When you love Science Fiction movies, making a list like this is very difficult because you want to include every film you have loved. But I can’t. So, after a lot of culling, from best to good, here is my top 15. NOTE: In the case of sequels I have only included one of the set.
Be In To Win
We held a competition on this article to select 5 random commentors who could select a DVD from the list as a prize. On the afternoon of September 8, 2007, 5 registered commentors were randomly selected. The winners were:
Miccas75
axsylum
jongleur
zombiejorge
crimanon
Congratulations to the winners!
1. Blade Runner [1982]
In a cyberpunk vision of the future, man has developed the technology to create replicants, human clones used to serve in the colonies outside Earth but with fixed lifespans. In Los Angeles, 2019, Deckard is a Blade Runner, a cop who specialises in terminating replicants. Originally in retirement, he is forced to re-enter the force when five replicants escape from an offworld colony to Earth.
2. 2001, A Space Oddesy [1968]
When a large black monolith is found beneath the surface of the moon, the reaction immediately is that it was intentionally buried. When the point of origin is confirmed as Jupiter, an expedition is sent in hopes of finding the source. When Dr David Bowman discovers faults in the expeditionary space craft’s communications system, he discovers more than he ever wanted to know.
3. Alien [1979]
When commercial towing vehicle Nostromo, heading back to Earth, intercepts an SoS signal from a nearby planet, the crew are under obligation to investigate. After a bad landing on the planet, some crew members leave the ship to explore the area. At the same time as they discover a hive colony of some unknown creature, the ship’s computer deciphers the message to be a warning, not a call for help. When one of the eggs is disturbed, the crew do not know the danger they are in until it is too late.
4. Star Wars [1977]
Part IV in a George Lucas epic, Star Wars: A New Hope opens with a rebel ship being boarded by the tyrannical Darth Vader. The plot then follows the life of a simple farmboy, Luke Skywalker, as he and his newly met allies (Han Solo, Chewbacca, Ben Kenobi, C-3PO, R2-D2) attempt to rescue a rebel leader, Princess Leia, from the clutches of the Empire. This eventually leads to the Rebels, including Skywalker and flying ace Wedge Antilles making an attack on the Empire’s most powerful and ominous weapon, the Death Star.
5. The Matrix [1999]
In the near future, a computer cracker named Neo (Keanu Reeves) discovers that all life on Earth may be nothing more than an elaborate facade created by a malevolent cyber-intelligence, for the purpose of placating us while our life essence is “farmed” to fuel the Matrix’s campaign of domination in the “real” world. He joins like-minded Rebel warriors Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) and Trinity (Carrie Ann Moss) in their struggle to overthrow the Matrix.
6. Solaris [1972]
The Solaris mission has established a base on a planet that appears to host some kind of intelligence, but the details are hazy and very secret. After the mysterious demise of one of the three scientists on the base, the main character is sent out to replace him. He finds the station run-down and the two remaining scientists cold and secretive. When he also encounters his wife who has been dead for seven years, he begins to appreciate the baffling nature of the alien intelligence.
7. Terminator [1984]
A cyborg assassin called “The Terminator” is sent back through time to 1984 to kill the seemingly innocent Sarah Connor – a woman whose unborn son will lead the human race to victory in a bitter future war with a race of machines. If the Terminator succeeds, mankind is doomed. Sarah’s only hope is a soldier from that post-apocalyptic war, who has chased the Terminator back through time. The future of the human race depends on which one finds her first…
8. Metropolis [1927]
It is the future, and humans are divided into two groups: the thinkers, who make plans (but don’t know how anything works), and the workers, who achieve goals (but don’t have the vision). Completely separate, neither group is complete, but together they make a whole. One man from the “thinkers” dares visit the underground where the workers toil, and is astonished by what he sees…
9. The Day the Earth Stood Still [1951]
An alien (Klaatu) with his mighty robot (Gort) land their spacecraft on Cold War-era Earth just after the end of World War II. They bring an important message to the planet that Klaatu wishes to tell to representatives of all nations. However, communication turns out to be difficult, so, after learning something about the natives, Klaatu decides on an alternative approach.
