It takes a lot for a movie to be considered a true masterpiece, but there are a few sci-fi gems from recent years which can claim this status. Many of the best sci-fi movies of the last 20 years have reached a rare level of prestige, winning awards and being tagged as classics. They have also helped to redefine the boundaries of the sci-fi genre, either by incorporating other genres or by creating entirely new concepts.
- 8 Cars, Bikes & Other Vehicles From Furiosa Explained
- Who are Max Homa Parents? Meet John Homa And Bonnie Milstein
- Mean Girls’ Cast Where Are They Now? Where is the Cast of Mean Girls?
- Sniper Ultimate Kill Ending Explained, Cast, Plot, Review and Trailer
- Dianne Buswell Height How Tall is Dianne Buswell?
Movies like Everything Everywhere All at Once and Ex Machina show the potential of sci-fi to create experiences like no other genre, especially when directors pursue their unique visions. Often, it’s the most original movies which are the ones that get described as masterpieces. Even if these movies explore seemingly familiar sci-fi concepts, they can find interesting new ideas.
You are watching: 10 Sci-Fi Movies From The Last 20 Years That Are Considered Masterpieces
10
Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022)
The Oscar-Winner Pushes The Multiverse To Its Limits
Your Rating
close
10 stars
9 stars
8 stars
7 stars
6 stars
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
See more : Who are Paul Newman Parents? Meet Arthur Sigmund Newman and Theresa Newman
Rate Now
0/10
Leave a Review
Your comment has not been saved
Movie
My Favorite Movies
My Watchlist
Success!
8/10
12
9.5/10
Everything Everywhere All at Once
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US
Release Date
March 25, 2022
Director
Daniel Kwan
, Daniel Scheinert
Cast
Jenny Slate
, Ke Huy Quan
, Stephanie Hsu
, Harry Shum Jr.
, Jamie Lee Curtis
, James Hong
, Michelle Yeoh
It’s not too common for a sci-fi movie to win the Oscar for Best Picture, but Everything Everywhere All at Once deserves this honor. The multiverse adventure from the Daniels fuses sci-fi with elements of martial arts movies, and it throws in plenty of absurd comedy too. The result is a genre-stretching masterpiece that raises some deep questions while still being relentlessly entertaining.
|
Academy Award Nominations Received By Everything Everywhere All At Once |
|
|
Category |
Nominees |
|
Best Picture (Won) |
Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinert & Jonathan Wang |
|
Best Director (Won) |
Daniel Kwan & Daniel Scheinert |
|
Best Actress (Won) |
Michelle Yeoh |
|
Best Supporting Actor (Won) |
Ke Huy Quan |
|
Best Supporting Actress (Won) |
Jamie Lee Curtis |
|
Best Supporting Actress |
Stephanie Hsu |
|
Best Original Screenplay (Won) |
Daniel Kwan & Daniel Scheinert |
|
Best Film Editing (Won) |
Paul Rogers |
|
Best Original Score |
Son Lux |
|
Best Original Song |
Ryan Lott, David Byrne & Mitski |
|
Best Costume Design |
Shirley Kurata |
The meaning of Everything Everywhere All at Once is closely tied to the moments which seem to flaunt the fact that they are devoid of traditional meaning. The Daniels have a boundlessly creative approach to the multiverse, dipping in and out of bizarre realities at such a rapid pace that sensory overload can take over. The story is crafted in such a way that audiences are invariably left with the impression of a few simple truths, salvaged from the absurd Ratatouille parodies, sausage fingers and googly-eyed rocks.
9
Her (2013)
Her’s Prophetic Vision Has Aged Well
Your Rating
close
10 stars
9 stars
8 stars
7 stars
6 stars
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
See more : Who are Paul Newman Parents? Meet Arthur Sigmund Newman and Theresa Newman
Rate Now
0/10
Your comment has not been saved
Movie
My Favorite Movies
My Watchlist
Success!
5/10
Her
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US
Release Date
January 10, 2014
Director
Spike Jonze
Cast
Joaquin Phoenix
, Amy Adams
, Scarlett Johansson
, Rooney Mara
Her takes place in a near-future with advanced artificial intelligence, where machines are convincing enough to get real emotional responses out of people. Joaquin Phoenix’s charming performance as a writer anchors Spike Jonze’s romantic satire, and this allows the director to pursue a few unexpected paths in the story of a man who falls in love with an AI, all the while failing to appreciate the real people around him.
