The 100 Best Science Fiction/Fantasy Movies of All Time: 94. Unbreakable (3 Viewers)

[Scoresman]

Started putting this list together after the horror countdown, as this is another favorite genre of mine. I have the list of 100 set, I just need to watch one more movie over the weekend and tweak the rankings. In terms of reactions, I think this countdown will have less "That's not Sci-fi!" and more "Why the hell did you rank that so high/low?" One thing I noticed when looking up other rankings, is that this genre seems to have the movies ranked all over the place from list to list, more so than any other genre I've seen. So this should be fun.

I should be ready to start the actual countdown around Monday.

Restrictions and Assumptions

1. I thought it would be easy setting a cutoff line for what movies belong in this genre and what movies do not. It's actually not easy. In fact, it's harder than the horror countdown was in this regard. Fantasy in particular. When looking at other countdown lists, it's amazing what people qualify as fantasy. I will do my best to be consistent, but a lot of times it will come down to whether the movie "feels" like fantasy to me. Movies that straddle more than one genre will most likely count, but I think I want to be more strict than the horror countdown. I did verify that every movie on my list is tagged on IMDB as either Sci-Fi or Fantasy or both.

2. I will NOT be including superhero/comic book movies, this includes the MCU, DC movies, early Marvel stuff. I love these movies and they definitely count as sci-fi, but there are enough of these films for its own countdown and they would push many other great films off the list.

3. I'm also not including Disney animated films for the same reason. There's a ton of great ones and they would monopolize the list. However there is one exception to this, kind of…

4. Certain other franchises or series will be condensed down to one entry. This depends on the series' themselves as some other series will be broken out by sequels. I will explain reasoning when posting each series.

THE LIST

100. Snowpiercer
99. Weird Science
98. The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)
97. The Beastmaster
96. Avatar
95. Labyrinth
94. Unbreakable

 

[Dan Lambskin]

 

[Joe Schmo]

Wow, what a huge endeavor! Such a large catalogue to choose from, I admire your attempt to whittle it to 100. Can't wait to read and participate with your list. Thanks for doing this Scoresman!

PS- Be interested to see where you rank Flubber on your countdown

 

[The Gator]

This a you thing or we thing again?

 

[Scoresman]

This a you thing or we thing again?

This one's a me thing right now since I dont have time to collate and organize multiple entries. That was way more laborious than I thought it would be. But I would not be averse to doing a combined ranking at some point.

 

[Scoresman]

A little about my ranking criteria.

I trend more towards modern sci-fi films over the classics from before the 1970s. While I do have a few of the timeless classics from the 50s/60s, I feel that a lot of them simply don't hold up as well. In this genre, there is a lot to be said about modern day special effects and what they allow movie makers to do and what stories they can tell. While there certainly are great sci-fi films without lavish effects, this genre in particular, really benefits from them.

Outside of the obvious acting, great script, etc. I look for rewatchability (is that a word?), and how much of a sense of awe, wonder, and inspiration I get from the movie. Sci-fi to me is all about that last part and there are many movies that do this really well. Also, as I age, I notice I'm trending more towards hard sci-fi over soft.

For fantasy, there's a whole lotta nostalgia in my rankings, but I still use things like rewatchability and how well a movie holds up over time when ranking.

 

[The Gator]

This a you thing or we thing again?

This one's a me thing right now since I dont have time to collate and organize multiple entries. That was way more laborious than I thought it would be. But I would not be averse to doing a combined ranking at some point.

Cool. While I LOVE horror, sci-fi is my #1 genre.

 

[NewlyRetired]

thank you so much for doing this. Sci-fi fantasy is my favorite genre across all forms of media.

I am a little confused on how you are handling series of movies. I am not a big fan of condensing them down. A movie like Aliens or Terminator 2, or Return of the Jedi should not be lowered in quality just because they are associated with other movies in their series that are not at their level.

Looking forward to your list!!

 

[Gr00vus]

Did you consider doing just sci fi or just fantasy?

 

[Scoresman]

Did you consider doing just sci fi or just fantasy?

I did. While Sci-fi can certainly support a 100 movie countdown, it's tough finding 100 good fantasy movies unless you really start to stretch the definition. There's also a lot of overlap in that a lot of movies actually qualify as both genres or blur the lines.

 

[Scoresman]

thank you so much for doing this. Sci-fi fantasy is my favorite genre across all forms of media.

