The 2020s, marked by events like global lockdowns and the rise of streaming, have unexpectedly become a great time for science fiction. But it’s not about flashy effects; sci-fi feels more mature and self-assured now. Films are less focused on being epic and more willing to embrace subtlety, allowing quiet moments and trusting viewers to understand the story.
Recent science fiction films aren’t just aiming for big profits or sequels; they’re showing real creative drive and careful planning. These movies create immersive worlds, tell focused stories, and feature characters that feel genuinely human – reminding us that sci-fi truly connects when it focuses on people. What’s different about sci-fi in the 2020s is that it feels less about predicting the future and more about examining where we are right now. The questions these films raise about things like artificial intelligence, climate change, and who we are as people are ones we’re actively grappling with in our own lives, making them incredibly relevant and hard to dismiss.
These 11 films demonstrate why science fiction is so relevant today, and the best one of the bunch is a true cinematic achievement.
11
‘Mickey 17’ (2025)
Warner Bros.
Even if you’re familiar with the films of Bong Joon Ho, like Parasite and Snowpiercer, his new movie, Mickey 17, will still catch you off guard. It’s a unique blend of dark humor, social commentary, and over-the-top science fiction. The film stars Robert Pattinson as Mickey Barnes, a member of a group called “Expendables” tasked with colonizing a frozen planet in 2054. These individuals are essentially disposable – they’re expected to die completing dangerous tasks and then be cloned to replace them. The story gets complicated when Mickey 17 unexpectedly survives a mission and returns alongside his clone, Mickey 18, raising questions about identity, purpose, and the meaning of life when you can simply reset it.
Robert Pattinson perfectly captures Mickey’s mix of sarcasm and fear, and Naomi Ackie and Steven Yeun deliver equally compelling performances that build the tension. Mickey 17 stands out as one of the most interesting sci-fi films in recent years, not because of its unusual story, but because of how director Bong Joon-ho uses the film’s rhythm and structure to emphasize its themes of being disposable. While critics haven’t all agreed on the film, that’s actually part of its appeal – it’s a unique movie that embraces imperfection and unexpected shifts in tone.
10
‘Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga’ (2024)
Warner Bros.
Unlike the fast-paced action of Fury Road, George Miller takes a slower approach in this film, showing us how Anya Taylor-Joy’s Furiosa becomes the iconic figure we remember. Furiosa: A Mad Max Story follows her kidnapping and journey to overcome Dementus, a delightfully villainous character played by Chris Hemsworth. The film focuses less on the details of the plot and more on Furiosa’s strong will and how it transforms her into a legendary figure.
Despite the harsh desert landscape and relentless action, this film centers on the characters and Furiosa’s journey of survival, adaptation, and ultimately, strength. The editing is tight and keeps the movie moving, and the score powerfully underscores the intense atmosphere. Beyond the impressive chases and practical effects – including a remarkable 15-minute action sequence – Anya Taylor-Joy’s performance as Furiosa proves prequels can enrich a story’s universe without simply retreading familiar ground.
9
‘Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes’ (2020)
Tollywood
Sometimes, a truly creative film surprises everyone and makes a bigger impact than big-budget blockbusters. That’s exactly what happens with Junta Yamaguchi’s Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes – a clever, low-budget film shot in one continuous take. The 71-minute movie centers on a café owner who realizes his TV is showing events from two minutes in the future. What starts as a simple idea quickly becomes a wild and inventive experiment when his friends join in to try and take advantage of the time loop.
When Kato, played by Kazunari Tosa, and his friends start using a special television that shows them the future, they begin to see their own actions playing out. This leads to funny and complicated paradoxes. Director Yamaguchi cleverly uses this ‘Droste effect’ – like an image contained within itself – to explore the idea of endless possibilities within a limited timeframe. The story is carefully constructed, so even though the plot twists and loops, it remains easy to follow.
8
‘The Beast’ (2023)
Maison 4:3
Just watching Léa Seydoux navigate the complex, shifting time periods in this film makes it clear it’s not your typical science fiction story. The Beast jumps between Paris in the beautiful Belle Époque era, a Los Angeles of the near future, and a grim 2044 where feelings are seen as weaknesses and people must alter their DNA. Woven throughout is a captivating, though ultimately tragic, love story with George MacKay’s character, Louis.
The film explores the feeling that some things are unavoidable, and how technology and destiny can take away our free will. Director Bonello reimagines a story by Henry James with a contemporary twist, looking at the intriguing intersection of artificial intelligence and human desire. With stunning visuals from Josée Deshaies and a realistic performance by Seydoux, it’s a standout sci-fi film of the 2020s. The way the movie portrays memories mixing with current life feels particularly relevant today, as we often find ourselves caught between looking back and moving forward.
7
‘Nope’ (2022)
Universal Pictures
Jordan Peele’s film, Nope, starts with a seemingly straightforward premise: siblings OJ and Emerald Haywood manage their family’s horse ranch in California and begin to notice strange things happening in the sky. However, like a clever illusion, the movie quickly subverts expectations. While it involves a potential encounter with a UFO, it’s also a commentary on exploitation, the creation of spectacle, and the act of observation itself.
