As a space enthusiast who’s spent countless hours staring at the stars and dreaming about the mysteries they hold, I must say these descriptions have piqued my interest!
Narratives serve as a means to discuss topics that are difficult for us to express directly: emotions such as love and fear, or abstract concepts like hope and death. We create surrogate characters who embody qualities we aspire to – beauty, bravery, intelligence – and place them in scenarios that reflect our dreams or anxieties about the world. Science fiction, in particular, uses this method of cultural reflection to project these ideas into our potential future
By exploring science fiction, we get a glimpse into possible future scenarios and have an opportunity to make errors or mistakes in fictional settings, so that we avoid repeating them when they become real-life challenges. Since we can only create what we first envision, it’s beneficial for us to delve into the various potential futures portrayed in our stories as a means of enriching our own imagination and shaping a better reality
If you’re seeking inspiration, perhaps Peacock’s assortment of science fiction films and series is the right spot to begin your journey. While not every sci-fi production paints a utopian future, they could function more as a cautionary tale than a guide, but in any case, you’re bound to enjoy the ride. There’s an abundance of movies and numerous episodes of science fiction to select from; these are merely some of our top picks
For More on Sci-Fi
As a sci-fi enthusiast, here are the top 20 mind-blowing Sci-Fi TV series on Peacock: “Resident Alien”, “The Ark”, “Twisted Metal” and more. Don’t let critics sway you, I personally think “Waterworld” was an absolute blast!
What are the best sci-fi movies now streaming on Peacock?
THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN
Initially, Spider-Man was among the initial Marvel characters to appear on the big screen. Given this, it’s not surprising that it was one of the earliest characters to undergo a reboot too. After the successful trilogy directed by Sam Raimi and the surge in popularity of comic book movies, Sony introduced a fresh perspective for the masked web-slinger in 2012
In this version, Andrew Garfield plays both Spider-Man and Peter Parker, his ordinary teenage persona. Emma Stone joins him as Gwen Stacy, who serves as Peter’s friend, confidante, and love interest. The movie explores familiar themes like the loss of Uncle Ben, gaining extraordinary powers, and understanding power and responsibility; however, it offers a fresh perspective on these storylines
Instead of maintaining some outlandish comic book aspects, the narrative focuses more on reality and emotion, revolving around the enigma that took Parker’s parents and a horde of mutated reptiles, creating a gripping mystery
Watch it now on Peacock!
HAPPY DEATH DAY & HAPPY DEATH DAY 2U
On your birthday, you have the option to live or end your life if you choose to. In this 2017 horror-comedy titled “Happy Death Day,” Jessica Rothe plays Tree Gelbman, a college student who finds herself in a deadly time loop. While heading to her surprise party, Tree is led into a dark tunnel and brutally killed by a mysterious figure wearing a mask of a baby. However, she miraculously wakes up, discovering that she’s been given another chance at life, back to the start of the very same day
Day after day, Tree repeats her experiences anew, this time steering clear of the tunnel and the menacing murderer. However, she arrives unscathed at the party, yet falls victim once more to the enigmatic hooded figure. The vicious cycle persists as Tree endlessly relives the same day, culminating in her brutal demise each time. The only escape seems to be identifying and thwarting the killer before it’s too late
2019’s film sequel titled “Happy Death Day 2U” reunites the original cast while revealing that time loops are caused by temporal experiments from a quantum reactor. The plot then spirals into an intricate, multiverse enigma reminiscent of “Sliders“, as both characters and story delve deep into a cosmic-scale mystery
Watch it now on Peacock!
THE CORNETTO TRILOGY
As a die-hard fan, I’m referring to the hilarious Cornetto Trilogy, often known as such due to its connection to the tasty ice cream treat – a staple in these films! This brilliant series is the brainchild of director Edgar Wright, collaboratively written with Simon Pegg. Throughout this trilogy, comedic duo Pegg and Nick Frost grace our screens alongside an assortment of talented co-stars
The saga kicked off in 2004 with “Shaun of the Dead,” a comical yet gruesome twist on the zombie theme. This was followed by “Hot Fuzz” in 2007, where Simon Pegg and Nick Frost starred as cops in the tranquil town of Sandford, Gloucestershire. Sergeant Nicholas Angel (played by Pegg) finds Sandford dull and longs for his bustling city beat. However, this monotony is disrupted when a string of murders uncovers a more bizarre underbelly of conspiracy
2013’s The World’s End concludes the trilogy, telling the story of a group of old friends embarking on a pub crawl called the Golden Mile. The route includes 12 pubs, ending at World’s End. However, their celebration is spoiled when they find that most of the town has been replaced by robotic doubles who are intent on absorbing humans
Watch it now on Peacock!
