I don’t know what it is about the changing weather, but something in the air this time of year makes me want to watch sci-fi. Thankfully, Netflix has endless options. It’s kind of crazy to think about how much sci-fi, as a genre, has expanded time and time again to include all different kinds of movies. And all of those just so happen to be available to watch right now.
Whether you are looking for a classic sci-fi, a Netflix original, or something that’s totally out there, the platform has you covered. Here are five excellent options to check out right now.
Bugonia
Bugonia, starring Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons, is a sci-fi dark comedy based on the South Korean film Save the Green Planet! by Jang Joon-hwan. The movie follows the story of two men who decide to kidnap a CEO whom they believe is part of an alien race that is going to destroy the Earth and everything they hold dear.
The movie is directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, who is the same person who has directed Stone in movies like The Favorite and Poor Things. She won an Academy Award for the latter. He really knows how to make the strangest, wildest films.
Of all the picks on this list, Bugonia is the most out-there. There are several moments throughout this movie that will make you pause and say, “Oh my God, did that just happen?” But it’s really one of the most clever ways a sci-fi film can be done these days. It’s not what you’re going to expect—it’s better.
Elysium
Directed by Neill Blomkamp, this 2013 sci-fi film is hard to forget. The movie shows a future where humans have destroyed and ravaged Earth, while the super-rich have left for a shiny new space station called Elysium. We follow Max (Matt Damon), one of the humans on Earth who takes a job to go on a heist and infiltrate Elysium to save his life.
The movie speaks to many societal themes we still talk about today, like healthcare access, environmental decline, social class, and more. It also dives deep into immigration, borders, and other issues we discuss regularly. I think it’s a great film that delivers awesome sci-fi action sequences while still focusing on what matters.
The Adam Project
Shawn Levy has created some of the most fun films of the last decade, and The Adam Project is no different. Starring Ryan Reynolds, this sci-fi film follows a fighter pilot who travels back in time and must work with his younger self to prevent his future wife’s assassination.
It’s a wild concept, and it pulls it off. I feel like you really can’t get better than Ryan Reynolds acting goofy in a Shawn Levy film. But in this case, Walker Scobell’s chemistry with the actor elevates it even more. It’s hard to believe this was the young actor’s film debut because he is great.
This is the kind of movie that is great for all ages, so if you’re looking for a great family film, this is the one to pick.
Nope
Although it’s been a few years since Nope was released (four total, if you’re counting), I still recommend it because it didn’t get the love it deserved. Nope is a sci-fi horror film mixed with a little comedy, starring Daniel Kaluuya, Keke Palmer, and Steven Yeun. The movie follows two siblings who work together to capture evidence of a UFO terrorizing their community.
Nope came out at a time when director Jordan Peele was trying to tell us something about the environment, mass consumerism, and how turning common curiosity into something profitable can lead to its downfall. It’s a polarizing film. But to really get that, you have to watch it in its entirety. The film is really well done and features some incredible performances, especially from Keke Palmer.
Alien
It wouldn’t be a sci-fi list without the classic Alien on here. Directed by Ridley Scott, this sci-fi horror defined the genre back when it was released in 1979. The film follows a crew that investigates an abandoned space vessel and discovers, one by one, that they’re being hunted by a deadly alien intent on killing them all.
I mean, you can’t really get more alien than Alien. The creatures are iconic for a reason: they are so creepy. The acting is phenomenal too, especially a standout performance from a scream queen I love, Sigourney Weaver. If you’re new to sci-fi horror, this is the one to start with.
You can watch all these films and more on Netflix. Happy binging!
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