The best sci-fi movies on Netflix

Some of these sci-fi movies are stranger than fiction; some are surprisingly relevant to modern times.

Science fiction is a remarkably flexible and all-encompassing field, allowing writers, filmmakers, and actors to showcase their creativity without the constraints of other genres. All sci-fi movies can contain elements of action, drama, romance, adventure, and mystery (the best movies have a mix of subgenres) without blurring the lines; the same cannot always be said the other way around. At its heart, science fiction is a genre with something for everyone.

With this in mind, we've browsed through the sci-fi movies currently available on Netflix to give you a selection to suit every taste. If you're looking for something to watch as a family, something great to share with friends, or something unusual you've never heard of before, we've got you covered.

For more recommendations, check out our lists of the best movies on Netflix, the best sci-fi shows on the platform, and the best sci-fi movies on Hulu or Prime Video.

Editor's Note: This article was updated January 2023 to include Awakening.

The Adam Project (2022)

Runtime: 1 hour 46 minutes | Director: Shawn Levy

Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Mark Ruffalo, Catherine Keener, Jennifer Garner, Zoe Saldana, Walker Scobell

If you're looking for a fun throwback to the 1980s Amblin adventure films, Shawn Levy's Netflix original sci-fi flick The Adam Project It is your best choice. The film follows a young boy (Nova Vox Cobell) who discovers his future self (Ryan Reynolds) is an astronaut who crash-lands on Earth. If you're expecting typical saucy performances from Reynolds, you'll be surprised to learn that Scobell actually gets the best parts of the film. Reynolds comes across as tougher and more mature, and the film itself does a great job of balancing humor with heart. Watch out for touching performances from Mark Ruffalo and Jennifer Garner as Adam's parents, but also watch out for Catherine Keener's picturesque villain. — Liam Gaughan

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Awake (2021)

Runtime: 1 hour 36 minutes | Director: Mark Russo

Cast: Gina Rodriguez, Ariana Greenblatt, Lucius Hoyo Smith, Shamir Anderson, Jennifer Jason Lee's daughter may be the cure for global insomnia. Director Mark Russo, Co-wrote the screenplay with Joseph Raso, taking care to describe the idiosyncrasies of his post-apocalyptic world, navigating the aftermath of a mysterious catastrophe with deadly consequences. Starring Shamir Anderson (Wynonna Earp) and Jennifer Jason Leigh (Hunters), Awakening reveals Rodriguez's balance of strength and vulnerability as a mother tasked with protecting the keys to potential redemption Flexible skills. – Yael Tygiel

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Runtime: 1 hour 42 minutes | Director: Charlie McDowell

The Discovery (2017)

Cast: Robert Redford, Jason Segel, Rooney Mara, Jesse Prye Mons, Riley Keough^ Discovery is a riveting sci-fi romance directed by Charlie McDowell, who co-wrote the riveting screenplay with Justin Ladd. Beginning with a heartbreaking start with Dr. Thomas Harbor's (Robert Redford) scientific revelations about the existence of an afterlife that led to a dramatic spike in suicides, The Discovery tends to discuss the scientific process and takes a detour to focus on how his discoveries affect the The doctor's son (Jason Segel) tries to help a young woman, Ella (Rooney Mara), with her own problems with her own concept of death. With a talented cast, The Discovery presents with truly inquisitive and thought-provoking ideas, leaving viewers hungry for more answers and discoveries. – Yael Tygiel

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Runtime: 1 Hours, 37 minutes | Director: Federico D'Alessandro

Cast: Maika Monroe, Ed Skrein, Gary Oldman

Tau (2018)

Directed by Federico D'Alessandro (Spider-Man: Homeless), Tau is a film based on a compelling horror concept fashion film. The director's previous film experience in the art department of Hollywood blockbusters gave him a unique vision, which is perfectly reflected in Tau. Starring Maika Monroe as Julia, a woman who finds herself imprisoned by a sadistic artificial intelligence voiced harshly by Gary Oldman, Tao also sees Ed Skrein (Deadpool) as Julia's captive, continuing his Impressive cast of villains. Written by veteran sci-fi TV writer Noga Landau (see ), Tau plays with predictable sci-fi themes and horror elements, but a brilliant cast sets it apart and provides an entertaining ride. – Yael Tygiel

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Runtime: 1 hour 52 minutes | Director: Boots Riley

Cast: LaKeith Stanfield, Tessa Thompson, Jermaine Fowler, Omari Hardwick

Sorry to Bother You (2018)

