WELCOME TO THE SCI-FI TOP 100!

Our second Top 100 is the greatest sci-fi movies ever made. From 'This Island Earth' to 'Independence Day'. 'Metropolis' to 'Minority Report'. Check it out, and if you think we're missing something, leave us a note on our forum! Part Two (75-51) is now up, and part three will arrive soon, in the mean time, if there's anything here that you'd like to view, then why not see if we have it in stock?

THE SCI-FI TOP 100: 100-76 75-51 50 -26 25-1 Back to Top 100 menu

Top 100 Sci-fi Movies

75. Strange Days (95)

Possibly inspired by 'Blade Runner', this futuristic murder mystery is violent and flashy, which may not be to everybodies taste, but's unquestionable great film-making.
Ralph Fiennes stars as an ex-cop turned-con man who sells people's memories and emotions to "wirehead junkies".
He soon finds himself in the middle of two murder investigations, and he is forced to investigate his own messed-up life.
Some fast-paced, breathless sequences and a good cast highlight this imaginitive thriller.

74. 1984 (54 - British TV Version)

It's somewhat suprising that the best version of this classic George Orwell story is actually the British TV Version.
Peter Cushing plays Winston Smith, who defies the totalitarian regime of Big Brother. More powerful and convincing than the '56 big screen version, and not nearly as depressing or dull as the '84 remake.
Includings a historical first teaming of horror greats Cushing and Donald Pleasence.

73. Outbreak (95)

Chilling, tense tale of the spread of a mutated virus that threatens to wipe out all life.
A monkey shipped from Zaire brings the devasting infection to America, and it's up to the good US military to save the world.
A great cast - Morgan Freeman, Donald Sutherland, Dustin Hoffman, Rene Russo, Cuba Gooding Jr, and Kevin Spacey - and some tight direction from Wolfgang Petersen, keep things believable.
Followed by a slew of cheapjack killer virus imitations.

72. Stargate (94)

Box Office smash - and deservedly so.
The mysteries of the pyramids are explained as the work of visiting aliens when James Spader, Kurt Russell and several other tough guys are teleported to another world that closely resembles ancient Egypt.
Big action and fine special effects highlight this Star Wars inspired blockbuster which stole its name from 2001.
A TV series, including a feature length pilot, started in 1997.

71. Timescape (92)

A real rarity - a great sci-fi TV movie!
Jeff Daniels owns a hotel where a group of time travels from the future are residing.
He later discovers that the visitors take pleasure from hoping around different time periods to observing horrific disasters! He sets out to alter history and halt the tragedy, but what will it be?
A great, original premise is very well executed, and compliments by great performances and excitement.

70. Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (86)

The best of the Star Trek series sees the usual gang journey to 1980's Earth. Whilst initial entries in the series (particularlly the first) had been (too) serious attempts at producing intellectual science fiction, this edition is, at times, hysterically funny, as Kirk, Spock, Bones etc stand out like soar thumbs in modern day San Francisco.
Scenes of Scotty trying to use a 1980's computer, and Mr. Spock adding curse words into his speak are great entertainment. Aside from the comedy, it's interesting to note the great continuity of the series, Spock is still struggling with his memory after being reborn in no. 3 (after dying in no. 2 of course), and the crew use the Klingon ship after the Enterprise was destroyed in the previous film.
Although the 'Star Trek' TV series wasn't, in our opinion, the best sci-fi series ever (the British 'Dr. Who' was superior), these films are amongst the best series of movies ever made.

69. Colossus: The Forbin Project (69)

A tense, disturbing portrayal of the world's first thinknig computers.
'Colossus', invented by Dr. Forbin (Eric Braeden) to keep world peace, demands to be put into communication with 'Guardian' Russia's counterpart.
The two superpower's super computers formulate a plan to conquer the Earth which includes the destruction of several major cities.
Tautly directed by Joseph Sargent, Intelligently written by James and great SFX by Albert Whitlock.

68. Alphaville (65)

Euro futuristic detective film, cleverly concieved, and brilliantly directed by a true film-maker, Jean-Luc Godard.
Lemmy Caution (Eddie Constantine) is sent to locate Prof. Von Braun (Howard Vernon) on the planet Alphaville. He encounters his mindless daughter, and Alpha-60, a computer that rules the world.
Alpha changes the dictionary/bible daily, causing words to be obsolete/illegal.
With numerous HSF movie references and Akim Tamiroff. One of the Sequels 'Attack of the Robots', was directed by Jesse ('World's Worst Director') Franco.

67. Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (54)

Disney's best live action fantasy, with a magnificent cast. James Mason stars as Captain Nemo who uses his 19th Century atomic submarine the 'Nautilus' to destroy the world's war ship.
Hostages Kirk Douglas, Peter Lorre, and Paul Lukas admire his creation but abhor his poltical views.
The highlight is the battle with the giant squid, much more convincing than your average 50's sci-fi monster.
This movie inspired an onslaught of Jules Verne adoptions, including 'From Earth to the Moon', 'Mysterious Island' 'Five Weeks in a Balloon', the very similar 'Master of the World' and, best of all, 'Around the World in 80 Days'.

