Every John Carpenter Sci-Fi Movie, Ranked

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As a lifelong movie fan, I still think about John Carpenter all the time, even though it’s been fifteen years since he last directed a film. He really had a knack for making something everyone could enjoy. Horror fans like me will always remember Halloween, while those into action-thrillers love Assault on Precinct 13, and who could forget the fun of Big Trouble in Little China? But honestly, sci-fi was where his heart really seemed to be. He made nine films in that genre over the years – some were brilliant, some were okay, and a few didn’t quite hit the mark.

John Carpenter was famously unpredictable. His films varied wildly in quality, and it was often hard to believe the director of a masterpiece also created some of his lesser-known works. He explained to Interview Magazine in 2015 that he avoids rewatching his films, fearing he’d overanalyze his choices and question his creative process – wondering ‘What was I doing?’ and ‘Why did I shoot that way?’

So, how do his sci-fi movies rank against each other?

‘Village of the Damned’ (1995)


Universal Pictures

John Wyndham’s classic 1957 sci-fi novel, The Midwich Cuckoos, already had a remarkably faithful film adaptation in 1960. Despite this, director John Carpenter decided to remake it as Village of the Damned. It wasn’t a success, even with stars like Christopher Reeve and Mark Hamill. Carpenter later admitted to Vulture that he only took on the project because he was contractually obligated, and wasn’t genuinely interested in it.

The movie Village of the Damned centers around ten women who all give birth on the same day to children mysteriously connected by their minds. This strange event follows a mass fainting spell that affects the entire village. Beyond its sci-fi elements, the film thoughtfully explores themes of motherhood and societal anxieties, reminiscent of Fellini’s work. However, it suffers from poor dialogue and some awkward performances, particularly from Mark Hamill. It wasn’t a surprise when the movie was nominated for a Razzie Award for being one of the worst remakes or sequels.

‘Escape from LA’ (1996)


Paramount Pictures

After 15 years, a sequel to Escape from New York was finally made. Director John Carpenter later admitted he delayed the project because he was concerned about sequels generally not doing well. Unfortunately, his fears proved correct – Escape from LA wasn’t a hit. Despite that, the story of Snake Plissken (played by Kurt Russell) trying to recover a vital remote control for a religiously-focused President is still fun to watch when you’re bored.

While Escape from LA offers interesting thoughts on family, politics, and disaster scenarios – and feels a bit more inventive than Village of the Damned – it ultimately falls short. Director John Carpenter skillfully handles even the most outlandish scenes, making them believable. However, the film’s flaws are more noticeable. It comes across as a cartoonish exaggeration of the original, amplifying its strengths to the point of silliness. Compounding the problem, the special effects haven’t aged well, making it difficult to enjoy the movie now.

‘Ghosts of Mars’ (2001)

It’s usually a sign a movie isn’t good when the star doesn’t even like it. Ice Cube admitted he only took the role in Ghosts of Mars because director John Carpenter asked him to. In the film, Cube plays Desolation Williams, a prisoner on Mars. He’s forced to join forces with a group of police officers to fight against the colonists, who have been taken over by the spirits of the planet’s original inhabitants.

Carpenter truly lets his imagination run wild in this film, building suspense and delivering a thrilling finale. It’s gained a dedicated following over time and is arguably better than films like Escape from LA and Village of the Damned, though the special effects haven’t aged well. The movie is also extremely violent. Interestingly, Jason Statham’s character – a police officer – actually dies, which is rare for the actor.

‘Memoirs of an Invisible Man’ (1992)


Warner Bros.

Originally, Memoirs of an Invisible Man – inspired by the 1987 novel by H.F. Saint – wasn’t going to be directed by John Carpenter. Ivan Reitman was initially set to direct, but a disagreement with star Chevy Chase led to Carpenter taking over. The film tells the story of a businessman who gains invisibility after an accident and has to deal with a budding romance while evading a persistent government agent.

While Memoirs of an Invisible Man had potential, it might have been more successful with a director known for comedy. John Carpenter, known for more serious films, didn’t seem to enjoy making it, even telling Variety he almost quit filmmaking afterward, calling it a “horror show.” However, the film does stand out for its groundbreaking special effects, which were far superior to those in many other films and offered a uniquely realistic portrayal of invisibility.

