Top 10 Sci-Fi Movies?

[violet lightning]

Judging from what I have read, it seems alot of people here like sci-fi movies, myself included.
So, what are your top ten all-time sci-fi movies? (I know, if you really like sci-fi, its hard to pick just 10)

Heres my first try: (in no particular order)

1. Alien
2. Blade Runner
3. War of the Worlds (remake)
4. The Quiet Earth
5. 12 Monkees
6. City of Lost Children
7. Star Wars
8. A.I
9. Close Encounters of the Third Kind
10. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

(honorable mentions: "Dark City", "Fifth Element", and the latest "Star Trek" which I thought was well done)

[transjen]

Picking the top ten is hard but i'll give it a shot :yes: Jennifer
Planet of the Apes [1967 version]
Beneath the Planet of the Apes
Logan's Run
STAR TREK II
the BLACK HOLE
The Time Machine [50s version]
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century [1979]
STAR TREK IV
Alien
STAR WARS

[TheSkronkDonkey]

1. 2001
2. Metropolis
3. Blade Runner
4. Solaris
5. A Clockwork Orange
6. The Day The Earth Stood Still
7. Minority Report
8. Alien
9. Brazil
10. THX 1138

Honourable Mentions: Voyage To The Moon, King Kong, Things To Come, 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea, Forbidden Planet, Fahrenheit 451, Planet Of The Apes, The Andromeda Strain, Silent Running, Close Encounters, Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Robocop, Total Recall, Ghost In The Shell, Pi, eXistenZ, The Matrix, A.I., Donnie Darko, Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind, Children Of Men, The Fountain, WALL-E

[ARIES666]

Reading the lists that have been posted already, I said to myself..."Oh yeah...forgot about those...great films...should pick some of those". However, I will stick with my list as prepared...picking my top 3 or 4 were easy...not so easy picking 5 thru 10!

Also, there are "gray areas" where the line between "fantasy" and sci-fi" gets blurry and also the line between "horror" and "sci-fi" cross over in alot of movies.

1. ALIEN
2. BLADE RUNNER
3. 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY
4. ALIENS
5. SOYLENT GREEN
6. METROPOLIS (1926)
7. THE MATRIX
8. CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND
9. INVASION OF THE BODY-SNATCHERS (1956)
10. STAR WARS

I have about 100 other films that I want to give "honorable mentions" to, but I think I will pass.

And...Violet Lightning, Transjen and SkronkDonkey...great lists you made!

[rockabilly]

Heres my ten in no order
1. Star Wars
2. Equilibrium
3. Serenity
4. Star Trek - Franchise
5. The Terminator
6. Blade Runner
7. Total Recall
8. Dune
9. Alien
10. The Time Machine
The line blurs between Sci-Fi and Horror/ Action.

[worlock1422]

1 - Serenity
2 - Resident Evil 1, 2 ,3
3 - War of the Worlds (org)
4 - Matrix
5 - Red Planet
6 - Robocop 1&2
7 - The Guyver(Come on, this movie doesnt get the props it should get, it was a great movie!)
8 - Total Recall
9 - SPACE BALLS!!!!(you know you wanted to add this to your list =P)
10 - Spiderman

[SluttyShemaleAnna]

5. 12 Monkees

Oh, I remember that! It's the one where Bruce Willis has to travel in time to stop the world being destroyed by a manufactured band from the 60's!

[violet lightning]

I never heard about "The Guyver" sounds interesting....

Yeah, I figured I'd try and keep it simple and stick to hard sci-fi. (why I didn't include great movies like Pi or Andromeda Strain or Eternal Sunshine...)
"Alien" is a great example of sci-fi/horror , but still qualifies as hard science fiction.
I think we could do totally separate threads or lists for "Bad Sci-Fi Movies", "Favorite Post-Apocalyptic Sci-Fi Movies",(a good thread!), "Fave Fantasy Movies" , not to mention favorite sci-fi tv shows...

I love everyones picks and honorable mentions. :respect:
I'll toss in two more I love, "Silent Running" (already mentioned) and "Dark Star".

