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The 101 Best Science Fiction/Fantasy Movies of All Time: 1. Interstellar (1 Viewer)

@Scoresman I don't envy you this task. I thought I would have trouble thinking of stuff, but ended up with about 60 movies right away. There is a lot of stuff in the mid-90s that is dumb and fun that I have a big soft spot for. There also are a ton of newer movies that are science fiction-ish that I really dug that probably wouldn't end on lists but had forgotten about until digging through for ideas. Last night I watched Attack the Block, which is a blast. Tonight I can't decide between Armageddon and Independence Day.

Funny you should mention this...:lmao:

65. Armageddon

1998 - 2h 31 - PG-13
Director: Michael Bay
Metascore: 42


After discovering that an asteroid the size of Texas will impact Earth in less than a month, NASA recruits a misfit team of deep-core drillers to save the planet.

Can't do this countdown without at least one cheesy sci-fi blockbuster popcorn flick, and this is definitely one of the best ever. Neil DeGrasse Tyson claimed that this movie breaks more laws of physics per minute than any other movie, but he still liked it! If Bruce Willis saving Nakatoma Plaza can earn rave reviews, how about him saving the planet!? The father daughter stuff was cool too, but I could've done without the terrible Aerosmith song. Dumb and fun can still be great.

Trivia: NASA shows this film during their management training program. New managers are given the task of trying to spot as many errors as possible. At least 168 have been found.
 
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@Scoresman I don't envy you this task. I thought I would have trouble thinking of stuff, but ended up with about 60 movies right away. There is a lot of stuff in the mid-90s that is dumb and fun that I have a big soft spot for. There also are a ton of newer movies that are science fiction-ish that I really dug that probably wouldn't end on lists but had forgotten about until digging through for ideas. Last night I watched Attack the Block, which is a blast. Tonight I can't decide between Armageddon and Independence Day.

Funny you should mention this...:lmao:

65. Armageddon

1998 - 2h 31 - PG-13
Director: Michael Bay
Metascore: 42


After discovering that an asteroid the size of Texas will impact Earth in less than a month, NASA recruits a misfit team of deep-core drillers to save the planet.

Can't do this countdown without at least one cheesy sci-fi blockbuster popcorn flick, and this is definitely one of the best ever. Neil DeGrasse Tyson claimed that this movie breaks more laws of physics per minute than any other movie, but he still liked it! If Bruce Willis saving Nakatoma Plaza can earn rave reviews, how about him saving the planet!? The father daughter stuff was cool too, but I could've done without the terrible Aerosmith song. Dumb and fun can still be great.
Don't wanna close my eyes
I don't want to fall asleep
'cause I'd miss you, babe
And I don't want to miss a thing
 
@Scoresman I don't envy you this task. I thought I would have trouble thinking of stuff, but ended up with about 60 movies right away. There is a lot of stuff in the mid-90s that is dumb and fun that I have a big soft spot for. There also are a ton of newer movies that are science fiction-ish that I really dug that probably wouldn't end on lists but had forgotten about until digging through for ideas. Last night I watched Attack the Block, which is a blast. Tonight I can't decide between Armageddon and Independence Day.
Yeah, I went on a time travel movie spree in the spring and there are a lot of good movies just in that little niche.
 
@Scoresman I don't envy you this task. I thought I would have trouble thinking of stuff, but ended up with about 60 movies right away. There is a lot of stuff in the mid-90s that is dumb and fun that I have a big soft spot for. There also are a ton of newer movies that are science fiction-ish that I really dug that probably wouldn't end on lists but had forgotten about until digging through for ideas. Last night I watched Attack the Block, which is a blast. Tonight I can't decide between Armageddon and Independence Day.
Yeah, I went on a time travel movie spree in the spring and there are a lot of good movies just in that little niche.
...and that is one of my sweet spots. I was reminded of movies like About Time and others as I thought about my list.
 
I love Armageddon, but LOL that Prometheus has some major issues, but Armageddon does not. Makes a lot of sense to train drillers to become astronauts other than vice versa, eh?

