5 Great Sci-Fi Masterpieces Hidden on Prime Video (#2 Still Needs a Sequel)

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Prime Video has a huge selection of science fiction movies – it can feel endless! That means there’s something for everyone, from realistic sci-fi to thrilling mysteries and even scary horror. However, all those choices can be a bit much, and many of us end up rewatching the same favorites instead of discovering new things.

You probably haven’t explored everything Prime Video has to offer. Hidden among all the movies and shows are some truly excellent science fiction films. They might have been overlooked by the recommendation system or simply gotten lost over time, but we’ve found them for you. If you haven’t watched the five films below, now’s the time to open the Prime Video app and check them out.

5) The Endless

As a huge fan of indie sci-fi, I stumbled upon The Endless a few years ago and it totally blew me away. It’s a 2017 film from the team of Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead – they actually star in it too, which is cool. The story centers around two brothers who managed to get away from what they thought was a dangerous UFO cult ten years prior. But then they receive a strange video, and it pulls them back in. Once they return to this place called Camp Arcadia, things get seriously weird, and they start to realize that the cult’s beliefs about something…otherworldly…might actually be true. It’s a really mind-bending film!

As a huge cinema fan, I was blown away by this film – it’s got a fantastic 92% score on Rotten Tomatoes, and for good reason! Everyone’s calling it an incredible achievement, especially considering it was made on a really small budget. Horror author Brian Keene even said it felt like a wild, dreamlike mix of David Lynch, Stuart Gordon, and Don Coscarelli, all wrapped up in a Lovecraftian horror vibe. What I really loved was that the filmmakers actually star in the movie as themselves, which makes it feel so real and adds a unique energy. You can totally enjoy it on its own, but it turns out it’s also a sequel to another film they made called ‘Resolution,’ which is a cool connection if you’ve seen that one!

4) Memories

I recently watched Memories, a really cool sci-fi anthology film from Japan that came out in 1995. What’s neat is that it was executive produced by Katsuhiro Otomo – you might know him as the creator of Akira! Actually, the movie is based on three short stories Otomo himself wrote as manga. It’s broken up into three parts. The first, “Magnetic Rose,” was directed by Kōji Morimoto and animated by Studio 4°C. Then there’s “Stink Bomb,” directed by Tensai Okamura with animation from Madhouse. And finally, Otomo himself wrote and directed the last segment, “Cannon Fodder,” which was also animated by Studio 4°C. It’s a pretty diverse and interesting film!

In 2001, Animage magazine placed the anime film Memories at number 68 on its list of the 100 greatest anime of all time. While not as famous as Akira, the movie is highly regarded as a masterpiece thanks to its beautiful animation and bold storytelling. It’s notable for blending three distinct moods and visual styles, and was created by a team of anime industry all-stars, including Satoshi Kon, who later directed Paprika, and composer Yoko Kanno, known for Cowboy Bebop. The segment “Magnetic Rose” is especially praised for its dramatic music, which includes samples from Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, and its detailed, ornate design inspired by the Rococo period.

3) Things to Come 

Released in 1936, Things to Come is a science fiction film inspired by H.G. Wells’ novel The Shape of Things to Come. Raymond Massey stars in the film, playing characters across multiple eras. The story begins on Christmas 1940 in a typical city, where businessman John Cabal worries about the approaching war. That night, bombing raids begin, escalating into a worldwide conflict that lasts for decades. By 1970, society has broken down, with disease and chaos rampant as warlords battle for resources. However, by the year 2036, humanity has rebuilt, living in advanced, underground cities focused on scientific advancement.

This British film was a landmark achievement, becoming the first in the country to cost over a million dollars to produce. It’s particularly well-known for its striking, futuristic Art Deco style. While some modern science fiction fans might be put off by its 1936 release date, those who watch it often consider it a masterpiece. It’s praised for its surprisingly accurate foreshadowing of World War II, especially considering it was made three years before the war began. In fact, Arthur C. Clarke showed it to Stanley Kubrick as an example of realistic science fiction while they were developing 2001. The film’s special effects, notably the bombing scenes, were incredibly innovative for their time – some even say they were as impressive as those in Fritz Lang’s Metropolis. It’s a must-see for anyone interested in retro-futuristic sci-fi.

2) The Vast of Night

Released in 2019, The Vast of Night is a science fiction mystery set in 1950s New Mexico. The story follows Fay Crocker, a teenage switchboard operator, and Everett Sloan, a radio DJ, who stumble upon a peculiar sound that hints at the presence of aliens. The film is presented as if it were an episode from a classic anthology series, much like The Twilight Zone, called “Paradox Theater.”

I was absolutely blown away by The Vast of Night. Seriously, this film was made in just four weeks with a tiny $700,000 budget – all funded by the director himself! What’s even more impressive is how beautifully it’s shot, especially this incredible, unbroken tracking shot that follows the action through a basketball game and out into the night. It’s a technical marvel! The ending is a bit ambiguous, and honestly, it left me wanting more – I can see why a dedicated group of fans are already clamoring for a sequel. If you’re a fan of classic alien encounter films like Close Encounters of the Third Kind, you absolutely need to check this hidden gem out on Prime Video. It’s a truly special movie.

1) 1984

Released in 1984, the film 1984 is a dystopian adaptation of George Orwell’s celebrated 1949 novel. Directed by Michael Radford, it stars John Hurt as Winston Smith, a government worker in war-ravaged London (now part of the oppressive nation of Oceania) whose job is to alter historical records. Winston’s forbidden romance leads to him being pursued by the Thought Police and the enigmatic O’Brien (played by Richard Burton). Interestingly, the film was shot during the same months as the events in Orwell’s book, adding another layer of meaning. Director Michael Radford and cinematographer Roger Deakins also used a unique film processing method, called “bleach bypass,” to give the movie a stark, faded visual style.

As a film buff, I always recommend the 1984 adaptation – it really gets under the skin of Orwell’s novel in a way other versions haven’t, according to the late, great Roger Ebert. What struck me most is how faithfully it sticks to the book, even using lines directly from the text. While it doesn’t get talked about as much these days, it’s a true masterpiece. John Hurt is Winston Smith – he even looks a bit like Orwell himself! And Richard Burton gives a truly terrifying performance as O’Brien, one of his last roles. The whole film has this incredibly bleak, dirty look, thanks to the amazing cinematography, which perfectly captures the themes of the book. It’s a powerful, uncompromising look at totalitarianism that still feels relevant today, and honestly, if you haven’t seen it, you really should.

Have you seen any of these shows or movies on Prime Video? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-01-07 19:44