Update 5/27/2011: Some readers seem unclear on the fact that this is not a “The 20 Best SF Movies Ever Made” list. It is not. The topic this week was “Favorite SF/F/H movies.” Period.
Therefore, these are movies I like, not “the best.” I like thousands of movies. These are only 20 of them. I dislike far more movies than that. I didn’t include them. I also didn’t include favorites 21 through a zillion on my list.
Feel free to leave your favorites in the comments! Or even not your favorites — just SF movies you recommend. Recommendations are always appreciated, and an enjoyable SF movie, to me, is a thing to be treasured.
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When I started thinking about this week’s topic, I somehow got it in my head that we were talking just about science fiction movies. That’s what I’ve included — though some of these could be called horror, and at least one (Forbidden Zone) is probably fantasy, but just so weird I don’t know what to do with it. So…here you go: 20 science fiction films I believe everyone should see.
Serenity (2005)
One of the best SF-action films of all time, history’s best space western, and a story with a genuine science fiction premise. Also, in my opinion, one of the best-paced films of all time. Your enjoyment will be increased if you watch the TV series Firefly first — but even if you’ve never seen an episode, you’ll be up to speed in the first few minutes. It’s fun, evocative, inspiring and gorgeous.
Moon (2009)
A case study in how a tight focus, good writing and amazing acting can generate a huge story from a small set of elements. One of the greatest indie films in any genre.
Children of Men (2006)
A movie I find terrifying in its impact. Beautiful and heartbreaking. Contains some of the most effective and real-feeling combat sequences I’ve ever seen. Packed with great writing, great acting and amazing production. (more…)
Hmm. Favorite movies, huh? I think what I’d like to do is pick four science fiction and four fantasy, and I’d also like to pick the favorites from the “young” Brad. In other words, what would I have picked before, say, my college days? That’ll force me to be pretty picky about my choices (though not that picky. I’ve still got eight choices!). As for horror, I’m not much of a fan, so I don’t know that I can pick any favorites. I’ll give it a shot toward the end, though.
Sorry about yesterday. My husband’s car radiator blew up and since I’m the resident grease-monkey and drinker of manly drinks*, I needed to deal with it. And then I instantly lost track of what day it was. Because… well… I’m like that.
I love sf&f in pretty much any form – books, comics, movies, art, anime, tv shows, etc – so it’s hard to pick just a few movies from all the ones I’ve loved. Guess I’ll start with the holy quartet of my childhood, the movies I watched over and over again (at my grandparents’ house, not my own – my parents were pretty draconian about TV and movie watching). Though I was a member of the Star Wars generation, and I loved the Star Wars films (along with Star Trek II and IV) much as the next kid, I loved these next films more: