Greatest Sci-Fi Movies You Forgot About (& It’s Time for a Rewatch)

The science fiction genre is filled with blockbuster hits that dominate the box office and cultural conversations for decades. However many innovative films often slip through the cracks due to poor marketing or stiff competition at the time of their release. These overlooked gems offer thought provoking stories and unique visual styles that deserve a second look from modern audiences. Exploring these forgotten titles provides a deeper appreciation for the creative breadth of the genre.

‘Dark City’ (1998)

John Murdoch awakens in a hotel bathtub with no memory of his past and discovers he is a murder suspect. He soon learns that the city is occupied by mysterious beings known as the Strangers who manipulate time and reality. Murdoch must evade the police and uncover the truth about his identity while navigating a world that changes every night. This film uses a distinct neo noir aesthetic to explore themes of human memory and individuality.

‘Strange Days’ (1995)

In a dystopian Los Angeles a black market dealer sells recordings of human memories and physical sensations. The protagonist discovers a disturbing recording that involves a high profile crime and a conspiracy within the police force. He must race against time to solve the mystery before the city erupts in violence on the eve of the new millennium. ‘Strange Days’ provides a gritty look at the psychological impact of digital voyeurism.

‘Gattaca’ (1997)

In a future where genetic engineering determines social class a naturally born man dreams of traveling into space. He assumes the identity of a genetically superior individual to hide his heart condition and join a space mission. The story follows his struggle to maintain the deception while being investigated for a workplace murder. ‘Gattaca’ serves as a cautionary tale about the ethical implications of eugenics and human determination.

‘The Thirteenth Floor’ (1999)

A computer scientist discovers a virtual reality simulation of 1937 Los Angeles inhabited by sentient programs. When his mentor is murdered he enters the simulation to find answers and begins to question the nature of his own reality. The plot blurs the lines between the digital world and the physical world as secrets are revealed. This film explores the concept of simulated reality with a stylized mystery narrative.

‘Sunshine’ (2007)

A group of international astronauts embarks on a mission to reignite the dying sun with a massive stellar bomb. Their journey becomes perilous when they encounter a distress signal from a previous mission that vanished years earlier. Psychological tension and mechanical failures threaten the success of the mission and the survival of Earth. ‘Sunshine’ combines hard science fiction with elements of psychological horror and suspense.

‘Moon’ (2009)

Sam Bell is nearing the end of a three year solo contract mining helium on the far side of the moon. His health begins to deteriorate and he experiences strange hallucinations after a rover accident outside the base. He eventually discovers a younger version of himself and realizes that his employer has hidden the truth about his existence. ‘Moon’ is a character study that examines the ethics of corporate exploitation and isolation.

‘Equilibrium’ (2002)

In a post apocalyptic world all forms of human emotion are suppressed by a mandatory drug called Prozium. An elite enforcer tasked with destroying art and killing emotion offenders misses a dose and begins to feel for the first time. He joins an underground resistance movement to overthrow the totalitarian government. The film features a unique combat style known as Gun Kata which blends martial arts with firearms.

‘The City of Lost Children’ (1995)

A scientist who is unable to dream kidnaps children to steal their dreams in a surreal harbor city. A strongman from a traveling circus teams up with a group of street orphans to rescue his younger brother from the villain. The visual design is highly imaginative and features steampunk elements and bizarre technology. ‘The City of Lost Children’ is a dark fantasy that captures a unique sense of wonder and dread.

‘Pandorum’ (2009)

Two crew members wake up from hypersleep on a massive spacecraft with no memory of their mission or their identities. They soon discover that the ship is overrun by cannibalistic creatures and that the remaining humans are fighting for survival. As they navigate the dark corridors they uncover the terrifying truth about the fate of the mission and Earth. ‘Pandorum’ is an intense survival story set in the deep reaches of space.

‘Frequency’ (2000)

A police officer discovers that he can communicate with his deceased father through an old ham radio via a rare atmospheric phenomenon. By talking across time they manage to prevent the father from dying in a warehouse fire. However this change in history triggers a series of murders that they must solve together from their respective years. ‘Frequency’ blends time travel mechanics with a heartfelt family drama and a police procedural.

‘Primer’ (2004)

Two engineers accidentally discover a method of time travel while working on a research project in their garage. They use the discovery to manipulate the stock market but soon find that the ethical and physical consequences are overwhelming. The narrative is famously complex and requires careful attention to the overlapping timelines. ‘Primer’ is widely regarded for its realistic and low budget approach to the mechanics of time travel.

