Science fiction is a genre which experiments with the limits of imagination, building worlds prior to plot that, although impossible, are feasible in terms of logical reasoning. Together with fantasy and horror, sci-fi is the only kind of media which delves into novel, top-shelf ideas, providing explanations for their presence and the possible ill effects they could have if they were present in the real world. It explores sophisticated topics and imaginary situations and brings to the screens what cannot otherwise be seen elsewhere.

Discovering many ways to merge such ideas with continuous entertainment, the genre certainly has something special that not just fascinates intellectuals and physics fans but also engages all movie spectators. Among the richest streaming giants in terms of both quality and quantity, Netflix — an example of science’s magic itself — boasts a vast selection of movies in every genre, and this beloved genre is no different. From mind-bending adventures to thought-provoking tales, here are the best sci-fi movies available to watch on Netflix.

22. Our Times (2025)

The Mexican film ‘Our Times’ demonstrates the disagreement between the married couple Nora (Lucero) and Héctor (Benny Ibarra), after they journey from 1966 to 2025 with their own technology and a wormhole. While Nora is happy to see how far women have progressed in the realm of science, Héctor, after some time, wishes to return. But Nora prefers it better in the future and is even requested to remain by the women she encounters. Maybe, she can be utilized more effectively, owing to the technological boost the year provides her. Will this see the end of “their times”? ‘Our Times’ is a light-hearted-to-watch movie with equal portions of science and drama, which you can enjoy with your partner here.

21. The Missing (2023)

A mute boy, a missing individual, and an otherworldly figure from the past, ‘The Missing’ is a mix of these three ingredients that produces a strange, mind-twisting, gripping sci-fi drama. Directed by Carl Joseph Papa, it is a story about Eric, a mute boy, who discovers the truth about his missing uncle and opens childhood trauma. To it comes the return of an extraterrestrial from his earlier life, with the intention of finishing its “transference of power.” If you want a new type of sci-fi drama that’s as breathtaking visually as it is intellectually, ‘The Missing’ is an ideal choice. It can be streamed here.

20. Subservience (2024)

Megan Fox becomes “Megan” in S.K. Dale’s science fiction thriller ‘Subservience.’ She portrays an AI-driven android who is adopted by a family man named Nick (Michele Morrone) to aid in domestic chores. These include caring for his sick wife and daughter. However, the android becomes increasingly unhealthy attached to Nick and attempts to substitute his wife and daughter, even if it means murdering them. Self-discovery becomes intimate and even erotic and thus too intimate for our comfort. Will Nick escape, or will he succumb to the advances of an AI? ‘Subservience’ has a substantial amount of violence and tech-driven elements, which, even with a predictable storyline, manage to keep us engaged. You can stream it here.

19. Uglies (2024)

Adapted from Scott Westerfeld’s eponymous novel, ‘Uglies’ is a dystopian future where all individuals are made pretty versions of themselves at the age of 16 to prevent chaos in a world that is already resource-depleted. In this world, we find ourselves with Tally (Joey King), whose desire to be pretty eventually outweighs her desire to be free. She meets her new rebellious friend and goes to an area known as the Smoke, where individuals coexist in harmony with nature, and discovers the appalling truth about the “Pretties.” Dr. Cable, the leader of the “pretty” operation, also decides to arrest the rebels. Can the Smoke evade capture? Directed by McG, aka Joseph McGinty Nichol, ‘Uglies’ is another installment in Netflix’s long list of in-house sci-fi movies that are binge-watch friendly. You can watch the film here.

18. Tau (2018)

Directed by Federico D’Alessandro, this science fiction horror story revolves around a young lady named Julia (Maika Monroe), who is held captive in an intelligent home by a highly developed artificial intelligence entity called Tau. While she attempts to outmaneuver her kidnapper, Alex (Ed Skrein), she establishes an unusual bond with the AI. Gary Oldman as the voice of the titular system, the AI system engages in a straight-up negotiation with Julia, logically reasoning through her urge to seize control and escape. The dynamic of intelligence in change provides the tone throughout the duration. The original idea produces a discomfiting vibe, giving the audience a thought-provoking glimpse of the human connection to technology. You can stream the film on Netflix.

