The Greatest Sci-Fi Movie From Every Year of the 2000s So Far

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Science fiction is unmatched when it comes to creating incredible and imaginative worlds on film. The genre encourages bold ideas and often offers insightful reflections on our own society. Every year, talented filmmakers bring these futuristic visions to life, crafting stories that transport us to places we can only dream of. Of course, not every sci-fi movie is a success, but the films highlighted here are truly special – the best the genre has offered each year. While classic sci-fi dates back to films like Metropolis in 1927, this list focuses on the 21st century.

This is a list of the top science fiction films released each year from 2000 to 2025. We’ve intentionally excluded superhero movies, as they deserve their own separate list.

26) 2000 — Pitch Black

The year 2000 saw a string of expensive science fiction movies flop badly. Films like The 6th Day, the famously bad Battlefield Earth, Supernova, Titan A.E., and What Planet Are You From? all lost a lot of money. Mission to Mars and Red Planet didn’t fare much better – they were similar to disaster films like Deep Impact and Armageddon, but without the benefit of an existing audience.

Among big-budget science fiction films, only Hollow Man achieved commercial success, and while it was entertaining, it shifted into a typical slasher movie towards the end, which even fans of the genre found underwhelming compared to its earlier, more promising build-up. The real winner, however, was the lower-budget sci-fi horror film Pitch Black. It cleverly introduced the character of Richard B. Riddick by presenting him as a supporting player rather than the main focus.

Stream Pitch Black on Peacock.

25) 2001 — Donnie Darko

2001 delivered a wave of delightfully cheesy sci-fi movies. Films like Evolution, Jurassic Park III, Jason X, and Ghosts of Mars aren’t exactly high art, but they’re incredibly fun if you’re willing to turn off your brain and just enjoy the ride.

Some of these movies were genuinely good, even if they didn’t all quite succeed. Films like A.I. Artificial Intelligence, Donnie Darko, and Vanilla Sky come to mind. Of those, Donnie Darko really hit the mark. Though, the most memorable sci-fi moment of the year – maybe even the decade – was the face smash in liquid nitrogen from Jason X.

Stream Donnie Darko on Prime Video.

24) 2002 — Minority Report

While 28 Days Later includes science fiction themes, it’s mainly a horror movie. Equilibrium is fun to watch, but doesn’t offer much beyond that. Signs starts off really strong, but the ending feels weak.

It’s a close call between Solaris and Minority Report, but we’re giving the slight advantage to Minority Report. It was ahead of its time, is a thrilling watch, and boasts a great cast alongside beautiful scenes filmed on location in Virginia.

Stream Minority Report on Starz.

23) 2003 — The Matrix Reloaded

It wasn’t a great year for blockbusters. Films like Timeline, Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, and Dreamcatcher all disappointed, and expectations weren’t very high to begin with. While The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions weren’t successful either, they at least tried to do something ambitious.

While not as good as the previous version, these are still a definite improvement over other options, including the movie Paycheck. The difference isn’t huge, but they’re noticeably better.

22) 2004 — Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

While Primer was a strong contender, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is widely considered the best science fiction film of 2004. It seamlessly blends genres, features fantastic chemistry between Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet, and is elevated by Charlie Kaufman’s brilliant writing. Many consider it one of the greatest films of all time, not just within the sci-fi genre.

21) 2005 — Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith

While shows like Serenity, War of the Worlds, and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy all have dedicated fans, 2005 belonged to Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith. Considered the strongest film in the prequel trilogy, it features incredibly impactful and heartbreaking scenes alongside some of the most exciting action sequences in the Star Wars universe. Regardless of opinions about the earlier prequels, Revenge of the Sith ultimately made the entire trilogy worthwhile.

Stream Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith on Disney+.

20) 2006 — A Scanner Darkly

2006 was an amazing year for science fiction, making it really tough to pick just one standout film. I think Children of Men is incredible, but it feels more like an intense action movie than a true sci-fi film. If it had been recognized primarily as science fiction, it definitely would have been my top pick.

One film was eliminated, but Bong Joon-ho’s The Host, Mike Judge’s eerily accurate Idiocracy, Christopher Nolan’s The Prestige, and James Gunn’s Slither were all still in contention. Ultimately, though, we’ve chosen Richard Linklater’s A Scanner Darkly for its striking visuals and gripping intensity.

19) 2007 — Sunshine

While I Am Legend and The Mist are enjoyable, if we were awarding prizes for pure entertainment, the first Transformers movie would win. It was the biggest sci-fi hit of 2007, but not the best. That title goes to Danny Boyle’s Sunshine, even though the ending isn’t perfectly executed.

18) 2008 — WALL-E

2008 saw a lot of science fiction movies that were quickly forgotten after viewing. Films like The X-Files: I Want to Believe, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, The Mutant Chronicles, Jumper, Doomsday, Death Race, The Day the Earth Stood Still, and Babylon A.D. all fall into this category. However, a few, such as Meet Dave and The Happening, are memorable – but for being particularly bad.

However, both Cloverfield and WALL-E are highly respected films in this category. When comparing the two, WALL-E – the beautiful and emotionally powerful Pixar film directed by Andrew Stanton – clearly stands out.

