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The 30 best space movies

Head to infinity and beyond with the greatest intergalactic odysseys of all time

From the time the movies were invented, filmmakers have been dreaming of outer space. Mankind hadn’t even figured out how to get off the ground yet when Georges Méliès imagined voyaging to the moon, and in the century-plus since, many other directors have taken audiences on trips far deeper into the cosmos. To infinity and beyond, you might say.

It’s no wonder, really. The concept of space is vast enough to allow for the exploration of all sorts of big ideas. What is mankind’s place in the universe? What lies outside our tiny little rock – and do we really want to know what’s out there? For that reason, the ‘space movie’ exists as its own genre beneath the wider umbrella of science fiction. And so, we’ve decided to rank them. Here are our picks for the 30 best movies about that big, overwhelming, sometimes frightening, sometimes beautiful void above our heads.

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The best space movies

1.  2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

• Science fiction

Director: Stanley Kubrick 

Cast: Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood

Many argue that this film is cinema’s GOAT – us, among them – and its enduring status is partly down to ideas around artificial intelligence and technology that have only become more prescient with every passing year. But few sci-fi films have embraced the look, feel and experience of space travel with this level of baked-in, world-building cool. Kubrick had three production designers on the case and got big brands like IBM, Dupont and Nikon to imagine what their products might look like in an interstellar future. Major props, too, to Douglas Trumbull’s eye candy stargate sequence, which helped ensure that late-‘60s stoners were the first audiences to take it all to their hearts.

2.  The Martian (2015)

• Action and adventure

Director: RIdley Scott

Cast: Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Chiwetel Ejiofor

After dividing audiences with Prometheus , Ridley Scott’s return to space was a heel-turn from his previous horrors. Thanks in huge part to a script by The Cabin in the Woods writer Drew Goddard and an endearing performance by Matt Damon as a marooned astronaut, The Martian is a bracing survivalist yarn with a reliable charm. In fact, Damon’s affability scored it an unlikely Best Comedy nod at the Golden Globes. And those laughs are vital in a film detailing a scientist slowly starving himself on a distant planet as his friends risk their lives to rocket through space to save him. 

3.  WALL-E (2008)

Director: Andrew Stanton

Cast: (voices) Jeff Garlin, Fred Willard, Ben Burtt

Only half of Pixar’s environmentalist parable-slash-intertechnological love story actually takes place in space, and most of those scenes are set aboard the galaxial Noah’s Ark keeping mankind alive after destroying the planet. But its moment among the stars is an absolute stunner. After breaking out of the spaceship’s airlock, the titular sentient trash compactor – aided by a fire extinguisher – and his Alexa-esque paramour twirl, spin and criss-cross each other in a zero-gravity Astaire-Rogers ballet that jerks tears and raises goosebumps in equal measure.    

4.  Star Wars (1977)

Director : George Lucas

Cast : Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Alec Guinness

Has any film more perfectly channelled our fascination with space? It’s easy to forget how truly mesmerising A New Hope is when it ditches its fantastical planets and takes to the sky. It’s not just the dogfights of the climax, either. Much of the film plays out as an intergalactic road trip at warp speed, but it also slows down for a quick game of chess as stars drift past the window. By the end, you find yourself looking skyward, imagining the possibilities – not unlike Luke Skywalker himself, as he stares out beyond Tatooine’s twin suns and dreams of his destiny.

5.  The Right Stuff (1983)

Director: Philip Kaufman Cast: Sam Shepherd, Ed Harris, Dennis Quaid, Scott Glenn

Philip Kaufman’s boy’s own adaptation of Tom Wolfe’s nonfiction classic is every bit as stirring as Top Gun , though the tale of the US Mercury’s astronauts seldom gets its due. It also begs the question: how is it that movie astronauts are so often depicted as introverted nerds when we’ve seen Sam Shepard’s wildchild Chuck Yaeger breaking the sound barrier and the other Mercury astronauts strutting like the rock stars of their day? Truly, our understanding of space – and the cocksure punks who sought to tame it – remains woefully out of touch.

6.  A Trip to the Moon (1902)

Director: Georges Méliès

Cast: ​ ​Georges Méliès

All sci-fi movies – hell, pretty much all of modern effects-led cinema in general – begins here. But we don’t include Georges Méliès’s groundbreaker out of historical obligation. Well over a century later, the film displays an imagination in both storytelling and effects that wows even today, especially when you consider that not even the aeroplane existed yet. Surely, when the first astronauts made it to that big rock in the sky, they half-expected to find harpoon-wielding insectoids there to greet them.  

7.  Outland (1981)

Director : Peter Hyams

Cast : Sean Connery, Peter Boyle, Clarke Peters 

Essentially High Noon in space – but with 100 percent more splattered heads, thanks to the wonders of explosive decompression – this Sean Connery-starring space western unfolds above and below one of Jupiter’s moons, where a mining operation becomes the nucleus of a drug-fuelled mystery full of violence and depravity. The film shares a lot of DNA with Alien  thanks to its advanced effects and claustrophobic sets; only here, it’s humans doing the eviscerating... and a lot of it. 

8.  Galaxy Quest (1999)

Director: Dean Parisot

Cast: Tim Allen, Alan Rickman, Sigourney Weaver

A comedy is often only as strong as its reverence toward what it’s lampooning. A love of Star Trek ’s Gene Roddenberry shines through in every moment of this corker about the cast of a  Trek knockoff enlisted to save the denizens of a faraway planet. The plot is essentially a sci-fi version of  Three Amigos! , but the game cast – particularly Alan Rickman and a young Sam Rockwell – sell every uproarious gag, while the effects work updates the ‘60s camp while keeping the cartoonish charm front and centre. 

9.  Moon (2009)

Director: Duncan Jones

Cast: Sam Rockwell

While much of Duncan Jones’s ( Source Code ) meditative sci-fi takes place on the lunar surface, Moon  spends plenty of time with Sam Rockwell’s spaceman gazing at the stars and to the distant Earth like a blue-collar Major Tom. Rockwell has never been better in this small-scale tale of space madness (or is it?) about a helium farmer on a three-year lunar stint, accompanied only by his own personal HAL. Jones’s quiet gem embraces the all-engulfing nature of space, crafting something of a desert-island movie in the cold black void. 

10.  Event Horizon (1997)

Director: Paul WS Anderson

Cast: Sam Neill, Laurence Fishburne, Kathleen Quinlan

Derided for its relentless sadism upon release, Paul ‘Not PT’ Anderson’s trippy space saga has had an overdue reassessment and is emerging from the wormhole as a certified cult film. Part ‘ The Shining in space’, part ‘ Interstellar in hell’, Event Horizon ’s tale of misbegotten astronauts transported straight into the seventh circle isn’t for the squeamish. But for those who can stomach the viscera, it’s a wild ride through the gore-spattered corridors of an extremely haunted space station. Never has the cold vacuum of space seemed more welcoming than the supposed sanctuary of an airlock. 

11.  Treasure Planet (2002)

• Family and kids

Director: Ron Clements & John Musker

Cast: (voices) Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Emma Thompson, Martin Short

Disney dared to do something different with its sci-fi take on Robert Louis Stevenson’s pirate classic ‘Treasure Island’. Audiences didn’t respond to its hybrid of hand-drawn and CG animation, or storytelling that ditched princesses in favour of something a little more space-age and weird, but Treasure Planet is full of gorgeous celestial flair. The juxtaposition between old-school tall ships and cutting-edge interstellar animation remains dreamlike in its beauty. Plus, it beats the hell out of Mars Needs Moms . 

12.  Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan (1982)

Director: Nicholas Meyer

Cast: William Shatner, Ricardo Montalbán, Leonard Nimoy

The eye-popping space battles and serene galactic imagery. The mind-controlling space eels. The introduction of the Kobayashi Maru test. The tear-soaked space funeral. The goddamn mind-controlling space eels . The Wrath of Khan stands tall above all the USS Enterprise’ s cinematic adventures for many reasons, but chief among them is its deference to space itself – the franchise’s spiritual home. The reboot might have more advanced ships and shinier effects, but this was the moment Trek matched Star Wars in terms of pure awe in the abyss. 

13.  Starship Troopers (1997)

Director: Paul Verhoeven

Cast: Casper Van Dien, Denise Richards, Jake Busey

For millennia, humankind has gazed to the heavens and wondered what life exists beyond the stars. Paul Verhoeven has an answer, and it’s a horde of vengeful, snot-spewing insectoids. The Total Recall director’s return to space is a feature-length satire of fascist propaganda films that also plays like a stunning action spectacle, goopy horror romp and white-knuckle actioner. Verhoeven spends considerable time above the battlefield as a fleet of space cruisers discovers rather quickly that their ships are no match for bug bogeys and the unforgiving vacuum of space in graphic detail. 

14.  Interstellar (2014)

Director : Christopher Nolan

Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Jessica Chastain, Anne Hathaway

There’s a lot going on both above and below the ground in Christopher Nolan’s heady but divisive space odyssey, but this is a film that’s done its homework. And once Matthew McConaughey’s astronaut-farmer takes to the skies, all the film’s whiteboard-scribbling science lessons pay off with the most dazzling – and scientifically backed – renderings of space travel since 2001: A Space Odyssey . Say what you will about the film’s father-daughter narrative (Muuuuuurph!!!!), but even the most ardent detractor will be floored by Interstellar ’s cosmic imagery.

15.  Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

Director: James Gunn

Cast: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista

The MCU’s first proper trip to the cosmos takes its cues from Star Wars and The Ice Pirates in equal measure. But it also carves a unique impression into cinematic space lore thanks to its fantastic worlds and gleeful depiction of space travel. The sequel arguably nails the sensation of gravity-defying antics better, capping things off with a space funeral that trounces The Wrath of Khan . But director James Gunn’s original is the kind of film that knows damn well that a scene of eye-popping space psychedelics all but demands to be scored to Bowie’s ‘Moonage Daydream’ (of course), then delivers in kind.

16.  Alien (1979)

Director: Ridley Scott

Cast: Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, Ian Holm

No other film captures the contradiction of space being at once infinitely vast and frighteningly claustrophobic than Ridley Scott’s sci-fi horror masterpiece. It’s an oddly small picture, given its influence and iconic special effects, but the movie’s true genius is in how it maximises its small budget, turning a spaceship into a haunted house and the infinite void of the universe into a deep, dark wood. And the big, bad wolf has never been this terrifying. 

17.  Apollo 11 (2019)

• Documentaries

Director : Todd Douglas Miller

Strap yourself to the side of the thundering Apollo 11 rocket as it careers into, and beyond, the Earth’s atmosphere in a spectacular doc that makes great use of hitherto unseen Nasa footage. The mission, of course, successfully plonked two Americans on to the Moon’s surface and then unplonked them again, thereby winning that bit of the space race with the Soviet Union, but there’s nothing triumphalist in director Todd Douglas Miller’s thrilling recreation – just a lot of quiet professionalism, teamwork and fearless men in helmets. When it gets into space and the 70mm footage does its thing, it makes you wish you’d actually followed up on that childhood ambition to become an astronaut.

18.  Gravity (2013)

Director: Alfonso Cuarón

Cast: Sandra Bullock, George Clooney

Some were disappointed when Alfonso Cuarón followed up 2006’s Children of Men – a masterpiece of dystopian world-building with big ideas about hope, faith and the future of humanity – with the simple story of an astronaut marooned in space. Of course, there’s nothing all that simple about poor Sandra Bullock’s situation. With her craft destroyed by orbiting debris and her partner (George Clooney) having floated off into the void, home appears both tantalisingly close and unimaginably far away. The movie is a technical marvel, but even on the small screen, it’s breathlessly tense – not since Alien has the infinite expanse of the universe felt so claustrophobic.

19.  First Man (2018)

Director: Damien Chazelle

Cast : Ryan Gosling, Claire Foy, Kyle Chandler A true-life astronaut drama that soars for the heavens but finds its deepest emotions at the kitchen table, this reimagining of what Neil Armstrong was contending with at the time of the Apollo 11 mission will have you ugly crying before anyone can so much as bob across that lunar surface. Ryan Gosling reunites with his La La Land director, Damien Chazelle, to humanise the now almost mythical Armstrong in his grief for his young daughter, with a just-holding-it-together Claire Foy as the moonwalker’s wife. For the majority of its runtime, First Man is earthbound. But when it finally touches down on the moon, it’s cinematic magic: a moment of wonderment, solitude and an overwhelming sense that you’re right there too.

20.  Ad Astra (2019)

Director : James Gray

Cast : Brad Pitt, Ruth Negga, Tommy Lee Jones Directed with a lust for adventure by The Lost City of Z ’s, James Gray,  Ad Astra (‘to the stars’) follows Brad Pitt’s spaceman across the galaxy to track down his ornery dad (Tommy Lee Jones), who may or may not be trying to wipe out humanity from a space station near Neptune (spoiler: he is). The journey sits somewhere between the old Star Trek movies in its stargazy philosophising and the rebooted ones in some of zero-g action sequences that suck the air from your lungs. There’s also an awesome space-buggy chase across the moon and a bit with psychotic space baboons. We are here for them both.   

21.  Forbidden Planet (1956)

Director : Fred M Wilcox

Cast : Leslie Nielsen, Walter Pidgeon, Anne Francis It’s Shakespeare in space – this iconic sci-fi is an intergalactic take on The Tempest – as a group of galactic travellers led by a straight-shooting Leslie Nielsen fall into the lap of megalomaniac boffin (Walter Pidgeon) on the remote planet of Altair 4. Cutting-edge effects presented in widescreen CinemaScope – the flying saucer remains cool AF – make this a true landmark not just in space flicks, but sci-fi genre as a whole. Don’t take our word for it: Gene Roddenberry cites it as a major influence on Star Trek .

22.  Silent Running (1972)

Director: Douglas Trumbull

Cast : Bruce Dern, Cliff Potts A direct inspiration for WALL-E and about as eco-conscious as science-fiction can get, this enduring classic shows that 2001: A Space Odyssey SFX maestro Trumbull could tell his own stories too. And this one follows a single astronaut (Bruce Dern) and his three adorbs robot pals, Louie, Huey and Dewey, as they drift through space, doing a spot of gardening and trying to stay sane in the face of mankind’s extinction. Heavy themes, sure, but treated with loads of heart and a philosophical spirit that echoes especially loudly in an era of climate crisis. 

23.  Solaris (1972)

Director : Andrei Tarkovsky

Cast : Donatas Banionis, Natalya Bondarchuk

Since remade by Steven Soderbergh, the original Tarkovsky Solaris is definitely the place to start when it comes to enigmatic, brainy affairs set in the far reaches of the universe. A cosmonaut (Lithuanian actor Donatas Banionis) is haunted by his dead wife as his spaceship orbits a mysterious planet. But is the planet creating embodiments of the ghosts haunting the poor man’s subsconscious, a bit like when Ray Stantz accidentally summons the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man in Ghostbusters ? With its eerie visuals, it makes for a dreamlike journey to the far reaches of the human psyche.

24.  First Men in the Moon (1964)

Director : Nathan Juran

Cast : Edward Judd, Martha Hyer, Lionel Jeffries This monster-filled space adventure came out five years before man actually set foot on the moon and you can only hope Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong weren’t watching, because the moon landing itself is a trainwreck. The ‘in’ part of the title is key: this is a Journey to the Centre of the Earth -style caper that has a crew of heroically under-prepared Brits discovering all sorts of things that don’t want to be discovered beneath the lunar crust. You will learn nothing at all about space but the giant stop-motion critters, animated by the great Ray Harryhausen, are a lot of fun.

25.  For All Mankind (1989)

Director : Al Reinert Six moon landings are ticked off in Al Reinert’s iconic doc, all accompanied by Brian Eno’s cosmic score (if space had sound, it’d definitely sound like Brian Eno). It makes the perfect non-fiction double bill with the more recent Apollo 11 – a window into the experience of being on the moon and looking back at earth. ‘A spiritual presence was there,’ says one NASA astronaut of those lunar vibes. ‘We were not alone.’ Haunting and hard to shake, this is proof that sometimes real life can be as spectacular as science fiction.

26.  Sunshine (2007)

Director: Danny Boyle

Cast: Cillian Murphy, Rose Byrne, Michelle Yeoh Director Danny Boyle positions his mindtrip space flick as a midway point between 2001: A Space Oydssey and Alien – a fusion of thrills and thinky bits that culminates in a third act that gets close to melting down as it draws close to the sun. You could probably throw Armageddon into that mix – a self-sacrificing crew of astronauts heads into space to save humanity from annihilation – although it’s a lot more believable (Boyle put his cast through astronaut training) and a lot less tub-thumping. The vast planetary vistas glimpsed from the decks of the Icarus II make a suitably awe-inspiring backdrop from its stellar cast (Cillian Murphy, Rose Byrne, Chris Evans et al) to come apart at the seams.

27.  Apollo 13 (1995)

Director: Ron Howard

Cast: Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, Bill Paxton, Gary Sinese

So much more than its famous ‘Houston, we have a problem’ catchphrase, Apollo 13 harkens back to the glory days of white-knuckle, PG-rated entertainment. An ensemble tribute to the power of group problem-solving, it has Howard fully embracing a ‘70s aesthetic and the storytelling of the era to craft a timeless middlebrow crowd-pleaser with an almost surgical focus on the imperiled mission at hand. 

28.  Contact (1997)

Director: Robert Zemeckis 

Cast: Jodie Foster, Matthew McConaughey, John Hurt

We’d have loved to include Denis Villeneuve’s magical, melancholy Arrival  on this list but it takes place entirely within Earth’s atmosphere. Instead, try this big, ambitious drama from Back to the Future ’s Robert Zemeckis based on a book by sci-fi seer Carl Sagan. Contact ’s heart is in a similar place, and like Arrival ’s protagonist played by Amy Adams, it is female-led, steers clear of macho ideas of hostile aliens and cocks an ear to new voices from far beyond our solar system. Zemeckis, who loves to push visual boundaries, images space travel as a dizzying acid trip full of wormholes, whirlpools and mind-bending geometries. It’s one of those rare movies that should come with motion sickness tablets.

29.  Dark Star (1974)

Director : John Carpenter

Cast : Dan O'Bannon, Dre Pahich, Brain Narelle

There’s no film version of The Muppet’ s ‘Pigs in Space’ sketch, but John Carpenter’s debut, set during the 22nd century, delivers the next best thing: A hippie movie hopped up on its own counter-cultural sense of the absurd (there’s a talking bomb) and a pisstake-y irreverence. It’s the perfect antidote to bombastic science-fictions that get lost in their own self-importance – a lo-fi whoopie cushion that invites you aboard its titular spacecraft to hang out with four fargone astronauts and indulge in a little space surfing.

30.  High Life (2018)

Director : Claire Denis

Cast : Robert Pattinson, Juliette Binoche, André Benjamin Myriad mysteries abound in this deliriously bonkers space oddity from French auteur Claire Denis ( White Material ) that co-stars Robert Pattinson and Juliette Binoche as an interstellar inmate and his scientist jailer. The human body and its function gets a rare exploration in this context – space flicks rarely spend this much time over their characters’ sexual needs in zero gravity ( 2001: A Space Odyssey does not have a Fuckbox) – and its themes of reproduction, incarceration and experimentation play out in a space with its own realities. Go with it, in other words, and be rewarded with a space journey unlike any other.

The 100 best sci-fi movies

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50 Best Space Movies Of All Time Ranked

Space is the final frontier, and, of course, the place where no one can hear you scream. As a setting for movies, space has provided endless opportunities for incredible films, ones that showcase humanity's fascination with places unknown, epic journeys, weird and wonderful creatures, and alien technology. Sitting within the realm of science fiction, it's a subgenre that continues to surprise and delight audiences.

As few of us will be able to experience the wonders of space for ourselves, movies are the thing that can transport us there. Some convey the awe and wonder of other worlds and planets, whereas others take a distinctly darker approach, portraying space as something to be feared, full of things that humans should perhaps not meddle with.

From a 1902 silent film about the moon to modern planet-hopping blockbuster behemoths, the genre has something to offer everyone, with possibilities almost as vast as the universe itself. While many of these films focus on people traveling to other planets –- both real and fictional –- or visitors from other worlds coming to Earth, others are much more grounded in reality, taking inspiration from real-life events and space missions. With a whole galaxy of films to choose from, these are the very best space movies. (Warning: There are spoilers below.)

Updated on July 6, 2022 : Space stretches on forever, which means there's plenty of room for more space movies. As otherworldly films take their place in the cosmos, we'll be sure to add any instant classics to our list.

50. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Based on the book of the same name by Douglas Adams, this 2005 film adaptation of "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" certainly retains the offbeat (and very British) humor of the source material and boasts a starry cast that includes Martin Freeman, Zooey Deschanel, Bill Nighy, Sam Rockwell, and Stephen Fry, to name but a few. 

The film's hero is Arthur Dent (Freeman), who finds himself whisked away from Earth when an alien construction crew invades. At times, the film feels a little like a fever dream, and those unfamiliar with the tone of Adam's book may find themselves alienated by how madcap it feels. However, if you're a fan of stuff like "Monty Python," this film is a real treat and a palette cleanser to some of the more serious space movie offerings. As Peter Travers in his review for Rolling Stone puts it, "Adams would be pleased."

49. Elysium

Following the incredible "District 9" was no easy feat for director Neill Blomkamp, and while "Elysium" doesn't reach the heights of that film, it's still one that's worth a watch. "Elysium" continues some of the themes set out in Blomkamp's previous movie, particularly examining the idea of class inequality. Set in the year 2154, there are vast wealth divisions in humanity, with the mega-rich living on a luxury space station called Elysium and the rest living hand-to-mouth in what remains of the Earth. The future hangs in the balance as Max Da Costa (Matt Damon) seeks to bring equality between the groups, but Secretary Delacourt (Jodie Foster) stands in his way as she endeavors to protect the prosperous population of Elysium.

While the film performed well at the box office , Blomkamp himself had some regrets about its script, saying, "I just didn't make a good enough film is ultimately what it is" ( via Uproxx ). However, we think the guy is being a little hard on himself. After all, it was well-received by critics, including Amon Warmann for CineVue , who called it "one of those rare blockbusters that manages to be entertaining while also having something relevant to say."

48. Armageddon

It may have been critically panned, but "Armageddon" taps into exactly what makes space movies so entertaining, focusing on a catastrophic apocalyptic event, with Earth's only hope being a team of underdogs. When an asteroid the size of Texas is on course to destroy the world, NASA recruits a team of oil drillers to drill a hole in the asteroid and plant a bomb inside to break it apart. Heading up this team of unlikely heroes is blue-collar driller Harry Stamper (Bruce Willis), a guy who, rather than train the astronauts in how to drill, insists upon taking his own ragtag team into space to complete the mission.

Despite some scathing critic reviews — including Stephen Hunter for the Washington Post who said, "It leaves no stone unturned in its search for the perfect cliche" — the film pulled in huge numbers at the box office. Making over $553 million worldwide, "Armageddon" was the highest-grossing film of 1998 , ahead of big hitters such as "Saving Private Ryan" and Roland Emmerich's "Godzilla." And hey, it was good enough to find a place in the Criterion Collection , so it's good enough for us.

47. Europa Report

Our fascination about whether life exists on other planets is frequently the subject of movies, like this underrated 2013 film. Partially filmed in a found-footage style, "Europa Report" follows a group of astronauts as they embark on a mission to Europa –- one of the moons of Jupiter –- to search for signs of life. Using this filming technique helps to ground the film in a strikingly realistic way, as well as adding to the claustrophobic and tense atmosphere.

Space movies aren't often praised for their sense of realism, but "Europa Report" was an exception to this, with Space.com saying it "just might be the most realistic — and harrowing — depiction of space travel on the big screen in years." Without a major distributor behind it, the film had a limited release and even more limited box office takings, but it boasts an impressive 'fresh' rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics such as Michael D. Lemonick for Time calling it "brisk, thrilling and ultimately terrifying."

46. Serenity

Despite only running for one season, Joss Whedon's sci-fi series "Firefly" proved to be a huge cult hit, with a passionate fanbase who are still calling for its return. While Whedon might not have been able to get another season off the ground, he did manage to get the backing for a feature film as a continuation of the story, and in 2005, "Serenity" was released. The film –- which also marked Whedon's feature directorial debut –- saw the cast returning for a new adventure, as the crew of the Serenity spacecraft takes on two fugitives while the ominously named "The Operative" (Chiwetel Ejiofor) pursues them.

Of course, fans of "Firefly" absolutely adored "Serenity," and it proved to be the making of Joss Whedon's directorial career (for better and for worse), as his next feature film was 2012's "The Avengers." As for the film itself, in follows in the "Firefly" mold of making space like the landscape of the Wild West — grungy, dangerous, and untamed. "Serenity" was also favorably received by critics, with Nick Funnell of Time Out saying, "The settings and tone are hyper-real, yet the human behavior is grounded and credible, the moral conflicts complex and involving."

45. Deep Impact

While "Armageddon" –- the other  space-themed disaster movie that came out in 1998 -– eventually dwarfed "Deep Impact" in terms of overall box office, "Deep Impact" is arguably the stronger film, and it had a better opening weekend to its counterpart , beating it by just over $5 million . In the movie, an 11km wide comet is on course to collide with Earth with catastrophic consequences. While a heroic team of astronauts is sent out to try and decimate the comet in orbit, the film focuses more heavily on the human impact, as those on Earth face their possible extinction.

Unlike "Armageddon," "Deep Impact" has been lauded for being a much more realistic depiction of what would happen when a comet is on a collision course with Earth. For example, n an interview with BuzzFeed , astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson praised the film, saying that it "had really good science going there."

44. Zathura: A Space Adventure

A decade after the original "Jumanji," another board game-based adventure arrived in the form of "Zathura: A Space Adventure." With a considerable advancement in special effects from its jungle-themed counterpart, "Zathura" tells the story of two brothers who are transported into space by a game that they discover in their basement. As you might expect, the film follows a lot of similar beats to "Jumanji," but it's a thrilling and fun film in its own right, with a surprisingly touching story about two bickering siblings who eventually learn how to play nice.

With competition from Disney's latest animated film "Chicken Little," and "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire," "Zathura" had a disappointing turnout at the box office . Despite this, the film was well-received by critics, including Desson Thomson for the Washington Post who said it "salutes the low-tech magic that lurks inside a board game -– that hidden ability to bring people together."

43. Event Horizon

Space frequently provides a terrifying backdrop for films that finely toe the line between sci-fi and horror, and one of the most nightmare-inducing examples is 1997's "Event Horizon." When a spaceship that previously disappeared into a black hole comes back into orbit, a rescue crew is deployed to investigate, unaware that something dark and sinister has found its way on board. "Event Horizon" plays out like a haunted house movie in space, with a certain debt owed to films such as "The Shining" and "Alien" in terms of creating that feeling of paranoia and claustrophobia.

"Event Horizon" was plagued by a troubled production, and upon its release, not only was it a box office flop but it was torn apart by critics like Jonathan Rosenbaum for Chicago Reader , who called it "the pits." However, in a similar trajectory to 1982's "The Thing," it became a cult hit following its release on home video and has subsequently been re-assessed as an underrated example of the genre.

42. Mars Attacks!

With a star-studded cast and Tim Burton at the peak of his powers, "Mars Attacks!" –- the director's loving homage to sci-fi B-movies –- proved to be divisive upon its release. It is, however, a film that's improved over time, and its cutting satirical anti-establishment themes mean it's remained surprisingly relevant. 

Based on the trading card series of the same name, "Mars Attacks!" sees hordes of little green men arrive on planet Earth, while the world's assembled powers wait to see if their intentions are peaceful. Whether it is the aliens' hilarious way of speaking or the femme fatale "Martian Girl" (Lisa Marie) with her iconic bouffant blonde wig, "Mars Attacks!" is packed with moments that make it unlike any other alien invasion film you'll see.

While the unique and zany nature of the film didn't necessarily connect with American audiences , it performed much better in Europe, cementing its status as a future cult classic. The mixed reactions of cinemagoers are also reflected in the critical reception , with Empire's Mark Salisbury praising the film , calling it "giddily madcap, surreal, sardonic satire," while Peter Stack for the San Francisco Chronicle said it "blows most of its inspired moments with its mean-spirited mentality." As for us, we definitely agree with Salisbury — "Mars Attacks!' just might be Tim Burton's most underrated movie.

The story may be a familiar one –- a crew on board a spaceship finds a rapidly evolving life-form that threatens their existence –- but 2017's "Life" proves that this oft-repeated concept is still one that can draw in an audience . Largely bolstered by a starry cast that includes Jake Gyllenhaal, Rebecca Ferguson, and Ryan Reynolds, "Life" focuses on a small crew on the International Space Station who uncover evidence of life on Mars. What's particularly terrifying about this film is we see the evolution of the life form –- which our heroes name "Calvin" –- as it adapts and changes into something that doesn't just pose a threat to the crew members but to all life on Earth.

While it treads familiar ground and instantly leads to comparisons with the much superior "Alien," "Life" has some well-timed and effective moments of body horror, with a particularly bleak twist ending that will haunt you as the credits roll. As with many of the films of this ilk, the characters aren't particularly well-developed, but the concept itself is scary enough to keep your interest.

40. Independence Day

"Master of Disaster" Roland Emmerich shamelessly borrows from pretty much every other alien invasion film in existence, but there's still something unabashedly entertaining about "Independence Day." With a cast that includes '90s movie stalwarts such as Will Smith, Jeff Goldblum, and Bill Pullman, the film wears its patriotic heart on its sleeve –- the clue is in the title after all –- and for many, it has become the mainstay movie of the holiday, along with classics like "Jaws."

