The 10 Best Sci-Fi Movies of the Last 10 Years

Should you be reading this, bravo: You’ve persevered ten years beyond the improbable future depicted in Back to the Future – the 2015 scenario featuring flying vehicles, gigantic televisions on walls, and pizza rehydrated for consumption. (Even with one accurate prediction out of three, it’s not a shabby track record.) We find ourselves dwelling in the era that was once envisioned as the future.

Two key insights emerge from this: First, reality often falls short of the utopian worlds depicted in our childhood movies. Second, the science fiction genre must constantly evolve, mirroring the relentless march of time. Technology that was once considered futuristic 30 years ago now seems outdated, demonstrating how swift advancements occur (with a few exceptions such as flying cars and instant pizzas, it seems). The pace of progress is so rapid that science fiction must adapt accordingly.

As a self-proclaimed movie enthusiast with a soft spot for sci-fi, I’m thrilled to share that the past decade has been a goldmine of futuristic (or occasionally dystopian) cinematic visions. Here’s my personal top ten, listed in order of preference. Soon enough, their technologies and ideas might seem as outdated as Marty McFly Jr.’s self-adjusting jacket and psychedelic baseball cap. However, the timeless quality of these movies ensures they won’t fade away – they’re just that exceptional.

The Best Sci-Fi Films of the Last 10 Years (2015-2024)

10. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)

As a passionate fan, I can’t help but express my admiration for the way James Gunn executed the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy. Each film perfectly balances blockbuster elements, offering grand action sequences, visually stunning alien imagery, and characters that captivate audiences deeply. By the end of Vol. 3, Rocket, brilliantly portrayed by Bradley Cooper, transformed from a Marvel C-lister into one of the most intriguing and tragic heroes in the company’s roster. Amidst a lineup of Marvel films that were merely average, Gunn masterfully crafted an MCU film, imbuing the outlandish sci-fi story with a rare quality – humanity. Even in a tale about sentient alien raccoons, he managed to bring a touch of our own humanity to the screen.

9. The Wild Robot (2024)

Discussing the unexpected emotional connections we can form: I find it hard to imagine a parent not shedding tears (at least once or eight times) while watching “The Wild Robot”, a stunning and heartrending animated sci-fi tale from DreamWorks. This story revolves around an advanced robot (played by Lupita Nyong’o) who finds itself stranded on an animal-inhabited island and decides to follow its programming by nurturing an orphaned gosling as a mother figure. With picturesque landscapes and witty humor, “The Wild Robot” delivers a profound message about our world and the significance of every one of its creatures, regardless of their size.

8. The Substance (2024)

This Cronenberg-esque sci-fi comedy with horror elements revolves around an aging television personality (Demi Moore in one of her most thrilling roles in years) experimenting with a peculiar substance named “The Substance.” This drug transforms her into a youthful doppelganger (Margaret Qualley), providing a fresh start for her acting career.

I strongly recommend catching this exhilarating ride on Blu-ray or streaming platforms. However, if you didn’t catch it in theaters, you undoubtedly missed an experience. Watching it amidst an audience, collectively uncovering the extent to which director Coralie Fargeat was prepared to push her allegory regarding the irrational beauty standards in the entertainment industry, was a genuinely captivating spectacle. (Note: she went remarkably far with her metaphor.)

7. Godzilla Minus One (2023)

In an unusual turn of events, the prequel to Godzilla turned out to be more than justifiable; it was a brilliant decision. By setting Godzilla in post-World War II Japan, the original monster regained its role as a chilling symbol of atomic terror and post-war psychological distress. Let me assure you, this Godzilla is truly terrifying. He seems enormous, appears sickly, and his atomic breath is genuinely frightening. However, “Godzilla Minus One” is not merely a spectacle of size. It offers a genuine, complex human hero (Ryunosuke Kamiki) and thought-provoking subtext about kamikaze pilots that permeates the narrative, culminating in this emotionally powerful decision. There’s even a section that resembles a Howard Hawks film about a band of seasoned sailors battling a colossal nuclear-powered dinosaur, and if that doesn’t sound captivating, it’s because words can’t fully convey its allure.

