These are the films you must own or I shall heartily scoff at you. These are also those films that hardcore Sci-Fi maniacs and/or elitists discuss regularly. Be prepared to defend yourself should you attempt to claim that such films as Star Trek or Star Wars are “real” Sci-Fi. I would be shocked if my picks did not generate mass hysteria in the ranks of the Sci-Fi crowd, but remember these films are not necessarily the best, just those that are the most important to have in your collection
No. 1: BLADE RUNNER - Darkly violent but in no way gratuitous, Runner paints a bleak picture of a technologically advanced future Earth where animals are no more and instead robots take their place. Originally titled “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep” the story, written by Philip K. Dick, is equally disturbing and perhaps not as good as the movie. A+
No. 2: FORBIDDEN PLANET - A must have film for those who consider themselves Sci-Fi Fanatics. Planet is the granddaddy of most of today’s plots, stories and characters: including the above mentioned Star Trek series. Only because of the era it was filmed does it get some derision from the younger set. “Too campy.” I disagree, it was done quite well for its time.
No. 3:ALIENS - Certainly science based and yet chillingly horrific. The film brings new horror to the deeply forbidding prospects of space exploration. Not your cheerful little ET, when you say “ouch” with this alien, you mean it.
No. 5:THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN - One of the great “Hot Zone” films of all time. Unfortunately they went cheap on the actors, cheap on the special effects and cheap on the sets yet still came up with one of the great apocalyptic scare films ever. One of the few films that begs for a very accurate remake.
No. 6:THE WAR OF THE WORLDS - A great story by HG Wells becomes a very good movie and certainly a must have. I realize the special effects don’t match up with Spielberg’s monstrosity, but the characters and story are more real and true to the original.
No. 7:LOGAN'S RUN - The plot and story elements grandly outweigh the seemingly cheap costuming and set creation of this exceptional view of humanity prospects.
No. 8:SOYLENT GREEN - The incomparable Charlton Heston stars in what became the ultimate film about overpopulation. Suicide, starvation and mass hysteria clog a film with no possible solutions. Humanity has consumed itself.
No. 9:THE TIME MACHINE - Seemingly campy and yet darkly revelatory…The Time Machine is boldly predictive about a future where the only humans have deteriorated to cattle or carnivore.
No. 10:PLANET OF THE APES - Again Charlton Heston stars in a film that could have come off silly, campy or even downright stupid. Instead, the great performance of Heston and the almost unreal creature design of apes, gorillas and chimps make Planet my number 10 must have.
I'm a big fan Charlton Heston's Ben Hur and The Ten Commandments so I'll check out Planet of the Apes. I had stayed away from it because of the remake in the 90s.
Any time day or night you may find Terminator or T2 or even Mad Max (not really sci-fi as much as apocalyptic) on any station, but the must haves are one that are in your collection so that when you have a driving need at 4am and cannot sleep you know exactly where to get them. They are the Must haves...and must be REAL Sci-Fi. The "fluffy bunny" stuff with come later, like ET or "Space Opera" like Buckeroo Banzai or Serenity.
And if I were to pick a "monster" movie must have, and I will, King Kong and Rodan and the Blob will all be there...
These movies were focused around and on Science...even the psychology and biology of Cornelius and whatshername in Planet of the apes.
I am a Sci-Fi elitiist after all... Oh and any movies you would like me to consider for updates to the list...send them on and thanks lisa for future ideas.
Ok, I watched Blade Runner. It was a good movie, but –and this is going to sound like heresy to Craig– I thought it seemed like a much darker The Fifth Element. The costumes were similar, the space ships were similar etc etc etc.lol. The Fifth element is one of my guilty pleasure movies so if I had to choose I think I'd rather end up watching The Fifth Element.
Craig, I'm sorry but I can't agree more with Lisa's comments about the lack of any of the two first Terminators movies (I refuse to accept the rest of the franchise as part of the same universe), if you can accept "Planet of the Apes" in this list, there is no question above the Terminators Films, after all they have similar premises which are "Time Travel Paradoxes" and "Consequences of Men self-destruction".
Even more, like most of the people know, Mary Selley's Frankenstein It is often considered the first fully realized science fiction novel (And the James Whale's version is still missing in this list along with the sequel "Bride of Frankenstein"), so I would take the risk to compare
the Frankenstein's Monster to a Terminator, and as much a I like "Planet of the Apes" I will compare it to "King Kong".
