10 Best Underrated Sci-fi Movies That You Should Watching Update 04/2024

Best Underrated Sci-fi Movies

Star Wars isn’t the only sci-fi story out there. Among the most underrated and underappreciated science fiction films of the past five years, these are five.

Recent years have seen a resurgence in the popularity of science fiction films, thanks in large part to the success of superhero movies. Most science fiction films borrow from other genres, but others have done a lot more to make the genre their own. In recent years, genre films like A Quiet Place (2018, 2018), Arrival (2016, 2016), and Interstellar (2014, 2014) have provided a wealth of fresh material.

Although some of these films have been well-received, others have been unfairly overlooked. Our selection of 10 neglected sci-fi films from the past five years is a way to honor some of the most overlooked films in the genre.

1. Alita: Battle Angel (2019)

Alita Battle Angel (2019)

Alita: Battle Angel is based on the manga series of the same name and follows a cyborg who has no recollection of her past as she tries to discover who she is. Even though the film had a mixed review from critics, viewers reacted positively, making it one of the best manga-to-live-action adaptations.

While the picture was a flop in the United States, it made a sizable profit abroad. Alita: Battle Angel, despite its flaws, is still underappreciated due to the quality of its action sequences and narrative as a whole. Alita: Battle Angel, despite the popularity of anime and comic book films in today’s day, received a raw deal domestically.

2. Blade Runner: 2049 (2017)

Blade Runner: 2049, the sequel to 1982’s sci-fi classic Blade Runner, is widely regarded as one of the best modern-day sci-fi tales. In addition to paying homage to the original, 2049 explores a new side of the planet, revealing glimpses and suggestions of what has transpired in the intervening years.

Blade Runner: 2049’s failure is shocking given the stellar cast, including Ryan Gosling, Ana de Armas, and Harrison Ford’s return. Though Blade Runner: 2049 received largely excellent reviews, movie failed to generate a profit, not even doubling the $150 million it cost to produce (Box Office Mojo). With such a strong fan base for the original, this sequel will hopefully receive the acclaim it deserves in the future.

3. High Life (2018)

High Life (2018)

Many people have never seen the fantastic sci-fi film High Life. With Robert Pattinson’s character as the prisoner and his daughter as the only survivors on a spacecraft hurtling toward a black hole, High Life is an extremely bleak tale of survival. While that may seem like a lot of storyline, the script does a fantastic job of balancing out all the different elements.

As a result, Pattinson’s portrayal of Monte is a standout and demonstrates the actor’s full potential. Although the movie was a financial failure, it is one of the best sci-fi films in recent memory and deserves to be included on this list.

4. Freaks (2018)

Freaks, like High Life, is a band that few people have heard of. However, those who appreciated 10 Cloverfield Lane will be delighted by this dark sci-fi/horror thriller. In Freaks, a little girl and her father are the focus of a film that attempts to capture some of the same chilling suspense as 10 Cloverfield Lane.

Freaks, despite its poor box office performance, has a lot to recommend it to those who enjoy horror films. Those who enjoy sci-fi/horror films will particularly enjoy this one.

5. Life (2017)

Life (2017)

For a long time, the original previews for Life hinted that it would be a precursor to Sony’s Venom (2018). The film’s official release, however, made it apparent that wasn’t going to happen. As it follows a crew of astronauts, Life does an excellent job of ramping up the tension and suspense, making it feel a little like an updated version of Alien (1979).

While starring Ryan Reynolds, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Rebecca Fergusson, Life was not a financial success, even with a star-studded ensemble It’s easy to see why it didn’t do as well as it should have. Although Life has many problems, many audiences have found it enjoyable despite its shortcomings.

6. Valerian and the City of A Thousand Planets (2017)

While it’s not a bad sci-fi film, Valerian and City of a Thousand Planets isn’t the best of all time. Though it has its limitations, the film is nevertheless an enjoyable and visually impressive experience. Even though most of the effort went into the special effects, the picture remains an excellent tribute to the science fiction genre.

It’s natural that some felt that the picture was slowed down by the inclusion of so many diverse elements. The film, on the other hand, didn’t quite come up to the same standard as a comic book adaptation. Although it has a lot of issues, Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets is nonetheless a fun film for sci-fi aficionados.

7. Spectral (2016)

Spectral (2016)

In case you missed it, Spectral is one of Netflix’s in-house productions in the science fiction category. Spectral, like Battle: Los Angeles (2011), is more action-oriented and contains military personnel. In spite of the film’s many positive reviews, the most common critique is that it moves at an incredibly rapid pace.

Even though the film might use a pause at key points, it isn’t fast enough to destroy the whole thing. Some of these films may be better than Spectral but it still deserves considerably more recognition than it has earned.

8. Hardcore Henry (2015)

It’s an action-packed thrill adventure that’s filmed in first-person, and it’s hardcore Henry! This implies that the spectator is witnessing the film through Henry’s point of view, giving the picture a Call of Duty-like appearance. Despite the film’s lack of depth, it has gained a cult following because to some of its best moments.

Since it was shot this way, Hardcore Henry’s primary concern is whether or not anyone can watch it. Despite the fact that it isn’t the most groundbreaking sci-fi film, its originality delivered an enjoyable experience that many fans may still appreciate about it.

9. Midnight Special (2016)

Midnight Special (2016)

Midnight Special, a sci-fi film with an all-star cast, earned largely positive reviews. Chasing learning that the little child has extraordinary talents, the government and a cult are after him, and the story revolves around his father and his son’s efforts to hide from them. There are a number of great aspects in the picture that are starred by Michael Shannon, Joel Edgerton, and Adam Driver.

If you’re a sci-fi fan, you may be able to compare it to any other superhero movie. Midnight Special, on the other hand, succeeds in capturing the father-son dynamic and conveying a strong feeling of emotion to the spectator through their emotional journey. For sci-fi fans, this film is a must-see, since it offers a new take on the genre.

10. Chappie (2015)

District 9 director Neill Blomkamp is well recognized for his work (2009). Chappie, a film about a humanoid robot, was released by the same director soon after. Chappie, like District 9, made an effort to look at actual, human issues in their stories. In comparison to District 9, however, the film’s message was not fully fulfilled, which led to some negative reviews.

However, Blomkamp fails to realize Chappie’s full potential even though the premise and action are excellent. Chappie, on the other hand, does a wonderful job of conveying the message despite the lack of a clear moral. Even with an impressive ensemble, it is hard to conceive that Chappie’s few blunders would have such a negative impact.