WELCOME TO THE SCI-FI TOP 100!

Our second Top 100 is the greatest sacrifice 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! All four parts are now available, so sit back and let us guide you through the greatest of the great! If there's anything here that you'd like to view, then why not see if we have it in stock?

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Top 100 Sci-fi Movies

25. The Fly (58)

This would fit adequately in the top 100 horror movies too, as it has some genuinely frightening moments.
When an apparently crazy woman with a insect fixation is found at the scene of her husband's murder, she is naturally suspected.
However, the truth is a bizarre tale of a dedicated scientist, a Matter Transmitter, and a fly...
Vincent Price adds another HSF classic to his already impressive portfolio, starting as a friend of the family. With an iconic monster and an unforgettable ending.

24. Independence Day (96)

OK, so all that American arrogance and frankly annoying characters do bog this down considerably, but this is still one of the better studies of an alien invasion of Earth.
The film show how people from all walks of life are affected by the invasion, including the US Pres. Bill Pullman, army pilot Will Smith, scientist Jeff Goldblum, and even a family of trailer park rednecks.
But forget that, because the real glory here is in the Special effects. Awesome scenes of destruction by UFOs (reminiscent of many of those Fifties movies), some of the ugliest aliens ever seen (obviously inspired by 'Alien') and some 'Star Wars'-like action in the air (US jets versus UFOs).
There's not much originality here, but it's better done that ever before, making this film an unforgettable experience. If only there had been a little more intelligence behind the writing, then this film may have been top of this list.

23. The Time Machine (60)

Outstanding adaption of the H.G. Wells novel.
Rod Taylor stars as George (H.G. Wells), the 19th Century gentleman who invents the titular device, which resembles a wheelchair with an umbrella attached.
He travels into various years in the future, passing through several world wars, before arriving in 802,701, where mankind has become pacifistic fodder of the hideous Morlock monsters.
Vivid visuals, great SFX, fast pacing and the genuinely creepy Morlocks make this George Pal feature an all-time classic.

22. The Incredible Shrinking Man (58)

This sounds like a corny premise, a man is exposed to a strange mist which causes him to slow shrink (literally) into oblivion, but it's executed so well my Sci-fi master Jack Arnold that this is one of the highlights of the 50s.
The Shrinking Man (Grant Williams) becomes understandable upset when the press make him 'freak of the week' and he starts to lose his wife. These relatively minor problems are soon forgotten as he fights for survival, the family cat, a spider and even stairs become threats.
Great special effects, human drama, and stylish direction make this ludicrous plot believable. An essay of the ingenuity and indomitability of mankind.
It's no suprise this film is such a classic, it was produced by Albert Zugsmith (for Universal of course), written by Richard Matheson ('Pit and the Pendulum' and 'The Night Stalker') and directed by Jack Arnold ('It came from Outer Space' and 'Creature from the Black Lagoon')!


21. Robocop (87)

One of the best action films ever, a surprisingly effective effort from Paul ("let's just pack it full of sex and violence") Verhoeven. That's not to say his trademark cruel streak doesn't run through this film, at times this is repugnant stuff, and it is disturbing to think how many eight year-olds may have seen this...
When futuristic Metro City cop Murphy (Peter Weller) is gunned to pieces by a gang of crooks, he's revived as "Robocop - Half Man. Half Machine. All Cop". Robocop's mind is controlled by the authorities, but when he begins to recover his own thoughts he sets out on a mission of vengeance.
Blood, guts, violence, guns, bad language and explosions are all present in abundance, but they're are overshadow by great story telling, excellent stop motion animation (by Phil Tibbert) and Ronny Cox, as a really detestable villain. And despite the excessive violence, you will feel a sense of satisfaction as RC carries out his own blood-soaked brand of justice.
Followed by two cinema sequels, a TV series, and at least four made-for-cable movies.

 

20. The Village of the Damned (60)

Eerie as only the British can do, this can be taken as a cautionary tale of why Earth women shouldn't breed with aliens (Tommy Kirk take note).
In the sleepy village of Midwich, twelve blonde-haired, blue eyed children of superior intellect (based on the Nazi's ideals of a super-race) are born nine months after the village was mysterious cut off from the outside world by a force field.
As the children age. they begin to control the village, and those that oppose them begin to die. When one of the kid's "father" (George Sanders) tries to stand up to the brats, he discovers they can read his mind.
Based on 'The Midwich Cuckoos' by John Wyndham, this chilling film capitalizes on every expectant parents fear of the unknown. Followed by the very worthy 'Children of the Damned'

19. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (91)

Non-stop action, incredible special effects and Arnold Schwarznegger's return as the cyborg assassin helped make this one of the biggest box office hits of all time, and rightfully so.
Arnie, now a good guy, helps protect Sarah Conner and her teenage son John (Linda Hamilton and Edward Furlong) from T-1000, (Robert Patrick), an advanced Terminator constructed of liquid Metal.
Chases, explosions, mindless violence and endless killings are contrasted nicely by the relationship between the youthful John and the towering killing machine who learns why humans cry.
James Cameron returns to direct this sequel with his usual eye for visual detail. Terminator 3 was more of the same to a lesser effect.

