5 Great Sci-Fi Masterpieces Hidden on Netflix (#3 Is Painfully Underrated)

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Netflix boasts a fantastic selection of movies, including both original films and those licensed from other studios – and hidden among them are some truly great sci-fi gems. Because Netflix constantly adds new titles – sometimes multiple times a month – it’s easy for these films to get lost in the shuffle. With so much content always coming and going, it can be hard to keep up, and great movies can be overlooked. However, there are still plenty of excellent films to find, rediscover, or enjoy on the platform.

As a huge sci-fi fan, I’ve been digging around Netflix and found some real gems! There’s everything from mind-bending shows about cloning to classic time travel adventures and seriously gripping apocalyptic thrillers. I wanted to share some of these fantastic sci-fi masterpieces that might be flying under the radar.

5) Okja (2017)

Okay, so everyone knows Bong Joon Ho now after Parasite made history by winning Best Picture – it was the first non-English language film to do that, which is huge! But honestly, he was already a fantastic director long before that. I first discovered him with Snowpiercer back in 2013, and then I dove into his earlier work like the awesome monster movie The Host (2006) and the incredibly clever crime thriller Memories of Murder from 2003. And then there’s Okja, which came out on Netflix in 2017. That movie is just…wow. It’s set in the future where this company is breeding these giant, genetically engineered ‘super pigs’ and giving them to farmers to raise. It’s a really thought-provoking film.

In a decade, one of these remarkably large pigs will be celebrated as the best of its kind. The story centers on Okja, a giant pig raised by a farmer and his daughter, Mija, who share a deep connection. When Mija discovers a corporation intends to slaughter Okja, she teams up with an animal rights group to try and save her. The film is a compelling watch, featuring strong performances from Tilda Swinton, Paul Dano, Steven Yeun, and Jake Gyllenhaal, and is now available on Netflix.

4) Timecop (1994)

Back in 1994, Jean-Claude Van Damme was a major action star, and he appeared in the sci-fi movie Timecop. It’s not a cinematic masterpiece, but sometimes fans just want a fun time travel story, especially if it features exciting martial arts action.

This month on Netflix, you can watch Timecop. Jean-Claude Van Damme stars as a police officer in 1994 and a federal agent in 2004, working to stop crimes involving time travel. He ends up facing off against a corrupt politician. Although reviews were mixed when it came out, the movie did well in theaters and is often considered one of Van Damme’s best. If you’re looking for something fun and easy to watch on Netflix, Timecop is a good choice.

3) The Island (2005)

A hidden gem from director Michael Bay is currently available on Netflix, giving viewers a chance to see why it’s considered a standout sci-fi film. The Island, released 20 years ago and often overlooked, was Bay’s final sci-fi project before he began working on the Transformers movies, and it’s due for a re-evaluation.

Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson play clones in a thrilling sci-fi film. They discover they were created solely to provide organs for the wealthy and decide to risk everything to escape the island where they’re held. The movie explores deep questions about humanity, the value of life, and who gets to decide. While it features Michael Bay’s signature action sequences, it’s grounded in a surprisingly strong and thoughtful story.

2) They Cloned Tyrone (2023)

The 2023 Netflix film They Cloned Tyrone, directed by Juel Taylor, is a must-see for science fiction fans. Starring John Boyega (known for Star Wars), Teyonah Parris (from the Marvel Cinematic Universe), and Jamie Foxx, the movie centers around a secret and unethical cloning scheme. The truth about the operation comes to light after one of the characters is killed, only to reappear the next day with no recollection of what happened.

The movie has been widely praised, earning a 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics calling it thought-provoking and smart. The actors have received a lot of positive attention for their work. Beyond being a compelling story, it cleverly explores themes of systemic racism and forced assimilation, using both humor and strong criticism of harmful ideologies. Like all great science fiction, it tackles real-world problems within an engaging narrative.

1) Donnie Darko (2001)

Released in 2001, Donnie Darko is a highly regarded cult classic in the sci-fi genre. The film, directed by Richard Kelly, stars Jake Gyllenhaal as a teenage boy named Donnie Darko. One night, Donnie sleepwalks and discovers a plane engine has crashed into his bedroom. This event leads him to strange visions and the unsettling realization that he was meant to die, and his continued existence could trigger the end of the world.

Donnie Darko is a popular and unique film that sci-fi lovers will especially enjoy. While a director’s cut exists, it doesn’t capture the magic of the original’s intentionally confusing story. Luckily, the original version is currently streaming on Netflix, and both new and longtime fans should check it out.

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2025-12-10 04:11