10 Sci-Fi Movies on Tubi You NEED to Watch

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Tubi is rapidly climbing the ranks as one of the top and widely used streaming services available today. Firstly, it’s free, albeit with occasional ads that are kept to a minimum and aren’t repetitive. Secondly, its content selection has expanded significantly, offering a wide array of high-quality movies and television shows. For this discussion, we’re zeroing in on the sci-fi movie category, which mirrors Tubi’s horror and comedy sections by featuring well-known blockbusters alongside lesser-known cult favorites. The list that follows offers a mix of both, sometimes blending elements from each.

Discover a range of fantastic science fiction movies, including timeless sequels and masterpieces by John Carpenter, as well as action-packed adventures starring Bruce Willis and Jean-Claude Van Damme. These outstanding sci-fi flicks can currently be found on Tubi. However, remember that not all films stay on Tubi forever, so don’t miss your chance to watch them – catch them while you can!

Bill & Ted Face the Music

In the era of COVID, one of the notable films that opted for a direct-to-streaming release was “Bill & Ted Face the Music”. This movie provided a delightful cinematic experience amidst challenging times. Unlike many sequels from established franchises, particularly comedies like “Dumb and Dumber To” and “Zoolander 2”, it successfully retained the charm of its predecessor. This is largely due to the efforts of Alex Winter and Keanu Reeves, who convincingly portray the characters as if no time has passed since the original film.

In “Bill & Ted Face the Music,” our beloved pals are assigned a mission to compose a song powerful enough to save the universe. Instead of putting in the work, they embark on a journey through time to swipe the song from their future selves. The second installment showcases exceptional performances by Jack Black (previously Brigette Lundy-Paine) and Samara Weaving, portraying Ted and Bill’s daughters.

Colossal

As a dedicated movie enthusiast, I must admit that when I first heard about Colossal, my mind was filled with curiosity and a touch of confusion over the concept of an Anne Hathaway-led kaiju film. Yet, as the movie unfolds, one realizes that Colossal is not easily categorized until halfway through its narrative. It’s a compelling tale that revolves around alcoholism and abuse, but surprisingly, there’s a colossal monster in it too.

In this film, Hathaway delivers a remarkable performance as Gloria, a lawyer with a penchant for alcohol that jeopardizes both her career and love life. To escape the city’s pressures, she returns to rural New Hampshire to start anew. Along the way, she reconnects with an old acquaintance who offers her a job at his bar. Unfortunately, this reunion only fuels Gloria’s drinking habits. As her condition worsens, she realizes not just the toll it takes on her own well-being but also the devastating impact it has on the residents of Seoul, as each drink unleashes a monstrous kaiju rampage across the city. To save them all, Gloria must confront and overcome her addiction, which proves increasingly challenging given that her supposed friend is actually an enabler, albeit a malicious one.

Donnie Darko

The movie “Donnie Darko” is undeniably a cult classic, offering a mind-bending blend of science fiction and thriller elements culminating in an emotionally impactful finale. Interestingly, Jake Gyllenhaal’s career-defining performance in this film came after he had already appeared in “October Sky“.

The actor known for his roles in “Nightcrawler” and “Nocturnal Animals” portrays the main character, a troubled teen with a habit of sleepwalking, except when he encounters a large, eerie rabbit costume-wearing man named Frank. This bunny figure warns him that in approximately 28 days, the world as we know it will come to an end. Yet, it’s unclear whose world is at stake.

The Fifth Element

Often hailed as Luc Besson’s finest work, The Fifth Element is a rare gem that enjoys both commercial success and cult status. In this future-set tale, Bruce Willis portrays a 23rd-century taxi driver who encounters Leeloo (Milla Jovovich), a mysterious young woman whose language is unfamiliar to him or anyone else of his era.

It’s revealed that Leeloo is a “Cosmic Deity” or “Universal Supreme Being,” far more advanced than humans, who has arrived on Earth to embody “The Fifth Element.” When all these elements are gathered together, Earth will possess the necessary resources to fight off an impending cosmic threat: a destructive fireball hurtling towards our planet. The movie “The Fifth Element” is indeed unusual, yet it holds up well due to strong performances from Willis and Gary Oldman (alongside Jovovich’s standout scenes), as well as a blend of practical and digital special effects that remains impressive to this day.

