50 “Must See” branded Sci-Fi and Fantasy Movies Ranked

 Call me a coinsurer for classic genera films, and back in my early years of discovering movies, there was an easy way for me to single out popular movies through a 2005 published book titled “501 Must See Movies”. Just about every movie genre in the vein of Action, Comedy, Romance, Horror and especially both Sci-Fi and Fantasy were rounded up into one section, and usually with fifty films per category. Sci-Fi and Fantasy are personally my two favorite categories and thus, I made sure I watched all fifty of the “Must See” branded films from the selection in this book. 

These classics span from the 1920’s through the early 2000’s, I’ve watched all 50 of them over the years, and I thought it would be fun to rank each film from my personal least favorite to my absolute favorite. Now, fifty is a lot, so I’m going to keep the comments very short and to the point. Also, I’m not ranking these films based on either quality or cultural impact … their arranged simply by my personal feelings for them. Lastly, every one of these films earned the right to be called a classic, and I don’t hate a single one. With all that said, here are 51 Classic, “Must See” branded Sci-Fi and Fantasy movies ranked by my own personal feelings on them.

 

Movies 50 – 36 were positive One and Done Movie Experiences

 

#50 Dark Star (1974)

John Carpenters original Lampoon of “2001: A Space Odyssey” earns a star for kicking off his career, and its climactic scene with a man discussing the value of life with a bomb … but the experience is an acquired taste to say the least and is mainly for viewers who get enjoyment from rocket surfing astronauts and alien bounce balls.

#49 Fahrenheit 451 (1966)

Next is a movie set in a future which has outlawed readding, and firefighters cause more fires than extinguishing them. One of many films focusing on a future that we should avoid at all costs … and is meaningful in its intent, but not very easy to watch.

#48 A Clockwork Orange (1971)

Writer and Director Stanley Kubrick presented us with one of the most disturbing and horrific characters ever put to screen (Alex – played masterfully by Malcolm McDowell) and asks us to feel sympathy for him when everything gets stripped away … it makes for a unique and even thought-provoking, Best Picture Nominated film, but not a very pleasant experience to sit through.

 

#47 Naked Lunch (1991)

Equal parts creative and repulsive, Naked Lunch is one of those mixed experiences that will affect viewers differently, and for me … while there’s ambition and imagination on display, I’m not one for the films odd tone and nasty content.

 

#46 Scanners (1981)

Something of a precursor to “X-Men”, focusing on mutant being’s shunt by humans, and featuring effects that will either … make your head explode … or turn your stomach inside out.

 

#45 12 monkeys (1995)

Director Terry Gilliam takes a time travel mission to prevent an apocalyptic future, and rather than going for conventional thrills, makes it a kooky, disjointed and maddening experience … one that earns its stripes for originality, but is just a little too mind-numbing for my liking.

 

#44 Solaris (1972)

Between the film's formidable length and slow-burning pace, it’s not an easy experience to watch or re-watch ... But with that said, “Solaris” took the “Space-Station Odyssey” formula to haunting, cerebral and human levels, and is a meaningful example of how Science Fiction can be used to explore the human condition and question the nature of existence.

 

#43 A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001)

Steven Spielberg’s effort to bring Stanley Kubrick’s vision to life results in a real “love it or hate it” kind of picture, one that aims to combine harsh bleakness with a warm heart, which is ambitious, but miss-guided, and brought down by a ponderous ending.

 

#42 2001: A Space Odyssey (1969)

One of the great Sci-Fi landmarks, and for me is squarely in the realm of movies I greatly admire more then I love watching, as neither the narrative or unique “out of body experience” ever won me over … but undeniably an achievement in distinct vision, special effects, iconic music and one of the all-time great villains in the form of Hal-9000.

 

#41 The Man in the White Suit (1951)

Alec Guinness delivers both comedic high-jinks and ethical debates in this early 1950’s outing, with a Scientist aiming to change the word with his invention … but doesn’t consider the effect it would have on others … which is a fine premise, executed with charm, but the constant tonal shifts don’t always make for a comfortable fit.

 

#40 Blade Runner (1982)

Gloomy and kind of boring to sit through ... but visually and thematically inspiring ... “Blade Runner” paved the way for numerous works of Sci-Fi, and may not be the most enjoyable, but is a meaningful contribution to the genre.

 

#39 Sleeper (1973)

Woody Allen’s comedic chops are on point in this mad-cap, future set comedy, and understandably the film has a large fan base, although for me, the antics run the gambit from being side-splitting and cringe.

 

#38 Metropolis (1927)

It's the original classic that basically launched the whole Sci-Fi genre, with the very first robot seen on film, as well as the first epic depiction of a futuristic city, along with ambitious story ideas and character arcs ... it was truly a marvel for its time, and still a wonder to view now.

