By
Zach Moser
Published 1 hour ago
Zach Moser is a Philadelphia native who loves films, television, books, and any and all media he can get his hands on. Zach has had articles published on satirical sites such as Points In Case, Slackjaw, and McSweeney's.
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While not every sci-fi movie on Netflix deserves to be ranked high in the pantheon, there are a handful that deserve their well-regarded status. Sci-fi and Netflix go hand-in-hand. The history of modern sci-fi needs to be written with Stranger Things somewhere in the timeline, which also happens to be Netflix's flagship show.
However, Netflix hasn't just dabbled in science fiction on television; since 2015, Netflix has included sci-fi films among its catalog of original movies. However, among the many genres to appear on the streamer, sci-fi may very well be one of its lowest-rated. For some reason, Netflix isn't consistent when it comes to great sci-fi films.
Movies like The Electric State and Rebel Moon have not impressed either critics or general audiences. Still, every once in a while, Netflix swings for a home run with a sci-fi film and connects. These five sci-fi films may only represent a small portion of Netflix's offerings, but they do the heavy lifting in terms of appeal.
Ultraman: Rising (2024)
Ultraman holding a godzilla-like kaiju
Ultraman: Rising is an animated superhero series based on the beloved Ultraman franchise, where a fictional race of extraterrestrials transform into giant, semi-robotic creatures to defend Earth from kaiju-sized threats. In this sci-fi adventure, Ken Sato, a professional baseball player who is secretly Ultraman, inadvertently becomes the guardian of a baby kaiju.
Despite the army wanting to destroy the creature, Ken quickly becomes attached to the baby monster, whom he names Emi. It's a unique twist on a tried and true Ultraman formula, and it ends up enhancing the franchise. Beautifully animated with great action and smart jokes, Ultraman: Rising has plenty of heart underneath its flash.
Nimona (2023)
Nimona smiling at her friend Ballister in Nimona.
Based on the 2015 graphic novel by ND Stevenson, Nimona is a sci-fi fantasy adventure set in a medieval, futuristic world. Riz Ahmed voices Ballister Boldheart, a commoner recently inducted into a prestigious order of knights, a role once only reserved for the aristocracy, but recently changed.
When Ballister is framed for the murder of the Queen, he goes on the run, joined by Nimona (Chloë Grace Moretz), a shapeshifting outcast. It's wonderfully animated and filled with sci-fi ideas that feel totally fresh. It's a subversive and consistently surprising watch that has a powerfully allegorical message.
Apollo 10 ½: A Space Age Childhood (2022)
Richard Linklater's Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Childhood is a roto-scoped coming-of-age comedy-drama with a little science fiction flair thrown in. The film follows Stanley (Milo Coy as a young boy and Jack Black as the older Stanley), who is recruited for a top-secret flight to the moon when he's 10-years old.
Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Childhood is a sweetly nostalgic look at the 1960s and a deeply personal look at Linklater's life, who grew up in a Texas town much like the one at the center of the film. Roto-scoping the action is a brilliant choice, one that pays off with non-stop beautiful imagery.
Frankenstein (2025)
Jacob Elordi as the creature in Frankenstein.
Guillermo del Toro's whole career has been leading up to him being able to direct his 2025 adaptation of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. The director's love for horror and appreciation for Gothic aesthetics and themes could not find a better match than the 19th-century novel. Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi star as the scientist and the creature, respectively.
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Don't Look Up (2021)
Cate Blanchett and Tyler Perry smiling at the camera in Don't Look Up
Don't Look Up was hard to grasp upon its premiere. It was pitched as a comedy, but the content was so caustic and depressing that some viewers' opinions were immediately chilled. Upon further reflection, Don't Look Up has held up as a blistering satire and a uniquely funny movie with a star-studded cast.
In Adam McKay's film, scientists learn a planet-ending asteroid is headed for Earth. However, humanity doesn't seem to be worried, assuming there's no reason to be alarmist. Don't Look Up was accused of being smug and cynical, and while Netflix's sci-fi is certainly cynical, it's too terrified to be smug.
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