Highlander

In the meantime before the Henry Cavill reboot, why not explore the original “Highlander” on Tubi? Known as one of the iconic cult films, “Highlander” offers a unique blend of mainstream cinema and Christopher Lambert’s most significant career performance. Additionally, for a good part of the movie, Sean Connery adds humor without going overboard.

In a Scottish Highlands setting during the 16th century, we encounter Lambert as Connor MacLeod, a warrior. In a fateful battle against the formidable Kurgan (played by Clancy Brown), MacLeod should have perished, but miraculously survived. The villagers, suspecting him to be a sorcerer due to his inexplicable resurrection, exile him. After five long years, MacLeod encounters an unconventional swordsman named Ramírez (portrayed by Connery), who not only enhances his combat prowess but also discloses that both he and Kurgan are immortal entities. Their paths will cross again, and the prophecy “There can only be one” hints at a future confrontation between these two immortals.

Monsters

Prior to launching the Monsterverse with the 2014 film Godzilla, Gareth Edwards had previously directed a kaiju movie on a more modest budget. In the film, Monsters, Scoot McNairy’s character, Andrew Kaulder, is an American journalist tasked with escorting his boss’ daughter through a dangerous region known as the “Contaminated Zone.” This area in Mexico is filled with lethal tentacled creatures that emerged following a NASA probe crash.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but be thrilled by the dual appeal of Monsters. On one hand, it caters beautifully to the heart of any monster movie enthusiast. But what truly sets it apart is its deep dive into character-driven survival drama, making it an exceptional choice for those who appreciate rich narratives and compelling characters.

Species

In a simpler way of phrasing: While Roger Donaldson’s film “Species” is sometimes compared to “Alien,” the truth is that these movies share only one commonality – the alien antagonist was designed by H. R. Giger. However, beyond this similarity, they could not be more dissimilar in their overall themes and content.

In this sci-fi adaptation, Natasha Henstridge delivers a standout performance as Sil, an extraterrestrial disguised as a stunning woman, who is on a global quest to find a human mate. However, a group of researchers and officials are hot on her trail, as the consequences of her success could lead to rapid propagation of her offspring.

Stargate

Although the initial idea was to develop it as a three-part film series, Stargate ultimately managed to explore extensive narrative terrain for a standalone movie. Remarkably, it never feels overly packed. Additionally, this film served as a strong stepping stone for director Roland Emmerich, propelling him into more expansive budget productions (a move that would later prove to be both a boon and a challenge, even though Godzilla has its loyal fanbase).

The storyline of Stargate revolves around a colossal gateway discovered in Egypt, serving as an interstellar transport system that whiskes individuals to another world when stepped through. With Dr. Daniel Jackson (James Spader) cracking the code for its activation, he is dispatched to explore the unknown realm beyond. Accompanying him is Colonel Jonathan O’Neil (Kurt Russell), who regrettably carries a nuclear device. When the inhabitants of this alien planet seize the team and make off with the weapon, there’s a significant risk of catastrophe back on Earth.

The Thing (1982)

Few remakes of horror films surpass their original versions, but John Carpenter’s “The Thing” is undeniably among those exceptions. It’s important to note that the 1950s version was not lacking in quality; it holds a respected position on its own. However, Carpenter’s film has earned a spot in the top 10 favorite horror films for many enthusiasts due to its exceptional quality, regardless of genre.

Fundamentally, “The Thing” offers a grisly, practically-produced portrayal of Cold War anxiety. This movie serves as an awe-inspiring demonstration of how to construct suspense and create lasting character ensembles. The action is confined primarily to one location (with the exception of a short visit to a nearby base). In this way, “The Thing” becomes an intensely claustrophobic nightmare in which the danger lurks among us, yet remains undetectable even when confronted directly.

Timecop

The movie, Timecop, centers around Jean-Claude Van Damme’s character, Walker, who is a police officer. He becomes involved in an intricate investigation concerning a senator. However, when Walker gets too close to uncovering the truth, the senator hires assassins to kill Walker’s wife. In response, Walker employs advanced time travel technology from his era to go back in time and change the course of events, so he and his wife can avoid the impending tragedy together.

Among Van Damme’s notable films, “Timecop” stands out, particularly since it’s an adaptation from Dark Horse Comics. It boasts a generous budget wisely spent and a powerfully delivered antagonist role by Ron Silver. While some visual effects may reflect their era, that’s simply part of what makes “Timecop” endearing. Compared to other films like “The Lawnmower Man,” it hasn’t aged nearly as badly.

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2025-04-03 22:41