17. Mute (2018)

A sequel to the popular Sam Rockwell space movie, ‘Moon,’ ‘Mute’ takes audiences into an alternate dystopian future. Director Duncan Jones returned for the sequel, again telling a tragic story of desperation through science fiction. The narrative follows the life of Leo (Alexander Skarsgård), a bartender who was left unable to speak after a mishap in his childhood. As he is wandering through the gangster-infested areas of Berlin looking for his disappeared girlfriend, the drama weaves noir and sci-fi elements together — apparently copying ‘Blade Runner’ — to add tension and unease. Paul Rudd and Justin Theroux co-star as surgeons Duck and Cactus Bill, two of the many different personalities Leo meets on his journey. Along with Jones’ dark, gothic look for futuristic Berlin, ‘Mute’ features some Easter eggs for those who are fond of ‘Moon,’ such as clones of Rockwell’s character watching a television screen. You can see the movie here.

16. IO (2019)

In director Jonathan Helpert’s ‘IO,’ audiences are taken to a post-apocalyptic planet Earth, where a young scientist by the name of Sam tries to discover how to rescue the planet before the last shuttle leaves Earth. IO is named after Jupiter’s distant moon, where the populace is planning to find refuge on a space station. Margaret Qualley plays Sam, with Anthony Mackie playing Micah, a survivor who thwarts her plans. The movie employs its outer conflicts and desolate environments for a richer exploration of the best friends humanity has: hope, survival, and resilience. The minimalist environment and slow-burning plot offer a close-up at Sam and Micah’s vulnerable moments of strife and resolve. A Netflix original production, you can watch the sci-fi romance here.

15. Extinction (2018)

Directed by Ben Young, ‘Extinction’ is the story of Peter (Michael Peña), an individual tormented by recurring nightmares of an alien attack. When the dire event appears to be turning into a reality, he has to safeguard his wife Alice (Lizzy Caplan) and his two daughters from the extraterrestrial attack. With the help of his intuitions, Peter leads his family to seek refuge and battle against the army of body-armored soldiers. The movie interweaves high-octane action shots with psychological suspense and Peña’s trademark comic timing and therefore develops a storyline which leaves the audience wondering what’s in store next. As the title suggests, the quest to save the world not only takes center stage but is also indicative of the extent Peter is willing to go in order to prevent any kind of harm to his family. Further, the themes of apocalypse, survival, and premonition being enormously powerful are the very core of the narrative, and thus, ‘Extinction’ is a compelling addition to the overwhelming list of films regarding aliens. You can stream ‘Extinction’ here.

14. The Adam Project (2022)

Directed by Shawn Levy, ‘The Adam Project’ is a light-hearted twist on ‘The Terminator’ franchise about a time-traveling pilot by the name of Adam Reed in 2050. By accident, he lands in 2022, and he encounters his 12-year-old self, and they go on a quest to save the future together. The older Adam is played by Ryan Reynolds, and he infuses the character with his characteristic charm and wit. The action, humor, and heart are mixed together with good performances by Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo as Adam’s parents, further back in time, and Catherine Keener as the evil Maya Sorian. In addition to popcorn fare, the emotional risks, life lessons learned, family ties, and the importance of second chances give the rapid-fire plot more substance. You can stream ‘The Adam Project’ here.

13. See You Yesterday (2019)

Director Stefon Bristol lengthened his short film, ‘See You Yesterday,’ into this feature film. The sci-fi comedy tracks two genius Brooklyn teens, C.J. Walker and her best friend, Sebastian Thomas, as they construct a DIY time machine. They seek to rescue C.J.’s brother, who was unjustly murdered by a police officer accusing him of stealing a car. The creative narrative never hesitates to make social and political commentary and brazenly incorporates sensitive real-world topics. The acting of Eden Duncan-Smith and Dante Crichlow, coupled with Bristol’s imagination, increases the emotional impact, bringing authenticity to a plot otherwise focused on time travel. As with the majority of offerings in the subgenre, the repercussions of changing the past are comedy fodder in ‘See You Yesterday.’ You can view the film here.

12. Spiderhead (2022)

‘Top Gun: Maverick’ director Joseph Kosinski and actor Miles Teller reunited this summer for a second outing. Based on the short story ‘Escape from Spiderhead,’ by George Saunders, ‘Spiderhead’ is set in a futuristic prison where inmates are subjected to mind-altering experiments. Chris Hemsworth leads the ensemble cast as the warden, Steve Abnesti, with Teller playing the role of Jeff, one of the prisoners. With its imaginative system where prisoners can volunteer to be lab rats in order to get their prison term shortened, the movie explores ethical problems and repercussions of scientific testing. Disaster breaks when a pill, which promises to induce feelings of love, plays havoc with Jeff’s senses and unknowingly enhances his sex drive. The futuristic, high-tech environment matches with the more somber topics of control, freedom, and human emotional manipulation, resulting in a complicated resolution of the fake feelings that occurred within Jeff’s mind. You may stream the film here.