‘Under the Skin’ (2013)

An extraterrestrial being takes the form of a woman and drives around Scotland to lure men into a void where they are consumed. As she spends more time among humans she begins to experience self awareness and complex emotions. This awakening leads to a series of events that challenge her predatory nature and her safety. The film uses minimalist dialogue and striking imagery to explore the meaning of the human experience.

‘Coherence’ (2013)

Eight friends at a dinner party experience a series of strange occurrences after a comet passes over their neighborhood. They discover that the celestial event has created a bridge between parallel realities. Tension rises as they realize they are interacting with different versions of themselves from other timelines. ‘Coherence’ is a high concept thriller that relies on psychological suspense and improvisational acting.

‘The Quiet Earth’ (1985)

A scientist wakes up to find that he is seemingly the last person left on the planet after a global energy project goes wrong. He eventually finds two other survivors but their differing backgrounds and personalities lead to conflict. They must work together to understand the instability of the environment before the world collapses again. This New Zealand film is a contemplative look at isolation and human behavior in the face of extinction.

‘Screamers’ (1995)

On a distant mining planet soldiers are caught in a civil war where autonomous killing machines known as Screamers hunt everything that moves. These machines have begun to evolve and take on human forms to infiltrate survivors. A small group of soldiers must navigate the wasteland and determine who among them is truly human. ‘Screamers’ is based on a story by Philip K. Dick and focuses on the fear of an unstoppable mechanical enemy.

‘eXistenZ’ (1999)

A famous game designer survives an assassination attempt and enters her own virtual reality game to test for damage. She is joined by a security guard and the two travel through a series of increasingly strange and organic digital environments. The line between the game and reality becomes blurred as they face threats from anti game activists. ‘eXistenZ’ explores the physical and psychological connection between humans and technology.

‘A Scanner Darkly’ (2006)

In a near future society an undercover narcotics officer becomes addicted to a powerful drug that causes him to lose his sense of reality. He is tasked with spying on his own house and monitoring his friends without revealing his true identity. The film uses a unique rotoscope animation style to enhance its surreal and paranoid atmosphere. ‘A Scanner Darkly’ is a faithful adaptation of a Philip K. Dick novel that deals with identity and surveillance.

‘Johnny Mnemonic’ (1995)

A data courier carries sensitive information in a brain implant that exceeds his storage capacity and threatens his life. He is pursued by corporate assassins and the Yakuza who want the data for their own interests. With the help of an underground resistance group he must find a way to download the information safely. This film is a quintessential example of the cyberpunk subgenre featuring high technology and low life characters.

‘Soldier’ (1998)

An elite soldier trained from birth to be a cold blooded killer is replaced by a new generation of genetically engineered troops. He is left for dead on a waste disposal planet where he is taken in by a group of peaceful survivors. When the new soldiers arrive to eliminate the colony he must use his skills to protect his new home. ‘Soldier’ is an action oriented sci fi film that explores the concept of obsolete warriors and redemption.

‘Enemy Mine’ (1985)

A human pilot and an alien soldier from an opposing faction are stranded on a hostile planet after a space battle. They must overcome their mutual hatred and learn to communicate to survive the harsh environment and dangerous local wildlife. Over time they develop a deep friendship that transcends their cultural and biological differences. This film is a classic story of empathy and cooperation in the face of adversity.

‘The Abyss’ (1989)

A civilian diving team is drafted to assist the military in searching for a sunken nuclear submarine in the deep ocean. During the mission they encounter a mysterious and non hostile extraterrestrial intelligence living in the depths. Tensions between the divers and the military personnel threaten to start a conflict that could destroy the world. ‘The Abyss’ is known for its groundbreaking visual effects and intense underwater sequences.

‘Innerspace’ (1987)

A hotshot pilot is miniaturized for a secret experiment but is accidentally injected into the body of a hypochondriac store clerk. The two must work together to recover the stolen technology needed to return the pilot to his normal size. They are pursued by high tech thieves who want the miniaturization secret for themselves. ‘Innerspace’ is a comedic take on science fiction that features impressive practical effects.

‘Explorers’ (1985)

Three teenage boys build a functional spacecraft in their backyard using a circuit board design they received in a dream. They travel into space and encounter a pair of eccentric aliens who have been watching human television broadcasts. The encounter leads to a realization about the nature of space travel and the power of imagination. ‘Explorers’ is a nostalgic adventure that captures the curiosity of youth and the mysteries of the cosmos.

