10 Best Sci-Fi Movies Of 2024

Summary

• Science fiction movies have become mainstream now more than ever in 2024.
• Science fiction films succeed by making futuristic concepts believable and having top-notch filmmaking.
• From multiversal mysteries to thrilling space dramas, 2024’s sci-fi offerings are diverse and captivating.

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2024 has been a fantastic year for science fiction movies, taking the genre to new heights. Once upon a time, science fiction movies were considered to be a niche genre lacking mass appeal. Now, science fiction TV shows, video games, and especially movies have been more popular than ever before. From massive blockbuster franchises to smaller meditative indie movies, all sorts of flavors of sci-fi have cropped up in theaters in 2024.

There are two fronts a science fiction movie can succeed on. For one, the ability to quickly establish and sell a core concept or futuristic sci-fi technology through world building, set design, and special effects are more important in science fiction than almost any other genre. Making a vision of the future believable, whether its thousands of years from the modern age or not too far off from the present, is a critical endeavor all the year’s best sci-fi films accomplish. Beyond this, the quality of the filmmaking necessary for any movie to succeed is just as important.

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10 Parallel

A multiversal mystery that doesn’t pull its punches

Parallel
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Director Kourosh Ahari Release Date February 23, 2024 Cast Aldis Hodge , Edwin Hodge , Danielle Deadwyler Runtime 88 Minutes

The multiverse has been an incredibly popular concept in in science fiction media of recent years, from the timeline-hopping antics of the Marvel Cinematic Universe to the bizarre alternate realities of TV shows like Rick and Morty. It’s rare that a film can examine the idea of parallel realities in a serious light, and Parallel works to do just that. The film follows a grieving young woman who is attacked by another version of herself from a parallel dimension.

Taking shades of influence from Jordan Peele’s Us, the film’s spooky sequences of doppelgänger violence within the isolated confines of a darkly-lit lake house presents some striking imagery that’s hard to forget. As events progress, the headier exploration of the nature of reality and how humans process grief solidifies Parallel as a thoughtful science fiction endeavor. If the performances and cinematography were just a tad stronger, the disturbing consequences of Parallel‘s tangled plot could be more than a match for most of 2024’s sci-fi offerings.

9 I.S.S.

A character-driven thriller in the confines of space

I.S.S.
R

I.S.S. is a dramatic action-thriller that centers on two groups of scientists aboard the International Space Station as they work to improve humanity with their research. However, when the governments of Earth begin to escalate to terrifyingly hostile levels, the two teams are given broken information but eventually told to take control of the station- no matter what.

Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite Release Date January 19, 2024 Runtime 95 Minutes

Admittedly, tense disaster movies set in the dark expanse of space are nothing new, with films like Gravity, Interstellar, and The Martian all being familiar tales of astronaut survival. I.S.S.‘ contribution to the genre is a healthy dose of political tension and claustrophobic human struggles to make survival in space all the more challenging. When a worldwide conflict breaks out on Earth, the multinational crew of the International Space Station are all given secret directives from their governments — Take control by any means necessary.

It is an enjoyable ride that accomplishes what it sets out to do

I.S.S. has a fascinating, eerily-possible premise that shockingly has never been done before, and lives up to expectations with some claustrophobic action sequences and intense character drama that makes the halls of the International Space Station feel like a floating coffin. The film wouldn’t work without its fantastic performances, not leaving the concept to do the heavy lifting as interpersonal drama forms the foundation of the conflict. I.S.S. might not re-invent the wheel, bearing some predictable plot beats, but it is an enjoyable ride that accomplishes what it sets out to do.

8 Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire

Thus begins a box office reign of kaiju

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire
PG-13

After nearly destroying each other in 2021’s Godzilla vs. Kong, the giant Titans are back to face a new dangerous threat, but this time, they are on the same side. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is the fifth film in Warner Bros.’ growing Monsterverse franchise and will be directed by Adam Wingard.