It may have been Steven Spielberg that invented the blockbuster with the aforementioned "Jaws," but Emmerich ushered in a new era, with movies featuring wanton destruction of major landmarks proving to be big business. Spielberg even reportedly said to Emmerich, "This movie will do more to change blockbuster summer movies than any movie before" ( via Deadline ). The numbers certainly reflect how huge "Independence Day" was, bringing in a whopping $817 million worldwide and becoming the highest-grossing film of 1996 .

39. Treasure Planet

Directors Ron Clements and Jon Musker had been floating the idea of "Treasure Island in Space" for almost two decades. While the directing duo enjoyed success in the meantime with films such as "The Little Mermaid" and "Aladdin," their passion project finally came to fruition in 2002, rebranded as "Treasure Planet." While the film was a huge flop for Disney, it's hugely imaginative and marked a big leap forward in terms of blending CGI animation techniques with the more traditional hand-drawn style.

The film focuses on Jim Hawkins (voiced by Joseph Gordon-Levitt), a rebellious teen who's bequeathed a treasure map, and along with a cyborg John Silver (Brian Murray) as his mentor, he embarks on the journey to find the hidden loot. Despite the poor box office takings, "Treasure Planet" received many positive reviews, including from critic Ed Gonzalez for Slant Magazine who said, "The film is alive with a rollicking sense of adventure." It may not match some of Disney's other films in terms of longevity, but based on sheer spectacle, it's one of the very best.

38. Contact

Movies about aliens tend to go one of three ways: over-the-top and explosive spectacle, horror and paranoia, or quiet and contemplative reflections about life on this planet. "Contact" fits into the latter, alongside films such as "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" and "Arrival." The film focuses on scientist Dr. Ellie Arroway (Jodie Foster), who dedicates her life to listening for signs of life from other worlds. When a coded message is received from outer space, Ellie deciphers it and discovers it reveals the schematics for a single-occupant transporter, one that will later take her face to face with the aliens that sent the message.

The thing that stands out about "Contact" is that it isn't the sort of film you might expect it to be. Like 2016's "Arrival," "Contact" examines a character's personal and emotional journey as they seek to communicate with those beyond. Set against the backdrop of space, it probes into life's big unanswered questions and the role that religion and science perhaps play in our understanding of the wider universe. It's an undoubtedly powerful film and a truly underrated example of the genre.

37. Starship Troopers

Set in the 23rd century, "Starship Troopers" sees humanity locked in a brutal battle against giant alien bugs. And as this entertaining cult classic comes from director Paul Verhoeven ("RoboCop," "Total Recall"), you know it's going to be a truly wild ride. As well as some brilliantly brutal battle scenes, "Starship Troopers" satirizes extreme militarism through the bombastic, overly nationalistic propaganda news reports.

As is often the case with satire, "Starship Troopers" wasn't particularly well-received by critics when it was released. However, more recent reappraisals have seen a new appreciation for some of the film's evergreen themes and its biting wit. Writing for The Atlantic , Calum Marsh said, "If you're open and attuned to it ... you'll get the joke 'Starship Troopers' is telling. And you'll laugh." Slant Magazine also chimed in with the praise, labeling Verhoeven's misunderstood gem as "one of the greatest of all anti-imperialist films."

36. The Fifth Element

While they may not be the most practical fashion choices, '90s sci-fi films were almost unbeatable when it came to iconic looks, and just two years before Neo's long black coat made waves in "The Matrix," there was Milla Jovovich as Leeloo in her unforgettable "thermal bandages" in Luc Besson's ambitious 1997 film, "The Fifth Element." Beginning in Egypt in 1914 and rocketing ahead 300 years to a futuristic New York, the film sees Leeloo join forces with an unsuspecting cab driver, Korben Dallas (Bruce Willis), to protect the world from the Great Evil –- a giant sentient burning space sphere –- and the ruthless Zorg (Gary Oldman).

The film proved to be polarizing among critics when it opened the Cannes Film Festival, with Roger Ebert for the Chicago Sun-Times calling it "one of the great goofy movies," while Todd McCarthy for Variety said it was "ultimately a mess of diverse ingredients that sorely could have used a rigorous screening process to eliminate all the chaff." There's a strong argument on both sides for why this film could fall under the "so bad it's good category," but it is certainly one that needs to be experienced.

35. Silent Running

The theme of environmentalism crops up in space movies perhaps more often than you might think, and the idea that the fragility of life and Earth's ecosystem can so easily be disrupted by a catastrophic global event provides the perfect framing for a story. It's something that seems distant yet also completely possible — and certainly more believable than alien invaders. This idea is explored in 1972's "Silent Running," where ecologist and botanist Freeman Lowell (Bruce Dern) tends to what remains of Earth's plant life, now preserved in enormous domes in space.

With a scaled-back cast, the focus of the film is on the character of Lowell and his particularly charming relationship with two robots, Dewey and Louie. It wears its eco themes on its sleeve, yet it never feels condescending or preachy, and the influence of "Silent Running" is particularly clear in Pixar's "WALL-E," which came more than 35 years later. It isn't as flashy as a lot of other space films, and it lacks the technical prowess of films such as "2001: A Space Odyssey," but there's an undeniable charm to "Silent Running" and a potency to its themes that seems to become more and more relevant over time.

34. Prometheus

The sequels to 1979 classic "Alien" have varied in terms of quality, but one that was favorably received was 2012's "Prometheus." Serving as an origin story of sorts, the film sees a crew embark on a journey to the dark reaches of the universe, hoping to uncover the origins of humanity itself but instead discovering something terrifying. Seeking to answer some of the questions from "Alien" while still retaining enough suspense to keep things interesting, "Prometheus" works as both a highly effective prequel and an entertaining sci-fi horror film that's capable of standing on its own merit.

While it slots neatly into the timeline of the other films in the franchise, "Prometheus" has its own mythology, and it draws its thematic exploration of humanity's relationship with its creators from the Greek Titan that gives the film its name. Utilizing the body horror and well-executed scares that made the original film so iconic, "Prometheus" is a more than worthy inclusion in the franchise.

33. War of the Worlds

It may be a story that's been told over and over again, but Steven Spielberg's adaptation of the H.G. Wells classic retains the sense of paranoia and uncertainty from the source material while also delivering a fresh take in terms of action movie thrills and sheer drama. The destructive capabilities of the imposing alien structures are seen through the eyes of everyman Ray Ferrier (Tom Cruise), who desperately tries to save his family from the threat.

Spielberg's previous dalliances with aliens in his films saw them depicted as passive and communicative in "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" and even downright lovable in "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial." It's particularly thrilling therefore to see him focus on a more powerful and violent alien race, while never losing the emotional resonance that made the aforementioned films so memorable. Speaking about his approach to the film, Spielberg said, "I wanted this to be a very personal story about a family fleeing for its life. And a father trying to protect his two kids" ( via USA Today ). With heart and undeniable spectacle, "War of the Worlds" proves once again that no one does it better than the man who invented the blockbuster.

32. Sunshine

The rug-pull of Danny Boyle's "Sunshine" from a relatively straightforward sci-fi epic to a slasher film in space is the thing that elevates it above other similar offerings, and it remains one of the best examples of genre-bending in cinema. The film is set in the year 2057, where the Earth is freezing due to the sun dying, and a group of astronauts is tasked with re-igniting the star and saving the world. While the "mission to save humanity" aspect of "Sunshine" is familiar, the turn that the film takes is what sets it apart.

This duality to the film was also something that turned some critics off, as they found the tonal shift jarring. San Francisco Chronicle critic Mick Lasalle  was particularly scathing, opening his review by saying, "After watching it for 20 minutes, you really don't care if the sun is cooling and all human life is doomed to destruction. Actually, it sounds like a great idea –- anything to end the movie." While the film may have been a difficult sell at the time –- something reflected in the box office takings –- the audacity of Boyle to make a film that sits closer to "2001: A Space Odyssey" than it does "Armageddon" has to be commended.

31. Super 8

This 2011 thriller from director J.J. Abrams lovingly pays tribute to nostalgic classics such as "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" and "Stand by Me," while also being a celebration of the art of moviemaking in itself. In the film, a group of friends are shooting their own zombie movie when they witness a horrific train crash and an alien creature emerging from the chaos. While the action in "Super 8" may take place on Earth, the focus is on the alien invaders and particularly how this is seen through young eyes.

With excellent performances from Elle Fanning and Joel Courtney in particular, "Super 8" evokes the feeling of some of Steven Spielberg's early work, (the director has a producer credit for this film) giving equal importance to blockbuster spectacle and genuine heart and warmth. The film proved to be a surprise commercial success, making over $260 million at the box office, and was praised by critics, including Total Film critic Jamie Graham who remarked, "Only a young Spielberg at the top of his game could beat it."

30. Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood

Few directors capture a moment in time as well as Richard Linklater, and in this charming animated film, he turns his attention to 1969's moon landing. Like most people of the time, Stanley (Milo Coy and Jack Black) is caught up in Apollo fever, and fantasizes about being trained by NASA for a secret lunar visit. Memories of his Houston childhood intertwine with his fanciful dreams of becoming a pint-sized astronaut, tied together by Jack Black's warm narration.

Stan's space adventures might be pure fantasy, but "Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood" taps into the very real wonder of space and this moment in time, which brought so many cultural and scientific possibilities to light. What results is a deeply personal, totally relatable, and wholly different space movie which speaks to universal fascination with worlds beyond our own and all that humanity might achieve.

29. Total Recall

From Paul Verhoeven, the director of "RoboCop" and "Starship Troopers," "Total Recall" is another brain-busting, brutal sci-fi epic. Arnold Schwarzenegger plays a construction worker Douglas Quaid, who decides to have a virtual vacation to Mars by visiting the company "Rekall" -– a corporation that plants false memories into people. However, all does not go to plan, and Quaid discovers life as he knows it is false, and the people who put his memories there want him dead.

Based on the short story "We Can Remember It for You Wholesale" by Philip K. Dick, the film explores the themes of memory and identity and –- as all of the best sci-fi films tend to do –- leaves the audience with more questions than answers. The movie's ambiguous ending leaves us wondering if what we've seen is real or not, and this is just one of the many things that give the film its staying power. In the '80s and '90s, Schwarzenegger was one of the most bankable box office stars, and this was reflected in the numbers for "Total Recall," making an impressive $261 million worldwide.

28. Planet of the Apes (1968)

Not to be confused with the much-maligned remake , the 1968 version of "Planet of the Apes" stars Charlton Heston and sees a team of astronauts crash-landing on what appears to be a desolate planet. However, they soon discover a society of highly intelligent apes ... who've assumed dominance over the humans that also live there. With people at the mercy of their new ape overlords, the film offers a chilling vision of a future as the humans' fight to survive and escape. And without saying too much for those who've avoided spoilers, the film's now-iconic ending is one of the best movie moments of all time.

Critically acclaimed when it was released, "Planet of the Apes" was also nominated for two Oscars for Costume Design and Best Original Score, and it won an honorary award for John Chambers for Outstanding Make-up Achievement. The legacy and impact of the film were also recognized in 2001 when it was one of the 25 films inducted into the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress .

27. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan

Widely considered by many as the best "Star Trek" movie , 1982's "The Wrath of Khan" is also one of the rare movie sequels that manages to surpass the original. Retaining the spirit –- and the cast –- of the '60s TV show, "The Wrath of Khan" sees the return of an old nemesis who's escaped from exile to get revenge on Kirk (William Shatner). Previously appearing in "Space Seed" -– the 22nd episode of the first season of the original series –- Ricardo Montalbán reprises his role as the legendary villain Khan Noonien Singh. 

"The Wrath of Khan" saw a huge departure from 1979's slow-moving "Star Trek: The Motion Picture," which had not been well-received , and marked the beginning of a quasi-trilogy that concluded with 1986's "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home." The decision to make "The Wrath of Khan" more in tune with what made the original series so popular undoubtedly worked, and the film opened to a positive critical response and an impressive box office, earning $95 million worldwide. In a retrospective review for Empire, critic Angie Errigo credited "The Wrath of Khan" with being the film "that put the franchise on the right track."

26. First Man

Following up the multi-award-winning "La La Land" was no easy feat for Damien Chazelle, who became the youngest person to pick up the Best Director Oscar in the process. Before "First Man" in 2018, all of his films had also had a connection to music, but his biopic of astronaut Neil Armstrong saw him blasting off in a completely different direction. Chazelle's camera expertly captures the awe and quiet majesty of space, as well as the frightening, shaky, deafening realism of being an astronaut, putting us right in the throes of Armstrong and his colleagues. At the same time, it also zeroes in on Armstrong's very personal story, outside of the achievements everyone recognizes him for.

Neil Armstrong -– beautifully portrayed by Ryan Gosling –- is grief-stricken following the loss of his daughter, and this is something he carries with him to those memorable first steps. The film may not have enjoyed the same success that "La La Land" did, but critics raved about it, including Owen Gleiberman for Variety , who called it "revelatory in its realism, so gritty in its physicality, that it becomes a drama of hellbent danger and obsession."

25. Dune (2021)

Before adapting Frank Herbert's seminal sci-fi novel, director Denis Villeneuve had proven his credentials in the genre with "Arrival" and "Blade Runner 2049," making him more than qualified to tackle the gargantuan story –- previously adapted for the big screen by David Lynch in 1984. While 2021's "Dune" only tells half of the story -– the sequel is poised for release in 2023 –- it does a remarkable job of establishing the unique desert world of Arrakis and the importance of the central hero, Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet).

Paul is the heir to the noble House of Atreides, who's thrown into an interplanetary war centered around Arrakis –- the only place where the precious resource known as "spice" can be found. The scope of "Dune" is undoubtedly huge, and while the world-building is a little dizzying at times, the visual spectacle more than makes up for the dense plot. "Dune" proved to be a big box office success, making just shy of $400 million off a budget of $165 million, all while during the COVID-19 pandemic and as the film was simultaneously released on HBO Max. In other words, it's incredibly impressive that it only narrowly missing out on being in the top 10 highest-grossing films of 2021.

24. Ad Astra

Directed by James Gray, 2019's "Ad Astra" sees astronaut Roy McBride (Brad Pitt) embarking on a personal mission across the universe to investigate the source of mysterious power surges that are seemingly linked to the "Lima Project" –- started by his father almost 30 years previously to find intelligent life. While the title, which translates as "to the stars" in Latin, might suggest that the film is about an epic journey through space, it's instead about a much more internal and human journey, focusing on a man reconciling with his absent dad.

The tone of the film perhaps might've surprised some people, and while it hit the right notes critically, the moviegoing public wasn't so taken with it, resulting in a big discrepancy between the critic and audience scores on Rotten Tomatoes . However,  Peter Travers for Rolling Stone spoke particularly favorably about "Ad Astra," saying it has "a grand scope and intimate sense of empathy that is nothing less than enthralling."

Son of the "Starman" David Bowie himself, Duncan Jones made an instant impression on the film world with his impressive debut movie, "Moon," in 2009. Sam Rockwell stars as Sam Bell, a solitary astronaut working on the moon, with Kevin Spacey as the voice of his robot companion GERTY. Along with the astonishing practical effects and a haunting score from Clint Mansell, "Moon" is notable for effectively conveying the loneliness of space. Its focus on the "one man and his robot story" evokes the feeling of films such as "Silent Running," and the calming tones of GERTY call to mind the infamous HAL 9000 from "2001: A Space Odyssey."

While inspired by these space movie greats, "Moon" succeeds in its own way, anchored by a superb performance by Sam Rockwell, whom Jones wrote the part for . With a modest budget of just $5 million , it also proved that a highly effective and emotionally driven space film could be created without the need for a large ensemble cast or expensive special effects, and critic Roger Ebert called it "a superior example of that threatened genre, hard science-fiction."

22. A Trip to the Moon

The oldest film on the list by quite some way, 1902 French silent film, "Le Voyage dans la Lune" ("A Trip to the Moon") is considered by many to be the earliest science fiction film, and it remains one of the most singularly influential pieces of filmmaking to date. 

In part inspired by the writings of Jules Verne, Georges Méliès' 13-minute film sees a group of astronomers who launch themselves at the moon. The anthropomorphization of the moon and the iconic shot of the astronomer's capsule hitting him directly in the eye is perhaps the image most people associate with this film. It also appears to have provided direct inspiration for the character of "the Moon" in surreal British comedy series  "The Mighty Boosh," as well as appearing in Martin Scorsese's "Hugo."

The narrative may be simple, but the film's groundbreaking special effect techniques and its commitment to pure out-of-this-world fantasy are what we have to thank for the array of science fiction films we have today. In the book "1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die," Chiara Ferrari says that the film "deserves a legitimate place among the milestones in world cinema history."

21. Galaxy Quest

While many space films bear a resemblance to their counterparts, "Galaxy Quest" wears its identity of a loving and hilarious pastiche of "Star Trek" proudly. In this meta sci-fi comedy, the cast of the canceled fictional TV show "Galaxy Quest" find themselves in a real intergalactic adventure when some visiting aliens believe their show is a documentary. "Galaxy Quest" is so closely aligned with "Star Trek" that in 2013, Trekkies voted it as one of the best "Star Trek movies, with IGN commenting , "While not technically a 'Star Trek' movie, one can certainly see how it could make the cut. It's more 'Star Trek' than a couple of the actual 'Star Trek' movies even."

With references to other movies such as "The Day The Earth Stood Still" and "Event Horizon," the film became a cult classic amongst sci-fi fans, making around $90 million at the box office . "Galaxy Quest" also received favorable reviews from critics including Joe Leydon for Variety , who said the film "remains light and bright as it races along, and never turns nasty or mean-spirited as it satirizes the cliches and cults of 'Star Trek.'"

20. The Martian

Stranded on the red planet, alone and with dwindling resources, botanist Mark Watney (Matt Damon) is forced to use all of his skills to survive while those back on Earth try to figure out a way they can bring him home. Grounded by a superb performance by Matt Damon , "The Martian" showcases the unshakable strength of the human spirit as we see Watney –- through a series of video diaries –- work out how to grow food, travel, and communicate with the limited things available to him on Mars.

What's perhaps surprising about "The Martian" is how funny it is. Experiencing the film largely through these diary entries allows the audience into the headspace of Watney, a character whose dry sense of humor makes him distinctly likable and engaging, with much of the film's focus on his solo survival mission. As well as being a hit with critics and audiences, "The Martian" also achieved recognition at the 88th Academy Awards, picking up seven nominations .

19. Guardians of the Galaxy

Compared to the big-hitters of the Hulk and Captain America, this obscure gang of space misfits wasn't as well-known in the Marvel Universe, and yet their debut big-screen adventure proved to be a huge hit. The motley crew that makes up the "Guardians of the Galaxy" consists of a half-human smuggler, a raccoon-like bounty hunter, and a living humanoid tree amongst others, but there was something about the strange dynamics and the retro space-opera adventure style of the film that just seemed to click.

One of the highlights of "Guardians of the Galaxy" was the killer soundtrack –- almost a character in its own right within the film and the perfect accompaniment to its offbeat tone. With its unique blend of zany humor and fun action set pieces, the Guardians easily slotted into the MCU, providing a refreshing palate cleanser for some of the more serious superheroes. As is to be expected with most Marvel films, "Guardians of the Galaxy" was a huge box office success , making more than $773 million worldwide and spawning a number of sequels and appearances for the characters in the wider MCU.

18. Solaris (1972)

Far superior to the 2002 Hollywood remake directed by Steven Soderbergh , the 1972 version of "Solaris" directed by Andrei Tarkovsky remains a benchmark of the sci-fi genre and one of the best space movies of all time. The film focuses on Kris Kelvin (Donatas Banionis), a psychologist who's tasked with exploring a space station above the planet Solaris and assessing the remaining crew members who've started to display erratic behavior.

While "Solaris" is frequently compared with "2001: A Space Odyssey –- with the two films being just four years apart –- there are vast differences between them, with "Solaris" favoring a more emotional and human approach. The film expertly tackles themes such as grief, loss, memory, and the nature of what it means to exist. This thematic existentialism, set against the backdrop of space, is somehow even more potent, and Tarkovsky masterfully directs his film with the time set aside to contemplate its weighty themes. The pace is slow, and while this may prove frustrating for some, if you have the patience for "Solaris," it's an incredibly rewarding experience.

17. Thor: Ragnarok

While you could make the case for any of Thor's big-screen adventures being included in this list, the spaciest of them all is undoubtedly "Thor: Ragnarok." With director Taika Waititi at the helm, "Thor: Ragnarok" seems to take its cues from "Guardians of the Galaxy" and successfully conveys the goofiness of the character. In a severe turn from the almost Shakespearean seriousness of the previous two "Thor" films, Waititi instead leans into the weirdness, and the result is a highly entertaining superhero flick.

Most of the film takes place on the planet Sakaar, where Thor (Chris Hemsworth) crash-lands after the arrival of his malevolent sister, Hela (Cate Blanchett), who quickly assumes power over Asgard. Described as a "garbage planet," Sakaar is ruled by the eccentric Grandmaster (the incomparable Jeff Goldblum), who forces Thor to compete in his Contest of Champions to earn his freedom. The change of direction from Waititi proved to be a hit with critics, including Sheri Linden for The Hollywood Reporter , who called it "engaging enough to hold the attention of even those uninitiated in the lore of the Nine Realms."

16. Hidden Figures

While almost none of this film takes place in space, it does however focus on the lesser-seen –- but equally important -– people working behind the scenes at NASA, who are just as deserving of the spotlight as the astronauts. The unlikely heroes at the center of "Hidden Figures" are three Black women working for NASA as mathematicians, and it's based on the book of the same name by Margot Lee Shetterly. Starring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monáe, the film is set in the 1960s, during the Space Race, and focuses on the women's struggles and challenges in dealing with racial and gender segregation, with every day a fight to prove themselves worthy.

"Hidden Figures" is a truly inspirational story, and while the film takes some artistic liberties with the true story , it remains a powerful tribute to these trailblazing women. The film proved to be a massive commercial success, making just under $236 million at the box office , and it was recognized at the 89th Academy Awards , with nominations for Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress (for Octavia Spencer), and Best Adapted Screenplay.

15. Arrival

With a second entry for director Denis Villeneuve, 2016's "Arrival" is a film that focuses on Earth, yet it deals with the concept of an alien invasion in a way that feels so fresh and innovative that it is absolutely worthy of a place on this list. Based on "Story of Your Life" by Ted Chiang, the film sees 12 imposing extraterrestrial structures arrive at key locations across the globe. While the towering spacecraft look threatening, there's no immediate sign of attack from whatever is on board, so linguistics expert Louise Banks (Amy Adams) is one of the people enlisted to make contact with the creatures and establish their intent.

The film is also peppered with scenes of Louise and her daughter, who tragically dies from a terminal disease. However, as the narrative progresses, it becomes evident that the events we're witnessing aren't perhaps as linear as we had been lead to believe, with the cryptic opening line "I used to think this was the beginning of your story" suggesting that time is a fluid concept within the film. "Arrival" is a very different kind of alien invasion story, with a reflective, meditative, and existential tone in place of explosions and heavy action scenes. While Amy Adams' quietly devastating performance was unfortunately overlooked by the Academy, "Arrival" did pick up eight Oscar nominations and one win for Best Achievement in Sound Editing.

14. Star Trek (2009)

Under the watchful eye of director J.J. Abrams, 2009 saw the reboot of the "Star Trek" series with this new film version. Later going on to direct two of the movies in the "Star Wars" sequel trilogy, Abrams is one of the few to have dipped a toe in both of these major sci-fi universes, although he admits he was not a "Trekkie" growing up. Speaking to The Guardian , Abrams said, "['Star Trek'] always felt like a silly, campy thing. I remember appreciating it, but feeling like I didn't get it."

What Abrams does manage with his version of "Star Trek" is to offer an entry point for complete newcomers, resetting the timeline so that the existing, complex continuity doesn't need to come into play, all while staying true to the original series and movies –- even going as far to feature legendary cast member Leonard Nimoy as Spock Prime. As Abrams himself put it in the aforementioned interview, "I was trying to make a movie, not trying to make a 'Trek' movie." In doing so, he created arguably the best "Star Trek" movie, something that was formally acknowledged at the 82nd Academy Awards where it won the Oscar for Best Achievement in Makeup –- and in doing so, becoming the first "Star Trek" movie to win a golden statue.

13. The Right Stuff

While it may take dramatic deviations from the true story that inspired it, "The Right Stuff" tells the stirring tale of the Mercury Seven, the military pilots who trained as astronauts for the first human spaceflight. These seven men had a rough and ready approach, and their daring attitudes and significance in the early stages of the Space Race led to them being treated almost like rock stars. The film also doesn't shy away from the emotional and mental toll they experienced from being willing to risk their lives and the pressures that came from being thrust into the spotlight during an event in history that was as much about politics as it was technical innovation.

It seems surprising given the subject matter, but the film was a box office flop when it came out, making just over $21 million off a budget of around $27 million. It proved to be a hit with the critics, however, with Roger Ebert giving it a perfect four-star rating and naming it as one of the very best films of the 1980s . The movie also received eight nominations at the 56th Academy Awards , winning for Best Film Editing, Best Original Score, Best Sound, and Best Sound Effects Editing.

12. Interstellar

If there's one director who can be relied upon to create a mind-blowing space epic, it's Christopher Nolan. "Interstellar" is set in a dystopian future where the crops are failing and drastic changes in the weather pose a real threat to the planet's survival. When Cooper (Matthew McConaughey) discovers some strange patterns –- which he deduces are coordinates -– in the dust in his daughter's bedroom, his life-altering journey begins. Following the coordinates, he finds Professor John Brand (Michael Caine), who heads up a secret facility trying to investigate wormholes in space that may provide the hope humanity needs to survive.

With a small crew, Cooper pilots the spacecraft Endurance to discover if a habitable planet exists beyond their own. Of course, this being a Christopher Nolan movie, there's a lot more going on besides this seemingly straightforward journey, and the film takes us to unknown dimensions and has us questioning the very nature of reality and time. Beyond the spectacle, "Interstellar" is also a highly emotional journey, with the oft-memed clip of Cooper breaking down in tears being one of the most devastating scenes in a sci-fi film. Accompanied by the unforgettable score by Hans Zimmer, "Interstellar" is a film like no other  and one that's incredibly rich in thematic content.

11. The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)

Alien invasion movies frequently depict the arriving creatures as menacing and a threat to humanity's existence. While there is a place for this sort of film –- and they are undeniably fun to watch –- there's also something to be said for films that take a much more peaceful approach, such as 1951's "The Day the Earth Stood Still." When humanoid extraterrestrial Klaatu (Michael Rennie) and robot Gort (Lock Martin) arrive on Earth, it's not with their weapons directed at the humans, but instead, they come with a cautionary message about the dangers of war and the threat humanity poses to itself if people don't heed their warning.

Set against the backdrop of the Cold War, "The Day the Earth Stood Still" speaks to the suspicion and distrust that existed between people at the time, while also providing a message that's surprisingly relevant to society today. The film's emphasis on receptiveness and the importance of speaking and listening to those who are perhaps different to us is also seen in films such as "Arrival" and "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," and despite its dated special effects, "The Day the Earth Stood Still" remains one of the greatest alien films of all time.

10. Gravity

Anchored by a powerful and committed performance from Sandra Bullock, "Gravity" is effectively a survival drama, expertly conveying the feelings of isolation and loneliness that are even more potent given the space setting. Bullock plays Dr. Ryan Stone, who -– in an astonishingly dramatic sequence -– is left adrift in space when some debris hits her shuttle during a routine spacewalk. At times, we see things directly from Dr. Stone's point of view, something that is highly effective, as well as occasionally nauseating and claustrophobic. Director Alfonso Cuarón crafts a singularly personal story, himself describing it as "a drama of a woman in space" ( via BBC ) more than a sci-fi film in the truest sense.

"Gravity" proved to be a huge box office success, earning more than $723 million worldwide , and it became one of the highest-grossing sci-fi films outside of a major franchise. At the 86th Academy Awards , "Gravity" had a staggering 10 nominations and won seven, including the coveted Best Director for Cuarón. "Gravity" remains one of the most visually stunning space movies, with its focus on a sole surviving character giving the film the emotional resonance it needs to stay with you for a long time afterward.

9. Forbidden Planet

There's something incredibly tactile about early science fiction, with the limited special effects, besuited actors in the place of robots and aliens, and elaborate and imaginative set designs. 1956's "Forbidden Planet" is one such film, a ground-breaking sci-fi masterpiece that's frequently cited as one of the most influential of the genre. The film has several "firsts" credited to it, including being the first film to be set entirely on a different planet and the first Hollywood film to have an all-electronic score ( via FilmSite ).

Loosely based on Shakespeare's "The Tempest," "Forbidden Planet" is set in the 23rd century, and the film depicts a team of astronauts sent to explore the planet Altair IV, where a colony was established 20 years prior. They discover only two humans remaining — a scientist and his beautiful daughter – plus Robby the Robot, a figure so significant in the film he's even credited as his character name. Robby marked a huge leap forward both in terms of the extortionate cost to build the prop and the distinct personality he was given. Reportedly costing around $125,000 to build , Robby ended up being a necessary cost as he became "the film's most memorable character and responsible for the cult status the movie enjoys" (via Robot Hall of Fame ). "Forbidden Planet" may look dated now compared to the slick space movies we are accustomed to, but it's campy fun and a must-watch for any fan of the genre.

8. Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Fresh off the back of their grueling shoot together on "Jaws," Steven Spielberg and Richard Dreyfuss teamed up once again for "Close Encounters of the Third Kind." Spielberg's fascination with worlds beyond our own was something that started from a young age and shaped many of his films, including "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial," "War of the Worlds," and of course, this 1977 sci-fi masterpiece. In a 2005 interview, Spielberg said, "I first became aware of the sky when my father pointed out the Perseid meteor shower to me when I was about 6 years old. ... My father really held the key to the universe, which unlocked my imagination" (via The Spokesman-Review ).