I am a little confused on how you are handling series of movies. I am not a big fan of condensing them down. A movie like Aliens or Terminator 2, or Return of the Jedi should not be lowered in quality just because they are associated with other movies in their series that are not at their level.

Looking forward to your list!!

It's only 2 movie series I'm doing this with. Both are them are situations where I kind of consider the entire series as one long movie because I rank all of them fairly equally and there's not much point in separating them out and bumping other movies off the list. Not to spoil, but all of the movies/franchises you mention are NOT grouped like this. For example, I dont know how you would group the Star Wars movies into one entry and rank it since some of them are legendary films, and others absolute drivel.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

I am a little confused on how you are handling series of movies. I am not a big fan of condensing them down. A movie like Aliens or Terminator 2, or Return of the Jedi should not be lowered in quality just because they are associated with other movies in their series that are not at their level.

I think there are differences with what was intended to be a series and those movies that are linked for commercial reasons (but are retconned into being a series). For the former, I'd count them as one entity. For the latter, I'd go movie-by-movie. But that's just me.

Also, thank you @Scoresman for not including the big superhero franchises.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

A couple of decades ago, I bought a book that ranked the (I think) 100 greatest fantasy books of all time. Some of the titles included - many of them among the most famous stories ever written - blew my mind, as I never thought of them as "fantasy". But the author did a fantastic job of selling it.

 

[Yambag]

This is great, thanks for taking the time to do it!

 

[Hastur]

This gonna be good

 

[higgins]

 

[Scoresman]

First 5 out. Not listing any more than this in case someone wants to do a next 100 or whatever.

105. Krull
1983 - 2h 1 - PG
Director: Peter Yates
Metascore: 45

A prince and a fellowship of companions set out to rescue his bride from a fortress of alien invaders who have arrived on their home planet, Krull.


104. Vanilla Sky
2001 - 2h 16 - R
Director: Cameron Crowe
Metascore: 45

A self-indulgent and vain publishing magnate finds his privileged life upended after a vehicular accident with a resentful lover.


103. Clash of the Titans
1981 - 1h 58 - PG
Director: Desmond Davis
Metascore: 59

Perseus must battle Medusa and the Kraken to save the Princess Andromeda.


102. Oblivion
2013 - 2h 4 - PG-13
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Metascore: 54

Jack Harper, a drone repairman stationed on Earth that has been ravaged by war with extraterrestrials, questions his identity after rescuing the woman who keeps appearing in his dreams.


101. The X Files
1998 - 2h 1 - PG-13
Director: Rob Bowman
Metascore: 60

Mulder and Scully must fight the government in a conspiracy and find the truth about an alien colonization of Earth.


Krull nearly made the cut because I had a thing growing up for those early 80s fantasy hack and slash movies. But it's really cheesy and there are better ones.

I swear I dont have anything against Tom Cruise. These are both decent movies that just missed the cut.

Clash of the Titans is another nostalgia pick that I cant really justify adding. This was the go-to movie in school they would put on when it was raining at recess.

I was a pretty big X-Files fan and this is a decent continuation of the mytharc, but ultimately not worthy of a top 100.

 

[Dan Lambskin]

I’m expecting a minimum of 4 Star Wars films. If not please revise your list

 

[Scoresman]

I’m expecting a minimum of 4 Star Wars films. If not please revise your list

Can Silence of the Lambs be argued as Sci-Fi? Fantasy?

 

[Joe Schmo]

I’m expecting a minimum of 4 Star Wars films. If not please revise your list

Can Silence of the Lambs be argued as Sci-Fi? Fantasy?

no

 

[Dan Lambskin]

I’m expecting a minimum of 4 Star Wars films. If not please revise your list

Can Silence of the Lambs be argued as Sci-Fi? Fantasy?

Buffalo Bill was using some pretty advanced night vision goggles so maybe

Also

 

[Gr00vus]

Glad to see the original Clash of the Titans get an honorable mention. I believe it was the last film Ray Harryhausen, the king of claymation, worked on.

 

[guru_007]

Can't wait to see where Smokey and the Bandit weighs in here. Thinking gotta be top 15-20.

 

[Joe Schmo]

Can't wait to see where Smokey and the Bandit weighs in here. Thinking gotta be top 15-20.

Just after Silence of the Lambs

 

[Scoresman]

I’m expecting a minimum of 4 Star Wars films. If not please revise your list

Can Silence of the Lambs be argued as Sci-Fi? Fantasy?