One of Hammer's best films, and it's not even a horror!
The end of the world is nigh, and the build up to the apocalyptic ending is tense and atmospheric.
The Devil, insect-like aliens, the creation of mankind, and an indestructible UFO are all involved in the fascinating plot.
Andrew Keale, possibly the best Quatermass, stars along with Scream Queen Barbara Shelley in this chilling and thought-provoking classic.

17. Jurassic Park (93)

Yes, it has the usual sugar-coated Spielberg touch, but this is one of the most unrelenting, exciting and visual awesome movies of al-time.
While previous dinosaur adventures like 'The Land That Time Forgot' and 'Baby -Secret of the Lost Legend' were happy enough with man-in-suit monsters and immobile models that failed to set the imagination alight, this incredible blend of CGI and superior puppetry knocked down the barriers of special effects.
What's more, the plot (based on Michael Crighton's novel, which is very similar to his 'Westworld'), concerning the cloning of dinosaurs from DNA found in perfectly preserved mosquitoes, actually has REAL scientific foundation.
Millionaire Richard Attenborough shows Paleontologists Sam Neill and Laura Dern, and scientist Jeff Goldblum around his island amusement park of prehistoric creatures, just as things start to go wrong.
From there on, it's a thrill-a-minute adventure as the humans find themselves on the menu. Possibly the best family film of the 1990s.

16. The Matrix (98)

Has it ever crossed you mind that the world around us isn't exactly what it seems? That's the theme explored here, in a breath-taking combination of ground-breaking CGI effects and a surprisingly complex, but extremely imaginative plot.
Keanu Reeves stars as Neo, a computer hacker that discovers that the real world is merely a devastated wilderness, and computers have linked the dreaming minds of the comatosed population, allowing us to believe that the Earth is still how it used to be.
A gang of rebels, lead by Laurence Fishburne and Carrie Anne Moss, know the truth and try to contact Neo, who they believe to be the "one" (Neo spelt backwards - get it?!) to rescue humanity from their eternal slumber.
Themes from literal classics like 'Alice in Wonderland' and non-stop action (including some mind-blowing fight scenes) are blended to astounding effect, creating one of the greats of modern sci-fi. Followed by two disappointing sequels.

15. Return of the Jedi (83)

The final edition to the original 'Star Wars' trilogy, maybe this could have been the best entry, if it wasn't for those damn lovable Ekows...
The opening twenty minutes, at the Palace of Jabba the Hut, is one of the greatest sequences ever filmed, with tens of fascinating creations and non-stop action, a real victory for the SFX team (lead by Phil Tippet).
The cast, as usual, is outstanding, Luke Skywalker has now evolved from boy to man, whilst bounty-loving Hans Solo develops a passion for Princess Leia (who, we discover, is Luke's brother, ending that particular love triangle).
There's the final confrontation between Good (Skywalker) and Evil (Darth Vader) and the debut of the foul Emperor... Big budget cinema at it's very best.


14. Close Encounters of a Third Kind (77)

One of Speilberg's most adult sci-fi movies, this is the classic tale of man's first contact with friendly alien life forms.
Common man Richard Dreyfuss is the typical Speilbergian suburban who first encounters the beautiful alien crafts. Legendary French director Francois Truffaut is the UFO investigator who learns to communicate with the aliens and meets the bulb-headed beings in the unforgettable finalé.
All UFO and alien designs are based on classic documented "real-life" sightings; jaw-droppingly brought to life by Douglas Trumball's awesome effects.
As with most of Spielberg's work, it's flawed and overly sentimental, but it's undeniable brilliant.

 

13. A Clockwork Orange (71)

Directed by the late Stanley Kubrick, this violent look at the future as only in the last few years gained a British video release.
Like most of Kubrik's films, it's unforgettable, as Alex (Malcolm McDonald) and his gang of droogs embark on a spree on violence.
When Alex is imprisoned and "reprogrammed" to hate violence, it's he that becomes the victim of violence.
Powerful, nasty and often hilarious, this stunning epic is, even at no. 13 in our top 100, Kubrick's lowest ranked film (out of three)!