Richard Dreyfuss plays Roy Neary, an everyman whose encounter with a UFO leads to an obsession that sees him willing to risk it all to pursue what he saw and make contact. Even at this early point, the music of composer John Williams was already becoming synonymous with Spielberg's films, with "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" marking the third collaboration between them. Not only is Williams' score as wonderful as you'd expect, but it plays an important part in the narrative itself during the memorable sequence when the aliens communicate with the humans through light and sound. Perhaps influenced by Spielberg's childhood fascination with the cosmos, "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" refreshingly depicts the aliens as peaceful and benevolent, resulting in a film that's as optimistic as it is awe-inspiring. Spielberg has rarely been better than this.

7. Apollo 13

As this list proves, there's a huge amount of choice when it comes to films about humanity's desire for space exploration, with a number of them being based on true stories. Arguably the most well-known movie that falls into this category is "Apollo 13," based on the troubled mission of the same name in 1970. Directed by Ron Howard, the film stars Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton, and Kevin Bacon as the team of astronauts whose lives are at risk when their spacecraft is damaged, forcing them to shift their focus to making it safely home rather than their original lunar destination.

While the film made some minor changes to the story, director Ron Howard was also determined to make the film as technically accurate as possible , including making an exact replica of the Mission Control room where the ground staff communicated with the astronauts. While this is a nitpick few people would ever realize, they did slightly alter the famous "Houston, we have a problem" line, with NASA records stating that what was actually said was, "Houston, we've had a problem." Semantics aside, "Apollo 13" proved to be a huge hit with critics and audiences , with the Rotten Tomatoes consensus saying, "Apollo 13 pulls no punches: It's a masterfully told drama from director Ron Howard, bolstered by an ensemble of solid performances."

6. Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)

There is considerable merit to the 1978 remake, but it's the original 1956 "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" that stands as one of the greatest space movies of all time, and it achieves this by never leaving the planet and hardly showing the invading alien forces at all (well, at least in their "true" form anyway). In the fictional town of Santa Mira, Dr. Miles Bennell (Kevin McCarthy) is alerted to reports from people convinced that their relatives are imposters. As the number of reports grows, Dr. Bennell and his old flame, Becky (Dana Wynter), discover some mysterious seed pods, with each one holding the terrifying ability to produce an identical copy of the human they "invade."

While other films on this list involve traveling to different planets in search of alien life, "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" not only brings the discovery to Earth but adds a terrifying dimension with the concept that the "aliens" look exactly like humans. The film offers some timely commentary on the post-war paranoia that existed in America at the time, particularly the fear surrounding covert espionage from people planted with deliberate intentions of blending in while acting as enemy spies. The 1978 remake leans much further into body horror, but the 1956 version still blurs this line, expertly conveying a sense of dread and quiet horror. In the closing moments, Dr. Bennell runs hysterically along the highway before looking straight into the camera with an ominous warning, in one of the most chilling and effective movie moments of all time.

A sequel rarely manages to match its predecessor, but many consider 1986's "Aliens" to be the best example of this. And indeed, there's only 1% that separates their Tomatometer ratings on Rotten Tomatoes . Where "Alien" could be classed as science fiction horror, "Aliens" sits much closer to a science fiction action flick, with returning hero Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) joining forces with colonial marines on a mission to destroy the aliens who took the lives of the Nostromo crew. Along the way, Ripley encounters an abandoned young girl nicknamed Newt, (Carrie Henn), who she becomes fiercely protective of –- even stepping in to defend her against the ferocious alien queen, which is a scene that gives the film one of its most memorable quotes.

As well as the shift of genres from horror to action, "Aliens" saw a change in director as well, with James Cameron brought on board following his success with "The Terminator" in 1984. Like Cameron's other wildly successful films at the time, "Aliens" took the box office by storm, earning just over $131 million –- around $25 million more than "Alien" made. The success of "Aliens" even extended to the Oscars, where it was nominated for seven awards , including a Best Actress nomination for Sigourney Weaver when films of this genre were rarely recognized by the Academy. While she didn't win, it did pick up prizes for Sound Effects Editing and Visual Effects.

Released in 2008, Pixar's animated adventure about possibly the universe's most adorable robot has proved to be one of the studio's most enduring features. Set in the year 2085, the Earth has been abandoned, and all humans now reside on giant luxury starliners where their every need is catered for and they never need to lift a finger. In contrast, back on Earth, a small trash-compacting robot called WALL-E is tasked with the mammoth job of cleaning up the mess humans left behind after decades of consumerism depleted all natural resources. When another robot named EVE arrives, WALL-E becomes quite enamored with her and shows her a tiny green sapling he found -– something that provides the tiniest shred of hope that life may still be able to exist on Earth.

With the first part of the film largely silent, "WALL-E" relies on our wonderfully expressive robot duo to establish this world. According to the film's director Andrew Stanton, the team achieved this by watching "a [Charlie] Chaplin film and a [Buster] Keaton film and sometimes a Harold Lloyd film every day at lunch" ( via The A.V. Club ) as inspiration for how to tell their story visually. "WALL-E" succeeds in taking an idea that's familiar in the space movie genre and making it palatable enough for children while also engaging enough for adults, with the environmental message at its core being handled with such care that it is impossible not to be charmed by it.

Released in 1979, "Alien" has easily one of the greatest movie taglines, with this ominous warning: "In space, no one can hear you scream." To this day, "Alien" remains one of the best examples of movie genre hybrids, with its pitch-perfect blend of horror and science fiction being incredibly effective. Set on board the space tug Nostromo, a small crew faces unimaginable horror when an alien lifeform begins to attack. In one of the most memorable scenes in the film –- and one that has a certain degree of infamy based on audience reactions –- an alien bursts out of the chest of Kane (John Hurt), much to the surprise of even the cast members as they were deliberately kept in the dark about the effects until it came to shooting.

As well as this landmark, stomach-churning moment, "Alien" gave us one of the greatest screen heroines in the iconic Ripley, (Sigourney Weaver), who remained the lynchpin of the subsequent sequels, even as they began to decline in quality. Surprisingly, when "Alien" was first released, the critical reception was a little mixed, with legendary critic Roger Ebert calling it one of the few "real disappointments" of the genre on a 1980 episode of "Sneak Previews."  However, Ebert was one of the many who reassessed the film decades later, calling it one of "the most influential of modern action pictures" and saying it "still vibrates with a dark and frightening intensity."

2. Star Wars

"Star Wars" fans may continue to argue amongst themselves about the greatest film in the "Skywalker Saga," and while arguably "The Empire Strikes Back" is the best –- at least based on its critical consensus –- it's the first installment in the series that earns a place on this list. Without the original, later re-named as "Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope," there would be no other "Star Wars" films after all. As our first experience of "a galaxy far, far away," "Star Wars" is pretty much unbeatable, introducing us to plucky hero Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and his quest to save the galaxy from the formidable Darth Vader (voiced by James Earl Jones).

It's easy to forget given how huge the "Star Wars" universe now is, but this film operates effectively as a standalone space romp, wrapping things up neatly enough that it could've easily been the beginning and the end of the story. Of course, that wasn't to be the case, and "Star Wars" completely obliterated box office records, grossing more than $307 million on initial release, and it still stands as the second highest-grossing film of all time when adjusted for inflation. Luke's story is told across the nine-film "Skywalker Saga," but the "Star Wars" universe stretches far beyond this, encompassing books, television series, comics, merchandise, spinoff movies, and so much more. "Star Wars" as an entity is a genuine pop culture phenomenon — one that shows absolutely no signs of stopping anytime soon, and it all started here.

1. 2001: A Space Odyssey

When it comes to space movies, it's hard to find one better than Stanley Kubrick's 1968 magnum opus. Taking us from the dawn of time to "beyond the infinite," the film focuses on man's exploration further into the depths of space, accruing new knowledge about the universe and achieving huge advancements in technology. In what's now one of the most famous match cuts in cinema history, we are hurtled from our ancestors discovering how to use rudimentary tools into space, where people are now able to travel with relative ease across the cosmos. The most well-known segment of the film sees us on board the spacecraft Discovery One on their Jupiter mission. It's here that we meet HAL 9000, who's little more than a red light and a calming voice and yet is one of the scariest film villains –- hugely influential in other films such as "WALL-E" and "Moon."

It isn't surprising that the film was divisive when it was released. Some were quick to call it one of the best films ever made, while others simply didn't understand it. The film's star Keir Dullea said that 250 people walked out of the New York premiere ( via The Hollywood Reporter ). The ending may leave you scratching your heads, but there's no doubt that "2001: A Space Odyssey" is the greatest space movie ever made. Often imitated, frequently parodied, and still influential to this day, it's the film that many aspire to but few can surpass.

10 great films about space travel

To infinity and beyond... Celebrate 60 years of human spaceflight with our countdown of awe-inspiring space movies.

By  Brogan Morris

Since its earliest days, cinema has been fascinated by the idea of space travel. Some 67 years before Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon, Georges Méliès took audiences there with 1902’s Le Voyage dans la lune. Considered cinema’s first sci-fi, Méliès’ film sees explorers crash into Earth’s closest neighbour in a rocket shot out of a cannon, and then proceed to do battle with the insectoid inhabitants.

Today, with the benefit of another century-plus of scientific understanding, the space film looks very different. Space travel in the movies is constantly evolving. In the space race era, space movies looked forward to a utopian future. In the 70s, a murkier vision reflective of growing real-world social and political distress took hold. And then, post-Star Wars, a more fantastical and action-packed take on life in space became the norm.

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In the last decade, cinema’s view of space travel has shifted again. While the Guardians of the Galaxy movies and reboots of the Star Trek and Star Wars franchises have emphasised the adventure, many others, including Gravity (2013) and The Martian (2015), have addressed the potential perils of space travel becoming more commonplace in an age of renewed exploration. Meanwhile, an increasing number of films, among them Interstellar (2014) and this year’s upcoming Voyagers, are asking whether, if humankind exhausts the Earth, we might find a new home on a planet B.

The same basic curiosity, however, endures from the days of Méliès: what are we going to find out there among the stars? And how might the answers change the way we see the world – or ourselves?

Ikarie  XB -1 (1963)

Director: Jindrich Polák

Made in a period when a limitless future was typically imagined for extraterrestrial travel, one in which food would be magically plentiful and no star system would be too distant, Ikarie XB -1 injected some scientific and psychological realism into the space film. Adapted from Stanislaw Lem’s novel The Magellanic Cloud, Czech director Jindrich Polák’s film finds a crew travelling at light speed to a potentially life-harbouring white planet orbiting Alpha Centauri.

Although resources and leisure time are ample aboard the Ikarie, the journey is not without consequence. The trip will seem like 28 months to the crew, but the nature of relativity means their loved ones will be 15 years older when they return to Earth. Meanwhile, cabin fever (and a heavy dose of space radiation) brings some crew members to the edge of sanity. Ikarie XB -1 was a clear influence on 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), with Stanley Kubrick calling it “a half step up from your average science fiction film” – which amounts to a ringing endorsement from the perfectionist filmmaker.

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

Director: Stanley Kubrick

A film that showed what was possible in sci-fi cinema, Stanley Kubrick’s 2001 continues to be a touchstone for any picture that deals in space exploration. The story was a result of almost two years of intensive discussions between Kubrick and his co-writer, sci-fi novelist Arthur C. Clarke, and it took even longer to execute, with the director beginning filming in December 1965 and only finalising the film’s effects in March 1968.

Whether it’s a commercial flight to the moon or a classified long-range mission to Jupiter, 2001 luxuriates in its space sequences, majestic ballets of sound and movement set to classical music. Stanley Kubrick might famously never have won a best director Oscar, but he did take home one Academy Award, for 2001’s visual effects – and rightfully so. More than half a century on, the film’s depiction of space travel – realised practically through a combination of model work, huge sets and precise photographic projection – remains flawless.

Silent Running (1972)

Director: Douglas Trumbull

Some time in the future, Earth has become a climate-controlled utopia, free of disease and poverty. But it’s one which apparently has so little use left for nature that its last forests are now kept in geodesic domes orbiting Saturn. On the ship Valley Forge, botanist Freeman Lowell (Bruce Dern) obsessively tends to three of these vast gardens when the order comes in to destroy them – an order Lowell disobeys by murdering the rest of the crew and piloting the ship out into deep space.

There’s a hangover of 1960s idealism to Silent Running. 2001 effects supervisor Douglas Trumbull’s directorial debut includes flower-power interludes featuring music by Joan Baez, while a multicoloured trip through Saturn’s rings has shades of an acid experience. The overriding tone, though, is one of new 1970s pessimism. Ultimately, Lowell‘s environmentalist dream sours, the peace he initially finds out in the cosmos soon giving way to loneliness and guilt over his killing for a fruitless ‘greater good’.

Star Wars (1977)

Director: George Lucas

Although sci-fi cinema generally went in a more mature direction in the 1970s, George Lucas’s empire-building third feature took a refreshingly opposite approach. Opening on an epic battle among the stars and climaxing with an even bigger one, Star Wars would present a universe where man (and Wookiee) has mastered space travel, with a quick leap from one habitable planet to the next possible at the mere push of a button.

Taking inspiration from pre-space race pulp sci-fi comics and film serials, Star Wars pays no mind to real physical or existential concerns about space travel. “Star Wars is a fantasy, much closer to the Brothers Grimm than it is to 2001…The word for this movie is fun,” said Lucas at the time. Still, not even this proto-blockbuster could totally escape the influence of the 70s, with its beat-up freighters and junky ship interiors suggesting a more hardscrabble life in space than Flash Gordon ever knew.

Alien (1979)

Director: Ridley Scott

By the time Ridley Scott made this landmark sci-fi horror, space travel had become so routine in the movies it seemed almost anyone could do it. In Alien, the astronauts are blue-collar types complaining about bonuses and food. Their latest job is towing 20 million tonnes of mineral ore back to Earth. It’s only the threat of suspension of wages that convinces the crew of the Nostromo to make their fateful detour to a nearby ‘primordial’ moon, from which they unwittingly bring back to the ship the universe’s deadliest apex predator.

From there, Scott’s film becomes a spacebound haunted house picture, as H.R. Giger’s nightmarish xenomorph eliminates the crew one by one. Alien would be followed by a number of sequels, prequels and regrettable franchise crossovers, with all but one of them set primarily on terra firma. What makes the original so uniquely frightening is how impossible escape seems for its protagonists: what awaits the crew beyond the confines of the ship is no less hostile to them than their ravenous intruder.

Apollo 13 (1995)

Director: Ron Howard

Released in a fallow period for the space movie, Apollo 13 is itself about a period in which, post-Neil Armstrong, space travel had suddenly become passé to a world preoccupied with problems on the ground. In Ron Howard’s telling of 1970’s doomed Apollo 13 adventure, it isn’t until astronauts Jim Lovell (Tom Hanks), Fred Haise (Bill Paxton) and Jack Swigert (Kevin Bacon) find themselves in mortal danger on their way home from an aborted moon landing that the TV networks even start giving the mission any airtime.

Made just years before CGI would become de rigueur for the space movie, Apollo 13 is an impressively practical spectacle. Bolstered by digital effects, the film makes extensive use of spacecraft miniatures and replica sets. Most impressively, to achieve scenes of weightlessness, Howard shot aboard the so-called ‘Vomit Comet’, a modified NASA training aircraft that – for 20 seconds at a time – would place the actors in a simulated zero-G environment.

Sunshine (2007)

Director: Danny Boyle

To save Earth from the chill of a solar winter, a crack team of scientists are despatched to the heart of our solar system on a flying bomb named Icarus II (the first Icarus having become lost after it flew literally too close to the sun). Their mission: to nuke our dying star back to life. Sunshine may have the absurd premise of a Michael Bay movie, but it also has the combined scientific and philosophical imagination of screenwriter Alex Garland and science advisor Brian Cox.

What happens when a crew of diverse credos and fallibilities embarks on a long-distance space voyage? A clash of passion and pragmatism leads to regular fights between sensitive physicist Capa (Cillian Murphy) and surly engineer Mace (Chris Evans). A miscalculation by navigator Trey (Benedict Wong) destroys biologist Corazon’s (Michelle Yeoh) precious oxygen garden, leaving him suicidal and her bereft. Faced with the desolate blackness of endless space, some crew members fall under the spell of the blazing sun. But where one sees a merciless, overwhelming celestial body, another finds God.

First Man (2018)

Director: Damien Chazelle

Following Neil Armstrong (Ryan Gosling) from his days as a test pilot through NASA training to his historic walk on the moon, First Man is a twofer: a dramatisation of the space race from the American side as well as a revisionist biopic of a mythical figure. Here the Apollo astronauts are portrayed as everyday suburban joes – husbands and fathers whose unique attributes allowed them to do remarkable things in their time, with Armstrong the most ordinary of the bunch.

Similarly deglamorised are the recreations of historic NASA space flights, which situate the viewer inside the cockpit from Armstrong’s point-of-view and depict early spacecraft as shockingly primitive, all creaking metal and analogue tech. The docu-style brings verisimilitude, but Justin Hurwitz’s ghostly score and some fluid space scenes see there’s also a musical grace to La La Land filmmaker Damien Chazelle’s fourth feature. It’s a poetic film about unpoetic men.

Aniara (2018)

Directors: Pella Kagerman and Hugo Lilja

Released the same year as Claire Denis’ unsettling space oddity High Life, Aniara is that film’s somehow even more despairing cousin. Adapted from Harry Martinson’s epic poem, Pella Kagerman and Hugo Lilja’s film traps the viewer inside a luxurious civilian transport meant for Mars but which – following an accident – is left cruising through space, rudderless and without any way to turn around.

In time, the micro-society on board the Aniara disintegrates, High-Rise-style, with passengers first embracing hedonism and cultish new religions. Then, as resources and hope of salvation both dwindle, they succumb to despair. This is one of a number of sci-fi films this century to depict mass space transportation gone horribly awry, but where Aniara differs from the likes of Pandorum (2009) or Alien: Covenant (2017) is that its horror is entirely existential. So many films about space travel end with characters triumphing over harsh odds and ultimately finding meaning in the void. Not this one.

Ad Astra (2019)

Director: James Gray

Ad Astra is a sci-fi Heart of Darkness that is, in essence, another contemplative drama about one of director James Gray’s trademark troubled men. In this case, the customary angst and father issues go to an astronaut in the shape of a never-more-fragile Brad Pitt. On a mission from US Space Command, Pitt’s Major Roy McBride planet-hops through a solar system in the early stages of colonisation to track down daddy Tommy Lee Jones, a brilliant scientist last heard from 16 years prior, circling Neptune.

Gray’s lonely, cynical vision of late 21st-century space as a commercialised wild west makes for a spectacular backdrop to a tale of familial discord. In this future, you’ll find a branch of Subway on the moon and audiovisual displays made to simulate the wonder of Earth inside Mars’ underground bunkers. You’ll also find warring tribes figuring out new ways to kill each other in a low-gravity environment. On Earth or in space, in Ad Astra humans continue to be stubbornly human.

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The 30 Best Space Movies of All Time

Leave the science to the geniuses. Leave the kitschy, nausea-inducing space flicks to us.

That leads us to this: a roundup of the best space movies of all time. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin took one small step for man and one giant leap for mankind, but did they walk an animal cracker up and down Liv Tyler's stomach? I think not. Leave the science to the geniuses. Leave the kitschy, nausea-inducing space flicks to us.

This tense Swedish drama, based on a 1968 epic poem, follows a huge space freight carrying human refugees from an Earth destroyed by climate change—which suddenly veers off course with no hope of reaching its destination. Fair warning: don’t expect much optimism here, but it’s still a profoundly beautiful and sweeping film.

Andrei Tarkovsky’s science fiction masterpiece was overshadowed by 2001: A Space Odyssey upon its initial 1972 release, but it’s a beautiful film in its own right, with many poignant things to say about humanity. The film follows a psychologist who comes to observe a small crew of a space station orbiting the planet Solaris, and begins to experience the supernatural phenomena that have been driving all the crew members into emotional disarray.

Prospect came and went with little fanfare, which is unfortunate—because audiences missed a gripping thriller anchored by excellent lead performances from Pedro Pascal, Jay Duplass, and newcomer Sophie Thatcher. This indie feature made great use of Washington’s Olympic National Park to replicate the environment of a hostile alien moon.

This campy and imaginative '60s space romp starring Jane Fonda was panned upon its premiere, but has earned a well-deserved critical reevaluation in recent years after attaining cult-classic status. A remake starring Sydney Sweeney is reportedly in development at Sony Pictures, but it’ll take a miracle to reproduce the unique vibe of the original.

Gattaca is a stone-cold classic with a dystopian setting and themes that still feel relevant today. Ethan Hawke plays a man who dreams of going to space, but faces discrimination in this futuristic society because he was born outside of a widely-accepted eugenics program, where parents select children’s ideal hereditary traits.

If you want an interstellar psychological thriller with a fantastic ensemble cast including Cillian Murphy, Michelle Yeoh, Rose Byrne, and Chris Evans, Sunshine — from director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland—still holds up. Our stars play a small crew tasked with revitalizing the Sun from its impending heat death in the year 2057.

The Right Stuff

This historical drama, based on the Tom Wolfe book of the same name, dramatizes the first United States spaceflight mission Project Mercury. Its release in 1983 was a whiplash, bombing at the box office but lighting critics ablaze, later winning four Academy Awards out of eight nominations—including Best Film Editing and Best Original Score.

Don’t go into this film if you aren’t ready for a challenging (and staggering) experience, but Claire Denis’s slow-burn science fiction horror is worth experiencing. In a nonlinear narrative, criminals aboard a spaceship heading for a black hole are forced to be guinea pigs to a scientist’s experiments. Physicist Aurélien Barrau, an expert in black holes, consulted on the film, adding a shade of authenticity to this chilling movie.

This cerebral and gorgeously-shot survival adventure features a small, but stellar cast including Anna Kendrick, Daniel Dae Kim, Toni Collette and Shamier Anderson. Anderson plays an accidental stowaway on a Mars spaceflight mission, immediately endangering the crew—as their vessel is only equipped to support three people.

Muppets From Space

Of course we’re serious! The first non-musical Muppets film was a touching tale of Gonzo finally finding out where he came from... space, of course! This film was full of hilarious moments and had a surprising amount of celebrity cameos. Remember Hulk Hogan and Ray Liotta’s bit parts?

Whether you’re a Wrath of Kahn purist or you can get behind the Chris Pine -fronted reboot series as well, the Star Trek universe has a solid place in film, not just TV! There’s so much great material in the Trek -verse to make a movie from, and both the classic films and new series continue to impress, with rock-solid visuals and excellent performances from their ensemble casts.

Hardly any other film out there captures the space western idea as well as Serenity and its preceding Fox series, Firefly . It stands on its own if you haven’t seen the series, but you’ll be much more invested in these fantastic characters if you watch the show. Plus, Firefly is only fourteen episodes total, so it’s worth your time.

Lilo & Stitch

Some of you may be questioning this inclusion, but here’s our argument that this Disney animated classic deserves a mention. There’s a lengthy intro of the film set in the spaceship Stitch escapes from—and from his perspective, Earth is actually an alien planet that he touches down on for the first time. We rest our case!

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

Sure, some may prefer to read the book instead, but this hyperactive space comedy is still damn good fun. Even for 2005, the direction is especially strong, and the Jim Henson’s Creature Shop renditions of characters from the books, such as Vogons, Marvin the Paranoid Android, and The Whale are incredibly memorable.

Treasure Planet

This fun, swashbuckling space adventure is often overlooked when remembering classic Disney animations—but Treasure Planet certainly deserves more love. At the time, this film’s blending of 3D backdrops with traditional 2D characters, sets, and props was revolutionary.

This is the absolute best of the worst space movies. When a giant asteroid is headed for Earth, Billy Bob Thornton enlists the drilling expertise of Bruce Willis because the only way to stop this bad boy of a space rock is to drill a giant hole into it, drop in a bomb, and blow it up in space . Why not just teach astronauts how to drill? Who knows!? At least there’s also a strangely erotic scene where Ben Affleck runs an animal cookie across Liv Tyler’s body while explaining space.

Independence Day

Independence Day is America wrapped right up in a movie. There’s not a lot that happens in actual space—a knock that keeps it from ranking higher—but it does involve Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum going to space to fight aliens who are looking to destroy humanity and the world they inhabit, so it tracks.

The Martian

Ah, the 127 Hours of space movies. Matt Damon gets left behind on Mars after a giant space storm in The Martian , leaving him to fend for himself. Like many space films, this one hones in on human resilience and also shines a wonderful musical spotlight on “Don’t Leave Me This Way.”

Interstellar

Christopher Nolan's visually-stunning space epic follows Matthew McConaughey as a pilot tasked with finding a new home for the human species. His character sets off into the unknown leaving his family on a dust-filled Earth that's rapidly becoming unable to support life. Prepare to bend your brain trying to understand the concept of relativity as McConaughey races against the clock in an extremely sci-fi way.

Galaxy Quest

On paper, Galaxy Quest sounds like just a throwaway space comedy about a group of washed up sci-fi actors who accidentally get embroiled in a real intergalactic battle. But with a brilliant cast that consists of Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman, Tony Shalhoub, and Sam Rockwell— Galaxy Quest goes well beyond its expectations. In hindsight, this might be the greatest sci-fi comedy this side of Spaceballs .

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From Interstellar to Hidden Figures: 12 of the best space movies

Interstellar, Moon, Proxima, Alien, Hidden Figures... From science fiction to biographical drama, does your favourite movie about space make our list?

By Simon Ings

3 August 2021

Matthew McConaughey in Interstellar

Melinda Sue Gordon/©Paramount/c

There are so many great movies about space that it’s hard to choose between them all, but that won’t stop us. We’ve got some in our selection that will keep you on the edge of your seat while others will keep you hidden behind the sofa. Here are 12 of the best space movies.

Interstellar (2014)

Explorers arrive on a world covered in knee-high water. Distant “mountains” come sweeping towards them: a planet-spanning kilometres-high killer tide. They escape, only for an unhinged astronaut to maroon them, a little later, on a solid airborne cloud of exotic ice.

Often silly, sometimes truly visionary, Interstellar is the best rejoinder the 21st century has yet made to Stanley Kubrick’s seminal 2001: A Space Odyssey . Matthew McConaughey plays Joseph Cooper, a widowed NASA pilot who is called upon to journey into interstellar space to find an Earthlike “Planet B” for us to move to, now that the Earth’s food system is collapsing. Jessica Chastain plays his grown-up daughter, haunted by her father’s ghost.

Their performances carry real conviction, but it is the set pieces that matter. Gargantua, a spinning black hole that provides the film with its climax, is a visual effect calculated so accurately by physicist Kip Thorne and rendered so meticulously by London effects studio Double Negative, it ended up in a paper for the journal Classical and Quantum Gravity .

Years earlier, Thorne and film producer Lynda Obst had conceived of a movie exploring what, in an interview with Science magazine , Thorne called “the warped side of the universe – black holes, wormholes, higher dimensions, and so forth”. They’re the subject of Thorne’s very entertaining book The Science of Interstellar .

Nolan, meanwhile, has gone on to make movies of increasing complexity. Tenet is his latest, doing for time what Interstellar did for space.

Moon (2009)

Sam Bell (Sam Rockwell) is preparing to leave the moon at the end of his three-year stint as sole supervisor of a helium-3 mine. (Robert Zubrin’s book Entering Space gave Duncan Jones the film’s industrial premise.) But Sam is also trapped in the carcass of a crashed lunar ore conveyor. And as Sam and Sam wrestle with their inexplicable meeting, they must solve an obvious and pressing puzzle: just how many more Sams might there be?

Offered a low-budget British sci-fi movie by a first-time director , Rockwell left things until the last minute, then grabbed at the chance of playing against himself. Once on board, his commitment was total: riffing and extemporising off memories of his own performance, he insisted on distinguishing the two Sams more by demeanour than by costume changes. The result is a compelling, emotionally charged thriller, spiked with an inventive mix of effects (from CGI to model work to simple, deft editing) that keeps the audience off-balance throughout the movie. Jones has yet to top his debut work, and Rockwell, for all his subsequent successes, will forever be remembered as the Moon guy(s).

Proxima (2019)

Shot in the European Space Agency’s training facilities in Germany, and in the complex outside Moscow that is home to the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center , Alice Winocour’s third feature Proxima never leaves the ground, and yet it remains an out-of-this-world experience.

Cinematographer Georges Lechaptois brilliantly captures these rarely glimpsed spaces in all their strangeness, banality and occasional dilapidation. One can’t help but think, watching this, that being an astronaut must be like being a professional athlete – one’s glamorous career being conducted, for the most part, in smelly changing rooms.

Plaudits also to Eva Green for her portrayal of Sarah Loreau, a single mother given a last-minute opportunity to join a mission to the International Space Station. Green conveys wonderfully Sarah’s conflicted state of both wanting to go to space but not wanting to be separated from her daughter. The solution is there but it’s going to be hard to forge, and Green’s performance is heart-rending.

Alien (1979)

Sigourney Weaver plays Ripley, member of a sensible and resourceful space-going cargo crew whose capabilities are going to prove of no use whatsoever as they confront a predatory, stowaway alien.

Critics loved Alien : they said it would change how we thought about science fiction. It also, for some of us who caught it at the right age, changed how we thought about biology.

We have been an apex predator for so long, we have forgotten the specialness of our privilege. Alien reminds us of what the natural world is really like. It locates us in the middle of things, not without resources but most definitely not at the top of a food chain. It reminds us that living processes are predatory – that life is about tearing living things apart to get at their raw material.