PAUL
Back in the early 21st century, I stumbled upon this riotously funny duo named Pegg and Frost, shining brightly in the brief-lived sitcom called “Spaced”. A few years down the line, they made a splash in the mainstream with Edgar Wright’s movies – “Shaun of the Dead”, “Hot Fuzz”, and “The World’s End”. Although not tied together storywise, these films are warmly known as the Cornetto Trilogy. Guess what? You can stream them all on Peacock now!
Pegg and Frost, on the other hand, have collaborated on multiple ventures, one being the science fiction road trip film “Paul.” This movie, penned by both Pegg and Frost, narrates a duo’s journey who self-identify as geeks, embarking on a UFO-themed road trip that culminates at San Diego Comic-Con. During their travels, they run into Paul (played by Seth Rogen), an alien who guides them through an extraordinary interstellar escapade
Watch it now on Peacock!
US
This film titled merely “Us” serves as a 2019 sequel to Jordan Peele’s initial blockbuster success, “Get Out“. Contrary to its straightforward name, it conceals an intricately woven and chilling narrative. The story unfolds in the year 1986, when a young girl named Adelaide Thomas takes a trip with her family to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
During a trip to the Hall of Mirrors, she encounters a duplicate of herself, not just a reflection, but something far darker and ominous. This experience left Adelaide so shaken that she fell silent for years afterwards. Years later, we see an older Adelaide (played by Lupita Nyong’o) preparing for another family holiday with her husband Gabe (Winston Duke) and their two children
In this instance, Adelaide is back, but she’s not by herself this time. Her counterpart, who goes by Red, has a whole clan, and they covet the life that Adelaide and her family enjoy. What’s more, there are mirrored versions for everyone on Earth. They refer to themselves as the Tethered, and their anger is palpable
Watch it now on Peacock!
THE THING
There’s something inherently frightening about Antarctica. Going there, to the fringes of our world, the only place too cold for our species to set up permanent residence, means stepping outside of our domain. It’s off the map, as it were, the sort of place you might find monsters.
John Carpenter’s 1982 science fiction horror film titled “The Thing” delves deeply into the idea that an alien being can mimic any life form it comes across. The narrative revolves around helicopter pilot R.J. MacReady, portrayed by Kurt Russell, during an Antarctic expedition. Upon discovering a crashed extraterrestrial spacecraft hidden beneath the ice, the crew soon realizes that they were not the only ones on the icy wasteland. Unfortunately, the ship wasn’t empty; an alien organism had escaped and began to infiltrate and replace any living creature it encountered
Currently, MacReady and his team are the last line of defense against a horde of alien beings that feed on humans. Unfortunately, they’re unsure about who among them might be an enemy in disguise
Watch it now on Peacock!
PUSH
Chris Evans is best known for portraying Steve Rogers/Captain America in the Marvel Cinema Universe, but he’s had other notable roles too. One such role was Johnny Storm, aka The Human Torch, which he played in two Fantastic Four movies released in 2005 and 2007
In the 2009 movie “Push,” Evans played a character struggling financially, depicting a person with supposed psychic powers. For many years, it has been observed that humans have appeared to possess extraordinary mental capabilities. These individuals can be categorized into Movers, who manipulate objects using their minds, Watchers who foresee events before they happen, and others who utilize energy for either destructive or healing purposes. These exceptional people are recognized and monitored by government organizations, often subjecting them to dangerous experiments aimed at enhancing their abilities
In this world, individuals gifted with unique talents find themselves exploited, mistreated, and eventually eliminated. The responsibility of restoring balance falls upon the shoulders of Nick (Evans) and Cassie (Fanning)
Watch it now on Peacock!
THEY LIVE
John Carpenter’s 1988 science-fiction film “They Live” depicts a world where our deepest suspicions about conspiracy theories are validated. The protagonist of the story is a transient named Nada (played by Roddy Piper), who is job-hunting in Los Angeles. While searching for employment, he comes across a street preacher warning of the sinister plots of an unidentified “they.” Often, such warnings are dismissed. However, Nada might have ignored it too if not for the events that followed later on
A strange television broadcast claims that subliminal messages and hidden signals are controlling our behavior. Nada becomes embroiled in a secret plot to save humanity and gains a pair of special sunglasses which reveal the subliminal messages and the skull-faced aliens living among us.
They’re encouraging excessive consumption, damaging our Earth, and emitting greenhouse gases in an effort to change our planet into a place resembling theirs. As we reflect upon this, it becomes clearer that either it’s not extraterrestrials, but ourselves making these decisions
Watch it now on Peacock!
