Top 5 Underrated Sci-Fi Movies You Need to Stream Now

3rd July 2016

By Cassie.

Ten years ago science fiction was the genre that everyone loved to rag on. While Star Wars was incredibly popular when released, it was easy game to make fun of the sci-fi lovers who dressed up to go to Trekkie conventions. But the times are changing!

With the release of Abram’s incredible blockbuster hit Star Trek and then later part of the Star Wars reboot, the world has never seen sci-fi in such a refreshing (dare I say, popular) light, and the time for the sci-fi galaxy operas are on the international stage again. So if you’re a fan or just an admirer from afar, these picks, both recent and a little vintage, are sure to satisfy any craving you have to go boldly where no man has gone before.

Looper

This recent hit starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt as a hit man for people teleporting to his time by a mob boss may not be a classic sci-fi pick, but it’s mind-bending plot and action sequences make it an easy recommendation if you’re a fan of movies such as Christopher Nolan’s Inception. When Gordon-Levitt’s character discovers his future self is one of those such displaced people, played by Bruce Willis, things get a little more complicated and much more interesting. Having just a touch of science and lots of action, Looper is a great film for viewers who love to sit on the edge of their seats.

Galaxy Quest

Definitely for the fan of sci-fi who is looking for humor as well as perhaps a touch of nostalgia, Galaxy Quest is one of those rare films that excels at delivering punchlines as well as some more serious fun. A campy hit of the 1990s starring Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver and Alan Rickman, the screwball cast of a popular sci-fi television series (it’s basically “Star Trek”) gets the reality check of their lives when they learn that the acting on set is a little more real than they first imagined. This is a film that’s perfect for mixed company and is possibly safe for kids (depending on how liberal you feel that day).

Melancholia

Lars Von Trier’s art flick may not be your average sci-fi film (there surely aren’t any Klingons or Time Lords here), but it’s a take on science fiction themes that both satisfies genre folk and acts as a gentle gateway movie for those looking to delve into science fiction. Kirsten Dunst’s depression-struck bride is met with a doomsday situation when an astronomical body is heading straight for Earth, and while Dunst’s character (amazingly) keeps her cool, the rest of the world dissolves into chaos. Melancholia is a masterful piece of beauty and is for fans of sci-fi who also consider themselves arthouse lovers.

Contact

Another hit, this flick starring Jodie Foster and directed by Robert Zemeckis was the kind of sneaky summer blockbuster that didn’t indicate a massive return when it was released but later became one of the best films of the year. Containing beautiful images, great acting and just a hint of the extraterrestrial, Contact is more about the human experience and our unceasing search to share this life with other beings than it is concerned about the effects of how aliens might interact with us. Contact is for someone who loves Gravity and is definitely for viewers who are looking for a human interest story.

The Day the Earth Stood Still

This cult classic cemented itself as a hit due to its impressive mark on cultural cues of the past half century. Made in 1951 and as low-budget as they come, The Day the Earth Stood Still isn’t just about the alien invasion plot and how it twists and turns. It’s also about the drive-in, the beginnings of a cinephile and the entire global culture following World War II. That culture put sci-fi back on the map in many ways and certainly on the forefront of pop style. This movie is a must-watch if only to understand where today’s science fiction comes from and where it might be headed.

Extra Tips

There are multiple streaming options, and it often seems like they swap movies. So if you don’t see one of these on Netflix check other websites before giving up, especially if you already have a subscription. You might even find other hidden gems in the process!
Are you traveling abroad or tapping into Netflix from across the pond? It may make your life a little easier if you’ve got full access to all the same titles as those currently in the US, and a VPN is probably the best way to get you there. Try comparing a couple of different providers to get your best fit.

While I suggest grabbing all of these in a perfect Netflix and Chill session, it’s certainly a lot of sci-fi to handle in one sitting. Then again, a sci-fi filled weekend is probably why they invented Chinese delivery, so sit back, relax and enjoy the show!

Cassie is a fan of all movies but loves sci-fi after growing up in a house that watched Star Trek together as a family every Friday night. Cassie is a tech lover, tech writer and tech guru by nearly any standard.

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