6. Ex Machina (2015)

In the contemporary science fiction movie sphere, few creators have made as significant an impression as Alex Garland, who penned “Sunshine” and “Dredd” and began his directorial career with the intricate exploration of the rapidly blurring boundary between mankind and technology, “Ex Machina.” In this film, a brilliant programmer (Oscar Isaac) develops the world’s first artificial intelligence, giving it a sleek female form (Alicia Vikander), and enlists an inexperienced colleague (Domhnall Gleeson) to assess its capabilities.

At first glance, this appears to be a straightforward contest of wills, but Garland’s characters and screenplay are filled with layers that become apparent upon closer inspection. The roles of hero and villain are not straightforward, changing from scene to scene and viewer to viewer. In Garland’s chilling depiction, the arrival of robots might not be far off. And maybe it’s just what we need.

5. Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

In a remarkable feat, Blade Runner 2049 carried forward the narrative of one of history’s cherished science-fiction tales without resolving the enigmas that made the original so captivating. Directed by Denis Villeneuve, this visually stunning continuation of Ridley Scott’s exploration of life in a devastated future, seamlessly integrated advanced technology while maintaining the aesthetic appeal of the first film. Moreover, Harrison Ford delivered a touching performance – his best in years – reprising his role as Rick Deckard in Blade Runner 2049. Ford’s return seems to echo one of the movie’s most potent themes: In even the bleakest times, it’s never too late to make a difference.

4. Annihilation (2018)

When someone mentions a science fiction movie gave them goosebumps figuratively, it’s not often that they mean it literally. However, in this instance, “Annihilation” made me feel physically uneasy, right down to my skin. This film, adapted from the celebrated novel by Jeff VanderMeer, follows a military team venturing into “The Shimmer,” an altered region in Florida caused by the arrival of a mysterious meteor three years prior. Similar to his work in “Ex Machina,” director Alex Garland employs science fiction as a means to reflect on humanity, a concept he visually emphasizes through the chilling climax scenes of “Annihilation.” The film can be likened to the grotesque yet beautiful specimens Natalie Portman and her team discover plastered against the mutating alien walls within the Shimmer: A blend of hideousness and beauty all at once.

3. Nope (2022)

In a more contemporary context, the work of filmmaker Jordan Peele stands out uniquely. Although he is not the first to create captivating and spine-tingling sci-fi films, or to employ horror and science fiction narratives as mirrors reflecting real-life issues, it feels as though he is operating on a distinctly higher plane compared to most of his contemporaries. In an age dominated by sequels, remakes, and high-octane action flicks, Peele’s collaboration with cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema results in breathtaking Western vistas interspersed with haunting visuals (and sounds, oh the sounds) of sheer terror that will linger in viewers’ minds.

2. Dune (2021)

To make me an ardent fan of “Dune”, all that was needed was Denis Villeneuve’s awe-inspiring adaptation of the first half of Frank Herbert’s cherished sci-fi novel. The film by Villeneuve, titled “Dune”, embodies the grandeur of vision that dedicated readers of the book have long claimed sets it apart. Watching this movie, I finally grasped why countless generations have been captivated by its allure. Villeneuve masterfully transformed a novel that had left many renowned filmmakers perplexed into something cohesive, visually stunning, and imbued with the raw power of the desert. (The 2024 release “Dune: Part Two” was equally impressive.)

1. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

Mad Max: Fury Road” stands out as one of the best science fiction movies from the past decade, if not the entire century. Not only are its action sequences impressive, but it’s also one of the most spiritually profound films of recent times, bordering on Biblical themes. It’s a modern-day exodus story, where Charlize Theron’s Imperator Furiosa leads a group of valiant women through the desert, guided by a mad prophet played by Tom Hardy’s Max Rockatansky. George Miller’s chaotic masterpiece demonstrates that action-packed blockbusters can indeed be both exciting and intelligent. If someone tries to tell you otherwise, simply look them in the eye and say, “That’s preposterous.