Alien in Alien

AA Film Archive / Alamy

The clumsily named “xenomorph” of the Alien movies has an infamous life cycle, loosely based on those of certain parasitic wasps, but with the added ingredient of plasticity. A hugged human brings forth a humanoid alien. A hugged dog produces a canine. (Where the aquatic aliens of Alien: Resurrection (1997) spring from is anyone’s guess.)

If you want to know what Darwin said, read On the Origin of Species . But if you want to know how it must have made its original readers feel – go watch Alien .

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

When Stanley Kubrick suggested a movie idea to British writer Arthur Clarke, Clarke responded enthusiastically. “The ‘really good’ science-fiction movie is a great many years overdue,” he wrote.

The question – which the two never really resolved – was which really good movie to make. A film about the triumph of science and technology? Or a film about the timeless yearnings of the human spirit?

While Kubrick, a student of human nature, director of searing and discomforting films like Paths of Glory and Lolita , mined Japanese sci-fi movies for special effects, Clarke, a communications satellite pioneer as well as a writer, worked up a script centred on what he later dubbed “the God concept”.

Encompassing everything from the dawn of man, the space race, artificial intelligence, space exploration and trans-dimensional travel, 2001 centres on the duel between David Bowman (Keir Dullea) and the inadvertently-designed-to-be-murderous HAL, a computer that is guiding his ship to Jupiter. We tend to assume Clarke provided the film’s gosh-wow factor and Kubrick provided the unease. Not so: his 1960 story, The Challenge of the Spaceship shows Clarke already painfully aware of the challenges faced by a “little, self-contained community floating in vacuum millions of miles from anywhere, kept alive in a bubble of plastic and metal” with “absolutely nothing” happening.

The boredom and incipient madness that haunt both Bowman and the ship’s poor, boxed-in AI are the film’s chief point: that we cannot live by reason alone. We need something more.

Hidden Figures (2016)

At NASA’s Langley Research Center in 1961, three Black female mathematicians, Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughn (Octavia Spencer) and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe) , contribute their considerable mathematical ability to the agency’s efforts to launch white men into space. The unit they work in is segregated by gender and race but the difficulties they face are ignored by many of their colleagues. Their boss, Al Harrison, (a composite fictional character played by Kevin Costner), feels otherwise and proceeds to desegregate NASA single-handedly, armed only with an acid tongue and a sledgehammer.

The film is loosely based on 2016 book of the same name by Margot Lee Shetterly, although it takes a less factual approach. For example, the film delays Johnson’s pioneering work by a good decade so that she can share feel-good moments with the other female cast members .

Whether that matters comes down to personal taste. It is no small thing that, thanks to this film, we now know Johnson, Vaughn and Jackson by name .

Apollo 13 (1995)

On 11 April 1970, a seventh crewed mission in the Apollo space programme launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It was due to land in the Fra Mauro crater, and help establish the early history of both the moon and Earth.

Two days into the journey, an oxygen tank in the spacecraft’s service module exploded, and their flight path was changed to loop them around the moon and bring them back to Earth on 17 April. Dizzy from carbon dioxide levels in the air, mounting at a rate they thought would kill them, soaking wet from all the condensation, cold because power was now severely limited, and with only plastic bags of their own urine for company they couldn’t jettison for fear this would alter their course, commander Jim Lovell, command module pilot Jack Swigert and Lunar Module pilot Fred Haise uttered hardly a word of complaint. Incredibly, they survived.

For his script, director Ron Howard has added one argument between Swigert (Kevin Bacon) and Haise (Bill Paxton) and otherwise changed barely a word of the official Apollo 13 transcript. Tom Hanks plays Lovell as a capable man dealing with a crisis. There are no epiphanies. Souls aren’t searched. For some, this might make for a slightly muted experience. But this painstakingly accurate film (the sets included bits of the Apollo 13 command module; even the actors’ pressure suits were airtight) remains peerless, utterly convincing in every shot and every gesture .

First Man (2018)

As if landing on the moon wasn’t enough, Neil Armstrong spent the rest of his life having to describe the experience to the world’s media. No wonder he became something of a recluse – which of course only served to generate even more media interest.

Armstrong, an aeronautical engineer and university professor, was a man who enjoyed his privacy. Cornered, what could he do but tell the same story again and again and again? Disappointed, their curiosity unslaked, people called him dull.

Two years after hurling a vocally challenged Ryan Gosling into his musical La La Land , Damien Chazelle cast him as Neil Armstrong, in a movie that promised to locate Armstrong’s beating heart and rich emotional life. As such, First Man is a triumph.

Gosling is the film actors’ film actor, capable of expressing deep emotion with astounding economy. Playing “buttoned up” hampers him hardly at all. And he is given plenty to work with. Josh Singer’s ingenious script gives Armstrong a profound and personal motivation for wanting to reach the moon that in no way interferes with the historical record, or trivialises its celebrated subject. As for the moon landing itself, it represents a milestone in cinematic technique. You’ll believe you were there, and you’ll wonder, deeply, why Armstrong, or anyone else for that matter, ever went.

The Right Stuff (1983)

Anchored by powerful performances by Sam Shepard as Chuck Yeager and Ed Harris as John Glenn, Kaufman’s 3-hour-13-minute epic loosely follows Tom Wolfe’s book of the same name: a heart-thumping yet critical account of the earliest US efforts to send humans into space.

What is needed for that is, of course, “the right stuff”: a combination of skill, bravery and a somewhat blood-curdling fearlessness in the face of death. They are qualities superbly embodied in Shepard’s performance as test-pilot Chuck Yeager, the first man to break the sound barrier (and, incidentally, a consultant on the film).

Leaving Earth also needed collaboration, organisation, even – heaven help us – publicity. Ed Harris is the squeaky-clean Glenn, destined to be the first American in space, whose “right stuff” has had its rough edges shaved off by endless classes, tests, magazine profiles and media events.

Historically, The Right Stuff isn’t especially accurate. In particular, Mercury astronauts Wally Schirra, Gordon Cooper and Alan Shepard were critical of the way the film short-changed their compatriot Gus Grissom, who died in the Apollo 1 fire.

Still, it is a thoughtful and intelligent movie, as well as a thrilling one, and it captures very well the moment space travel became a serious, and corporate, enterprise.

The Martian (2015)

Premised on a single, staggering inaccuracy (a Martian storm could never get up the energy to blow a spacecraft over) The Martian is an otherwise cleverly figured-out tale of how an astronaut (Mark Watney, played by Matt Damon), left for dead on the surface of Mars, might survive for four years on a diet of potatoes grown in recycled faecal matter .

Based on a book (by Andy Weir) that itself began life as a series of blog posts, Scott’s film retains an endearing, cobbled-together quality, which neatly (and by the end, really quite movingly) reflects Watney’s scrabble for survival.

Boasting habitat, spacesuit, spacecraft and launch vehicle designs that all carried NASA’s stamp of approval, The Martian flits between Watney’s Martian base, the ship in which his crew mates are returning home, and the offices and control rooms on Earth where everybody is frantically trying to do the right thing, as their chances of saving Watney narrow to a point.

An unashamed advertisement for NASA’s plans for Mars, and a celebration of its crewed programme’s rebirth after the Challenger disaster in 1986, The Martian already feels slightly dated. But its invention and good humour are timeless.

Gravity (2013)

When a cloud of debris travelling faster than a speeding bullet collides with the space shuttle, mission specialist Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) and veteran astronaut Matt Kowalski (George Clooney) must make their way across gulfs of space on dwindling supplies of air and propellant in search of a vehicle that will take them home; soon the debris cloud will return on its inexorable orbit.

As likely to scare someone off a space career as inspire them to pursue one, Gravity is premised on the idea that low Earth orbit is so crowded with hardware and discarded junk that a collision could initiate a chain reaction known as the Kessler syndrome, and destroy every satellite.

For all that, Gravity is less a science fiction film than a survival film (think Open Water or Touching the Void , both from 2003), and is the last place you would go for a lesson in orbital mechanics. While not quite as egregiously silly as 2019’s Ad Astra (in which Brad Pitt literally leaps through Saturn’s ice rings, using a hatch-cover for an umbrella) Gravity is no 2001 , no Apollo 13 , no First Man .

But while accuracy is one thing; truth is quite another. With Gravity , director Cuarón triumphantly realised his ambition to make the first truly weightless-seeming film, conveying the environment and sensation of zero gravity more powerfully, immediately (and, yes, accurately) than any film-maker, before or since.

October Sky (1999)

NASA engineer Homer H. Hickam Jr.’s autobiography provided the seed for this drama about a teenager coming of age at the dawn of the space race. A 17-year-old Jake Gyllenhaal (he was still taking school classes during the filming) plays Homer, a high school student in Coalwood, West Virginia, when, in 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik, the first human-made satellite.

Inspired by the Soviet achievement, and encouraged by his teacher (Laura Dern), Homer and his fellow “rocket boys” start building their own homemade missiles. Chris Cooper finds gold in the somewhat thankless role of Homer’s father, conscientiously pouring cold water on his son’s dreams: what’s wrong with working in the local coal mine, he’d like to know?

Director Joe Johnston is better known for his rather more gung-ho approaches to heroism and rocket flight. (1991’s Rocketeer is a cult classic; Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) needs no introduction here.)

October Sky is an altogether more contained achievement: the touching story of imagination awakened by the possibilities of rocketry, space travel, and a world beyond Earth.

What do you think of this list? Think there are better space movies out there that deserve a coveted spot? We have review lots of sci-fi films, books and TV shows  but we can’t watch them all so let us know your favourite on  Twitter  and  Facebook . If you enjoyed this you might also want to see what we think are the  best science documentaries ,  top popular science books  and even  video games set on Mars .

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Amit Katwala

The best space movies of all time

This year could be a turning point for space travel, with a number of new manned craft due for testing, and several space tourism projects touted to finally get off the ground. It’s a step towards a future that’s been depicted in fiction for decades.

Here, we’ve picked out our favourite films about space – that means nothing set largely on Earth (so no Independence Day ), or where the setting is simply a backdrop to a story that could be set anywhere (so no Star Wars ). A true space movie is one that focuses mainly on the difficulties of surviving outside the warm embrace of Earth – and the drama that plays out against the dizzying scale of the cosmos.

You may also enjoy our guides to the best sci-fi movies and the best sci-fi books .

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

From its iconic opening, through to the rising terror of HAL 9000 – Stanley Kubrick’s 1968 epic is packed with hugely influential moments that have set the tone for so much of the science-fiction and space cinema that has followed. Kubrick worked with sci-fi author Arthur C Clarke on the story, which concerns a voyage to Jupiter to investigate a strange alien monolith that seems to affect human evolution. The film pioneered a number of special effects, and was nominated for four Oscars.

Alien (1979)

This critically acclaimed sci-fi horror movie barely needs introduction. It follows the crew of a commercial spaceship and the chaos that ensues when they discover a terrifying alien creature is loose on board – something for Richard Branson to be mindful of when Virgin Galactic eventually gets off the ground, perhaps. Sigourney Weaver stars as Ripley in a taut two-hour thriller full of iconic moments and gruesome prosthetics. It has spawned a number of sequels, spin-offs and crossovers.

Apollo 13 (1995)

Beloved by the terrestrial television schedulers of the mid-2000s, Apollo 13 is an all-star portrayal of the gripping drama of a failed mission to the Moon in 1970. Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon and Gary Sinise brought mass appeal, but Apollo 13’s real charm is in the incredible attention to detail – director Ron Howard went to huge lengths to make it as authentic as possible, enlisting NASA’s help to train the cast, and even filming on board a reduced gravity aircraft to make weightlessness feel more realistic.

Event Horizon (1997)

The ship Event Horizon is on a mission to Proxima Centauri when it mysteriously disappears. Seven years later, it is broadcasting a distress signal, which Captain Miller, played by Laurence Fishburne, and his crew go to investigate. When they get there, all the occupants of the ship are dead. Soon the same forces that killed them begin to work on the rescuers, being haunted apparitions from their past and an evil force overpowering them. The crew members get picked off one by one as survivors attempt to escape and make sure this force never comes to Earth. Though the movie is filled with blood, gore and death, apparently it’s less gory than intended, and fans are still begging director Paul W. S. Anderson for the original cut.

Solaris (2002)

George Clooney plays clinical psychologist Chris Kelvin, who is summoned to a space station orbiting an alien planet in this remake of the 1972 original. Upon his arrival, he finds it mostly empty, bloodstained and two crew members are dead. The surviving crew are tight-lipped about the problems they have faced, but when Kelvin wakes up the next morning, he finds a replica of his dead wife next to him. The crew have all been plagued by these facsimiles of their loved ones, which reappear when destroyed. It’s a question of what’s real and what isn’t. Are these people a blessing or a curse?

Sunshine (2007)

Towards the end of Danny Boyle’s space survival slasher, as the tension and profundity builds, the soundtrack becomes overwhelming. The camera spins and tilts as visual flashes and distortions race across the screen. The score, the work of Welsh electronica outfit Underworld, ratchets up and up until a sudden moment of calm. This is when Capa, played by Killian Murphy, touches the Sun. It’s a moment of almost religious reverence – and one of the most visually arresting in cinema. Throughout the film, Boyle plays heavily on the link between the Sun and God, creating a very real sense of its overwhelming physical and spiritual presence. It’s this almighty heft that ultimately drives the villain – and many of its heroes – mad.

Wall-E (2008)

When pollution makes the Earth uninhabitable, humans head into space, leaving behind a small but determined trash-compacting robot. One day a shiny new robot named Eve comes to the planet to look for signs of life, and Wall-E makes friends, showing her the life he has made for himself. When they find a plant, Wall-E is whisked away to the spaceship that now houses humanity, where he encourages a robot rebellion to help humanity get back on track. Wall-E has all the hallmarks of a space movie but packaged in a cute, family-friendly way – although it's depiction of a sedentary human race adrift in the stars strike a warning note.

Moon (2009)

Duncan Jones’ directorial debut is a moving twist on the ‘stranded in space’ trope. It follows Sam Bell – who is nearing the end of a three-year stint mining helium on the dark side of the moon when he starts hallucinating. It’s a desolate, emotional film that stand aparts from many other space films in terms of tone – critics loved the cinematography, and Sam Rockwell’s performance as protagonist Sam Bell.

Gravity (2013)

It took three years to do the special effects for Gravity , Alfonso Cuarón’s tense, disorientating movie about a first-time astronaut (Sandra Bullock) who becomes trapped in orbit after the space shuttle is hit by debris from an exploded satellite. The film, which also stars George Clooney as the commander of the shuttle team, is one of the most successful films of all time, with reviewers praising its cinematography, and Bullock’s performance – which involved gruelling, lonely hours in a spinning rig.

Interstellar (2014)

The universe is big . And Interstellar , more than any other film, makes you feel it. This is Christopher Nolan with all the requisite IMAX nobs and dials turned up to maximum. Nolan’s admirable trick here is to take all the cinematic tools at his disposal – and invent some new ones – and use them to convey the agonising contrast between the size of the cosmos and the perilous insignificance of a small band of humans. And it’s this contrast, even when the things flips to the fantastical, that keeps Interstellar grounded. This is a story about human survival, but also an ode to our understanding of the awe-inspiring, terrifying beauty of the cosmos.

The Martian (2015)

Andy Weir’s science-laden tale of an astronaut stranded on Mars works because of the long, detailed internal dialogue of the main character, Mark Watney. Translating the novel to the big screen – where audiences are less forgiving of in-depth screeds about the difficulties of growing potatoes in low gravity – was a difficult challenge, but director Ridley Scott nails it. The Martian combines the nail-biting drama of Gravity with the ingenuity on show in Apollo 13 as a team on Earth scramble to rescue Watney.

First Man (2018)

Timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Moon landings, First Man brought the dangers faced by Neil Armstrong and colleagues into sharp relief. Starring Ryan Gosling as Armstrong, First Man begins with the early tests of what would eventually become the Apollo 11 mission – it shows the astronauts vying for selection and the honour of being the first to walk on Earth’s satellite, and grappling with erratic test versions of the lunar lander. But it kicks up another gear when the chosen three get into space – the landing sequence is gripping, quite beautiful cinema.

This article was originally published by WIRED UK

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10 of the best space travel movies of all time, ranked.

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There is a corner of the Science Fiction genre devoted to the actual event that dazzles plenty of us - traversing the cosmos! From the very first Sci-Fi film, the epic 18 minute, A Trip To The Moon all the way to last year’s First Man ; heading to the stars opens us up to all of the other wild adventures that have happened on screen, like Star Trek and Total Recall.

Related:  10 Mind-Boggling Sci-Fi Movies To Watch If You Like The Matrix

With the exception of a few films on this list, most of these movies are still fiction. But they’re based in science fact. With help from scientists like Kip Thorne and Carl Sagan, these movies also do their best to maintain the integrity of the real science that might be involved to what the movies need them to do. Here are 10 Of The Best Space Travel Movies Of All Time, Ranked.

2001: A Space Odyssey

For most sci-fi fans, Stanley Kubrick’s 2001 is the pinnacle of everything a science fiction movie should be. Co-written by one of the Big Three of Science Fiction, Arthur C. Clarke and based off of his short story, “The Sentinel,” there was literally nothing like it in cinema ever in 1968.

No matter what you think of the film’s actual plot about an ominous monolith affecting human evolution , the visual beauty of the film and many of the scenes and tropes it introduced still hold up over fifty years after its release and influence many films.

Interstellar

One of those many films and filmmakers inspired by 2001 and Kubrick is Interstellar , directed by unabashed Kubrick devotee, Christopher Nolan. The film takes place in a not too far off future where most of our world’s food resources are depleted, real history about space is replaced to keep people from looking up and NASA is hiding.

Related:  10 Worst Cancelled Sci-Fi Show Cliffhangers

Until former pilot, Cooper and his daughter stumble upon them. Coop’s presented with the most arduous of missions - find a suitable replacement to bring all of mankind to its new home.

The Martian

What if there was a whole team working to find and bring Tom Hanks home in Castaway ? The Martian features Matt Damon as an astronaut, Mark Watney stranded on Mars.

After calculating that he has four years he has to survive until the next crew will touch down, Mark goes to work, growing his own potato farm. Once he gets a Pathfinder going is when NASA realizes that he’s still alive and the journey to bring him home begins.

The Right Stuff

We’ve all seen that big hero shot - all of the film’s stars walking in slow motion getting ready to do the task at hand. That shot was originated in the astronaut movie, The Right Stuff.

The movie tells the real-life story of the military pilots, including John Glenn, who helped test and refine the space program that would lead to Project Mercury, the first US manned mission into space.

Ed Harris did such a good job at playing and astronaut in The Right Stuff , that Ron Howard had tapped him to play flight director Gene Kranz in Apollo 13.

The film features Kevin Bacon, Bill Paxton, and the incomparable Tom Hanks as the three astronauts who were set to orbit the moon. Until an explosion happens on the shuttle, turning the mission into getting back to Earth safely.

Being lost in the vastness of space sounds absolutely terrifying. Combine that with your shuttle being broken. Veteran astronaut, Matt Kowalski and Dr. Ryan Stone are aboard the Explorer tasked with repairing the Hubble Telescope.

That mission goes haywire when debris smashes the Explorer forcing Matt and Ryan to find a way to a nearby station and find a way home. But they have to work fast, the debris field is orbiting them.

Based on Carl Sagan’s novel, Contact is about a different type of space exploration. Instead of physically traversing the cosmos, it’s up to Ellie Arroway and her team to research radio emissions and waves from space looking for signs of intelligent life.

Related:  10 Great TV Shows That Re-Write Time & Reality

As she is about to be shut down, a sequence appears from the Vega system, light years away. It’s one of the best movies that feature the research that actually goes into helping the astronauts.

From The Earth To The Moon

After the success of Apollo 13 , director Ron Howard teamed up with Tom Hanks for the HBO miniseries, From The Earth To The Moon. The ambitious series took a look at the lives of the men and women from the early Apollo missions.

The show was memorable for its use of archive footage of prior missions and news reports, mixed in with dramatic scenes as well to give the show a documentary type of feel while still being a high-stakes drama.

“That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for all mankind” might be the most famous quote of the 20th century. Neil Armstrong’s life has been whittled down to that one epic moment (and can you blame history for doing so?!).

Related:  10 Classic Science Fiction Novels That Need A Film Adaptation

But the personal triumphs and tragedies that led Armstrong to that one moment and Kennedy’s “We Go To The Moon” speech; the death of his daughter, is something that no one should ever have to endure.

Galaxy Quest

While there is absolutely zero scientific research involved in the events of Galaxy Quest. But not every movie about space travel has to be scientifically accurate or filled with soon doom and gloom. It’s also not every day that a parody of Star Trek is so well received that fans of that franchise actually rank it when they’re discussing their favorite Trek movies.

While the cast of the TV series Galaxy Quest , series star Jason Nesbit is approached by several members of the Thermian race contact him to get his crew together and help them stop an evil threat. They really think that Nesbit is his character, Commander Taggart and the rest of the actors are their characters. It’s up to them to now stop pretending their astronauts and save the galaxy for real.

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• 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

The 47 Best Space Movies of All Time

To infinity and beyond.

The film industry has long been obsessed with outer space—even before men walked on the moon. In fact, the first film on space dates all the way back to 1902 with the French silent film, A Trip to the Moon . Since then, we’ve come a long way from the days of outerwordly black-and-white movies made with cardboard cutouts. Nowadays, the best movies about space travel push the boundaries of special effects and the human imagination, which is why we love them so much. 

Now, let’s get one thing straight about space movies: You don’t have to be a sci-fi fan to enjoy them. While some films take us Earthlings to new planets inhabited by new creatures (I’m looking at you Star Trek !), other films are no work of fiction at all— First Man and Apollo 13 are based on very real stories and will leave you shook to the core. 

So the next time you’re in need of a little escape from the issues that plague our world, look no further than this list of the best space movies. Each film on this list will take you somewhere you’ve never been before, all without leaving your couch. These films all reference space in some shape or form, but they also range in subject matter and genre—so whether you prefer a comedy or drama, we’ve got you covered. Ahead in no particular order, are 47 films that will take you to a galaxy far, far away. 

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2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

In 1968, Stanley Kubrik's  2001: A Space Odyssey  debuted to underwhelming reviews. Years later, the film became a cult-classic for cinephiles and sci-fi fanatics.  2001  takes you on the ultimate trip. I'm not saying you should be stoned while watching this, but I'm not  not  saying that.

WATCH IT 

Interstellar (2014)

Christopher Nolan's  Interstellar , which features a star-studded cast — Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Casey Affleck, Michael Caine, and a young Timothée Chalamet, to name a few — is easily one of the most successful space movies of the decade. The film follows Cooper (McConaughey) who's on a journey through the galaxy to find a potential new home for humankind.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005)

Planning a trip that's out of this world? Don't panic.  The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy  (2005) has you covered. Martin Freeman, Mos Def, Zooey Deschanel, and Sam Rockwell make this hilariously dysfunctional cast heroes of the galaxy. This movie has everything: singing dolphins, a two-headed president, and the answer to the eternal question—what is the meaning of life?

WALL-E (2008)

WALL-E  tells the story of the last robot left on an uninhabitable Earth filled with trash. Relatable, no? Though dialogue is limited, the film is visually stunning and a sentimental. Come for the Pixar animated cuteness, stay for the feels. 

Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century (1999)

Zetus Lapetus! This Disney Channel Original Movie is a standout in the collection of space cinema. Zenon (Kristen Storm) has been grounded by her parents...to Earth. When trouble strikes on the space station, Zenon has to save her parents and best friend Nebula (Raven-Symoné) before it's too late. Let us not forget the  special performance  by intergalactic superstar Prota Zoa.

Space Jam (1996)

NBA legend and one of the greatest athletes of all time, Bugs Bunny, stars opposite Michael Jordan in this 1996 sports cinematic masterpiece. Bunny and his cartoon comrades take Jordan out of basketball retirement to defeat theme park owner, Swackhammer (Danny freakin' DiVito!).

WATCH IT  

Alien (1979)

From the space auteur Ridley Scott, this first film in the  Alien  franchise is as gripping as it is visually captivating. Ellen Ripley (Madame Sigourney Weaver) and her copilots attempt to escape an extraterrestrial who's boarded their spacecraft. The film's biggest takeaway? Always listen to a woman when she has a plan!

Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

When this movie debuted, everyone thought  Chris Pratt is...hot?  In this Marvel film, Star-Lord (Pratt) joins fellow convicts Rocket the Raccoon (Bradley Cooper), Drax, Gamora (Zoe Saldana), and Groot (Vin Diesel) to return a stolen orb to safe hands and, well, save the galaxy.

The Star Wars Franchise

Jedis, Droids, Wookiees, oh my! The 9+ films in the  Star Wars  franchise are the most successful in the galaxy, so we are contractually obligated* to put them on this list. If you haven't seen any of them by now, what asteroid have you been living under?

*Not obligated whatsoever

Hidden Figures (2016)

Hidden Figures  tells the story of unsung NASA heroes Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer) and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe)—three Black women who fast-tracked the space race and helped launch man into orbit for the first time. Are we surprised women were behind one of NASA's most successful events? Absolutely not...but we love to see it!

Arrival (2016)

Amy Adams is a linguistics professor called to lead a team of scientists attempting to communicate with an alien spaceship that landed on Earth. Her performance is breathtaking (talk about Oscars  robbery ), especially considering her main co-star was...an alien.

Moon (2009)

If you love Sam Rockwell,  Moon  is a slow-burn movie you'll need to see. Did I fall asleep midway? Sure. But when I woke up and restarted, I was glad I did. Astronaut Sam Bell (Rockwell) is finishing up a three-year assignment when an accident causes him to see double. Trouble ensues when Rockwell faces a clone of himself onboard. I hate when that happens!

Men in Black (1997)

Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones are the secret agents sworn to keep the Earth safe from all things extraterrestrial. Man vs. alien, what could possibly go wrong? A lot! Only thing this movie is missing? Sigourney Weaver!

Blade Runner (1982)

The original  Blade Runner , another Ridley Scott classic, follows Deckard (Harrison Ford) who's sent to Earth on the hunt for escaped Replicants. When he falls in love with a Replicant woman, things will never be the same.

Ad Astra (2019)

Did I watch this movie just to see Brad Pitt look like a disgruntled hot zaddy in a space uniform? Maybe, what of it?  Ad Astra  follows Pitt's character as he searches for an answer for his missing astronaut father. It's gripping and beautiful. Brad Pitt's best performance? No, but what compares to Brad  Burn After Reading  Pitt?

Solaris (1972)

This Russian film in which Kris Kelvin starts seeing his late wife aboard the space craft is a cult-classic. This psychological thriller was later remade in 2002 starring George Clooney. I watched the remake; stick to the original. 

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)

Rogue One  could be grouped in with the  Star Wars  franchise, but Felicity Jones is just too badass in this movie to not recognize it on its own!  Rogue One  is set just before  A New Hope  and follows Jyn Erso (Jones) as she leads the rebel alliance to steal plans to the Death Star. We love to see galactic feminism!

Gravity (2013)

Director Alfonso Cuarón's cinematic masterpiece,  Gravity ,   is awe-inspiring and  completely unrealistic . The film stars Sandra Bullock and George Clooney in my worst nightmare—alone and floating aimlessly in outer space. You'll be on the edge of your seat the whole time riding that anxiety high.

First Man (2018)

First Man  is the story of Neil Armstrong's (Ryan Gosling) journey to space with the support of his wife (Claire Foy). The film depicts Armstrong's spacewalk and the advancements of mankind. It's...slow, but Foy's performance is gripping and Gosling is not too bad to look at! 

The Martian (2015)

If you thought the world was short on films about white male astronauts, think again!  The Martian ,   based on the best-selling novel, follows an astronaut (Matt Damon) stranded on Mars as he attempts to stay alive. Think  The Circle  except its Damon talking to his webcam about his plants. 

High Life (2018)

From director Claire Denis,  High Life  is trippy masterpiece. Robert Pattinson attempts to survive an endless mission in outer space. It's artistic and definitely not made for the faint of heart.

Star Trek (2009)

Based on the hit 1960s TV series, the first  Star Trek  movie in the 2000s trilogy follows James T. Kirk (Chris Pine) and Spock (Zachary Quinto) on a journey to the final frontier. If you watched the show, it's nostalgic glory. If not, sit back and watch sexy Pine take control.

Apollo 13 (1995)

Based on the true story of the Apollo 13 mission, Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton, and Kevin Bacon's characters fight to stay alive when malfunctions take place mid-mission.

Thor: Ragnarok (2017)

One of the best films in the Marvel franchise (@ me, I dare you!),  Thor: Ragnarok  finds Thor (Chris Hemsworth) on a junk planet, the name of which I honestly can't remember. He tries to save Asgard alongside Hulk (hot daddy Mark Ruffalo!), Loki, and Valkyrie. Directed by Taika Waititi ( JoJo Rabbit, What We Do in the Shadows ), this movie will make you laugh out loud.

Lucy in the Sky (2019)

Lucy in the Sky  follows astronaut Lucy Cola (Natalie Portman) on her mission to space. The film is a slow-burn, but visually stimulating and a cult favorite.

Prometheus (2012)

Another Ridley Scott sci-fi thriller!  Prometheus  stars Charlize Theron and Michael Fassbender as they search for other sentient beings in the universe. What could possibly go wrong?

Treasure Planet (2002)

Based on  Treasure Island , this animated film is about a treasure hunt across the galaxy in a space ship. Sails included.

The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976)

This indie-flick stars David Bowie as an extraterrestrial who's found his way to Earth and falls in love with a human while trying to save his home planet. The '70s weren't necessarily the prime decade for cinema, but Bowie is iconic in this film. It will make you think,  What did I just watch?