‘Dark Star’ (1974)


Bryanston Distributing Company

John Carpenter’s first full-length film, Dark Star, was a completely personal project – he directed, wrote, and composed the music himself. It started as a short student film, but grew into a feature about the crew of a spaceship that’s been traveling for twenty years, tasked with destroying dangerous planets.

John Carpenter’s Dark Star is a remarkably cynical and gripping take on space exploration. Filled with both determined and unstable characters, this sci-fi film is consistently engaging from beginning to end. It’s a nearly flawless movie, even earning praise from director Quentin Tarantino, who called it a “masterpiece.” Dark Star is also historically significant, as it was the first film to show a spaceship entering hyperspace.

‘Starman’ (1984)


Columbia Pictures

As a huge cinema fan, I always come back to John Carpenter’s Starman – it really feels like a high point in his career. It’s amazing how much it’s influenced sci-fi since, you can even see bits of it in movies like Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. The story itself is just beautiful: it’s about Jenny Hayden, a woman who’s recently lost her husband, and this alien, Starman, who lands on Earth and, in a really strange twist, takes on the form of her deceased husband, Scott. It’s a touching story about their connection.

The acting in Starman is truly remarkable. Karen Allen and Jeff Bridges deliver outstanding and believable performances as their unique characters. Bridges even earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor, a first for any film directed by John Carpenter. The story flows seamlessly, and by the end, you’ll find yourself emotionally invested in the characters and the resolution of both the alien adventure and the romantic storyline. The film’s score is also noteworthy, receiving a Golden Globe nomination for Best Original Score.

‘Escape From New York’ (1981)


Embassy Pictures

John Carpenter created the film Escape From New York in the 1970s, inspired by the Watergate scandal. He imagined a far-future America where all criminals are contained within a single, massive maximum-security prison. When Air Force One crashes inside the prison walls, convict Snake Plissken (played by Kurt Russell) is given a mission: rescue the President in exchange for his freedom.

While Russel looks good in the film, resembling Charles Bronson a bit, Lee Van Cleef truly shines as Police Commissioner Bob Hauk. The movie received four Saturn Award nominations, including for Best Director and Best Science Fiction Film, and has since become a beloved cult classic. Notably, science fiction pioneer William Gibson cited Escape From New York as an inspiration for his influential 1984 novel, Neuromancer.

‘The Live’ (1988)


Universal Pictures

Do the powerful people running the world have no idea what they’re doing, or are they secretly plotting something? It takes a wandering outsider named Nada (played by Roddy Rowdy Piper) to reveal the shocking truth: they’re aliens hiding in plain sight as humans. Based on a short story by Ray Nelson, They Live is one of John Carpenter’s most thought-provoking movies, but it’s also made in the style of a classic 1980s action film.

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John Carpenter’s They Live is packed with unforgettable scenes, like a lengthy fight in an alleyway over a pair of sunglasses that reveal hidden aliens. The ending is truly shocking. What makes the film so unsettling is how accurately it predicted our current society – the movie’s critique of consumerism feels eerily familiar when you think about the constant advertising we see today. Carpenter created the film as a protest against the economic policies of the Reagan era, and it’s a shame we haven’t seen him tackle political themes with such passion since – we could really use another film like it.

‘The Thing’ (1982)


Universal Pictures

I’ve always been fascinated by the story behind The Thing. It’s incredible to me that the project almost didn’t happen! Apparently, it was put on hold for a while, but thankfully, the success of Alien gave it a second chance. That’s when John Carpenter came on board, and he absolutely nailed it. He created this amazing, terrifying story about American researchers in Antarctica who have the worst possible day when they stumble upon this… Thing – a creature from another world that can absorb and perfectly copy other living things. It’s a truly brilliant and frightening film!

Often considered a cinematic masterpiece, The Thing (based on John W. Campbell Jr.’s 1938 novella Who Goes There?) is celebrated for its exploration of mistrust and paranoia, as well as its groundbreaking creature effects. Despite its brilliance, the sci-fi horror film was initially met with negative reactions, even costing director John Carpenter his next project, Firestarter (1984). Over time, however, The Thing gained widespread recognition and is now highly acclaimed.

Which John Carpenter sci-fi movie do you love the most?



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2026-01-22 03:36