Notable Recognitions (Listed Alphabetically):

– Arrival
– Dune Part Two
– Everything Everywhere All at Once
– The Martian
– Poor Things
– Star Wars: The Last Jedi
– Star Trek Beyond
– Tenet
– Upgrade
– War For the Planet of the Apes

This way, it is easier to read and understand that the list is a collection of notable mentions for various movies, listed in alphabetical order.

The 10 Worst Sequels of the Last 10 Years (2015-2024)

10. Inferno (2016)

The Robert Langdon films generally weren’t outstanding, but “Inferno” was by far the weakest. Its plot is quite implausible: A fanatical scientist decides the world must be saved by reducing the population in half, so he develops a deadly virus to achieve this. He kills himself to ensure the virus will be released in three days and can’t be stopped… yet he also creates an intricate web of puzzles and riddles that, if solved correctly, might prevent the release of the virus? It would have been more straightforward to just release the virus and be done with it. Why create a trail of clues that could potentially hinder its release?

This is typical for a sequel filled with confusing elements — for instance, no one at a world-class art museum notices that a priceless piece has been stolen until the thief returns to ask about security footage, which shows him taking it! The employees at this museum should have been fired, along with the filmmakers.

9. Expend4bles (2023)

Since its inception, “The Expendables” franchise has been more of an appealing marketing concept than a truly successful series. To put it frankly, the notion of veteran action legends uniting for one final, adrenaline-fueled adventure (or, well, four final adventures) is an enticing marketing strategy. However, in execution, “Expendables 4” falls short of its own promise; by this stage in the series, only Sylvester Stallone and Dolph Lundgren remain as the action veterans, and their roles are relatively minor.

A brief skirmish between Jason Statham and Iko Uwais is one of the few highlights, but overall, this movie fails to deliver the pulse-pounding action promised. The special effects are primarily CGI, and not only do they look subpar, they produce an entirely incongruous atmosphere for a film that’s supposed to be a homage to the gritty, visceral action spectacles of the 1980s. Indeed, the title of these movies has never felt more fitting.

8. Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension (2015)

As a movie review enthusiast, let me share my thoughts on the latest addition to the Paranormal franchise – The Ghost Dimension. In contrast to the original Paranormal Activity that left viewers on edge as they followed a desperate couple’s quest for supernatural evidence, this film throws you right into the deep end from the start.

In the opening 20 minutes alone, our protagonists have captured irrefutable proof of ghosts, demons, and otherworldly dimensions that could potentially revolutionize human understanding of existence. Yet instead of using their groundbreaking evidence to protect themselves or share it with the world, they continue recording their own descent into literal hell.

If you’re a fan of Paranormal Activity who felt misled by this disappointing follow-up, I think you’ll find that sentiment echoed in the film itself.

7. Independence Day: Resurgence (2016)

The initial “Independence Day” wasn’t a cinematic classic, but it did feature some impressive performances and groundbreaking special effects for its time. It also had a gritty edge, as the deaths of characters were shown vividly, whether they were engulfed in flames or buried under debris. Unfortunately, “Resurgence” lacks this human element significantly. The destruction wrought by the computer-generated chaos is so immense that there’s barely any focus on the human experience; a large portion of the world is wiped out, yet it fails to evoke any emotion. This is exacerbated by the absence of Will Smith from “Resurgence”, and the actors brought in to replace him fell short in terms of charisma. To add insult to injury, the ending of “Resurgence” hints at another sequel, which I hope this franchise never experiences again.

6. Fast X (2023)

Initially, the “Fast & Furious” series was a hit movie franchise that appreciated viewers who followed along closely. Now, it seems to contradict its own narrative. Caring about the characters can leave you puzzled, wondering if characters like Jakob Toretto or John Cena have undergone some form of amnesia between films, given their drastic changes in behavior and personality from one film to the next (Why is Jakob, who was so grim and violent, now a jovial, witty figure? What changed between “F9” and “Fast X” that transformed John Cena from a scowling, ruthless killer to an affable, joke-cracking uncle?). Trying to make sense of the storyline will only leave you frustrated as you grapple with this bland yet confounding revenge narrative and its sluggish pacing. But perhaps the title “Fast X” could be seen as a fitting grade for its review.