Armageddon (1998)

When an asteroid is destined for Earth, who better to save the day than Billy Bob Thorton and Bruce Willis? Also starring Ben Affleck and Liv Tyler,  Armageddon  is one of sci-fi's favorite space movies. The best part of the film? Aerosmith's original song, "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing."

The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)

One of the original space films,  The Day the Earth Stood Still  is an essential watch for sci-fi cinephiles. Chaos ensues when an alien, alongside his large robot, visits Earth to deliver a message that will change all of humankind. This movie was remade in 2008 with a young Keanu Reeves. Still, watch the original.

Galaxy Quest (1999)

Tim Allen, Alan Rickman, and yes, Madame Sigourney Weaver star in this 1999 space comedy about TV astronauts forced by aliens to help save their planet. It's funny in the "you had to see it in the '90s" sort of way.

I Am Mother (2019)

I Am Mother  is the story of a young girl raised by a robot. When an outsider (Hilary Swank) arrives, the girl is forced to decide between who to believe: her robotic caretaker or a fellow human.

Avatar (2009)

When James Cameron's  Avatar  came out in 2009 ,  did I see it in 3-D IMAX? Yes. Does it need five sequels and a Disney World Theme Park? Absolutely not. Let me sum up this film in a few words: war, blue, alien sex. Still, it was nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars.

Plan 9 From Outer Space (1959)

Californians are under attack by flying saucers in this 1959 cult classic. Their plan? Resurrect corpses of a Hollywood cemetery in a Frankenstein-style fashion.

A Wrinkle in Time (2018)

In  A Wrinkle in Time , based off the beloved Madeleine L'Engle novel, two young kids travel the universe in search of their missing father. Mindy Kaling, Reese Witherspoon, and Oprah help the children on their mission. The film itself is a visual marvel, hair and makeup are iconic to say the least, but the performances fall flat and it doesn't match the hype.

Spaceballs (1987)

For those who loved the '80s,  Spaceballs , the famous parody of  Star Wars,  pokes fun at every sci-fi movie made. It's okay to love it—even not ironically.

Jupiter Ascending (2015)

If you haven't seen  Jupiter Ascending , now is not the time. Mila Kunis is Jupiter Jones, an alien, opposite Channing Tatum, who is half canine, half human. (I wish I could make this up.)

Coneheads (1993)

From the  SNL  sketch to the big screen,  Coneheads  follows a family of aliens who've found a home in Jersey and try to live a normal life. Another film with a cult-following, this movie caters to lovers of old  SNL  and Dan Aykroyd .

It Came from Outer Space (1953)

The 1953 classic film depicts an alien invasion. Townspeople begin to disappear and are replaced by alien versions. Think:  Invasion of the Body Snatchers  meets  The Twilight Zone . An essential watch for space cinephiles.

The Astronaut's Wife (1999)

A former astronaut (Johnny Depp) returns to Earth after a mission but isn't quite the same. His wife (Charlize Theron) begins to notice his strange behavior, and drama ensues.

LIFE (2017)

LIFE  stars Jake Gyllenhaal and Ryan Renolds in this sci-fi thriller in which a new life form begins to develop aboard the International Space Station. 

October Sky (1999)

Jake Gyllenhaal has weirdly been in a lot of movies about space. In October Sky, he plays the real NASA scientist Homer Hickham, who was inspired to go into rocketry after the Sputnik launch. 

Dune (2021)

Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya make this movie worth the watch alone, but the action in this sci-fi flick is pretty cool, too. We couldn't tell you exactly what goes down in the movie (the plot is a tad complicated) but think of it as Game of Thrones set across the universe. Instead of fighting over the Iron Throne, the warring families are fighting over... spice? 

Contact (1997)

There's nothing like watching a badass woman lead in a male-dominated field. Jodie Foster stars as Ellie, a scientist who uncovers an intergalactic message and has to work to discover its meaning. It's an eerily creepy watch, but one that will have you questioning what exactly is beyond our planet. 

Adapted from Iain Reid’s 2018 novel of the same name, this movie is a bit like an extended episode of Black Mirror : It tells the story of a married couple, Hen and Junior—played by Saoirse Ronan and Paul Mescal—who learn that Junior has been chosen to travel to space for a trial run of a new space colony. In his place, Hen will have a robot who looks and acts like Junior to keep her company. It’s as much a portrait of a complicated marriage as it is an unsettling sci-fi tale, and Ronan’s quiet performance bridging the two is particularly perfect.

Passengers (2016)

If you can get past the murky morality of this movie’s premise—a man (Chris Pratt) who wakes up on a spaceship traveling to a new planet proceeds to wake up a fellow traveler (Jennifer Lawrence) after becoming smitten with her video profile, essentially condemning her to die with him before the ship arrives at its destination—it’s essentially a tale of finding love in a (truly) hopeless place, as the great prophet Rihanna foretold.

Lightyear (2022)

This 2022 Pixar flick took a very meta approach to the “origin story” trend. It’s not, as you might expect, the story of the toy Buzz Lightyear before he met Woody and the gang. Instead, it’s the story of the fictional human astronaut Buzz Lightyear (voiced by Chris Evans), who was the subject of a kids TV series in the Toy Story universe, after whom Andy's beloved Buzz Lightyear action figure was modeled. Confused yet?

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50 best space movies of all time

Space has always captured the imagination of artists with all of its potential and unknowability. The sheer number of space-themed and set-in-space movies released over the years is a prime example of this. From silly takes like "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" to more serious stories like "First Man" to blockbusters like "Star Wars," there are probably more space-adjacent films out there than you realize.

2024 has been a huge year for space movies. Whether it's the magnum opus "Dune 2" grossing  over $700 million (and counting) worldwide , an Adam Sandler-starring  Netflix oddball  "Spaceman," or the return of one of the most terrifying alien supervillains in " Alien: Romulus ," fans of intergalactic cinema have a plethora of options to pick from. To celebrate, Stacker compiled a list of the best space movies of all time as determined by the Stacker score, which equally weighs a film's IMDb user score and Metascore (data is from February 2023), so both critics' and fans' opinions are taken into account. To be considered for the list, a film needed over 2,500 IMDb votes and at least seven Metacritic reviews.

The films on this list include soaring space operas, faithful docudramas, gripping thrillers, and speculative musings, but they all deal with space to some degree. These films span the recent history of cinema, from 1956 to 2022, and thus a chronological progression can be observed, with the early successes influencing later films.

Though some movies got the dates wrong, many of the themes explored deal directly with our day-to-day lives. "Gattaca" explores the perils of the creation of so-called "designer babies." "WALL-E," "Blade Runner," and "Planet of the Apes" muse on what will happen to the earth when humans destroy it. Several films take us back to one of humanity's greatest scientific achievements—the moon landing—and the sheer amount of effort and creativity needed to accomplish such a feat. So read on to discover something new that will inspire and entertain.

#50. Mr. Nobody (2009)

- Director: Jaco Van Dormael - Stacker score: 78.8 - Metascore: 63 - IMDb user rating: 7.8 - Runtime: 141 minutes

This list comprises space movies—after all, that's what you came for—but "Mr. Nobody" is one of a few time movies too. Jared Leto portrays the protagonist, Nemo Nobody, the last mortal left on Earth after everyone else achieves immortality through cellular regenerative technology. Though the movie largely takes place on Earth, Nemo, at points, writes a story about space travel to Mars, which is visually presented in gorgeous detail. At the 66th Venice International Film Festival, "Mr. Nobody" garnered the Golden Osella and the Biografilm Lancia Award.

#49. Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983)

- Director: Richard Marquand - Stacker score: 78.8 - Metascore: 58 - IMDb user rating: 8.3 - Runtime: 131 minutes

The original Star Wars trilogy will always be remembered for bringing blockbusters to Hollywood, with all its action, adventure, and exorbitant budgets. The third entry, "Return of the Jedi," is generally considered by fans and critics to be the worst of the three, though it's no less beloved than the first two. The Rebels, beaten time and time again, finally take their stand against the Empire as allegiances are tested and secrets are revealed. The movie took home the Special Achievement Academy Award in 1984.

#48. THX 1138 (1971)

- Director: George Lucas - Stacker score: 79.3 - Metascore: 75 - IMDb user rating: 6.7 - Runtime: 86 minutes

"THX 1138" was a failure. That is, until George Lucas gained notoriety for "Star Wars" and fans went back to watch his first film, which depicts a totalitarian dystopia controlled by mind-altering chemicals and an android police force. The title refers to the film's protagonist (Robert Duvall); to encourage conformity, names are simply three initials and four digits. The movie garnered a nomination at the 1971 Cannes Film Festival from the International Federation of Film Critics in the Directors' Fortnight section.

#47. Gattaca (1997)

- Director: Andrew Niccol - Stacker score: 79.3 - Metascore: 64 - IMDb user rating: 7.8 - Runtime: 106 minutes

Twenty-one years after the release of "Gattaca," the scientific community was forced to confront an issue raised by the film: gene editing. Using CRISPR technology, scientists can now selectively edit portions of DNA in embryos , creating artificial resistance against diseases like HIV, smallpox, and cholera. Eventually, this technology could determine many human traits, from intelligence to eye color, exactly to the parents' desire.

In the world of "Gattaca," a man born naturally—without any genes edited—poses as another man to sidestep genetic discrimination and fulfill his dreams to travel to space, raising important questions about whether gene editing is just a novel form of eugenics. The film garnered many accolades, including nominations for the Academy Award for Best Art Direction and the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score.

#46. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)

- Director: Gareth Edwards - Stacker score: 79.9 - Metascore: 65 - IMDb user rating: 7.8 - Runtime: 133 minutes

Many fans found inconvenient truths (without revealing spoilers) at the end of "Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope" 39 years later; "Rogue One," which takes place right before "Episode IV," sets the stage for that famous climax, explaining the story behind how the heroic band of rebels was able to strike a decisive blow against the Empire. The first "Star Wars" film to be set outside the three major trilogies, "Rogue One" was played for its no-holds-barred action, fast-paced storyline, and memorable cameos from beloved characters. The movie also received two Academy Award nominations for Best Sound Mixing and Best Visual Effects.

#45. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)

- Director: James Gunn - Stacker score: 79.9 - Metascore: 67 - IMDb user rating: 7.6 - Runtime: 136 minutes

Until 2014's "Guardians of the Galaxy," the films of the Marvel Cinematic Universe were mostly confined to Earth, with a few sojourns to Asgard with Thor. However, like its predecessor, which appears further down this list, "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" is set entirely in space, where Chris Pratt's Peter "Star-Lord" Quill was raised following his childhood abduction from Earth. With only retro songs to remember his home planet by, Star-Lord searches for answers with his band of reluctant heroes, among them a talking raccoon and a sentient tree. The film's sequel, "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3," is set to release in 2023.

#44. On the Silver Globe (1988)

- Director: Andrzej Zulawski - Stacker score: 80.4 - Metascore: 72 - IMDb user rating: 7.2 - Runtime: 166 minutes

Based on the novel of the same title by Jerzy Żuławski, a Polish novelist famous for his Lunar trilogy, of which "Silver Globe" is the first, this film sees a stranded group of astronauts start a new civilization on an alien planet. With detailed costumes and exquisite sets, this film confronts themes of religion and custom. In all, "Silver Globe" is an incredibly ambitious work, with stunning, visionary production. The movie earned Andrzej Żuławski the Best Film award at the Fantasporto film festival in 1988.

#43. Galaxy Quest (1999)

- Director: Dean Parisot - Stacker score: 80.4 - Metascore: 70 - IMDb user rating: 7.4 - Runtime: 102 minutes

What does Sigourney Weaver do after finally escaping from the aliens in "Alien" and "Aliens"? Poke fun at another staple of the sci-fi genre in "Galaxy Quest," a transparent but nonetheless hilarious send-up of "Star Trek" and its fans. Also starring Tim Allen, Alan Rickman, Tony Shalhoub, Sam Rockwell, and Daryl Mitchell, this cult classic is beloved by the very fans it made fun of, a surefire mark of a great film. The movie earned Allen the Best Actor award at the Saturn Awards in 2000.

#42. Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005)

- Director: George Lucas - Stacker score: 80.4 - Metascore: 68 - IMDb user rating: 7.6 - Runtime: 140 minutes

Though the trilogy of films that served as prequels to "Star Wars: Episode IV" generated ire from fans and critics alike, there's a lot to enjoy in "Revenge of the Sith," in which Anakin Skywalker must choose between the light side of the Jedi and the dark power of the Sith. Though the romance between Hayden Christensen's Anakin and Natalie Portman's Padmé is… unconvincing, the twists and turns are exciting enough to watch that they've now been immortalized as viral memes . With a whopping $50 million turnout, the movie still holds the record for the highest opening-day gross on a Thursday.

#41. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)

- Director: Nicholas Meyer - Stacker score: 81.0 - Metascore: 68 - IMDb user rating: 7.7 - Runtime: 113 minutes

Nowadays, with the ubiquity of computer-generated images, or CGI, in blockbuster cinemas, it's charming to remember when carefully painted miniatures and fireworks explosions comprised much of what we consider "special effects." "The Wrath of Khan," the first film to have a sequence comprised entirely of CGI, was a harbinger of this new era. Beloved by fans, William Shatner's James Tiberius Kirk leads a war against Khan, who has sworn revenge on the Starship Enterprise, in this classic space opera. George Takei, James Doohan, and Leonard Nimoy also co-star in the film.

#40. Ad Astra (2019)

- Director: James Gray - Stacker score: 81.0 - Metascore: 80 - IMDb user rating: 6.5 - Runtime: 123 minutes

In "Ad Astra," James Gray set out to present a realistic depiction of space travel , coining the term "science future fact" to describe his vision of interplanetary travel rooted in science. The psychological drama, which tells the story of an astronaut (Brad Pitt) who sets out to discover the truth about his missing father (Tommy Lee Jones), does that and so much more. Contemplative and loaded with meaning, the movie also asks big questions about the existence and role of god . The Brad Pitt starrer received an Academy Award nomination for Best Sound Mixing in 2020.

#39. Moon (2009)

- Director: Duncan Jones - Stacker score: 81.0 - Metascore: 67 - IMDb user rating: 7.8 - Runtime: 97 minutes

Many sci-fi movies have grand sets, impressive special effects, and daring heroes; others use the context of sci-fi to explore the human condition. That's the case with "Moon," which sees Sam Rockwell as a lonely helium-3 miner on the far side of the moon, cut off from human contact for three years as he works. When he begins to suffer hallucinations, not even the viewer can tell what's real and what's imagined. "Moon" received plenty of accolades, taking home the Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation in 2010 and garnering a nomination for the BAFTA Award for Best British Film.

#38. Star Trek Into Darkness (2013)

- Director: J.J. Abrams - Stacker score: 83.2 - Metascore: 72 - IMDb user rating: 7.7 - Runtime: 132 minutes

The sequel to J.J. Abrams' warmly received 2009 "Star Trek" reboot, "Into Darkness," sees the same crew headed by Chris Pine's James T. Kirk in a new adventure, tracking a mysterious villain (Benedict Cumberbatch) in a sneering, intense performance. With all the thrills and twists of the original "Star Trek" television series with the blockbuster budget of an Abrams flick, "Into Darkness" is a solid entry into the space-opera canon. The movie even earned a Best Visual Effects nomination at the 86th Academy Awards.

#37. Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood (2022)

- Director: Richard Linklater - Stacker score: 84.4 - Metascore: 79 - IMDb user rating: 7.2 - Runtime: 97 minutes

Loosely based on the real-life experiences of multihyphenate Richard Linklater, "Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood" tells the story of the 1969 moon landing from two perspectives—the crew aboard Apollo 11 and a fourth grader obsessed with imagining being the first man on the moon. The movie, like several of Linklater's other projects, is animated. Still, the process by which that animation was done —scenes were shot with real actors in front of green screens first, then converted to animation—gives it a much more realistic feel than your typical Saturday morning cartoon.

#36. Hidden Figures (2016)

- Director: Theodore Melfi - Stacker score: 84.9 - Metascore: 74 - IMDb user rating: 7.8 - Runtime: 127 minutes

Everyone remembers where they were when Neil Armstrong walked on the moon. Fewer people remember—or ever knew about—the groundbreaking scientists and mathematicians who made that walk possible, many being women of color, during a time when segregation was still enforced. Led by stirring performances from Taraji P. Henson, Janelle Monáe, and Octavia Spencer, among others, "Hidden Figures" is a heartwarming story about overcoming obstacles both on the ground and in the air. Apart from earning a Best Picture nomination at the 89th Academy Awards, the blockbuster took home the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture.

#35. Serenity (2005)

- Director: Joss Whedon - Stacker score: 84.9 - Metascore: 74 - IMDb user rating: 7.8 - Runtime: 119 minutes

Not to be confused with the astoundingly awful 2019 film by the same title, 2005's "Serenity" is a final love letter to the series "Firefly," which follows the crew of the spaceship Serenity. Though the television series failed with audiences, a passionate cult of Joss Whedon fans convinced Universal Studios to bankroll a film meant to wrap up unresolved threads, which fans were overall pleased with. Despite its underwhelming performance at the box office, the film received the Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation and the Best Script Nebula Award.

#34. Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

- Directors: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo - Stacker score: 84.9 - Metascore: 68 - IMDb user rating: 8.4 - Runtime: 149 minutes

After 18 films and 10 years, the beginning of the final climax of the Marvel Cinematic Universe arrived, along with Josh Brolin's Thanos, the most terrifying villain our heroes have ever faced. With Thanos intent on tracking down the infinity stones, mystical objects capable of immense power, with the goal of eliminating half of all life in the universe, the Avengers set out across space to stop him. The film is one of the highest-grossing films of all time worldwide and in the United States and Canada.

#33. World on a Wire (1973)

- Director: Rainer Werner Fassbinder - Stacker score: 85.5 - Metascore: 76 - IMDb user rating: 7.7 - Runtime: 212 minutes

A topic that has recently encouraged discussion among philosophers, scientists, and one intrepid tech entrepreneur is that of humanity's existence. Are we real? Or are we living in a simulation? Some believe there's an infinitesimal probability that we're simulated humans , given how close we are to creating simulated societies ourselves. That question is probed by "World on a Wire," a two-part miniseries made for German television, that predates later films like "The Matrix," which explores similar themes.

#32. Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi (2017)

- Director: Rian Johnson - Stacker score: 85.5 - Metascore: 84 - IMDb user rating: 6.9 - Runtime: 152 minutes

The middle entry of the third Star Wars theatrical trilogy, "The Last Jedi," sees a precarious Resistance trying to hold on to hope as the First Order pummels them at every turn. Elsewhere, Rey attempts to convince Luke Skywalker, a reclusive hermit who wants nothing to do with his past heroism, to train her in the ways of the force. The movie angered some die-hard fans but was overall warmly received by critics. The film also received nominations for Best Original Score and Best Visual Effects at the 90th Academy Awards.

#31. Thor: Ragnarok (2017)

- Director: Taika Waititi - Stacker score: 85.5 - Metascore: 74 - IMDb user rating: 7.9 - Runtime: 130 minutes

After "Thor: The Dark World," received lukewarm reviews, Marvel brought in New Zealand director Taika Waititi to spice up the franchise. The result: a colorful, hilarious romp through space featuring Chris Hemsworth's Thor facing off against Jeff Goldblum's Collector and Cate Blanchett's Hela, along with (and sometimes opposed to) his brother, Loki, played by an always-conniving Tom Hiddleston. Some old friends and foes make surprise appearances, and among fans of superhero movies, it's a must-see. A sequel, "Thor: Love and Thunder," was released in 2022.

#30. Apollo 13 (1995)

- Director: Ron Howard - Stacker score: 86.0 - Metascore: 77 - IMDb user rating: 7.7 - Runtime: 140 minutes

"Failure is not an option." Those are the words uttered by NASA flight director Gene Kranz (Ed Harris) after an explosion disrupts a planned moon landing in this docudrama adapted from real events. Starring Tom Hanks, Kevin Costner, Kevin Bacon, and Bill Paxton as stranded astronauts, this heart-pounding thriller will have you at the edge of your seat, even if you know the outcome. During awards season, "Apollo 13" earned nine Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, winning for Best Film Editing and Best Sound.

#29. Dune (2021)

- Director: Denis Villeneuve - Stacker score: 86.0 - Metascore: 74 - IMDb user rating: 8.0 - Runtime: 155 minutes

An adaptation of the classic 1965 sci-fi novel of the same name, "Dune" follows a noble family on a far-away planet named Arrakis as they attempt to stake their claim on the planet's most powerful resource. Only the third-ever adaptation of the source material, this version of the story was praised for its intense visuals and incredible score and was nominated for 10 Academy Awards. The movie only covers the first half of the book, and a sequel, "Dune: Part Two," is set to be released near the end of 2023.

#28. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

- Director: James Gunn - Stacker score: 87.2 - Metascore: 76 - IMDb user rating: 8.0 - Runtime: 121 minutes

The aforementioned "Thor: Ragnarok" brought life and color to the Thor franchise; it owes a debt to "Guardians of the Galaxy," a colorful space adventure that brings exotic aliens and swashbuckling action to the MCU. Come for the visuals and Chris Pratt's charming performance; stay for the '80s nostalgia and killer soundtrack. The action-packed superhero flick was followed by the sequel "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" in 2017.

#27. First Man (2018)

- Director: Damien Chazelle - Stacker score: 87.7 - Metascore: 84 - IMDb user rating: 7.3 - Runtime: 141 minutes

After directing 2016's Best Picture-losing love letter "La La Land," Damien Chazelle recruited Ryan Gosling to play Neil Armstrong in "First Man," a docudrama about the perils of the space program leading up to that most famous walk on the moon. With strong performances throughout and incredible special effects and sound design on the space launches, "First Man" is a must-see for any Apollo enthusiasts. Following its two nominations at the ceremony, "First Man" walked away with the trophy for Best Original Score at the 76th Golden Globe Awards.

#26. Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015)

- Director: J.J. Abrams - Stacker score: 88.3 - Metascore: 80 - IMDb user rating: 7.8 - Runtime: 138 minutes

Achieving a higher place on this list than its sequel, "The Last Jedi," this first entry in the third Star Wars trilogy introduces a new cast of characters and brings back some fan favorites to fight against the First Order, the next iteration of the franchise's evil colonialist empire. Featuring standout performances from newcomers Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Adam Driver, and Oscar Isaac, and an antiheroic return to form for Harrison Ford, "The Force Awakens" will fill you with the same childlike wonder of the original trilogy. The film is one of the highest-grossing films of all time, pulling in over $2 billion.

#25. Planet of the Apes (1968)

- Director: Franklin J. Schaffner - Stacker score: 88.8 - Metascore: 79 - IMDb user rating: 8.0 - Runtime: 112 minutes

One of the most famous sci-fi films of all time, "Planet of the Apes" sees a crashed spaceship's crew wander a planet dominated by primates, only to discover a dark secret. With groundbreaking prosthetics that hold up to this day, it's worth watching or rewatching just for the famous quote: "Take your stinking paws off me, you damn dirty ape!" In 2001, the movie was chosen for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.

#24. The Lego Movie (2014)

- Directors: Phil Lord, Christopher Miller - Stacker score: 89.4 - Metascore: 83 - IMDb user rating: 7.7 - Runtime: 100 minutes

Many were skeptical that a concept as vague as "Lego" could be adapted into a compelling film. Directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, rising stars in the comedy and animation genres, proved even the most serious doubters wrong. "The Lego Movie" is 100 minutes of intense action, side-splitting dialogue, and creative animation. Anchored by an all-star cast, "The Lego Movie" is family-friendly perfection. The film franchise has since expanded with sequels like 2017's "The Lego Ninjago Movie" and 2019's "The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part."

#23. District 9 (2009)

- Director: Neill Blomkamp - Stacker score: 89.4 - Metascore: 81 - IMDb user rating: 7.9 - Runtime: 112 minutes

"District 9" sees an alien species set up camp on Earth. Using the xenophobia humans display against aliens as an allegory for the racism of South Africa's apartheid, this found-footage mockumentary turns the glamor of interspecies contact into a biting critique of contemporary affairs. The picture garnered four Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Visual Effects, and Best Film Editing.

#22. Arrival (2016)

- Director: Denis Villeneuve - Stacker score: 89.4 - Metascore: 81 - IMDb user rating: 7.9 - Runtime: 116 minutes

In many movies on this list, humankind ventures far out into the galaxy, discovering alien planets and their inhabitants. In 2016's enigmatic "Arrival," the aliens come here. Whether they're bearing gifts or baring their teeth remains to be seen; it's up to a linguist (Amy Adams) and physicist (Jeremy Renner) to interpret the alien language. Villeneuve has already shown himself to be a powerful force in the speculative science fiction genre, and "Arrival" is a head-spinning masterpiece. "Arrival" took home the Ray Bradbury Award for Outstanding Dramatic Presentation and the Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation.

#21. The Martian (2015)

- Director: Ridley Scott - Stacker score: 89.4 - Metascore: 80 - IMDb user rating: 8.0 - Runtime: 144 minutes

Based on the popular novel, "The Martian" is about humanity joining for a singular mission: Save astronaut Mark Watney, who was abandoned on Mars after the rest of his crew made an emergency exit during a dust storm. Played by a charismatic Matt Damon, Watney is a genius scientist who works in tandem with the forces on Earth to return home.

A fantastic ensemble cast assists him in his efforts, including Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, and Donald Glover, among many others. The movie earned Damon myriad accolades, including the Golden Globe for Best Actor — Motion Picture Musical or Comedy, as well as nominations for the Academy Award for Best Actor, the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role, and the Critics' Choice Award for Best Actor.

#20. Interstellar (2014)

- Director: Christopher Nolan - Stacker score: 89.4 - Metascore: 74 - IMDb user rating: 8.6 - Runtime: 169 minutes

Christopher Nolan is known for making mind-bending films that challenge and enthrall the viewer, and 2014's "Interstellar" is a worthy addition to that canon. In the not-too-distant future, humanity suffers the widespread effects of climate change. Abandoning Earth is the only hope, and when a mysterious wormhole opens up at the end of the solar system, a daring crew travels through.

Working against impossible odds and the forces of space and time, the crew must do everything possible to survive in this three-hour epic starring Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, and Michael Caine. The film was a hotshot at the 87th Academy Awards, receiving nominations for Best Original Score, Best Production Design, Best Sound Mixing, and Best Sound Editing, taking home the trophy for Best Visual Effects.

#19. Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

- Director: Denis Villeneuve - Stacker score: 89.9 - Metascore: 81 - IMDb user rating: 8.0 - Runtime: 164 minutes

Previously in this slideshow, we referred to director Denis Villeneuve as "a powerful force in the speculative science fiction genre." Consider this film Exhibit B. "Blade Runner 2049" is beautiful in its tragedy, or perhaps tragic in its beauty. Anchored by a deeply empathetic performance from Ryan Gosling and featuring Ana de Armas, Mackenzie Davis, Jared Leto, and others, "Blade Runner 2049" is a worthy sequel to its groundbreaking predecessor. At the 90th Academy Awards, the blockbuster claimed trophies for Best Cinematography and Best Visual Effects, in addition to nominations for Best Sound Editing, Best Sound Mixing, and Best Production Design.

#18. Star Trek (2009)

- Director: J.J. Abrams - Stacker score: 89.9 - Metascore: 82 - IMDb user rating: 7.9 - Runtime: 127 minutes

Like "The Force Awakens," this film was preceded on this list by its sequel, "Star Trek Into Darkness." 2009's "Star Trek" likewise contains all the charm of the original series, with big-budget special effects and a stellar cast (pun intended). "Star Trek" was followed by the sequels 2013's "Star Trek Into Darkness" and 2016's "Star Trek Beyond."

#17. Avengers: Endgame (2019)

- Directors: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo - Stacker score: 90.5 - Metascore: 78 - IMDb user rating: 8.4 - Runtime: 181 minutes

The climax fans waited a decade for, "Avengers: Endgame" sees the titular characters reeling from the events of the prior film and navigating a strange world. Some are focused on undoing the fallout of "Avengers: Infinity War," while others just want to move on and accept the world as it is. The three-hour runtime flies by as our heroes find a promising way forward. "Avengers: Endgame" claimed two Critics' Choice Awards and earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Visual Effects.

#16. Avatar (2009)

- Director: James Cameron - Stacker score: 90.5 - Metascore: 83 - IMDb user rating: 7.9 - Runtime: 162 minutes

The highest-grossing movie of all time, despite the ongoing efforts of "Avengers: Endgame," "Avatar" brought eye-popping CGI to a global audience in a classic story of colonialism, romance, and resistance. James Cameron waited nearly a decade, until 2005, to make the film as the technology wasn't advanced enough in the 1990s to complete his vision. The wait paid off financially and in the stunning visuals of the film, which hold up very well 10 years later. Among its nine Oscar nominations, the blockbuster took three trophies, including Best Art Direction, Best Visual Effects, and Best Cinematography.

#15. Blade Runner (1982)

- Director: Ridley Scott - Stacker score: 92.2 - Metascore: 84 - IMDb user rating: 8.1 - Runtime: 117 minutes

Directed by Ridley Scott of "Alien" fame and loosely based on a book by sci-fi master Philip K. Dick, "Blade Runner" focuses on Harrison Ford's Rick Deckard, a retired "blade runner," tasked with hunting down and killing renegade androids known as replicants, just like he used to. The film takes place entirely on Earth; however, it's a grimy and squalid one, as anyone with significant wealth has already left for the off-world colonies. Although space travel doesn't feature directly, the film questions technology's effect on the environment and human interactions. The '80s blockbuster earned two Academy Award nominations, including Best Art Direction and Best Visual Effects, and took home the Hugo Award in 1983 for Best Dramatic Presentation.

