Works of sci-fi are often inspired by a particular vision of the future that dwells in the mind of an author, a filmmaker, or even a comic book artist. These tales are thrilling escapes into realms of futuristic societies, technology akin to magic, and intergalactic adventures. Some of the most thrilling sci-fi concepts of the past are slowly turning into our current reality. These mind-bending ideas shape the present’s escapism and the future of the next generation.
If you’re a die-hard science fiction fan or simply seeking an exhilarating movie that challenges your perception, Netflix has you covered with its diverse selection of sci-fi offerings. You can explore captivating worlds and take a look at the future as it’s been envisioned by many filmmakers. The most popular online streaming service has its own original titles and licensed popular properties, so you can enjoy a great evening with futuristic films packed with thought-provoking ideas, suspense, and plenty of action.
Let’s take a look at 10 of the best sci-fi films on Netflix in the US.
10
‘Godzilla Minus One’ (2023)
Set in post-World War II Japan, Godzilla Minus One follows Koichi Shikishima, a kamikaze pilot haunted by guilt after surviving the war and failing to stop a monstrous attack on Odo Island. As the country reels from the aftermath, a mutated Godzilla emerges from the sea and threatens to annihilate what little remains of Japan’s collective spirit.
The fifth installment in the franchise’s Reiwa era and the 37th overall in the Godzilla franchise, this one is directed by Takashi Yamazaki with a lens that is equal parts intimate and grand. Aspects like postwar tech and radiation mutation are grounded in realism, making Godzilla’s rampage feel real. Critics hailed it as one of the best Godzilla films ever made, with the Rotten Tomatoes score sitting proudly at 99%, and it’s easy to see why.
9
‘Edge of Tomorrow’ (2014)
In a future where Earth is under siege by a relentless alien race known as the Mimics, Major William Cage, a PR officer with zero combat experience, is thrown onto the frontlines of a doomed invasion. Killed within minutes, Cage wakes up the previous morning and realizes he’s trapped in a time loop triggered by exposure to alien blood. Teaming up with war hero Rita Vrataski, he hunts for the Omega, the alien hive mind, to end the cycle and save humanity.
Doug Liman’s direction in Edge of Tomorrow keeps the pacing taut and stakes high, combining sci-fi mechanics with blockbuster action and dark humor. The time loop premise is subversive and addictive at the same time, which allows the story to evolve every time Tom Cruise’s character resets. Cruise’s transformation is nuanced and Emily Blunt’s Rita is a genre icon in her own right. It’s Groundhog Day meets Halo, and it works brilliantly.
8
‘Okja’ (2017)
Directed by Bong Joon Ho, Okja follows young Mija, who lives peacefully in the lush mountains of South Korea with her grandfather and Okja, a genetically engineered “super pig” created by the Mirando Corporation. When Okja is declared the best specimen and taken to New York for corporate exploitation, Mija embarks on a daring, globe-spanning rescue mission.
The movie is a captivating sci-fi fable that’s whimsical and gut-wrenching at the same time. Its commentary on GMOs, corporate greed, and animal rights is layered but never preachy. Ahn Seo-hyun delivers a quietly powerful performance, Jake Gyllenhaal and Tilda Swinton go full eccentric, and Paul Dano adds heart. Okja also sparked real-world conversations about ethics in food productions and is an important movie for that reason.
7
‘The Mitchells vs. the Machines’ (2021)
Katie Mitchell, a quirky teen filmmaker, is ready to leave her family behind for school. That is until her dad hijacks the plan with a last-minute road trip. As tensions rise inside the car, the world outside collapses when a rogue AI named PAL launches a robot uprising, captures humans, and threatens to eject them into space. With help from two malfunctioning robots, the Mitchells must save humanity before it is permanently deleted.
The Mitchells vs. the Machines is a riotous sci-fi romp directed by Mike Rianda and produced by Lord & Miller. It is a visual feast too, complete with hand-painted textures and kinetic animation that comes alive in every frame. The sci-fi premise, where smart devices turn evil and Wi-Fi gets hacked and robots undergo existential crises, is both chaotic and heartfelt. It swept the Annie Awards and earned an Oscar nod, proving that sci-fi can be silly, smart, and moving all at once.
6
‘It’s What’s Inside’ (2024)
It’s What’s Inside begins with a pre-wedding reunion, but soon spirals into chaos when a long-estranged friend named Forbes crashes the party with a mysterious suitcase and a twisted game that lets people swap bodies. As the group of college friends dives into the experience, the night turns into a psychological minefield because buried grudges, secrets, and desires bubble up to the surface.