Combining surrealism with sci-fi, fantasy and dark comedy, Sorry to Bother You is a unique and bold film from the visionary Boots Riley. The film tells the story of Cash (LaKeith Stanfield), a struggling young artist who finds work as a telemarketer, make ends meet. After adopting a "white voice" on the phone, he begins to find success at work; however, he soon learns that the company's motives are darker than he first imagined, and is torn between his ethics and his greed. Bold and sharp satire, Sorry to Bother You delivers a refreshing story unlike anything you've seen before. – Taylor Gates

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Runtime: 1 hour 44 minutes | Director: Daniel Espinosa

Cast: Jared Leto, Matt Smith, Adria Arjona, Jared Harris

Morbius (2022)

Sure, you've seen memes, but now, you can Sit back from the comfort of your couch and watch the movie that inspired them all. Based on the Marvel Comics character, Morbius stars in the titular role of Jared Leto - and what a character. The movie focuses on a biochemist trying to cure him of a rare blood disorder. However, he is instead infected with a type of vampire and must feed on the artificial blood he created to satisfy his cravings. As his desire for the real thing grows stronger, Morbius must also try to escape the FBI agents who are hunting him. Mobius' Cultural Impact on Summer Despite Criticism and Box Office Failure 2022 is undeniable. Worth watching to see what all the talk is about. – Taylor Gates

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Runtime: 1 hour 53 minutes | Director: Grant Sputore

Cast: Hilary Swank, Rose Byrne, Clara Rugaard

I Am Mother (2019)

Danish actress Clara Rugaard stars in this riveting sci-fi film, I Am Mother , which tells the story of a lonely girl who is raised by a robot she calls her mother. Voiced by the versatile Rose Byrne (Physics), Mother convinces her wards that they are the only survivors of a vicious plague. But when the stranger played by Oscar winner Hilary Swank arrives, everything the mother says is called into question. Michael Lloyd Green's screenplay, "I Am Mother," based on director Grant Sputore's story, makes a provocative philosophical point that requires Investigate in , so these talented actresses can discuss while kicking ass. – Yael Tygiel

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Runtime: 2 hours 6 minutes | Director: Frank Darabont

Cast: Thomas Jane, Marcia Gay Harden, Laurie Holden

The Mist (2006)

Based on Stephen King's novel, The Mist is the scariest thing ever One of those sci-fi/horror movies. The plot revolves around a group of people trapped in a supermarket as they try to evade bloodthirsty monsters lurking outside. As scary as these creatures are, the real fear comes from humans and what people do in the most stressful situations. The movie is almost like a dark, tense social experiment. Marcia Gay Harden gives a particularly memorable performance as the religiously fanatic Mrs. Carmody. – Taylor Gates

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Runtime: 1 hour 46 minutes | Director: Joseph Kosinski

Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Miles Teller, Jurnee Smalley

Spiderhead (2022)

"Spider-Man" is a mind-bending psychedelic sci-fi film that questions morality, humanity, and freedom as it takes place in a horrific near-future where convicted felons are given the chance to pass on untested Shorten sentences by serving as human lab rats in medical trials. Starring Chris Hemsworth (Thor: Love and Thunder), Myers Steller (Top Gun: Maverick) and Junice Molett (Lovecraft Country), this enhanced all-star cast The enigmatic premise and captivating story of Deadpool and Zombieland authors Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, based on a short story by George Saunders. Hemsworth's performance is a delightful departure from his more recently recognized roles, emphasizing only this movie. – Yael Tygiel

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Runtime: 2 hours 3 minutes | Director: Tommy Wirkola

Cast: Noomi Rapace, Willem Dafoe, Cassie Clare, Glenn Close

What Happened to Monday (2017)

Impressive any time an actor can play identical twins , but seven different siblings? In Netflix's sci-fi thriller What Happened on Monday, Noomi Rapace plays seven sisters, each named after a day of the week. Rapace makes every character unique. The film takes place in a dystopian society dealing with overpopulation. The one-child policy is strictly enforced by the government's Children's Allocation Bureau. After their older sister mysteriously disappeared on Monday, the remaining six sisters set out to find their missing sibling. Dead Snow filmmaker Tommy Wirkola adds the perfect camp to the high-concept premise. -Liam Gaughan

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Runtime: 2 hours 2 minutes | Director: George Clooney

Cast: George Clooney, Felicity Jones, Felicity Jones, David Oyelowo, Tiffany Boone, Demián Bichir, Kyle Chandler and Caooilinn Springall

The Midnight Sky (2020)

George Clooney The director's work so far may have been mixed, but "Midnight Sky" is his first foray into the sci-fi genre as a filmmaker. this is one of them His strongest film to date. Clooney notably displays a solitary sensibility in his starring performance as the scientist Augustine Lovehouse, who must remain on Earth while other humans scour the universe for habitable planets. Augustine's only companion is the young girl Iris (Caoilinn Springall), whom he raises as his daughter. A beautiful score by Alexander Desplat highlights this touching relationship. The $100 visual design earned Midnight Sky an Academy Award nomination for Best Visual Effects. — Liam Gaughan

