The 2010s were science fiction’s golden age—but not quite in the way you’re expecting. When superheroes flew high and cinematic universes dominated box offices, sci-fi was quietly becoming something bolder, more intimate, and more cerebral. If you were there for high-concept brain teasers, philosophical conundrums, or simply great intergalactic action, the decade had something for everyone. These ten movies didn’t merely break rules—they refigured what science fiction could do.
10. Her (2013)
Spike Jonze’s Her is one of those movies that quietly gets under your skin. Filmed in a future that seems distressingly near, it follows the story of a man who falls in love with his AI operating system. Sounds strange, yeah—but the depth of emotion is what makes it unforgettably great. Scarlett Johansson’s voice acting as Samantha adds unexpected vulnerability and depth, asking questions about love, awareness, and what it means to communicate. It’s an understated species of sci-fi, one that gets you right in the feels.
9. Upgrade (2018)
Upgrade is evidence that you don’t require a huge budget to present smart, engaging science fiction. On a budget of only $3 million, director Leigh Whannell created a hip, frenetic revenge thriller with insightful commentary on AI and free will. The interplay between the protagonist and his AI implant, STEM, is equally exhilarating and profoundly uncomfortable. Sharp, sexy, and full of twists and turns, it’s the type of movie that lingers longer than you’d anticipate.
8. Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
Time loops, extraterrestrial takeovers, and Tom Cruise killing himself over and over—it shouldn’t work, but it does. Edge of Tomorrow (also tagged with Live. Die. Repeat.) is one of the decade’s most enjoyable sci-fi action movies. Emily Blunt shines in a standout performance, and the Groundhog Day-esque framework makes the story seem new and thrilling. It offsets major thrills with intelligent storytelling, making a film that’s clever and repeatedly watchable.
7. Under the Skin (2013)
Haunting and hypnotic, Under the Skin is sci-fi at its most abstract. Scarlett Johansson stars as an alien stalking unsuspecting men in Scotland, but don’t anticipate your run-of-the-mill alien movie. With little talk and unquiet images, the film relies largely on mood and atmosphere. It’s odd, disquieting, and lovely mysterious—a film that provokes interpretation rather than explication. Glazer’s direction and Johansson’s unsettling performance render it a one-of-a-kind.
6. Annihilation (2018)
If your sci-fi is to be weird and brainy, Annihilation is a must. Alex Garland’s adaptation of Jeff VanderMeer’s novel plunges into a strange region called “The Shimmer,” where biology and nature ignore all rules. It’s a hauntingly atmospheric, visually surreal movie with a mad focus on self-destruction and transformation, and one that requires—and repays—multiple viewings. The vagueness is part of the fun, as is the feeling that you’re seeing something other.
5. Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
Sequels to classic movies are hard, but Denis Villeneuve pulled off the impossible: Blade Runner 2049 pays respect to its precursor yet forges its legacy. Visually breathtaking and emotionally profound, the movie delves into identity, memory, and the meaning of humanity. Ryan Gosling stars with understated intensity, and the world-building in the movie is breathtaking. It did not break box office records, but it’s already secured its place as a contemporary sci-fi classic.
4. Interstellar (2014)
With Interstellar, Christopher Nolan reached for the stars—and our hearts. Blending speculative science with intensely personal stakes, it’s an epic journey of space, time, and love. Hans Zimmer’s legendary score and the movie’s mind-bending interpretation of relativity heighten the experience, while the emotional through-line keeps it anchored. It’s ambitious, daring, and sometimes dizzying—but that’s precisely what makes it unforgettable.
3. Ex Machina (2014)
Intimate and unnerving, Ex Machina examines artificial intelligence in one of the most subtly intense ways possible. Taking place nearly all in one room, the movie lives off its witty dialogue, psychological tension, and ethical nuance. Alicia Vikander’s portrayal of the humanoid A.I. Ava is eerily human, and Oscar Isaac’s performance as the mysterious inventor is compelling. It’s a slow-build thriller that keeps questioning your hypotheses at every turn.
2. Inception (2010)
The decade kicked off with a bang thanks to Christopher Nolan’s Inception, a film that turned the idea of dream manipulation into one of the most exhilarating blockbusters ever made. With layers upon layers of reality, mind-bending visuals, and a cliffhanger ending that still sparks debate, it’s a masterclass in high-concept filmmaking. It’s rare for a blockbuster to be this thoughtful—and for a cerebral story to be this fun.
1. Arrival (2016)
Number one is Arrival, a movie that changed what science fiction could do emotionally. Directed by Denis Villeneuve, the movie follows a linguist (Amy Adams, giving one of her finest performances) attempting to speak with alien visitors. It’s about far more than language—it’s an exploration of time, loss, and the decisions we make. Quietly powerful and deeply moving, Arrival proves that great sci-fi isn’t just about technology—it’s about humanity.