And if I need more proofs there is still the point that "Blade Runner" has a well deserved #1 in your list, and is a movie about man-made human beings replicas (replicants) that blend among people, and the events that take in order to "retire" such biologically-engineered humanoid beings. I know that a "Top 10 list" is not enough to satisfy everyone, and it's YOUR list after all, but calling the Terminator 1 and 2 "not really sci-fi as much as apocalyptic" is just plain wrong.
Aha, glad for your comments, but this is not a TOP 10 list. This is a "must have" list. Tell me you couldn't do without the very poorly acted, inconsequential duplication of so many other films (and stories/novels) that includes the first two Teminator films. They are entirely derivative, and have been done again and again in various forms. They are entertaning, but hardly great films or breaking new ground. Planet of the Apes was an amazing attempt to create an alternative reality at a time when CGI was only a dream for the future
I don't have a problem with owning the Terminator films, and they are Sci-Fi, at least loosely, but the science is way secondary to the "Killer Robot" plot.. Oh, and the Mad Max comment was followed by the apocalyptic comment not the Terminator films. Mad Max is futuristic, but not in same league. I not only could do with out the Terminator films, but everyone that wants to can see them nearly every week on TV. And they are really not that great...acting, directing etc.
As far as the Fifth Element (a joke at best) it came long after Blade Runner, which is arguably the best Sci-Fi film ever made and if anything The Fifth Element copied it. I would never put Spaceballs as a Sci-Fi film and I enjoyed that more than Element.
Oh, and Mary Shelley's work is again, loosely Sci-Fi, but was written more as a morality novel than an exploration of future possibilities (man shouldn't tamper with nature). There was no real science involved. Just as Bram Stoker had ulterior reasons for his Dracula story so did Shelley. Oh, and pay attention to my must have monster films coming soon...
The first true Science Fiction probably should be attributed to Jules Verne and HG Wells. The pair truly explored the possibilities and dangers of science and used the knowledge of the day. Though HG Wells scoffed at Verne for his work I would still credit Verne with Wells.
It's interesting that people do not credit the films that "came first" and broke ground for the movies to come later.
"It's interesting that people do not credit the films that "came first" and broke ground for the movies to come later."
Craig, if we follow your logic, shouldn't Alien (the first one, 1979) be number 3 then?
I, myself, thought that Alien was slightly better than Aliens because you couldn't see the monster before the end of the movie, but just knew he was there all along. And my theory about Horror movies is that, the less you see of the monster/killer/ghost, the more it's left to your imagination and the scarier it gets. (examples : The Others : Genius ghost movie, hardly see any lol; Blair Witch Project : Just Sounds and Tents moving but scary; Cloverfield : They really make you wait before you can see the monster as a whole)
Craig, thanks for your response, I can see how I misinterpreted the Mad Max apocalyptic comment, however... like in any good science fiction movie I like when we have some logic rules that established a comprehensible universe background, so let me see if I understood the premises that underline this list.
1.- One of your premises for a movie to be picked here is that is not showed very often on TV, which for a hard core fan I believe is important that you could watch it any time you want and as many times you want without being reedited for TV or interrupted by commercial breaks, for that I would own a copy of my favorite movie no matter if it is broadcasted 24hrs a day. (just my thought).
2.- Another premise is about a movie shouldn't be derivative, a movie doesn't qualify if it has been done over again and again in various forms. I believe that's not a good argument to reject a movie, after all not often something is ground breaking new, if I'm not wrong "Forbidden Planet" was completely inspired by Shakespeare's The Tempest (Circa 1610), there is nothing new under the sun a while ago, neither "The War of the Worlds" or "The Time Machine" were recent works when they were filmed. So people was familiarized with the stories, remember Orson Wells and his infamous radio adaptation?. (I'm not implying you listened it live, ok? : ) )
3.- A third premise about movies with CGI as an obstacle for making a great film, I can see in your list an absence of movies beyond 1986, I can understand a nostalgia relationship with movies you watched at certain age that probably left a mark in your good memories album, but I find hard to believe there is not a recent movie regardless of its technological features that doesn't deserve a tiny little spot in your list, maybe the Matrix, which was a ground breaking movie with loads of special effects that it did nothing but enhanced the experience. (If you attempt to pull the "you can see it nearly every week on TV" card, please read premise number 1).
