Happy Tuesday, dear readers! Each week, we’ll rank the top 10 films in a specific category. While we aim to tie these lists to big releases, that won’t always be the case. Our goal? For you to enjoy, share your own lists, and join in on a lively, friendly debate. This is an interactive space to build community here at The Contending.
No fancy intros, no long essays – just a category and a list. Sound good?
Over the weekend, Project Hail Mary continued its huge success at the box office. The film has grossed over $164 million domestically and more than $300 million worldwide in just its first two weekends, becoming Amazon MGM’s highest-grossing release to date and sparking real conversation about a potential sequel. More importantly, it’s a reminder that original science fiction, when done right, can still resonate with audiences and succeed in a major way.
To celebrate the continued success of Project Hail Mary, I’m looking back at the all-time greatest films in the science fiction genre. Few genres have evolved as dramatically, from practical effects and philosophical storytelling to the large-scale, visually driven spectacles audiences flock to today. The 1980s are widely considered the golden age of science fiction cinema, a decade that struck a rare balance between ambitious ideas and groundbreaking craftsmanship. As you’ll see, that era is heavily represented here, but great science fiction spans generations and continues to redefine what movies can do and what stories they can tell.
With that in mind, here are the ten science fiction films that stand as the greatest the genre has ever produced.
10. The Thing (1982)
9. Aliens (1986)
8. Blade Runner (1982)
7. The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
6. Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
5. A Clockwork Orange (1971)
4. Alien (1979)
3. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
2. Star Wars (1977)
1. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
After trying to work through the distinction between scifi and "fantasy in settings often associated with scifi", I'd go with:
1. 2001: A Space Odyssey
2. Metropolis
3. eXistenZ
4. Blade Runner
5. Close Encounters of the Third Kind
6. La jetée
7. A.I. Artificial Intelligence
8. Stalker
9. Mauvais Sang
10. Memoria