10. Frankenstein [1931]
An obsessed scientist creates a living being from parts of exhumed corpses. No longer so much a movie as it is a genuine part of popular folklore, the film itself shows its age, particularly in the absence of a musical score. But the performances by Colin Clive and particularly the great Boris Karloff are the whole show here, forgiving a multitude of creaks and groans and more than compensating for any lulls in the narrative. Truly a film everyone should see at least once
11. War of the Worlds [1953]
H.G. Well’s classic novel is brought to life is this tale of alien invasion. The resisdents of a small town are excited when a flaming meteor lands in the hills. Thier joy is tempered some what when they discover it has passengers who are not very friendly. The movie itself is understood better when you consider it was made at the height of the Cold War – just replace Martian with Russian.
12. Brazil [1985]
Sam Lowry is a harried technocrat in a futuristic society that is needlessly convoluted and inefficient. He dreams of a life where he can fly away from technology and overpowering bureaucracy, and spend eternity with the woman of his dreams. While trying to rectify the wrongful arrest of one Harry Buttle, Lowry meets the woman he is always chasing in his dreams, Jill Layton. Meanwhile, the bureaucracy has fingered him responsible for a rash of terrorist bombings, and both Sam and Jill’s lives are put in danger.
13. The Thing [1982]
An American scientific expedition to the frozen wastes of the Antarctic is interrupted by a group of seemingly mad Norwegians pursuing and shooting a dog. The helicopter pursuing the dog crashes leaving no explanation for the chase. During the night, the dog mutates and attacks other dogs in the cage and members of the team that investigate. The team soon realises that an alien life-form with the ability to take over other bodies is on the loose and they don’t know who may already have been taken over.
14. 12 Monkeys [1995]
When Cole, a convict volunteer, is sent back in time to find information on a deadly virus that will destroy 5,000,000,000 members of the human race in 1996-1997, he mistakenly arrives in 1990. After explaining his plea to Dr. Kathryn Railly, he is placed in a mental institution. In 1996, he kidnaps Railly, using her to find the 12 Monkeys, a group of revolutionists that are planning to release the virus into select cities.
15. Close Encounters of the Third Kind [1977]
Planes reported missing in 1945 suddenly appear in the Mojave desert. A commercial flight is buzzed by a ‘bright’ object that the pilot ‘wouldn’t know how to describe’. Roy Neary, while working one night, has a Close Encounter… The US Government determine where the visitors plan to land and create an elaborate cover-up to keep people away. However, a group of people, including Neary, share a vision which draws them to the place and a meeting with new, and old, friends
Bonus: The Fifth Element [1997]
Two hundred and fifty years in the future, life as we know it is threatened by the arrival of Evil. Only the fifth element can stop the Evil from extinguishing life, as it tries to do every five thousand years. She is helped by ex-soldier, current-cab-driver, Korben Dallas, who is, in turn, helped by Prince/Arsenio clone, Ruby Rhod. Unfortunately, Evil is being assisted by Mr. Zorg, who seeks to profit from the chaos that Evil will bring, and his alien mercenaries.
Notable omissions: Star Trek movies, Planet of the Apes, Children of Men, Dark City, ET
Plot summaries courtesy of IMDB
Technorati Tags: Movies, sci-fi, science fiction
Where as I am a fan of the Treminator movies Trilogy (not so much the third), I don’t feel that the First in the series should have been on the list. For years I thought that “Judgment Day” was the first. There was enough of the necissary plot from the first to “Fill in the blanks”. Dare I say Terminator 2 Actually changed the way I think. Wierd? No kidding.
True Trekkies would complain about not seeing Any of the Kirk era movies on the list. I however am a Trekker, I don’t feel the need to get all gussied up to go see a movie. That it isn’t on this list isn’t surprizing, It isn;t a movie. To the Jedi, don’t brag… We still have something in common, Industrial Light and Magic helped make Us possible too. One Big Old
to you.
Blade Runner is one of the reasons why I end up all night Dreaming about the Cyberpunk world. If you haven’t participated in the RPG, you wouldn’t understand. “New York City. So Great it had to be Nuked Twice.” Love that game.
Close Encounters… One of the greatest SCI-FIs of all time. Masterful and Breathtaking in it’s Special effects. What if…? If you haven’t seen it, you have no Idea.
I am the Matrix generation. Thats all I’m going to say. Well that and The Brothers really Screwed the second one.
Alien, Aliens, Alien 3, Resurection, AVP. Any alien is a good alien, Especially when you throw a Yautja in there. AVP: Requiem I will definatly be in line for.
I’ll leave my comments on Brat Pitt, and my likness to him, to myself. I don’t/didn’t feel that there was anything to gain by seeing it. Unless you want to see a really screwed up looking Pitt. HaHa your’e not pretty anymore!