Written and directed by Greg Jardin, this mind-bending sci-fi thriller was an unexpected hit on Netflix. It also blends horror and satire into the mix. A brain-scratcher in the best way, it features standout performances from Brittany O’Grady and Alycia Debnam-Carey. The body-swapping angle isn’t a gimmick, but a metaphor for identity and desire that frequently surprises viewers throughout the runtime.
5
‘Don’t Look Up’ (2021)
In Don’t Look Up, Jennifer Lawrence and Leonardo DiCaprio star as two low-level astronomers who discover that an unknown comet is on a collision course with Earth and could potentially cause humanity to go extinct. They go on a media tour to warn people, but unfortunately, no one seems to care. As the disastrous threat draws closer and the panic rises, they realize they only have six months to obsessively spread awareness of the looming catastrophe.
Political comedy mixed with sci-fi is an odd combination, but under Adam McKay’s satirical eye. It works wonders. Don’t Look Up is a hilarious and biting commentary on society’s smug ignorance and the political circus caused by any kind of news. Lawrence and DiCaprio deliver witty performances. The story of an end-of-the-world farce is paced in a way that the audience can’t look away from the screen because it is funny, resonant, poignant, outrageous, and a bit too real.
4
‘Starship Troopers’ (1997)
Set in the 23rd century, when democracy had ruined society so much that veterans took over and started ruling Earth. A young Johnny Rico signs up to join the Mobile Infantry and do his part for the United Citizen Federation’s war against an unknown alien race known as the Arachnids. He graduates, finds himself in the company of friends, and is thrust into a high-risk interstellar war taking place on distant planets only to learn that real combat is shocking and brutal.
Starship Troopers is directed by Paul Verhoeven, who broke the boundaries of the genre by infusing satire, over-the-top violence, and futuristic fascism into it. Playing out extraordinarily against the backdrop of an impending intergalactic war, the movie is innovative with its practical effects. While it was heavily misjudged at the time of release, Starship Troopers became a cult classic for its dissection of the dehumanizing effects of war.
3
‘The Cloverfield Paradox’ (2018)
The Cloverfield Paradox is the third entry in the Cloverfield saga; the film is written by Oren Uziel and directed by Julius Onah. The film is still produced by J. J. Abrams, who has overseen previous entries. The story jumps into the future as Earth faces a global energy crisis. At the same time, a team of scientists, sponsored by multiple agencies, supervised the activation of the Shepard particle accelerator aboard the orbiting Cloverfield Station. The scientific community is torn as some seek to activate the device, while others would rather find another means to provide energy since the station risks creating a dimensional paradox that could doom the planet.
Murphy’s Law dictates the plot of The Cloverfield Paradox: everything that can go wrong will go wrong. The crew manages to get the Shepard particle accelerator, but soon enough, they find out they have essentially rewritten reality and opened a door to the multiverse where the team’s counterparts are experiencing a different set of events. It’s up to a few station members to make things right and try to escape. Things go south when interdimensional creatures begin to make their way toward planet Earth, bringing the story full circle with the first film’s events.
2
‘Outside the Wire’ (2021)
The 2021 sci-fi-action film Outside the Wire saw the highly talented up-and-coming young actor, Damson Idris (Snowfall), play a drone pilot named Thomas Harp in the near future. The movie centers on a futuristic peacekeeping machine led by a group of marines. During a skirmish, Thomas disobeys an order and launches a drone attack that saves many lives but winds up also killing two marines.
Thomas is punished by being assigned to the command of Capt. Leo (Anthony Mackie). Leo is an experimental android super soldier who poses as a human officer. While only Thomas and one other person know what he is, the pair are sent on a mission to prevent a terrorist attack, facing many threats along the way.
A great film packed with plenty of action and a novel concept, the two young actors played well off each other, both underscoring why their respective careers have soared in the last few years. It’s a film whose sci-fi premise allows for the exploration of some incredible action scenes, along with some terrific performances from Pilou Asbaek and Michael Kelly in the supporting cast.
1
‘The Adam Project’ (2022)
Ryan Reynolds has a great deal going strong with Netflix, and The Adam Project is one of his multiple offerings. Directed by Shawn Levy, with a script by Jonathan Tropper, Reynolds takes the lead alongside Zoe Saldaña and Mark Ruffalo. This visually stunning sci-fi adventure follows Adam as he travels back in time, seeking the help of his younger self to save his father in the past.
The Adam Project is a great time-travel story that doesn’t get muddied with the usual antics about alternate realities, with tons of humor and excellent family dynamics. Shawn Levy of Night at the Museum and Stranger Things fame puts his own personal touch on this family-driven science fiction film, allowing Reynolds’ performance and a bevy of impressive visual effects to guide the story forward. Some have even drawn comparisons between this film and similar titles from the 1980s, promising a nostalgic trip for those well-versed in the sci-fi genre.
