Science Fiction Is Having a Moment

The 2020s have already produced an extraordinary run of science fiction cinema — intimate and epic, cerebral and visceral, dystopian and hopeful. Whether you're a lifelong genre fan or a newcomer, this decade has delivered films that genuinely push the form forward. Here are the ten best, ranked.

10. Finch (2021)

A quiet, surprisingly moving film about a dying engineer (Tom Hanks) building a robot to care for his dog after he's gone. It's gentle and unhurried, and Hanks brings warmth to what could easily have been a gimmick. Stream on: Apple TV+

9. Nope (2022)

Jordan Peele's UFO horror-thriller defies easy categorization — it's a film about spectacle, exploitation, trauma, and the cost of wanting to be seen. Spectacular cinematography by Hoyte van Hoytema. Stream on: Peacock

8. The Creator (2023)

A visually stunning meditation on AI, warfare, and what constitutes humanity. Its world-building is exceptional, and it wears its influences (Apocalypse Now, Blade Runner) well without feeling derivative. Available to rent.

7. Vesper (2022)

A little-seen Lithuanian-Belgian production set in a post-ecological-collapse world. It has the visual imagination and thematic weight of classic European sci-fi. One of the decade's great hidden gems. Available to rent.

6. Dune: Part Two (2024)

Denis Villeneuve completes his adaptation of Frank Herbert's novel with a darker, more mythologically rich second chapter. Zendaya finally takes center stage, and the film's final act is genuinely bold. Stream on: Max

5. Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)

An absurdist multiverse adventure about a Chinese-American laundromat owner that somehow becomes a profound statement about love, meaning, and nihilism. Won Best Picture at the Oscars. Completely singular. Stream on: Showtime/Paramount+

4. Annihilation-adjacent: Men (2022)

Alex Garland's divisive folk horror/sci-fi hybrid is not for everyone — but for those on its wavelength, it is unforgettable. Dense with symbolism and genuinely unsettling. Stream on: Showtime

3. Arrival (still resonating...)

While technically 2016, Arrival continues to define what 2020s sci-fi aspires to: emotional depth, linguistic ambition, and the willingness to use genre as a vehicle for genuine feeling. Denis Villeneuve's benchmark. Stream on: Paramount+

2. Dune: Part One (2021)

Villeneuve's first chapter announced that literary sci-fi adaptation could be done with full cinematic ambition. The world-building, score (Hans Zimmer), and visual language are extraordinary. Stream on: Max

1. Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)

The Daniels' kaleidoscopic masterpiece is the defining sci-fi film of the early 2020s — the one that proves the genre can hold limitless emotional and philosophical weight. Watch it with someone you love.

What to Watch Next

  • If you liked Dune: Try Blade Runner 2049 or Annihilation
  • If you liked Everything Everywhere: Try The One I Love or Swiss Army Man
  • If you liked Nope: Try Jordan Peele's full catalog (Get Out, Us)
  • If you want more hidden gems: Explore international sci-fi via MUBI

Science fiction at its best asks the biggest questions. The 2020s are off to a remarkable start.