#14. The Iron Giant (1999)

- Director: Brad Bird - Stacker score: 92.7 - Metascore: 85 - IMDb user rating: 8.1 - Runtime: 86 minutes

Sci-fi films have a peculiar tendency to underperform at the box office, only to be treated as cult classics and idolized long after they leave the theaters. Such is the case with "The Iron Giant," the directorial debut of "The Incredibles" and "Ratatouille" director Brad Bird, which sees a young boy befriending a giant robot who fell from the sky. Featuring an all-star cast of voice actors, including Vin Diesel as the titular automaton, "The Iron Giant" is a gem in Bird's stellar filmography. The film received nine of the 15 Annie Awards for which it was nominated, including the Annie Award for Music in an Animated Feature Production.

#13. Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)

- Director: Steven Spielberg - Stacker score: 92.7 - Metascore: 90 - IMDb user rating: 7.6 - Runtime: 138 minutes

Steven Spielberg's "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" is considered one of the best science fiction films of all time. A smash hit with critics and audiences alike, the movie is about a blue-collar Indiana man who finds his life completely changed after a chance encounter with a UFO. Praised for its originality, the movie has been instrumental in leading many to believe we may not be alone after all. In 2007, the film was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the United States Library of Congress.

#12. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

- Director: Stanley Kubrick - Stacker score: 93.3 - Metascore: 84 - IMDb user rating: 8.3 - Runtime: 149 minutes

Sci-fi movies would look a lot different without "2001," undoubtedly the most influential film of the genre ever to hit the silver screen. The precarity of artificial intelligence, the vastness of space, and the possibility of extraterrestrial life are among the themes explored in Kubrick's masterpiece. From the visuals to the score, "2001" earns its spot among the greatest films of all time. The sci-fi epic was regarded "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" by the United States Library of Congress in 1991 and was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry.

#11. Aliens (1986)

- Director: James Cameron - Stacker score: 93.9 - Metascore: 84 - IMDb user rating: 8.4 - Runtime: 137 minutes

In several places on this list, sequels fared worse in the hearts of critics and audiences than its predecessor. Such is the case with "Aliens," the sequel to 1979's "Alien," though Empire magazine named it the greatest sequel of all time . The franchise has yet to recapture the magic since "Aliens," a terrifying thriller of galactic proportions starring Sigourney Weaver in an Oscar-nominated performance as Ellen Ripley, a hero for a spacefaring generation. The alien-invaded franchise has since spawned several other sequels, including 2012's "Prometheus" and 2017's "Alien: Covenant."

#10. Apollo 11 (2019)

- Director: Todd Douglas Miller - Stacker score: 94.4 - Metascore: 88 - IMDb user rating: 8.1 - Runtime: 93 minutes

The only documentary on this list, "Apollo 11" consists solely of archival footage and is absent of narration, commentary from talking heads, or re-creations. The film presents the story of the titular mission, moonwalk and all. There's not much else to say here, just a word of advice: see it on the biggest screen you can find. The film took home three Primetime Emmy Awards in 2020, including Outstanding Sound Editing for a Nonfiction or Reality Program and Outstanding Picture Editing for a Nonfiction Program.

#9. Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)

- Director: Don Siegel - Stacker score: 94.4 - Metascore: 92 - IMDb user rating: 7.7 - Runtime: 80 minutes

The fact that the oldest film on this list also makes the top 10 is notable; many of the deep questions posed by old sci-fi movies seem dated to us (Are communicators in "Star Trek" any better than an iPhone?). However, the fear of someone you love seeming just a little off still raises goosebumps in any viewer. The culprit: alien pods that, when they reach maturity, duplicate humans entirely, though the duplicates are devoid of any emotion. "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress in 1994.

#8. The Right Stuff (1983)

- Director: Philip Kaufman - Stacker score: 94.4 - Metascore: 91 - IMDb user rating: 7.8 - Runtime: 193 minutes

The films on this list that deal with America's space program each focus on a different period. Such is the case with "The Right Stuff," which focuses on the Mercury program of supersonic flight, sometimes in the sub-orbital region of space, which took place between 1958 and 1963. Based on the bestselling book by the same name, "The Right Stuff" was, like many others on this list, a box-office failure though it was beloved by critics and is still considered a modern classic today. "The Right Stuff" also earned eight Oscar nominations at the 56th Academy Awards, bringing home four.

#7. Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

- Director: Irvin Kershner - Stacker score: 94.4 - Metascore: 82 - IMDb user rating: 8.7 - Runtime: 124 minutes

Another of the best-received sequels of all time, "The Empire Strikes Back" had a lot to live up to when it premiered three years after "Star Wars: Episode IV." Luckily, the story matured from "chosen one saves the universe" into a more complex series of blows and counterattacks. With cinema's most famous twist in the middle, "Empire" recaptures all the magic of the original and further explores the galaxy far, far away. In 2010, the United States Library of Congress selected it for preservation in the National Film Registry.

#6. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

- Director: Steven Spielberg - Stacker score: 95.0 - Metascore: 91 - IMDb user rating: 7.9 - Runtime: 115 minutes

"E.T. phone home," mutters the titular character as it attempts to contact its home planet, drawing awe from audiences worldwide. The timeless story of an intimate friendship between a boy and his alien friend, "E.T." has resonated with generations of families and is widely considered one of the greatest films of all time. The film was added to the United States National Film Registry of the Library of Congress in 1994.

#5. Solaris (1972)

- Director: Andrei Tarkovsky - Stacker score: 96.6 - Metascore: 93 - IMDb user rating: 8.0 - Runtime: 167 minutes

At the same time Americans were celebrating a comeback victory in the Space Race, Soviet Russians were dealing with their own questions of space travel and communism's place in the future. Such is the case with "Solaris," a Soviet film that questions the limits of human rationality in a gorgeous, haunting, nearly three-hour production. The film also took home the Grand Prix Spécial du Jury at the 1972 Cannes Film Festival.

#4. Gravity (2013)

- Director: Alfonso Cuarón - Stacker score: 96.6 - Metascore: 96 - IMDb user rating: 7.7 - Runtime: 91 minutes

Alfonso Cuarón, the five-time Oscar winner and director of "Children of Men" and "Roma," tried his hand at an outer-space thriller in 2013's seven-time Oscar winner "Gravity," starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney as stranded astronauts doing whatever it takes to return home. As evidenced by the awards, "Gravity" was received warmly by both critics and fans, who praised the realistic visuals, performances from the leads, and stirring score. Among the film's 10 nominations at the 86th Academy Awards, "Gravity" blasted off with seven, including Best Visual Effects, Best Original Score, and Best Director.

#3. Alien (1979)

- Director: Ridley Scott - Stacker score: 97.2 - Metascore: 89 - IMDb user rating: 8.5 - Runtime: 117 minutes

Facehugger, Xenomorph, Chestburster—the titular alien in "Alien" takes many forms, all terrifying, as the creation of gory special effects and dark imagination. The crew of the spaceship Nostromo is hopelessly outmatched against this unique evil, though they never stop trying to kill it, even as more and more humans fall victim to the alien's attacks. A straightforward human-versus-nature story, the movie manages to slip in a biting critique of megacorporations that are more interested in the bottom line than human lives. Back in 2008, "Alien" was ranked #7 by the American Film Institute as the best film in the science fiction genre.

#2. Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)

- Director: George Lucas - Stacker score: 98.3 - Metascore: 90 - IMDb user rating: 8.6 - Runtime: 121 minutes

What is there to say about "Star Wars"? The 1977 film has established itself in every corner of our collective consciousness, from the global fame of its cast to the innumerable sci-fi and adventure films it influenced, not to mention the films in the franchise still being released every couple of years. The soundtrack is iconic, the characters are legendary, and the story of a chosen hero leading the galaxy to victory has inspired millions of young people all across the globe. In 1989, the sci-fi blockbuster became one of the first 25 films to be chosen by the U.S. Library of Congress for preservation in the National Film Registry.

#1. WALL-E (2008)

- Director: Andrew Stanton - Stacker score: 100.0 - Metascore: 95 - IMDb user rating: 8.4 - Runtime: 98 minutes

The striking depiction of Earth in "WALL-E" as a barren wasteland, destroyed by the forces of climate and human overconsumption, is made even more impactful through the film's choice not to include human dialogue for much of the film. The titular robot is an emotive trash compactor—the only one left on Earth—meant to clean up the planet's waste; imagine his shock when a futuristic robot arrives, searching the planet for any sign of organic life. When humans are finally shown, they're nearly unconscious and incapable of social relationships, as work has become obsolete thanks to automation.

A story about finding a purpose in the universe's vastness, "WALL-E" has the right mix of charm, complex storytelling, beautiful visuals, and soul-searching questions to land at the top of our list. The Disney flick, in 2021, was even selected for preservation in the U.S. National Film Registry by the Library of Congress for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."

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23 of the best space and sci-fi movies: new and old favourites

Our pick of the best space and sci-fi movies of all time, from newly-released blockbusters to all-time classics.

There's nothing like a good space or sci-fi movie to take you away from earthly troubles. Science fiction cinema has the benefit of allowing the human imagination to run away with itself, imagining distant galaxies of the past or future, or alternate realities of the present.

Perhaps that's why it has attracted some of the biggest names in filmmaking over past decades: directors like Ridley Scott, Paul Verhoeven, Steven Spielberg, Stanley Kubrick and Ron Howard.

Arguably, sci-fi is also one of the most accessible film genres, with a back catalogue to suit most cinematic tastes.

Here, in no particular order, is our pick of some of our favourite space-based sci-fi movies, young and old.

Best recent space movies

The martian.

Director Ridley Scott

Year of release 2015

Matt Damon plays an astronaut stranded on Mars and presumed dead. With years to wait until he is rescued, can he work out how to produce his own food and rocket fuel to become a self-sustaining Martian?

As humanity makes serious steps towards setting foot on the Red Planet, The Martian is a film that's set to become even more relevant.

Where to watch

• Amazon Prime
• 20th Century Studios

Blu-ray / DVD

Interstellar.

Director Christopher Nolan

Year of release 2014

Set in a dystopian future and starring Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway and Jessica Chastain, Interstellar follows humanity's attempt to pass through a wormhole in space in search of a new Earth.

Between the hunt for an Earth-like planet beyond our Solar System and the dangers of climate change, Interstellar is a film that tackles some of the biggest issues facing contemporary science.

• Google Play

Ryan Gosling stars as Neil Armstrong in First Man. Credit: Universal Pictures Director Damien Chazelle

Year of release 2018

Ryan Gosling plays Neil Armstrong in this retelling of the Apollo 11 mission to land on the Moon. Contrasting the enormity of the achievement with the resulting strain on the astronauts' family lives, this is a film very much about what it took to be an astronaut in the late 1960s, but also what it took to be related to one.

Rattling sound effects and beautiful POV shots of the lunar landscape make this one of the most realistic moonlanding depictions on film.

Director Alfonso Cuarón

Year of release 2013

Sandra Bullock plays an International Space Station astronaut who gets caught in a debris storm during a spacewalk. Fans of the ISS will love the detail paid to recreating its interior, as Bullock's character floats around the abandoned space station while all hell breaks loose around her.

Epic cinematography and an atmospheric score make Gravity a true rollercoaster ride. If you have a home cinema set-up with a good sound system, this is one film that needs to be played loudly.

Director Duncan Jones

Year of release 2009

Sam Rockwell plays Sam, a lone mining operative stationed on the Moon. A freak accident causes Sam to make a discovery that will place his mission - indeed his very existence - into doubt.

Many of the modern space films on our list are epic, blockbuster affairs but Moon has much more of an indie feel to it, focussing on the central character's sense of isolation and distrust. See if you can pre-empt the film's final twist.

Director James Gray

Year of release 2019

Amid mysterious power surges occurring throughout the Solar System, astronaut Roy McBride, played by Brad Pitt, travels into space in search of his father.

Pitt's character's epic journey will take him to the outer reaches of our Solar System, and along the way he'll discover secrets that get to the heart of human existence and its place in the Universe.

Hidden Figures

Director Theodore Melfi

Year of release 2016

OK, so this one is more about getting to space rather than travelling through it, but it's an inspiring film with an important message.

Set at NASA in the early 1960s, Hidden Figures is an account of the African American women - in particular Katherine Johnson, played by Taraji P. Henson - who carried out the calculations that put men into space and, eventually, on the surface of the Moon. Hidden Figures is perhaps the most tear-jerkingly inspirational film on our list.

Director Steve Soderbergh

Year of release 2002

George Clooney plays Chris Kelvin, a psychiatrist who travels to investigate a crewed space station orbiting the fictional planet Solaris. When he arrives, Kelvin discovers many of the crew have committed suicide, while the survivors appear to be losing their minds.

In this trippy, poignant story, the astronauts must ultimately struggle against dark memories from their past that have come back to haunt them in physical form. If you're already a fan of the film, be sure to also check out Andrei Tarkovsky's 1972 version.

Best space movies of all time

Forbidden planet.

Director Fred M Wilcox

Year of release 1956

A team of space travellers visit a planetary colony, only to discover just two survivors, one of whom his harbouring a deadly secret, in this undisputed sci-fi classic.

If you're on the hunt for genre-defining cinema, this might be your best bet.

The Day The Earth Stood Still

Director Robert Wise

Year of release 1951

Alien visitors land on Earth and quickly learn of the destructive nature of the blue planet's inhabitants in this timeless critique on human society.

Ultimately, humanity must choose: learn to live in peace and harmony, or face oblivion. Sadly, the film's message is still remarkably relevant 50 years later.

Year of release 1979

It was a toss-up between Alien and James Cameron's sequel Aliens, but the first instalment just about pipped the post. A commercial space crew are returning to Earth when they receive a distress call from a nearby moon.

What follows is a thrilling blend of sci-fi and horror as the crew attempt to survive the wrath of a hostile intruder on board their ship. Space never felt more claustrophobic.

Planet of the Vampires

Director Mario Bava

Year of release 1965

While pretty much single-handedly kicking off the Italian horror boom that would continue into the late 1970s and early '80s, Mario Bava also tried his hand at sci-fi. This dark, misty yet typically colourful offering is the result.

With its plot about a crew receiving a distress signal and landing on a planet inhabited by parasitic hostiles, many have come to look at Planet of the Vampires as a precursor to Ridley Scott's Alien.

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Director John Carpenter

Year of release 1974

John Carpenter would find fame with 1978's slasher classic Halloween, but a university sci-fi comedy project produced with Alien writer Dan O'Bannon formed the basis of his first feature film.

Dark Star follows the antics of a colonial space crew as they attempt to stay sane amidst challenges such as engaging in existential debate with a talking bomb and chasing a beachball-shaped alien.

2001: A Space Odyssey

Director Stanley Kubrick

Year of release 1968

This Stanley Kubrick classic needs little introduction. A strange alien monolith appears throughout human history, speeding up our species' evolution. A crewed mission to Jupiter attempts to solve the mystery, that is, if the astronauts can survive the wrath of their mentally-deteriorating sentient computer HAL.

2001: A Space Odyssey has possibly one of the most famous film scores of all time, and an ending ripe for multiple interpretations for decades to come.

• Amazon prime

The Empire Strikes Back

Director Irvin Kershner

Year of release 1980

Everyone has their favourite film in the original Star Wars trilogy, but it's hard to beat Empire. Starting with the famous Hoth battle and culminating in a Luke-Vader lightsaber duel, The Empire Strikes Back builds the tension early on and sets the scene for the final instalment.

It's difficult to choose between the first three of the original Star Wars films, but perhaps it's the unfinished business at the film's close that makes Episode V really stand out.

• Disney Plus

Star Trek: First Contact

Director Jonathan Frakes

Year of release 1996

In what is arguably the best of the Star Trek film franchise, First Contact follows Picard and the rest of the Next Generation crew as they travel back in time to keep their old nemesis the Borg from conquering planet Earth.

Total Recall

Director Paul Verhoeven

Year of release 1990

Arnold Schwarzenegger plays construction worker Quaid, who visits Rekall, a company that implants artificial memories of holidays into the minds of its customers. When things go awry, Quaid finds himself on a mission to Mars to find out what's really going on, and who he really is.

This oft-quoted and incredibly violent film has become an absolute cult classic since its release. Watch out for stellar performances from Sharon Stone and Michael Ironside.

Silent Running

• Silent Running, 1972. (Photo by Movie Poster Image Art/Getty Images)

Director Douglas Trumbull

Year of release 1972

Undoubtedly a product of the 'green' movement that began to find its feet in the early 1970s, Silent Running is an environmentally-conscious sci-fi classic that follows Freeman Lowell, a space botanist charged with taking care of Earth's last forest, which just happens to be housed beneath a glass dome orbiting Saturn.

This is a film about life in space, but Silent Running ultimately asks its audience to take a closer look at our home planet and appreciate the fragility of its majestic beauty.

Director Ron Howard

Year of release 1995

A star-studded account of the real-life Apollo 13 mission to the Moon, this epic historical movie is Hollywood drama at its finest, as three NASA astronauts fight a race against time to avoid disaster and make it back to Earth in one piece.

Tom Hanks is brilliant as astronaut Jim Lovell, but Ed Harris's turn as Apollo flight director Gene Kranz is eerily accurate.

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Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Director Steven Spielberg

Year of release 1977

This Spielberg classic starring Richard Dreyfuss follows the effect of a series of UFO encounters on ordinary people in a small town in the United States.

This is epic Spielberg cinema at its finest, and a film that manages to make the UFO encounter scenario entirely family friendly. What's more, Close Encounters culminates in one of the most iconic visual sequences in film history.

Director Wolfgang Petersen

Year of release 1985

In terms of Cold War era 'can't we all just get along?' movies, it doesn't come much more clear cut than Enemy Mine.

Dennis Quaid and Louis Gossett, Jr. play cosmic fighter pilots from opposing species and opposing militaries who become stranded on a rocky planet, and must learn to work together to ensure their own survival. What at first appears like a sci-fi survival thriller quickly develops into a heartwarming, life-affirming drama among the stars.

Director Robert Zemeckis

Year of release 1997

Contact may not be set in space, but a film about the search for extra-terrestrial intelligence based on a novel by Carl Sagan just had to make this list.

Contact's credentials are topped off with a brilliant performance by Jodie Foster as Dr Ellie Arroway, a character reportedly based on real-life planetary scientist Carolyn Porco.

Event Horizon

Director Paul W. S. Anderson

Alien might just be the best horror/sci-fi movie ever made, but Event Horizon comes close.

Sam Neil and Lawrence Fishburne star in this creepy tale of a crew who investigate the lost spacecraft Event Horizon, which has miraculously reappeared. They soon discover that, wherever the Event Horizon has been, it's brought something back with it, and it isn't friendly.

What did we miss? What are your favourites? Do you disagree with any of our inclusions? Let us know via email or get in touch via Facebook , Twitter and Instagram .

Iain Todd is BBC Sky at Night Magazine's Staff Writer and someone who has watched far too many sci-fi movies for his own good.

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The 12 Best Space Movies You Can Watch On Netflix Right Now

If Hollywood has taught us anything, it's that humanity is destined to venture among the stars. Whether as an act of exploration or defense against global disaster, interstellar travel remains the great fantasy of both big-budget blockbusters and inexpensive science fiction films alike. So, where better to start your space travel movie marathon than Netflix, especially since the streaming giant has made our solar system — and the stars beyond — the basis of several of its original features? 

Whether your ideal space movie is a family-friendly starship adventure or a rocket trip straight to the outer layers of Hell, you can probably find something on this list to satisfy your mood on any movie night. But be warned: the crews in these movies may be small, but the body counts are disproportionately high. In space, the odds of survival are despairingly low.

Indian science fiction film Cargo finds the joy in living — and in dying

The best way to describe "Cargo," the debut feature from Indian filmmaker Arati Kadav, is "Pushing Daisies" on a spaceship. Prahastha, a demon astronaut who helps process humans for reincarnation, has spent a century alone on his spacecraft, speaking only with his handlers back on Earth. When he is assigned a new demonic assistant near the end of his campaign, Prahastha is forced to reintegrate himself into society. He must also address the loneliness that bubbles just beneath his unflappable exterior. Think a workplace comedy with a heavy layer of fantasy, and you're right there.

This premise might've ended up too cute by half in the hands of a lesser filmmaker, but Kadav quickly proves herself a masterful hand at comedy. We never tire of watching Prahastha and Yvishka process new souls — as well as the charming cutaways depicting the moments leading up to the new arrivals' deaths — but, thankfully, Kadav keeps coming back to the demons' individual growth. Space is a lonely place, and even friendly demons are not meant to spend this much time away from their loved ones.

When to Watch : You need a little brightness in your space movies, and are okay with having a movie's theme song — in this case, "Forget Me Not" by Megha Ramaswamy — stuck in your head for days.

Doom: Annihilation is an earnest attempt at recreating a blockbuster video game franchise

There are two kinds of people in this world: those who prefer Andrzej Bartkowiak's 2005 "Doom" and those who prefer Tony Giglio's 2019 "Doom: Annihilation." The former has a reputation as one of the all-time biggest video game movie disappointments, wasting a cast that included Karl Urban, Rosamund Pike, and Dwayne Johnson, the ultimate space marine. By contrast, Giglio's adaptation's limited budget may be obvious, but the movie also comes with lower expectations, delivering for audiences who prefer flawed passion projects over middling studio fare.

All of the pieces necessary for a "Doom" adaptation are in place: soldiers, monsters, and the dark void of space. In its best moments, "Doom: Annihilation" recalls some of Neil Marshall's best work , with inventive creature designs that will remind you of films like "Dog Soldiers" and "The Descent." And when Giglio goes for broke in the final minutes, dumping his main character onto a planetary hellscape that puts her in direct contact with the monsters of "Doom," we get a glimpse of what someone with real vision could bring to this franchise. 

When to Watch: You have a fridge full of beer and a Friday night to kill, and you're ready to make some questionable movie-watching decisions in the name of curiosity.

Thanks to Melanie Laurent, Oxygen is claustrophobic science fiction at its finest

French director Alexandra Aja made his name on gory horror fare like "High Tension," "The Hills Have Eyes," and "Crawl," but he doesn't need blood to tell a thrilling story. Nowhere is this more evident than in 2021's "Oxygen," a claustrophobic horror film starring Mélanie Laurent ("Inglourious Basterds") about an amnesiac trapped in a cryogenic pod that is quickly losing air.

"Oxygen" may not offer many surprises — once the puzzle pieces start coming together, it only takes a small leap of the imagination to see the film's ultimate destination — but that's part of the movie's appeal. The real intrigue comes in watching how Aja and Laurent build a cohesive story out of only a few elements, and in enjoying the craft of a simple concept executed to perfection. Laurent's performance and Aja's direction make it look deceptively easy to build narrative momentum in a set devoid of physical space. Even in 2021, there's nothing quite as satisfying as a simple idea done right.

When to Watch: You are curious to know how a simple writing prompt — "woman trapped in a box" — can succeed as 101 thrilling minutes of science fiction.

Prospect is a science fiction standout in desperate need of rediscovery

If you prefer your space movies with more of a lived-in feel, then you should consider Christopher Caldwell and Zeek Earl's "Prospect". The film stars Sophie Thatcher and Pedro Pascal as a pair of prospectors stuck on an alien planet. After a gunfight leaves each person without their crew, the two must learn to work together to secure off-world passage or risk being stranded when the orbiting transport heads home.

For most people, seeing Pedro Pascal do his best Han Solo impersonation is enough of a sales pitch. But once you dive into the worldbuilding proper, the film's production design makes "Prospect" singularly memorable. "Prospect" is the perfect example of retrofuturism on the big screen, a mode of science fiction that takes inspiration from the '50s' dated visions of what the future might look like. What seemed revolutionary then is cheekily archaic now. Thanks to production designer Matt Acosta, however, "Prospect" offers its audience a uniquely low-fi future, one that will stay on your mind long after the credits roll (or the next Netflix auto-play feature starts).

When to Watch: You are working on your Pedro Pascal backlog and are in the mood for a science fiction romp that would feel at home in the "Star Wars" universe.

Skylines proves that, against all odds, the Skyline franchise just keeps getting better

Sometimes, noteworthy franchises come from the most peculiar places. "Skyline," a 2010 film from special effects gurus The Brothers Strause, might have been a modest success, but no one could've expected that it would spawn two sequels that, incredibly, push the franchise into new and exciting directions. Surprise Netflix hit "Beyond Skyline" added action stars Frank Grillo and Iko Uwais to the series and brought an intergalactic war to the mix. 2020's "Skylines" upends the formula again, maintaining continuity with the previous two films but skipping a few years into the future, riffing more heavily on James Cameron's "Aliens" than established alien invasion tropes.

If anything, it seems like franchise co-creator Liam O'Donnell has started to use the "Skylines" films as his private sandbox, making his directorial debut with the second installment and ramping up the action in the third. And with a scrappy cast — star Lindsey Morgan is a smart piece of casting — and a knack for production design that keeps these movies punching above their weight class, the Skyline films promise to keep the good times coming for years to come.

When to Watch: You are in the mood for something action-packed and aren't afraid to spend a few minutes on Wikipedia getting up to speed on the previous films.

Space Sweepers is the South Korean answer to Star Wars

Have filmmakers forgotten that space can be funny? Many science fiction films use the crushing void of space to play up existential dread of what it means to be human, but sometimes, you just want a movie with talking robots and thrilling starship chases. South Korean filmmaker Jo Sung-hee isn't afraid to get silly, peppering "Space Sweepers" with quips and slapstick comedy, and giving his godlike Steve Jobs analogue a few fart jokes.

Equal parts "Star Wars" and "Elysium," "Space Sweepers" follows a group of destitute freelancers tasked with cleaning up the debris that orbits our dying planet. When they stumble across a young robot with a bounty on her head, their get-rich-quick scheme gets them stuck in the middle of a battle between a group of rebellious climate activists and a government that's building a new utopia for the super-rich on Mars. Goofy and more than a little broad at times, "Space Sweepers" is a grand space opera for fans of all ages. It's also an excellent introduction to international cinema for people who might be reluctant to watch a subtitled feature.

When to Watch: You want something filled with heart that the entire family can enjoy, and you absolutely, positively cannot watch "Star Wars" one more time.

Stowaway is the epitome of science fiction for grown-ups

In most space movies, humankind's trips to the stars are cautionary tales. Every once in a while, though, science fiction comes with a dash of humanism, telling stories about people coming together to solve impossible problems through collaboration and ingenuity. These days, the world may be too cynical for a film like "Apollo 13," but the success of Joe Penna's "Stowaway" shows we still have an appetite for uplifting space stories.

In that way, this 2021 feature is something of a throwback: a film centered on a deadly space catastrophe without any of the infighting or backstabbing we often see in similar movies. Anchored by a standout cast, including a much-deserved leading role for Daniel Dae Kim, "Stowaway" is more interested in humankind's tenacity than its failures. Sure, the science might be a little suspect at times, but Penna and his cast create a group of survivors you want to root for — especially during one of the most anxiety-inducing spacewalks you'll ever see on film.

When to Watch: It's been a few years since you watched "Gravity," and you've deluded yourself into thinking that you don't stress cry during space dramas anymore.

The Cloverfield Paradox is so much more than just its Super Bowl release date

Most of the time, it's hard to identify cult classics when they first arrive, but every now and then, the future seems obvious. Such is the case with "The Cloverfield Paradox," a movie that might have generated a more positive fandom if not for Netflix's gimmicky launch strategy.

"The Cloverfield Paradox" will always be remembered as the film dumped on Netflix as part of a wild Super Bowl LII promotional campaign . But given the film's talented cast and outrageous premise — a series of fusion particle tests accidentally knock an international space station into a parallel universe — there is also plenty of time for the next generation of horror and science fiction fans to rediscover Julius Onah's bizarre little movie. By accident or intent, "The Cloverfield Paradox" operates entirely on its own goofy wavelength; give it a few years, and those scenes with sentient arms and oddball quantum physics will feel right at home within the broader "Cloverfield" cinematic universe .

When to Watch: To recreate the authentic experience, you can only watch "The Cloverfield Paradox" immediately following a major sporting event.

The Midnight Sky finds grace in humanity's final hours

In the hands of anyone else, "The Midnight Sky" might be tossed aside as an expensive mess. In the hands of star director (and star-director) George Clooney, "The Midnight Sky" is, well, still a mess, but one that refuses to be forgotten. When an ecological disaster wipes out humanity, a dying scientist races against time to warn an interstellar survey team not to return home from their mission. Meanwhile, the crew of the ship must survive an increasingly dangerous route back to Earth in order to have a chance to learn the truth.

Not everything in "The Midnight Sky" lands, but when it works it's an effective elegy for both humankind and the planet we have thus far failed to protect, and as a director, Clooney manages to tap into some of our biggest existential fears . In addition, "The Midnight Sky" finds a tiny shred of hope as it honors both those the characters lost and those who go on, adding a welcome note of optimism to an otherwise heavy feature.

When to Watch : You want a space movie with some Oscar vibes ("The Midnight Sky" was nominated for Best Visual Effects, and was projected to be competitive in several categories, although that didn't exactly pan out).

The Wandering Earth is Chinese blockbuster filmmaking at its finest

In the future, the sun has begun to expand. So, the world's governments come together to build giant rockets inside the Earth's crust in order to fly the planet to another solar system. Still with us? Then you might be the target audience for Frant Gwo's "The Wandering Earth," a 2019 Chinese blockbuster that thrives by building a series of escalating disasters for humanity to escape. Light on plot but long on spectacle, "The Wandering Earth" feels like a love letter to Hollywood of the '90s , when producers like Jerry Bruckheimer ushered in an era of big-screen splendor that would set the standard for event movies for years to come.