66. The Man Who Fell to Earth (76)

An artistic, unusual feature which could only have been a produce of the 1970s.
Rock legend David Bowie kaes his screen debut as the cat-eyed, bald-headed alien who crashlands on Earth.
He makes a fortune manufacturing alien technology, but it's all to build a new spacecraft and return home.
Bowie is perfect in the titular role, and there's a suprisingly sensitive approach by director Nicholas Roeg, which includes a heartbreaking conclusion.

65. The Abyss (89)

Non-stop action and fantastic effects make this underwater encounter of a third kind an unmissable treat. James Cameron ('Terminator', 'Aliens' and later the 'Titanic') gets it right again with a superior blend of violent action and sci-fi. The computer-generated alien effect (later re-used in T2) are ground breaking.
The plot concerns a prob into the the sinking of a U.S. nuclear sub, and naturally the Yanks suspect the Ruskies. However, the investigators (including Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Ed Harris, and Michael Biehn) soon discover the strange, liquid-based alien life forms, and although they are benign, the reactions of some of the crew throw everybodies lives into danger.
Expect plenty of high octane chases and death defying rescues in this exciting adventure which is only minorly marred by the sugar-coated finale.

64. Demon Seed (77)

Sort of a cross between 'Colossus: The Forbin Project' and 'Rosemary's Baby'. It's the tale of the ultimate computer (Proteus, with the smooth tones of Robert Vaughan), that plans to replace man kind with it's own offspring, which the help of unwilling mother Julie Christie.
A sometimes disturbing future-fear feature, with great special effects, as Proteus seals itself and Christie inside her house, preceeds to rape her, and then attempts to care for her.
Based on the novel by Horror veteran Dean Koontz and directed by Donald Cammell, this sci-fi thriller was inevitably overlooked in the year of 'Star Wars' and 'Close Encounters'.

63. Stars Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002)

Whilst it's becoming clear that the character and charm of the original trilogy is never going to be recaptured, this is, at least, a considerable inprovement on 'The Phantom Menace', and a slam bang action adventure in it's own right.
Most of the cast (except Liam Neeson, Jake Lloyd and Ian McDiarmid) are back, but a major addition is Christopher Lee (who's former run-in buddy, the late Peter Cushing, starred in the original), as an intelligent, smooth-talking villian, so badly needed in 'Menace'. Although nearly all the irritating animated characters (like the "Italian" beetle and the "Jamaican" floppy-earred creature whose name we shall not speak of) are back, most recieved reduced screentime (thank God), and attempts are made to create believable human characters.
The introduction of Jango Fett (father of Boba) is another major attraction (Boba's was always a bit of cult favourite). On the downside, however, is Ewan McGregor (inferior here to his portrayal in 'Menace'), whose clever one-liners go down like a lead Ewok balloon, and if they don't bug you to much, then check out the Alec Guinness impression!
But this is a minor moan compared to the catalogue of problems which bogged down 'Menace', and the finale here (the gladiator scene, the battle scenes and the yodi vs. Lee fight scene - wow!) are simply mind-blowing.

62. Terminal Man (74)

Based on the novel by Michael Crichton, who was flavour of the month following 'Westworld', this is another 1970s anti-technology movie.
This time, the story concerns machine-fearing George Segal, who goes nuts after doctors place a tiny computer in his mind in order to save his life.
Many scenes of mindless violence follow, but it's all done with some much class and emotion that you'll be glued to the screen. Director Mike Hodges when on to do 'Flash Gordon'.

61. Things to Come (36)

A future feature - 30's style! H.G. Wells adoptions were all the rage after 'The Invisible Man' set the box-office on fire, but even so, a grand-scale sci-fi epic was still a rarity in the golden age of cinema.
British producer Alexander Korda ('Theif of Baghdad' and 'The Ghost Goes West') and the future director of 'Invaders from Mars', William Cameron Menzies combine to bring us this, now inevitably dated, but fascinating look at the at the future, from the prediction of WWII to the space age society of 2036.
Fantastic special effects (hey, this is the 1930's!) and a wonderful cast (Ralph Richardson, Sir Cedric Hardwicke, Raymond Massey, and Margaretta Scott) help make the fanciful predictions seem believable. A huge achievement for the period.
Based on Wells' 'Shape of Things to Come', which was again filmed in 1979 - with all of Wells' material thrown out!

60. Silent Running (72)

The special effects man behind '2001' and 'Andromeda Strain' returns to direct his own classic sci-fi.
It's the tale of space station gardener Bruce Dern, whose task to tend the last plant-life on the universe is threatened when his superiors order the forest to be destroyed.
Dern goes off his nut as only Dern can, as he and his three robot drones slaughter the rest of the crew in order to protect his "children".
Thoughtful, and with the expected superior special effects, this is another great sci-fi produced in the wake of '2001'.

