The Fifth Element is one of the most visually spectacular movies. It offers philosophical insights into human nature while capturing details of life in the future. The plot is a standard one: good conquering evil and lady luck playing her role. Though the movie has some stunning visuals, the problem is with the execution. Director Luc Besson has focused very little on the plot details and has given too much attention to visual details.

9. Terminator 2

Terminator 2 is a vastly different movie from the 1984 original version, although it has come from the same director, and has most of the same cast and writers. There is an underlying message in the movie about the value of human life so beautifully portrayed and the sequel is laced with dark humor. The shoot-outs, explosions and the liquid-metal transformations of the T-1000 all are very impressive making it a popular sci-fi movie of all times.

8. A Boy and His Dog

A Boy and His Dog is another excellent sci-fi movie based on a pure science fiction premise. With its pessimistic world view and caustic dialogue, it is a contrast in terms of ideology to movies such as the Lord of the Rings. The main character is Vic, an eighteen old boy who steals food and doesn’t understand the principles of morality or ethics. The film won the Nebula Award for Best Novella on its release in 1969.

7. Blade Runner

Director Ridley Scott’s follow-up to his hit Alien, Blade Runner (1982), is one of the most influential and popular science-fiction films of all time. It has also become a classic favorite. But the movie became a box-office financial failure and also received negative reviews from film critics who called it baffling and muddled. The detailed at the same time puzzling plot of the film has melancholic and mesmerizing musical soundtrack composed by Vangelis, a Greek composer. The movie though richly deserving was overlooked for an Oscar nomination.

6. The Day the Earth Stood Still

The Day the Earth Stood Still is a remake of the 1951 sci-fi classic of the same name. The movie has a superb ensemble cast impressively filled out by Smith and Connelly, along with John Cleese, Kathy Bates, and other very familiar TV actors. The movie owing to its various fantastic elements deserves true credit; however this movie failed to win the Oscar.
5. 2001: A Space Odyssey

2001: A Space Odyssey is a brilliantly captured space-based movie without explosions, laser shootouts or zooming spaceships. It is a majestic, cold motion picture which seeks to remid viewers about the expanse of space and our relatively miniscule place in it. Kubrick’s intention with 2001 is mainly to make viewers realize the extent of things that still lie beyond our understanding. The movie’s images, atmosphere and music are truly absorbing and inspiring which makes us to stop and think about the implications of what the director is saying.

4. The Matrix Trilogy

Hailed as an ultimate success story, The Matrix trilogy broke ground for weaving a rich tapestry of pop culture, religion and philosophy and for technical achievements. The film captivated audiences with thrilling battles of good versus evil while raising challenging philosophical and moral questions.

3. Alien Legacy

Directed by Ridley Scott and written by Dan o’ Bannon and Ronald Shusett, Alien Legacy is one of the most popular sci-fi movies of all times. The movies of the Alien series are masterpieces and demonstrate what can be achieved in the genre for creating a lasting impression> the story has a good character cast and all elements have blended perfectly to make it an excellent movie.

2.Star Wars (1977)/Empire Strikes Back (1980)

George Lucas’s excellent masterpiece, Star Wars is arguably one of the most entertaining and inventive films ever made. Its superb cast and dialogue have garnered generations of loyal fans for the movie. The Empire Strikes Back is another superb sci-fi movie which though lacking the newness of Star Wars can in many ways be called a superior motion picture. The storyline is very interesting, the special effects are mature and the tone is typically downbeat.

1. Brazil

Brazil is essentially a quintessential Terry Gilliam film which is an undeniable work of art and has been created with a lot of vision. These elements have enabled the movie to get featured in many viewers’ all-time top ten lists. However the film failed to achieve true box office success. Although the storyline is very dark, it is told with so much of panache and verve that it feels like a true adventure.