Her‘s gorgeous visual design has given it a unique appeal, when so many other futuristic sci-fi movies age terribly.
Her seems to be getting more and more prophetic as time passes and more people seek the predictable safety of AI in favor of the rough edges of the human experience. Its gorgeous visual design has also given it a unique appeal, when so many other futuristic sci-fi movies age terribly. Her takes inspiration from older fashion trends and technologies, creating a vision of the future that seems strangely familiar.
8
WALL-E (2008)
Pixar’s Charming Adventure Takes Inspiration From Sci-Fi Classics
Your Rating
close
10 stars
9 stars
8 stars
7 stars
6 stars
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
See more : Who are Paul Newman Parents? Meet Arthur Sigmund Newman and Theresa Newman
Rate Now
0/10
Leave a Review
Your comment has not been saved
Movie
My Favorite Movies
My Watchlist
Success!
8/10
8.2/10
WALL-E
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US
Release Date
June 27, 2008
Director
Andrew Stanton
Cast
Ben Burtt
, Elissa Knight
, Jeff Garlin
, Fred Willard
, John Ratzenberger
, Kathy Najimy
, Sigourney Weaver
See more : Who Won the Golden Buzzer Tonight on AGT: Fantasy League?
WALL-E is one of Pixar’s best movies of all, and it’s certainly one of their most ambitious. While it sticks to the studio’s tried-and-tested “what if X had feelings” formula, it feels original and daring in ways that aren’t too common for major Western animation studios. WALL-E features a largely silent protagonist, and extended scenes that take place with no words whatsoever, placing more emphasis on the visual storytelling and the beautiful design.
Related
8 Animated Sci-Fi Movies That Still Need A Sequel
These eight animated sci-fi movies need a sequel according to fans and critical acclaim, but many have waited years since their initial release.
Posts
4
WALL-E alludes to several sci-fi classics, most notably Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, but it has become just as beloved as any of its influences. WALL-E is built around the idea of change, which provides an uplifting vision for the future amid the ruin of environmental devastation. It’s also frequently endearing and hilarious, keeping its audience entertained as it constructs a fully-realized world.
7
Under The Skin (2013)
Jonathan Glaser’s Slow Sci-Fi Horror Movie Offers A Lot To Think About
Your Rating
close
10 stars
9 stars
8 stars
7 stars
6 stars
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
See more : Who are Paul Newman Parents? Meet Arthur Sigmund Newman and Theresa Newman
Rate Now
0/10
Leave a Review
Your comment has not been saved
Movie
My Favorite Movies
My Watchlist
Success!
7/10
7.3/10
Under the Skin
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US
Release Date
April 4, 2014
Director
Jonathan Glazer
Cast
Dougie McConnell
, Lynsey Taylor Mackay
, Jeremy McWilliams
, Scarlett Johansson
, Kevin McAlinden
Under the Skin still doesn’t have the kind of audience that it deserves, but Jonathan Glazer’s growing stature in Hollywood in recent years has gone some way to redressing this issue. Under the Skin was a box office bomb, and its slow, cerebral style certainly won’t appeal to everyone. Scarlett Johansson stars as a strange alien that stalks the British countryside in search of men to prey on, but no brief description can do Under the Skin justice.
Under the Skin‘s enchanting rhythm and droning soundtrack create a dreamlike atmosphere at times, and Glazer often frames his subjects at such a distance that genuine human connection is impossible. Under the Skin has been analyzed ever since its release, but different people have come up with wildly different, even conflicting interpretations. The alien’s role as both a victim and an aggressor means that most explanations of Under the Skin fall flat. Regardless of how anyone internalizes its meaning, Under the Skin is still a sci-fi experience worth having.
6
Arrival (2016)
Arrival Displays Sci-Fi’s Potential To Explore Unfamiliar Ideas
Your Rating
close
10 stars
9 stars
8 stars
7 stars
6 stars
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
See more : Who are Paul Newman Parents? Meet Arthur Sigmund Newman and Theresa Newman
Rate Now
0/10
Leave a Review
Your comment has not been saved
Movie
My Favorite Movies
My Watchlist
Success!
