10 Most Underrated Sci-Fi Movies

​Many films fade from memory in no time, but some hidden gems of science fiction have unfortunately gone unnoticed and underrated. At the box office they either failed to make money or didn't impress contemporary critics yet are now recognized as brilliant pieces of film-making and receive the appreciation they deserve.
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Blade Runner

Blade Runner 2049 (2017) is undoubtedly one of the most underrated science fiction films of the decade. Despite being a sequel to the 1982 classic – and a rather controversial one at that – this movie manages to stand tall on its own merits and delivers an experience that many fans feel was unfairly overlooked upon its release.

The film picks up thirty years after the events of the original Blade Runner, with LAPD Officer K (played by Ryan Gosling) investigating a deadly mystery in Los Angeles’ future wasteland. As K unravels this mystery, he quickly discovers that things are not as they seem and embarking on a journey to uncover the truth about replicant technology and its hidden secrets.

What makes Blade Runner 2049 shine so brightly is its creative vision, which takes us into a unique cyberpunk world full of incredible visuals, thought-provoking themes, and complex characters. The story also beautifully captures the spirit of its predecessor while introducing new ideas and concepts that add depth to its narrative. On top of all this, director Denis Villeneuve’s direction is top notch, with stunningly shot scenes throughout the film.

Blade Runner 2049 is an impressive feat for so many reasons, but what it does best is deliver an unforgettable experience that lingers long after watching it. The visuals alone transport you into another world entirely, while simultaneously exploring fascinating questions about identity and morality. It's easy to understand why some viewers might be hesitant towards this sequel given its divisive nature among diehard fans, but what stands beyond doubt is how much it has contributed to modern sci-fi cinema as a whole.
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Ad Astra

​With an enviable career, Brad Pitt has had the opportunity to showcase his talent in a wide range of motion pictures. However, science fiction movies were not frequent within his filmography - until recently! After being nominated for an Academy Award for Twelve Monkeys and taking a 25-year break from sci-fi films, it did not take long before Brad returned to the genre with another captivating performance.


Audiences and critics alike were enthralled by the 2019 release of Ad Astra, which follows Roy McBride's mission to uncover the truth about his father. Miraculously directed by James Gray, this visually stunning adventure stars a brilliant Brad Pitt. Unfortunately, despite its astronomical praise, it did not make much of an impact at the box office—an undeserved outcome for such an awe-inspiring movie!
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Tron: Legacy

After the successful Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy ended, Disney sought new franchises to launch. One ambitious endeavor was Tron: Legacy; a continuation of 1982's iconic sci-fi classic, Tron. Despite an average box office reception in 2010, the movie has since accumulated an ardent cult following.

Overlord

2018 was one of the most successful years for science fiction and action movies. Blockbusters such as Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse, Avengers: Infinity War, and Mission Impossible: Fallout dominated the box office; however, some films flew under the radar. One of these underrated gems was Overlord—an intense mission which followed a group of American soldiers on their dangerous quest to uncover a dreaded Nazi operation during World War II.


After the flop of The Cloverfield Paradox, Overlord was released as a stand-alone film and it could not have been more successful. With its mix of science fiction, action, and horror paired with an alluring screenplay and masterful direction,  it's no surprise that this movie quickly became a fan favorite! Furthermore, the characters were so lovable that audiences connected with them in no time at all.
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Dark City

​Alex Proyas accomplished quite the incredible feat when he released two cult classic films, The Crow (1994) and Dark City (1998), in rapid succession. The latter centers around John Murdoch's mission to uncover his purloined memories; transporting viewers into a mysterious domain that makes for an unforgettable cinematic experience.


Dark City, the unique and genre-defying sci-fi story, has gone on to inspire a plentiful number of modern science fiction films. This classic is led by Rufus Sewell with an unforgettable cast including Jennifer Connelly, William Hurt and Donald Sutherland. Although it did not achieve significant commercial success upon its initial release, Dark City is now revered as one of the all time greats in the realm of science fiction movie making!

A Scanner Darkly

​Not many directors can boast a catalog of films as distinguished and diverse as Richard Linklater's. Beginning with his Oscar-nominated works to comedies, romances and thrillers, A Scanner Darkly (2010) is arguably the pinnacle of his artistry. An all-star cast including Keanu Reeves, Winona Ryder and Robert Downey Jr., only further illustrates its brilliance.


Richard Linklater's A Scanner Darkly boasts a captivating storyline about undercover cop Bob Arctor who, after taking an experimental drug, begins to lose his identity. With its unique rotoscoped animation style, the film was met with critical acclaim yet failed to achieve financial success - which is a pity since it truly deserves recognition from all moviegoers!

​Sunshine

Robert A. Heinlein's novel, the basis of Paul Verhoeven's movie Starship Troopers, follows Johnny Rico and his friends as they join forces in a fight against alien insects better known as Arachnids. When released to the public, however, this film was met with poor reviews due to some believing it derived from an old-fashioned version of fascism.

Starman

​John Carpenter is widely renowned for his iconic horror and sci-fi films, such as Halloween, The Thing, Escape From New York, and They Live. His influence on the film industry has been unmatched. However, Starman isn't always given due credit among his other masterpieces despite its thrilling story line and captivating actors.


It chronicles the story of an alien (played by Jeff Bridges), who comes to earth and bonds with the recently widowed Jenny Hayden. Starman is a heartfelt movie from start to finish. Although it clearly lacks the scares and gore of Carpenters' iconic works, Starman more than makes up for any drawbacks through its profoundly emotional storytelling.