Whoever wrote the headline was an idiot for highlighting "Nope" and "Everything Everywhere All at Once" -- two ok but second-tier sci-fi films, IMHO -- at the top. But the overall list is pretty solid, so if you are looking for something you've missed, it's a place to start. Fwiw, of those I've seen, none are objectionable on the sex/nudity issues, at least as far as I recall. That probably has something to do with sci fi films generally having something to say -- or at least having an idea, whether or not the filmmakers manage to stick the landing -- as opposed to trying to attract viewers with frantic action and soft core porn.
Btw, this article was published last year. Why it popped up today on IMDB, I don't know.
A lot of us like sci fi movies. My questions for you cinephiles:
(1) What are the biggest omissions, recent sci fi films not on the list that you would recommend to other freepers?
(2) What are your favorites on the list -- bearing in mind that many of us will not have seen most of these films and can use your recommendations.
(3) While I prefer to steer the discussion to good films, are there any movies here that you would cut?
NOTE THE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT on this list: films must have been released in the 21st century. That's a time frame that crops up often in FR movie discussions: "Hollywood hasn't made anything good since 2000." Well, here is a proposed list of what Hollywood (actually, the international film industry) has done for us lately.
The compilers of the list also rule out "fantasy-centric superhero movies" and franchises like Star Wars and Star Trek. You are not bound by that restriction, but give the compilers a little credit for trying to break out of the tentpole box.
Of this list of 50, I've seen 19.
Of movies that I really liked, the biggest omission that comes to mind is I'm Your Man, a very funny, very thoughtful AI film. If you are currently boycotting Hollywood, it is a German film starring Dan Stevens, who speaks fluent German.
My vote for most intelligent, thoughtful, and humane: After Yang, Arrival, Her, and, a distant fourth, Blade Runner 2049.
Engaging romps of the kill-the-alien/bad guy/monster variety: Looper, Edge of Tomorrow.
Engaging romps of the quirky-but-hilarious-character/social commentary variety: Safety Not Guaranteed, Palm Springs.
Movies with the best cameo appearances by a freeper-type character: After Yang, Palm Springs. Ok, ok, these two characters aren't labelled freepers. But they should be. You will love both of them, whatever you think of the rest of the movie.
There are several films on the list that I thought were pretentious and massively overhyped, but my New Year's resolution is still holding. I want to accentuate the positive. And I don't want to throw stones at something that just might be one of your favorites.
For the movie ping list.
This last version of Dune blows.
I dislike sci-fi.
But “Everything...Once” was loathsome.
I liked “Interstellar”.
When you get old enough, they all sort of run together. It doesn’t help that the 21st century so far hasn’t been known for original works of genius.
Was Nope really that good? Was Annihilation any good at all? Wasn’t Inception one of the very best? Surely Gravity ought to be on the list.
I thought The Children of Men was ruined by being turned into a pro-illegal immigration tract. Did it make any sense sense? If no children were being born, wouldn’t Britain be more inclined to take in immigrants, rather than less.
I’m also surprised that Hard to Be a God was a 21st century movie. I figured it was a rediscovered classic.
Aniara not on the list? The list seems very English-centric for a time when SF movies are being made all over the world.
Mostly cow pie.
I am S1m0ne didn’t make the list. Other movies that were as much fantasy as sci-fi did.
Also, no I, Robot?!
My favorite action sci-fi movie will always be Armageddon. Every part of that movie worked. The story, the plot, the direction, the acting, the music. It just all came together for a fun sci-fi action movie.
Can’t recall the title and it was a limited tv series. The aliens couldn’t see but they had these real big ears. You had to be real quiet, walk around barefooted.
“Idiocracy” is SciFi? Hardly. It’s a Democrat blueprint for the future, the exact same way they are using “1984” and “The Lives of Others” as blueprints for our future.
The Incredible Shrinking Man
“With Theo, there is no zero.”
Thankfully, have seen none of these turkeys. Read Dune; everyone says the movie(s) is/are awful.
Event Horizon, then (and these two need to be watched in this order) Prometheus, and Alien: Covenant. ;)
At least District9 made the list. And Avatar didn’t. That’s good.
Blah... Never heard of most of them. Lots of good ones that are not in the list.
What do we become when there is no hope left for a future?
And when that hope suddenly comes back what changes will you make to keep it?
The indie sci-fi movie I saw a few years ago, that stars Lawrence Fishburne, that I found interesting was, “The Signal.”
It went in directions I was not expecting and the ending surprised me.
I love the first two-thirds of Blade Runner 2049, mainly for the visuals and the vibe, but then it loses me once the Joi character exits.
I should have known this, but I just realized that Syd Mead did the art design for 2049. He famously did the original and now I see they brought him back for the sequel, which explains why it looks so awesome.
https://www.fastcompany.com/90149520/how-blade-runner-artist-syd-mead-envisioned-the-city-of-2049
My fave is Buckaroo Banzai.