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Science fiction asks a lot from those of us who don’t particularly care for laser-wielding Jedi knights, spaceship chases, and alien invasions. But that doesn’t mean the genre doesn’t have some smart, sophisticated, a surprising offerings that subvert the typical trappings of the sci-fi genre. For every evil robot, there’s a lovable one who will win your heart; for every meathead action hero, there’s a Ripley. Here are ten movies that feel like a breath of fresh air compared to the average sci-fi melodrama.
'Alien' (1979)
More psychological thriller than alien invasion story, Ridley Scott’s groundbreaking film not only puts the familiar terror of an extra-terrestrial predator into a tight, claustrophobic setting, it also features an all-too-rare female protagonist who goes head-to-head against her evil foe. [Where to stream Alien]
'The Host' (2007)
Asian monster movies are a dime a dozen, but this offering from South Korean director Bong Joon-ho mixes satirical humor and a deeply felt family drama in which the monstrous scares and the gross-out gore are doled out in equal measure. [Where to stream The Host]
'Melancholia' (2011)
Lars Von Trier’s psychological drama examines two sisters dealing with their existential crises on the eve of Earth’s final day as they prepare for a planet to collide with our own. [Where to stream Melancholia]
'E.T. the Extra Terrestrial' (1982)
Steven Spielberg’s adventure follows a boy who encounters an alien being who crash lands on Earth. He must protect his extra-terrestrial friend from capture in this heartwarming and iconic film. [Where to stream E.T. the Extra Terrestrial]
'Inception' (2010)
Christopher Nolan’s mind-bending thriller sees Leonardo DiCaprio leading a team of con artists who operate in a surprising place: inside the subconscious. Its intricate, befuddling plot and impressive special effects will have you pondering this cerebral thriller for hours. [Where to stream Inception]
'Wall-E' (2008)
Never has a dystopian film featured such an adorable hero and its love interest, but Pixar’s Oscar-winning animated feature follows two robots who fall in love on a barren Earth is full of heartbreakingly cute moments (paired with an environmental message that preaches to the importance of sustainability). [Where to stream Wall-E]
'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' (2004)
Michel Gondry’s beautiful and heartbreaking comic drama follows the dissolution of a relationship and the power of memory as Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet’s star-crossed lovers attempt to erase each other from their minds
'Brazil' (1985)
Monty Python alum Terry Gilliam directs this bonkers film that spoofs the dystopian film genre while offering a satirical take on totalitarianism. A critical success upon its release, the sci-fi comedy has become a cult classic. [Where to stream Brazil]
'Terminator 2: Judgment Day' (1991)
Dystopian futures, time travel, and killer shape-shifting robots: James Cameron’s game-changing blockbuster brought a sci-fi sensibility to a real-world action flick with this better-than-the-original sequel to his 1984 thriller. [Where to stream Terminator 2: Judgment Day]
'Under the Skin' (2014)
Jonathan Glazer’s mesmerizing film stars Scarlett Johansson as a nameless alien who prays on hitchhikers in Scotland, luring them into an immense black void and stealing consuming their bodies. The spooky thriller hardly resembles a sci-fi or a horror movie, completely subverting both of the genres. [Where to stream Under the Skin]
