It should be noted up front that the "best" list may not be, necessarily, the greatest theatrical achievements, but rather are excellent at representing the understanding of the day's science (two of the films were released in the late 1920's) or at least what science may be like in the future. Similarly, those considered the worst, are chosen specifically because of their lack of scientific accuracy. They may, in fact, be rather entertaining.
The Best Sci-fi Movies of All Time
- Gattaca (1997): This classic film peers into a future where DNA predispositions are used to discriminate against potential job applicants. I confess that I have never seen this particular film, but in discussing it with a colleague of mine it seems to have more relevance now than when it was made. At the time of its release, he noted not caring for it because the premise seemed too far fetched, or at the very least part of a very distant future. But now, only 13 years later, the proposition doesn't seem unrealistic at all.
- Contact (1997): The movie version of the Carl Sagan novel of the same name went to painstaking lengths to make sure the science was as accurate as possible. In few films have the political and technical realities of scientific research been captured so brilliantly. They went so far as to establish a manual, calling on researchers from some of the nations top institutions, to describe what wormhole travel and other future technologies might be like to experience.
- Metropolis (1927): This is another film about which I know very little. But the basic plot is that of a future Earth in which people are separated into two classes: those with riches and power that live high above the ground in impressive skyscrapers, contrasted against those with little that toil at the pleasure of the aristocracy high above them. While we are not there yet, some economists believe that the United States is headed for just such a social structure. With the middle class dissipating, the distribution of wealth in this country is becoming increasingly bimodal. Anymore, Americans are either falling into category of those with much, or those without.
- The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951): The recent remake of this classic film did not make the list. Having never seen either film, I'm not sure what makes this movie stand out above its modern counterpart.
- By Rocket to the Moon [also released abroad as Woman in the Moon] (1929): This film is often referenced as the first true sci-fi movie. It was also the first time the public was exposed to concepts of rocket launched vehicles into space, something we today take for granted.
- The Thing from Another World (1951): In 2001 the film was determined by the Library of Congress to be "culturally significant" and was therefore selected for preservation in the National Film Registry. Aside from this, however, I am uncertain what sets this movie apart from others. Not sure I agree of its selection for this list. I may have to watch it completely to find out.
- Jurassic Park (1993): This adventure movie was probably intended more for entertainment than a commentary on the potential dangers of genetic engineering. Nonetheless it painted a clever and scientifically plausible picture of what could be possible. And, of course, the "faster, must go faster" scene was truly anxiety inducing to my 13 year old self.
Personally, I am not sure how The Day the Earth Stood Still made the list. It seems out of place in relation to the others. Meanwhile, the classic science fiction drama 2001: A Space Odyssey was left conspicuously off the list. Which of your favorites are missing?
Continue on to the next page for the "Worst" list.
