Stories serve as a means to discuss topics that might be difficult for us to express directly: love, loss, fear, optimism… We create surrogates that embody qualities we aspire to – beauty, courage, intelligence – and place them in scenarios beyond our personal experiences, allowing us to delve into the realities of life as it is or as we dream it could be. Science fiction, uniquely among genres, expands this cultural introspection to potential futures.
By exploring science fiction, we get a glimpse into possible future scenarios, allowing us to experiment with ideas that might eventually become reality. It’s safer to make errors in a fictional context rather than learning from mistakes when they present themselves in real life. Since innovation is rooted in imagination, delving into various fictional futures can help us prepare for the diverse possibilities that may materialize in our world.
If you’re searching for some creative ideas, Peacock offers an array of science fiction films and shows that could spark your imagination. While not all sci-fi productions depict a utopian future, they often function more as cautionary tales than instruction manuals. Nevertheless, you’re bound to have a thrilling time exploring them. There are numerous movies and countless episodes of science fiction to select from, and these are just a few of our top picks.
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Men in Black collection
In a manner reminiscent of numerous police series from the late ’90s, Men in Black commences. Police officer James Edwards (played by Will Smith) confronts a peculiar criminal with an extraordinary knack for evasion… only to discover he’s an extraterrestrial. Given a fleeting peek into the truth behind appearances, Edwards is presented with two options: either embrace the bizarre reality or forget it all and revert back to his mundane existence. The choice, in essence, isn’t much of a choice at all. James finds himself unwittingly drawn into the clandestine world of the Men in Black, an agency whose purpose is to safeguard humankind from the diverse array of extraterrestrial beings that lurk among us.
Following the removal of most of his personal identity, leaving just the initial letter, J discovers that Earth serves as a sanctuary for extraterrestrial refugees, maintaining a fragile truce with the wider universe. However, this peace is jeopardized when an insectoid alien infiltrates a rural farmer named Edgar (Vincent D’Onofrio), seeking to uncover a concealed galaxy and instigate intergalactic conflict. To prevent this galaxy from being seized by the insectoids, a sophisticated alien race known as the Arquillians are prepared to annihilate Earth. The only hope for humanity lies with J and his companion K (Tommy Lee Jones).
After you’ve completed your initial world-saving mission, continue the journey with the Men in Black as they embark on further escapades in ‘Men in Black 2’ and ‘Men in Black 3’.
Or simply:
Once you’ve saved the world once, join the Men in Black for more action in ‘Men in Black 2’ and ‘Men in Black 3’.
Watch it now on Peacock!
Pitch Black
Vin Diesel plays a character in a sci-fi adventure where he battles alien adversaries with mysterious eye powers during an extended solar eclipse. Despite sounding bizarre, this concept is quite intriguing and exciting!
In the movie “Pitch Black”, Vin Diesel portrays Richard B. Riddick, a man whose eyes gleam mysteriously and possesses an extraordinary ability to see in the dark. This talent proves useful when one is surrounded by dangerous alien creatures that are active only during the night. The character embodies Diesel’s signature style so perfectly that he reappeared as Riddick in “The Chronicles of Riddick”, where he engages in a battle with the Neuromancer, both for his literal survival and figurative soul.
Watch it now on Peacock!
Alien
Back in 1979, I had the privilege of watching “Alien,” a movie that’s still considered one of the best sci-fi films ever made. This masterpiece was penned by Dan O’Bannon and directed by Ridley Scott. The story unfolds in a grimy, far-flung future, following the gritty crew of the Nostromo – a spacecraft that’s seen its fair share of galactic grime. Our adventure takes a chilling turn when we come face to face with a terrifying alien creature.
The team, in suspended animation en route to Earth, are awakened by the ship’s computer detecting a potential emergency transmission. Leaving their short-lived sleep behind, they descend onto the surface of a neighboring planetoid. There, they locate the source of the signal, which leads them to a crashed alien spacecraft. Initially believing it was a call for help, they later discovered it was a final plea for others to keep their distance – a last cry into the emptiness of space.
The film became incredibly popular mainly due to Sigourney Weaver’s portrayal of Ripley. As a result, it spawned an entire series, giving birth to sequels, prequels, and even two movies that combined the Alien and Predator franchises.
Watch it now on Peacock!
Limitless
I had the pleasure of watching Bradley Cooper transform into Edward Morra in the 2011 science fiction thriller, Limitless, an adaptation from Alan Glynn’s novel, The Dark Fields. As Eddie, my life was spiraling out of control. My girlfriend called it quits due to my apparent lack of drive, and my book deal hung precariously as I struggled to produce a single written word.
