Sci-fi films have always been a popular choice for moviegoers. Not only are they great examples of world-building, creativity, and artistry in storytelling,but they contain deeper meanings about society and culture.The best sci-fi films draw upon fundamental parts of society as inspiration for the worlds they create, prompting viewers to examine what makes us human.
Sci-fi films often focus on looking into the future, but several films from the past are still relevant today. In fact, many ofsci-fi’s modern franchises are influenced and inspiredby these classics. For example, Franklin J. Schnaffer’sPlanet of the ApesandRidley Scott’sAlienhave lived on through several modern sequels and adaptations. Films like these have made the recipe for delivering anentertaining yet powerful story that examines issues from beauty standards to human warfare.
Robert Wise’sThe Day the Earth Stood Stillis one of the earliest examples of a Sci-Fi hit in Hollywood. The film led the charge for the sudden boom of alien stories which became popular in the 1950s, and shocked audiences with its depiction of what an extraterrestrial threat may look like to humanity. Its message, thathumanity would be exterminated by a secret alien coalition if it continued to act on its aggressive impulses,transcends to modern-day conversations over the brutality of war.
The Day the Earth Stood Stillwas based on Edmund H. North’s short story, “Farewell to the Master” from 1940.
Beyond the now iconic characters ofKlaatu, the alien, and his threatening robot sidekick, Gort, the film contains deeper meanings about the danger humanity poses to itself, if left unchecked. This was chilling to Western audiences who, at the time,were worried about the ongoing Cold War and atomic crisis.Today, this can still be applied to society’s fears over the possibility of nuclear warfare. In fact, the film’s haunting warning is still so applicable thatThe Day the Earth Stood Stillwas made into a remake in 2008.
9War Of The Worlds (1953)
Directed by Byron Haskin
Similarly,War of the Worldsis another 1950s extraterrestrial film that is still a cult classic. In fact,War of the Worldsis so popular it was remade in 2005. This film centers around a small California town that has been attacked by mysterious UFOs from the planet, Mars. Soon,hysteria over the threat of unknown visitors spreads across the worldand humanity is left to decide how they will fight off the aliens.
War of the Worldswas created during the Cold War and the atomic crisis, which is relevant whenthe government considers using atomic bombs to fight off the aliens.In today’s world, the debate over the use of weapons of mass destruction is still just as relevant. Not to mention, the technical effects, although dated, remain impressive, such as the spine-chilling image of UFOs entering the New York skyline to destroy everything in their path. For these reasons, the film remains a classic, andWar of the Worldswas adapted by the BBC as a series in 2018.
The Technicolor World of Film brings Fred M. Wilcox’s Sci-Fi film,Forbidden Planet,to life onscreen. In this film, Commander John J. Adams (Leslie Nielson) and his crew of intergalactic travelers launch an investigation when they encounter a lonely planet (Altair IV) where a group of scientists has gone missing.It was one of the first instances of a Sci-Fi story mixed with elements of fantasy and fiction, makingForbidden Planetahead of its time.
Although the sci-fi world of Altair IV may seem rudimentary when compared with the planets featured in modern sci-fi, its desolate and rocky landscape forms thebones of what will come later in the creation of many extraterrestrial worlds.Impressive technical effects and the world-building of Altair IV’s retro-futuristic city make the visuals in the film captivating even to modern audiences. Not to mention, the character of"Robby the Robot" appeared later on in several films, and is a testament to the film’s influence.
Perhaps one of the most famous sci-fi films of the 1960s is Franklin J. Schaffner’s originalPlanet of the Apes.The film has lived on today through several spin-offs and sequelsthatexplain the larger timeline forPlanet of the Apes, and it is no surprise why. As Charles Heston’s “Captain George Taylor” finds himself stuck in a dystopian future of an Earth run by chimps, he slowly discovers the terrible truth behind this reality inPlanet of the Ape’scontroversial ending:it is atomic warfare that has killed off civilized human society.
Planet of the Apes
1968
Beneath the Planet of the Apes
1970
Escape from the Planet of the Apes
1971
Conquest of the Planet of the Apes
1972
Battle for the Planet of the Apes
1973
2001
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
2011
War for the Planet of the Apes
2014
2017
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
2024
Planet of the Apes, like many other classics, alsoexplores how humanity’s affinity for violence leads to its destruction, asking what would happen if humans had not evolved to be the top of the social chain. The film is a technical marvel in terms of establishing setting, from the now iconic world of Ape City to the desolate desert landscape that Heston crashes into. The film is so popular it eventually branched off into two other sequels and has now been made into a new prequel film series that is a box office hit.
Another popular sci-fi film that followed the success of sci-fi fantasy, likeForbidden Planet,wasLogan’s Run.Michael Anderson’s film explores themes of aging and personal freedom against the backdrop of a futuristic city utopia. Though life is seemingly perfect for its members, at the age of thirty,all citizens are “reincarnated” and secretly killed to avoid overpopulation issues.
