The 10 Best Sci-Fi Movies Of the 2020s (So Far)

Science fiction has been incredibly strong in recent years, with a consistent flow of both thought-provoking and large-scale blockbuster films. We’re seeing a wide variety of stories, from completely new ideas to well-crafted adaptations, which demonstrates that sci-fi continues to be a great way to examine what it means to be human. Filmmakers are successfully combining big philosophical questions with stunning visuals, appealing to audiences who enjoy both deep stories and exciting action. This success doesn’t seem to be fading anytime soon, even as we move further into the 2020s.

Movie theaters are set to be very busy with several major releases planned. In just a few weeks, James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire and Ash will bring audiences back to the world of Pandora, continuing the story of this hugely popular franchise with a focus on the Ash People. Next year, fans are eagerly awaiting the film adaptation of Andy Weir’s Project Hail Mary and the next chapter in Denis Villeneuve’s Dune series. But before looking ahead, let’s celebrate the best science fiction films we’ve seen so far this decade. Here are ten movies that represent the very best of 2020s sci-fi.

10) Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes

Japanese director Junta Yamaguchi demonstrates that you don’t need a huge budget to make a fantastic science fiction film with his clever comedy, Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes. The story follows Kato (Kazunari Tosa), a cafe owner who finds a monitor showing him what will happen in two minutes. He starts talking to his future self on the screen, creating a time loop that quickly spirals into hilarious chaos with the help of his friends. Filmed to look like one unbroken shot, the movie is a brilliantly timed and well-written achievement. It relies on the charisma of the actors and a smart central idea, rather than expensive special effects. The result is a fun, intelligent sci-fi movie that’s more enjoyable and thoughtful than many big-budget blockbusters.

9) The Beast

Bertrand Bonello’s film is a strikingly unsettling science fiction story, inspired by Henry James’s The Beast in the Jungle. The movie jumps between 1910, 2014, and 2044, focusing on Gabrielle (Léa Seydoux) who undergoes a process to remove her emotional memories. Set in a future where feelings are seen as a hindrance, Gabrielle repeatedly finds herself connected to Louis (George MacKay) across different eras. The Beast uses its futuristic setting to examine the frightening idea of a world without emotion, while also showing how love and fear can endure. The film creates a chilling and visually striking vision of the future, where artificial intelligence controls how people relate to each other. Léa Seydoux gives a particularly strong performance, bringing all the different timelines together into a powerful and heartbreaking story that asks viewers to consider what it means to be human in a cold, artificial world.

8) Possessor

Brandon Cronenberg made a striking impact on the horror genre with his film Possessor, a violent and visually intense sci-fi thriller. The movie centers on Tasya Vos (Andrea Riseborough), a highly skilled assassin who uses technology to take over other people’s bodies and commit murders. When she inhabits the body of Colin Tate (Christopher Abbott) to kill a CEO, Colin fights back, blurring the line between reality for both of them. Possessor explores the idea of losing one’s identity with a dark and critical perspective, examining themes of corporate power and personal violation through shocking violence. Andrea Riseborough delivers a haunting performance as a woman struggling to maintain her own humanity, making this film a uniquely disturbing and memorable addition to modern science fiction.

7) The Wild Robot

Animation remains a perfect fit for science fiction, and The Wild Robot is a wonderful example of how to tell a story visually, combining technology and the natural world. The film, based on the popular book series, follows Roz (voiced by Lupita Nyong’o), a robot from the future who ends up stranded on a deserted island. She has to learn to survive in the wilderness, and eventually becomes a mother to a baby gosling. This creates a touching contrast between her robotic design and the natural environment around her. The Wild Robot tells a heartwarming story about how the desire to nurture can overcome even the most rigid instructions, and Lupita Nyong’o’s gentle voice acting makes Roz a truly memorable and compassionate character.