Later, he encounters his former brother-in-law who presents him with a modern pharmaceutical creation named NZT-48, claiming it solves all his issues. Eddie decides to ingest the pill and discovers a mental acuity that had previously eluded him. Over the next few days, he tidies up his life, completes a novel, and amasses significant wealth through stock trading. For Eddie, things seem to be improving until NZT-48’s ominous aspects come into play.
Watch it now on Peacock!
Predator
Dutch Schaefer (Arnold Schwarzenegger) and his group of military contractors are dispatched to the Central American rainforest under the pretense of rescuing a political figure whose helicopter was allegedly shot down. However, their true mission is to locate missing CIA agents who are stranded in the area, and they were summoned only after previous rescue attempts had proven unsuccessful.
As they search for the hostages, the team unexpectedly comes across a technologically sophisticated extraterrestrial hunter, roaming the universe in search of the ultimate prey. Schaefer and his companions find themselves in a life-or-death struggle against this predator, who is armed with a cloaking device, thermal vision, and an array of weapons from another world.
Watch it now on Peacock!
Source Code
Captain Colter Stevens of the U.S. Army, during a mission in Afghanistan, suddenly found himself awake on a moving train instead. Exactly eight minutes later, the train detonated, leaving Stevens trapped within a compact pod with minimal communication means. He soon discovers that the explosion occurred because the train had been targeted, resulting in the tragic loss of all passengers.
Stevens’ objective is to reexperience the eight minutes leading up to the explosion, viewing the world from the perspective of one of the deceased passengers. His role involves locating the bomber and averting a future attack. The pod enables him to access the source code and generates a simulation based on the victims’ last memories. As Stevens repeatedly experiences the attack, he gains insights into the bomber, himself, and the peculiar virtual environment he inhabits.
Watch it now on Peacock!
Attack the Block
The action-packed alien invasion film, “Attack the Block“, sets off on November 5th, also known as Guy Fawkes Night. This is when an extraterrestrial scheme is underway. A gang of neighborhood teens are causing trouble when a meteorite crashes into a vehicle.
In this tale, as the frequency of meteorite impacts increases, strange extraterrestrial beings manifest, prompting our protagonists to equip themselves for defense, not just of their neighborhood, but Earth itself. This story unfolds in an unlikely setting, emphasizing unity and camaraderie, with John Boyega, Jodie Whittaker, and Nick Frost taking center stage.
Watch it now on Peacock!
Children of Men
In 2027, some twenty-five years after the worldwide spread of infertility, the acclaimed novel Children of Men unfolds. With no prospect for future generations, humanity is plunging headlong into a chaotic decline. The remnants of global governments have morphed into oppressive police states.
Featuring standout performances by Julianne Moore, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Michael Caine, Clive Owen plays the role of Theo Faron, a character attempting to aid a young refugee woman who is noteworthy as the first pregnant person in 18 years.
Watch it now on Peacock!
Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken
Ruby Gillman, the Teenage Kraken, turns traditional mythology upside-down by portraying sea monsters as heroes instead. On land, Ruby appears to be an ordinary teenager, but she and her female relatives are actually shape-shifting krakens hiding in plain sight among humans. When Ruby or any of her kin immerse themselves in the ocean, they reveal their true, legendary selves.
As a teen gamer named Ruby, I found myself yearning to uncover secrets about my family’s past and future. So, I decided to take a risk and ventured into the vast ocean to connect with my grandmother, the legendary Warrior Queen of the Seven Seas. To make things even more challenging, I find myself juggling adolescence with safeguarding my family and the world from treacherous mermaids.
Watch it now on Peacock!
Push
In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Chris Evans is best known for portraying Steve Rogers/Captain America, but he has also taken on other roles. For instance, he played Johnny Storm, aka the Human Torch, in two Fantastic Four films released in 2005 and 2007.
In the 2009 movie “Push,” Evans played a character struggling financially, depicting a supernatural persona. For many years, people have been discovered with apparent psychic powers that seem almost superhuman. These powers include the ability to move objects telepathically (Movers), see future events before they happen (Watchers), and manipulate energy for offensive or healing purposes. Various government agencies monitor and chase these individuals, subjecting them to potentially lethal tests in an attempt to enhance their abilities.
In this universe, individuals endowed with unique talents are exploited, mistreated, and eventually eliminated. However, the responsibility of restoring balance falls upon Nick (Evans) and Cassie (Fanning).
Watch it now on Peacock!
Knowing
When you toss a dart at Nicolas Cage’s film collection, it’s impossible to predict whether you’ll strike a heartfelt, serious movie or an odd cinematic journey unlike any other. However, one thing remains certain – you’re in for an enjoyable ride. The film “Knowing” finds itself positioned somewhere along the Nicolas Cage Spectrum of Film Genres, with Cage portraying a mathematician who stumbles upon a sequence of numbers that predicts catastrophic events accurately.