‘Flight of the Navigator’ (1986)

A young boy disappears in 1978 and reappears eight years later without having aged a single day. He discovers that he was taken by an alien spacecraft that traveled at the speed of light causing time dilation. He must work with the sentient ship to return to his own time while being chased by government agents. This film is a beloved family adventure that explores concepts of physics and alien technology.

‘*batteries not included’ (1987)

The residents of a crumbling apartment building are being forced out by a greedy land developer who wants to demolish the structure. Their lives are changed when a pair of tiny living spaceships arrive and begin to repair the building and help the tenants. These mechanical visitors develop a bond with the humans and protect them from the developer’s thugs. It is a heartwarming story that blends science fiction with urban community drama.

‘Virtuosity’ (1995)

A virtual reality simulation containing the personalities of hundreds of serial killers escapes into the real world in a synthetic body. A former police officer is released from prison to hunt down the artificial villain before it can commit more murders. The pursuit takes place across both physical and digital environments as the killer evolves. ‘Virtuosity’ is a fast paced thriller that examines the dangers of artificial intelligence and digital consciousness.

‘The Cell’ (2000)

A psychologist uses experimental technology to enter the mind of a comatose serial killer to find the location of his latest victim. She must navigate a surreal and nightmarish landscape created by the killer’s fractured psyche. The visual style of the film is highly artistic and draws inspiration from various painters and photographers. ‘The Cell’ is a disturbing and visually arresting journey into the darkness of the human mind.

‘Code 46’ (2003)

In a future where travel is strictly regulated by genetic compatibility an investigator is sent to Shanghai to solve a fraud case involving forged travel documents. He falls in love with the primary suspect despite the legal and genetic risks involved. Their relationship is a violation of the law known as Code 46 which prohibits reproduction between people with similar genetic backgrounds. This film is a minimalist sci fi romance that focuses on social control and fate.

‘The Fountain’ (2006)

The narrative follows three parallel stories involving a Spanish conquistador a modern day scientist and a future space traveler. Each storyline focuses on a man attempting to save the woman he loves from death while searching for the tree of life. The themes of mortality and eternal love are explored through stunning visual metaphors and non linear storytelling. ‘The Fountain’ is a philosophical and emotional exploration of the human cycle of life and death.

‘Europa Report’ (2013)

A private space company sends a crew of astronauts to Jupiter’s moon Europa to search for signs of life. The story is presented as found footage compiled from the ship’s cameras and the crew’s personal logs. As they face technical failures and the harsh environment they discover something unexpected beneath the icy surface. ‘Europa Report’ is a realistic depiction of deep space exploration and the risks of scientific discovery.

‘Predestination’ (2014)

A temporal agent travels through time to prevent crimes before they occur while tracking a notorious bomber. During his final mission he meets a stranger in a bar who tells a tragic life story that is inextricably linked to the agent’s own past. The plot involves intricate paradoxes that challenge the viewer’s understanding of identity and causality. ‘Predestination’ is a mind bending thriller that rewards multiple viewings to fully grasp its timeline.

‘Upstream Color’ (2013)

A man and a woman are drawn together after being subjected to a bizarre life cycle of an ageless parasite. They struggle to piece together their fractured lives and memories while being connected to a pig farm and an experimental sound project. The film uses abstract imagery and sound design to convey its complex themes of nature and human connection. ‘Upstream Color’ is a challenging and deeply atmospheric work of independent science fiction.

‘Another Earth’ (2011)

On the night that a duplicate planet Earth is discovered in the sky a young woman is involved in a tragic car accident. Years later she attempts to make amends with the survivor of the crash while the world prepares for contact with the other planet. The presence of the second Earth serves as a backdrop for a story about guilt and the possibility of a different life. This film focuses on the emotional consequences of its sci fi premise.

‘The Signal’ (2014)

Three college students on a road trip are lured to an isolated location by a computer hacker and wake up in a mysterious research facility. They are told they have been exposed to an extraterrestrial presence and are kept in isolation for testing. As they attempt to escape they discover the true nature of their surroundings and their own physical changes. ‘The Signal’ is a visually inventive thriller that keeps its secrets until the final moments.

‘Timecrimes’ (2007)

A man accidentally enters a time machine and travels back one hour in time which leads to a series of disastrous encounters with himself. He must navigate a series of increasingly complex events to restore the timeline and save his own life. The narrative is a tightly wound puzzle that explores the inevitability of the past. This Spanish film is highly regarded for its clever use of a single location and a limited cast.

