The 4 Sci-Fi Movies That Belong on the Genre’s Mount Rushmore

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Science fiction is likely the most popular movie genre right now, boasting huge franchises like Marvel, DC, and Avatar. It’s come a long way – from being known for cheap, low-budget films to becoming one of the most respected genres in cinema. Today’s sci-fi successes are built on the foundation laid by earlier classics, and these four films played a particularly important role.

As a huge sci-fi fan, I know it’s crazy to try and pick just four movies to represent the whole genre – there are so many amazing and inspiring films out there, and nothing is truly original. But some movies just stand out as having a bigger impact than others. These aren’t necessarily my favorite sci-fi films, but they’re the ones that really changed everything and shaped the genre into what it is today. Also, we’re just talking about full-length movies here – awesome shorts like A Trip to the Moon don’t make the cut. If I had to carve a sci-fi Mount Rushmore, these four films would definitely be on it.

4) Metropolis (1927)

German Expressionism had a big impact on all kinds of films in Germany, and the 1927 movie Metropolis is a prime example of its influence in science fiction. Directed by Fritz Lang, the film portrays a futuristic city that seems perfect on the surface, inhabited by the wealthy and robotic workers. But a privileged young man discovers a hidden underground world where workers are being exploited, and he feels compelled to help them.

Considered a landmark achievement in silent filmmaking, Metropolis has had a huge impact on science fiction cinema. Its distinctive Art Deco style, particularly its futuristic cityscapes, directly inspired films like Star Wars and continues to influence countless dystopian sci-fi movies. The film’s legacy within the genre is truly significant.

3) Godzilla (1954)

The 1954 film Godzilla is a science fiction story, even though it doesn’t feature spaceships or robots. It centers around a giant monster brought to life by a hydrogen bomb explosion. This creature emerges from the ocean to attack Japan, causing widespread fear and numerous deaths.

While giant monster movies weren’t entirely new – films like 1933’s King Kong and 1953’s The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms came before it – Godzilla is widely considered the film that launched the ‘kaiju’ genre. This has led to decades of blockbuster films, expansive cinematic universes, spin-offs, and team-up movies. The impact of Godzilla and the kaiju genre even reached influential filmmakers like Stanley Kubrick, who was inspired by it in his own work.

2) 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

Although early science fiction films like Metropolis were made long ago, the genre experienced a slump in the 1950s and 60s. Then, in 1968, Stanley Kubrick released 2001: A Space Odyssey, which revitalized sci-fi. The film weaves together several distinct science fiction narratives, all linked by the presence of a strange black monolith. It begins at the very beginning of humanity and eventually ventures into space travel, exploration of other galaxies, and even a journey through a kind of cosmic zoo.

As a lifelong movie fan, I truly believe 2001: A Space Odyssey changed everything for science fiction. Before that film, the genre wasn’t always taken seriously, but 2001 really made people reconsider it, and it paved the way for those incredible sci-fi movies of the 70s, like Alien and Close Encounters of the Third Kind. What’s amazing is how much it inspired the directors who would become legends – Spielberg, Lucas, Scorsese, Friedkin, and Scott all cite it as a major influence. It genuinely impacted an entire generation of filmmakers!

1) Star Wars (1977)

Released in 1977, Star Wars is the hugely popular space adventure created by George Lucas. It follows a young man from a desert planet who joins a group of rebels fighting against a cruel Empire, led by the villain Darth Vader. Star Wars grew into a massive series, including the initial three films, three prequel movies, three sequel movies, plus many spin-offs and television shows.

Along with films like Jaws from 1975, Star Wars played a key role in creating the modern blockbuster movie experience. But Star Wars did something unique: it fostered a new kind of fan culture. While people have always enjoyed movies, Star Wars sparked a widespread fandom where fans actively engaged with the story through costumes, conventions, and collecting merchandise. What set Star Wars fandom apart from earlier groups, like those surrounding Star Trek, was that these fans began to have a real impact on the movies themselves.

The Star Wars prequels and sequels were heavily influenced by fan feedback. The studios actively listened to what fans liked and disliked, paying attention to their theories and wishes, and then incorporated those ideas into the newer films. This meant Star Wars started to become self-aware, moving away from a director simply sharing their vision, and instead becoming a collaborative effort with the audience – a conversation between creators and fans.

After fans reacted negatively to Jar Jar Binks in the first Star Wars prequel, his part in subsequent films was reduced. This trend of responding to fan feedback continued in other franchises. For example, Warner Bros. cancelled a Green Lantern movie with Jack Black in 2004 because of fan outcry. The design of Sonic the Hedgehog was completely overhauled after negative online reactions. Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness included fan-suggested versions of characters as alternate realities, and Deadpool & Wolverine leaned heavily into these types of cameo appearances.

It’s now 2026, and big franchise movies rule the box office. We’re seeing sequels, remakes, and reboots released constantly. While not solely responsible, Star Wars has significantly shaped the current movie environment – for good or bad, things would look very different without it.

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2026-02-15 17:14