[violet lightning]

"12 Monkees" is a cool movie based on the French short "La Jete". If you like film, or "12 monkees", check it out.
Also, someone made a great short version called "La Pupy". The same story as La Jete, only with a dog!! Very funny and well made.:lol:

[worlock1422]

The Guyver ROCKS, The movie was based on a comic strip back in the earily 90s. Has Mark Hamill in it(well his voice), The 2cd one was a bust tho =(


IMDb has it on there if you want more I cant post links yet =P

[CreativeMind]

I'd have to go with the following myself...

1) Star Wars
2) Forbidden Planet
3) This Island Earth
4) War of the Worlds (original)
5) Day The Earth Stood Still (original)
6) The Thing From Another World (original)
7) Them!
8) Aliens
9) The Matrix
10) Wall-E

I agree with others that the problem is how some lines can easily blur. For example, I was tempted to put King Kong (original) on the list, but I actually consider that to be one of the greatest ADVENTURE movies ever made, which happens to have fantastic elements.

[rockabilly]

The Guyver ROCKS, The movie was based on a comic strip back in the earily 90s. Has Mark Hamill in it(well his voice), The 2cd one was a bust tho =(


IMDb has it on there if you want more I cant post links yet =P

Mark Hammil actually played as the cop that Chronus corp. turned into a Cockroach hybrid. Guyver 2 felt a little like a power ranger film but it starred David Hayter ( the voice of Solid Snake in MGS and writer of the X-Men film! ) :)

[Bionca]

1) Aliens - first sci-fi with a main character who was a woman.
2) Planet of the Apes
3) Forbidden Planet
4) Dr Who and the Daliks
5) Wrath of Kahn
6) Star Wars 3-6
7) Serenity (Firefly was awesome)
8) Terminator 2
9) Matrix
10) War of the Worlds (the real one)

These are in no particular order, just how I thought of them

[The Conquistador]

Star Wars(the original 3, not the newest ones.)
Aliens
Predator
Predator 2
Blade Runner
Equilibrium
Terminator
Terminator 2
Robocop
Jurrassic Park

[violet lightning]

Angry postman has some good picks!
I forgot all about "Jurassic Park", I think it qualifies as sci-fi. "Terminator" and "Predators 1/2" are both great too. "Action Sci-Fi" so to speak. "Total Recall" is a great story as well. (Phillip K. Dick)

I liked "Reign of Fire" too, but I'm not sure if its sci-fi or fantasy or what.
What I'm waiting for now is "Red Dwarf: The Movie"!

[MistressStevie]

1. Blade Runner
2. Metropolis -- amazing given vintage!


-mS

[ARIES666]

Your topic is getting great response, Violet Lightning. I was hoping my movie thread would have gotten the same type of responses. Oh well! It's not too late...here is the thread....
http://forum.transladyboy.com/showthread.php?t=5082


In a previous post...
Bionca 1) Aliens - first sci-fi with a main character who was a woman.

Bianca....
Did you mean Alien (singular)? You can safely say that Ripley was the main character in the first film too.

You got me to thinking about "main female characters" in sci-fi movies....before Alien (1979)

Jane Fonda in "Barbarella" (1968)
Zsa Zsa Gabor in "Queen of Outer Space" (1958)
Brigitte Helm in "Metropolis" (1926)

[violet lightning]

I have to make some late additions....
I loved "Dune" and "Childen of Dune" (sci-fi channel remakes). I thought they were excellent. They were an extended mini-series, so not exactly a movie, not exactly a tv series.

Also. instead of creating another thread, I think I'm going to add my favorite "classic" sci-fi movies too. They beg for a separate list...
1. Metropolis
2. From the Earth to the Moon
3. The Day the Earth Stood Still
4. Earth vs the Flying Saucers
5. Forbidden Planet
6. Them!
7. Fantastic Voyage
8. War of the Worlds
9. Destination Moon

[Vanillas]

SF is far from my favorite movie genre and I can't be sure if I've even seen ten of them. But as THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL is one of my favorite movies of any genre, it would certainly be at the top of my list. Of course I'm referring to the original one, circa 1953, with Michael Renne (I'm not sure of the spelling) and Patricia Neal. Klacto barraba nictu!

[rockabilly]

I am kicking my butt for leaving off Event Horizon! I mean a ghost ship in space! Great story and effects.

