Top 25 Sci-Fi Movies: Part 6

The Top 25 Sci-Fi Movies list now comes to an end! These are the 5 Sci-Fi films that rise up all others. These are the best of the best! Now, let's get started!

5: Aliens

James Cameron’s Aliens is one of the most thrilling and pulse-pounding film experiences ever made. While the first Alien film created the Xenomorph creature and established the concept, Cameron's Aliens exceeded the original film by combining the thrills of the original with incredible special effects and edge-of-your-seat action sequences. Aliens also established Ellen Ripley as one of film's greatest female protagonists of all-time. How could Aliens not be among the best sci-fi films of all-time!?

Aliens (1986) Review.

4: Terminator 2: Judgment Day

Before Titanic and Avatar, James Cameron actually made a few freaking awesome sci-fi films and there are none better T2. Deciding between Aliens and T2 for my favorite Cameron flick was not easy, but after some deliberation, T2 came out on top, partially due to the fact that it has been one of my favorite movies ever since I was a kid. Despite T2 being known for its revolutionary CGI, it is the heavy use of practical effects during the action sequences that make it hold up so well today. Few action films today can match the level of action direction of T2, and yet it never forgets the characters by including a healthy dosage of heart.

Terminator 2: Judgment Day Review.

3: The Matrix

The Matrix blew my mind with its combination of sci-fi philosophy and sequences that remain unmatched in western films. Despite being more than 15 years old, everything holds up in the Matrix today as well it did years ago, and many of themes are all the more relevant to today's increasingly technological society. Unfortunately, the Wachowskis were never able to recapture the Matrix's greatest in the sequels or any other film.

2: Inception

Yet another mind-blowing and mind-bending experience on my list, Inception is the film that literally launched my film critiquing hobby. Christopher Nolan is at his unquestionable best with Inception in all aspects. For the first time in his films, he manages to craft characters that you genuinely care that get caught up in a plot with more twists and turns than one can count. While not everything about the concept and plot is the most original, the way Nolan used the concept of dreams to move the plot forward is unique and inventive. Will Nolan ever be able to top his masterpiece? That remains to be seen.

Inception Review.

1: Star Wars Saga

How could there be any other? Without Star Wars, half of the films on this list would have never been possible for technological, inspirational, and financial reasons. Star Wars showed Hollywood that science fiction is a viable genre. It elevated the Science Fiction genre to new heights never seen before! Not since the early days of film has a movie or franchise made such an impact on the culture of the world than Star Wars.

Since the Original Trilogy would have taken up the Top 3 spots on the list, I opted to include the franchise as a whole so that more sci-fi films could make the list. Of course, The Empires Strikes Back would top the list with the original Star Wars not far behind. With the new Star Wars films on the horizon, let us all hope that Star Wars will rise yet again to its former glory!

Well, that concludes my list of the Top 25 Sci-Fi films of all-time! At a later date, I will write up something about the 25+ Honorable Mentions that almost made the list. So, what do you think of my list? Please comment below and let me know! Thanks for reading everyone and if you missed one of the previous parts, click on the links below.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5

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Top 25 Sci-Fi Movies: Part 5

Finally, we have reached the Top 10; the best of the best. These are the films that go down in history as the pinnacle of the science fiction genre. At this point, everyone should have seen these films, and if you have not, you probably should go watch them.

10: The Terminator

James Cameron's breakout film as a director, The Terminator is responsible for both Cameron's later success as well as the "Governator," aka Arnold Schwarzenegger, becoming a household name. As for the film itself, The Terminator set the standard for the killer robot movie. Despite being more than three decades old, the film is every bit as hard hitting and thrilling as it was all those years ago. Just be sure not to think about the time-travel aspect too long; your brain will start to hurt. On a personal note, along with Star Wars and a few other sci-fi films, The Terminator is one of the films that inspired my interest in computers as a kid, which led to my current career path in IT.

9: Serenity

A sequel film to Joss Whedon's unjustly cancelled cult-classic Firefly, Serenity might not have been the second season that we all wanted, but Whedon gave us just enough conclusion to satisfy the fans. While Serenity can be enjoyed as a standalone film, without watching the series much of the emotional impact and callbacks are missed, so be sure to watch the series first. To quote the opening song, “You can burn the land and boil the sea, but there's no place I can’t be since I've found Serenity.”

8: Jurassic Park

Jurassic Park changed filmmaking forever with its revolutionary CGI effects, and yet, thanks to Spielberg's superb direction, the effects never overshadow the rest of the movie. In addition to the CGI, Jurassic Park used many brilliant practical effects, all of which hold up better than almost anything today. Special Effects aside, Jurassic Park is a fun film full of thrills, excitement, and breathtaking sequences that are as awe-inspiring today as they were 20 years ago. The film is the near perfection of the Summer Blockbuster!