 

#37 Westworld (1973)

The Sci-Fi and Western genre come together for a unique and often forgotten prelude to films like "Jurassic Park" and "The Terminator", which deals with a malfunctioning theme park, and man against killer machines ... and Yul Brynner as a gunslinging robot coy bow stealing the show.

 

#36 Brazil (1985)

Terry Gilliam’s “Brazil” gets brownie points for its themes, satire and some of the most imaginative dream sequences ever put to film, but with that said … the gloomy tone and down beat ending keep it from reaching “favorite status” on my personal totem pole.

 

Movies 35 – 25 aren’t quiet “favorites”, but I like them enough to watch them more then once.

 

#35 Lost Horizon (1937)

While not a conventional Fantasy or Sci-Fi, it was still the first nominated for Best Picture, focusing on the isolated utopia of Shangri La, it’s mysterious ability to extend life, and is still universal today in its ambition to spread peace over the world after years of war.

 

#34 Silent Running (1972)

One of the best early Sci-Fi’s of the 1970’s, embracing the timeless themes of preserving nature, with Bruce Dern’s thoughtful performance carrying the momentum, as well as predating “Star Wars” with exceptional space-ship models and adorable robots, who set the standard for lovable droids to come.

 

#33 Time Bandits (1981)

Terry Gilliam’s first real genre classic, and his only real kid-friendly feature, focusing on a boy who goes on adventures through time, and is full of charm, a reliable sense of hummer, and appealing early 1980’s fantasy effects.

 

#32 Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)

Writer and Director Stanley Kubrick was juggling fire when he chose to adapt a serious novel into a satirical farce, and gleefully joking about a situation that in all respects is no laughing matter … but the result was a rare genre film to be nominated for Best Picture, is chalk full of iconic imagery, memorable character performances, and quotable lines … “You can’t fight in here! This is the WAR room.”.

 

#31 Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)

It’s the classic movie depicting “First Contact” with a friendly alien race, and it’s the experience that put director Steven Spielberg in the halls of Science Fiction legend. While the lead character is grading and the narrative rocky in spots … the films overall sense of awe and wonder still resonates all these years later.

 

#30 Superman (1978)

The great grandfather of all comic-book, superhero movies to aspire from, with stunning effects for its time, iconic cast, sweeping score, and while it isn't exactly the most thrilling of the genre, it still has a charm that's all its own and an importance that can’t be understated.

 

#29 The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957)

One of the great classic experiments gone wrong films of the 1950's, and an influence on shrunken adventure movies to follow, this set the templet for household items and critters looking imposing, and it somehow manages to balance its shrunken-adventure elements with themes of humanity and even spirituality.

 

#28 Planet of the Apes (1968)

Less about action, and more about ideas, theories, and even with its outlandish concept, it still effectively channels the warning of what humanity may lose if it's not more careful.

 

#27 Forbidden Planet (1956)

One of the great classics of early 1950's Sci-Fi, with effects and ideas ahead of their time, stunning iconography on display ... including the iconic Robby the Robot ... and would be a huge influence on "Star Trek" decades later.

 

#26 Tron (1982)

For an obvious product of the early 1980's, "Tron" still stands out with such a distinct look, style, and world that's all its own. While it didn't reshape story or character, it certainly set the bar for movies based around video games.

 

Movies 25 – 11 are favorable genre movies that I Frequently Rewatch

 

#25 Jason and the Argonauts (1963)

When it comes to campy, fantasy adventures, with the whole appeal being encounters with monsters in a Greek setting, "Jason and the Argonauts" holds-up as one of the best, with Ray Harryhausen's iconic stop-motion effects stealing the show.

 

#24 The Terminator (1984)

Despite being a product of the early 1980's, and proceeded by an electrifying sequel, one just can’t dismiss the high-energy, iconography, and sheer originality that was the first “Terminator”.

 

#23 Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981)

The first "Mad Max" gave us the set-up for one of the genre’s great anti-heroes, while "The Road Warrior" takes him on a journey through a post-apocalyptic wasteland, with some of the decades greatest chases along the way, and straight into the halls of Sci-Fi/Action movie legend.

 

#22 Alien (1979)

A simple Haunted House premise set in outer space is a great concept, with the movie featuring some truly impressive sets, atmosphere, tension, and while I always felt the build-up was stronger than the payoff ... we certainly got a cool-looking, iconic creature out of it.

 

#21 Minority Report (2002)

Director Steven Spielberg and star Tom Cruise come together for a contemporary Sci-Fi thriller, which has the personality of “The Fugitive” meets “Blade Runner”, and along the way are all the memorable set-pieces, imaginative ideas, visual flare, and captivating world building that makes for a winning escape at the movies.

 

#20 The Fly (1986)

A special case in which a remake takes what worked about its predecessor and gives us more … human drama, repulsive imagery, a star turn from Jeff Goldblum and some of the best creature effects the genre has to offer.

 

#19 E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

Playing as both an exciting Sci-Fi adventure and a remarkable portrait of childhood, Steven Spielberg's touching tale of a homesick alien remains a piece of movie magic for young and old and is boasted by one of John Williams most enchanting music scores.