12. Metropolis (27)

Fritz Lang's overall best film, this ambitious look at the future is decades before it's time.
One of the first full length Science Fiction movies ever, 'Metropolis' is a visual trip into the future; the imagery of imposing futuristic skyscrapers, robots and cloning has inspired Sci-fi movies to this very day.
The plot, based on a story by his wife von Harbou, always overshadowed by the incredible special effects, concerns the rise of the lower classes; striking scenes of the bald-headed slaves, operating heavy clockwork-type machinery whilst the the upperclass enjoy a work-free life, seem to have inspired propaganda artwork by the Communist Party in future years.
The hero of the piece (Gustav Frohlich) decides to throw off his luxury lifestyle and inspire a revolution. In order to stop the rebellion, a mad scientist, Prof. Rotwang (Rudolf Klien-Rogge), has the woman he loves (Brigitte Helm) cloned and replaced by a robot.
Lang, forever the perfectionist, went way over budget, and over time filming 'Metropolis', which nearly bankrupted the Ufa Studios. Taking two years, and costing 5.3 million marks, it was the biggest, and most expensive film in German history at that time. But even this didn't please Lang: 'I don't like Metropolis', he said in 1958. 'I didn't like it even when I made the film'. Most people wouldn't share Lang's feelings on this recognized classic, on a visual level, it's the most important film of the silent era.

11. Dr. Strangelove (or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb) (64)

Amidst the endless third-world-war/end-of-world/Atomic-bomb-scaremonger pieces of the 50s and 60s came this, yet another success from all-time great director Stanley Kubrick.
When a bombing raid of Russia is ordered by US General Jack D. Ripper, the cold war looks set to explode. But the Yanks get cold feet, and the planes are recalled, all except incommunicadoed Major "King" Kong, who continues on course to attack the commies, and set their retaliatory doomsday devise into action.
A superior comedy/satire of military single-mindedness and mutual paranoia on both sides which serves as a great time piece, especially for those of us who didn't live thought the cold war's apocalyptic threat that so dominated minds in the 60's.
Peter Sellars stars in three roles (including the titular character), and outshines the rest of the impressive cast, which includes George C. Scot, Slim Pickins, Keenan Wynn, James Earl Jones and Sterling Hayden.


10. Aliens (86)

What's scarier than a man-eating, acid-bleeding, stomach-tearing, vicious alien? Answer: a whole bunch of 'em.
So when Sigourney Weaver returns to LV-426 with a gang of macho military-types, all hell breaks loose, as a man vs. alien war begins, and it's to the death.
Director James ('The Terminator') Cameron returns with another rip-roaring actioner, as enjoyable and satisfying as they come.
There's an unexpectedly high quality cast on display here to compete against the tremendous effects - Michael ('The Terminator') Biehn, Bill ('Near Dark') Paxton, and Lance ('Pumpkinhead') Henriksen (as an android) all face the prospect of face-huggings and bell-bustings. 'Alien 3', the lesser of the series, followed in 1992.

9. The Terminator (84)

Director James Cameron redefines the action genre with this relatively low-budget, tale of an annihilistic cyborg from the future, in an unrelenting hunt for Sarah Conner (Linda Hamilton).
The Terminator is played by 'Conan the Barbarian' star Arnold Schwarzenegger, and made him a Hollywood A-list actor overnight, despite his lack of dialogue.
Arnie churns his way through everybody who stands in his way as he hunts down this prey, who's protected by Michael Biehn, another visitor from the future.
The conclusion, in which the Terminator is stripped down to his robotic skeleton, still pursuing his victim, is fantastic. "I'll be back" says Arnie for the first time. He was, in the equally enjoyable 'Terminator 2: Judgment Day'.

8. Day the Earth Stood Still (51)

One of the first serious movies about visiting aliens to Earth.
Unlike all those invading monsters and destructive UFO that so dominated the 50s, this is an intelligent story warning of the real-life threat that nuclear weapons pose.
Friendly alien Klaatu (Michael Rennie) and his robot servant Gort warn us that unless we disarm all our nuclear weapons, Earth will be obliterated.
Based on 'Farewell to the Master' by Harry Bates, there's a typical B-move cast which over-performs; Sam Jaffe, Patricia Neal, Hugh Marlowe, and Stuart Whitman all put in career high performances. Regarded by many to be the ultimate 50s sci-fi.

The plot sounds frankly laughable. A group of scientist and soldiers trapped in an arctic base are picked off one-by-one by a vegetable from out of space. But don't scoff - this is one of the scariest and well-written films of all time.
It's fast-paced, intelligent and chilling, as the cast (including Kenneth Tobey, Douglas Spenser, Robert Cornthwaite and Margaret Sheridan) try to find a way to put an end to the creature (James Arness - who looks a little like the Frankenstein monster).
Along with 'The Day the Earth Stood Still' (friendly visitor) and to a lesser extent 'The Man from Planet X', (misunderstood alien) 'The Thing' (ruthless blood-sucking monster) helped establish the formula for the alien-on-Earth movie.
Directed by Christian Nyby (although many give the majority of the credit to producer Howard Hawks), and written by Charles Lederer, 'The Thing' is both historic important and thoroughly entertaining in it's own right.