And I never got the hate for Return of the Jedi. I thought the Ewoks were fine. I'd rank it about where Scoresman had it. And ftr, I always thought Empire was overrated.
 
@Scoresman I don't envy you this task. I thought I would have trouble thinking of stuff, but ended up with about 60 movies right away. There is a lot of stuff in the mid-90s that is dumb and fun that I have a big soft spot for. There also are a ton of newer movies that are science fiction-ish that I really dug that probably wouldn't end on lists but had forgotten about until digging through for ideas. Last night I watched Attack the Block, which is a blast. Tonight I can't decide between Armageddon and Independence Day.

Funny you should mention this...:lmao:

65. Armageddon

1998 - 2h 31 - PG-13
Director: Michael Bay
Metascore: 42


After discovering that an asteroid the size of Texas will impact Earth in less than a month, NASA recruits a misfit team of deep-core drillers to save the planet.

Can't do this countdown without at least one cheesy sci-fi blockbuster popcorn flick, and this is definitely one of the best ever. Neil DeGrasse Tyson claimed that this movie breaks more laws of physics per minute than any other movie, but he still liked it! If Bruce Willis saving Nakatoma Plaza can earn rave reviews, how about him saving the planet!? The father daughter stuff was cool too, but I could've done without the terrible Aerosmith song. Dumb and fun can still be great.

Trivia: NASA shows this film during their management training program. New managers are given the task of trying to spot as many errors as possible. At least 168 have been found.
Ugh this movie……extra cheese whiz with your nachos?

This is ranked ahead of so many better movies in your countdown? Ooooof one giant oooooof.
 
Why don't you all like big dumb fun movies?
In all seriousness, I should reflect on why I don't like movies like Independence Day but will watch Big Trouble in Little China over and over again.
Independence Day has a lot of corny scenes - and suffers from too many Hollywood stars being crammed into it - but does have a few good scenes and can be fun if you go in with the right attitude.

I did not like it when I saw it in the theater because it was "too corny" (the Will Smith punching the alien scene was cringy) - but when I watched at home the second time I appreciated it a little more and I even got into some of the corniness (the President's speech for one). That said, I have not watched it again.
 
Why don't you all like big dumb fun movies?
In all seriousness, I should reflect on why I don't like movies like Independence Day but will watch Big Trouble in Little China over and over again.
First off, those movies have way different tones to their cheesiness.

After that, most of my theories revolve around age you saw them and if they because "those" movies that you watched multiple times, especially with friends/family. These dumb cheesier movies usually require more in the nostalgia department to get over their warts. In 86 I was 11 and watching BttF, Ghostbusters, and crap like that. I didn't see Big Touble until adullthood and it was OK but didn't click. These 90s movies landed in HS and college for me, so this is the dumb stuff that we would have on or see in the theater. From other threads, I get the impression that I am on the younger end of the demographic for the FFA at 49.

That said, Armageddon is pretty bad. I watched about 30mins last night and switched to a Tim Burton movie as I thought about what type of fantasy movies I liked for my list. Others would be on my list over that from the same era like MIB, Starship Troopers, and probably ID4.
 
I love Armageddon, but LOL that Prometheus has some major issues, but Armageddon does not. Makes a lot of sense to train drillers to become astronauts other than vice versa, eh?

And I never got the hate for Return of the Jedi. I thought the Ewoks were fine. I'd rank it about where Scoresman had it. And ftr, I always thought Empire was overrated.

The difference between Prometheus and Armageddon is that Armageddon doesn’t pretend to be anything more than a big dumb fun movie. And it excels at being a big dumb fun movie.
 

64. Looper​

2012 - 1h 59 - R
Director: Rian Johnson
Metascore: 84


In 2074, when the mob wants to get rid of someone, the target is sent into the past, where a hired gun awaits - someone like Joe - who one day learns the mob wants to 'close the loop' by sending back Joe's future self for assassination.

An underrated time travel gem. Great cast, action, and ultimately very thought provoking. Really cool watching Joseph Gordon-Levitt mimic a young Bruce Willis.