Director Adam Wingard Release Date March 29, 2024 Cast Dan Stevens , Rebecca Hall , Brian Tyree Henry , Kaylee Hottle , Fala Chen

Ever since the premiere of Legendary’s Monsterverse in 2014, the city-stomping creatures of Hollow Earth have been the only cinematic universe to begin giving Marvel a run for their money. The fifth entry in the franchise, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, has fully leaned in to the goofiness of Showa era Godzilla films to roaring success. The film once again prompts Kong and Godzilla to join forces against a new threat from deep within the Hollow Earth, the tyrannical gigantic ape known as Skar King.

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire knows exactly what it is and aspires to nothing more, satisfying giant monster fans with some satisfying action. The humans have no delusions of grandeur this time around, accepting their fate as a B-plot for the largely Kong-focused main story to bounce off of. The stunning CGI makes the titular ape protagonist more expressive than ever, and the outlandish worldbuilding of Hollow Earth’s mythos is endlessly entertaining. Certainly not a cerebral sci-fi film, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire delivers precisely what it promises.

7 Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire

Proved the Ghostbusters universe is still worth exploring

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
PG-13

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire continues the story of a new generation of ghost hunters composed of Phoebe (Mckenna Grace), Trevor (Finn Wolfhard) and Podcast (Logan Kim), who received help from the original team in the previous movie. Paul Rudd returns as Gary Grooberson and franchise co-creator Ivan Reitman returns to write and produce.

Director Gil Kenan Release Date March 22, 2024 Cast Finn Wolfhard , Mckenna Grace , Logan Kim , Celeste O’Connor , Carrie Coon , Paul Rudd , Bill Murray , Dan Aykroyd , Ernie Hudson Runtime 115 Minutes

The Ghostbusters franchise has had a fraught history, with each sequel struggling to re-capture the magic of the original for various reasons. However, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire proved that the new cast was capable of coming into their own as the face of the paranormal exterminator team, proving the series still has room to grow. The Spengler family returns, taking up residence in the iconic New York City firehouse only to come face to face with a chilling new spectral threat.

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire introduces a lot of elements to juggle, from personal tales of overcoming teenage insecurities to cameos from the original Ghostbusters to some engaging new ghostly chase scenes showing off the latest in Ghostbuster technology. While the film risks falling apart at the seams from so many directions being explored at once, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is able to keep all its plates spinning miraculously well, thanks to some great performances from the returning cast. With one foot in nostalgia and the other in the new generation, the film is ultimately balanced, if tenuously so.

6 Code 8: Part II

Gets its hands dirty with the exploration of corruption

Code 8: Part II

Code 8: Part II is the sequel to the 2019 sci-fi action film by director Jeff Chan. Connor has been released from prison and intends to turn his life around, but he is dragged back in when a teenager named Pav crosses his path. Running afoul of corrupt police officers, Pav flees with the help of Connor, but to succeed, he’ll have to reach back out to his former criminal partner, Garrett.

Director Jeff Chan Release Date February 28, 2024 Cast Robbie Amell , Stephen Amell , Alex Mallari Jr. , Jean Yoon , Aaron Abrams Runtime 100 Minutes

2019’s Code 8 crafted a striking science fiction world that turns the ideas of the superhero genre on their head, establishing a cyberpunk world in which powered individuals turn to crime to get by while avoiding the custody of a robotic police force. After 5 years in-universe and in real time, director Jeff Chan returned to Lincoln City for a new installment. This time around, Connor and Garrett must protect a teenager with a rare ability from the clutches of the corrupt police state.

Code 8: Part II builds satisfying embellishments on the world introduced in the previous film, upgrading the LCPD’s forces with new K9 robots and an even deeper well of corruption than ever thought possible. Improving on the first film’s action scenes and visuals, the second installment is flashier, more thought-provoking, and better characterized, making some thoughtful critiques on the dangers of police state “safety.” That being said, Code 8: Part II still can’t quite capture the level of narrative depth it seems to strive for, hydroplaning along the surface of true sci-fi greatness with CW-series-level drama.

