One of the Best Sci-Fi Movies of 2025 Is Now a Top 10 Hit on Netflix U.S. (& It Continues a Great Trend)

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While 2026 looks promising for science fiction movies, 2025 also delivered some great titles. Sci-fi fans enjoyed everything from the latest installments in popular franchises like Avatar: Fire and Ash to passion projects years in the making, such as Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein. One standout film was Yorgo Lanthimos’ Bugonia, a quirky story about two cousins convinced a CEO is an alien intent on destroying the planet. Though Bugonia wasn’t a huge box office success ($17.6 million domestically, $43.5 million worldwide), it earned a Best Picture nomination and is now gaining popularity on streaming services.

From April 27th to May 3rd, the movie Bugonia ranked seventh on Netflix in the U.S., performing better than popular titles like Minions: The Rise of Gru and Zombieland: Double Tap. This marked the first week Bugonia appeared in Netflix’s top 10.

Bugonia Continues One of Hollywood’s Best Trends of the Past Decade

As a movie fan, I’ve always been fascinated by those actor-director combinations that just work. Think Scorsese with De Niro or DiCaprio – whenever they team up, magic happens. And Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan? They’re inseparable on screen! I’m starting to think Emma Stone and Yorgos Lanthimos are building a legacy like that. Their new film, Bugonia, is their fourth collaboration, and honestly, all four have been fantastic. It’s incredible – every film except their anthology, Kinds of Kindness (which was still good!), has been nominated for Best Picture. Plus, Emma Stone actually won Best Actress for her role in Poor Things! They’re quickly becoming one of my favorite pairings.

While it didn’t win as many awards as Poor Things did recently, Bugonia is still a must-watch on Netflix for film lovers. This movie, a remake of the South Korean film Save the Green Planet!, follows two eccentric cousins who kidnap a pharmaceutical CEO, convinced she’s an alien planning to destroy the planet. True to the style of director Yorgos Lanthimos, it’s a very dark and funny comedy that leans into its bizarre premise, with touches of thriller and horror. The screenplay, by Oscar nominee Will Tracy, feels particularly relevant with its commentary on how strange the world has become.

While a strong idea is important, a movie also needs a talented cast, and Bugonia delivers. Stone is fantastic, skillfully portraying a complex character—one that keeps the audience questioning her true identity. However, Jesse Plemons truly shines as Teddy, the mastermind behind the kidnapping, and deserved an Oscar nomination for his performance. Like Stone, Plemons perfectly balances portraying a flawed character with a hint of humanity. As the story progresses, Teddy is revealed to be a sympathetic, tragic figure—he’s far more than just a villain. Aidan Delbis also stands out as Don, Teddy’s autistic cousin, giving a captivating performance.

Although Bugonia was a standout film of 2025, it’s definitely not lighthearted. It has a consistently disturbing and unsettling atmosphere. Unlike feel-good comedies like Roommates or classic monster movies like Thrash, it’s not the kind of movie people usually choose to relax with after a tiring day. That’s why it’s great to see Bugonia doing well on Netflix. Its interesting story and strong acting attracted viewers who were curious about the Oscar nominations.

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2026-05-10 16:10