[rockabilly]

Oh and on a related note , rumors have been circulating about a new Doctor Who film. BBC has confirmed a script is being written. But who will be the Doctor? Will they show Gallifreys destruction and the 8th Doctor regenerate into the 9th? Or will it be the story of the 10th Doctor and River Songs adventures. Maybe our friends across the pond can keep us in the loop. Thank you :)

[violet lightning]

Aries666 posts reminded me about "Buckaroo Banzai"!! How could I have forgotten that one? Not the best by any means, but certainly an old favorite!:D

[ARIES666]

Aries666 posts reminded me about "Buckaroo Banzai"!! How could I have forgotten that one? Not the best by any means, but certainly an old favorite!:D

One of my favoirite "CULT" movies of all time. I was saving it for a future thread which no doubt will now be made.

I have alot of favorite "B" movies as well. "B" implying bad script, bad directing, bad acting, bad camerawork, etc., etc. Of course they have to be so bad...that they end up being hilarious! In the old days "B" stood for the second film on a double bill.


Hey Violet..."give me the formula"

[rockabilly]

How about Cherry 2000 w/ Melanie Griffith. :)

[violet lightning]

One of my favoirite "CULT" movies of all time. I was saving it for a future thread which no doubt will now be made.

I have alot of favorite "B" movies as well. "B" implying bad script, bad directing, bad acting, bad camerawork, etc., etc. Of course they have to be so bad...that they end up being hilarious! In the old days "B" stood for the second film on a double bill.


Hey Violet..."give me the formula"

(What formula?:confused:)

Aaah, Cult Movies, thats a great idea. Everybody here loves movies, and thats a sure-fire hit! (go for it Aries, I'm starting my list...! :D)
B-movies are great. Lots of laughs. Ed Wood's "Plan 9 From Outer Space" comes to mind, when the special effects are so laughable it becomes art!

I also need to add yet another film already mentioned: "Planet of the Apes" (original of course!) It sure is sci-fi, and is actually a really great movie. One of the best all-time last-minute plot twists.

[ARIES666]

How about Cherry 2000 w/ Melanie Griffith. :)

I loved that film, Rockabilly! Not only Melanie Griffith, but also Ben Johnson...a great "character" actor who appeared in a slew of movies (mainly westerns) from the late 40's to late 90's. It also starred a great "B Movie" actor, Tim Thomerson, who starred in the "Trancers" films. He played "Jack Deth".

The "Trancers" films (there were five in total) were low budget "Blade Runner/Terminator" style movies. Great fun to watch! I must check to see if they have been released on DVD! I would buy them all (box set hopefully) if they are out on disc. If not...look for used VHS tapes!

Time to start a "Cult" movie thread! Also a "B" movie thread would be fun!

[rockabilly]

Ariess I'm glad i'm not the only one who remembers Chery 2000. What about " The Hidden " that's a classic. I loved Trancers. And Night of the Creeps was great.

[ARIES666]

There were/are a plethora of movies that ended up...S.T.V. (straight to video). They may have played in theatres in NYC or L.A. for a few days, but on video was where they made their money.

I loved "Night of the Creeps", rockabilly...great fun! Been awhile since seeing "The Hidden" (Kyle McClaughlin, right?) and I forget the storyline.

Okay, now I have to get back to uploading some photos of "T-Girls":p:):turnon: Some nice stuff I think!

[violet lightning]

There are some great animated sci-fi movies including "Wall-E". "Heavy Metal", "Steamboy", "The Iron Giant", "The Ghost in the Shell", "Titan A.E" etc....
"Heavy Metal" rocks! flying through space in a vintage Corvette convertable while the stereos blasting...too cool! :D
I loved "Iron Giant" too, vintage retro sci-fi.

