2025 was a fantastic year for movies, especially for science fiction. The genre delivered some of the year’s biggest hits and is expected to be a strong competitor during the 2026 awards season. Choosing the very best sci-fi films of 2025 is a difficult task, though.
Recent science fiction films have found success in various ways. Some became popular hits on streaming services, while others were unfairly ignored despite their quality. Many achieved blockbuster status in theaters, and a lot of them creatively combine sci-fi with other genres like horror and action, making them enjoyable for a wide range of viewers.
The Gorge
Apple TV+ released one of the first science fiction films of the year, called The Gorge. The movie featured strong performances from its two lead actors, a captivating story idea, and a director known for their consistently good work.
Okay, so I just finished watching The Gorge, the new film from Scott Derrickson – the guy who directed Doctor Strange and Sinister. It stars Anya Taylor-Joy and Miles Teller, and let me tell you, the premise is pretty cool. They play a pair of highly skilled snipers assigned to watch this incredibly deep gorge, but they have absolutely no idea why they’re guarding it, or what’s even down there. It sets up a really tense and mysterious situation, and I was hooked right away.
I really enjoyed watching Anya Taylor-Joy and Miles Teller together in The Gorge – they had amazing chemistry! There was this one scene that was a clever nod to their previous roles in Whiplash and The Queen’s Gambit, which was a fun touch. As you’d expect from Scott Derrickson, the movie definitely delivered on the horror side of things, and it felt like a really solid addition to the sci-fi horror genre.
The Running Man
Image via Paramount Pictures
In 2025, few science fiction movies generated more excitement than The Running Man. This film was the second take on Stephen King’s popular novel, following the 1987 version starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Directed by the inventive Edgar Wright and starring the quickly becoming famous Glen Powell, the movie also boasted a fantastic supporting cast including Colman Domingo, Josh Brolin, Emilia Jones, Michael Cera, William H. Macy, and Lee Pace, making it a promising project from the start.
Despite not being a box office success and receiving criticism for feeling rushed, The Running Man is still a fun, action-packed sci-fi movie that’s worth watching.
Elio
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection
Science fiction often explores complex themes for adult audiences, but the movie Elio is different. It’s a classic Pixar film – a truly imaginative and heartwarming sci-fi story designed for everyone.
Elio tells the story of a boy who longs to escape his difficult life and find a place among the stars. When aliens arrive, they mistakenly believe he’s Earth’s representative, and he’s thrown into a galactic conflict alongside a new friend and his powerful, warring father.
Pixar delivers beautiful animation as usual, and the story of Elio is genuinely heartwarming. The film, which boasts a fantastic voice cast, is a touching story about the families we choose, all wrapped up in an exciting space adventure. It was even nominated for Best Animated Motion Picture at the Golden Globes.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Like most Marvel movies, The Fantastic Four: First Steps is primarily an action film. But it explores science fiction themes a bit more deeply than other upcoming movies like Thunderbolts and Captain America: Brave New World, both scheduled for release in 2025.
The comic The Fantastic Four: First Steps introduces a planet-eating villain, characters with incredible powers, and a large-scale teleportation device. While there’s plenty of action, the story mainly focuses on the team using science and problem-solving to overcome challenges.
As a huge movie fan, I really appreciate how this film does something different with the whole superhero thing – it’s been a big hit with both critics and audiences. And honestly, there’s this one chase scene – it’s the Fantastic Four and Silver Surfer racing through space – that’s easily one of the coolest moments the Marvel Cinematic Universe has ever given us, especially if you’re into sci-fi like me!
Companion
Science fiction and horror often go hand-in-hand, and the film Companion is a perfect example. It’s a fresh and compelling movie, and stands out with its unique and empowering main character.
Drew Hancock’s first film is about Iris, a robot created to be a companion for a man named Josh. Iris thinks she’s Josh’s girlfriend, but when she discovers the truth, she rebels and defends herself after being falsely accused of a crime.
