The genre of science fiction – in books, television, and film – has long been popular, featuring speculations of new worlds and new kinds of life, while also functioning as social commentary of when the piece was created.Science fiction moviesare magic, allowing us to truly feel like we’re in outer space, or meeting aliens for the first time. But, like with every movie, there is so much behind the scenes that we don’t typically get to see. Movie documentaries allow us to peek behind the curtain of our favorite movies, learning how they were made and everything that goes into them. These documentaries allow us to celebrate the movies we love and all the artists behind them. Here are the best documentaries about sci-fi movies, ranked.
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6The Captains (2011)
The Captainsis a documentary directed by actor William Shatner, who interviews actors who have played captains intheStar Trekuniverse. The documentary covers the whole franchise, from the original series to the reboot films, and explores both the actors involved andStar Trekas a whole. While most of it centers around Shatner and how he came to embrace the popular role, there are great insights from other captains and franchise actors, talking about how their lives and careers were shaped by the franchise. It’s informative and fun, and a must-watch forStar Trekfans.
5Never Surrender: A Galaxy Quest Documentary (2019)
Directed by Jack Bennett,Never Surrender: A Galaxy Quest Documentaryexplores the making of the filmGalaxy Quest, which defied odds to become a cult classic. The movie itself is a science fiction comedy and a loving parody of classic sci-fi shows, likeStar Trek.The Hollywood Reporter sharesthe challenges the film saw, including improper marketing and large changes made by the studio, and the documentary covers how the movie overcame them to become a beloved classic that would shape many later movies. Through interviews with the cast and creative team, you get loving insights into the movie, and gain a new appreciation for it as well.
4Memory: The Origins of Alien (2019)
Alexandre O. Philippe’s documentary,Memory: The Origins of Alienfeatures the beginnings oftheAlienfranchisewith its coverage of the original movie. It’s a chance to peek behind the curtain of a beloved movie, featuring cast interviews, original designs and notes, and exclusive behind-the-scenes footage. It also shares details about the context of those making the movie and the context of the world as it was being made, and how those contributed to the final product. It captures the magic of the first film, and how it has lived on, not only in sequel movies, but in the public consciousness.
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3Jodorowsky’s Dune (2013)
Jodorowsky’s Dune, directed by Frank Pavich, is also about a film that wasn’t made – this time, an adaptation ofDunethat was planned by director Alejandro Jodorowsky. Jodorowsky had outlandish concepts for the movie, which he envisioned as at least ten hours long, and had Mick Jagger and Salvador Dali in the cast. The documentary also explores script ideas and storyboard images, which influenced later sci-fi films. The BBC calls it “the greatest film never made,” and the documentary beautifully pays tribute to the movie, with great details that let you imagine how Jodorowsky’sDunemight have played out.
2Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy (2004)
Directed by Kevin Burns,Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy, explores the making of the original trilogy and its impact on pop culture. Divided into chronological parts, it starts with George Lucas’s early career before moving on to the creation of the films and their impact. With interviews from the cast, directors, and visual effects workers, it covers every part of the films and how they came to be. Rich in details, information, and appreciation, it’s a celebration ofStar Warsas a whole – the movies, the performers, and everyone behind the scenes who brought them to life.
1In Search of Tomorrow (2022)
David A. Weiner’sIn Search of Tomorrowis a detailed and ambitious documentary that covers not just one movie, but dozens of the greatest sci-fi movies from the 1980s, includingBack to The Future,E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, andThe Terminator. Presented year by year, the documentary covers every aspect of the movies involved – special effects, writing, characters, and costumes – to let viewers see new insights into the movies and how they were made. It also covers how the movies have fit into the contexts of their times and lived on into current times, showing why sci-fi is so important for shaping our lives. It celebrates the movies involved and the genre of science fiction as a whole, explaining how it is made by our dreams and lives on in them.