7: Blade Runner

Ever since watching Blade Runner three years ago, the film continues to climb my favorites list for one simple reason: I am still thinking about the film. Every so often, I find myself considering the mysteries of the film and its depiction of Artificial Intelligence. Sure, at first, the movie might have seemed slow, but after watching the original cut and the Final Cut, it is a film that is the definition of "Staying Power." Anytime that I reference "Staying Power" in my reviews, Blade Runner is the one that sets the bar, because no other film has been able to change my opinion without a second viewing than Blade Runner. Often times, when you think about a film in-depth, it starts to fall apart, unless it is a truly great film, and thus Blade Runner is truly among the greats.

6: Back to the Future

From the clever script to the witty dialogue to the quirky sense of humor, Back to the Future is the definition of a classic. Few films pack so much pure entertainment into 116 minutes than Back to the Future! Even though its time-travel logic is a little contradicting at times, where else can you find a film that is just so much fun to watch!

What do you think of this part of the list? Please comment below and check out the previous parts in the links below.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4

If you want to contact us or have any questions please send an e-mail to johnstarslayer@gmail.com.

Top 25 Sci-Fi Movies: Part 4

After taking a quick detour to the Wild West, we are ready to go "Back to the Future!" with more of the best Sci-Fi films!

13: Edge of Tomorrow: Live Die Repeat

Oddly retitled Live Die Repeat, Edge of Tomorrow is a film that takes the basic concept of Groundhog Day and utilizes it in a fashion that makes the film unlike any other. Edge of Tomorrow is based on a Japanese light novel by Hiroshi Sakurazaka, titled “All You Need Is Kill,” which was adapted into a manga (comic book) in 2014, and then into the film.

Tom Cruise plays a character that departs from his usual cool, calm, and collected protagonist with Major William Cage, who knows very little of actual combat, thus he progresses in both skill and character as the loop repeats continually. However, the film does falter towards end with the final Act being lackluster in comparison. What puzzles me is why has this concept not already been used before!? It is ingenious for a sci-fi action flick! 

12: Cowboy Bebop: The Movie

In many ways Cowboy Bebop is the original Firefly/Serenity, as it contains certain story elements that Whedon uses in Firefly. The series is an animated television series, which had a spinoff film produced. Since the movie takes place within the series continuity and not afterwards, it can serve as an entertaining introduction to the Cowboy Bebop universe for newcomers, although watching the series first is preferable.

The film retains the style and memorable characters of the Cowboy Bebop series except with a movie scale plot, improved animation, and even better action sequences than the series. If you want to watch some stylized action and well developed characters, Cowboy Bebop is most definitely worth checking out.

11: Interstellar

Interstellar exemplifies one of my favorite aspects of science fiction: the exploration of scientific concepts in ambitious and thought-provoking ways. Christopher Nolan explores the outer reaches of space by utilizing real scientific hypotheses about time relativity, wormholes, and a variety of other ideas and concepts. Nolan's use of practical effects provided the film with a sense of realism reminiscent of the classics such as Star Wars and Alien that is often lost in contemporary science fiction in favor of CGI. Unfortunately, Nolan failed to execute characters and script writing nearly as well. Despite this, Interstellar's ambition is what makes it among the best of science fiction in my mind. If you want to know more about Interstellar, click here to read my full review.

I apologist for this extra short section of the Top 25 list, but I wanted to dedicate two posts to the Top 10 Sci-Fi films, which you can read about more soon! So, what do you think of these three picks? Please comment below and let me know!

Previous Parts:

• Top 25 Sci-Fi Movies: Part 3
• Top 25 Sci-Fi Movies: Part 2
• Top 25 Sci-Fi Movies: Part 1

If you want to contact us or have any questions please send an e-mail to johnstarslayer@gmail.com.

Top 25 Sci-Fi Movies: Part 3

Part 3 of the Top 25 Science Fiction Movies list continues with several more entries in the list! If you missed Part 1, click here, and here for Part 2.

17: Planet of the Apes

One of my favorite sci-fi films since childhood, Planet of the Apes tells the iconic story of man like apes being the rulers of a mysterious new world. For the era, the ape makeup effects are revolutionary, and if not for the film, many later sci-fi, horror, and other FX films would never have come into existence. Even today, the makeup holds up incredibly well, and it is so much better than the mediocre Tim Burton remake.

In regard to the movie itself, Planet of the Apes is an interesting adventure. Despite being several decades old, there is nothing really like it. Not even the recent Apes films have been able to top the original. 

16: E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial

Steven Spielberg's E.T is among the best family films ever made. For me, a truly great "family film" is one that adults can enjoy just as much as kids and E.T. definitely succeeds. In fact, my first viewing of the film was not until I was 17 or 18. Spielberg is a masterclass director. He can make the most mundane things interesting to watch, and E.T. is a perfect example of his skill.