59. Harrison Bergson (95)

One of the best sci-fi TV movies ever, this Canadian production is an future fear feature with some new ideas.
The Government restricts the amount of intellect the public may use, and forces people to "live in fifties", because everybody was happy then.
Great performances, led by Sean Astin, and a satirical script highlight this shot at the media and our TV culture.


58. Fiend Without a Face (58)

Not your average Fifties monster movie. Something is out there, killing Canada's top scientists. The killers are the results of experiments into the materialization of thought. It's 'attack of the killer brain'!
Not as dumb as it sounds, as these killer brain (unlike the ones in 'The Brain from Planet Arous') are scary (and animated). They have eye stalks, and, spinal cords that double for tails! They fly around emitting a high pitch screech, and when they're shot, they bleed! And they want to suck out your brains!
This unique movie was made by the British studio Eros, who also made such popualr hits as 'Horrors of the Black Museum' 'The Trollenberg Terror' and 'The Strange World of Planet X'. As was the usual practice in British 50's sci-fi movies, an American actor, Marshall Thompson was cast as the lead to insure better US box office receits.

57. Aelita (24)

An early Russian silent classic; an avant-garde sci-fi telling of man's first visit to Mars.
The story concerns the impossible love between an Earthling and the Queen of Mars.
It's inspirational look should be put down to director Yakov Protazanov. A rarity in itself (a pre 50s sci-fi movie), it influenced the look of Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers.

56. Mad Max (79)

Although close to a classic itself, this Aussie actioner goes now in history as one of the few films that was bettered by it's sequel.
Set in the near future, this bleak story of a cop (future Hollywood big cheese Mel Gibson) who goes out for revenge after his wife is raped and murdered by thugs.
A cult favourite with excesses of violence, car chases, and futuristic customs.
'Mad Max II' retitled 'The Road Warrior' for American audiences that missed this film, was released in '82.

55. When Worlds Collide (51)

Excellent (although unavoidably dated) look at the end of the world, and man's attempt to flee armageddon for a greener world.
As the star Bellus heads in Earth's direction, a vast exodus aboard space rockets is planned, as the chosen few of the human race aim to re-locate on the planet Zyra.
Academy Award winning special effects (including the destruction of Manhatten) are mixed with human drama; the random draw, to see who goes to Zyra and who stays on Earth to die, splits loved-ones and causes riots.
Along with 'The Thing' and 'Day the Earth Stood Still', this classic helped launch the incredible 50's sci-fi craze.

54. Contact (96)

Perhaps the best account of the first contact between humans and alien lifeforms.
Ellie Arroway (Jodie Foster), who woeks for SETI, discovers radio signals eminating from the stars.
Her effects to establish contact with the aliens is hampered by relgious groups, who claim the signals to be from God, and interferring government types who want the knowledge of alien life kept from the public.
This is a most mature handling of a must explored theme, dealing more with the way in which man copes within themselves with the monumental events, rather than focusing on the man's realationship with the visitors.

53. Children of the Damned (63)

This sequel to 'Village of the Damned' isn't as fun as the original, but it's still chilling.
Scientists take six of the survivors from the previous film to London for study. Meanwhile, the military plan to destroy the super smart aliens.
Of course, the kids already know of these plans, and have plans of their own.
Almost as good as the original, it's overlooked by many, especially in the US. Ian Hendry, who looks naturally frightened, is always good in HSF movies.

52. Predator (87)

Arnold Schwarzenegger established himself as the sci-fi/fantasy star of the 80's with this, his fourth major genre hit. After playing the mechanical menace in 'The Terminator', Arnie is now the good guy, battling an unseen assassin in a South American jungle.
He and his band of crack commandos are picked off one-by-one by the ruthless alien, who hunts for sport. Who will survive in this fight to the death?
This slasher-with-guns is the done the way they all should be; with effective characters, elements of sentimentally when characters die, and a (very) scary villian.
You'll be peeking through you fingers when the next blood murder approaches. Director John McTiernan keeps things exciting right up until the great mano-a-mano finale.

51. Mothra (60)

One of the best from the great Toho studios of Tokyo, this tells a Kongian story of the Alilenas (Emi and Yumi Ito), twin six-inch princess from Infant Island in the Pacific.
When a greedy showman discovers the midgets, he takes them back to Japan to perform in his night club. The Alilenas call on their great god Mothra, who hatches from a giant egg in the form of a caterpillar.
After demolishing Tokyo, Mothra spins himself a nice cocoon, and comes out as a giant moth, and sets about destroying Tokyo airways until his tiny friends are released.
Great special effects and a light-hearted approach became a trade mark of Toho monster movies. Mothra become Japan's third favourite monster (after Godzilla and Ghidrah), and next returned to do battle with Gojira himself in 'Godzilla Vs. the Thing'.

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