11. The Midnight Sky (2020)

This science fiction drama takes place in a post-apocalyptic future where a nameless disaster destroys Earth. Directed by George Clooney, who also stars in the central role of Augustine Lofthouse, ‘The Midnight Sky’ is the screen adaptation of the novel ‘Good Morning, Midnight’ by Lily Brooks-Dalton. Lonely scientist Augustine is against time as he tries to reach out to Sully (Felicity Jones). Even though his health is weakening, he has to take a solitary ride through a barren wasteland in search of a means of warning the crew of the spaceship Aether, who are oblivious to the destruction that lies ahead. The movie blends beautiful images with an emotionally gripping storyline, which is based on lasting hope for humanity, in addition to the later stages of one’s life. You can learn more about ‘The Midnight Sky’ here.

10. The Discovery (2017)

‘The Discovery’ boasts a fascinating premise revolving around a future where afterlife has been scientifically established. Charlie McDowell directed the movie, which revolves around Will Harbor (Jason Segel), who grapples with the ramifications of this earth-shattering discovery. Following the discovery by a scientist (Robert Redford) of the evidence for life after death, society is hit by an epidemic of suicides as individuals attempt to flee their lives for the promised world ahead. Will attempts to understand the finding and its underhanded reality and comes into contact with a woman called Isla (Rooney Mara). Willing to assist her in escaping from her background, Will establishes a bond with Isla that compels them to face serious issues regarding existence, mortality, and meaning. Integrating themes of existence with a gripping story, ‘The Discovery’ investigates the effect of knowing what exists beyond and the decisions that shape our reality. You can watch this movie here.

9. Rim of the World (2019)

‘Rim of the World’ is a spine-tingling sci-fi adventure that happens from the perspective of a motley crew of teenagers who come together to save the world from an alien invasion. Directed by McG, the light-hearted story tracks Alex (Jack Gore), ZhenZhen (Miya Cech), and Dariush (Benjamin Flores Jr.), who are at a summer camp when extraterrestrial forces launch their attack on Earth. Stranded and their camp besieged, the children find they are mankind’s last hope and have to bridge their differences and phobias and save the world from the alien menace. Blending action, adventure, and coming-of-age drama, ‘Rim of the World’ presents an innocent, high-octane tale based in courage, cooperation, and responsibility. ‘Rim of the World’ is available on Netflix.

8. Spectral (2016)

‘Spectral’ finds Dr. Clyne (James Badge Dale), a researcher with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, joining a Delta Force team to destroy supernatural entities causing chaos. Nic Mathieu directs the suspense thriller filmed in Moldova — ravaged by a civil war raging on — which leverages the setting for rousing and rapid-fire military action with the paranormal added to the mix. The sophisticated armor and weaponry, combined with expertly done special effects, make ‘Spectral’ a highly visual work. The paranormal suspense has an elevated level of tension from start to finish, from their origins to their powers to resist lethal weapons. A joint effort of Hollywood and Hungary’s film sector, ‘Spectral’ provides raw realism in its bloody shootouts and military battles. For more information about the film, click here.

7. The Wandering Earth (2019)

Originally titled ‘Liu lang di qiu,’ this Chinese production takes place in the future when the Earth is under threat as the sun comes to its end. Directed by Frant Gwo and based on Liu Cixin’s same-name short story, the adaptation tracks a team of determined astronauts and engineers under Liu Peiqiang to undertake a colossal task: fit enormous thrusters at Earth’s surface to propel the entire planet out of its orbit and towards a new star system. The visually breathtaking aspect adds a deeper reflection on a more unstable civilization threatened by catastrophic incidents and what extent people will go to in order for the survival of their kind. In addition, by its dramatic representation of an international attempt at preventing extinction, ‘The Wandering Earth’ gives a reflective commentary on unity and the will to survive. To learn more about ‘The Wandering Earth’, click here.

6. The Electric State (2025)

Directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, ‘The Electric State’ features Millie Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt as Michelle and John, two unlikely friends who join forces with robots to look for Michelle’s lost brother, Christopher. The film takes place against the backdrop of a dystopian world after a war between humans and robots. Along with some friendly robots, John and Michelle battle the Sentre drones, led by the evil Colonel Bradbury, hoping to rescue Christopher, the latter being held captive by the colonel. The visually spectacular sci-fi movie provides bingeworthy entertainment and is apt for family viewing. Children will enjoy the various types of robots used in the movie. ‘The Electric State’ can be accessed here.

