You need to add these 13 sci-fi movies to your Prime Video watchlist
Prime Video is the place for thought-provoking science fiction. Time travel and artificial intelligence, dystopian futures and shape-shifting aliens – whatever your interest, the streamer’s library has it all.
Look, we know how crowded the streaming landscape is. Finding a worthwhile movie to watch in this content crowd can be a challenge. Well, friend, you’ve come to the right place. You’ve landed on this article because you’re looking for some valuable science fiction movie suggestions. Below is our guide to the best of what Prime Video has to offer.
These sci-fi films are still limited to what you can find on the streamer, but they’re a great place to start. From a time-traveling killer cyborg and a curious cybernetic creature to the iconic Man of Steel and an isolated alien horror classic, the choices are pretty epic. In short, you’ve beamed to the right planet. Keep reading to find out for yourself.
Read more: These epic science fiction TV shows will keep you on the edge of your seat
James Cameron’s 1984 sci-fi masterpiece changed the genre and put Arnold Schwarzenegger on the map. The film tells the story of a woman who fights to stay alive while a cybernetic being from the future is sent back in time to end her, causing humanity’s hero, John Connor, to never be born.
Mel Brooks sets his sights on Star Wars in this 1987 space opera parody. It’s as silly, clever and downright hilarious. What would you expect from this cast? SCTV alumni Rick Moranis and John Candy chew the scenery opposite the likes of Bill Pullman, Daphne Zuniga, Dick Van Patten, Joan Rivers and Brooks himself.
Sam Rockwell stars in this underrated science fiction drama. Moon follows an astronaut in his final days as he works solo in a lunar mine for three years. But as he prepares to reunite with his wife, his health takes a bizarre turn, forcing Sam to confront some dark truths.
In John Carpenter’s post-apocalyptic cult classic, it is 1997 in New York and the city is ravaged by war. Manhattan has turned into a gigantic, walled prison. After the president is taken hostage, former Special Forces officer (and current prisoner) Snake Plissken (Kurt Russell) is recruited to save the day in exchange for his own freedom.
Four decades later, this sci-fi horror film still holds up. The premise is simple: a group of scientists in Antarctica fight for survival against a shape-shifting alien threat. Thanks to the solid performances of the cast, the epic practical effects and the sustained tension, The Thing is definitely worth watching. Just don’t bother with the 2017 remake.
Alfonso Cuarón directed this dystopian story that explores a future where infertility has become the world’s greatest threat. Theo (played by Clive Owen) is a jaded bureaucrat who emerges as an unexpected hero in the fight to save humanity. Hey, no pressure.
Alex Garland’s film about AI, free will, and humanity’s thirst for power feels more relevant now than when it was released in 2014. Garland wrote and directed the film, which relies heavily on the claustrophobic confines of the set pieces and the film’s strong performances. slim cast: Domhnall Gleeson, Alicia Vikander and Oscar Isaac.
The brilliant 2012 adaptation of the Judge Dredd comics is a delicious smorgasbord of ultra-violence. Karl Urban lifts the character out of Sylvester Stallone’s doldrums, and with the help of Alex Garland’s script and Pete Travis’ direction, Dredd has remained a worthy entry in the messy comic book adaptation game.
This baffling cult classic stars Jake Gyllenhaal as a misunderstood high school student who, after apparently surviving a freak accident, begins traveling through time. During this process he discovers the joy of life and being in love. Themes such as depression, repression and alternate universes fill this wonderfully bizarre film. Let’s also not forget that giant demon bunny named Frank.
10 Cloverfield Lane is a compelling psychological thriller that unfolds into something unexpectedly supernatural. Technically a sequel to Cloverfield – meaning it’s definitely a science fiction film – this entry explores the monstrous nature of reality and the metaphorical monsters it can create. The tight-knit cast delivers, but John Goodman’s Howard is a force to be reckoned with.
It’s hard to leave The Tomorrow War off this list, as it’s Prime Video’s big sci-fi actioner starring Chris Pratt. It follows a teacher who is drafted into a war with aliens in the future. An easily digestible film that you can watch while looking at your phone.
Superman: The Movie is an example of a comic book movie done right. Richard Donner’s superhero epic set the standard for how modern films of this ilk could work. Gene Hackman’s Lex Luthor is a legendary portrayal of the DC Comics villain. An effortless balance of heroism, physical strength, humor and heart, Christopher Reeve’s portrayal of Kal-El remains as iconic as ever.
Rian Johnson’s sci-fi thriller explores a future where time travel exists. Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays Joe, a hitman in the past waiting for the mafia to send him targets to eliminate. Things get complicated when his future self, played by Bruce Willis, is sent back in time so he can kill him. Twisty clever writing, solid performances and smart cinematography make this film a very entertaining ride.