6) The Substance

Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance is a standout body horror film that cleverly satirizes beauty standards and the entertainment world. Demi Moore delivers what many are calling her best performance as Elisabeth Sparkle, a celebrity struggling with age who tries a risky black-market drug promising a younger, improved version of herself. This ‘new’ version, Sue (Margaret Qualley), initially shares time with Elisabeth, but their relationship quickly spirals into a brutal fight for control. The film is visually striking and doesn’t hold back in its criticism of how society treats aging women, using extreme gore and sound to emphasize the disturbing physical changes. Moore gives a powerfully vulnerable performance as the movie shifts from a psychological thriller to a shocking, bloody nightmare, all built around a fascinating science fiction idea.

5) Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein

Guillermo del Toro’s long-awaited adaptation of Frankenstein is a grand and tragic gothic science fiction film. Staying true to Mary Shelley’s original story, the movie infuses Del Toro’s characteristic compassion for those who are different into the tale of Victor Frankenstein (Oscar Isaac) and his creation. Jacob Elordi gives a powerfully moving performance as the Creature, portraying a being instantly rejected by the world, and the film presents the act of bringing someone back to life as a terrible burden for both creator and creation. Visually stunning and richly detailed, Frankenstein creates a bleak but believable 19th-century setting, blending horror, romance, and science fiction into a deeply sad and memorable experience.

4) Avatar: The Way of Water

James Cameron returns to directing with Avatar: The Way of Water, proving he’s still a master of large-scale, visually stunning filmmaking. More than ten years after the first film, this sequel takes audiences back to Pandora, this time focusing on the ocean and its inhabitants, the Metkayina people. Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña) are now parents, fighting to protect their family from the returning RDA, leading to an incredible battle at sea. The film’s water effects and performance capture are groundbreaking, and it expands the world of Pandora while introducing a new generation of characters. It’s a truly immersive experience best enjoyed on the largest screen possible, and its length feels worthwhile thanks to its captivating story.

3) Poor Things

Yorgos Lanthimos’s Poor Things is a strange, funny, and surprisingly empowering story about a woman’s journey to self-discovery. Emma Stone plays Bella Baxter, a young woman brought back to life by the unconventional scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe), who gives her the brain of an infant. As Bella quickly learns and grows, she travels the world, exploring everything from sex and philosophy to societal expectations – all without the constraints of Victorian-era prejudices. The film is visually stunning, with a unique, steampunk-inspired take on 19th-century Europe created through unusual camera angles and set designs. Stone delivers incredible physical comedy, making Bella a truly original sci-fi character who challenges social norms with refreshing honesty. It’s a bizarre, captivating, and unlike anything you’ve seen recently.

2) Everything Everywhere All at Once

Everything Everywhere All at Once is a wildly creative and funny action movie that quickly became a cultural phenomenon. The film follows Evelyn Wang (Michelle Yeoh), a stressed-out laundromat owner who learns she’s the key to saving the world. She must connect with the skills and lives of her alternate selves to fight a powerful, destructive force. While the movie is full of bizarre and chaotic scenes – think hot dog fingers, talking rocks, and raccoon chefs – it’s also a surprisingly emotional story about family, the struggles of immigrants, and the importance of kindness. Ke Huy Quan delivers a particularly touching performance as Waymond, offering a message of empathy amidst all the craziness. Everything Everywhere All at Once is a rare sci-fi film that’s both thought-provoking, deeply moving, and incredibly fun to watch.

1) Dune & Dune: Part Two

Denis Villeneuve successfully adapted Frank Herbert’s notoriously difficult novel, Dune, into what many consider the defining science fiction film of the 2020s. The two Dune movies together chronicle Paul Atreides’s (Timothée Chalamet) journey from a privileged heir to a powerful, almost frightening, leader of the Fremen people on the desert planet Arrakis. The production is incredibly grand, featuring striking architecture and immersive sound that create a believable, ancient world. Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya (as Chani) deliver nuanced performances, exploring the perils of prophecy and extreme religious belief. Importantly, Villeneuve trusts the audience’s intelligence, presenting a serious political war drama where the science fiction elements are treated with respect, establishing a new standard for space operas.

What’s your favorite science fiction classic from this list? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion in the ComicBook Forum!

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2025-12-05 23:17