Our team compiled the best futuristic movies and here is what they came up with
The science fiction genre has long been a favorite among audiences, with futuristic movies captivating audiences with their inventive worlds and technology. Here’s a list of some of the most popular futuristic movies of all time, along with a summary of the plot, box office collections, year of release, and why the movie was appreciated.
Here are the 25 best futuristic movies to check out on the streaming service.
1. Avatar (2009)
A science fiction epic directed by James Cameron, the movie grossed over $2.8 billion worldwide. The movie takes place in the mid-22nd century when humans are mining Pandora, a habitable moon of a gas giant in the Alpha Centauri star system, for a valuable mineral. The story follows Jake Sully, a paraplegic marine, who is sent to Pandora on a unique mission to infiltrate the Navi, a humanoid species indigenous to Pandora, and pave the way for mining the mineral. The movie was appreciated for its groundbreaking visual effects, its stunning world-building and its powerful message of environmentalism. Rated PG-13.
2. Inception (2010)
A mind-bending thriller directed by Christopher Nolan, the movie grossed over $828 million worldwide. The movie takes place in the near future, where technology has advanced to the point that it is possible to enter and manipulate a person’s dreams. The story follows Cobb, a skilled thief who is offered a chance at redemption by performing the impossible: an inception, the planting of an idea into a person’s subconscious. The movie was appreciated for its complex and intelligent story, its exceptional performances, particularly by Leonardo DiCaprio, and its mind-bending action. Rated PG-13.
3. The Matrix (1999)
A science fiction action film directed by the Wachowski brothers, the movie grossed over $463 million worldwide. The movie takes place in a dystopian future, where humanity is trapped inside a simulated reality created by sentient machines to distract and pacify them while their bodies are used as an energy source. The story follows Neo, a hacker who discovers the truth and joins a rebellion against the machines. The movie was appreciated for its groundbreaking visual effects, its thought-provoking themes and its action-packed story. Rated R
4. Blade Runner (1982)
A neo-noir science fiction film directed by Ridley Scott, the movie grossed over $27 million worldwide. The movie takes place in 2019 Los Angeles, where genetically engineered replicants, visually identical to adult humans, are used for dangerous or menial work in off-world.
5. The Terminator (1984)
A science fiction action film directed by James Cameron, the movie grossed over $78 million worldwide. The movie takes place in a post-apocalyptic future, where machines have taken over the world and are hunting down the remaining human resistance. The story follows Kyle Reese, a soldier from the future who is sent back in time to protect Sarah Connor, the mother of the leader of the resistance, from a cyborg assassin called the Terminator. The movie was appreciated for its thrilling action, its memorable performances, particularly by Arnold Schwarzenegger and Linda Hamilton, and its innovative use of special effects. Rated R
6. Interstellar (2014)
A science fiction epic directed by Christopher Nolan, the movie grossed over $677 million worldwide. The movie takes place in the near future, where humanity is on the brink of extinction due to environmental collapse. The story follows a group of astronauts who are sent through a wormhole in search of a new habitable planet. The movie was appreciated for its stunning visual effects, its emotionally powerful story, and its thought-provoking themes about love and sacrifice. Rated PG-13
7. District 9 (2009)
A science fiction action film directed by Neill Blomkamp, the movie grossed over $210 million worldwide. The movie takes place in Johannesburg, South Africa, where a group of extraterrestrial refugees are living in a shantytown called District 9. The story follows Wikus van der Merwe, a government agent who is in charge of relocating the refugees, as he becomes exposed to a mysterious alien substance that starts to change his DNA. The movie was appreciated for its unique blend of action and social commentary, its thought-provoking story and its exceptional performances, particularly by Sharlto Copley. Rated R
8. The Hunger Games (2012)
A science fiction action film directed by Gary Ross, the movie grossed over $694 million worldwide. The movie takes place in a dystopian future, where the Capitol of the nation of Panem forces each of its 12 districts to send a teenage boy and girl to participate in the Hunger Games, a televised fight to the death. The story follows Katniss Everdeen, a girl from District 12 who volunteers to take her younger sister’s place in the games. The movie was appreciated for its thrilling action, its powerful performances, particularly by Jennifer Lawrence, and its thought-provoking story about the dangers of reality television. Rated PG-13