Trivia: The screenplay for this film was featured in the 2010 Blacklist; a list of the "most liked" unmade scripts of the year.
 
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63. Signs​

2002 - 1h 46 - PG-13
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Metascore: 59


A widowed former reverend living with his children and brother on a Pennsylvania farm finds mysterious crop circles in their fields, which suggests something more frightening to come.

One of my favorites by M. Night. Just a solidly made, well acted alien invasion scenario. And terrifying as well.
 

64. Looper​

2012 - 1h 59 - R
Director: Rian Johnson
Metascore: 84


In 2074, when the mob wants to get rid of someone, the target is sent into the past, where a hired gun awaits - someone like Joe - who one day learns the mob wants to 'close the loop' by sending back Joe's future self for assassination.
An underrated time travel gem. Great cast, action, and ultimately very thought provoking. Really cool watching Joseph Gordon-Levitt mimic a young Bruce Willis.

Trivia: The screenplay for this film was featured in the 2010 Blacklist; a list of the "most liked" unmade scripts of the year.
This one is fun, solid re-watch value imo
 

64. Looper​

2012 - 1h 59 - R
Director: Rian Johnson
Metascore: 84


In 2074, when the mob wants to get rid of someone, the target is sent into the past, where a hired gun awaits - someone like Joe - who one day learns the mob wants to 'close the loop' by sending back Joe's future self for assassination.

An underrated time travel gem. Great cast, action, and ultimately very thought provoking. Really cool watching Joseph Gordon-Levitt mimic a young Bruce Willis.

Trivia: The screenplay for this film was featured in the 2010 Blacklist; a list of the "most liked" unmade scripts of the year.
I need to watch this again. I really liked it the first time despite the plot holes in the main premise.
 

63. Signs​

2002 - 1h 46 - PG-13
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Metascore: 59


A widowed former reverend living with his children and brother on a Pennsylvania farm finds mysterious crop circles in their fields, which suggests something more frightening to come.

One of my favorites by M. Night. Just a solidly made, well acted alien invasion scenario. And terrifying as well.
I love this movie - way higher up for me.
 

62. A.I. Artificial Intelligence​

2001 - 2h 26 - PG-13
Director: Steven Spielberg
Metascore: 65


A highly advanced robotic boy longs to become "real" so that he can regain the love of his human mother.

Maybe the saddest movie on this list, this movie will stir up some feelings. Well acted, and a refreshing diversion from the "All AI wants to kill you" trope.

Trivia: Stanley Kubrick worked on the project for two decades before his death, but along the way, he asked Steven Spielberg to direct, saying it was "closer to his sensibilities." The two collaborated for several years, resulting in Kubrick giving Spielberg a complete story treatment and lots of conceptual art for the movie prior to his death, which Spielberg used to write his own scenario
 

62. A.I. Artificial Intelligence​

2001 - 2h 26 - PG-13
Director: Steven Spielberg
Metascore: 65


A highly advanced robotic boy longs to become "real" so that he can regain the love of his human mother.

Maybe the saddest movie on this list, this movie will stir up some feelings. Well acted, and a refreshing diversion from the "All AI wants to kill you" trope.

Trivia: Stanley Kubrick worked on the project for two decades before his death, but along the way, he asked Steven Spielberg to direct, saying it was "closer to his sensibilities." The two collaborated for several years, resulting in Kubrick giving Spielberg a complete story treatment and lots of conceptual art for the movie prior to his death, which Spielberg used to write his own scenario
I liked the ultimate ending - but it was a pretty boring trip getting to that point.
 

62. A.I. Artificial Intelligence​

2001 - 2h 26 - PG-13
Director: Steven Spielberg
Metascore: 65


A highly advanced robotic boy longs to become "real" so that he can regain the love of his human mother.

Maybe the saddest movie on this list, this movie will stir up some feelings. Well acted, and a refreshing diversion from the "All AI wants to kill you" trope.