As for the others, the Classics. I do approve of them, even though I haven’t had a chance to see them. I can’t even buy them, being strapped for cash all of the time. It’s all in the history… I don’t like the Beatles, but I’m still greatful of their existance.
2001, Why watch it, I own all of the series. Nothing beats the book.
Why the mini-review??? I need a copy of Metropolis for a movie marathon I’ve been trying to put together for years.
Roudy Roddy Pipper Rocks!!!!
Crimanon: haha you don’t have to write a novel to enter
I agree about the Alien series completely – that is my second favorite Sci-Fi series – after the Planet of the Apes which I own and love!
If I”m going to put my Two cents in, I might as well give you the other 98. No nonsense comments right. Iv’e got nothing better to do.
nothing personal
Crimanon: hey – no complaints from me
I Love these movies, this is a great selection. 12 monkees is one of the best movies in my opinion. I think it is great that you posted, the original war of the worlds. I think the matrix was over rated (is that one word or two words?) It was boring to me the concept would have been much better in a book. If you want me to choose I pick… 12 monkeys, in advance. list universe you are awesome! I nominated you on the blogging to fame website.
Henry: thanks
I did enjoy the first matrix but the rest went downhill I thought.
I love Sci-Fi especially combined with horror like the Alien movies. I agree with you on Matrix. I loved the The Thing when it came out, it was excellent – I would love to see that again.
Great list. I’d have to to say that Brazil(or anything by Terry Gilliam) and The Fifth Element stick out as the better of the odd-style movies that i like to see on any Top Sci-Fi list. The rest are classics and have to be on the list. I’ve seen all of them, other than The Day the Earth Stood Still and Solaris. Im glad you Put John Carpenter’s version of The Thing on here when i was a kid it took me years to actually sit through the whole movie that one and Alien scared the living crap out of me.
Andre: I think that horror and sci-fi seem to quite often complement each other well. The same is true of fantasy as well.
Sayhuh78: Thanks! I like the Fifth Element – especially the spaceship scene with the blue lady. Alien had the same effect on me as it did you
I forgot Vanilla Sky thats a good movie also but most people don’t consider it to be a Sci-Fi movie the first time i saw it i was blown away at the ending. I think a lot of the best Sci-fi sneaks up on you at the end.
Sayhuh78: I actually quite enjoyed vanilla sky – despite the fact that it had Tom Cruise in it.
these movies can also be categorized as surreal. these are the strangest movies i’ve seen.
i’d definitely put ‘The Matrix’ up there. it warped my fragile little mind when i first saw it.
also, i’d nominate ‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’ for this list. Sci-fi + love: the movie is just beautiful.
Another one I’d like to add is : Equilibrium
dalandzadgad: I like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless mind too, but I don’t think it ranks in the top 15.
Andre: I haven’t seen Equlibrium – should I?
Whoa! Equilibrium is amazing!
Oh for sure – excellent movie, with a twist. Christian Bale plays his role pretty well, probably what got him into Batman. Now that I am busy I also remembered one of my other favorites with a twist – Dark City with Kiefer Sutherland and some other known actors.
Andre: I enjoyed dark city. I will check out Equilibrium – I didn’t realise it had Christian Bale in it – he is one of the best British actors around at the moment I think.
Hello, Barbarela anyone?
It’s hard to come up with the top Sci-Fi movies of all time. There are just too many to list although I agree that these movies should be on the top
Badjasper – thanks – it definitely was very hard
Joe: two problems: 1) Jane Fonda, 2: Awful film.
I love sci-fi.
Blade Runner- groundbreaking film, great story, and considered one of the first modern sci-fi films.
2001: A Space Odyssey- also pretty groundbreaking, great special effects for it’s time, but I liked A Clockwork Orange better.
Alien- not really a fan of the movie, but it had its moments, and it’s still a pop culture icon to this day.
Star Wars- probably the greatest sci-fi film of all time, good story, great special effects.
The Matrix- the ending was pretty weak, but it had a good cast and story that always kept you guessing throughout all three movies. Great action fight scenes and special effects.
Solaris- the remake with George Clooney was really, really bad. But the original had a pretty original story and decent acting.
The Terminator- didn’t really like the first one, I prefer the sequel. But this movie is still remembered as Arnold’s greatest.
Metropolis- AMAZING movie for its time. Had a good message that wasn’t seen in movies in that time period.
The Day the Earth Stood Still- the acting and effects are pretty comical to the contemporary audience, but in the 50′s it scared the crap out of people.