9. War for the Planet of the Apes (2017)
A science fiction action film directed by Matt Reeves, the movie grossed over $489 million worldwide. The movie takes place in a post-apocalyptic future, where a virus has wiped out most of humanity, and intelligent apes are now the dominant species on Earth. The story follows Caesar, the leader of the apes, as he leads his followers in a war against a ruthless human colonel who is determined to wipe out the apes. The movie was appreciated for its thought-provoking story, its powerful performances, particularly by Andy Serkis, and its stunning visual effects. Rated PG-13
10. Minority Report (2002)
A science fiction action film directed by Steven Spielberg, the movie grossed over $358 million worldwide. The movie takes place in 2054, where the use of psychics called “precogs” allows the police to arrest and convict murderers before they commit their crimes. The story follows John Anderton, the head of the Precrime Unit, as he becomes a target of the system after being accused of a murder he has yet to commit. The movie was appreciated for its thought-provoking story, its thrilling action, and its exceptional performances, particularly by Tom Cruise. Rated PG-13
11. Elysium (2013)
A science fiction action film directed by Neill Blomkamp, the movie grossed over $286 million worldwide. The movie takes place in 2154, where the wealthy live on a luxurious space station called Elysium, while the rest of humanity lives in poverty on a ruined Earth. The story follows Max, a factory worker who is exposed to a lethal dose of radiation and must find a way to Elysium to save his life. The movie was appreciated for its thought-provoking story, its thrilling action, and its powerful performances, particularly by Matt Damon. Rated R
12. The Island (2005)
A science fiction action film directed by Michael Bay, the movie grossed over $162 million worldwide. The movie takes place in the near future, where a group of clones are living in an isolated facility, unaware that they are being raised to be used as organ donors for the wealthy. The story follows Lincoln Six Echo and Jordan Two Delta, two of the clones, as they discover the truth and try to escape the facility. The movie was appreciated for its thrilling action, its thought-provoking story, and its exceptional performances, particularly by Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson. Rated PG-13
13. The Book of Eli (2010)
A post-apocalyptic action film directed by The Hughes Brothers, the movie grossed over $157 million worldwide. The movie takes place in a post-apocalyptic future, where a mysterious man named Eli is traveling west on a mission to deliver a book that he believes holds the key to saving humanity. The story follows Eli as he is confronted by a ruthless warlord who wants the book for himself. The movie was appreciated for its thought-provoking story, its thrilling action, and its powerful performances, particularly by Denzel Washington. Rated R
14. Children of Men (2006)
A science fiction film directed by Alfonso Cuarón, the movie grossed over $70 million worldwide. The movie takes place in 2027, where humanity is facing extinction due to a mysterious infertility crisis. The story follows Theo Faron, a former political activist, as he is tasked with escorting a young refugee named Kee, who is the first woman to become pregnant in 18 years, to a group of rebels who hope to use her as a symbol of hope. The movie was appreciated for its thought-provoking story, its powerful performances, particularly by Clive Owen, and its innovative use of long take shots. Rated R
15. Equilibrium (2002)
A science fiction action film directed by Kurt Wimmer, the movie grossed over $5.5 million worldwide. The movie takes place in a dystopian future, where emotions are outlawed, and citizens are forced to take a drug called Prozium to suppress them. The story follows John Preston, a high-ranking official in the regime, as he starts to question the regime and begins to feel emotions again. The movie was appreciated for its thought-provoking story, its thrilling action, and its powerful performances, particularly by Christian Bale. Rated R
16. Jurassic World (2015)
A science fiction adventure film directed by Colin Trevorrow, the movie grossed over $1.67 billion worldwide. The movie takes place in a near future, where the Jurassic World theme park on Isla Nublar is open and operating, but a new genetically modified hybrid dinosaur, the Indominus Rex, escapes and causes chaos. The story follows Owen and Claire, who are tasked with saving the park’s visitors from the rampaging creature. The movie was appreciated for its thrilling action, its visually stunning special effects and its strong performances, particularly by Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard. Rated PG-13
17. The Road (2009)