6. Invasion of the Body Snatchers (56)

America's paranoid fear of the Communist regime inspired this claustrophobic vision of mankind's substitution by emotionless alien clones.
In the small town of Santa Mira, psychiatrist Kevin McCarthy investigates when patients claim their relatives are not "being themselves".
He soon discovers it's a horrify plot by "pod people" who morph into, and eventually replace, the first human they come into contact with. But the aliens can only strike when their intended victim sleeps, so McCarthy embarks on an insomnia marathon, pursued by a town full of clones, eager to make him "one of them".
This nightmarish tale is another great from the 1950s, and remains unsurpassed by it's numerous remakes and imitations. Notably directed by Don Siegel and co-scripted by Sam Peckinpah.

5. Star Wars (77)

The single most important film in science fiction history (if not film history). Before this, space adventures were about as convincing as Ewan McGregors' impression of Alec Guiness and as exciting Darth Vader's wardrobe.
This film has it all. Heroes, villains, beautiful princesses, rouges, monsters, robots, war, love, excitement, comedy, cliff hangers, spaceships, dogfights, gunfights, sword fights (sort of) - all of which are believable!
Stars are made of Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, James Earl Jones (thanks to his distinctive voice), whilst veterans Alec Guiness and Peter Cushing do their careers no harm at all.
The biggest franchise in cinema, and still making billions today. Amazing.

4. War of the Worlds (55)

'Independence Day' may have changed the look of science fiction movies forever, but this classy version of H.G. Well's famous novel is still the greatest alien invasion movie ever made.
Updating the story from 19th Century England to modern day California, it tells of a mass attack of Martian warships, and mankind futile battle with the cycloptic aliens.
Produced by 50's sci-fi master George Pal, this technicolor masterpiece is visual stunning, with special effects decades before their time.
The great cast, often overshadowed by the swift action and glorious creations, include Gene Barry, Ann Robinson, Les Tremayne and narrator Cedric Hardwicke. Made into a TV series in the 80's.

3. 2001 - A Space Odyssey (68)

To try and explain this extraordinary film in four paragraphs is next to impossible; words simply cannot do this visionary epic justice.
Some may see it as pretentious, others will be simply left confused, but this is a rare example of a mainstream film that simply presents us with a plethora of ideas and images, and lets the audience draw their own conclusions and philosophies.
Huge sections of the film are without dialogue, as we travel from the dawn of mankind to humanities conquest of the stars. The most "conventional" element of the plot is the "mental breakdown" of HAL; a warning of man's inevitable reliability on machines which would influence dozens of sci-fi pics.
The almost inconsequential stars are Gary Lockwood and Kier Dullea. Directed by Stanley Kubrik, arguably the greatest director of all time. Masterpiece is often overused when referring to movies. '2001' is genuinely deserving of that mantle.

2. Alien (79)

Two years after 'Star Wars' and 'Close Encounters', this relatively low budget slasher-in-space essays a somewhat less pleasant meeting with alien lifeforms.
The crew of space freighter 'Nostromo' (including Sigourney Weaver, John Hurt, Tom Skerritt, Ian Holm and Veronica Cartwright) are being picked off one-by-one by a savage, banana-headed, metallic-like ET.
The dark and dank settings aboard the 'Nostromo' are a successful mix of gothic and futuristic, and complement the greatly effective alien design beautifully.
One of the scariest movies ever made, it's also one of the most imitated. Followed by three sequels to date.

1. Empire Strikes Back (80)

Who'd of thought it, but both darkwebonline's favorite horror AND sci-fi movies are SEQUELS!
This first sequel to 'Star Wars' takes the characters introduced in that film and takes them to a whole new level. What were previously one dimensional archetypes have now become more complex and interesting characters, involved in even more engrossing adventures.
Luke Skywalker is no longer just a young boy in search of excitement, but is transforming into a mighty warrior who feels the pull of the Dark Side and is damaged forever by the shocking revelation at the end of the film. Hans Solo has almost gone the other way, from a selfish anti-hero to a soft-hearted romantic; the unfolding relationship him and Leia is a joy to watch.
New characters include the hilarious Yodi with his jumbled speech, Lando Calrissian (Billy Dee Williams), who replaces Solo as the rouge, and Boba Fett as the rocket-packed bounty hunter. Their are also teasers for the appearance of Emperor and Jabba the Hutt in the next film, 'Return of the Jedi'. And who can forget the AT-AT battle scenes in the snow!
If all this wasn't enough, this film is DARK, DARK, DARK! ALL the face characters encounter agony of some point by the end of the film, and the Carbon-freezing idea is genius; Solo's not dead, but there's something unsettling about one of the heroes being in the hands of the enemy at the conclusion of the film.
You just wish that the makers of the "new" trilogy would have made a long, hard study of this film to discover exactly what made the originals so great.

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