E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial is also one of the few films that stars a child where the kid does not detract from the film. Henry Thomas's performance off of the lovable E.T. special effect is excellent for his age. My only issue is that the movie does not do all that much in grand scheme of things, but that's fine for what it is.

15: The Girl Who Leapt Through Time

One of my favorite time-travel stories, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, is based on a 1967 novel by Yasutaka Tsutsui. It tells the story of a girl, who can travel-through-time by jumping from a certain height. However, she eventually discovers that time-travel cannot fix everything as problems arise. 

What separates this film from other time-travel stories is that it does not follow the usual "dangers of time-travel." The main character actually uses the time-travel as you would expect a teenager would use it, and yet she is not an annoying teenager like almost every teenage character in recent memory. The mix of comedy and drama is effective, and in the end, the film is a must-see, especially for fans of Studio Ghibli and time-travel.  

14: Alien

Ridley Scott's classic is the principal of science fiction horror! Despite knowing who would ultimately survive, the film manages to create a strong sense of tension. What surprised me the most is how unnerving the alien "Facehuggers" and "Chestbursters" are to witness. My skin crawls just thinking about them. The first scene with the Chestburster remains one of the few times where body horror works to forward the story without seeming over-the-top or unnecessary.

Alien's special effects are yet another highlight as it is some of the best from classic sci-fi. The creature design for the Xenomorph is superb, as it too is one of the best creatures in film history. Lastly, the film set the foundation for one of the best heroines in film, Ellen Ripley.

What do you think of the list so far! Are many of these your favorites? Please let me know in the comments, and if you missed it, please check out my review of Interstellar by clicking here.

If you want to contact us or have any questions please send an e-mail to johnstarslayer@gmail.com.

Top 25 Sci-Fi Movies: Part 2

Part 2 of the Top 25 Science Fiction Movies list continues with several more entries in the list! If you missed Part 1, click here.

21: Pacific Rim

Japanese mecha anime brought to life, Pacific Rim is the definition of a fun popcorn flick! Sure, it might be a ripoff of Evangelion and the plot contains some holes, but that’s not the point. The robots, referred to as Jaegers, have a real sense of height to their movements, and not just CGI objects created to sell merchandise *coughTransformerscough*. 

Love it or hate it, Pacific Rim knows exactly what it is, a ridiculously fun action packed summer popcorn flick. It takes a genre that has been relegated to corny Japanese films and anime, and gives it the big-budget Hollywood treatment. In many ways, it is a first of its kind, for western media at least, and let’s hope that the sequel will be even better! 

20: The Thing (1982)

After repeated requests from fellow reviewer, Matthew Birkhofer, to watch and review John Carpenter's The Thing, I finally watched, and I was not disappointed. In the same vein of Ridley Scott's Alien, The Thing is a sci-fi horror thriller that you put you on the edge-of-your-seat at points. The film is also a remake of The Thing from Another World (1951), which makes The Thing one of the best remakes of all-time.

John Carpenter's direction might lack the sustained tension of other horror thrillers of the era, but when it tries to shock the viewer with gruesome violence and a few jump scares, it definitely succeeds. What appealed to me most are the practical effects used to portray The Thing. Sometimes it might look a little corny by today's standards, but as a fan of the art, the FX crew did excellent work on the film. A full review of the film will come eventually.

19: Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan

"KHAAAAN!" Of the many Star Trek films, The Wrath of Khan is, unquestionably, the iconic one in the franchise, and according to many, it is the best. For me, First Contact and the 2009 Star Trek might be the most fun for me, but The Wrath of Khan will always be the most memorable. It captures the core aspects of what makes Star Trek, Star Trek, whereas the 2009 film, as fun as it is, is closer to a Star Wars rip-off.

As for the film itself, the pacing a little slower than necessary, but it makes up for it with an engaging battle between Kirk and Khan. The battle contains many allusions to Moby Dick, which is referred in the film. An interesting fact is that Kirk and Khan never meet face-to-face, which mirrors a battle between two submarine captains. The most iconic and memorable part for me is in the climax, and if you have not seen film, I will not spoiler. I reference the scene when I am in front of a glass door with my brother, so you should know what I am talking if you have seen it. 

18: Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind

The film that launched the famed Studio Ghibli, and Hayao Miyazaki's second feature film, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind remains one of the best works by the Oscar winning director. Set in a post-apocalyptic wasteland where humanity survives on the remaining habitable land. However, unlike most post-apocalyptic films, Nausicaä takes a more optimistic approach as it conveys themes of environmentalism without being terribly overt.

At times the animation shows its age, but it is certainly on par with the Disney films of the era, except much more mature, yet still appropriate for most older children. It is the type of film that truly appeals to audiences of all ages.

