10 Hidden Sci-Fi Gems Streaming on Netflix Now!

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Netflix reigns supreme among streaming platforms, boasting an extensive library of TV shows and movies that is unmatched by competitors. This vast collection includes streaming rights from major entertainment franchises, along with an impressive amount of original productions that rival those of established studios. However, the sheer volume of content available can sometimes be overwhelming for users, making it difficult to choose what to watch and potentially leading some to avoid exploring new options. Consequently, many Netflix users may unintentionally overlook excellent content available on the platform.

Discover these top 10 science fiction films hidden among Netflix’s current streamable content. As I write this on April 11th, they are ready for your viewing pleasure!

Lucy

Luc Besson’s 2014 science fiction movie, titled Lucy, is similar to films like Limitless and Transcendence. It falls under the category of sci-fi productions from the 2010 era that explore the dismal efforts to access the complete capacity of human abilities. The captivating performance by Scarlett Johansson and the mind-bending concepts surrounding the true capabilities of the brain have made this film a favorite among cult followers. Now, you can revisit it on Netflix.

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Leigh Whannell, known for his horror work in ‘Insidious’, ventured into dark sci-fi territory with a story about a man who undergoes a high-tech spinal implant. Using his new abilities, he embarks on a mission of vengeance against the group responsible for his wife’s death and the destruction of his body. The movie garnered attention due to its unique action sequences where the main character, played by Logan Marshall-Green, appears to be controlled like a marionette. However, beneath this gimmick lies a more profound narrative and an innovative approach to action that makes it a captivating watch.

Waterworld

As a film enthusiast, I can’t help but reminisce about the groundbreaking 1995 masterpiece, “Waterworld,” directed by Kevin Reynolds and starring the inimitable Kevin Costner. Known for its staggering production cost (ranging from $172 to $175 million), this movie was an unprecedented investment in creating a breathtaking maritime universe, a water-dominated Earth ravaged by rising sea levels. This world is dotted with pirate clans engaged in perpetual conflict over the scarce land resources remaining. Despite its mixed reviews on storytelling, it’s undeniable that this cinematic marvel offers a unique experience that every sci-fi aficionado should witness at least once.

Godzilla x Kong: The Hidden Empire

The MonsterVerse film from Warner Bros, no longer exclusive to Max, has now made its way to Netflix for a broader audience to enjoy. While the Godzilla, Kong films, and their crossovers have been a mix of hits and misses, Hidden Empire finds itself somewhere in the middle of that spectrum, yet it’s still a must-watch for sci-fi Kaiju movie fans looking for a weekend stream.

Blade Runner: The Final Cut

Modern directors such as Denis Villeneuve (of ‘Dune’) wouldn’t be around today without Ridley Scott’s groundbreaking 1982 sci-fi thriller ‘Blade Runner’. In this film, Harrison Ford portrays Rick Deckard, a detective in a future world (hard to believe it was supposed to be 2019), who works as a Blade Runner – a human tasked with hunting down and eliminating replicants, advanced robots that have integrated themselves into society. However, things become complicated when Deckard develops feelings for Rachael, a female replicant played by Sean Young. Dark, creative, and indelible in memory, I highly recommend watching this classic if you haven’t already. Thanks to Netflix, you can now see the version of ‘Blade Runner’ that Scott intended audiences to experience, making it an even more enjoyable viewing experience for you.

What Happened to Monday

As a cinephile, I can’t help but reflect on the captivating performances of Noomi Rapace in films like “Prometheus” and “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.” However, her career reached an intriguing juncture with the release of “What Happened to Monday,” a film that, despite its potential, didn’t quite catapult into mainstream success.

In this imagined future, severe population control has led to restrictive reproduction laws. For a remarkable family of septuplets, these regulations spell disaster; their existence is essentially a death sentence. Desperate for survival, they conceive an audacious scheme: present the world with the illusion that seven identical sisters are but one person. The structure is such that each girl gets to step outdoors on a different day of the week, leading separate lives. However, this arrangement crumbles when the siblings unwittingly find themselves ensnared in a perilous game of espionage, reminiscent of the captivating series “Orphan Black” but unfolding as a movie.

Black Mirror: Bandersnatch

Are you now hopping aboard the bandwagon for Season 7 of Black Mirror? If so, you might recognize that one tale from this new season has connections to a daring spin-off movie the series put out in 2018 – Bandersnatch. This film follows an ’80s video game creator (Fionn Whitehead) who aims to bring the excitement of a “choose your own adventure” book into a game. Similarly, the movie itself allows viewers to decide the protagonist’s actions and journey through the plot, resulting in various endings based on the choices you make. The interactive aspect can make following the storyline challenging, but if you approach it as a game, the unique experience is unparalleled.

Atlas

Instead of constantly emphasizing missed promotions from Netflix, let’s discuss an enjoyable find that you might not be aware of if you weren’t paying attention during last year’s promotional tour (and no, Jennifer Lopez and Sterling K. Brown won’t be collaborating again). The series titled Atlas features Lopez as Atlas Shepherd, the daughter of a brilliant yet disgraced inventor who developed an AI that started a war against humanity. Unbeknownst to her, Atlas becomes humanity’s best chance to put an end to this rogue AI (her former “brother”) by teaming up with an AI named “Smith” in a mech battle suit, acting as her partner.

The movie is effective due to the successful portrayal of a believable connection between the character and the machine by Jennifer Lopez and voice actor Gregory James Cohan. Action scenes and a captivating sci-fi universe, skillfully directed by Brad Peyton, give it the potential to launch a series.

Code 8

Stephen and Robbie Amell have become well-known figures in fandom today, but there might be fans who are unaware that they were pioneers in crowd-funded filmmaking during the late 2010s. The movie Code 8 , released in 2019, is a feature film made by the Amells, director Jeff Chan, and writer Chris Pare. Initially, they developed a short film concept in 2016, which they later turned into a full-length movie through the crowd-funding platform Indiegogo. By the time the film was released in 2019, they had successfully raised $3.4 million for production.

The tale envisions a science fiction-inspired glimpse of the impending era, where people with extraordinary abilities (referred to as “powers”) are recognized and registered by the authorities, imposing stringent regulations on their application. Robbie portrays Connor Reed, an electrically charged man trapped in a monotonous blue-collar life, who encounters an ill-advised chance from Garrett (Stephen), a telekinetically gifted individual leading his own clandestine syndicate. However, when their actions catch the attention of higher powers, Robbie finds himself alone and battling for survival. The film sparked a more significant and even more captivating sequel, which premiered in 2024.

Geostorm

Every time I see Dean Devlin’s 2017 sci-fi disaster flick, “Geostorm,” pop up on streaming services, it feels like a recurring nightmare. This movie about colossal tempests endangering our planet seems to be getting more and more plausible for audiences. As a viewer who enjoys a good thriller, I found myself drawn into the story of Gerard Butler’s character – a scientist in a race against time to halt these extreme storms using a satellite system he created. It’s a delicate balance between stirring up real-world concerns about climate change and providing an entertaining B-movie experience that doesn’t leave you too anxious.

All of these films are (currently) streaming on Netflix.

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2025-04-12 06:12