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Runtime: 2 hours 25 minutes | Director: Adam McKay

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Jonah Hill, Rob Morgan, Mark Rylance, Meryl Streep, Cate Blanchett, Timothée Chalamet, Tyler Perry^ Adam McKay's darkly humorous satire on the climate change crisis will Audiences were divided; while some appreciated McKay's intense writing, others found it vague and insulting. Either way, it's worth a watch just to get involved in the debate about one of the most contentious Best Picture nominees of all time. It also has a very talented cast who have the opportunity to vary from the type of performances they usually deliver. Leonardo DiCaprio? bookworm? Has Meryl Streep played a dictator? Do we ever think of Timothee Chalamet as a philosophical drug addict? — Liam Gaughan

Don’t Look Up (2021)

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Runtime: 1 hour 42 minutes | Director: Julius Onah

Cast: Daniel Brühl, Elizabeth Debicki, Aksel Hennie, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Chris O'Dowd, John Ortiz, David Oyelowo, Zhang Ziyi An International Space Station enters a parallel dimension while trying to solve Earth's energy crisis. As the staff at Cloverfield Station prepare to test the Shepard particle accelerator, conspiracy theorists back on Earth spin stories about how the accelerator will rip open portals in the fabric of time and unleash horrors from parallel universes. After two years of unsuccessful testing, the crew was finally able to keep the beam steady, however, as it became apparent that the conspiracy theory was not groundless, confusion ensued. When the crew tries to repair Cloverfield Station after a power surge, they discover a woman named Mina Jansen (Elizabeth Debicki) inside the station walls, welded to wires and screaming in pain. this is a perfect example How the film sits at the intersection of science fiction and horror, conveying science and technology and nightmare-inducing monsters and body horror.

While "The Cloverfield Paradox" failed to live up to the expectations set by its predecessors and proved to be a flop, it is worth a watch for its stellar cast. Interpersonal relationships and conflict among the cast members - Ernst Schmidt (Daniel Brühl), Ava Hamilton (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), Jason Keel (David O. David Oyelowo), Monk Acosta (John Ortiz), Gordon Mundy (Chris O'Dowd), Sasha Volkov (Aksel Hennie) and Lin Tan (Zhang Ziyi) - make up for the imbalance in the storytelling. It's an ambitious movie that gets lost in its own parallel universe, but for Mbatha-Raw, Oyelowo, and the little romance between Ernst Schmidt and Lin Tan ,This is worth it. – Maggie Lovitt

The Cloverfield Paradox (2018)

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Runtime: 2 hours 4 minutes | Director: Susanne Bier

Cast: Sandra Bullock, John Malkovich, Lil Rel Howery, Trevante Rhodes, BD Wong, Jacki Weaver

Be careful. Based on the novel of the same name by Josh Malerman, the sci-fi thriller Bird Box tells the chilling story of Malorie Hayes (Sandra Bullock), a mother of two young children who seeks refuge when a mysterious entity takes over And drive anyone looking at them to see their worst fears and kill themselves. To protect her children and navigate this new life, she joins with other survivors to find refuge and answers. Clutching on to her blindfold and any semblance of hope, Malorie risks everything across the treacherous waters in order to escape this nightmare alive. — Emily Bernard

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Bird Box (2018)

Runtime: 2 hours, 16 minutes | Director: Sung-hee Jo

Cast: Song Joong-ki, Kim Tae-ri, Chan Sun-kyu

When it comes to sci-fi adventures, it's hard to think of a movie more glorious than a glorious experience Interesting that is the space sweeper. It focuses on the crew of a spaceship as they scavenge through space for debris and end up embroiled in an interstellar feud like none they've ever seen. It's best to go in with as little knowledge as possible, because the heights this story reaches are best seen seeing it for the first time. All the characters and actors are excellent, humorous and entertaining They dramatize every moment. The space battles are endless and there's a genuine sense of excitement in every frame, making this one of the most enjoyable sci-fi movies in recent memory. It's everything you'd want from the genre, and then some, proving to be one of the most enduringly thrilling films you'll ever be lucky enough to experience first-hand. — Chase Hutchinson

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Space Sweepers (2021)

Runtime: 1 hour 36 minutes | Directors: Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead

Cast: Anthony Mackie, Jamie Dornan, Ally Ioannides

The Endless and Spring filmmakers Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead with Together, Synchronic returns to the world of cinema's weirdest, scariest film. Synchronic is an ingenious link to their previous films, furthering the wonder and terror stemming from a mysterious force that manipulates the world in ways that fluctuate over time. In Synchronic, those ripples take the form of a designer drug that leaves an inexplicable trail of death and injury, a pattern that quickly catches the attention of a pair of BFF paramedics (Anthony Mackie and Jamie Dornan). Synchronic builds an engaging puzzle with striking, unsettling imagery, and it pays off The steps required to solve a problem are surprising, sometimes shocking, and always at stake. If you haven't seen Benson and Moorhead's previous work (although you should), Synchrony works well as a stand-alone film, but I have to admit that with every new Huge genre builders are increasingly interested in the worlds they're building, and their attention to detail is evident in the design of each project. — Haleigh Foutch

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Synchronic (2019)

Runtime: 1 hour 41 minutes | Director: Alexandre Aja

Cast: Mélanie Laurent, Mathieu Amalric, Malik Zidi A futuristic medical pod with no memory of who she is, how she got there or how to leave. She was running out of oxygen. This compact thriller from Crawl filmmaker Alexandre Aja manages to keep building up the tension with each new exposure, while simultaneously expanding the world and the stakes in Laurent's fight to survive, even while being overwhelmed. Trapped in the small space of her room. this The reveals aren't usually as surprising as the film would like them to be, but they do make for a twisty survival film that's well-crafted enough to pull off a wild ride and embraces sci-fi storytelling enough to make a A film that fits almost entirely in a small box, feels like a larger adventure. — Haleigh Foutch

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Runtime: 2 hours | Director: Bong Joon-ho

Oxygen (2021)

Cast: Seo-hyun Ahn, Tilda Swinton, Steven Yeun, Jake Gyllenhaal, Paul Dano, Gianca Loesposito, Lily Collins Bong Joon-ho after 2013's Snowpiercer. It's a complete overturn of the modern agricultural industry and the intertwined science of genetic engineering. The story pushes science to extremes, sometimes absurdly, and makes no attempt to portray beneficial real-world achievements in equal measure. The moral of the story, however, cannot be ignored: whoever plays God quickly loses his humanity.

Okja follows the protagonist, a genetically engineered super animal raised naturally/organically in Korea by caretaker Mija. Because Okja is The multinational conglomerate Mirando Corporation is trying to repossess their property and study it exhaustively in order to recoup their investment and improve their stock agriculturally and economically. Mija does everything she can to bring her friend home, even though animal rights activists, hired corporate forces and even the media will complicate matters. It's a difficult time at times, especially for those on the front lines of the animal welfare fight, but it's still a lesson worth repeating. — Dave Trumbore

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Runtime: 1 hour 46 minutes | Director: Liam O'Donnell

Okja (2017)

Cast: Frank Grillo, Jonny Weston, Bojana Novakovi Chi, Iko Uwais, Yajan Rousian, Antonio Fargas, Lindsay Morgan, Betty Gabriel^ Beyond Skyline is a special kind of WTF. Of all the films that spawned franchises, I would never have imagined the success of the much-mocked 2010 sci-fi flick "Skylines," let alone a follow-up that would be such a hilarious, world-traveling, action-packed adventure. Skylines Beyond is a proudly cheesy B-movie where aliens will rip your brains out of your skull When an alien attack sends them running for their lives. Once the aliens make contact, the film jumps between scenes and characters at breakneck speed, packaging the science fiction of the paperback series into a feature film, from underground tunnels to the nuclear wasteland of Los Angeles to aliens ship, all the way to Laos, where Mark works with the rebels to fight the alien threat. You have Frank Grillo playing the hero with a baby in one hand and a space gun in the other, Antonio Fargas playing a Vietnam veteran who calls everyone a "bitch," Iko Uwais and Yaya Ruhain defeating giant aliens, and There's even an actual Kaiju fight. Beyond Skyline isn't for everyone, but if you like banana B-movies, then writer-director Liam O'Donnell's debut feature hits the spot. – Haleigh Foutch

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Runtime: 1 hour 55 minutes | Director: Jim Mickle

Cast: Boyd Holbrook, Michael C. Hall, Cleopatra Coleman, Bokeem Woodbin, Rudi Dharmalingam, Rachel Keller , Well executed sci-fi story. Boyd Holbrook stars as a police officer who inadvertently becomes embroiled in a string of grisly crimes, culminating in a cat-and-mouse change that will define his life for decades...and enmesh him in Some twisted, tragic time-travel saga could save the nation's future. A compulsive crime drama that, despite its enormous stakes, mostly keeps a low profile, with Moonshadow occasionally having an unfortunate habit of thinking it's ahead of its audience than it really is, but it's still a fun, riveting, Technically fine - the executed time travel saga is well worth digging into. — Haleigh Foutch

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Beyond Skyline (2017)

In the Shadow of the Moon (2019)