‘The Last Starfighter’ (1984)

A teenager living in a trailer park becomes the highest scoring player on a local arcade game called Starfighter. He is recruited by an alien agent who reveals that the game was a testing ground for real starship pilots. He is whisked away to join an interstellar war and defend the galaxy against an invading force. ‘The Last Starfighter’ is a classic coming of age story that was a pioneer in the use of computer generated imagery.

‘The Arrival’ (1996)

An astronomer discovers a radio signal from space and investigates its origin after losing his job. He uncovers a conspiracy involving aliens who are hiding among humans and manipulating the environment to warm the planet. He must expose the truth to the public before the aliens complete their terraforming process. This film is a suspenseful thriller that focuses on the themes of environmental change and government secrets.

‘Dreamscape’ (1984)

A psychic is recruited for a government project that allows people to enter and participate in the dreams of others. He discovers that the project is being used for a political assassination attempt inside the president’s nightmares. He must enter the dream world to stop the killer and navigate a series of surreal and dangerous environments. ‘Dreamscape’ combines elements of action and horror within its unique sci fi premise.

‘The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension’ (1984)

A multi talented physicist and rock star travels to the eighth dimension in his jet car and accidentally releases a group of alien criminals. He must lead his team of experts to stop the aliens from taking over the world. The film features a highly eccentric tone and a dense mythology that has earned it a dedicated cult following. This story is a unique blend of comedy and science fiction adventure.

‘Brazil’ (1985)

In a dystopian future a low level bureaucrat becomes entangled in a series of administrative errors that lead him to be accused of terrorism. He attempts to escape his mundane and oppressive life through vivid daydreams of being a heroic knight. The film is a satirical look at bureaucracy and the loss of individuality in a technocratic society. ‘Brazil’ is famous for its imaginative production design and its dark sense of humor

‘Forbidden Planet’ (1956)

A starship crew investigates a distant planet where a colony of scientists has vanished except for one man and his daughter. They discover the remains of an advanced civilization known as the Krell and a powerful technology that can create matter from thought. A mysterious invisible monster begins to haunt the crew as they uncover the secret of the colony’s demise. This film is a landmark of the genre and introduced the iconic character Robby the Robot.

‘Alphaville’ (1965)

A secret agent is sent to a distant space city to find a missing person and destroy the sentient computer that rules the population. The city of Alphaville is a place where emotion has been outlawed and logic is the only accepted form of behavior. The film uses the architecture of contemporary Paris to create a unique and stark sci fi environment. ‘Alphaville’ is a French New Wave take on the dystopian subgenre.

‘Fantastic Planet’ (1973)

On a distant planet giant blue humanoids called Traags keep tiny humans as pets and treat them as inferior beings. One human manages to escape and uses Traag technology to lead an uprising for freedom and equality. The film is an animated masterpiece with a surreal art style and an eerie electronic soundtrack. ‘Fantastic Planet’ is a social allegory that explores themes of oppression and the power of knowledge.

‘Phase IV’ (1974)

A desert community is besieged by a highly intelligent colony of ants that has begun to coordinate its behavior to attack humans. Two scientists set up a research station to study the ants and find a way to stop their expansion. The conflict escalates as the ants demonstrate a sophisticated strategy that challenges human dominance. This film is known for its incredible macro photography of real insects and its unsettling atmosphere.

‘Silent Running’ (1972)

In a future where all plant life on Earth has become extinct the last remaining forests are kept in geodesic domes on a fleet of spacecraft. When orders come to destroy the forests and return to Earth a botanist rebels to save the last of the greenery. He is left alone with only three small robots to tend to the plants and navigate deep space. ‘Silent Running’ is a poignant environmental fable that emphasizes the importance of nature.

‘Westworld’ (1973)

A high tech amusement park allows guests to live out their fantasies in themed worlds populated by realistic robots. When a technical glitch causes the robots to malfunction a gunslinger android begins to hunt the guests across the park. The story follows two friends as they try to survive a vacation that has turned into a nightmare. This film was written and directed by Michael Crichton and explores the theme of technology turning against its creators.

‘Logan’s Run’ (1976)

In a domed city of the future inhabitants live a life of pure pleasure until they reach the age of thirty when they must undergo a ritual called Carousel. A man tasked with hunting those who try to escape the ritual discovers that the process is actually a form of population control. He becomes a runner himself and seeks a legendary place outside the city called Sanctuary. ‘Logan’s Run’ is a classic 1970s sci fi adventure that examines the cost of a perfect society.

Share your favorite underrated science fiction films in the comments.