Science fiction has been one of the most beloved film genres ever since it first appeared in 1902’sLe Voyage Dans la Lune. Ever since then, the genre has managed to grow over time. With the advancement in practical effects, VFX, and digital technology, the genre can now bring the unimaginable closer to a believable experience.
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Although things are relatively more straightforward with the tech available, the success of an excellent sci-fi film is, at its core, the writing and setting. A proper environment - maybe an intriguing planet like Mars or an unexplainable void, can bring forth a tale that can go down in history as a cult classic.
7Total Recall
Arnold Schwarzeneggerwas at the peak of his career in the early 90s and was one of the era’s most sought-out action heroes. Having starred in a sci-fi blockbuster,Terminator, in 1984, destiny called him again to star in yet another sci-fi classic,Total Recall.
Based on the noveletteWe Can Remember It for You Wholesaleby Philip K. Dick, the film follows Douglas Quid, who is troubled by visions of himself on Mars. Taking up a memory implant, things change drastically, and so does the very existence of his previous life. Apart from being the classic sci-fi 90s movie with a few sprinkles of explicit content, the film dives deeper into many philosophical and political layers that make one question the very essence of humankind.
6The Space Between Us
The Space Between Usis one of the most underratedsci-fi romance moviesfrom recent years and deserves much more attention. The 2017 film by Peter Chelsom follows the characters of Mars' first son and a high school teenager back on Earth as they fall in love with each other through a chat platform connecting the two planets.
With love at the core of his heart, Gardner Elliot must find a way to Earth and conquer the weight of the planet’s atmosphere and gravity to win over his love interest.
5The Martian
The Martianneeds no introduction as Ridley Scott’s directorial reputation is known far around the globe. Based on the book by Hugo Award winner Andy Weir,The Martianfollows the life of US Astronaut Dr. Mark, who has been left behind on Mars as the harsh Martian atmosphere forces the team to scrub their mission and evacuate the planet.
Presumed to be dead, Dr. Mark (played by Matt Damon) now finds himself as a survivor on planet Mars and must use his skills as a botanist and mechanical engineer to hold on to dear life until the top guns on Earth can muster up an inexpensive plan to bring him back.
4Cowboy Bebop: The Movie
Cowboy Bebopis one of the most loved and celebratedanime during the turn of the millennium, so much so it warranted alive-action Netflix adaptationseveral decades later. However, before these two events, a single spin-off movie by the nameCowboy Bebop: The Moviewas released in 2001 and saw good success for its size.
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The film puts the bounty hunters in pursuit of a terrorist who threatens to wipe out the Martian population by unleashing a deadly pathogen on the planet. It is up to the heroes aboard the Bebop to find the terrorist and end the looming threat.
32036 Origin Unknown
The 2018 British film2036 Origin Unknownis probably a little-known sci-fi movie with its own critical ups and downs, but for hardcore fans of the genre, this could very well be a good watch.
The film follows the mission control lead Mackenzie and herAI systemARTI as they discover an unidentified object on Mars that somehow communicates between the red planet and Earth. The two must keep it together in the dark space to unravel its hidden mysteries and have a mind that can comprehend things that are unimaginable to humankind.
2Red Faction: Origins
Movies and games make a great comboas the source material gets a broader appeal on the bigger screen. Multiple games such asDoom,Assassins Creed, andTomb Raiderhave all been a part of pop culture cinema, irrespective of their box office returns. On that list, one such unfamiliar film is theRed Faction’s spin-off movie -Red Faction: Origins.
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The film stands out from the game and explores the political, economic, and hidden backstories of the various plot points of the game, thereby expanding its universe even more. This is a worthy watch, even for those unfamiliar with the game.
1Ghost Of Mars
John Carpenter is never shy of exploring new subgenres with hishorror themesand having had tremendous success withThe Thing,it was time for him to get back to his finest elements with his 2001sci-fi horror filmGhost of Mars.
Set in the 22nd century Mars, the mines of the colonized planet have a supernatural threat looming inside its depths while possessing the convicts and criminals there. A group of police officers must end this mayhem and find a way to restore balance on the planet. Despite the film being a massive bomb at the box office, the film now enjoys a cult following for its sheer audacity to bend science with the supernatural.