5 Badland Hunters

Presents one of the most gruesome tales of post-apocalyptia

Badland Hunters
Not Rated

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Badland Hunters is a South Korean action film directed by Heo Myung-haeng and released in 2024 and is the sequel to 2023’s Concrete Utopia. After Seoul is nearly annihilated following an earthquake and the land is turned into a lawless wasteland, a retired hunter named Nam-san returns to the field to save a teenager helped captive by a mad doctor and a group of cultists.

Director Heo Myung-haeng Release Date January 26, 2024 Cast Ma Dong-seok , Lee Hee-joon , Lee Jun-young , Roh Jeong-eui Runtime 107 Minutes

From the intrepid imaginations of films like Alienoid to the strange confines of Snowpiercer, Korean cinema has always been one of the strongest contenders in the science fiction space. 2024 proved this once more with Badland Hunters, a post-apocalyptic tale that blurs the lines between science fiction and snuff film. The movie is a haunting follow-up to 2023’s Concrete Utopia, which turned the city of Seoul into an apocalyptic wasteland after a titanic earthquake.

The sequel follows the efforts of a lone huntsman to rescue a teen girl from the clutches of a deranged mad scientist, carving his way across the broken former city. The brutality of Badland Hunters presents its straightforward, fast-paced story through a mystifying lense, spelunking in the darkest depths of human cruelty. Reveling in to-the-point action, Badland Hunters is a no-holds-barred nail-biter that doesn’t provoke much higher-level thinking, but doesn’t need to.

4 The Kitchen

A haunting glimpse future of the gulf between the haves and have-nots

The Kitchen (2024)
R

The Kitchen is a sci-fi drama series directed by Kibwe Tavares and Daniel Kaluuya created for Netflix. Izi is a man set on escaping the last social housing establishment in a futuristic dystopian London. However, a young boy named Benji enters his life, forcing him to re-evaluate his escape plans and fight for those who still remain.

Director Kibwe Tavares , Daniel Kaluuya Cast Kane Robinson , Jedaiah Bannerman , Hope Ikpoku Jr. , Teija Kabs , Demmy Ladipo , Cristale , BackRoad Gee Runtime 107 Minutes

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Written, directed, and produced by Daniel Kaluuya of Get Out fame, The Kitchen is a grim science fiction exploration of late-stage capitalism that presents some of the most scathing social commentary of 2024. Taking place in London in the year 2040, The Kitchen takes place in its eponymous building, the last bastion of social housing after increased financial stratification in the city. The Kitchen resident and activist Izi befriends a young boy while working at a funeral service with a unique burial option.

What makes The Kitchen so striking isn’t its vastly-defined world or vision of the future. The subtle character-driven narrative allows Kane Robinson and Jedaiah Bannerman’s incredible performances room to breathe, making them feel like real people against the backdrop of their financial struggles. The film’s bleak postulations on the future of commerce and living conditions for the poor raise some pressing questions worth discussion, making The Kitchen a weighty, if long-winded, story.

3 Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga

George Miller’s triumphant return to the wasteland

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
R

A prequel to Mad Max: Fury Road, Furiosa is an action-adventure film that tells the origin story of the headstrong and fearless Furiosa. Set shortly after the beginning of the “end of the world,” Furiosa is kidnapped and brought before a powerful warlord, now forced to work for him. To find her way back home, Furiosa will adapt to the new harsh and arid world as she grows into the Furiosa she becomes known to be. 

