Hungry for some good sci-fi but bored with navigating yourNetflixqueue? You’re in luck, as we’ve hunted down the best of the best. From Netflix originals to long-standing classics, there’s something for every sci-fi fan out there, all at the simple push of a button.
Sci-Fi moviesare a genre that are always popular with a specific audience. They offer escapism, action, laughs, and adventure. The audience might be limited in some regards, but the universal stories they tell are simply undeniable.It is with this in mind that we have scoured Netflix to find you the best ones they have available right now.
The titles on display here come in all shapes and sizes. This is probably what makes the sci-fi genre so popular. There really is something for everybody. Whether you want to look at a dystopian future, a not to distant future, or an alternate future, there is something here for you. Science-Fiction films have a way of taking a present we know and distorting it to be something we no longer recognize. All while making a statement about the here and now.
It is the fluid ability of this genre that makes it so reliable to its audience. The best part about sci-fi is how it takes highly complex subject matter and makes it accessible. Because it can do that we get truly far out stories that we can understand. So basically forget about your Netflix queue. Why spend the time looking up a good science-fiction movie on your own? Especially when we have done the work for you with these 15 best sci-fi movies onstreamingon Netflix right now.
19Bright (2017)
Brightis not just one of the biggest original Netflix movies, but also one of it’s first forays into sci-fi. This tale of Will Smith teaming up with the an Orc played by Joel Edgerton wasn’t necessarily beloved by hardcore sci-fi fans. ButBright, with its Rotten Tomato score of 27%, is something of an anomaly.Brighthas an audience score of 85%. Which means someone out there loves it. Set in Los Angeles and looking like a fantasy version ofTraining Day, from David Ayer, the guy that wrote that film,Brightmakes a comment on the divide our nation has with itself. Netflix is bold butBrightis literally on another planet.
18The Cloverfield Paradox (2018)
Okay,The Cloverfield Paradoxis a beautifully flawed film. Sure, Netflix essentially dumped this third film in theCloverfielduniverse on their platform, but that doesn’t mean that it is totally bad. While it isn’t anything like the originalCloverfield, or10 Cloverfield Lane,The Cloverfield Paradoxis not a movie without merits. This story about a space crew who find themselves moving through the multiverse of space and time, is bold, audacious, and, at one point, relies on a severed arm to save humanity!
17Mute (2018)
Muteis another big budget Netflix original that hasn’t necessarily been winning over the critics. But fans of Netflix sure are devouring it. The story follows a mute man who ventures into a near-future Berlin to find his missing girlfriend in the seamy underworld. There, his actions speak louder than words. The movie stars Alexander Skarsgard in the lead, but it’s really Paul Rudd who steals the show.
16Fullmetal Alchemist (2017)
Based on the popular anime of the same name, fans have been waiting for this one for a long time. And it doesn’t disappoint. While alchemist Edward Elric is searching for a way to restore his brother Al’s body, the military government and mysterious monsters are watching closely.
15When We First Met (2018)
When we first met is an interesting foray in the sci-fi sub-genre of romantic comedies. As this is a time travel tale at heart, it calls back some of the better entries likeBack to the FutureandBill and Ted. The movie follows a love lorn guy who believes he’s missed out on marrying his true soul mate. Their first night was perfect. So this lovesick guy, played byWorkaholicsfavorite Adam Devine, keeps traveling back to that point in time to finally win the girl of his dreams. you’re able to watch ithere.
14Spectral (2016)
Spectralwas supposed to be a big summer release. But Netflix decided the movie was a better fit for its line-up of original streaming movies. The story follows an otherworldly force that wreaks havoc on a war-torn European city. An engineer is forced to team up with an elite Special Ops unit to stop it.
13Armageddon (1998)
Armageddontells to the story of humans trying to stop a giant meteor from destroying earth. And with a cast that includes both Bruce Willis and Ben Affleck,Armageddonis a movie that is literally bigger than life. Sure, the people involved in saving humanity seem like they are only doing it between laughs. And yes, the audience for this movie isn’t the same is the one for say,Serenity. That’s what makes sci-fi so much fun. Netflix knows that some people might like one style of film or another, but what does it matter as long as they get their content from Netflix?
12Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
WithoutRogue One: A Star Wars Storywe would never have seen how Princess Leia ultimately got the Death Star plans that Luke would use to destroy the Death Star inStar Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope. Now, this is aStar Warsfilm that is in everybody’s wheelhouse. It has action, adventure, laughs and tips its hat to Episodes 4-6 to be respectful. What better way to spend a few hours on Netflix than with this baby?
11Cloud Atlas (2012)
An ambitious saga from Tom Tykwer, Lana Wachowksi and Lilly Wachowski,Cloud Atlasis nearly a 3 hour meditation on human beings and their interconnectedness through time. There… how’s that for a one line distillation? Featuring the likes of Tom Hanks and Halle Berry like you’ve never seen them,Cloud Atlasoffers our stars in multiple roles, multiple situations and multiple stories. It also does this with many of the other actors and actresses in this film. The vast bigness ofCloud Atlasrepresents the perfect way to spend a Sunday with Netflix.
10Trollhunter (2010)
Trollhunterso perfectly melds low budget and large budget filmmaking that this film actually breaks new ground as a sci-fi film. This found footage story of students following a man who who is hunting trolls is the perfect film in the Netflix age. With it’s dramatic moments mixed with special FX,Trollhuntertruly takes on a life of it’s own as you watch it. How many films can claim that?