4.- Premise number four is about movies with not great directing as you pointed out about the Terminators Films, which incidentally were directed by the same director of your pick number 3 "Aliens", which contrary to your comment about this movie it's not considered a horror film like the first one was, like Guzo said the first was a Horror movie since you can hardly watch the monster, it was more about the atmosphere than the story, the sequel was considered an action/adventure movie.
You don't have to explain yourself any further, I got it, The Terminators films don't have the necessary attributes to be in your list, it's ok, I don't mind but if I don't defend my favorites films who else will?.
Any way I hope you take my comments as a friendly discussion in a probably shared passion. And not that a like to be nip picking but if it is not a "TOP 10 list", you should probably not call this thread "Top 10 Must Have Sci-Fi Movies" but "10 Must Have Sci-Fi Movies". just my thought.
Looking forward to discuss your must have monster films and to listening the crew in the podcast, Cheers Mate!!!
Ah, excellent point and yes...it would work for me...and both films are so good, that Alien perhaps should be in there with Aliens. I bow to that point, but Alien is more of a monster horror film and probably will be on my horror list.
First: Great directors do not always direct great movies...AI is a perfect example. Second, it is indeed the top 10 must have movies not the top ten movies you must have *laughs* There are better sci fi movies, but most people wouldnt even know about them, like Metropolis. Perhaps I should do a top 10 Sci Fi films that only hardcore elitist Sci Fi fans should have. The film Brazil would fit there as well.
The premise on the category? These are films you can get...but aren't so overshown or you wouldn't need to own them. Or films that you can watch over and over again...and of course by you, I mean me...and in your case there are lots of movies you would want to have, because your a fan but not ones you watch every day...oh and they tend to be dark, foreboding and predictive, hence you wouldnt see Back to the Future or any Star Trek film on my list. I come from an Isaac Asimov, early Heinlein background and consider myself a sci-fi elitist.
I think I have my Star Wars/Star Trek top ten must have category, but if you have any title ideas, be sure and share them. Oh, and there are lots of lists to come. Including the Killer Robot list...hurried up for you and Lisa K.
I don't know if I ever mentioned this as a response to an earlier comment, but CGI is not a bar to great moviemaking but so many studios use it as a crutch or gimmick. For example: the original Star Trek movie had asked for some of the greatest Sci-Fi writers of the day to submit ideas and plots, some absolutely awesome ones showed up, but the studio-Paramount I believe-decided instead to go with a BIG movie, hence we got the shallow plot but huge CGI debacle that, next to Generations, is the worst of the lot.
When CGI is used to advance the story, like Wrath of Khan, it's great but when it's used in place of story or plot it flops...like the horrible version of Godzilla *taking a moment to barf here.* Great graphics and silly pointless activities did not make a great movie. It's why I believe the first Terminator is the best, though hardly a great movie...and would never end up on any of my lists as "great" scifi, there are at least 25 better.
MOVIES:
Comments
16 August 2007
3 hours 13 min
I'm a big fan Charlton Heston's Ben Hur and The Ten Commandments so I'll check out Planet of the Apes. I had stayed away from it because of the remake in the 90s.
20 September 2007
43 weeks 1 day
What no Terminator/Terminator 2, Total Recall?
Or how about the original King Kong?
Or ET!!!
I'd even add Mad Max and Dune to my list.
Then of course a classic movie from the 80's....The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension!!!
And if you're talking classic Sci-Fi...then you have to add The Blob to that list!
27 November 2008
19 weeks 2 days
Must Have is the key
Any time day or night you may find Terminator or T2 or even Mad Max (not really sci-fi as much as apocalyptic) on any station, but the must haves are one that are in your collection so that when you have a driving need at 4am and cannot sleep you know exactly where to get them. They are the Must haves...and must be REAL Sci-Fi. The "fluffy bunny" stuff with come later, like ET or "Space Opera" like Buckeroo Banzai or Serenity.
And if I were to pick a "monster" movie must have, and I will, King Kong and Rodan and the Blob will all be there...
These movies were focused around and on Science...even the psychology and biology of Cornelius and whatshername in Planet of the apes.
I am a Sci-Fi elitiist after all... Oh and any movies you would like me to consider for updates to the list...send them on and thanks lisa for future ideas.