8/10
23
7.7/10
Arrival
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US
Release Date
November 10, 2016
Director
Denis Villeneuve
Cast
Michael Stuhlbarg
, Forest Whitaker
, Tzi Ma
, Amy Adams
, Mark O’Brien
, Jeremy Renner
, Nathaly Thibault
Denis Villeneuve could be credited with several sci-fi masterpieces in his career. Of course, his two Dune movies finally created a popular adaptation of Frank Herbert’s seminal novel, but he also took on the daunting task of directing a legacy sequel to Blade Runner, and he surpassed all expectations. Arrival came before both of these successes, but it’s just as polished and just as cerebral.
Denis Villeneuve could be credited with several sci-fi masterpieces in his career.
Arrival‘s non-linear timeline is a stroke of genius, using the audience’s own assumptions against them to deliver a cunning twist. The structure is far more than a gimmick, though, as it directly plays on the major themes of Arrival, exploring its fascinating concept in a way that encourages further meditation. As usual, Villeneuve accompanies this interesting story with some jaw-dropping sci-fi visuals.
5
Ex Machina (2014)
Alex Garland’s Directorial Debut Was An Immediate Hit
Your Rating
close
10 stars
9 stars
8 stars
7 stars
6 stars
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
See more : Who are Paul Newman Parents? Meet Arthur Sigmund Newman and Theresa Newman
Rate Now
0/10
Leave a Review
Your comment has not been saved
Movie
My Favorite Movies
My Watchlist
Success!
9/10
8.6/10
Ex Machina
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US
Release Date
April 10, 2015
Director
Alex Garland
Cast
Alicia Vikander
, Domhnall Gleeson
, Oscar Isaac
, Sonoya Mizuno
, Gana Bayarsaikhan
, Corey Johnson
Before making his directorial debut with Ex Machina, Alex Garland made a name for himself as a writer, on projects like 28 Days Later and Sunshine. Ex Machina shows what Garland is capable of when he has the freedom to execute his own artistic vision, and it became an immediate classic. Ex Machina uses a simple premise to explore a self-contained character drama with a sci-fi twist.
Garland sets up an intriguing mystery, but he keeps some twists and turns in store for his audience.
Alex Garland’s movies are known for the unsettling atmospheres that he creates, and Ex Machina shows where it all started. Just as Caleb tries to discover Ava’s level of sentience and her true motives, Ex Machina engages in a battle of wits with its audience. Garland sets up an intriguing mystery, but he keeps some twists and turns in store for his audience, ending with a devastating sucker punch that makes Ex Machina one of the best movies about AI ever.
4
Paprika (2006)
Paprika Shows The Endless Potential Of Sci-Fi And Animation
Your Rating
close
10 stars
9 stars
8 stars
7 stars
6 stars
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
See more : Who are Paul Newman Parents? Meet Arthur Sigmund Newman and Theresa Newman
Rate Now
0/10
Leave a Review
Your comment has not been saved
Movie
My Favorite Movies
My Watchlist
Success!
Paprika
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US
Release Date
November 25, 2006
Director
Satoshi Kon
Cast
Megumi Hayashibara
, Tōru Emori
, Katsunosuke Hori
, Tôru Furuya
, Koichi Yamadera
, Akio Otsuka
, Hideyuki Tanaka
, Satomi Kôrogi
In animation and in sci-fi, anything is possible, and Paprika delivers on this boundless potential better than almost any other movie. Satoshi Kon’s final movie has often been noted for its similarities to Inception, which came out four years later. Both movies imagine worlds in which new technology allows people to infiltrate dreams, and there are several superficial links which make it seem as though Nolan was directly paying tribute to Paprika.
Paprika combines sci-fi and surreal dream logic, more so than Inception. The plot can be hard to follow and the logic hard to justify, but this is just what makes Paprika such a convincing depiction of dreams. It’s also a visually rich movie with very few parallels, as it finds new ways of reinventing familiar imagery with the fluidity and ephemeral nature of dreams. Paprika is the perfect intersection between animation and sci-fi, and it must be seen to be believed.
3
Snowpiercer (2013)
Bong Joon-ho’s English Language Debut Expanded His Audience
Your Rating
close
10 stars
9 stars
8 stars
7 stars
6 stars
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
See more : Who are Paul Newman Parents? Meet Arthur Sigmund Newman and Theresa Newman
Rate Now
0/10
Leave a Review
Your comment has not been saved
Movie
My Favorite Movies
My Watchlist
Success!