If you've developed a healthy skepticism of second-tier Chinese blockbusters and worry that the visual effects in "The Wandering Earth" won't carry the monumental story, you have nothing to fear. Even on his best day, Michael Bay would need to work hard to top something like this. If you are the sort of person who likes to bring up that "Armageddon" is in the Criterion Collection, then you would do well to seek "The Wandering Earth" out immediately, ideally on the biggest screen available to you.

When to Watch: Your life has taken on a little too much stress, and you need to retreat to the organized chaos that only a big-budget space spectacle can offer.

Total Recall is a timeless treatise on corporate greed and chest people

At this point, what is there to say about Paul Verhoeven's science fiction masterpiece that hasn't already been said? With "Total Recall," "RoboCop," and "Starship Troopers" on his filmography, Verhoeven's reputation as one of our great sci-fi satirists is forever secure. Besides, you know the broad points by now: memory wipes, armed revolution, and more Arnold Schwarzenegger one-liners than any single film can hope to contain. Even those with only a passing knowledge of "Total Recall" could probably pick Kuato out of a lineup, thanks to three decades' worth of pop culture references and loving spoofs.

Unsurprisingly, time has been kind to "Total Recall" — maybe a little  too kind. With water futures now being actively traded on Wall Street, it seems like Verhoeven's only mistake was to pretend that the conservation of natural resources would be overtly evil instead of just blandly capitalist. At any rate, "Total Recall" remains a highlight in a career of highlights for both its star and its director. And the 2012 remake (which, sadly, isn't on Netflix) has its moments too, if we're being perfectly honest with each other.

When to Watch : You are ready to get your ass to Mars.

Zathura is the kid-friendly science fiction you've been looking for

From the original film to its two surprisingly successful video game-inspired sequels, no franchise continues to surprise as much as "Jumanji." And although "Zathura" is more overtly a children's movie than its predecessor — Robin Williams had a habit of aging up his projects — it comes packing a pretty heartfelt message of brotherly love. We never split the party, no matter how frustrating its members might be.

Those who appreciate director Jon Favreau's place as the next Robert Zemeckis — they're both directors with an eye for family entertainment and an appetite for technology — will find a lot of value in "Zathura." In terms of Favreau's career, the film serves as the pivot point between "Elf" and "Iron Man," and similarities to both movies can be seen throughout. For everyone else, the film is a solid entry in the loosely-defined "Jumanji" universe, with admirable pre-fame roles performances from both Josh Hutcherson and Kirsten Stewart. Just shrug off some of the weird reveals regarding Dax Shepard's character (you know the ones).

When to Watch: You need something for the entire family but still want a little bit of space adventure on your Thursday evening.

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What’s the Most Realistic Movie About Space? Here’s What 8 Movies Got Right—and Wrong

T his year marks the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 , the historic mission during which Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to land and walk on the moon on July 20, 1969. There are few events in American history that epitomize the intrigue and allure of space exploration as much as Apollo 11, a pivotal moment at the height of the space race that showcased the unique place the cosmos hold in both our imaginations and culture.

So perhaps it should come as no surprise that in the five decades since the mission took place, space travel has been an integral source of inspiration for tales on the silver screen. While many of the movies take creative liberties with reality, veering into fantasies of the many unknowns of space, others have sought to portray the reality of what we know of space so far.

With that in mind, here’s a look at eight of the most realistic films about space and how they stack up to real life, as explained by NASA planetary scientist Rick Elphic.

Warning : Contains spoilers.

The Right Stuff (1983)

Plot basics : The film adaptation of Tom Wolfe’s nonfiction novel of the same name, The Right Stuff details the origins of America’s first space program, Project Mercury, which began with testing high-speed rocket aircraft after World War II at an Air Force base in Southern California. It also features the selection of the first American astronauts, known as the Mercury Seven.

Director : Philip Kaufman

Notable cast members : Ed Harris, Scott Glenn, Sam Shepard, Fred Ward, Dennis Quaid, and Barbara Hershey

What the movie gets wrong and what it gets right: Although it’s based on Wolfe’s New Journalism masterpiece, Elphic says The Right Stuff was more rooted in a heroic narrative than historical accuracy.

“It was a fun book and a fun movie but beyond that, it really wasn’t telling a story about facts as much as it was telling a myth in some ways,” he says. “It was really kind of like the Illiad and Odyssey with mythical characters and from that point of view, it wasn’t describing things really very accurately.”

Apollo 13 (1995)

Plot basics : A dramatic re-telling of the aborted 1970 Apollo 13 lunar mission, based on the book Lost Moon: The Perilous Voyage of Apollo 13 by astronaut Jim Lovell, who was on board the spacecraft, and TIME editor-at-large, Jeffrey Kluger . In the film, Lovell and fellow astronauts Jack Swigert and Fred Haise are on Apollo 13 for the U.S.’ third moon landing mission. However, after an explosion leads to the spacecraft losing most of its oxygen and power, the mission is aborted, leaving the challenge of getting the three men aboard home safely.

Director : Ron Howard

Notable cast members : Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, Bill Paxton, Gary Sinise, Ed Harris, Kathleen Quinlan

What the movie gets wrong and what it gets right: Of all the space films in the canon, Elphic posits that Apollo 13 might be one of the most accurate, especially when it came to the science of space travel.

“The technical details of zero G and the actual explosion on the spacecraft that took place and took out the service module was very realistic,” he says. “I thought that it captured realism in the flight; I don’t think it went to extremes like some films do … to make it more dramatic, because I think the flight was dramatic enough in the first place. I give Apollo 13 high marks for not only drama and a good storytelling endeavor, but the effects and the accuracy.”

Contact (1997)

Plot basics : Based on the science-fiction novel by astronomer Carl Sagan, Contact centers on the tale of real-life astronomer Dr. Eleanor Arroway, who uses radio signals to find evidence of extraterrestrial life, before being selected to make first contact.

Director : Robert Zemeckis

Notable cast members : Jodie Foster, Matthew McConaughey, James Woods

What the movie gets wrong and what it gets right: While some might scoff at the premise of a film about the existence of extraterrestrials, some of the movie’s elements could be considered realistic.

“I suppose it’s plausible that you would have a radio contact initiated with an extraterrestrial civilization and that eventually you’d build up communication to the point that you could transmit plans back and forth,” Elphic says. But he adds that the portrayal of Dr. Arroway’s travel during the film might not be as accurate. “As for her travel to wherever it is she went, it was clearly physics that we really can’t describe right now, Hollywood physics, not ours — but it made for a really good story.”

Gravity (2013)

Plot basics : Two American astronauts attempt to return to Earth after their shuttle is destroyed.

Director : Alfonso Cuarón

Notable cast members : Sandra Bullock, George Clooney

What the movie gets wrong and what it gets right: While Elphic admired the physics presented in Gravity, he did take issue with one of the movie’s main plot points: Sandra Bullock’s character traveling to the nearby Chinese space station to try and return to Earth.

“The one thing that stood out to me as being highly unlikely is Sandra Bullock’s character is able to change orbits drastically from the shuttle’s orbit to that Chinese space station,” says Elphic. “It takes a lot of propulsion to change your orbit plane and your orbit altitude and that’s just not something you’re going to have in a [spacesuit] like what she was wearing. That part of it is not only far-fetched, but I would venture to say is impossible.”

Interstellar (2014)

Plot basics : Interstellar portrays a future in which the Earth is nearly uninhabitable thanks to a global crop blight and a second Dust Bowl. A NASA physicist attempts to save mankind by creating a wormhole that humankind can travel through to get somewhere more hospitable, but NASA researchers must first travel through the wormhole to decide which planet will be their new home.

Director : Christopher Nolan

Notable cast members : Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Matt Damon, Michael Caine

What the movie gets wrong and what it gets right : While much of the physics in Interstellar are fairly accurate, Elphic had issues with the traveling and the wormholes.

“I had a hard time understanding what Interstellar was trying to show us because they were not only traveling in space but in time, back and forth as well,” says Elphic. “One of the things that I was wondering with that movie is that if you’re going to be somewhere in the vicinity of a black hole, you’re dealing with a lot of radiation from the black hole environment, so much so that it would kill you in a matter of minutes, but that would make for a pretty abrupt end of a movie, so I guess they couldn’t do that.

“Black holes are also notorious for ripping things like stars apart so the tidal forces that you see in the vicinity of a black hole; that’s not going to be a place where a space craft could survive,” he adds.

The Martian (2015)

Plot basics : After an astronaut is left behind on Mars, he rallies to survive with limited resources while scientists and his crew work to find a way to bring him back to Earth.

Director : Ridley Scott

Notable cast members : Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Jeff Daniels, Kristen Wiig, Chiwetel Ejiofor

What the movie gets wrong and what it gets right: When it came to representing Mars, there were both realistic and improbable elements of the film. Elphic, who praised The Martian as a “rollicking space flick,” said that the movie’s representation of the surface of Mars was accurate, although he took issue with its treatment of the elements.

“The only issue I had is that the atmosphere on Mars is pretty thin, and even if you had 100 mile-an-hour winds blowing, the force that those winds exert on anything we make, like a spacecraft or a habitat, are going to be really, really small forces,” Elphic says. “So you’re not going to be threatening to push over an ascent vehicle or anything like that with a Martian wind. The dust storm and the high winds were the main thing that introduced the whole story and you don’t have a story without that, but the reality of that is going to be a little bit different.”

Elphic also pointed out that the series of errors that happened to Matt Damon’s character would have probably resulted in an aborted mission in real life.

“One aspect that kind of had me shaking my head was that in space flight, you have to prepare for things to go wrong, and you can even prepare for a couple of things to go wrong in sequence and deal with that,” he says. “Usually beyond that, it’s the end of the mission. Since Matt Damon’s character had to deal with half-a-dozen failures all along the way, the likelihood of him making it through that was pretty much vanishingly small, but then you don’t have much of a story. There’s this disconnect between a good story and actual space flight.”

Hidden Figures (2016)

Plot basics : Based on the nonfiction novel of the same name by Margot Lee Shetterly, Hidden Figures focuses on three black female mathematicians (Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson) who worked at NASA during the space race, playing a vital role in Project Mercury and other missions.

Director : Theodore Melfi

Notable cast members : Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe, Kevin Costner

What the movie gets wrong and what it gets right: The film’s focus on the largely unacknowledged black female mathematicians whose hard work as “ human computers ” made America’s space travel possible does justice to their heroic real-life counterparts who made the Mercury and Apollo missions possible. The only part of the movie that gave Elphic pause was the depiction of the math.

“I wondered a little bit about the accuracy of doing real-time calculations on a blackboard for space flight, but maybe it really did happen that way,” Elphic says. “It was a story that should have been told a lot sooner about the involvement of these folks.”

First Man (2018)

Plot basics : Adapted from the James R. Hansen biography of the same name, First Man focuses on the life and experiences of astronaut Neil Armstrong, who became the first man to walk on the moon during the historic Apollo 11 space mission .

Director : Damien Chazelle

Notable cast members : Ryan Gosling, Claire Foy, Jason Clarke

What the movie gets wrong and what it gets right: When it comes to accuracy, First Man stayed true to the elements of the real Apollo 11 mission. One major factor that helped keep the movie realistic? It was likely aided by the actual footage from the mission, something that Elphic said is fascinating to watch side-by-side.

“One of the cool things about First Man is that you can actually go and find on YouTube, landing footage of Apollo 11, and compare it to what they show in the movie and I think it’s pretty accurate,” he says. “I don’t think they tried to be overly dramatic with that and they tried to represent what it was really like and they did that really well.”

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TOP 100 Space Films

1. Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope

2. Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back

3. Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi

4. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

5. Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith

6. 2001: A Space Odyssey

7. The Martian

8. Starship Troopers

11. Contact

12. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

13. Guardians of the Galaxy

14. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

15. Star Trek: The Motion Picture

16. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan

17. Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home

18. Star Trek V: The Final Frontier

19. Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country

20. Star Trek: Generations

21. Star Trek: First Contact

22. Star Trek: Insurrection

23. Star Trek: Nemesis

24. Dune: Part Two

25. Star Trek Beyond

26. Prometheus

29. Gravity

30. Interstellar

32. Galaxy Quest

35. Independence Day

36. Total Recall

37. The Fifth Element

38. Forbidden Planet

39. Star Trek

40. Serenity

41. Solaris

42. Arrival

43. Star Trek III: The Search for Spock

44. The Thing

45. Gattaca

46. Solo: A Star Wars Story

47. The Abyss

48. Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones

49. Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets

50. Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace

51. War of the Worlds

53. Space Battleship Yamato

54. Harlock: Space Pirate

55. Starship Troopers: Invasion

56. Starship Troopers: Traitor of Mars

57. Bumblebee

58. The Thing

59. Predator

60. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

61. Predator 2

62. District 9

63. Alien vs. Predator

64. Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem

65. Outlander

66. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

68. Sunshine

69. Close Encounters of the Third Kind

70. Alien: Resurrection

71. Lost in Space

72. Event Horizon

73. Lockout

74. Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone

75. Transformers

76. Deep Impact

77. Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within

78. Flash Gordon

79. Flight of the Navigator

80. Returner

81. Alien 3

82. Critters

83. Critters 2: The Main Course

84. Critters 3

85. Critters 4

86. Ad Astra

87. Star Trek Into Darkness

88. Jupiter Ascending

89. Supernova

90. Skyline

91. Screamers

92. Solar Crisis

93. Moon 44

94. Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens

95. Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi

96. Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker

97. Space Sweepers

98. Avatar: The Way of Water

99. The Wandering Earth

100. Alien: Covenant

More to explore, recently viewed.

• Entertainment

The 27 Best Movies About Space, From "Landscape With Invisible Hand" to "Asteroid City"

When Earth gets to be too much, there's nothing quite like heading to the stars with an unforgettable space movie. Hollywood's fascination with outer space has led to an abundance of movies featuring astronauts and aliens. From Sandra Bullock's anxiety-inducing journey of survival in 2013's "Gravity" to the nostalgia of 2005's kid-friendly flick "Zathura," the best movies that take viewers out of this world run the gamut from realistic to fantastical.

It's not surprising that Hollywood has found an endless fount of inspiration by exploring what happens when humans go to space . . . or when space comes to them. Sometimes that means watching a brilliant character devise a way to survive in an inhospitable environment (think Matt Damon in "The Martian"), and other times it means looking at Earth from a new perspective (just like Natalie Portman's astronaut character in "Lucy in the Sky"). Then there's the prolific subgenre of films all about aliens, including adorable ones like Stitch from "Lilo & Stitch" , dictatorial ones like those in "Landscape With Invisible Hand," and explicitly bloodthirsty ones like the human-hunting predators in "Prey."

The one thing all space movies have in common is a fascination with the unknown. There's still so much people don't understand about the vastness of the universe, but thankfully, there are plenty of films out there committed to letting viewers explore space from the comfort of their couch with a big bowl of popcorn. Ahead, check out our roundup of the best space movies.

Best Space Movies Featuring Aliens and Astronauts: "Landscape With Invisible Hand"

"Landscape With Invisible Hand" takes place in a universe where aliens have taken over Earth — and they happen to have an unusual fascination with human love. Two teens (Asante Blackk and Kylie Rogers) decide to start filming their relationship for the aliens' consumption in order to earn extra money, and soon they find themselves bankrolling their entire families — though things get complicated once their relationship starts to fall apart.

Best Space Movies Featuring Aliens and Astronauts: "Asteroid City"

Like many films that feature extraterrestrials, Wes Anderson's star-studded "Asteroid City" is more concerned with humanity than with aliens, though that doesn't mean alien life isn't a critical part of the story. The movie's plot largely revolves around a play-within-the-film about a town hosting a camp for brilliant, space-obsessed teens. When an alien appears in a large nearby crater and steals a bit of a fallen meteorite, the camp's attendees find themselves quarantined by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Additional extraterrestrial events ensue.

Best Space Movies Featuring Aliens and Astronauts: "WALL-E"

Few other movies about space have ever been this adorable, or this prophetic. "WALL-E" tells the story of a little robot left to clean up the ruins of Earth after it's destroyed by environmental catastrophe. When he falls in love with a robot called EVE who hails from an orbiting starship, he winds up traveling to space to find her, and together they decide to attempt to save what's left of WALL-E's home planet.

Best Space Movies Featuring Aliens and Astronauts: "The Martian"

Mark Watney (Matt Damon) has the worst day ever when his fellow astronauts assume he's dead and leave Mars without him in "The Martian." With limited supplies and little hope for survival, Mark has no choice but to rely on his engineering skills and wry sense of humor to keep him going as he tries to make contact with Earth. As he fights to survive on Mars, his colleagues are busy trying to find a way to bring him home, making this a nail-biting journey for all of the characters involved.

Best Space Movies Featuring Aliens and Astronauts: "Interstellar"

Directed by Christopher Nolan, "Interstellar" is a twist-filled, thought-provoking film about the sacrifices one man makes in hopes of finding Earth's inhabitants a new home. The movie stars Matthew McConaughey as Cooper, a NASA pilot who is sent through a wormhole to visit three planets as he searches for one that can sustain human life. While McConaughey gives a wonderful performance, it's the jaw-dropping visuals and science of the movie that will keep you glued to your seat until the credits roll.

Best Space Movies Featuring Aliens and Astronauts: "Lucy in the Sky"

Loosely inspired by the true story of astronaut Lisa Nowak, "Lucy in the Sky" stars Natalie Portman as the titular Lucy, an astronaut who is so changed by her experience in space, she can't seem to readapt to life on Earth. As Lucy throws herself into training so she can make a return trip, she begins to have hallucinations as she continues to feel disconnected from life on Earth. Then when she discovers her husband is having an affair, her mental health takes another hit as she unravels.

Best Space Movies Featuring Aliens and Astronauts: "Gravity"

Few films are quite as anxiety-inducing as "Gravity," starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney. Bullock plays Dr. Ryan Stone, a medical engineer, and Clooney is a seasoned astronaut named Matt Kowalsky. Early in the film, the pair go on what's supposed to be a routine spacewalk, but when their shuttle is destroyed, they end up floating alone in the vastness of space.

Best Space Movies Featuring Aliens and Astronauts: "Apollo 13"

Based on the actual events surrounding the Apollo 13 mission, "Apollo 13" is a star-studded '90s film that still holds up today. The cast includes Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, and the late Bill Paxton as a trio of astronauts whose journey is off to a safe start until an oxygen tank explodes. Things get intense from there as a mix of technical problems and interpersonal drama puts the crew in a dangerous position.

Best Space Movies Featuring Aliens and Astronauts: "Zathura"

"Zathura" is basically "Jumanji" in space but the 2005 movie is still a total romp. In addition to starring a young Kristen Stewart and Josh Hutcherson, the film also features Dax Shepard as a baby-faced astronaut. The movie kicks off with Stewart's character put in charge of babysitting her little brothers, but when the boys find the magical game of Zathura, their entire house rockets into space.

Best Space Movies Featuring Aliens and Astronauts: "2001: A Space Odyssey"

"2001: A Space Odyssey" is an undeniably trippy film, but it also might be the definitive space movie, depending on who you ask. The 1968 movie features an eerie story of A.I. gone wrong that's even more relevant now than it was then. But there's more to the story than a fearful astronaut begging Hal to open the pod bay doors. There's also an extended journey through space and time that's still inspiring lively debates about its meaning among movie fans to this day.

Best Space Movies Featuring Aliens and Astronauts: "Solaris"

Clooney just can't resist a good space movie. In addition to playing a supporting role in "Gravity," he also starred in 2002's remake of the '70s film "Solaris." The "Ocean's 11" actor plays a psychiatrist who is sent to investigate the strange behavior of the crew aboard a space station orbiting the planet Solaris. However, it doesn't take long for the psychiatrist to begin experiencing the unexpected effects of the planet on his psyche too.

Best Space Movies Featuring Aliens and Astronauts: "Tides"

Also known as "The Colony," "Tides" is as much about environmental awareness as it is about the wonders of space. Set after a global event wipes out most of Earth's population, those humans who survived now live on a space colony. Unfortunately, the planet's radiation has rendered them infertile, which leads a group of astronauts to venture back to Earth in hopes that humanity can return to its ravaged homeland.

Best Space Movies Featuring Aliens and Astronauts: "3022"

"3022" is a thoughtful sci-fi film that's as emotional as it is gripping. Set in the future, a group of astronauts lives on a space station where they maintain Earth's first space colony. Their mission leaves each of them dealing with a variety of stress-related issues, which begin to spiral out of control when they suspect they have witnessed an event that may have ended life on Earth as they know it. The film stars Omar Epps, Kate Walsh, Miranda Cosgrove, and Angus Macfadyen.

Best Space Movies Featuring Aliens and Astronauts: "Close Encounters of the Third Kind"

Directed by Steven Spielberg, "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" remains one of the most iconic films about aliens making contact with humans ever made. The movie stars Richard Dreyfuss as Roy Neary, a man whose belief that he's made contact with extraterrestrials becomes all-consuming. Soon, his drive to connect with the aliens once more leads him on an adventure that takes him away from his family and toward the unknown.

Best Space Movies Featuring Aliens and Astronauts: "First Man"

Based on the true story of Neil Armstrong, "First Man" is an intimate look at the process behind the Apollo 11 mission to the moon. Ryan Gosling stars as Armstrong, who begins the movie believing he'll be grounded after the death of his daughter. Instead, he is accepted into the Gemini 8 program which eventually leads to him becoming the first person to set foot on the moon. In addition to Gosling, the rest of the cast includes Claire Foy, Jason Clarke, and Kyle Chandler.

Best Space Movies Featuring Aliens and Astronauts: "High Life"

Robert Pattinson shows off his dramatic acting chops in "High Life." The 2018 film features dark themes, as a group of criminals are used as unwilling test subjects on a space mission that sends them hurtling toward a black hole. Pattinson stars as Monte, a man who is serving a life sentence for murdering his friend who killed his dog. As the situation around him becomes increasingly violent, Monte soon becomes the caretaker of a baby girl born in space.

Best Space Movies Featuring Aliens and Astronauts: "Alien"

The 1979 horror classic "Alien" kicked off a franchise of successful films and introduced the world to Sigourney Weaver's heroic Ellen Ripley. The claustrophobic movie kicks off with a space crew being awakened halfway through their journey home to investigate a distress call from an alien vessel. What they don't expect is for their time on the ship to leave one of their own infected by an alien creature that will wreak havoc on the crew.

Best Space Movies Featuring Aliens and Astronauts: "Hidden Figures"

Starring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monáe, "Hidden Figures" tells the true story of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson, three Black mathematicians whose brilliant work helped the United States take a major step forward in the space race. Even as they faced racism and sexism, the trio's calculations and tireless dedication to NASA's mission made it possible to launch John Glenn into orbit.

Best Space Movies Featuring Aliens and Astronauts: "Armageddon"

"Armageddon" is hardly the most realistic space movie, but the big-budget disaster film remains a blast to watch. That's thanks in large part to the work of stars like Bruce Willis, Ben Affleck, Liv Tyler, Owen Wilson, and the late Michael Clarke Duncan. Willis stars as a driller who's recruited by NASA to join a ragtag team on a mission to drill a hole in an asteroid heading toward Earth and detonate a nuclear bomb before it makes contact.

Best Space Movies Featuring Aliens and Astronauts: "Prey"

Released in 2022, "Prey" is a brilliant prequel to the "Predator" movies set in 1719, when one of the human-hunting aliens lands in the Great Plains. The story focuses on Naru, a Comanche woman played by Amber Midthunder, who is determined to prove herself as a hunter. However, she never expected her test to involve fighting against a futuristic alien as she does her best to protect her people from their dangerous extraterrestrial visitor.

Best Space Movies Featuring Aliens and Astronauts: "Men in Black"

Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones are a dream team in "Men in Black." The 1997 blockbuster stars Smith as Agent J, a man who is recruited by a secret government agency that monitors alien life on Earth. Jones is Agent K, an old pro at the job who isn't too pleased to be stuck with the rookie — especially when he and his new partner discover a dangerous alien plot threatening all of humankind.

Best Space Movies Featuring Aliens and Astronauts: "Event Horizon"

This spooky space movie is an unsettling journey into the unknown. In "Event Horizon," a space crew is sent to investigate the sudden return of a long-missing ship. At first, the ship appears to be abandoned, but the crew quickly realizes that they're not alone. What's more, whatever befell the previous residents of the ship is now preying on them as well. The 1997 film stars Laurence Fishburne, Joely Richardson, and Sam Neill.

Best Space Movies Featuring Aliens and Astronauts: "Nope"

Jordan Peele's 2022 horror/sci-fi film "Nope" is the perfect blend of genres. Two siblings who train horses for Hollywood productions are disturbed by an unidentified flying object they spot hovering over their ranch. To say much more would be spoiling Peele's fun. Just know you're in for something special thanks in part to the talented cast led by Daniel Kaluuya, Keke Palmer, and Steven Yeun.

Best Space Movies Featuring Aliens and Astronauts: "Lilo & Stitch"

Disney will soon be releasing a live-action version of "Lilo & Stitch," but the 2002 animated movie will always hold a special place in the hearts of Disney fans. The movie is first and foremost a story about family, as little Lilo attempts to adjust to living with her big sister after the death of their parents. But it's also a charming sci-fi film thanks to the presence of the wonderfully chaotic alien, Stitch, who helps bring the sisters together.

Best Space Movies Featuring Aliens and Astronauts: "Arrival"

What would a visit from extraterrestrials really be like? This is the question posed by "Arrival," the 2016 film starring Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner. Adams plays linguistics professor Louise Banks, who's tasked with unraveling the language of the mysterious aliens who have landed on Earth. Soon her mission leads to a deeper understanding of not only the visitors but also of the capabilities of humans.

Best Space Movies Featuring Aliens and Astronauts: "Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century"

"Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century" is inarguably one of the best Disney Channel Original Movies of all time for the fashion alone. Zenon is a normal 13-year-old girl who happens to live on a space station in the year 2049. But when she gets into trouble with the station's commander, she's sent to live with her aunt on Earth as punishment. And let's just say it takes the Earthlings a little bit of time (and some fun dance numbers) before they learn to appreciate Zenon's quirkiness.

Best Space Movies Featuring Aliens and Astronauts: "E.T."

Another Spielberg film, "E.T." is a moving story of friendship and a nostalgic favorite for anyone who came of age in the '80s. The story follows a young boy named Elliott, who meets a sweet alien he dubs E.T. The two become fast friends, but the government is hunting E.T. This leads to the little boy embarking on a big adventure to get E.T. home again — no matter how much it breaks his heart to say goodbye.

The 45 Best Sci-Fi Movies of All Time, Ranked

From classics like Metropolis and Alien to Everything Everywhere All At Once, this is Collider's ranking of the best science fiction movies ever.

The science fiction genre has been one of the most consistently thrilling to explore throughout the history of cinema. The way a visual medium like film can depict futuristic worlds or alternate realities means that almost anything that can be imagined can be depicted on-screen. Since the silent era, filmmakers have been using the medium to their advantage, commenting on humanity's present and hypothesizing about its future through the science-fiction genre.

There are countless great sci-fi movies that have been released since the birth of cinema as an art form, and it's ultimately futile to try and name every single amazing one. There are simply too many top sci-fi movies, and it's a genre that's still thriving, with new potential classics released seemingly every year. The following are among the best of the best from the sci-fi genre, being classics for their entertainment value, excellent technical qualities, and historical significance , and are ranked below in order from great to greatest.

45 'Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes' (2020)

Directed by junta yamaguchi.

Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes is one of the best Japanese movies of the last few years , and also stands as one of the most entertaining and rewatchable sci-fi films in recent memory. It deals with an initially limited form of time travel that involves a screen that shows footage from two minutes in the future, which leads to wonder, fortunes, and eventual chaos for the people who discover this strange phenomenon.

Made on a limited budget and filmed in a way that makes it appear like a single take , Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes is quite dazzling for such a small-scale movie, and endlessly inventive/clever. It’s got an infectious spirit and is overall the kind of movie that will provide significant entertainment value for just about anyone who seeks it out.

Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes

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44 'Voyage of the Rock Aliens' (1984)

Directed by james fargo.

Calling Voyage of the Rock Aliens ridiculous would be underselling it to a considerable extent, but that’s obvious, given it’s literally called Voyage of the Rock Aliens . It functions as a surprisingly good (and wonderfully cheesy) musical, a comedy that feels like a throwback to teen movies of the 1950s and ‘60s, and a sci-fi movie about aliens coming to Earth and trying/failing to fit into life on the planet.

Voyage of the Rock Aliens is a cult movie through and through, and one of the most 1980s-feeling movies to come out of the decade. It’s sloppy, the music probably isn’t for everyone, and watching it is an undeniably chaotic experience, but there’s so much energy and vibrancy to the whole thing that it’s hard to resist , particularly for any sci-fi fans who have a particular fondness for science fiction of the B-movie variety.

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43 'August in the Water' (1995)

Directed by gakuryu ishii.

Blending some fantasy/supernatural elements with an odd yet compelling science fiction story, August in the Water is both a unique and underrated film. It focuses on several teenagers living in the Japanese city of Fukuoka, and explores what happens when one of them – a young girl – begins to develop mysterious powers, all the while strange occurrences continue to happen to the city’s population.

August in the Water isn’t exactly clear about the story it’s telling, nor is it particularly narrative-centered in the first place, but it is undeniably atmospheric and provides a distinct look/feel. It’s broad and open-ended enough to leave many things up to interpretation , and even those who get a bit lost in August in the Water will still be able to appreciate its visual style and singular tone.

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42 'Poor Things' (2023)

Directed by yorgos lanthimos.