HOLLOW MAN
The 2000 movie titled “Hollow Man,” which is inspired by H.G. Wells’ tale “The Invisible Man,” features Kevin Bacon as Dr. Sebastian Cain, a character similar to Wells’ Griffin. This film tells the story of a secret military project led by Cain, aiming to develop an invisibility serum. As the plot unfolds, they’ve recently made a gorilla invisible and then reappeared it, serving as a prelude to the main events
As an ardent follower, I ought to share our triumph with the higher-ups, but I’ve chosen a different path. Instead, I deceive and coerce my team into initiating human trials. Our first guinea pig, unbelievably, is none other than myself. The serum we developed grants me invisibility, but when we attempt to reverse the effect, something catastrophically goes awry
As time passes and Cain continues to hide, he increasingly detaches from the real world, believing himself to be divine. Now, not just confined to the laboratory, but wandering freely throughout the world, there are very few who recognize his existence beyond its walls
Watch it now on Peacock!
SLITHER
Prior to creating the “Guardians of the Galaxy” or collaborating with Peter Safran within the DC Extended Universe, James Gunn first made his directorial debut in 2006 with the film “Slither.” This movie narrates the tale of a peaceful town that becomes host to a menacing alien presence arriving via a meteor
Upon setting foot in Wheelsy, South Carolina, I found myself unwittingly thrust into a chilling tale. A sinister space slug, with a knack for body snatching, had already started its insidious takeover of our unsuspecting townsfolk. The transformation began with the formidable local figure, Grant Grant (Michael Rooker), who was quickly consumed by this extraterrestrial terror
Watch it now on Peacock!
KNOWING
Regardless of where you aim when throwing a dart at Nicolas Cage’s film collection, it’s impossible to predict whether you’ll land on a heartfelt and serious movie or an extraordinary, eccentric cinematic journey. However, one thing is certain – you’re guaranteed an enjoyable experience. The film “Knowing” lies somewhere in the spectrum of Cage’s acting range and follows him as a mathematician who uncovers a sequence of numbers that accurately foretells catastrophic events
After banging his head against this apocalyptic sudoku puzzle he realizes the numbers identify the date, planetary coordinates, and body count of every major disaster going back centuries. There are only a few dates left before the end of the sequence, and with it, the end of the world.
Watch it now on Peacock!
LUCY
Initially, Lucy drew criticism upon its release, but looking back, it’s clear that the movie offers an entertaining and outlandish journey through science fiction – a fun ride despite its lack of realism, perhaps not quite matching our expectations or desires at the time
In Lucy’s film, her major scientific mistake lies in embracing wholeheartedly the debunked notion that humans utilize merely a small percentage of their brains. When Lucy (portrayed by Scarlett Johansson) accidentally ingests a experimental substance, she gains heightened mental and physical prowess as previously untapped areas of her brain are activated. By the conclusion of the movie, she has grown so potent that she becomes invulnerable to harm or discomfort and can psychically navigate through time. This kind of film dares to venture towards the boundary of plausibility and casually roam across it; and for that, we adore it
Watch it now on Peacock!
ALIENS ABDUCTED MY PARENTS AND NOW I FEEL KINDA LEFT OUT
In a small town, Calvin (Jacob Buster), a local loner who’s had roots there for years, and Itsy (Emma Tremblay), a fresh arrival from the bustling city with her family, form an unconventional friendship. Calvin has developed a reputation as something of a misfit, while Itsy is still finding her way around this new environment
Ten years ago, Calvin’s parents vanished during the rare passing of the fictional comet Jesper. Convinced they were abducted by extraterrestrial beings, Calvin believes he will reunite with them when the comet comes again. Dedicating his life to this event, he spends every moment preparing for the comet’s expected return
The narrative that unfolds is a deeply emotional science fiction tale penned by Austin Osanai Everett and directed by Jake Van Wagoner. It’s a captivating blend of cosmic adventures and earthbound realism
Watch it now on Peacock!
DONNIE DARKO
Two decades after its release, Richard Kelly’s 2001 movie masterpiece, “Donnie Darko” with Jake Gyllenhaal portraying the title character, remains a film worth multiple viewings and late-night discussions among fans. The story unfolds in the year 1988 when Donnie Darko is roused by an enigmatic voice. Following its guidance, he meets a strange, anthropomorphic rabbit named Frank who predicts the end of the world will occur in exactly 28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes, and 12 seconds
In a most peculiar turn of events, that meeting spared Donnie from imminent demise when an airplane engine plummeted into his bedroom. Subsequently, a sequence of events, seemingly out of a science-fiction novel, unfolds: parallel realities, relics from multiverses, spectral beings traveling through time, and the intertwined destinies of a boy and the universe’s entirety
Watch it now on Peacock!