Jordan Peele grounds the film’s bizarre plot in relatable human moments – like OJ’s gentle connection with his horses or Emerald’s anger at being overlooked. However, what truly sets Nope apart is its refusal to be a typical alien invasion movie. The film is both thematically rich and visually impressive, boasting beautiful 65mm cinematography by Hoyte van Hoytema, and maintains a confident pace that keeps you engaged even as things get increasingly strange.
6
‘Frankenstein’ (2025)
Netflix
Guillermo del Toro’s 2025 take on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein isn’t just a retelling – it’s a vibrant revival of the classic story. Oscar Isaac delivers a compelling performance as Victor Frankenstein, portraying him as both proud and fragile, and Jacob Elordi is equally impressive as the Creature, capturing both his frightening nature and surprising humanity. With strong supporting roles from Mia Goth and Christoph Waltz, the film immerses viewers in del Toro’s richly detailed and atmospheric Gothic setting, filled with dimly lit labs, unsettling imagery, and poignant moments of isolation.
Despite being based on a familiar story, Frankenstein distinguishes itself within a decade full of innovative science fiction by using the genre to explore enduring themes of compassion and what it truly means to be a monster. Guillermo del Toro’s script and Dan Laustsen’s visuals expertly blend horror and beauty, making the Creature’s emotional journey deeply moving. The result is a film that feels both timeless and remarkably relevant to today’s world.
5
‘They Cloned Tyrone’ (2023)
Netflix
Juel Taylor’s They Cloned Tyrone immediately establishes itself as a fun, visually striking conspiracy thriller that blends humor with genuine mystery. John Boyega, Jamie Foxx, and Teyonah Parris play an unexpected team who uncover a bizarre and frightening government cloning scheme. The film seamlessly shifts between clever comedy and unsettling horror, all presented with a stylish, throwback look that pays homage to blaxploitation films while still feeling fresh and new.
John Boyega delivers a realistic performance that perfectly balances Jamie Foxx’s high-energy acting, and Teyonah Parris adds humor and vibrancy to the film. They Clone Tyrone cleverly uses sci-fi elements like cloning and hidden messages in everyday products – and increasingly strange plot twists – to offer a sharp critique of society and how systems control us. It’s clearly inspired by films like They Live and Sorry to Bother You, proving that science fiction can be both fun and thought-provoking.
4
‘Poor Things’ (2023)
Film 4/TSG Entertainment/Element Pictures
Emma Stone gives a career-best performance in Poor Things. She plays Bella Baxter, a woman brought back to life by the unconventional Dr. Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe), and perfectly captures her character’s blend of curiosity, awkwardness, and freedom as she explores Victorian London and other places with Duncan Wedderburn (Mark Ruffalo).
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With its steampunk style, quirky inventions, and Bella’s rejection of traditional expectations, Poor Things feels like a thought-provoking science fiction film. It cleverly blends the genre with feminist themes, making Bella’s journey from innocence to self-discovery both funny and deeply touching. A major success, Poor Things earned over $117 million globally and won four Academy Awards, including Best Actress for Emma Stone, and is widely considered a bold and captivating story about a compelling character.
3
‘The Substance’ (2024)
Mubi
Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance is a strikingly original film, blending the unsettling elements of body horror with science fiction. Demi Moore delivers a compelling performance as Elisabeth Sparkle, an actress losing her career due to ageism. Desperate, she tries an experimental drug that creates a younger, improved duplicate of herself, portrayed by Margaret Qualley. The catch? The two women must swap bodies every week.
Director Coralie Fargeat doesn’t shy away from disturbing imagery. In The Substance, she uses shocking and graphic transformations to challenge our culture’s focus on youth and beauty. The character of the manipulative producer, played by Dennis Quaid, highlights how the entertainment industry often exploits and discards women as they age. While the film’s unsettling nature sparked a lot of discussion, The Substance is a bold movie that directly tackles these societal pressures.
2
‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ (2022)
A24
While chaos usually feels pointless, the film Everything Everywhere All at Once suggests otherwise. Directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, the movie centers on Evelyn Wang (Michelle Yeoh), a tired laundromat owner who unexpectedly finds herself in a battle across multiple universes. She discovers that every decision she’s ever made has created countless alternate realities. Stephanie Hsu plays Joy/Jobu Tupaki, Evelyn’s daughter who also becomes her powerful enemy, and Ke Huy Quan gives a heartwarming and memorable performance as Waymond.
Michelle Yeoh gives a truly remarkable performance, blending physical comedy with the skill of a martial arts expert. The supporting actors add a lot of emotional resonance to the film. While the story includes quirky humor and dreamlike imagery, it never loses sight of its heartfelt center, which delves into family trauma, questions about life’s purpose, and the importance of truly understanding loved ones. Made on a relatively small budget of $14–25 million, the film became A24’s biggest success, earning $143 million at the box office and winning seven Oscars.
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2026-01-17 03:40