16 August 2007
3 hours 13 min
Ok, I watched Blade Runner. It was a good movie, but –and this is going to sound like heresy to Craig– I thought it seemed like a much darker The Fifth Element. The costumes were similar, the space ships were similar etc etc etc.lol. The Fifth element is one of my guilty pleasure movies so if I had to choose I think I'd rather end up watching The Fifth Element.
17 June 2009
1 year 5 weeks
Craig, I'm sorry but I can't agree more with Lisa's comments about the lack of any of the two first Terminators movies (I refuse to accept the rest of the franchise as part of the same universe), if you can accept "Planet of the Apes" in this list, there is no question above the Terminators Films, after all they have similar premises which are "Time Travel Paradoxes" and "Consequences of Men self-destruction".
Even more, like most of the people know, Mary Selley's Frankenstein It is often considered the first fully realized science fiction novel (And the James Whale's version is still missing in this list along with the sequel "Bride of Frankenstein"), so I would take the risk to compare
the Frankenstein's Monster to a Terminator, and as much a I like "Planet of the Apes" I will compare it to "King Kong".
And if I need more proofs there is still the point that "Blade Runner" has a well deserved #1 in your list, and is a movie about man-made human beings replicas (replicants) that blend among people, and the events that take in order to "retire" such biologically-engineered humanoid beings. I know that a "Top 10 list" is not enough to satisfy everyone, and it's YOUR list after all, but calling the Terminator 1 and 2 "not really sci-fi as much as apocalyptic" is just plain wrong.
27 November 2008
19 weeks 2 days
Aha, glad for your comments, but this is not a TOP 10 list. This is a "must have" list. Tell me you couldn't do without the very poorly acted, inconsequential duplication of so many other films (and stories/novels) that includes the first two Teminator films. They are entirely derivative, and have been done again and again in various forms. They are entertaning, but hardly great films or breaking new ground. Planet of the Apes was an amazing attempt to create an alternative reality at a time when CGI was only a dream for the future
I don't have a problem with owning the Terminator films, and they are Sci-Fi, at least loosely, but the science is way secondary to the "Killer Robot" plot.. Oh, and the Mad Max comment was followed by the apocalyptic comment not the Terminator films. Mad Max is futuristic, but not in same league. I not only could do with out the Terminator films, but everyone that wants to can see them nearly every week on TV. And they are really not that great...acting, directing etc.
As far as the Fifth Element (a joke at best) it came long after Blade Runner, which is arguably the best Sci-Fi film ever made and if anything The Fifth Element copied it. I would never put Spaceballs as a Sci-Fi film and I enjoyed that more than Element.
Oh, and Mary Shelley's work is again, loosely Sci-Fi, but was written more as a morality novel than an exploration of future possibilities (man shouldn't tamper with nature). There was no real science involved. Just as Bram Stoker had ulterior reasons for his Dracula story so did Shelley. Oh, and pay attention to my must have monster films coming soon...
The first true Science Fiction probably should be attributed to Jules Verne and HG Wells. The pair truly explored the possibilities and dangers of science and used the knowledge of the day. Though HG Wells scoffed at Verne for his work I would still credit Verne with Wells.
It's interesting that people do not credit the films that "came first" and broke ground for the movies to come later.
16 June 2009
31 weeks 6 days
"It's interesting that people do not credit the films that "came first" and broke ground for the movies to come later."
Craig, if we follow your logic, shouldn't Alien (the first one, 1979) be number 3 then?
I, myself, thought that Alien was slightly better than Aliens because you couldn't see the monster before the end of the movie, but just knew he was there all along. And my theory about Horror movies is that, the less you see of the monster/killer/ghost, the more it's left to your imagination and the scarier it gets. (examples : The Others : Genius ghost movie, hardly see any lol; Blair Witch Project : Just Sounds and Tents moving but scary; Cloverfield : They really make you wait before you can see the monster as a whole)
17 June 2009
1 year 5 weeks
Craig, thanks for your response, I can see how I misinterpreted the Mad Max apocalyptic comment, however... like in any good science fiction movie I like when we have some logic rules that established a comprehensible universe background, so let me see if I understood the premises that underline this list.
1.- One of your premises for a movie to be picked here is that is not showed very often on TV, which for a hard core fan I believe is important that you could watch it any time you want and as many times you want without being reedited for TV or interrupted by commercial breaks, for that I would own a copy of my favorite movie no matter if it is broadcasted 24hrs a day. (just my thought).
