The science-fiction genre has been responsible for some of the greatestmoviesever put to screen. From the genre’s classics like Aliens and Predator to the box office smashes like Jurassic Park and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, there has been no shortage of qualitysci-fifilms over the years.
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The decade of the 2010s blessed audiences with plenty of fantastic movies, and the science-fiction genre was no exception. From sequels to long-beloved series to new and original stories, regardless of what kind of sci-fi film you’re looking for, rest assured the 2010s had something to offer.
10Dredd
1995’s Judge Dredd was nothing short of a disaster. Both a critical and commercial failure, the filmadaptation of the comic strip characterfailed to impress audiences. As such, expectations were low when it was announced that Dredd would get another movie in 2012.
While Dredd failed to make much money at the box office, the film has become a beloved cult classic. Karl Urban’s turn as the titular character is iconic, and writer Alex’s Garland screenplay is as sharp as its stylistic visuals.
9Edge Of Tomorrow
In many ways, Tom Cruise is the last movie star, one of the few actors around whose name alone can get people to the theaters. As such, It was surprising when his 2014 sci-fi action film, Edge of Tomorrow, disappointed at the box office.
Despite the underwhelming financial numbers, Edge of Tomorrow is an absolute blast of a movie. Tom Cruise gives his best performance in years. Coupled with Emily Blunt’s equally fantastic role and Doug Liman’s superb direction, there’s much to love here.
8The Martian
Ridley Scott has been responsible for some of the most iconic science-fiction films ever. While most would point to Alien and Blade Runner as his masterpieces of the genre, it’s worth noting that even late into his career, he was still producing bangers.
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In 2015, Ridley Scott directed The Martian. Written by Drew Goddard and starring Matt Damon as astronaut Mark Watney, The Martian found tremendous success at the box office and immense critical acclaim, earning seven Oscar nominations, including Best Actor for Damon.
7War For The Planet Of The Apes
It’s hard for any trilogy to be quality all the way through. Whether it be the first, second, or third, it seems likely that at least one out of the three will stumble. Yet, with the 2010s Planet of the Apes trilogy, each film was fantastic.
However, out of the three films, the third entry, War for the Planet of the Apes, represents the trilogy’s apex. Directed by Matt Reeves, the final part of Casear’s story had terrific acting, masterful direction, and beautiful cinematography.
6Inception
There are many different trains of thought regarding the consensus on director Christopher Nolan’s best movies. Some label the critically acclaimed The Dark Knight as his magnum opus, while others might say the biopic Oppenheimer is his finest work. In Nolan’s vast filmography, it’s Inception that stands as his most creative.
Boasting an all-star cast, breathtaking practical effects, and all centered on a certifiably mind-blending plot, Inception stands tall not just among Nolan’s vast filmography but as one of the best sci-fi movies from the 2010s.
5The Vast Of Night
As advantageous as a massive budget is, sometimes talented filmmakers can utilize their limited resources cleverly. If you’re looking for that kind of filmmaking, look towards indie movies, and if you’re eyeing more towards science fiction, look no further than The Vast of Night.
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Directed and written by Andrew Patterson, 2019’s The Vast of Night was an unexpected hit when it premiered on Amazon Prime, and for good reason. Patterson’s directing style is as meticulous as his screenplay, which keeps audiences enthralled from opening to ending.
4Arrival
Since releasing Incendies in 2010, director Denis Villeneuve has had a strong case for the best filmmaker of the 2010s. From Prisoners to Enemy andDunein 2021, Villeneuve has demonstrated he belongs in the upper echelon of Hollywood’s elite filmmakers.
Villeneuve’s 2016 alien invasion flick, Arrival, starring Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner, wonderfully exemplified the expansive cinema audience just how truly talented Villeneuve is. With phenomenal direction and breathtaking cinematography, Arrival is easily one of the best sci-fi films of the 2010s.
3Snowpiercer
Director Bong Joon Ho has become far more of a household name following the release of 2019’s Parasite. Earning three Oscars, including being the first foreign film to win Best Picture, Ho has become one of cinema’s premier directors.
It’s easy to forget that Ho had already shown his immense talent before Parasite, with 2013’s Snowpiercer being his most acclaimed production. Featuring extraordinary talent both in front and behind the camera, Snowpiercer is as emotionally impactful as it is endlessly creative.
2Blade Runner 2049
Regardless of your opinion on the film itself, 1982’sBlade Runneris one of the most influential movies ever made. Directed by Ridley Scott, the film has becomean inspiration for a myriad of properties to follow. In 2017, we finally got the long-awaited follow-up, Blade Runner 2049.
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With Denis Villeneuve taking over directing, expectations were sky-high. While it didn’t make much of a splash at the box office, Blade Runner 2049 is one of the most gorgeous and thought-provoking science-fiction films ever made.
Director George Miller’s vision of thepost-apocalypticis both imaginative and influential. From movies, TV, and video games, the universe created by Miller has inspired entertainment properties worldwide. Yet, Miller remains king, and 2015’s Mad Max Fury Road proved that tenfold.
The first Mad Max film since Beyond Thunderdome, Fury Road sees Tom Hardy taking over the titular role. With ten Oscar nominations and six wins, Fury Road isn’t just a superb sci-fi movie but one of the best films of the past several decades.