Buffalo Bill was using some pretty advanced night vision goggles so maybe

Also

The emoji might mean I have less than this, or it might mean I have way more Star Wars movies than any countdown probably should.

 

[Scoresman]

Can't wait to see where Smokey and the Bandit weighs in here. Thinking gotta be top 15-20.

I wish Bad News Bears: 2049 would hurry up and come out so I could rank it.

 

[Gr00vus]

Can't wait to see where Smokey and the Bandit weighs in here. Thinking gotta be top 15-20.

I wish Bad News Bears: 2049 would hurry up and come out so I could rank it.

Buttermaker was a replicant.

 

[Scoresman]

I'm going to spotlight a movie not on my list because I want people's opinions. I've seen The Truman Show listed on more than one top Sci-Fi/Fantasy list. I dont really see it and it seems like a stretch of the genre.... IMDB does not list it as either.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

Out of curiousity, how many of these movies would be overseas made and/or non english?

 

[B Maverick]

105. Krull
1983 - 2h 1 - PG
Director: Peter Yates
Metascore: 45

A prince and a fellowship of companions set out to rescue his bride from a fortress of alien invaders who have arrived on their home planet, Krull.

103. Clash of the Titans
1981 - 1h 58 - PG
Director: Desmond Davis
Metascore: 59

Perseus must battle Medusa and the Kraken to save the Princess Andromeda.

I remember these as a kid so they do have some sentimental value. Krull has popped up on some "underrated" or cult classic must see lists lately.

The original Clash was so much better than the remake despite the stop motion and outdated special effects.

I remember the weapon in Krull and the fact that the Cyclops could had the power to see into the future, but all they could see was their death.

 

[KarmaPolice]

I hope you properly crossed off horror movies like T2 off your list.

 

[Don Quixote]

I'm going to spotlight a movie not on my list because I want people's opinions. I've seen The Truman Show listed on more than one top Sci-Fi/Fantasy list. I dont really see it and it seems like a stretch of the genre.... IMDB does not list it as either.

I would not include it in that either. I would consider it dystopian, but I don’t think all dystopian is sci-fi.

 

[KarmaPolice]

I'm going to spotlight a movie not on my list because I want people's opinions. I've seen The Truman Show listed on more than one top Sci-Fi/Fantasy list. I dont really see it and it seems like a stretch of the genre.... IMDB does not list it as either.

I would not include it in that either. I would consider it dystopian, but I don’t think all dystopian is sci-fi.

That is where I would fall. Handmaid's Tale would be another example of dystopian that's not sci-fi.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Vanilla Sky is imperfect (the third act gets really bogged down and is overlong) but it ultimately regains its footing and really sticks the landing (pun intended). I love it.

 

[Scoresman]

Out of curiousity, how many of these movies would be overseas made and/or non english?

Looks like 7 of them are.

 

[Dennis Castro]

:sehorn:

 

[Scoresman]

Counts by decade

1930s 1
1950s 3
1960s 2
1970s 9
1980s 27
1990s 19
2000s 22
2010s 13
2020s 4

I would just start this but there's one more movie I need to watch that I'm pretty sure will make this list somewhere.

 

[El Floppo]

 

[Don Quixote]

Counts by decade

1930s 1
1950s 3
1960s 2
1970s 9
1980s 27
1990s 19
2000s 22
2010s 13
2020s 4

I would just start this but there's one more movie I need to watch that I'm pretty sure will make this list somewhere.

None from the 1920s?

 

[Scoresman]

Counts by decade

1930s 1
1950s 3
1960s 2
1970s 9
1980s 27
1990s 19
2000s 22
2010s 13
2020s 4

I would just start this but there's one more movie I need to watch that I'm pretty sure will make this list somewhere.

None from the 1920s?

I know what you're talking about here. I'm not ranking these based solely on how influential, or groundbreaking a movie may have been, otherwise this would be a top 10 movie. I'm ranking more on how enjoyable is it to watch nowadays or how much lasting appeal it has. It's honestly hard for me to sit through this film or any silent film for that matter.

 

[FarFromHome]

Well. Seeing how I've seen and enjoyed the first 5 listed, this will obviously be a thread I participate in. Krull!!!! I was in grade school when we made Krull throwing stars to play with. Ha ha

 

[foxco]

I remember being in love with the girl from Krull when I was a wee young lad. Don't remember much else except I'm pretty sure someone was turned into a duck and there's a pretty cool spider at some point.