[transjen]

There are some great animated sci-fi movies including "Wall-E". "Heavy Metal", "Steamboy", "The Iron Giant", "The Ghost in the Shell", "Titan A.E" etc....
"Heavy Metal" rocks! flying through space in a vintage Corvette convertable while the stereos blasting...too cool! :D
I loved "Iron Giant" too, vintage retro sci-fi. Heavy Metal is awsome great stories and a killer soundtrack, But your forgetting OUTLANDER and CAPTIAN HARLOCK :yes: Jennifer

[ARIES666]

(What formula?:confused:)

Aaah, Cult Movies, thats a great idea. Everybody here loves movies, and thats a sure-fire hit! (go for it Aries, I'm starting my list...! :D)
B-movies are great. Lots of laughs. Ed Wood's "Plan 9 From Outer Space" comes to mind, when the special effects are so laughable it becomes art!

I also need to add yet another film already mentioned: "Planet of the Apes" (original of course!) It sure is sci-fi, and is actually a really great movie. One of the best all-time last-minute plot twists.

No, it's not Grecian Formula, Formula 1 or Formula 409!:lol:

It's from "Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai", of course. Buckaroo has a "formula" written in ink on his palm (no paper handy). A few hours later Professor Hikito and Buckaroo are discussing the "alien problem" and just as Buckaroo is getting ready to leave, the professor says "Give me the formula". Buckaroo wets his palm with his tongue and smacks it on the professor's forehead.

[rockabilly]

The Hiddens plot ... Evil alien slug crawls inside a persons body and steals cars , robs banks and loves rocking out to heavy metal. Good energy alien life form tracks down evil slug and tries to kill it. Its been years since i've seen it so thats what i remember the most. And " Heavy Metal " was awesome!! They really need to make a new one. And i also forgot about Starship Troopers!!!

[piskavac]

I have to make some late additions....
I loved "Dune" and "Childen of Dune" (sci-fi channel remakes). I thought they were excellent. They were an extended mini-series, so not exactly a movie, not exactly a tv series.

Also. instead of creating another thread, I think I'm going to add my favorite "classic" sci-fi movies too. They beg for a separate list...
1. Metropolis
2. From the Earth to the Moon
3. The Day the Earth Stood Still
4. Earth vs the Flying Saucers
5. Forbidden Planet
6. Them!
7. Fantastic Voyage
8. War of the Worlds
9. Destination Moon

nice choice :respect:

[violet lightning]

Hi Rockabilly,
(for when you get back)
I liked Starship Troopers ok. I loved the special effects, especially the space-battle scenes, and the scenes where the bugs are launching plasma goo blobs into space! But I didn't like the casting, and the storyline was pretty slack. But it was great on the big screen, especially the massive insect attacks!!
Also, since you put "Dune " in your top picks, which one? I liked the original, but thought the mini-series was way better.

[rockabilly]

I saw the original Dune as a kid so thats my fave, But i will say the mini series was fantastic.

[transjen]

Sorry guys i find DUNE both the movie and novels to be sooooo boring and there was no way i was going to watch the mini, Now STARSHIP TROOPERS wasn't a bad movie i liked it but it's not on my top 10 but the novel was a lot better talking about the original novel not the movie adaption novel :yes: Jennifer

[nhtvforu]

1. Star Wars
2. The Abyss-Extended Edition
3. Close Encounters
4. ET- the original edit
5. The Planet of the Apes(1968)
6. Star Trek(2009)
7. Star Trek II
8. Alien
9. Aliens
10. Godzilla(1954)
and I know you said 10 but I couldn't leave off
11. Serenity

[ARIES666]

Visually, the film looked great, and, the idea of insects as aliens (or aliens as insects, lol) on "bug planets" is a great premise for a sci-fi book/film. But it pretty well stops there. Some of the worst dialogue ever in a big-budget movie and some horrible acting. It boils down to a very "silly" movie...not to be taken seriously, IMHO. Still, it has it's entertaining moments.

[violet lightning]

Transgen mentioned that the original "Dune" was boring, and even though I like it, I have agree with her somewhat. I loved the books, but they were long and very hard for me to get into at first. They were very detailed but well written.
The original movie was too ambitious I think, and tried to do too much. I liked it because of the special effects mainly, but at times it was boring, and would especially be so to anyone not familiar with the books, since they left out so much. The casting was great except for Sting.
But...
The mini-series was way better!!! Much , much better screenplay, great FX, good to excellent casting, and much more understandable and enjoyable. It makes more sense, and since its longer, its able to include more from the books including alot more character development and backstory.
In short, the mini series was a much more enjoyable experience, even though its longer. To me, its similar to the way BSG was reimagined and became a limited series.