Trivia: Stanley Kubrick worked on the project for two decades before his death, but along the way, he asked Steven Spielberg to direct, saying it was "closer to his sensibilities." The two collaborated for several years, resulting in Kubrick giving Spielberg a complete story treatment and lots of conceptual art for the movie prior to his death, which Spielberg used to write his own scenario
I liked the ultimate ending - but it was a pretty boring trip getting to that point.
Yeah, kinda how I felt, it really stuck with me though. I probably need to do a rewatch at some point
 

62. A.I. Artificial Intelligence​

2001 - 2h 26 - PG-13
Director: Steven Spielberg
Metascore: 65


A highly advanced robotic boy longs to become "real" so that he can regain the love of his human mother.

Maybe the saddest movie on this list, this movie will stir up some feelings. Well acted, and a refreshing diversion from the "All AI wants to kill you" trope.

Trivia: Stanley Kubrick worked on the project for two decades before his death, but along the way, he asked Steven Spielberg to direct, saying it was "closer to his sensibilities." The two collaborated for several years, resulting in Kubrick giving Spielberg a complete story treatment and lots of conceptual art for the movie prior to his death, which Spielberg used to write his own scenario
Great movie, but I'm a huge Kubrick fan. Like most of Kubrick's work, this one seems to be hot or cold for people. Which is itself a testament to the homage that Spielberg paid to Kubrick in making it.
 

63. Signs​

2002 - 1h 46 - PG-13
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Metascore: 59


A widowed former reverend living with his children and brother on a Pennsylvania farm finds mysterious crop circles in their fields, which suggests something more frightening to come.

One of my favorites by M. Night. Just a solidly made, well acted alien invasion scenario. And terrifying as well.
Sixth Sense will not be on this list. This makes me wonder why magic fortune tellers are considered fantasy but not ghosts...
 

61. Moon​

2009 - 1h 37 - R
Director: Duncan Jones
Metascore: 67


Astronaut Sam Bell has a quintessentially personal encounter toward the end of his three-year stint on the Moon, where he, working alongside his computer, GERTY, sends back to Earth parcels of a resource that has helped diminish our planet's power problems.

Sam Rockwell is incredible in this one. Also says a thing or two about human exploitation and corporate greed.

Trivia: Producer Stuart Fenegan performed the stunt when Sam hits his head, because the stuntman was not present on that day and, as Fenegan put it in the DVD commentary, he was the only person who would not have sued the production in case of the stunt going wrong. Fenegan was quite proud of how his shot turned out.
 

62. A.I. Artificial Intelligence​

2001 - 2h 26 - PG-13
Director: Steven Spielberg
Metascore: 65


A highly advanced robotic boy longs to become "real" so that he can regain the love of his human mother.

Maybe the saddest movie on this list, this movie will stir up some feelings. Well acted, and a refreshing diversion from the "All AI wants to kill you" trope.

Trivia: Stanley Kubrick worked on the project for two decades before his death, but along the way, he asked Steven Spielberg to direct, saying it was "closer to his sensibilities." The two collaborated for several years, resulting in Kubrick giving Spielberg a complete story treatment and lots of conceptual art for the movie prior to his death, which Spielberg used to write his own scenario
Haley Joel Osment had an impressive start to his career with Forrest Gump, The Sixth Sense and this film. Jude Law gives a great performance as well.
 

60. The Iron Giant​

1999 - 1h 26 - PG
Director: Brad Bird
Metascore: 85


A young boy befriends a giant robot from outer space that a paranoid government agent wants to destroy.

Another tearjerker, great animated film. Maybe the best Superman movie of all time. If you know what I mean by that, you know.

Trivia: Brad Bird was in part inspired to make this film as a memorial to his sister Susan, who died at the hands of her estranged husband by gun violence. His pitch was this: "What if a gun had a soul and didn't want to be a gun?"
 

60. The Iron Giant​

1999 - 1h 26 - PG
Director: Brad Bird
Metascore: 85


A young boy befriends a giant robot from outer space that a paranoid government agent wants to destroy.

Another tearjerker, great animated film. Maybe the best Superman movie of all time. If you know what I mean by that, you know.

Trivia: Brad Bird was in part inspired to make this film as a memorial to his sister Susan, who died at the hands of her estranged husband by gun violence. His pitch was this: "What if a gun had a soul and didn't want to be a gun?"
I probably wouldn’t have thought of this, but it’s a great pick and it has so much heart.
 

