The Best Sci-Fi Movies
Sci-Fi films help audiences experience fictional stories and events that are not entirely possible in the real world.
They provide a fun, futuristic sandbox for viewers to escape to during free time. In this listicle, the Arts and Entertainment Department takes a look at some of the most influential Sci-Fi movies released.
“Avatar” (2009)
“Avatar”, when referring to Sci-Fi movies, must be involved in the discussion. James Cameron’s visual masterpiece still holds up to this day.
Released in 2009, “Avatar” took 15 years to make so its style and animation is groundbreaking, and its CGI 12 years later still holds up to everything else.
The faraway moon known as Pandora is mesmerizing. With beautiful landscapes, various aliens like the giant blue people known as Neytiri and the technology the human’s control is a sight to see.
“Avatar” is a love story of a human who, with new technology, becomes one with the alien race, the Neytiri, to try and steal their resources. But the longer he spends with them, the more he falls in love with the world and its culture. He, the Neytiri and rebel Humans go against the invading Humans, and it leads to one of the most visually stunning final fights.
There is a reason this movie is the highest grossing movie of all time, and it is not only that but also one of the best Sci-Fi movies of all time. – Ethan Hetrick
“Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope” (1977)
In terms of the immense cultural impact, “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope” is one of the most iconic and influential science-fiction movies of all time.
Released theatrically in 1977, the original “Star Wars” chronicles the journey of Luke Skywalker on a quest to fight the evil Galactic Empire, all while on a personal mission to find his true purpose within the galaxy. He’s joined by several supporting characters including Han Solo, Princess Leia and Obi-Wan Kenobi, all of which are now iconic figures in pop culture.
This film was a pioneer of science-fiction films for its time. The special effects were done meticulously and creatively, with the limited technology of the 70s.
Set in the very distant past in a very distant galaxy, the film immediately detaches itself from the world society knew and was familiar with at the time. This allowed for a greater immersion of the audience into a new fictitious universe where the unthinkable was possible, like a floating space station that could blow up a planet.
Overall, the original “Star Wars” has its ranking as one of the best science-fiction movies of all time because of its originality and uniqueness. It’s impact on pop culture is unparalleled and remains to be a classic movie for friends and families to always watch together. – Madison Imber
“Ex Machina” (2014)
This movie takes unexpected betrayals to the next level, as the power of artificial intelligence astounds the viewers.
Programmer Caleb Smith wins a one-week stay at a CEO’s luxurious house to which he finds out he is there to perform a Turing test on the gynoid, Ava.
Throughout Caleb’s visit, he develops a relationship with Ava, and when Ava and the CEO each cast suspicion on the other, Caleb is left not knowing who to trust and what the right move is.
“Ex Machina” features a very small cast and takes place in a modern house surrounded by nothing for the majority of the film. The intimateness of the cast and setting helps the characters build strong bonds with one another and helps the audience feel connected to these characters as well.
After getting to know so much about the three characters, the shocking ending leaves the audience with so many emotions, which is what makes this movie so powerful. The capability of artificial intelligence paired with strong character development and the number of emotions evoked in “Ex Machina” makes for a fascinating watch. - Rachel Fisher
Ethan Hetrick is a first-year communication major. To contact him, email eth5186@psu.edu.
Madison Imber is a second-year majoring in public relations. To contact her, email mbi5065@psu.edu.
Rachel Fisher is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, email rlf5481@psu.edu.