Frankenstein- one of the first monster horror movies. The costumes were terrific.
War of the Worlds- again, one of those movies that seems pretty funny to us now, but back then it was a landmark piece.
Brazil- meaningful message and view of the futuristic society.
The Thing- pretty scary flick. One of the first survival horror films.
12 Monkeys- crazy, psychological movie. It has to be one of my favorites on the list.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind- a Spielberg masterpiece. Amazing special effects and cinematography.
5th Element- on the lighter side of sci-fi, there’s this film. A great action/comedy with a great story.
dazednconfused – I totally hated the Clooney remake of Solaris as well. And Close Encounters was a favourite film of mine as a kid. Thanks for the comment
I hated the fifth element because it had chris tucker playing a weird woman thing.
20. j
Sure the film was bad, but she was hot
Joe: I don’t even think that that is sufficient grounds to consider the film in anything but the worst 100 sci-fi films
It even only scores a 5 on IMDB!
Henry: oh – that’s right. He was a bit annoying – but the cool blue lady singing made up for it
“The Thing”… “The Thing”… “The Thing”… Which one to choose? The remake with Kurt “Sombrero” Russell or the original, featuring James Arness as a 7 foot carrot?
OK, even though Howard Hawks direction, which (In my opinion) makes for the most credible dialog I’ve ever heard in a movie (Listen to them talk over each other. Quite realistic), I’ll have to go along with you and pick Carpenter’s film as being WAY scarier.
Good choices all around.
I sometimes have roublw atching the old old movies, I don’t know why. it sounds like an awesome movie, But I don’t think I could watch it through. am i the only one? I loved the signing blue lady!
JF: on dazednconfused: See I’m not the only one. Equalibrium!!!!! OH OH OH, I’ll make the pop corn.
NO way…Chris Tucker on the fifth element was HILARIOUS, without him it would of not been as good as it was now
It is amazing how diverse everyone’s preferences are. At least the list is not causing too much controversy
What about” the Time Machine”? A Clockwork Orange? Forbidden Planet? Planet of the Apes(the first one)? Serenity? Jurrasic Park?
Yes, Yes, Yes, Don’t know, Yes, Um… no, No. Serenity??? Really? A TV show with a falied atempt at a movie. If you didn’t know the series you won’t get the full effect of the movie. Jurrasic Park was fine but Top 15? Hardly. In my opinion it was better than the book, I couldn’t even read the first three chapters. Serenity??? Really?
Yes, Serenity was great. I had never even watched firefly and saw Serenity. On it’s own merit I thought it fantastic with an unusual story line. In a world filled with movies/shows that you change the cast and could be watching another movie/show, I think Serenity is quite unique.
this is a great list, but i think more than one star wars movie easily qualifies, considering return of the jedi is one fo the greatest sci fi movies of all-time. Total Recall is also a great one, and i was a big fan of Pitch Black with Vin Diesel.
Crimanon: Jurassic Park was a great movie, definetly top 15. Look at what Spielberg did with the technology, which is what sci fi has always been about, the technology to make fantastic things seem possible. And it was a great story, granted that the book was much better than the movie, that saying something about the book isn’t it? I f the movie is that good then the book is jsut that much better.
Tj: Nothing against the movie. I’m just saying that in the Scheme of things , it was no more than a cinamatic fart in the wind. I like the movie but to place it next to so many cult classics seems a bit… of an over statement of it’s merits. Great movie. But it’s place is not here. Who still talks about Jurrasic Park??? Who still talks about Star Wars??? When I see someone standing in line for three days Just to see the sequal I don’t think “Gee, Lost World: Jurrasic Park must be Great!”
Pitch Black Big THUMBS UP! Any word on a third?
I love debating!!!
Iam a Trekkie.
That being said…I dont see any reason for the Trek movies to be on this list.
Star Trek revolutionized sci-fi on television but to be honest it did nothing to advance the genre on film. Star Trek 4 and 6 may be two of the best films ever made but even they did nothing new for sci-fi.
The Matrix…Iam torn on.
It was an amazing concept but the execution of that concept was flawed. It got bogged down by too many Alice in Wonderland refrences and psudo-intelectual one liners. Brilliant cimematography and an involving story saved this movie from being…well….crap
12 Monkeys is one of the best movies ever made. Of course I love anything directed by Terry Gilliam…makes me wonder why I have yet to see Brazil…I must correct this oversight soon. War of the Worlds…Theres nothing I can say that hasnt already been said about this masterpiece. I loved it as a child I also loved The Terminator. I was 9 when this movie came out…scared me silly i spent the whole movie glued to the edge of my seat.