60. The Iron Giant​

1999 - 1h 26 - PG
Director: Brad Bird
Metascore: 85


A young boy befriends a giant robot from outer space that a paranoid government agent wants to destroy.

Another tearjerker, great animated film. Maybe the best Superman movie of all time. If you know what I mean by that, you know.

Trivia: Brad Bird was in part inspired to make this film as a memorial to his sister Susan, who died at the hands of her estranged husband by gun violence. His pitch was this: "What if a gun had a soul and didn't want to be a gun?"
Awesome pick. This was part of the rabbit hole that led to my post last night. I started looking at a bunch of animated movies and there were soooo many good ones.
 

60. The Iron Giant​

1999 - 1h 26 - PG
Director: Brad Bird
Metascore: 85


A young boy befriends a giant robot from outer space that a paranoid government agent wants to destroy.

Another tearjerker, great animated film. Maybe the best Superman movie of all time. If you know what I mean by that, you know.

Trivia: Brad Bird was in part inspired to make this film as a memorial to his sister Susan, who died at the hands of her estranged husband by gun violence. His pitch was this: "What if a gun had a soul and didn't want to be a gun?"
Awesome pick. This was part of the rabbit hole that led to my post last night. I started looking at a bunch of animated movies and there were soooo many good ones.
It's a wonderful movie that I remember enjoying with my kids when they were young.

I'll be curious how Studio Ghibli movies will be ranked here.
 

59. Starship Troopers​

1997 - 2h 9 - R
Director: Paul Verhoeven
Metascore: 52


Humans, in a fascist militaristic future, wage war with giant alien bugs.

Great, movie with so much depth. Originally I watched it and liked it for all the bug killing and the showering scene, than later watched as an adult and appreciated the satire and commentary a lot more, and the showering scene.

Trivia: A miniature Millennium Falcon can be seen on the backside of one of the starships' bridges.
 
Nice bunch today.
Moon is great.
Armageddon can suck a ****. So much more worthy movies for this list.
Signs is underrated in the M Night movies. Solid acting given the premise
Starship Troopers….people misinterpret this one i feel deliberately. Its a heavy political satire. Verhoeven always made interesting films.
The Iron Giant is an amazing movie and its a travesty a bigger audience dint see it.
Looper….fun movie. Interesting and great leads. After this Rian Johnson was seen as an up and comer and given a crucial Star Wars movie that he totally ****ed up.
 
I seriously think there could be a top 100 of time travel movies. I'm sure I'm missing some, but I have a list of 35 with IMDB ratings over 7.0, 85 over 6.0, without including comic book movies. I also now have 52 movies to watch, though a couple are rewatches.
 

59. Starship Troopers​

1997 - 2h 9 - R
Director: Paul Verhoeven
Metascore: 52


Humans, in a fascist militaristic future, wage war with giant alien bugs.

Great, movie with so much depth. Originally I watched it and liked it for all the bug killing and the showering scene, than later watched as an adult and appreciated the satire and commentary a lot more, and the showering scene.

Trivia: A miniature Millennium Falcon can be seen on the backside of one of the starships' bridges.
Starship troopers. Awesome. I was in basic training at Fort Benning Georgia. It was horrible. Thanksgiving came and they woke us up at like 4 am and marched us to a room with chairs and small tv. We sat there silent. Hands on thighs. Canteens on floor to the right. Eyes forward. We watched Starship Troopers. Happy Thanksgiving. Ha ha. Was the only peace in 8 weeks. Love that movie.
 
Saw Troopers with a bunch of arch-grad school friends who had started their own animation company, working as subs to bigger companies in tv and film.

They went ape **** over the bug attacks... Until that point, animation used "flocking" for groups in movement, which took a handful of animated individuals and copied them across a field. So if you knew how to look, you'd see the obvious repetitions and patterns. Troopers changed the game dramatically apparently, and somehow made most of the bugs individuals. :nerd:

I just liked the movie.
 

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