world by storm in 2013. It was a big-budget heavy VFX thrill ride that sold the 3D aspect of it, but it also was a grounded character piece about overcoming grief. It was both a box office smash hit with audiences and a critical favorite and went on to become a major winner at the Academy Awards, winning seven Oscars.
The movie centers on two astreonauts who attempt to make it back to Earth after their space station is destroyed. Often done to look like one continuous take, the film is a technical marvel that manages to stick to being scientifically accurate while being an engaging story.
12Dredd (2012)
Pete Travis and Alex Garland teamed up for 2012’sDredd, a movie that unfortunately went unnoticed during its original release. However, thisunderrated sci-fi filmhas developed a devoted following in the years since its debut. Karl Urban dons the service uniform of Judge Dredd, an officer of the law who holds the power of judge, jury, and executioner all at once.
Along with Judge Anderson, played by Olivia Thirlby, the two are tasked with taking down a drug lord residing within a 200-story high-rise building, all while fighting for survival in a dystopian alternate future. Endorsed by Rebellion Developments itself, the current publisher ofDredd’s source material, most would agree thatDreddis one of the better science fiction films of the 2010s. At the very least, it was certainly better than the 1995Judge Dreddmovie.
11Pacific Rim (2013)
One of the few times Guillermo del Toro would dive headfirst into sci-fi,Pacific Rimwas a fantastic entry in the world of 2010s sci-fi films. A delightful take on the kaiju genre,Pacific Rimsees a distant future ravaged by an invasion of monolithic sea monsters that emerge from the ocean. To combat this threat, humanity creates the Jaegers – gigantic robots controlled by a pair of pilots whose minds are joined together via telepathy. Metal collides with chitin in a fight for survival featuring Idris Elba, Charlie Day, Charlie Hunnam, and Rinko Kikuchi.
Understood by many to be a throwback to classic kaiju films,Pacific Rimtakes their traditional formula and throws some modern-day paint over its presentation. The end result is something truly incredible. A sequel would be released in 2018, with Guillermo producing instead of directing.
10Attack the Block (2011)
Attack the Blockis a fascinating sci-fi film for a variety of reasons. Not only is it a genre mash-up betweensci-fi and horror, but it was also a vehicle for both John Boyega and Jodie Whittaker, who would later go on to star inStar WarsandDoctor Who, respectively.Attack the Blocksees a teenage street gang caught in the middle of an alien invasion as a group of monstrous creatures with neon-blue teeth threaten their home. Utilizing nothing but their quick wits and practical weapons, they’ll have to work together in order to survive the onslaught.
Directed by Joe Cornish, who would later write for MCU’sAnt-Man,Attack the Blockis a great piece of horror-themed sci-fi. A sequel is currently being developed more than a decade after it was released, with John Boyega both reprising his role and producing behind the scenes.
9Big Hero 6 (2014)
This animated film, loosely based on the Marvel team of the same name, engages the family in ways that no other movie on this list does.Big Hero 6makes the kids laugh, and the adults cry. The film centers around Hiro Hamada, a teenage robotics genius. After his older brother dies, Hiro accidentally activates his brother’s last project, a medical robot– Baymax, which has become an endearing icon that remains in the hearts of many fans.
Related:Why Big Hero 6 Is One Of Disney’s Best Movies
The two become an adorable superhero team, fighting a masked villain and using sci-fi technology to save the day in one of the sweetest science-fiction movies of the 2010s. Baymax also offers a rather realistic form of A.I., one that is so responsive to humans that it is able to simulate emotions that humans project onto.
8Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
The sequel of the 1982 film,Blade Runner 2049teamsHarrison Fordup withRyan Goslingon a sci-fi mystery of sorts. Gosling stars as Officer K, a blade runner who hunts fugitive replicants on Earth, though he is a replicant himself (hinting at the dynamic of Ford’s first film). After discovering a secret that could unravel society, Officer K seeks out Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford), a retired, legendary blade runner.
This movie honors the original while being allowed to pave its own path.Dunedirector Dennis Villeneuve masterfully creates a sci-fi world that even surpasses that of the original.
7Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
Fans are advocating for a sequel even eight years after the release ofEdge of Tomorrow. The unexpected narrative of this movie caught the industry off guard, earning more than $370 million at the box office according toBox Office Mojo.Edge of Tomorrowtakes place during an invasion of time-traveling aliens. Cage (Tom Cruise) receives the alien’s ability to travel back to the beginning of the day every time he dies and seeks out the help of Rita (a tough-as-nailsEmily Blunt), a special forces fighter who formally had the same power.
Together they live the same day over and over again in an attempt to conquer the alien species. With surprising wit and amazing special effects, the film combinesGroundhog DaywithStarship Troopersto create one of the most unique sci-fi films of the decade.