Stream WALL-E on Disney+.

17) 2009 — Moon

While films like Avatar and District 9 are often mentioned, we’re choosing Duncan Jones’ Moon as the standout. Splice is also very good, but Moon is particularly impressive because it achieves so much with a small budget. The film’s twist isn’t a drawback either – it’s so central to the story that it enhances, rather than detracts from, repeat viewings. Avatar was visually stunning for its time, and District 9 received significant awards attention, but Moon has consistently remained a favorite among those who’ve seen it.

16) 2010 — Inception

While films like The Book of Eli, Daybreakers, Hot Tub Time Machine, Predators, Repo Men, and Tron: Legacy offered entertainment – with Tron: Legacy still looking impressive – 2010 was largely defined by Christopher Nolan’s sci-fi work. Inception can be a bit polarizing, and some of its action sequences feel generic, but its core idea is truly original. It wasn’t the only standout sci-fi movie that year, though; Monsters and Never Let Me Go were also excellent.

Stream Inception on HBO Max.

15) 2011 — Attack the Block

In 2011, a few films stood out: Source Code, The Adjustment Bureau, and Attack the Block. While movies like Battle: Los Angeles, Real Steel, Super 8, Cowboys & Aliens, and In Time didn’t quite deliver, Limitless and Paul were enjoyable enough for a single viewing. Rise of the Planet of the Apes wasn’t as strong as its sequel. However, Attack the Block was the most memorable, thanks to its lively pace and for introducing John Boyega – it showcased his talent far better than the later Star Wars films.

Stream Attack the Block for free with ads on Xumo Play.

14) 2012 — Looper

Okay, so 2012 wasn’t a total loss for sci-fi, but it definitely had some misses. I mean, Battleship was just…bad. And Cloud Atlas tried to do so much that it ended up feeling really heavy and confusing. Then there was John Carter, which honestly just felt like a really boring copy of Star Wars – which is funny because Star Wars itself was inspired by the Barsoom books! It just didn’t quite hit the mark for me.

On the brighter side, The Hunger Games was a good beginning for the series, though later installments were even better. Robot & Frank and Seeking a Friend for the End of the World are both charming independent films. However, Rian Johnson’s Looper really stands out – it’s creative, well-acted, and visually impressive.

Stream Looper on Starz.

13) 2013 — Her

Looking back, 2012 was a challenging year for film, but 2013 was even tougher. I remember being blown away by a few movies though – films like Gravity, Her, and Snowpiercer are ones I consider real classics now. Maybe Gravity doesn’t get talked about quite as much these days, but seeing it in IMAX was a truly incredible experience. And honestly, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire felt like the peak of that whole series – they never quite reached that level again.

This film is exceptional, truly a masterpiece. Even if you don’t usually enjoy the work of Spike Jonze or Joaquin Phoenix, you’ll likely find yourself captivated. It also thoughtfully explored the idea of relationships with artificial intelligence, a concept that has since become increasingly relevant in our world.

12) 2014 — Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

We talked about Rise of the Planet of the Apes being excellent, but Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is even better – surpassing even the classic film from the 1960s. With stunning visuals, a gripping story, and a compelling villain in Koba, Dawn is a rare blockbuster that feels like a work of art. It’s a truly incredible movie and stands out as one of the best big-studio releases of the 2010s. While films like Edge of Tomorrow, Interstellar, and Predestination are all fantastic in their own right, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes was the clear standout.

Stream Dawn of the Planet of the Apes on Hulu.

11) 2015 — Ex Machina

A significant early success for A24, Ex Machina demonstrates the studio’s commitment to supporting filmmakers’ unique visions. It’s a brilliant and thought-provoking film that remains a career highlight for Alex Garland, Alicia Vikander, and Oscar Isaac. Despite strong competition from blockbusters like The Martian, Jurassic World, and Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Ex Machina was a clear winner.

Stream Ex Machina on HBO Max.

10) 2016 — Arrival

2016 was a fantastic year for movies, with standout sci-fi films like 10 Cloverfield Lane, Colossal, Midnight Special, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Shin Godzilla, and Star Trek Beyond all receiving positive to excellent reviews. However, Arrival truly stands out as a modern sci-fi classic, and deservedly so. Its complex story is matched by powerful performances, making it one of director Denis Villeneuve’s best works.

Stream Arrival on Paramount+.

9) 2017 — Blade Runner 2049

2017 saw the release of a science fiction film that remains a real letdown. Luckily, it wasn’t Blade Runner 2049, which was actually quite good. Instead, the disappointment came from Alexander Payne’s Downsizing, a movie with a great idea and a fantastic cast that just didn’t live up to its potential.

It was a busy year for science fiction films, with mixed results. Some, like War for the Planet of the Apes, Star Wars: The Last Jedi (opinions vary!), and Kong: Skull Island, were at least decent. Others, such as What Happened to Monday, Ghost in the Shell, Alien: Covenant, and Life (which later found success on streaming), were just okay. And then there were the truly bad ones – Transformers: The Last Knight stands out as an example. Despite all these releases, none compared to Blade Runner 2049. Its stunning visuals and thought-provoking themes set it apart, and the cinematography by Roger Deakins alone would have made it the best of the year.