 

#18 Men in Black (1997)

Thanks to a smart script, spectacular set pieces, level sense of hummer and the brilliant parring of Tommy Lee Jones with Will Smith … "Men in Black" is an entirely satisfying and memorable Sci-Fi offering from the late 1990’s.

 

#17 Ghostbusters (1984)

Combining big laughs, with a creative concept and even some well-placed frights make "Ghostbusters" a classic staple of the 1980’s, and one that was arguably ahead of its time, with lots of imagination and charismatic performances.

 

#16 Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)

One of the most thrilling alien invasion movies ever made, one that doesn’t rely on spaceships, or creatures, and instead highlights the terror of who you can trust and makes for one of the most thoughtful and chilling blends of Sci-Fi and Horror.

 

#15 Spider-Man (2002)

Sam Rami’s original classic "Spider-Man" dances around a familiar coming of hero formula, yet it's still helmed with an artistic direction, a talented cast, and a great sense of fun.

 

#14 Independence Day (1996)

The modern-day, high-bar, summer spectacle for alien Invasion movies to draw inspiration from, with practical effects and explosions that still hold-up, and while there’s nothing original about the plot, it’s still highly entertaining, equal in part to the dynamic cast.

 

#13 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001)

The memorable first chapter which launched one of the most successful, long running franchises in the whole fantasy genre, and it still holds-up on its own, with magical air, a captivating setting, engaging premise, and a perfect cast who all breathed life into these iconic characters.

 

#12 The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)

The classic story of a visiting alien and his giant robot, who aim for peace, but instead are faced with opposition, and despite featuring the campy esthetic of the 1950’s, it manages the feat of being relevant in themes, while still being an engaging experience.

 

#11 Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)

The performances are all stronger, especially from Ricardo Montalban who’s downright chilling as the villain Khan. The story is structured very firmly and focuses on the characters first before spectacles. More than anything, it’s the films deep-context regarding life and death that make it one of the most meaningful entries in one of the greatest Sci-Fi franchises.

 

Movies 10 – 01 are some of my all-time Personal Favorite Movies

 

#10 The War of the Worlds (1953)

The gold standard for classic, 1950’s alien invasion movies, featuring some of the greatest effects of its time, atmospheric dread, stunning sounds, and it honors the classic source material, along with effective updates.

 

#9 Batman (1989)

The story may be second rate, but Tim Burton’s artistic direction, a captivating comic-book atmosphere and Michal Keaton's performance as the tormented hero make this a classic in its own right.

 

#8 Robocop (1987)

Even with its over-the-top violence and goofy tone, Robocop is also quiet smart and even thoughtful, as it merges its Sci-Fi action and its thrills with satire of American culture, and in many respects is a classic superhero story, with no comic-book tie-in's.

 

#7 Star Wars - A New Hope (1977)

It’s the classic Sci-Fi adventure we all grew up with, and even though it’s decades old, the story, characters, sets, visuals and imagination behind this film are still just as engaging and timeless as ever ... as well as launching one of the greatest franchises of the genre.

 

#6 X-Men (2000)

One can't undermine the significance brought to the screen by Bryan Singers classic first “X-Men” movie, proving that superhero films can be more than just flashy entertainment, it can have subtext, a focus on the human condition, and real characters, who are subsequently brought to life with perfection from a well-rounded cast.

 

#5 Total Recall (1990)

As Arnold Schwarzenegger goes on a thrilling and unpredictable adventure on Mars, director Paul Verhoeven reaches the peak of his craft, combining non-stop excitement and B-Movie charms with a smart scrip and intriguing ideas.

 

#4 Jurassic Park (1993)

With its life like animatronics, thrilling Dino attacks, remarkable visuals and sustained tension, “Jurassic Park” could have just been a well-constructed, run of the mil monster movie, but Steven Spielberg infused it with beauty, wonder, charisma and thoughtful themes, which only help to make this entertaining action adventure a classic!

 

#3 Back to the Future (1985)

With an air-tight script, lovable cast, imaginative ideas, a story with heart, and breathless amount of healthy fun … “Back to the Future” seems to combine the best of multiple genres into one perfect offering.

 

#2 Aliens (1986)

Thrilling, frightening, action packed, stuffed with scene stealing characters, and a great deal of humanity on display … James Cameron delivered one of the all-time great movie sequels, Sigourney Weaver’s Oscar nominated performance made an icon out of Ellen Ripley and everything else is a perfect example that a B monster film that came off like an A+ masterpiece.

 

#1 The Matrix (1999)

Stylized Kung Fu action, Biblical and philosophical subtext, groundbreaking effects, and original ideas all come together in one of the genre’s most exhilarating and inspiring achievements ... and personally, one of my favorite movies, one that elevated my overall love for what can be seen and experienced on film.

Thanks for reading my countdown … and continue to enjoy the classics you Love!