Buzz
If your science fiction appetite remains unsatiated even after delving into your Isaac Asimov library, consider exploring Netflix. The platform continually updates its catalog with fresh sci-fi and fantasy films, catering to enthusiasts of speculative futures. Below are eight standout sci-fi movies currently available on the service.
1. War of the Worlds (2005)
In this adaptation of H.G. Wells' classic novel about an alien invasion, Tom Cruise and Steven Spielberg collaborate to bring the story to life. Cruise portrays a single father striving to protect his children from the chaos. Spielberg famously requested a dramatic bridge explosion scene to be completed in just four weeks for a Super Bowl advertisement—and the effects team delivered.
2. Dune (2021)
Denis Villeneuve helmed this acclaimed adaptation of Frank Herbert's timeless tale of feuding families vying for control of precious spice, a story first brought to the screen by David Lynch in 1984. With Dune: Part II slated for release in 2024, Villeneuve has hinted at the possibility of a third installment. The expansive source material, including roughly 23 Dune novels and numerous short stories, leaves ample room for further exploration.
3. Anon (2018)
Set in a near-future world where everyone's actions are tracked through ocular implants, this dystopian thriller follows a detective (Clive Owen) as he investigates a mysterious woman (Amanda Seyfried) with no traceable history. Directed by Andrew Niccol, the visionary behind 1997's Gattaca, the film delves into themes of privacy and identity.
4. Spectral (2016)
James Badge Dale and Bruce Greenwood stand as humanity's final hope against an invisible, sinister threat in this gripping blend of military action and paranormal intrigue. To authentically capture the war-torn European backdrop, the production was filmed in Budapest, Hungary.
5. Beyond Skyline (2017)
In this gritty, low-budget sci-fi thriller, Frank Grillo plays an L.A. police officer battling against hostile extraterrestrials. Due to Grillo's packed schedule, the production was hurried, resulting in some practical creature effects being replaced with CGI.
6. Bird Box (2018)
Sandra Bullock stars in this post-apocalyptic tale where humanity must avoid looking at mysterious entities to prevent madness. Accompanied by her two children, Bullock embarks on a perilous journey to secure their survival. Despite Trent Reznor composing the score, he expressed dissatisfaction with the music's low prominence, calling the experience a “f***ing waste of time.”
7. Project Power (2020)
Jamie Foxx and Joseph Gordon-Levitt lead this action-packed film set in a world where a mysterious pill temporarily grants random superhuman abilities. Initially planned to be filmed in Portland, Oregon, co-directors Ariel Schulman and Henry Joost decided to shoot the movie in New Orleans.
8. Synchronic (2020)
Paramedics Anthony Mackie and Jamie Dornan find themselves overwhelmed by a bizarre street drug, only to uncover its shocking and unexpected effects. Keep an eye out for a nighttime scene where the duo strolls past the former home of Anne Rice, the acclaimed author of Interview With the Vampire.