Not only is the retro-futuristic, colorful world ofLogan’s Runcaptivating to current audiences who crave a 70s style, but it alsoposes an interesting question about quality versus quantity of life and the right to self-determination.Logan 5 (Michael York) and Jessica 6 (Jenny Agutter), who discover life beyond their domed city, struggle to come to terms with the dark truth behind their perfect society. Their distrust of the government is another element of the film that is a current hot topic in today’s politics, and themes inLogan’s Runwould certainly provide something fresh to this conversation.
2001: A Space Odysseyis one of the most inspirational sci-fi filmsto date. Kubrick’s film takes on a much artsier quality than other sci-fi films of its time but contains many of the same elements: a team of explorers, alien contact, and a rogue robot. When Captain David Bowman and his crew make contact with a strange monolith,they embark on a transformational experience that will change human evolution.By the film’s strange ending, the monolith has transformed him into an evolved race of humanity meant to change Earth’s kind once more.
Ultimately,2001was ahead of its time, tackling multiple issues throughout the story that are still popular in sci-fi films of today. Hal, the robot, and his increased autonomy from and disdain towards humanity is a common fear that hasonly become more applicable today in the age of AI and advanced technology.Beyond this, the film is technically spectacular and sure to impress audiences even today. For example, Bowman’s final scene of traveling through the wormhole in the monolith is a captivating watch because of its special effects.
Perhaps one of the most enduring sci-fi movies is the originalAlien, directed by Ridley Scott. The film features a star-studded cast, led byAlien’siconic final girl Sigourney Weaver (Ripley), who are from a futuristic version of humanity with the ability for deep space travel. When they are tasked with bringing a mysterious alien life form home,a horrifying turn of events leads to the deaths of most of the crew and the release of the dangerous “xenomorph.“In the end, it is curiosity that leads to the demise of the crew on the ship, “The Nostromo.”
Similarly to2001 a Space Odyssey, Alieninvolves a self-serving robot whose best interest is to abandon his human companions for the sake of knowledge. In today’s reality, where machine-made helpers are being used at a higher capacity, this element of the film has the capacity to hit home. Also, apart from these philosophical questions,Alienrepresented anew kind of extraterrestrial blockbuster where the alien threat was more developed,continuing to make the xenomorph just as scaryin today’s adaptations. For this reason, the originalAlienis a terrifying and gripping watch that has still not become technically outdated.
Solarisis one of Andrew Tarovsky’s top sci-fi films,a haunting tale about the weaknesses and desires of the human mind.The film follows a psychologist, Kris Kelvin (Donatas Banionis), who is sent to a space station above the planet Solaris because many of the scientists there have suffered from strange mental afflictions. As Kelvin begins to experience symptoms himself, the film does a beautiful job of illustrating how guilt, grief, and repressed emotions are universal human experiences that cannot be ignored.
The artistic quality ofSolarisis also what makes it stand out. Shots and music are pieced together to create a sense ofloneliness and isolation on the space station.Though it is a sci-fi film based on fiction, the story revolves around a grounded emotional plot for Kelvin and the supporting characters, which gives it a more modern feel for its time. Because of the strong emotional elements and cinematic quality, this space thriller is a powerful story that has not lost its luster with age.
Andrei Tarkovsky’s filmStalkerisregarded as one of the greatest filmsof all time. At the time of its release, few sci-fi films had been created in this style. The film takes place in the cold and eerie Zone, and is less action-packed than philosophical. In the film, a man known as The Stalkerguides two individuals through The Zone to a room that will grant them any wish. The premise is made evenmore powerful because it is set in a Soviet-style society, much like the one Andrei Tarkovsky was commenting on at the time of its release.
The main characters' simple quests to find the room and make their personal desires a reality are in direct opposition to the strict control exerted by their authoritarian government. Personal desire and freedom of expression are still qualities of life that are cherished in many modern societies and therefore make the thematic genius of this film resilient to time.The surrealist landscape and tone of this film have also remained popular in today’s sci-fi franchises; Denis Villeneuve’sDuneandBlade Runnerbeing popular examples.
Gary Nelson’sBlack Holeis an underrated sci-fi classic, and speculation over a TV adaptation has floated around for years. The filmexamines the lengths humanity will go to in search of knowledge and answers to the unknown.Black Holefollows a crew aboard the ship, “Palomino”,which happens upon a missing spaceship with a single surviving scientist. However, instead of leaving with the rescue crew, the scientist, Dr. Reinhardt (Maximilian Schell), is determined to take himself and his army of robotic soldiers into a black hole for the first time.
Throughout the film, crew members decide whether to support Dr. Reinhard, revealingthe long-standing debate over humanity’s ambition in the face of the unknown.Today, this can be applied to many different aspects of technological advancement. This film is also a rare instance of a darkerDisneyfilm that resembles horror rather than the traditional sci-fi flick. Because of this tonal difference, the film stands out among other films in the genre.The Black Holealso pushed boundaries with its effects, technology, and futuristic world.