Director George Miller Release Date May 24, 2024 Cast Chris Hemsworth , Anya Taylor-Joy Runtime 148 minutes

Widely considered to be one of the greatest action films of all time, George Miller’s Mad Max: Fury Road created a science fiction world rich enough to explore for ages. Luckily, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga was able to do so, presenting a prequel film that explains the origins of the wasteland warrior, Furiosa. After being abducted from her idyllic home of abundance as a child, Furiosa has to quickly learn to adapt and survive in the harsh world of Mad Max’s post-apocalyptic Australia.

Just like Mad Max: Fury Road, the practical action setpieces, thrilling set design, and elaborate chases make the film an instant sci-fi action classic, even outdoing its predecessor in some instances. What’s easier to overlook are the quietly incredible performances, from the imperceptible transition from Alyla Browne to Anya-Taylor Joy as Furiosa over the years to Chris Hemsworth’s delightfully evil Dementus. However, there’s something to be said about the Mad Max films’ quality as a loose collection of folk tales, a tradition the thorough chronicling of the wasteland’s history breaks.

2 Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

Evolves the franchise to new heights

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
PG-13

Set several years after the events of War for the Planet of the Apes, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is the next installment in the Apes saga. Ape clans have taken up residence in the oasis that Caesar sought to colonize, but humans have reverted to their animalistic nature in their absence. Now battling between enslavement and freedom, outliers in the Ape clans will take sides in a newly burgeoning society.

Director Wes Ball Release Date May 10, 2024 Cast Kevin Durand , Freya Allan , Peter Macon , Owen Teague , Eka Darville , Sara Wiseman , Neil Sandilands Runtime 145 Minutes

Matt Reeves’ Planet of the Apes movies are one of the most quietly successful blockbuster franchises to be established in the late 2010s, with the most recent film in the continuity promising a new trilogy of science fiction classics. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes takes the post-apocalyptic fall of humanity and rise of the simian race to its next logical step. Set hundreds of years after War for the Planet of the Apes, the film follows Noa, a tribal ape who must prevent a tyrannical conqueror, Proximus Caesar, from unlocking the horrible secrets of the extant human civilization.

The film even makes some daring inquiries about the core conceits of higher thinking

Finally taking the spotlight off of the original Caesar, the new Planet of the Apes franchise proves its success isn’t beholden to recognizable characters. Noa, Proximus, and the rest of the new cast of apes and humans are all distinct personalities with their own ideas for forging a new kingdom in the ashes of the old world, and the striking CGI effects of the apes themselves are as impressive as ever. The film even makes some daring inquiries about the core conceits of higher thinking, and whether humanity, or any species, could ever realistically give up conquest for peace.

1 Dune: Part Two

The prophetic peak of sci-fi adaptation

Dune: Part Two
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Dune: Part Two is the sequel to Denis Villeneuve’s 2021 film that covers the novel’s events by Frank Herbert. The movie continues the quest of Paul Atreides on a journey of revenge against those who slew his family. With insight into the future, Atreides may be forced to choose between his one true love and the universe’s fate. 

Director Denis Villeneuve Release Date March 1, 2024 Cast Timothee Chalamet , Zendaya , Florence Pugh , Austin Butler , Rebecca Ferguson Runtime 165 Minutes

Dune: Part One re-imagined the first half Frank Herbet’s science fiction classic for the big screen once again. While the first film felt mostly like setup, the delivery of the grander story with Dune: Part Two left audiences with one of the most spectacular science fiction events in cinema of the modern age. Picking up where Paul Atreides and his mother’s journey left off in the deserts of Arrakis, Dune: Part Two concludes the intricate web of politicking, prophecy, and desert power set into motion by the previous film.

Dune: Part Two received rave reviews from audiences and critics alike, and it isn’t difficult to see why. From the jaw-dropping collection of career-defining performances from the film’s star-studded cast to its breathtaking visuals and effortless worldbuilding, the film succeeds on essentially every front a film can be judged by, being thought-provoking, exciting, and emotionally intriguing at the same time. Intriguing, spectacular, and deeply human, Dune: Part Two is undeniably the strongest science fiction film of 2024.

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Category: Entertainment