The only addition I would make may be Donnie Darko.
How about “Event Horizon”?
I would probably swap 2001 with Blade Runner, and throw out Solaris, accepting either A Clockwork Orange or the original Jurassic Park as its replacement.
But other than that, someone who wanted to see the best science fiction on film would be well advised to use this list when they start their project
Very good list, although there’s a few choices I would disagree with.
First:
2001, A Space Oddesy: maybe (ok, definitely) i didn’t get the movie. It was one of a hand full of movies that I actually fell asleep watching, more then once. It was a good movie, and changed the way alot of people looked at things, but, i don’t know if it deserved to be #2.
Of the 3 major trilogies you included, you choose the correct movie from 2 of them. The incorrect one would be The Terminator
Terminator 2: Judgment Day by far out-classed the first one. I even consider it the greatest sequel ever made. There was just alot more plot development, the acting was better (i thought), and 2 terminators going at it in battles for the death is really just awesome, espically when one is liquid metal, and never talks.
The rest of the list is awesome, I wasn’t supprised that 12 Monkeys was on the list, it’s a great movie, one of my favorite’s. I’m glad you gave The Fifth Element an honorable mention. And Chris Tucker didn’t make the movie, Bruce Willis, and Gary Oldmen did, Tucker was a nice addition.
There were a few missing from what i can see, at least in my mind:
Sky Captain and The World of Tomorrow Sure this movie basically tanked at the box office, but as soon as i saw the trailer in early 2004, i knew it was going to be a great movie. I think it could have been a great franchise, if only the public liked it more.
Back to The Future While it’s on the fence as far as sci-fi is concerned, it remains one of the only movies to do time travel perfectly. Terminator was good, but BTTF did it better, and sooner too.
and lastly, Titan A.E. sure it’s animated, but the story was there, and it was good, even if it did cause the the company that made it to go bankrupt.
As you said though, it’s impossible to create a list of best movies without excluding your favorites.
ps as for Star Trek, I love it, but the movies, (except for II, IV, & VIII) weren’t really anything to remember.
Kipster: I love Clockwork Orange and it would have been high up on a larger list
Dave: I loved the original War of the Worlds – I watched it as a kid when they did some sci-fi stuff on TV from the old days – they also played the Day of the Triffids series which was excellent.
Sci Boy: Event Horizon was a very good film – I can still picture the “libera me!” scene.
jongleur: thanks
Steve: I was very impressed with Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow, but for some reason I just can’t seem to finish watching it. It seems to be lacking something that I can’t put my finger on.
OK, is Frankenstein a Science Fiction movie? Or is it Horror? And if Frankenstein is Sci/Fi, how about King Kong? Should that be in this category, too?
And sorry, but Sky Captain? SKY CAPTAIN???
Forbidden Planet – definitely!
Time Machine – If not on the list, assuredly an alternate.
Same deal with Planet of the Apes (“It’s a madhouse! A MADHOUSE!!!”)
How about a Bizarro list of Sci/Fi movies? What are the worst? You have 10 years of MST3K to choose from.
RobS: Planet of the Apes got a mention in the notable omissions
I consider Frankenstein to be Sci-Fi because it involves a mad scientist (Dr Frankenstein) who uses technology of his time to create the monster.
Frankenstein is considered the first Sci-fi book ever written, considering it involves science not yet invented by real scientists, and the characters and events are fictional.
But anyway, another Sci-fi movie I enjoyed that had some similarities to Frankenstein was Jurassic Park, after that movie came out, I was a fan, until the monstrosity that was Jurassic Park 3 came out.
But I’m so glad you included Terminator, my parents watched that movie with me when I was but a little kid, one of the best movies of all time
Tokotiki. That’s right. I remember once reading that Frankenstein was considered to be the very first science fiction novel. I’d forgotten that.
Your parents watched Terminator with you when you were a little kid?
gulp…
I watched the Time Machine when I was a little kid.
In the theater.
When it first came out.
NOW I feel old!
Heh – one always has to be careful about what one says in case you give away your age
That list pretty much covers it. Blade Runner is probably my favorite sci-fi movie of all time, with 2001 and 2010 close behind. Time Bandits would have to be included as well (Mom! Dad! Don’t touch it! It’s EVIL!!!) Maybe Akira, too (does anime count?) Hard to make this list, so many good movies. The Thing and Alien are also favorites, and The Fly (both original and remake – how can you not love a guy running around wearing a fly-head?)