A post-apocalyptic drama directed by John Hillcoat, the movie grossed over $31 million worldwide. The movie takes place in a post-apocalyptic future, where an unspecified disaster has caused the collapse of civilization and most of humanity has died. The story follows a father and his young son as they try to survive and make their way to the coast. The movie was appreciated for its powerful performances, particularly by Viggo Mortensen and Kodi Smit-McPhee, and its thought-provoking story. Rated R
18. The Adjustment Bureau (2011)
A science fiction romantic thriller directed by George Nolfi, the movie grossed over $127 million worldwide. The movie takes place in the near future, where a group of mysterious agents, known as the Adjustment Bureau, control the fate of humanity. The story follows David Norris, a politician who discovers the Bureau’s existence and falls in love with a dancer named Elise. The movie was appreciated for its thought-provoking story, its thrilling action, and its strong performances, particularly by Matt Damon and Emily Blunt. Rated PG-13
19. The Maze Runner (2014)
A science fiction action film directed by Wes Ball, the movie grossed over $348 million worldwide. The movie takes place in a post-apocalyptic future, where a group of teenagers, known as the Gladers, are trapped in a giant maze and must find a way to escape. The story follows Thomas, who is the latest arrival in the maze, as he tries to uncover the secrets of the maze and the organization that put them there. The movie was appreciated for its thrilling action, its visually stunning special effects, and its strong performances, particularly by Dylan O’Brien. Rated PG-13
20. The Time Machine (2002)
A science fiction film directed by Simon Wells, the movie grossed over $123 million worldwide. The movie takes place in the near future, where a scientist, Alexander Hartdegen, builds a time machine to travel back in time and prevent the death of his beloved. The story follows Alexander as he travels through time and encounters different eras and civilizations. The movie was appreciated for its visually stunning special effects, its thought-provoking story and its strong performances, particularly by Guy Pearce. Rated PG-13
21. Total Recall (1990)
A science fiction action film directed by Paul Verhoeven, the movie grossed over $261 million worldwide. The movie takes place in a future where Earth is ravaged by war and a company called Rekall offers a service that implants false memories of vacations. The story follows Douglas Quaid, a construction worker who becomes embroiled in a rebellion against the ruling government after a vacation implant goes wrong. The movie was appreciated for its thrilling action, its visually stunning special effects, and its strong performances, particularly by Arnold Schwarzenegger. Rated R
22. Wall-E (2008)
A science fiction animation film directed by Andrew Stanton, the movie grossed over $521 million worldwide. The movie takes place in the distant future, where the Earth is uninhabitable due to the waste produced by humanity and a small waste-collecting robot, Wall-E, is left behind to clean up the mess. The story follows Wall-E as he discovers a seedling and falls in love with a probe robot, Eve, and goes on an adventure to save the Earth. The movie was appreciated for its visually stunning animation, its thought-provoking story and its strong performances, particularly by Ben Burtt as Wall-E. Rated G
23. War of the Worlds (2005)
A science fiction action film directed by Steven Spielberg, the movie grossed over $591 million worldwide. The movie takes place in the present day, where Earth is invaded by aliens from Mars. The story follows Ray Ferrier, a dockworker, as he tries to protect his family and survive the alien invasion. The movie was appreciated for its thrilling action, its visually stunning special effects, and its strong performances, particularly by Tom Cruise. Rated PG-13
24. X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)
A science fiction action film directed by Bryan Singer, the movie grossed over $747 million worldwide. The movie takes place in a dystopian future, where mutants are hunted by Sentinels and the X-Men must prevent the event that led to the dystopian future. The story follows Wolverine, who is sent back in time by Professor X, as he joins forces with the young X-Men and tries to change the past. The movie was appreciated for its thrilling action, its visually stunning special effects, and its strong performances, particularly by Hugh Jackman and James McAvoy. Rated PG-13
25. Zootopia (2016)
A science fiction animation film directed by Byron Howard, Rich Moore and Jared Bush, the movie grossed over $1.02 billion worldwide. The movie takes place in a city of anthropomorphic animals, where a young rabbit police officer, Judy Hopps, teams up with a con artist fox, Nick Wilde, to solve a missing mammal case. The story follows Judy as she tries to prove herself and uncover the conspiracy behind the missing mammals. The movie was appreciated for its visually stunning animation, its thought-provoking story, and its strong performances, particularly by Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman. Rated PG