APOLLO 18
NASA’s Apollo mission concluded in 1972, marking a successful homecoming for Apollo 17. The program actually ended prematurely, cancelling three subsequent manned missions, Apollo 18 to 20. While history books document this as the end of the story, director Gonzalo López-Gallego envisioned a different tale in his 2011 found footage film titled “Apollo 18“
Following Apollo’s official conclusion, the 18th mission was revived under a Top Secret Department of Defense operation with the objective of transporting a confidential payload to the Moon’s South Pole. The ensuing tragic incidents shed light on why the footage was concealed and the mission remained unmentioned. For those intrigued by moon landings but craving a dash of conspiracy, this movie serves as an exciting secret!
Watch it now on Peacock!
TURBO KID
Turbo Kid isn’t technically a depiction of the future, but we can overlook that since it’s absolutely fantastic. Set in an alternative 1997, this story unfolds in a world where water is scarce. The ruthless leader Zeus, portrayed brilliantly by Michael Ironside, seizes individuals from the Wasteland to extract their water. It’s a challenging existence for a young boy who simply wants to enjoy his bike rides and comic books
As a gamer, when I bump into Apple, this friendly robot, we jumpstart an extraordinary journey that’ll leave you spellbound. Picture a blend of ‘Napoleon Dynamite’ and ‘Mad Max’, seasoned with a dash of absurdly funny violence. It’s like stepping into the warped imagination of an ’80s Power Glove enthusiast in the throes of a post-apocalyptic nightmare. And let me tell you, it’s just about right
Watch it now on Peacock!
EUROPA REPORT
Among Jupiter’s four largest satellites, known as the Galilean moons, Europa stands out, its surface being a blanket of ice. However, beneath this icy layer, due to the tides generated by Europa’s interaction with Jupiter and its numerous other moons, there exists a vast subterranean ocean of liquid water that spans the entire world. Scientific studies indicate that processes occurring at the surface introduce oxygen and salts into the water, and it is hypothesized that deep-sea vents could supply nutrients and heat. Under favorable conditions, life might emerge and prosper in this dark underwater realm
The film Europa Report envisions the type of expedition we long for, where courageous explorers venture to an extraterrestrial world for a firsthand glimpse. Regrettably, events don’t proceed as anticipated. This is evident right from the start, as the narrative is not told by any of the crew members but rather by Dr. Samantha Unger, the CEO of Europa Ventures. An expedition equipped with crew embarks on a journey to the icy moon in search of life. In space, it’s crucial to be mindful of what you desire
Upon arriving, they bore through the ice to launch an exploratory device. One team member spots a distant blue glow, which was initially thought to be due to fatigue. However, any skepticism vanishes when the submerged probe also detects a similar light mere moments before being destroyed. Indeed, there is life on Europa, and it seems to be agitated
Watch it now on Peacock!
MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000
Every day could surprise you; it might even lead you into an unexpected scenario where a peculiar group of scientists kidnap you, transporting you aboard a spacecraft and making you endure subpar films until your grip on reality weakens. In such an unusual circumstance, having a few reliable allies would be beneficial
In an unexpectedly amusing predicament with no companions around, Joel Robinson crafted his own friends from the salvaged parts of the spaceship. These companions, named Tom Servo, Crow T. Robot, and GPC, became his constant companions. Alongside human test subjects (initially Joel himself, then various others), they would endure terrible movies while providing witty commentary to ease the discomfort. The appeal of Mystery Science Theater 3000, lies in its vast collection of poor-quality films, so numerous that even the worst eventually seem bearable
Watch it now on Peacock!
UPSIDE DOWN
Juan Diego Solanas’ 2012 movie, “Upside Down“, merges science fiction and fantasy to narrate a love story set in the cosmos that can only exist in our imagination. The audience experiences the universe of “Upside Down” from the perspective of Adam (Jim Sturgess), an average man facing extraordinary situations, living on a dual planet system with a gravitational arrangement deemed impossible
In these realms referred to simply as Above and Below, they are bound together by a mutual gravitational force that keeps them astonishingly near each other. Yet, it doesn’t imply the inhabitants of both realms can traverse freely from one to another. On these domains, matter abides by some fundamental rules. Initially, every particle is only pulled toward the gravity of its native world. Secondly, particles can be neutralized by what we call “oppositely charged” particles from the opposite realm. Lastly, interaction with oppositely charged particles is brief and leads to a self-ignition after a couple of hours have passed
Adam was content with living on a single planet, but upon encountering Eden, a woman from Above, they embarked on an adventure to revise not only the norms of their civilization but also the fundamental principles of physics
Watch it now on Peacock!
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2024-09-04 22:12