[Jenae LaTorque]

# 1 for me is BLADE RUNNER

Matrix and Alien not far behind. I'll tell you about my Alien movie experiance. I had just pulled into a little town in Wyoming on a dark and stormy night, and; after checking into a motel, saw a movie theater down the street advertising a movie called ALLIEN. I hadn't anything about the movie prior to this. There were only three of us customers in the whole theater, and when that mean little shit came ripping out, I was feeling very lonely, and vulnerble in that big theatre.

Hate to admit if but LifeForce is one of my favorite because of Matilda May. Awesome tits!

Another big favorite is Highlander which is probably classified as fantasy. Clancy Brown was one of the top "Bad Guys" of all time in this role.

[rockabilly]

There can be only one! Highlander is a classic, but i didn't care to much for the sequels. I did however like the T.V. Series.

[tslust]

The Hiddens plot ... Evil alien slug crawls inside a persons body and steals cars , robs banks and loves rocking out to heavy metal. Good energy alien life form tracks down evil slug and tries to kill it. Its been years since i've seen it so thats what i remember the most. And " Heavy Metal " was awesome!! They really need to make a new one. And i also forgot about Starship Troopers!!!

I think I've seen that movie, The Hidden. I loved Starship Troopers. The second and third ones wern't quite as good, but they were still okay.

[ARIES666]

# 1 for me is BLADE RUNNER

Matrix and Alien not far behind. I'll tell you about my Alien movie experiance. I had just pulled into a little town in Wyoming on a dark and stormy night, and; after checking into a motel, saw a movie theater down the street advertising a movie called ALLIEN. I hadn't anything about the movie prior to this. There were only three of us customers in the whole theater, and when that mean little shit came ripping out, I was feeling very lonely, and vulnerble in that big theatre.

Hate to admit if but LifeForce is one of my favorite because of Matilda May. Awesome tits!

Another big favorite is Highlander which is probably classified as fantasy. Clancy Brown was one of the top "Bad Guys" of all time in this role.

Love your taste in movies, Jenae!!

Lifeforce was ripped apart by movie critics, but it is one of my favorite sci-fi films. It was directed by Tobe Hooper (Texas Chainsaw Massacre) and the screenplay was by Dan O'Bannon (co-writer of ALIEN). Vampires from outer space...and featuring a very sexy female vampire (Mathilda May) at that!!

Ridley Scott is the director of my number 1 and number 2 sci-fi films...Alien and Blade Runner

I loved Highlander as well. Christopher Lambert's best work. Sequels were nothing to write home about, but fun escapist entertainment.

[ARIES666]

Quote from "Jenae La Torque" (btw, probably the best name/handle on this forum...just rolls off the tongue):

"I'll tell you about my Alien movie experiance. I had just pulled into a little town in Wyoming on a dark and stormy night, and; after checking into a motel, saw a movie theater down the street advertising a movie called ALLIEN. I hadn't anything about the movie prior to this. There were only three of us customers in the whole theater, and when that mean little shit came ripping out, I was feeling very lonely, and vulnerble in that big theatre."

Well, if you thought you were surprised when the alien popped out of John Hurt's chest, what about the other actors and actresses in that scene? The director, Ridley Scott, did not tell them what was going to happen in that scene. So, the reactions of the crew were incredible.

So, this was 1979, Jenae, during it's initial theatrical run? I remember when Alien came out, it seems all anybody could talk about was that scene. When I eventually went to see it the entire film "blew me away"!

[Tread]

Back to the Future is missing so far.

[ARIES666]

Back To The Future....yeah...I think we discussed it a bit...it is a sci fi-fantasy-action-adventure-comedy. Hard to put in one category. A great trilogy too! Not too often when you get 3 or 4 good movies together. I thought all 3 B.T.T.F. flicks were great. Too bad the third Alien movie was such a clunker or else it would be a great quadrilogy!Oh well. 3 out of 4 aint bad.

[johndowe]

Sorry guys i find DUNE both the movie and novels to be sooooo boring and there was no way i was going to watch the mini, Now STARSHIP TROOPERS wasn't a bad movie i liked it but it's not on my top 10 but the novel was a lot better talking about the original novel not the movie adaption novel :yes: Jennifer

Hi there.