6/10
Snowpiercer
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US
Release Date
July 11, 2014
Director
Bong Joon-ho
Cast
Chris Evans
, Jamie Bell
, Tilda Swinton
, Ed Harris
Bong Joon-ho had already built up a large audience and a prestigious reputation before Snowpiercer, but his English-language debut introduced him to more sci-fi fans all over the world. Bong Joon-ho’s Mickey 17 will mark his return to the genre, and his first movie since his Oscar-winner, Parasite, but it won’t be easy to match Snowpiercer‘s quality and originality. Okja was met with more lukewarm reviews.
Snowpiercer succeeds in telling a story with as much momentum as the train that confines the characters.
Snowpiercer is based on a French graphic novel by Jacques Lob, but Bong makes some bold artistic choices to make the story his own. With a superb ensemble cast and an intelligent mix of CGI and practical effects, Snowpiercer succeeds in telling a story with as much momentum as the train that confines the characters. The sci-fi premise is used to dissect class, not just as it exists in modern society, but as it manifests in the minds of all people.
2
Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
George Miller’s Revival Of His Sci-Fi Franchise Reached New Heights
Your Rating
close
10 stars
9 stars
8 stars
7 stars
6 stars
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
See more : Who are Paul Newman Parents? Meet Arthur Sigmund Newman and Theresa Newman
Rate Now
0/10
Leave a Review
Your comment has not been saved
Movie
My Favorite Movies
My Watchlist
Success!
9/10
26
9.4/10
Mad Max: Fury Road
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US
Release Date
May 14, 2015
Director
George Miller
Cast
Tom Hardy
, Charlize Theron
, Nicholas Hoult
, Zoë Kravitz
, Hugh Keays-Byrne
, Riley Keough
, Courtney Eaton
, Abbey Lee
, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley
In the three decades that George Miller spent away from his Mad Max franchise, he became known for directing children’s movies like Happy Feet and Babe, so a return to the wasteland seemed like a dramatic gear shift. Not only did Miller prove that he hadn’t lost a step, but he delivered a reboot that was even more exciting and adventurous than any of the original Mad Max movies.
Related
Every Mad Max Movie, Ranked Worst To Best
George Miller has made five Mad Max movies in the post-apocalyptic franchise, but their quality can vary. The Mad Max movies ranked reveals the best.
Posts
3
Mad Max: Fury Road has been recognized as a masterpiece of practical stunts and explosive action, but its sci-fi worldbuilding is also highly admirable. There are interesting details to uncover throughout Mad Max: Fury Road, and there are strange unanswered mysteries for fans and franchise newcomers to ponder. Fury Road presents just one small slice of a fascinating world, all while dragging the audience along on a propulsive adventure.
1
Children Of Men (2006)
Children Of Men Has Gotten More Popular Over The Years
Your Rating
close
10 stars
9 stars
8 stars
7 stars
6 stars
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
See more : Who are Paul Newman Parents? Meet Arthur Sigmund Newman and Theresa Newman
Rate Now
0/10
Leave a Review
Your comment has not been saved
Movie
My Favorite Movies
My Watchlist
Success!
Children of Men
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US
Release Date
January 5, 2007
Director
Alfonso Cuarón
Cast
Julianne Moore
, Clare-Hope Ashitey
, Clive Owen
, Chiwetel Ejiofor
, Michael Caine
Children of Men was a box office flop at first, but it has since been recognized as one of the best sci-fi movies of the 21st century. Years later, its influence on the genre can still be felt. Other movies have clearly taken inspiration from Children of Men‘s naturalistic worldbuilding, its immersive long-takes for action sequences and much more. Alfonso Cuarón’s dystopian thriller looks even better in hindsight.
Children of Men is a post-apocalyptic thriller like no other.
Children of Men is a post-apocalyptic thriller like no other, since the global catastrophe isn’t brought about by nuclear warfare, the outbreak of a zombie virus or any other traditional sci-fi trope. Instead, the societal collapse comes about as a result of a declining birth rate, which is a much more real and pressing concern in many countries. Children of Men exaggerates this idea, but it suggests that the line between order and chaos is thinner than most people imagine.
Source: https://dinhtienhoang.edu.vn
Category: Entertainment