A subjective top five emphasizing ambitious ideas, memorable storytelling, imaginative worlds, cinematic craft, and recurring expert support. Project Hail Mary leads the current consensus, while the remaining selections represent acclaimed modern science-fiction landmarks.
A landmark of cerebral science fiction, pairing visionary world-building with enduring questions about identity, power, and humanity.
Empire names it among the greatest science-fiction movies of all time, while Metacritic identifies it as a science-fiction classic.We earn commission from qualifying purchases.
A grand, visually commanding space epic whose political mythology and ecological themes remain unusually influential.
Empire includes it in its greatest science-fiction selection, and the supplied editorial consensus treats its world-building as genre-defining.We earn commission from qualifying purchases.
An emotionally accessible hard-science adventure that turns problem-solving, friendship, and survival into blockbuster spectacle.
Inverse calls it a science-fiction masterpiece and instant classic, while SlashFilm says it is likely to dominate year-end genre lists.We earn commission from qualifying purchases.
A tense, intimate survival film that makes scientific plausibility, isolation, and human resilience feel cinematic and urgent.
Empire highlights it as one of the greatest science-fiction movies, and its supplied description emphasizes grounded future technology and human stakes.We earn commission from qualifying purchases.
A sweeping first-contact drama that combines scientific curiosity, emotional depth, and one of cinema’s most memorable alien encounters.
Empire lists it among the greatest science-fiction movies, and Metacritic’s supplied description highlights its human-alien communication breakthrough.We earn commission from qualifying purchases.
Three independent write-ins unlock an honorable mention. The 10 strongest active mentions are shown; inactive mentions archive after 12 months. At 25 recent votes, a contender is scored for possible automatic Top 5 promotion.
No honorable mentions yet. Community suggestions appear below while they gather support.
Commercial-link disclosure: Some shopping, booking, and job-search links are affiliate links. We may earn commissions from qualifying purchases, bookings, or signups through those links, at no added cost to you. Other links are ordinary, non-affiliate links. Affiliate commissions do not determine research scores or community votes. Read our disclosures.
The five criteria create the AI baseline. The community adjustment is then added or subtracted to produce the current published score.
| Criterion | #1Blade Runner | #2Dune: Part One | #3Project Hail Mary | #4Gravity | #5Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 98 | 97 | 95 | 94 | 96 | |
| 95 | 94 | 97 | 96 | 94 | |
| 99 | 99 | 92 | 91 | 92 | |
| 98 | 98 | 94 | 96 | 95 | |
| 90 | 87 | 96 | 94 | 91 | |
| AI baseline scoreWeighted criteria result | 96.3 | 95.3 | 94.9 | 94.2 | 93.8 |
| Community adjustmentVote-share influence | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Current published scoreBaseline + community | 96 | 95 | 95 | 94 | 94 |
The five criteria create the AI baseline. The community adjustment is then added or subtracted to produce the current published score.
| Criterion | #1Blade Runner | #2Dune: Part One | #3Project Hail Mary | #4Gravity | #5Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 98 | 97 | 95 | 94 | 96 | |
| 95 | 94 | 97 | 96 | 94 | |
| 99 | 99 | 92 | 91 | 92 | |
| 98 | 98 | 94 | 96 | 95 | |
| 90 | 87 | 96 | 94 | 91 | |
| AI baseline scoreWeighted criteria result | 96.3 | 95.3 | 94.9 | 94.2 | 93.8 |
| Community adjustmentVote-share influence | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Current published scoreBaseline + community | 96 | 95 | 95 | 94 | 94 |
Choose any two contenders.
We’ll line up what matters.
1982
2021
Ridley Scott
Denis Villeneuve
Neo-noir dystopia
Desert planet Arrakis
Artificial humans
Interstellar politics
Feature film
Feature film
Scores combine the five weighted criteria, using supplied expert roundups and critical aggregators as evidence. The list favors lasting achievement and broad critical regard rather than release recency alone.