2.- Another premise is about a movie shouldn't be derivative, a movie doesn't qualify if it has been done over again and again in various forms. I believe that's not a good argument to reject a movie, after all not often something is ground breaking new, if I'm not wrong "Forbidden Planet" was completely inspired by Shakespeare's The Tempest (Circa 1610), there is nothing new under the sun a while ago, neither "The War of the Worlds" or "The Time Machine" were recent works when they were filmed. So people was familiarized with the stories, remember Orson Wells and his infamous radio adaptation?. (I'm not implying you listened it live, ok? : ) )
3.- A third premise about movies with CGI as an obstacle for making a great film, I can see in your list an absence of movies beyond 1986, I can understand a nostalgia relationship with movies you watched at certain age that probably left a mark in your good memories album, but I find hard to believe there is not a recent movie regardless of its technological features that doesn't deserve a tiny little spot in your list, maybe the Matrix, which was a ground breaking movie with loads of special effects that it did nothing but enhanced the experience. (If you attempt to pull the "you can see it nearly every week on TV" card, please read premise number 1).
4.- Premise number four is about movies with not great directing as you pointed out about the Terminators Films, which incidentally were directed by the same director of your pick number 3 "Aliens", which contrary to your comment about this movie it's not considered a horror film like the first one was, like Guzo said the first was a Horror movie since you can hardly watch the monster, it was more about the atmosphere than the story, the sequel was considered an action/adventure movie.
You don't have to explain yourself any further, I got it, The Terminators films don't have the necessary attributes to be in your list, it's ok, I don't mind but if I don't defend my favorites films who else will?.
Any way I hope you take my comments as a friendly discussion in a probably shared passion. And not that a like to be nip picking but if it is not a "TOP 10 list", you should probably not call this thread "Top 10 Must Have Sci-Fi Movies" but "10 Must Have Sci-Fi Movies". just my thought.
Looking forward to discuss your must have monster films and to listening the crew in the podcast, Cheers Mate!!!
27 November 2008
19 weeks 2 days
Ah, excellent point and yes...it would work for me...and both films are so good, that Alien perhaps should be in there with Aliens. I bow to that point, but Alien is more of a monster horror film and probably will be on my horror list.
27 November 2008
19 weeks 2 days
First: Great directors do not always direct great movies...AI is a perfect example. Second, it is indeed the top 10 must have movies not the top ten movies you must have *laughs* There are better sci fi movies, but most people wouldnt even know about them, like Metropolis. Perhaps I should do a top 10 Sci Fi films that only hardcore elitist Sci Fi fans should have. The film Brazil would fit there as well.
The premise on the category? These are films you can get...but aren't so overshown or you wouldn't need to own them. Or films that you can watch over and over again...and of course by you, I mean me...and in your case there are lots of movies you would want to have, because your a fan but not ones you watch every day...oh and they tend to be dark, foreboding and predictive, hence you wouldnt see Back to the Future or any Star Trek film on my list. I come from an Isaac Asimov, early Heinlein background and consider myself a sci-fi elitist.
I think I have my Star Wars/Star Trek top ten must have category, but if you have any title ideas, be sure and share them. Oh, and there are lots of lists to come. Including the Killer Robot list...hurried up for you and Lisa K.
27 December 2007
17 hours 6 min
I agree Blade Runner is a classic dark artistically mesmorizing film Harrison at his best....
I still watch it its in my collection of great movies period.
27 November 2008
19 weeks 2 days
I don't know if I ever mentioned this as a response to an earlier comment, but CGI is not a bar to great moviemaking but so many studios use it as a crutch or gimmick. For example: the original Star Trek movie had asked for some of the greatest Sci-Fi writers of the day to submit ideas and plots, some absolutely awesome ones showed up, but the studio-Paramount I believe-decided instead to go with a BIG movie, hence we got the shallow plot but huge CGI debacle that, next to Generations, is the worst of the lot.
When CGI is used to advance the story, like Wrath of Khan, it's great but when it's used in place of story or plot it flops...like the horrible version of Godzilla *taking a moment to barf here.* Great graphics and silly pointless activities did not make a great movie. It's why I believe the first Terminator is the best, though hardly a great movie...and would never end up on any of my lists as "great" scifi, there are at least 25 better.