Poor Things was surprisingly successful for such an odd and offbeat movie, but those willing to get immersed in something a little different will likely find the film to be a rewarding one. It’s a surprisingly funny and always visually dazzling sci-fi movie about a woman who’s brought back to life, and then goes on a strange and sometimes alarming journey, rediscovering life and effectively coming of age for a second time.

Yorgos Lanthimos is perfectly suited to this kind of story and this sort of style, with the cast also shining while digging into the strange material they’ve been given, especially Emma Stone in the lead role, who won a second Oscar for her performance. Poor Things is a movie that’s a highlight of the 2020s so far, and feels like the sort of sci-fi movie that will one day be held up as a classic .

Poor Things

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41 'Godzilla Minus One' (2023)

Directed by takashi yamazaki.

Speaking of relatively recent science fiction movies that already feel like modern classics, Godzilla Minus One was one of the biggest surprises of 2023, and one of the best Godzilla movies of the past couple of decades. It takes things back further in time than any other movie in the long-running series, taking place right after World War II, following people who are already struggling with surviving the war’s aftermath when the titular monster emerges and makes life even more difficult.

All the monster action in Godzilla Minus One is exciting and satisfying, but it’s the human characters – and their story – that give it the edge overall, and make it function as a genuinely good drama on top of being a kaiju movie . It’s very approachable and a perfect entry point into the series, particularly for anyone who’s more familiar with the American Godzilla movies and has yet to watch any from Japan.

Godzilla Minus One

Godzilla Minus One is currently not available to stream, rent, or purchase in the U.S.

40 'Woman in the Moon' (1929)

Directed by fritz lang.

The most famous sci-fi movie directed by Fritz Lang came out before Woman in the Moon (more on it a little down the line), but this 1929 shouldn’t be overlooked just because it’s his second-best science fiction film. It’s a remarkable cinematic achievement, considering it’s close to a century old, and remains an engaging film about an expedition to the moon – led by a scientist – in search of gold.

Now, given its age and premise, there are aspects here that feel more fictional than ever in a post-moon landing world , but considering Woman in the Moon predated humanity actually reaching the moon by 40 years, the sci-fi movie's predictions were still impressive . It’s also got inventive special effects and a surprisingly well-told and dramatic story, making it one of the best – and most underrated – films of the silent era, sci-fi or otherwise.

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39 'Electric Dreams' (1984)

Directed by steve barron.

Perhaps feeling more like a quirky and heartfelt romantic comedy than a full-on science fiction movie, Electric Dreams does still center around an advanced computer that begins to fall for a young woman. The computer, in a sense, enters into a love triangle of sorts with the young man who purchased it, given the man also has feelings for the same woman, yet is too shy to approach her.

Electric Dreams then becomes like a sci-fi take on Cyrano de Bergerac , with the computer being Cyrano, helping a more conventional romantic partner while also having his own intense feelings of love toward a romance that can’t be. It might sound ridiculous, and Electric Dreams is kind of silly, but it’s also got a sincerity to it that makes it hard to resist . The cynical need not apply, but those open to the film’s odd charms might be it to be one of the more underrated sci-fi flicks of the ‘80s .

38 'Godzilla vs. Destoroyah' (1995)

Directed by takao okawara.

Throughout the remarkably long history of the Godzilla series , the titular monster has fought many other powerful and intimidating titans. For as mighty as foes like King Kong and King Ghidorah have been, there’s an argument to be made that his most powerful enemy wasn’t even a “King,” and that it was actually Destoroyah, a monster who’s only been featured in one Godzilla film to date: 1995’s Godzilla vs. Destoroyah .

Notable for being one of the most intense, frightening, and moving films in the entire series, Godzilla vs. Destoroyah serves as a grand finale for Godzilla ’s Heisei era, which comprised seven movies released between 1984 and 1995 that told a surprisingly continuity-heavy narrative spanning just over a decade. It might not be as powerful outside the context of the series/era, but it’s nevertheless one of the finest of all Godzilla films, and stands as a great work of science fiction as a result.

Godzilla vs. Destoroyah

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37 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi' (2017)

Directed by rian johnson.

There are certainly things to criticize when it comes to the most recent Star Wars movies, largely owing to the messily constructed and planned-out sequel trilogy. Yet buried within this flawed trio of films is a genuinely great sci-fi movie that itself is divisive: Star Wars: The Last Jedi . This eighth entry in the Skywalker Saga has passionate fans and vocal detractors, but that seemed inevitable, given it was directed by the guy who was behind what some people call the worst Breaking Bad episode (“Fly”) and what many call the best Breaking Bad episode (“Ozymandias”).

Star Wars: The Last Jedi brings Luke Skywalker back into the fold, taking his character in interesting directions while ultimately having him live up to his legacy by the film’s end. Other aspects of the film seem odd or disappointing at first, but all of it comes together in an interesting way by the end . It reckons with the history of Star Wars , celebrates it, and critiques it all at once, and does so while also being tremendously moving, emotionally speaking, and spectacular, from a visual standpoint.

Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi

36 'forbidden planet' (1956), directed by fred m. wilcox.

Of all the science fiction movies made during the 1950s, Forbidden Planet is undeniably up there with the most iconic. It follows a crew of space travelers who go in search of another exploration party that's been missing for years, only to make some unusual and startling discoveries during their attempted rescue/recovery mission.

It has an undeniably distinct aesthetic that's inextricably tied to the look and feel of classic '50s sci-fi. It's also notable for having what's perhaps Leslie Nielsen 's best-known non-comedic role, given his career was rejuvenated in the 1980s thanks to starring in a range of iconic parody/spoof movies . Some may find Forbidden Planet to be a little old-fashioned and maybe even slightly cheesy by today's standards , but it's the aesthetics on offer here that might also prove charming to others.

Forbidden Planet

35 'inception' (2010), directed by christopher nolan.

Inception certainly was a cinematic highlight of 2010 , and it had some pretty tough competition that year, too. It's Christopher Nolan blending his affinity for action and science fiction in one , and making this blend go down smoothly with an engaging premise that's about performing a reverse heist within a target's subconscious, making it function well as an action/thriller movie as well as a piece of science fiction.

It's a movie that throws tons of fairly complex ideas at the viewer in rapid succession, and so if there's one criticism that can be thrown Inception's way, it's that it's a little heavy on the exposition at times. But the action-packed scenes serve well as payoffs, and the narrative does find interesting and sometimes unexpected places to go beyond the explanatory dialogue-heavy opening act.

34 'Under the Skin' (2013)

Directed by jonathan glazer.

Those who prefer their sci-fi conventional may want to steer clear of Under the Skin , or approach it very cautiously, given it's another strange, haunting, and unapologetic film directed by Jonathan Glazer . It's essentially an arthouse take on a story about an alien coming to Earth, perhaps being for the 2010s what the equally bizarre and captivating The Man Who Fell to Earth was for the 1970s.

Scarlett Johansson plays the alien at the center of Under the Skin , and much of the movie is about this life form - after taking on a human appearance - stalking and capturing various men who become prey. It offers little by way of easy answers, and much of the film is up to the interpretation of the individual viewer , for better or worse (probably more better, so long as you know roughly what you're in for).

Under the Skin

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33 'Avatar' (2009)

Directed by james cameron.

James Cameron might've referred to himself as the king of the world after his 1997 film Titanic swept the Oscars, but it's perhaps more accurate to call him the king of the sci-fi genre. He's made some of the biggest and most popular works of science fiction in cinematic history, with none being as successful (at least financially) as his 2009 film Avatar . Indeed, Avatar joins Titanic and its own sequel, Avatar: The Way of Water , as a movie that can claim to be the highest-grossing of its decade of release .

It recycles familiar tropes and story beats, but does so in a fantastical world and with breathtaking visual effects. Typical of Cameron, Avatar is also successful in blending genres to ensure it has mass appeal , with this movie being a sci-fi film, an action/adventure movie, and a romance all at once.

32 'Planet of the Apes' (1968)

Directed by franklin j. schaffner.

For as good as the reboot/prequel trilogy released throughout the 2010s was, it's hard to top the original Planet of the Apes film from 1968, at least when judging each movie in the series on its own merits. It's an eerie and oftentimes mysterious film, building to a fantastic conclusion that might still surprise those lucky enough to avoid knowing about it without having seen the movie.

It flips things around by having human beings be the subservient species, and forced to contend with an advanced race of apes who do indeed rule the planet they're on. It's not nearly as cheesy as you'd think (the sequels don't fare quite so well), and holds up as a compelling and entertaining sci-fi/action movie with some interesting things to say about humanity and its possible future.

Planet of the Apes (1968)

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31 'District 9' (2009)

Directed by neill blomkamp.

Though some are clamoring for a sequel that will probably never arrive (never say never, unless you can cowardly include a "probably" in there), District 9 still stands on its own as a great film regardless. It's part mockumentary, part action movie, and part body horror, detailing what happens to an alien ship that becomes stranded over the city of Johannesburg.

It's also packed with social commentary regarding race and how refugees are mistreated in real life, considering in this movie, it's the aliens who find themselves in the middle of a large-scale refugee crisis. It's thought-provoking, unique, exciting, and one of the best science-fiction movies of the 21st century so far, as well as one movie that demonstrated how 2009 was an unusually good year for the sci-fi genre as a whole .

30 'Stalker' (1979)

Directed by andrei tarkovsky.

One of the most acclaimed films of 1979 , Stalker is also among the best-known titles in Andrei Tarkovsky 's filmography. It follows three men who are trying to find a mysterious location known only as the Zone, as it's rumored to grant great power to anyone who can locate it. Stalker feels less focused on the narrative necessarily, as its status as an arthouse science fiction movie means it's more concerned with exploring abstract themes and providing a unique (in this case, also eerie) mood.

It unfolds in a way that's very slow, but also surprisingly absorbing . It's an intensely psychological sort of science fiction, exploring the minds of its characters more so than putting them in a series of exciting set pieces or action scenes. It's the kind of approach to sci-fi that might not be for everyone, but it is undoubtedly interesting.

29 'Moon' (2009)

Directed by duncan jones.

One of many great science-fiction movies released in 2009, Moon is about one man dealing with isolation while being the sole person at a manufacturing facility on the Moon. Things take a turn into the unexpected as he's about to return to Earth, though, throwing the film's events into an entirely new direction.

The less said about the rest of Moon , the better, but it's fair to say that it's certainly engaging and surprising in all the best ways. It's also a showcase for the talents of Sam Rockwell , given he maintains a compelling presence on-screen, even though he doesn't really have any other actual actors to appear alongside, and act with, and Moon undoubtedly solidifies Rockwell as one of the best and most underrated actors working today.

28 'Ex Machina' (2014)

Directed by alex garland.

Before taking a turn into horror by directing movies like Annihilation and Men , Alex Garland had his directorial debut with the sci-fi film Ex Machina . It's a unique look at artificial intelligence, revolving around a series of experiments in a remote location with a new, unnervingly smart robot, the creator of said technology, and a young coder who's won a competition to visit said location.

It's an eerie and engaging look at familiar science-fiction tropes and ideas , presenting things that viewers might have seen before in ways that are confined, realistic, and eye-opening. It's small-scale, personal science-fiction done right, and though it's not particularly old, it feels like the kind of movie where it's safe to say it will age well, and continue to hold up in years to come.

27 'Minority Report' (2002)

Directed by steven spielberg.

Minority Report is set in a future where surveillance has become so widespread and powerful that the crime/justice landscape has completely changed. Violent crimes can now be predicted before they even happen, leading to people being arrested and charged for crimes they didn't actually commit, but were ultimately going to commit, or so those in the business of "Precrime" say.

It's an uneasy and thought-provoking premise, and was explored in a way that ensured Minority Report ranked among the best movies of 2002 . It's getting on in years, but what it has to say still feels relevant and unnerving, and time will ultimately tell how relevant it'll continue to feel, and how unsettling its premise will feel for viewers even further in the future. Undoubtedly, it's one of the very best sci-fi/thriller movies Steven Spielberg has ever directed.

Minority Report

26 'interstellar' (2014).

While Interstellar isn't Christopher Nolan's only great science-fiction movie, it might be his most pure sci-fi effort, given Inception ' s action-heavy nature and Tenet feeling like an espionage thriller with sci-fi elements. Interstellar 's also one of his longest movies, making it a true sci-fi epic in every sense of the word.

It centers on a group of astronauts who explore space through a wormhole, as humanity is in danger on Earth and may need to find a new planet to live on. On the technical side of things, Interstellar is spectacular, with amazing visual effects and a phenomenal Hans Zimmer score . It's a long but rewarding film, and in contrast to some science-fiction, also contains a surprising amount of heartfelt - maybe even sentimental - emotion.

Interstellar

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The Best Movies About Astronauts & Realistic Space Travel

Space travel movies can be fantastical, but the top films about the galaxy feature realistic stories about astronauts. The best astronaut movies spotlight characters confronting unknown elements in the outer reaches of space. This is a list o f the greatest realistic space movies including everything from Apollo 13 to Gravity to The Right Stuff .

What films will you find on this list of the best movies about astronauts? 2001: A Space Odyssey is known for its hyper-realistic depiction of space, so it's hard to believe that this Stanley Kubrick-directed film was released back in 1968. The dangers of relying on technology and encountering extraterrestrial life were among the themes of this classic movie. Contact is another one of the best realistic space movies  - though according to NASA, its fellow 1997 release Gattaca  is even more plausible .  Hidden Figures tells the real-life story of three African-American mathematicians who assisted NASA's space program. Other good movies featured on this list include Europa Report , Space Cowboys , and The Martian .

Do you have a favorite realistic space movie? Give the best films a vote up and please add any good movies that are missing. Then, check out our list of the best animated space movies .

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Interstellar

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2001: A Space Odyssey

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Event Horizon

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The Astronaut's wife

The Astronaut Farmer

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The Last Days On Mars

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Exploring the many ways space, space travels, and extraterrestrial life are depicted in film, TV, literature, anime, comics, and technology.

Den of Geek

The Movies That Confronted the Scariest Challenges of Space Travel

Hollywood must be afraid of Einstein considering how few movies seriously address the theory of relativity. Here are the ones who actually face the cold truth about space travel.

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Space is great. It’s massive, it’s colorful, and you can have big fights with lasers there. It really does have everything you could want. But it also has problems—mainly, like we said, that it’s massive. In fact it’s so massive that if you want to go anywhere in it (apart from a few nearby planets with hardly anyone to shoot lasers at), by the time you get there, you’re dead. Now you might think that if you can just go fast enough, you’ll get there before you die, but there’s a problem.

That problem, as Albert Einstein tells us, is the speed of light. Light, in a vacuum, travels at just short of 300 million meters per second, fast enough to get from Earth to the moon in a little over a second. The thing is if you’re chasing a light beam, and travel behind it at 150 million meters per second, if you clock the light beam’s speed you’ll see it racing away from you at just under 300 million meters per second. But at the same time, an observer watching both of you will see the light beam move away from them at 300 million meters a second. The speed of light remains the same for both of you, but for that to be true, time has to be moving differently.

This has two important consequences. First, you are never going to be as fast as a beam of light. The second is that the closer you get to the speed of light, the more slowly time will pass to compensate.

Most movies get around this massive conundrum with hyperspace, warp drive, quantum jump technology, the improbability drive, or iso-hexagonic dimensional skipping. Alternatively, to keep your hard-sci-fi credentials, your astronauts might simply nap through the years of travel between the stars. But a small number (a really quite surprisingly small number) of films have dared to face Einstein head-on and reap the consequences of approaching the universe’s ultimate speed limit. Here’s how they addressed space travel’s most menacing challenge.

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Planet of the Apes (1968)

Perhaps the first film to take on relativistic space travel was Planet of the Apes —although credit is not given to Einstein, but to “Dr. Haslein’s theory of time.” At the very opening of the film, Charlton Heston’s character tells us that, with the speed their spacecraft travels at, time will pass more slowly for the human astronauts than it will for people back on Earth. This sets up the twist that the alien planet they land on—where three recognizable species of ape, as well as homo sapiens, speak the Queen’s English—is in fact Earth in the distant future.

It also demonstrates one of the reasons why relativistic movie space travel is so rare. Travel at 99.9999999 percent of the speed of light is at least theoretically possible, and would reduce travel between the stars in our own neighborhood to the timeframes of sail-powered ocean voyages rather than the rise and fall of civilizations. But it can look like a hat on a hat. Suddenly your space travel story is now also a time travel story. And not a fun one, like where you go back in time and save some humpback whales; it’s a sad one where the people you know age and die in moments and the world you left behind changes beyond all recognition by the time you return to it.

Dark Star (1974)

Directed by John Carpenter and written by Alien ’s Dan O’Bannon, this film doesn’t hinge any great plot twists on its time dilation. It is merely mentioned that the crew have aged only three years during their 20-year mission of rogue planet extermination. It takes the negatives of using relativity in space travel and turns them into a positive. The time dilation becomes simply another twist of the knife of isolation and dehumanisation that permeates the film. Not only are these characters removed from their families and homes to do a trivial yet dangerous job for an employer that doesn’t care for them, but those families and homes will be irreparably changed when they do see them again.

Many regard Dark Star as a prototype for Alien . The film even has its own alien lifeform running around the ship, albeit that alien looks like a beach ball with feet. And Alien is an interesting case study of Hollywood’s discomfort around the passage of time during space travel. That film sees its crew start the film waking up from hypersleep. The implication is straightforward—these are low-paid, low-valued workers whose employer thinks nothing of tossing them into space for years at a time travelling at sublight speeds.

But in Aliens , particularly the director’s cut, we learn that Ripley went on this mission expecting to be home by her daughter’s 11th birthday—not a promise you can make with any interstellar travel that doesn’t F the TL. Hollywood gets really uncomfortable with any implication that future technology might change the way people, particularly families, relate to one another, even though that is something that has habitually changed on the regular throughout human history.

Flight of the Navigator (1986) 

Flight of the Navigator is all about family relationships changing as a result of relativistic space travel. One of the more successful films to attempt to ride E.T. ’s coattails (at this point we all side-eye 1988’s Mac and Me and collectively shudder), Flight of the Navigator sees a young David Freeman abducted by an alien probe and returned years later with no time having passed. Suddenly all his school friends are 20 years old, his little brother is his big brother, his parents have spent eight years grieving for the son they had probably assumed was gruesomely murdered, and pop music is just noise, and boys on telly are wearing makeup.

So once again we are using space travel to fuel a time travel story, and a road movie as David and the alien robot Max fly across America, learning about humanity and friendship. But ultimately, to deliver the happy ending Hollywood demands, Flight of the Navigator has to fudge the science. It is not enough to allow David to adapt to the new time and family he has found himself in. The status quo must be restored, and for that to happen Max must fly David through some scary lightning effects to drop him off back in time at the precise moment he left.

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This will be the first of many such fudges.

Interstellar (2014)  

Christopher Nolan ’s space exploration flick is probably the most famous take on time dilation . It is, it has to be said, a film that has done its homework. Although it uses a wormhole to get our astronauts into outer space, a combination of speed and veering too close to serious gravity wells means that decades pass at home while only a short time passes on board the ship. As well as portraying some of the realities of time dilation, this movie also gave us our most scientifically accurate visualization yet of a black hole.

It also, admirably, does not insist on a magic backward-time-travel fudge to restore a familial status quo at the end. The film ends with Matthew McConaughey reunited with his daughter, who is now an old lady, and there is no question of magically reversing that to let him watch her grow up. But even here, the scientifically accurate black hole allows Matthew McConaughey to send a message backward in time to his daughter’s childhood because of the cosmic power of love, or something, making the entire plot into a bootstrap paradox.

Lightyear (2022)

Despite being a Pixar movie intended to be an imaginary movie that a toy is based on in another Pixar movie , Lightyear gives us a surprisingly realistic take on time dilation at extreme speeds. In this film, Buzz Lightyear is part of a crew forced to build a colony when their ship is stranded on a hostile alien planet. Buzz is used as a test pilot to perfect an engine that could allow the colonists to return home, but because he’s moving at relativistic speeds, each trip to the local star and back sends him months, years and eventually decades forward in time.

If you’re waiting for the fudge, you might be pleasantly surprised to learn that this time Buzz doesn’t find a way to go back in time and put everything back to normal. No, instead his evil alternate timeline twin does that, forcing Buzz to fight evil elderly alternate future Buzz (Zerg’s real identity). But can you make a great movie that acknowledges the crunchy realities of relativity without upsetting scientists with hand-wavy backward time travel? Well, not yet. But people are trying.

The Forever War (TBA)

Probably the best story to handle space travel at relativistic speeds is Joe Haldeman’s The Forever War . Written partially in response to the jingoistic (and a little fascist) Starship Troopers , the novel uses relativistic time dilation as a fantastic metaphor for troops returning home during the Vietnam War. It uses time dilation to portray the feeling of returning home from combat to discover the wide social changes that have taken place at home, but with plenty of space wars. In short, it is perfect movie fodder.

The film rights to the book have been changing hands since 1988. For a long time, Ridley Scott was set to direct with plans to make it a 3D spectacle to rival Avatar (which also featured space travel subject to time dilation, but you would have to read a lot of behind-the-scenes material to find that out). However, in 2015 the rights expired and were quickly bought up by Warner Bros. with the intent to make it a Channing Tatum vehicle. The film is supposedly still in development, but just like on a spaceship moving at close to the speed of light, time moves slowly in development hell.

And the Honorable Mentions

At time of writing MGM have just announced a release date for their adaptation of Project Hail Mary , an extrapolation of a novel by The Martian author Andy Weir, with Phil Lord and Chris Miller sitting in the (double-seated) directors’ chair. The film, starring Ryan Gosling, attempts to offer a hard sci-fi take on an astronaut travelling to a nearby star to find the source of a mysterious space-borne lifeform that is causing our sun to dim.

Unlike The Forever War , time dilation doesn’t make up a huge part of the story other than emphasizing how isolated the hero is, but it is still mentioned in the book and forms a crucial plot point.

Outside of movies, a band of developers who previously worked on the Mass Effect games have now announced the action RPG, Exodus , a seemingly hard-sci-fi take on the space opera where the player will endure time dilation as they travel from system to system while epochs pass behind them. But after a lot of searching, we have found precisely five completed films that make use of time dilation, three of which fudge the science (If you know of any others, please let us know in the comments. This isn’t an attempt to drive engagement, I just want to watch those movies!).

Of course a lot of space travel stories still reach straight for the hyperdrive, but by embracing space travel, you not only open up opportunities to let people see far beyond their years, and show off the ways that spacetime can behave far more weirdly than any science fiction creation; you also drives home just how big our universe really is.

Chris Farnell’s Fermi’s Progress stories do use a faster-than-light spacecraft, but it is one that destroys every planet in its wake.

Chris Farnell

Chris Farnell is a freelance writer and the author of a novel, an anthology, a Doctor Who themed joke book and some supplementary RPG material. He…

The most memorable time travel movies

Posted: March 7, 2024 | Last updated: March 7, 2024

There are fun travel movies, often involving road trips. Bob Hope and Bing Crosby did it over and over. Sometimes, though, the travel isn’t across the globe, or even across space. They are across time. Time travel has been an oft-used trope of science fiction and other fantastical genres for years. Some of the biggest movies of all time involve time travel, but they aren’t the only memorable ones. These are the most memorable time travel films. If you don’t have time to read them now, well, maybe you need a time machine of your own.

'Back to the Future' (1985)

The quintessential time travel movie. One of the biggest hits of all time. The progenitor of two very good sequels. (Yes, we like the third movie.) Marty McFly goes back in time in a DeLorean thanks to his friend Doc Brown and ends up intertwined in the life of his eventual parents back in 1955. Plus, all that Huey Lewis!

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'Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure' (1989)

Another film that spawned a trilogy. This comedy is on the sillier side. Bill and Ted are dimwitted high school students who use their time machine to collect important historical figures so they can avoid failing. One of the breakthrough roles for Keanu Reeves, it’s indeed most excellent.

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'Terminator 2: Judgment Day' (1991)

This time around, we had to go with a sequel in a series. The Terminator is a good movie, but a bleak horror film. Terminator 2 got a bigger budget and a much larger scope. It’s an epic ‘90s action film, the one that really made this a franchise with legs. It also helped take Arnold Schwarzenegger’s career to the next level.

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'12 Monkeys' (1995)

Based on a French short film, Terry Gilliam made time travel trippy and grim. In the future, humanity has almost entirely been wiped out by a disease. Bruce Willis is sent back in time in order to figure out the cause of the disease, but he’s sent to the wrong time and ends up in a mental hospital. That just makes his quest that much harder.

'Army of Darkness' (1992)

After spending two movies dealing with evil spirits in a cabin in the woods, Ash finds himself traveled back to medieval times, but that doesn’t give him a break from all the ghouls that torment him. Army of Darkness is a slapstick horror comedy from Sam Raimi and star Bruce Campbell, but that works better than you might think. Hail to the king, baby.

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'Interstellar' (2014)

Christopher Nolan loves to mess with time and create notable imagery. Interstellar was daunting even to people who watched Inception , as much for its lengthy run time as its heady plot. That being said, it delved headlong into a scientific notion of time travel, and the cast is also quite impressive. Time has been kind to the reputation of  Interstellar .

'Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me' (1999)

In a way, Austin Powers travels through time in the first film, but that’s more due to cryogenic freezing. In the sequel, he actually travels through time. The Spy Who Shagged Me was a massive hit, and while a lot of it feels like rehashes of the first film, there was enough fresh stuff to keep the movie fun.

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'A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court' (1949)

Mark Twain’s novel has been adapted several times, something loosely. This 1949 version is fairly faithful, and it also has quite the cast, led by Bing Crosby. With Crosby involved, they turned the film into a musical naturally.

'The Final Girls' (2015)

If you like horror comedies, this under-the-radar film is one worth seeking out. A group of friends find themselves transported into a 1986 slasher film called Camp Bloodbath . The star of that film happened to be one of the character’s mother, who happened to die a few years earlier. As such, they are technically traveling through time and into a film.

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'Last Night in Soho' (2021)

Edgar Wright has done horror-movie pastiches in the past, but they were often loving comedic takes on the genre. This time, he made a straight-up horror film. A young woman in modern London travels back in time when she sleeps, but then she quickly realizes the past that she romanticized was far from ideal.

'Kate & Leopold' (2001)

A fish-out-of-water romantic comedy, this time that fish isn’t just some fancy city folk in the country. No, he’s a duke from the 1800s, and he’s played by Hugh Jackman. You’d think that would be detrimental to Meg Ryan falling in love with him, but you’d be wrong.

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'Hot Tub Time Machine' (2010)

Hey, the ‘80s, right? Hot Tub Time Machine is a raunchy comedy that is mostly a series of jokes about how the ‘80s were different. It’s not going to win any Oscars. However, it is called Hot Tub Time Machine , and it did spawn a sequel. It’s not a great movie, but it has a good cast and some memorable jokes.

'Avengers: Endgame' (2019)

Well, Avengers: Endgame is one of the highest-grossing movies ever, and the culmination of over a decade of films in the biggest movie series in the world. We’d call that fairly memorable. It’s hard to spoil a film that a ton of people have seen, so we’re OK with mentioning the fact that the surviving Avengers decide to use time travel to try and defeat Thanos after failing to do so initially.

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'Looper' (2012)

What if time travel was verboten and also kind of banal? That’s the world of Looper . Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays a hitman who kills people sent back from the future by the future mob. However, someday he will have to “close his loop,” which is to say kill the future version of himself. Then, when his future self shows up — played by Bruce Willis — he manages to escape, and that really complicates things.

'Source Code' (2011)

Source Code kind of ratchets up 12 Monkeys to a whole new level. A train has been exploded by a bomb, and Jake Gyllenhaal is sent into a digital recreation of the event to try and identify the perpetrator. He has to go into the same eight-minute stretch over and over, with things bending and shaping over time.

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'Star Trek' (2009)

When they decided to reboot  Star Trek , they also decided to add some time travel into the mix. This made for a time-and-space hopping story, for starters. However, it also allowed them to have Leonard Nimoy show up to play older Spock, giving this movie two different Spocks!

'Men in Black 3' (2012)

Men in Black was really good, but Men in Black II was lackluster. In order to add some spice back into the proceedings, time travel was added into the mix. Will Smith’s Agent J has to go back in time to try and save K from death. Then, he runs into young K, played by Josh Brolin doing a great Tommy Lee Jones impression.

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'Time Bandits' (1981)

Another Terry Gilliam film for the list. This is a lighter film than 12 Monkeys , though more a fantasy adventure than a comedy. It’s a story about a boy who joins up with, well, time pirates essentially. The crew of a ship travel through spacetime to steal treasures throughout the ages.

'Timecop' (1994)

Hey, it may not be all that good, but Timecop delivers what it promises. It’s a silly Jean-Claude Van Damme action movie involving time travel. Basically, it’s what you expect from a movie called Timecop . It was a big hit, though, and it also featured a memorable end to Ron Silver’s character.

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'Tenet' (2020)

Nolan saw people’s reaction to Interstellar and thought, “Ah, clearly I made that film too straightforward.”  Tenet is trippy and basically everybody is going to have trouble following it at least in fits and starts. It involves people experiencing time forwards and backwards simultaneously. John David Washington fights a backwards version of himself. Tenet is bonkers, but it’s also a ton of fun. Sometimes you just want to go along for the ride.

'Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny' (2023)

After all these years, we got one last Indiana Jones movie. Harrison Ford has often come across like playing even, say, Han Solo, is akin to pulling teeth for him. However, he always seemed to genuinely love playing Indy. In the past he was present as the Ark of the Covenant melted Nazis, and he met a centuries-old knight and found the Holy Grail. In "Dial of Destiny," he also finally time travels. The film is merely fine, but it is nice that Ford got to bid adieu to the character.

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