5. Jurassic World Dominion (2022)

Viewers anticipated two key elements from what was marketed as the concluding chapter of “Jurassic World” (chuckle): a get-together with characters from the initial “Jurassic Park”, and a narrative that delved into the potential chaos of a contemporary world under dinosaur attack. Co-writer/director Colin Trevorrow successfully delivered on the first point, but unfortunately fell short on the second. Rather than a film that progressed from the cliffhanger ending of “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom”, he pieced together two distinct Jurassic casts for an outlandish plot revolving around genetically engineered locusts threatening the global food supply. By the time all human characters gather at a strategically placed dinosaur refuge for a third-act repeat of the classic Jurassic formula, one might hope for their own demise.

I tried to maintain the original tone and structure while making it more accessible and easy to read.

4. Justice League (2017)

The Justice League movie should have been a fitting finale for a connected series of tales. Regrettably, it turned out to be an overly hurried ending to a fragmented narrative, effectively dismantling a promising cinematic universe. This was not the expected outcome from Director Zack Snyder, who left during filming due to personal reasons, with Joss Whedon stepping in. The final product lacks the signature style of either director, as the editing was haphazard, the mood inconsistent, and the main antagonist, a generic CGI villain, was devoid of character or purpose. (Did you know he wanted to conquer the world? Yes, indeed!) Although Snyder’s cut is now available on Max, the original version of Justice League will forever be remembered as one of the weakest DC sequels ever produced.

3. Hot Tub Time Machine 2 (2015)

In the initial “Hot Tub Time Machine” movie, it may not have been Charles Dickens, but it managed to intertwine a story of personal growth within the lewd escapades of a group of friends experiencing their shared mid-life crises. With the emotional issues of its characters resolved in the first film, the sequel primarily focused on the haphazard use of bodily fluids and hot tub water, as three out of four main stars from the original find themselves inadvertently transported to the future, seeking a mysterious assailant who injured Rob Corddry’s character. (John Cusack, one of the “Hot Tub” stars, did not reappear for the sequel beyond a confusing cameo that was eventually removed; he was replaced by Adam Scott as his character’s son.) The creators of “Hot Tub Time Machine” were fortunate to pull off such a premise once; such lightning does not strike twice, even with a time-traveling hot tub.

2. Meg 2: The Trench (2023)

In 2018, I had a favorable opinion about the film “Jaws,” but let me clarify that it wasn’t the dismal sequel, “Jaws: The Revenge.” Unlike that movie, the first Meg wasn’t just a snooze fest. This underwater adventure, focused on an illegal mining operation at the ocean floor, fails to showcase even a glimpse of a Meg (short for megalodon) until well over 90 minutes in. By then, I was already so bored that I couldn’t appreciate the shark slasher aspect.

1. Space Jam: A New Legacy (2021)

In “Space Jam: A New Legacy”, Warner Bros. portrayed itself as a heartless conglomerate of IP controlled by a malicious algorithm, which could be seen as a brilliant self-critique in cinema. However, the movie itself was weak and unfunny, making the original “Space Jam” appear more like the thought-provoking “2001: A Space Odyssey”. LeBron James is not a poor actor – he’s no less convincing than Michael Jordan was in the initial film – but nearly everything else about “A New Legacy” was a disappointment from start to finish. It seems that the movie fails to grasp the charm of Looney Tunes, and Bugs Bunny, in particular, is transformed into a whiny, dejected character. My suggestion: Instead, watch some of the latest “Looney Tunes Cartoons”. A random short from these series offers at least five times more laughter than this entire two-hour film. Furthermore, the animation quality is superior.

2025-05-30 21:56