After repeatedly hitting his head in frustration over this doomsday Sudoku puzzle, he comes to understand that the numbers correspond to the date, cosmic coordinates of significant disasters throughout history, as well as the number of casualties each event claimed. There are only a few dates remaining on this sequence, and with it, the impending end of the world.
Watch it now on Peacock!
Aliens Abducted My Parents and Now I Feel Kind of Left Out
In a little town, teenagers Calvin (Jacob Buster) and Itsy (Emma Tremblay), who are not typically friends, find companionship. Itsy is a recent arrival, having relocated with her family from the bustling city, while Calvin has spent his entire life there and acquired an outcast status.
Approximately ten years ago, Calvin’s parents vanished during the rare passing of the fictitious comet Jesper. Convinced that his parents were abducted by extraterrestrial beings and could reunite with them when the comet next appeared, Calvin dedicated his life to preparing for its impending return.
This narrative, penned by Austin Osanai Everett and directed by Jake Van Wagoner, is a deeply moving sci-fi tale about growing up, set in a universe beyond our own but remarkably relevant to our everyday lives here on Earth.
Watch it now on Peacock!
Donnie Darko
Richard Kelly’s 2001 movie masterpiece, “Donnie Darko” with Jake Gyllenhaal in the title role, still draws repeated viewings and late-night debates, even twenty years after its release. The story unfolds in 1988 where our protagonist, Donnie Darko, receives a strange wake-up call from an unknown source. Subsequently, he interacts with a bizarre, anthropomorphic rabbit named Frank who foretells the world’s end in precisely 28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes, and 12 seconds.
Remarkably, that odd encounter spared Donnie from imminent demise when an airplane engine crashed into his bedroom. From that point onward, a peculiar chain of incidents ensues, filled with alternate realities, multiverse relics, time-traveling spirits, and the intertwined destinies of a young boy and the entire cosmos.
Watch it now on Peacock!
Apollo 18
NASA’s Apollo mission concluded in 1972, with the safe landing of Apollo 17. However, three subsequent missions, Apollo 18 to 20, were canceled prematurely. While this is what most history books report, director Gonzalo López-Gallego envisioned a different tale in the 2011 film “Apollo 18”.
Following the conclusion of the Apollo program, the 18th mission was resurrected under a Top Secret Defense Department operation to transport a confidential cargo to the Moon’s South Pole. The ensuing dramatic events offer a compelling argument for why the footage was concealed and the mission remained unspoken about. For those who believe in moon landings yet crave a hint of conspiracy, this movie serves as an intriguing treat.
Watch it now on Peacock!
Turbo Kid
Turbo Kid isn’t technically a depiction of the future, but it’s so extraordinary that we can overlook this detail. Set in an alternate 1997, it portrays a world grappling with a severe water shortage. A ruthless ruler named Zeus, skillfully played by Michael Ironside, seizes people from the Wasteland to extract their water. Growing up in such a harsh environment can be challenging when all you want is to enjoy your bike rides and comic books.
In their encounter, The Kid and Apple, a robot friendship model, kick off an extraordinary coming-of-age tale you’ve never experienced before. This tale blends elements of Napoleon Dynamite and Mad Max, with an absurdly amusing dose of blood splatter throughout. It’s like peeking into the post-apocalyptic dreams of a kid from the ’80s who loved his Power Glove – it’s just about right!
Watch it now on Peacock!
Upside Down
Juan Diego Solanas’ 2012 movie “Upside Down” merges science fiction and fantasy to spin a tale of interstellar romance that can only exist within our dreams. The story unfolds as we view the worlds of “Upside Down” through the perspective of Adam, an ordinary man in extraordinary conditions. He hails from a dual planet system with an unimaginable gravitational arrangement.
In a unique arrangement, two realms referred to simply as ‘Up’ and ‘Down’ are bound together by a common gravitational force, enabling them to orbit very closely. However, it doesn’t imply that inhabitants of these worlds can traverse freely between them. On these realms, matter follows some strict principles. To begin with, matter is drawn exclusively towards the gravity of its native world. Secondly, matter from one world can be balanced by an ‘opposite’ matter from the other world. Lastly, interaction with opposite matter is fleeting and results in self-ignition after a few hours have passed.
Adam could have been content living his entire life on a single planet, but after meeting Eden, a woman hailing from Above, they embarked on an adventure to revise not only the rules of their society, but also the principles governing physics.
Watch it now on Peacock!
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2025-01-06 23:03