Sophie Thatcher delivers a standout, yet often overlooked, performance as Iris, a robot the audience quickly grows to support. The film explores complex ethical questions and features some surprisingly creative and captivating scenes. It’s been critically acclaimed, earning a 93
Predator: Killer Of Killers
The recent success of the Predator movies is remarkable for Hollywood. The original film in 1987 was a huge hit, but the sequels have been uneven – some, like Predators, have found a dedicated following, while others, such as The Predator, weren’t well-received.
After the fantastic Prey brought the Predator franchise roaring back in 2022, I was excited to see what Dan Trachtenberg would do next. This year, it was Predator: Killer of Killers, and honestly, it got a little lost in the shuffle when it dropped on Hulu. I think the fact that it was animated actually worked in its favor, giving the filmmakers total creative freedom to go wild.
I’m a huge fan of the Predator movies, and I think Predator: Killer of Killers is the best one yet! It actually has the highest score on Rotten Tomatoes of all of them, and I think the animated style is a big reason why. The idea of seeing different warriors from history battling Predators is just so cool and original, and the action is absolutely non-stop and amazing!
Mickey 17
After his groundbreaking success with Parasite at the Academy Awards, everyone was excited to see what director Bong Joon-ho would do next. The wait was almost six years, but Mickey 17 finally arrived, and while it wasn’t quite as amazing as Parasite, it still delivered a satisfying experience.
The movie Mickey 17 is based on the book Mickey7. It takes place in 2054 and follows a man who volunteers for a dangerous space colony job where workers are considered ‘expendable’ – meaning they are cloned and replaced whenever they die. When the team mistakenly thinks Mickey 17 has died, they create a new clone, Mickey 18, which leads to a lot of problems.
Robert Pattinson gives a brilliant performance playing both of the Mickey characters, and the rest of the cast is excellent, especially Toni Collette as the villain and Mark Ruffalo. With compelling creatures called Creepers, a fascinating cloning idea, and exciting action in space, the film is a truly enjoyable sci-fi adventure.
Avatar: Fire And Ash
In 2025, no science fiction film is expected to be more significant than Avatar: Fire and Ash. As the third film in James Cameron’s hugely successful Avatar series, it has a lot to live up to, following two previous movies that both earned over $2 billion at the box office.
Avatar: Fire and Ash continues the story of Neytiri and Jake Sully’s family as they cope with the consequences of the previous film’s conflicts and the grief of losing their son. They soon encounter a new danger: the Ash People, a Na’vi tribe driven by ambition and led by a cruel leader.
While reviews for Avatar: Fire and Ash weren’t as strong as those for the original films—mainly because the story feels familiar—the movie is still visually stunning and offers a truly spectacular experience.
Predator: Badlands
2025 was a great year for Predator fans! Following the release of Killer of Killers on Hulu, Predator: Badlands returned the series to theaters. Director Dan Trachtenberg deserves praise for continuing to take risks and offer a fresh take on the franchise.
Following historical dramas with female leads and animated features, Predator: Badlands takes a surprising turn by focusing on the Predator itself, rather than portraying it as a villain. The story centers on Dek, a young and small Yautja, who goes on a challenging hunt to prove himself to his father and clan by taking down a seemingly invincible creature.
During his journey, Dek teams up with Thia, an artificial being who becomes a valuable ally. They forge a strong, heartwarming connection – becoming a chosen family alongside another key character. Elle Fanning delivers a standout performance, and the film is generating buzz as a potential top entry in the Predator franchise, packed with thrilling action.
Bugonia
Yorgos Lanthimos is a remarkably original director working in Hollywood. His films are consistently strange, but also consistently praised, making each new release a highly anticipated event.
Yorgos Lanthimos’s newest film, Bugonia, is a reimagining of the 2003 South Korean movie Save the Green Planet! The story centers around two men who kidnap the CEO of a pharmaceutical company, convinced she’s an alien with a mission to destroy the world. The film keeps you guessing about what’s real and who to trust.
Bugonia isn’t an action-packed sci-fi film; it draws you in with smart conversations and thought-provoking ideas. Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons deliver highly praised performances, and with an 87
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2025-12-25 18:42