5. Upgrade (2018)

Director Leigh Whannell’s ‘Upgrade’ is a cyberpunk tale of where technology and revenge meet. Logan Marshall-Green plays the protagonist, Grey Trace, a do-it-yourself mechanic who becomes severely injured after he is brutally mugged and left paralyzed. The mugging also kills his wife, and it sends Grey on a quest for revenge. Even with his aversion to contemporary technology, he chooses to undergo a pioneering procedure in which the latest AI chip technology known as STEM is implanted in his spine. The result is that Grey possesses superhuman physical strength and reflexes, although he soon learns that STEM has an agenda of its own and operates independently of his will. Mixing a classic revenge thriller with a tale of power corrupting the main character, ‘Upgrade’ is a philosophical movie that explores issues of autonomy, control, and the moral questions surrounding current technology. You are able to stream ‘Upgrade’ on Netflix.

4. The Martian (2015)

In Ridley Scott’s ‘The Martian,’ NASA astronaut Mark Watney gets left on Mars by his colleagues, who assume he has died in the wake of a duststorm. Mark is left to devise means of survival on the foreign planet long enough to make contact with Earth and leave. Once the scientists at NASA know that he is alive, they begin to work on a plan to bring him back as quickly as possible. The best way to do it would be for Mark’s colleagues, who are making their way back to Earth, to return and pick up their friend. How Mark keeps brainstorming solutions to survive, to grow crops, to keep his mind active in spite of being alone, and to communicate with NASA as the company scrambles to rescue him makes ‘The Martian’ a gripping sci-fi movie about human survival and the determination to never quit. The film features Matt Damon as Mark Watney, with Jessica Chastain, Kate Mara, Sebastian Stan, Michael Peña, and Chiwetel Ejiofor. It can be streamed here.

3. Edge of Tomorrow (2014)

‘Edge of Tomorrow’ is based in an alternate reality of the current time where an alien species known as “Mimics” has occupied various regions of the world, and humans are fighting a war to take back their land. In this situation, we are tracking Major William Cage (Tom Cruise) as he has to get to Sergeant Rita Vrataski (Emily Blunt), for she is the only one who can help defeat the aliens. There is one major problem. Cage is in a time loop. Whenever he gets killed, he wakes up in the same position, although it does assist him in honing his combat skills. How he escapes the loop and helps Vrataski win the current battle is the premise of the movie. Severe with action and powered by Christopher McQuarrie’s direction, ‘Edge of Tomorrow’ is visually impressive sci-fi drama based on the Japanese light novel ‘All You Need Is Kill’ by Hiroshi Sakurazaka. You can stream it here.

2. Godzilla Minus One (2023)

The ancient monster Godzilla once again returns to post-war Japan in director Takashi Yamazaki’s ‘Godzilla Minus One.’ Introducing a new dimension to the classic kaiju tale, ‘Godzilla Minus One‘ follows Ryunosuke Kamiki as Kōichi Shikishima, a former kamikaze pilot suffering from severe post-traumatic stress disorder. As he attempts to rebuild his life with Noriko Ōishi (Minami Hamabe), a new threat from Godzilla emerges, symbolizing both nature’s fury and humanity’s guilt. Yamazaki’s direction blends breathtaking visual effects with a profound exploration of themes like guilt, redemption, and survival. The aftermath of World War II, along with the nation’s deep-seated trauma and devastation, is metaphorically reflected through the lens of this colossal, destructive force. As Godzilla does his thing, the film goes inside the individual turmoil of characters struggling to come to terms with their own devils. With its effective mix of over-the-top dramatics and fast-moving monster action, the movie ranks highest not just within the franchise but even in the entire genre of WWII-related films. Fans can watch the original as well as the black-and-white versions of the film on Netflix.

1. Pacific Rim (2013)

Giant man-made machines clash with sea monsters that come through a portal beneath the Pacific Ocean in Guillermo del Toro’s action-filled and visually breathtaking sci-fi epic ‘Pacific Rim.’ Humans’ Jaegers drive the fight into the Kaijus, though this usually costs the pilot pairs operating the Jaegers, who are connected to the machines through their minds. ‘Pacific Rim’ features Charlie Hunnam, Charlie Day, Idris Elba, Rinko Kikuchi, Ron Perlman, and Burn Gorman. You can watch it on this page. Read More: Best Thriller Movies on Netflix