 

[Scoresman]

Well. Seeing how I've seen and enjoyed the first 5 listed, this will obviously be a thread I participate in. Krull!!!! I was in grade school when we made Krull throwing stars to play with. Ha ha

Yes! and unbending paperclips and pushing them through the tips to make them lethal!!

 

[Don Quixote]

Counts by decade

1930s 1
1950s 3
1960s 2
1970s 9
1980s 27
1990s 19
2000s 22
2010s 13
2020s 4

I would just start this but there's one more movie I need to watch that I'm pretty sure will make this list somewhere.

None from the 1920s?

I know what you're talking about here. I'm not ranking these based solely on how influential, or groundbreaking a movie may have been, otherwise this would be a top 10 movie. I'm ranking more on how enjoyable is it to watch nowadays or how much lasting appeal it has. It's honestly hard for me to sit through this film or any silent film for that matter.

Fair enough. I still love putting on that one or some other of the great silents, but to each their own.

 

[Yambag]

First 5 out. Not listing any more than this in case someone wants to do a next 100 or whatever.

105. Krull
1983 - 2h 1 - PG
Director: Peter Yates
Metascore: 45

A prince and a fellowship of companions set out to rescue his bride from a fortress of alien invaders who have arrived on their home planet

103. Clash of the Titans
1981 - 1h 58 - PG
Director: Desmond Davis
Metascore: 59

Perseus must battle Medusa and the Kraken to save the Princess Andromeda.

Great way to start, as others have said Krull and especially Clash of the Titans were staples when I was a kid. I mean who didn't pretend to be Perseus catching the sword to kill the giant scorpion??

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

Counts by decade

1930s 1
1950s 3
1960s 2
1970s 9
1980s 27
1990s 19
2000s 22
2010s 13
2020s 4

I would just start this but there's one more movie I need to watch that I'm pretty sure will make this list somewhere.

None from the 1920s?

I know what you're talking about here. I'm not ranking these based solely on how influential, or groundbreaking a movie may have been, otherwise this would be a top 10 movie. I'm ranking more on how enjoyable is it to watch nowadays or how much lasting appeal it has. It's honestly hard for me to sit through this film or any silent film for that matter.

Fair enough. I still love putting on that one or some other of the great silents, but to each their own.

Thats why i asked about foreign made or non english language.
Paying homage to the early silent ones (from Europe) would have been nice considering how impactful they are.
The main one had an 80s soundtrack added to make it “palatable” for a modern audience, which is how i got introduced.

But looking forward to the list anyway.
Pretty sure we may have a nice list of leftovers.

 

[Scoresman]

Counts by decade

1930s 1
1950s 3
1960s 2
1970s 9
1980s 27
1990s 19
2000s 22
2010s 13
2020s 4

I would just start this but there's one more movie I need to watch that I'm pretty sure will make this list somewhere.

None from the 1920s?

I know what you're talking about here. I'm not ranking these based solely on how influential, or groundbreaking a movie may have been, otherwise this would be a top 10 movie. I'm ranking more on how enjoyable is it to watch nowadays or how much lasting appeal it has. It's honestly hard for me to sit through this film or any silent film for that matter.

Fair enough. I still love putting on that one or some other of the great silents, but to each their own.

Thats why i asked about foreign made or non english language.
Paying homage to the early silent ones (from Europe) would have been nice considering how impactful they are.
The main one had an 80s soundtrack added to make it “palatable” for a modern audience, which is how i got introduced.

But looking forward to the list anyway.
Pretty sure we may have a nice list of leftovers.

Yeah it's tough for me to rank movies like this. On the one hand, I look at a movie like this and rank Krull over it , which seems so wrong. But on the other hand, as influential and groundbreaking as this stuff was, there were so many advancements made after these to pacing, acting, character writing, etc. I cant justify adding a movie I can barely sit through.

If we're ranking the most important sci-fi movies of all time, then movies like this are a must add.

I will have to check out the 80s soundtrack version though.

 

[Dan Lambskin]

Aren’t they remaking Krull?

Also not sure I’ve ever seen it all the way through but I have turned it on at the halfway point quite often

 

[Dan Lambskin]

Hoping to see a movie with a couple ferrets

 

[dickey moe]

Oh I'm down for this.