There's sometimes nothing better than a good sci-fi movie to lose yourself within, as the realms and possibilities of science fiction are near endless. Many of the best films of all time are within that exact genre, and it turns out you can watch a fair few from the comfort of your living room.
Science fiction movies often provide an imagined future for our world and beyond, seeing drastic changes in technology or the environment, and can provide some really fascinating worlds to dive right into.
Thankfully Rotten Tomatoes lets you see what critics believe to be the 'best' sci-fi flicks you can watch on your sofa through your favorite streaming services, and all of the below are 'Certified Fresh' so you're hopefully going to be in for a great time.
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Of course, these are just a small handful of the selections that you can find, so make sure to check out Rotten Tomatoes yourself for further choices if you've ran through this list.
Concrete Utopia (2023)
- Tomatometer: 100%
- Streaming services: Apple TV+
First up on Rotten Tomatoes list is Concrete Utopia, which only came out just over a year ago so it's great if you're looking for something new to watch that you might have missed.
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Directed by Um Tae-hwa, Concrete Utopia shows the after effects of a world reduced to rubble by a giant earthquake, highlighting humanity's drive for survival and the darker corners of society.
It boasts a perfect 100% on the Tomatometer, and while this simply means that all critics gave it a positive review score, it's certainly a tough achievement to manage, especially with 61 reviews against its name.
Stalker (1979)
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- Tomatometer: 100%
- Streaming services: Max, Apple TV+, Criterion Channel
Based off of the similarly iconic book 'Roadside Picnic' by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky, Andrei Tarkovsky's Stalker is rightfully one of the most iconic science fiction films ever made, and remains a must watch for all buffs to this day.
It sees a group of men journey into an equally mysterious and dangerous wasteland known only as 'The Zone' in search of an equally mystical place called 'The Room' where any desire you have will be fulfilled.
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It has a 100% rating on the Tomatometer, and also holds 92% on the Popcornmeter, indicating that it's incredibly popular with both critics and general audiences.
You've also got a wide range of options when it comes watching it too, as it's available to stream on Max, Apple TV+, and the Criterion Channel. If you don't have any of them, you can also rent it for cheap on Amazon Prime Video as well.
The Terminator (1984)
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- Tomatometer: 100%
- Streaming services: Fubo TV, MGM+, The Roku Channel, Tubi
If you've been living under a rock and still somehow haven't watched The Terminator then there's no better time than now to fix that mistake! It's rightfully regarded as one of the most iconic movies around, and features Arnie in arguably his most famous role.
Traveling from the then-far away time of 2029 all the way back to 1984, the titular Terminator is on the hunt to kill Sarah Connor, yet the threat of a world-destroying artifical intelligence system looms dangerously close - if that sounds too familiar we don't blame you!
The best part is that it's on over a dozen different streaming services, including Tubi for free with ads if you want to save some money, so you've got no excuse.
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
- Tomatometer: 99%
- Streaming services: Apple TV+
Much like The Terminator, if you've still not seen E.T. then you've got some fixing to do. It's one of the most recognizable movies around - especially for it's extremely quotable script, and excels in its childlike wonder for a world beyond our own.
It's a great one to shove on for the whole family and is perfect viewing for all ages too, so if you want to hunker down for the night with your loved ones at the weekend then E.T. might be the perfect choice.
If you do watch it and love it, you might also want to head in search of your very own extra terrestrial yourself with the best spots across the US for alien abductions.
Godzilla Minus One (2023)
- Tomatometer: 99%
- Streaming services: Netflix, Apple TV+
If you're in the mood for some monster action then there are few better flicks out there than Godzilla Minus One, which brings the iconic giant lizard to new chaotic heights.
You can go straight into this one fresh without having seen any of the other countless Godzilla films, as frankly what more do you need to know than there's a big monster that destroys things?
Godzilla Minus One has proven to be one of the most popular and celebrated films in recent years though, featuring a 98% Popcornmeter score across over 5,000 ratings, so there's a high chance that you'll love it too. It's on Netflix too, and who doesn't have Netflix?
Brazil (1985)
- Tomatometer: 98%
- Streaming services: Apple TV+
If you're in the mood for something strange and weird then Terry Gilliam's Brazil might just be perfect for you. Mixing fantasy and the nightmares of reality, it almost feels like a fever dream as you're constantly propelled through otherworldly locations with bizarre things happening around you.
It's dystopian and charming at the same time, evoking an Orwellian world that many find chilling in its prediction of the future. It's even got a small role for the ever-excellent Robert De Niro too, what's not to love?
Like seemingly many great sci-fi films you can watch it on Apple TV+, but it's also available to rent on Amazon Prime Video, Spectrum, and even the Microsoft Store if you've got an Xbox.
LOLA (2022)
- Tomatometer: 98%
- Streaming services: Peacock, Tubi, Pluto TV
LOLA offers an alternative approach to the typical science fiction film, as instead of being set in a futuristic world ahead of our time, it actually looks back to the past.
Set in 1941 during the Second World War, the two main characters have built a machine that's capable of intercepting radio and tv broadcasts from the future. They're then able to use these to assist and provide military intelligence, and the effects of this machine on the future are fascinating.
While you can watch it if you've already got a Peacock subscription, it's also one of the great picks that is available for free with ads on services like Tubi and Pluto TV.
Beavis and Butt-Head Do the Universe (2022)
- Tomatometer: 97%
- Streaming services: Paramount+
Beavis and Butt-Head Do the Universe is perfect for anyone watching a laugh and some fun alongside a sci-fi adventure, as Mike Judge takes the pair into the land beyond Earth.
The iconic comedy pair are sent 24 years into the future where they embark on a number of shenanigans (as only they can), and it's a great light watch for when you're not wanting anything too serious or heavy in the evening.
Stupidly hilarious or hilariously stupid - that's up to you to decide!
Metropolis (1927)
- Tomatometer: 97%
- Streaming services: Fubo TV, FlixFling, KinoFilm, The Roku Channel
Hailed as one of the first - and still the best - science fiction movies, Metropolis is a classic for a very good reason. Directed by master filmmaker Fritz Lang, the silent picture features stunning imagery that will still make your jaw drop nearly 100 years after its original release, and it's definitely worth watching if you've never delved into its fascinating world before.
You'll be able to see it's clear influence on much of both science fiction and cinema as a whole in the century following its release, so why not dive into a gem of film history yourself?
Mad Max Fury Road (2015)
- Tomatometer: 97%
- Streaming services: Netflix, TNT
Considered to be one of the best films of the last decade, George Miller's 'reboot' of his iconic apocalyptic series was a major success for film fans and critics alike.
Featuring heart-pumping action that spans a desert wasteland, Fury Road boasts beautifully chaotic chase sequences that you'll never want to end, and a decade on from its release there's no better time to see the action for yourself, or give it a rewatch if you've not seen it since release.