Best sci-fi movies of all time

From epic space battles to musings on why we're here, these are the best sci-fi movies of all time.

Sci-fi is the epitome of escapism. Sure, we can dream up all sorts of alternate realities, awash with unknown lifeforms, set in the deepest, darkest points of space, but what about when world-class directors and big name actors bring these realities to the big screen? From the dystopian dread of Blade Runner to traveling through the time and space continuum in Back to the Future, our list of the best sci-fi movies of all time has something for everyone. 

There’s a plethora of captivating stories playing our in cinema, which makes our job rather hard, but fortunately, we’ve whittled down the masses to this collection of 15 of the best sci-fi movies that should hopefully span the different themes across the genre; from horror, to comedy, to forming friendships where seemingly impossible. 

Whether it’s aliens, robots, interstellar travel, or a melancholic love story, this list exhibits just how deep the sci-fi genre really goes, and also how far. Unsurprisingly, some of our movies are parts of wider, incredibly successful franchises that can also be explored once you’ve picked up the thread here.

Without further ado, let’s get into it. 

By Grace Dean