It seems that you aren't aware that there are 3 Starship Trooper movies.

JohnDowe.

[johndowe]

Hi there.

JUST 10, i can't do it, there are SOOOOOO many, too many, arghhh...

I'll have to work on shrinking the list.

JohnDowe.

[Jenae LaTorque]

Too bad the third Alien movie was such a clunker or else it would be a great quadrilogy!Oh well. 3 out of 4 aint bad.

__________________________________________________ _______________+

Aries, The first time I watched Alien 3, I too was disappointed. However i recently bought the DVD set and rewatched all of them again. #3 was better the second time around. Maybe because I didn't have any positive expectations the second time around. Although it still isn't as exciting as the others in terms of action, there are some interesting social dynamics there. Oh, and the first movie wasn't as good since I already knew what was going to happen; the element of surprise and suspense was gone.

[threnn00]

My top ten (no particular order):

Alien
The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)
War of the Worlds (1953)
2001: A Space Odyssey
Star Wars
Star Trek (2009)
Serenity
Colossus: The Forbin Project (1970)
Planet of the Apes (1968)
The Thing (1951)

Aside to Transjen: Harlock fan? Fantastic! I love all the Leiji Matsumoto stuff and have always wanted to find out that Emeraldes is actually Maetel's brother... :)

[Nakonas]

Let me think, 10 SF movies...

1. 2001
2. THX 1138
3. Solaris (1972)
4. Fahrenheit 451
5. The Day The Earth Stood Still (1951)
6. Metropolis
7. Blade Runner
8. Alien
9. Capricorn One
10. Forbidden Planet

What, only ten? So i have to leave out gems like Silent Running, Soylent Green, The Omega Man, Dark Star...

[Maine Man]

Matrix
Star Wars (4-6)
Terminator
Logan's Run
Alien(s)
Dune
ET
Starman
Serenity
Enemy Mine

I wasn't sure that V for Vendetta qualilied as Sci-fi, otherwise iwould have been up there. Bladerunner, Species, Planet of the Apes, Paycheck, War of the Worlds (original), Minority Report, and Galaxy Quest are also ones I favor.

[randolph]

I'd have to go with the following myself...

1) Star Wars
2) Forbidden Planet
3) This Island Earth
4) War of the Worlds (original)
5) Day The Earth Stood Still (original)
6) The Thing From Another World (original)
7) Them!
8) Aliens
9) The Matrix
10) Wall-E

I agree with others that the problem is how some lines can easily blur. For example, I was tempted to put King Kong (original) on the list, but I actually consider that to be one of the greatest ADVENTURE movies ever made, which happens to have fantastic elements.

Hey! Its good to see Forbidden Planet listed. I still think that pioneering sci fi film is one of the best.:yes:

[KittyKaiti]

In no specific order:

1. Dawn of the Dead (2004)
2. Ghostbusters
3. The Matrix Reloaded
4. Men In Black 1,2
5. Shaun of the Dead
6. Poltergeist 1,2,3
7. Resident Evil
8. The Exorcism of Emily Rose
9. Signs
10. Tremors 1,2,3,4

Other good movies: Quarantine, Critters, 28 Days Later, 28 Weeks Later

[violet lightning]

:D Good movies Kitty, but I think most of those are horror, not science
fiction. Matrix definitley qualifies, MIB too, I suppose. "Ghostbusters" seems like humor/light horror.

I liked the original "Tremors" too....

[petreski]

i dont prefer to see Sci - Fi movies but, Star wars is epic movie that you must see:yes:

[KittyKaiti]

:D Good movies Kitty, but I think most of those are horror, not science
fiction. Matrix definitley qualifies, MIB too, I suppose. "Ghostbusters" seems like humor/light horror.

I liked the original "Tremors" too....

They're all Sci-Fi/Sci-Fi Horror. I should not have put The Exorcism of Emily Rose up there because it is based on a true story and demonic possession is common and real, but that's another story.

[DSL]

I forgot omg The Chronicles of Riddick
an awesome movie i recamond it and its one of
those movies you could watch all the time