8) 2018 — Bumblebee

While some might suggest Annihilation is a strong contender, its ending doesn’t quite deliver. Instead, Bumblebee takes the prize as a surprisingly good Transformers film. But even more impressively, it’s simply a good movie, period – enjoyable no matter what kind of film it is. It’s a genuinely touching story with a charming connection between its human and Autobot leads.

Besides ‘Annihilation,’ 2018 offered other interesting sci-fi films like ‘High Life’ with Robert Pattinson and Mia Goth, Wes Anderson’s charming ‘Isle of Dogs,’ and the sci-fi-tinged ‘Overlord.’ ‘Hotel Artemis’ is also worth a look. Unfortunately, some big titles didn’t deliver, including ‘The Predator’ and ‘Pacific Rim Uprising.’ ‘Solo: A Star Wars Story’ wasn’t great, but it didn’t quite reach the level of those disappointments since expectations were already fairly low.

Stream Bumblebee on fuboTV.

7) 2019 — Alita: Battle Angel

Robert Rodriguez’s Alita: Battle Angel is a visually stunning and immersive adaptation of the original manga, anchored by a fantastic performance from Rosa Salazar. It successfully captures the spirit of the source material in a way that feels perfectly suited for a Hollywood blockbuster. More than any other film on this list, Alita deserves a sequel.

2019 wasn’t a great year for science fiction movies. Films like Ad Astra, Captive State, Gemini Man, Men in Black: International, and Replicas didn’t really resonate with audiences. And Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is a movie many people would prefer to forget.

Stream Alita: Battle Angel on fuboTV.

6) 2020 — Color Out of Space

While A Quiet Place Part II leaned more towards science fiction than horror, it didn’t quite fit our criteria. This year lacked strong contenders in general, so we’re naming Color Out of Space, with Nicolas Cage, as our top pick.

Opinions on Tenet are mixed, and it can be hard to follow, while Possessor feels more like a horror film than science fiction. Love and Monsters is a delightful watch, and it was great to revisit Bill & Ted. However, Color Out of Space truly stands out thanks to its well-structured plot, strong performances from Nicolas Cage and Madeleine Arthur, and as a welcome return for director Richard Stanley, known for Hardware.

Stream Color Out of Space on Hulu.

5) 2021 — Dune

Choosing the best sci-fi film of 2021 wasn’t easy, especially with a blockbuster like Godzilla vs. Kong in the mix. However, Dune truly stood out. It delivered on the epic scale that The Tomorrow War aimed for, and it showcased Rebecca Ferguson’s talent far better than Reminiscence (which was good, but often overlooked). While The Matrix Resurrections attempted a fresh take on its franchise, Dune was the superior film and likely the first part of what will be remembered as Denis Villeneuve’s masterpiece.

Stream Dune on HBO Max.

4) 2022 — Prey

It’s true that Everything Everywhere All at Once won Best Picture at the Oscars, and it’s a fantastic film. However, Prey is actually even better. Films like The Adam Project, Avatar: The Way of Water, Crimes of the Future, and Nope were all competing for the spot of a strong third-best.

While Everything Everywhere is fantastic and a wonderful showcase for Michelle Yeoh (plus it brought Ke Huy Quan back into the spotlight), Prey is a more impressive reboot. Like another film on this list, it revitalized a long-running franchise by prioritizing strong characters.

Stream Prey on Hulu.

3) 2023 — Godzilla Minus One

While some films like 65 and The Creator didn’t make a lasting impact, and despite M3GAN‘s success, 2023 had a clear standout: Godzilla Minus One. Even those unfamiliar with the Godzilla franchise will find it truly impressive.

Despite a small budget, this monster movie looks fantastic, but more importantly, it really focuses on the characters – making it stand out in the franchise’s long seventy-year run. While Kaitlyn Dever is great in No One Will Save You, Minus One truly shines. The next installment will have a lot to live up to.

Stream Godzilla Minus One on Netflix.

2) 2024 — Dune: Part Two

2024 delivered a strong year for major science fiction franchises. Movies like Alien: Romulus, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, and A Quiet Place: Day One were all enjoyable, ranging from simply fun to truly captivating.

Several of the smaller science fiction movies were surprisingly good, including Arcadian and Elevation. Borderlands wasn’t very well-made, but we also saw two excellent films: The Substance and Dune: Part Two. Dune was slightly better overall.

Stream Dune: Part Two on HBO Max.

1) 2025 — Companion

2025 delivered some strong sci-fi horror films like 28 Years Later and Ash, and it also had enjoyable sci-fi black comedies such as Mickey 17 and Bugonia. However, some highly anticipated movies didn’t quite live up to expectations. Avatar: Fire and Ash felt unoriginal, The Electric State was surprisingly dull, and Jurassic World Rebirth was only mildly entertaining as a one-time watch.

Ultimately, we chose Companion as the winner, though Bugonia was a close second. The two Predator films released this year, Predator: Killer of Killers and Predator: Badlands, also performed very well.

Stream Companion on HBO Max.

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2026-01-14 18:21