There are some seriously heavy-hitters in the sci-fi genre, whether it’s a mind-bending visual epic like Annihilation (a word I can never spell) or the fantasy-adjacent genre-makers like the Star Wars saga. The problem with these beloved films is that they’re overshadowing. I’d say more than any other genre, sci-fi masks the rest of its catalog from the general public. Ask a random passerby what their favorite sci-fi movie is and they’ll no doubt answer with one from IMDb’s top 20.
Interstellar, Blade Runner, Alien, The Matrix, okay we get it. Settle down.
What would I say to the average rando who listed off a sci-fi staple? “Cool, but what about these?”
Perhaps Earth to Echo (2014) suffered from coming out only a few years after Super 8 (2011). Without the name recognition of J. J. Abrams and Stephen Spielberg to boost its status like the latter film, Earth to Echo languished briefly in theaters and then was immediately forgotten. It didn’t even get a chance. But this little coming-of-age tale about a boy who finds an EVE-esque (of Wall-E fame) robot was actually way better than anyone gave it credit for. Critics didn’t love it, but who cares? It’s time to make up your own mind.
With the star-studded cast of Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Kristen Wiig, and the voice talents of Seth Rogen, you’d think Paul (2011) would have become an instant comedy classic. And for a brief time it was. The sci-fi movie, about some alien-loving conspiracy theorists who find an actual alien, is just as hilarious as you’d think. So why did everyone collectively forget about it moments later? Let’s blame the memory wipe device from Men in Black.
During my recent mindfuck movies list, I got several comments reminding me of The Adjustment Bureau (2011), a sci-fi movie that got good reception at the time but was quickly forgotten. Equal parts mystery, thriller, sci-fi, and romance, it clearly has something for everyone. So why haven’t you seen it? And if you’ve ever felt like the universe was out to get you, maybe you’ll connect with the plot.
The Adjustment Bureau on Peacock
While the time loop sci-fi film Edge of Tomorrow (2014) didn’t get the hype it deserved when it first came out, it has since gotten its flowers from anyone who’s seen it since. Maybe Source Code (2011) deserves the same treatment? Similarly to the Tom Cruise movie, Source Code has Jake Gyllenhaal going through the same day over and over. This time, he’s trying to figure out who bombed a train full of people. It’s a fun mystery with a sci-fi twist and even a bit of romance thrown in, ooh-la-la.
For those of us who have seen Moon (2009), we all can collectively agree that it’s a masterpiece. There’s literally nothing wrong with this Sam Rockwell space movie (aside from the person who voices the moon base’s AI.) So why is it on this list? Not enough people have seen it! It went criminally under-the-radar. If you haven’t yet peeped this wonderful movie, go in with as little information as you can. This paragraph should be enough.
I know I missed some gems here, so if there are any underrated sci-fi movies you think should be on the list, share them in the comments! I could always use more movies to watch.
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