I loved The Matrix (despite Keanu) but they really ruined that franchise with the two sequels. The Animatrix was the best of the follow-ups.
Throw Cocoon in, too. Great movie with one of the greatest assemblages of actors ever.
jfrater: I have a few friends who also can’t make it through Sky Captain, but at the same time i have a few friends who think it was an awesome movie.
RobS: I stand by my vote, Sky Captain is one of the best movies in the last 10 years.
As far as the notable omissions go, good work on that, soon i think you will have enough for another list.
However, Children of Men i didn’t like it, it had a good premise, but i just hated the movie.
My favorite sci fi movie is, star trek: first contact. Anyone like that one?
oh, yeah speaking of children of men. The book was way better.
Henry, ST: First Contact was an excellent movie. My favorite of the ST:NG films.
Hmmm… that doesn’t really say much, though, does it…
I haven’t read Children of men – does it differ a lot from the movie?
Star Trek: First Contact (Star Trek VIII) was the only really good TNG one, it’s a pitty too, TNG had some good story arcs, if only they got Q into a movie.
as far as the book being better then the movie for Children of Men, thats nearly a given. First, Alfonso Cuarón directed it, and he butchered Harry Potter 3, but thats besides the point. It is nearly impossible to translate a book to the big screen very well.
The movie i thought did it best was Sphere IMDb but that book was not very good, and neither was the movie. But, there were parts that were exact word for word book & movie.
But that movie was bad, and in no way belongs on this list.
Wow,I didnt know children of men was a book.Im gonna to have to read it,even though i didnt really like the movie.
James: Lots of the time the book is unbelievably better then the movie. Granted, I haven’t read Children of Men nor have I watched the movie.
AWSOME, AWSOME, AWSOME! jfrater! one of the best lists you’ve done so far! i agreed with everything, can’t think of anything i’d change! hopefully one day children of men will be recognized enough to be on the list, but its so knew i wouldn’t dare put it up there with greats like that. and to the guy that mentioned equilibrium! one of my favorite movies ever! but, i wouldn’t put it on the list because its basically if you turned 1984 into an action movie! its one of the best action movies i’ve ever seen. it has the best shoot out scenes ever in a movie bar none, and beats the hell out of most of the action scenes in the matrix because it didn’t need any bullet time to accentuate the action. also, one of the best sleeper or cult hits of all time, considering it came out around 2000 and is just now gaining notariety! the scene where taye diggs’ character dies just grabs you by the balls and makes you scream uncle. but, one of the best sci-fi movies ever…no. thanks again man!!!
Im personally putting my vote for 12 monkeys. Everyone is stellar in that.
Reading that list just showed me how lacking my movie watching is because I haven’t seen several of those movies before! I really should watch more movies, but I say that yearly! Funnily enough, the ones you left out are the ones that I have seen. Well, I have of course seen Star Wars and a few others. Maybe I will use this as my list if I ever do actually watch more movies… I am so far behind now, though, that I will never catch up! haha.
Thanks all for the comments. It is good to see that such great films have been so loved and appreciated by everyone.
I agree with most of your list, however, my list would be this instead:
1. Blade Runner [1982]
2. 2001, A Space Odyssey [1968]
3. Alien [1979]
4. Star Wars [1977]
5. Forbidden Planet [1956] – Robbie the Robot, Leslie Nielsen; and Anne Francis…
6. Terminator [1984]
7. Metropolis [1927
8. The Fifth Element [1997]
9. War of the Worlds [1953]
10. Aliens [1986] – Alien was “the haunted house in space” movie; Aliens had the same characters in a totally different situation. Awesome.
11. Close Encounters of the Third Kind [1977]
12. The Thing From Another World [1951] – I prefer this version. Terrific dialog, wonderful casting, James Arness AND Dewey Martin (thud), and a nice romance.
13. Invasion of the Body Snatchers [1956] – Very, very creepy.
14. Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home [1986] – SciFi and fun, with a a dash of ecology. Plus, Star Trek (the tv series) reinvigorated scifi on tv. This movie proved that humor and scifi do mix.
15. Star Trek: First Contact [1996] – The best of the Next Gen movies.
Bonus: Back to the Future [1985] – Just plain fun.
I’m not a fan of the Matrix movies. Way too pretentious. Good special effects though.