Have you seen the movies in this part of the list? What do you think of the list so far? Please comment below, and check back tomorrow for my review of Interstellar!

If you want to contact us or have any questions please send an e-mail to johnstarslayer@gmail.com.

Top 25 Sci-Fi Movies: Part 1

Science fiction is a genre where the possibilities are virtually limitless. You can create worlds set far in the future about what life could be like or adventures through space and time. Sci-Fi has had an incredible influence on me personally. Thanks to films like Star Wars, Terminator, and others, the genre has partially inspired me to pursue a career in IT and computers. Along with comic book and fantasy, science fiction is one of my favorite genres of any media.

One my goals in creating this list is to broaden your scope of sci-fi films with ones that fall into various subcategories of sci-fi like horror, drama, thriller, and even a few animated films, as well as films from various eras and countries. Of course, I have not seen every acclaimed sci-fi film, and there are many films to include on the honorable mentions part after the list concludes. My only qualification is that the film not be based on a comic book, which means movies like Ghost in the Shell, Snowpiercer, and Guardians of the Galaxy will make it on the Top 25 Comic Book films list. Now, without further ado, let's get started. 

25: Metropolis

Fritz Lang's Metropolis is the first feature-length science fiction to ever grace the silverscreen. Almost 100 years later, Metropolis' scope and scale can dazzle today's audiences. The film's influences can still be seen today other sci-fi films such as Blade Runner, Terminator, and even The Hunger Games. The plot is full of metaphors and commentary, which many modern day films continue to convey. Despite its age, Metropolis holds up surprisingly well today. Sure, other films later might have executed the concepts and ideas better, but the first car ever built is not the best one and the original should never be forgotten.

24: Ex Machina

The most recent entry on the list, Ex Machina is an intriguing watch. If you are the type of person that knows what "The Turing Test" refers to, then Ex Machina is probably the film for you. The Turing Test is a test designed to determine whether "a machine's ability to exhibit intelligent behavior equivalent to, or indistinguishable from, that of a human." For an IT guy like myself, who enjoys the discussion about the possibility of artificial intelligence, Ex Machina is a superbly cerebral piece of entertainment. The addition of an witty script and realistic leads made the film all the more worthy of a spot on the list. With that said, the film is far from flawless and being so new, I am hesitant to rank the film any higher on the list as of now. Also, a massive warning because there is mature content in the film that even detracted from my experience due to how unnecessary it was. If you liked Ex Machina, I highly recommend Time of Eve, a film that covers similar topics from a different angle and in a more PG-13 manner.

23: Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Unlike many of the other entries on this list, it has been quite a few years since I have seen Close Encounters of the Third Kind. While I do remember enjoying the film as a young teen, thinking back on it now, Steven Spielberg's sci-fi classic is the type of film that left a lasting impression to me to the point where John William's score and many of the iconic scenes are easily memorable. Upon a second viewing, Close Encounters could easily rank higher or lower on the list, but for some reason, I have a feeling that the film deserves a place on the list. Regardless, every sci-fi and Spielberg fans owe it to themselves to check the film out.

Fun fact: In 1977 George Lucas and Steven Spielberg were talking on set of Close Encounters of the Third Kind when an argument broke out between the two about whose movie would be more successful. Lucas argued that Close Encounters would make more money, while Spielberg said that Star Wars would be more successful. So a bet was made; Lucas bet 2.5% of his stake in Star Wars on Close Encounters while Spielberg bet 2.5% of his stake in Close Encounters on Star Wars. Close Encounters made an impressive $303 million, but Star Wars raked in $775 million worldwide. This friendly bet has proved quiet profitable for Spielberg earning him approximately $40 million. 

22: Redline

Yes, Redline is an anime. Before completely disregarding it, hear me out. The few anime sci-fi films that you will see on this list are ones that I believe can appeal to many science fiction fans, and ones that are considered not too "weird" by the standards of my readership. With that out of the way, let's talk about Redline.

Taking more than 7 years to animate and over 100,000 hand-made drawings, Redline is an insane ride through the galaxy. Essentially, the story follows tough racer, JP, in the galaxy's biggest death race through many different planets, insane environments, and no rules. The story is incredibly simple, but you watch it for the visuals, action, and pure awesomeness. Of the anime included on the list, Redline is the one that might be the hardest to get into due to the art style, but then again, the art is not particularly "anime" in style. You can actually watch the film on Manga Entertainment's YouTube channel for free (click here). However, the film is rated R for a reason, and you have to be 18 or older to watch it on YouTube. On a side note, the dub is a little corny at times, but good for the most part.

What do you think of my so far? What are some of your favorites? Do you plan to try any of the ones on the list? Please comment below and let me know, and check back next week for the continuation of the list!

If you want to contact us or have any questions please send an e-mail to johnstarslayer@gmail.com.