Best Sci-Fi Thriller Movies, Ranked

Science fiction and thrillers are the perfect combination for a pulse-pounding and mind-bending cinematic experience. While sci-fi tends to emphasize dystopian and futuristic scenarios, the injection of thriller tones helps with escalating the tension and elevating the engagement of the story. What makes this a match made in heaven is the societal ambivalence towards technology that still reigns today.

This list brings to you the best sci-fi thrillers ever made. From quintessential masterpieces like Children of Men and Brazil, to independent gems like Sorry to Bother You and Primer, your thirst for reality-bending tales and mysterious stories will be satisfied completely. These movies are a testament to the magical potential of the seventh art and its ability to always surprise. Without any further delay, these are 30 of the best sci-fi thrillers, ranked.

Updated Mar. 3, 2024: This collection of the best science fiction thrillers ever made has been updated with additional information, useful features, and where to find each film on streaming.

30 The Platform (2019)

Written by David Desola and Pedro Rivero, The Platform was directed by Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia, and it sees Iván Massagué portraying a prisoner named Goreng. The prison he resides in, “The Pit,” consists of a tower-like structure, from the top of which the eponymous platform delivers food to two prisoners on each level. Left with nothing but sheer luck and his own ferocity to survive, Goreng and the numerous prisoners he interacts with do what is necessary to stay alive — even if it involves resorting to cannibalism.

Thrills and Social Commentary Combined

The Platform takes sci-fi thrillers to a darker level, as it brings a not-so-distant social hierarchy’s perversion to the screen. Beautifully shaded scenes, crisp sound design, and a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack all play their part in sucking the viewer into the madness as we follow Goreng’s endless descent. The grotesqueness on screen ultimately serves to illustrate a striking message in a hellish dystopia. At the 7th Feroz Awards, The Platform would receive nominations for Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Drama Film. Stream on Netflix

29 Cube (1997)

Co-written and directed by Vincenzo Natali in his directorial debut, Cube features an ensemble cast that includes Andrew Miller, David Hewlett, Nicole de Boer, and Maurice Dean Wint. The movie is set in a prison that is made exclusively of rooms resembling cubes. With little knowledge of how they arrived in such a mysterious place, a group of five find themselves navigating the confines of the cube by utilizing their unique talents, unaware that a bevy of deathtraps and complex puzzles may end their lives for good.

Minimal Setting, Monumental Screenplay

After its release, Cube has become a cult due to its unique setting and gory details. It is characterized by an engaging and thought-provoking philosophical screenplay that perfectly exalts the tension of the premise and gives us strong dialogue, focusing more on its individual characters instead of lofty worldbuilding. Despite the minimal setting, the cast is impressive in their delivery and ability to shine. The film would later spawn two sequels, Cube 2: Hypercube and Cube Zero, as well as a Japanese remake of the same name in 2021. Stream on Prime Video

28 Predestination (2014)

Predestination

Release Date

August 28, 2014

Runtime

97

Main Genre

Sci-Fi

Written and directed by Michael and Peter Spierig, Predestination is based on the short story All You Zombies by Robert A. Heinlein. It tells the story of Agent Doe (Ethan Hawke), a time travel agent tasked with apprehending future criminals. His last mission involves stopping the “Fizzle Bomber,” a serial arsonist whose explosive crimes will eventually lead to the deaths of thousands. However, what ought to be a simple case turns into something Doe could’ve never possibly anticipated. Predestination also features Sarah Snook and Noah Taylor.

Time Travel Makes for Thrilling Storytelling

Predestination lives thanks to its complex and intriguing screenplay and exceptional performances by Hawke and Snook. Moreover, the cherry on top is represented by the sublime cinematography by Ben Nott, which is effective in describing scenes both in the past and future. At the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards, Predestination would sweep the nominations, ultimately bringing home wins for Best Actress, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, and Best Production Design. Buy/Rent on Apple TV

27 Anon (2018)

Written, co-produced, and directed by Andrew Niccol, a sci-fi heavyweight, Anon features a privacy nightmare situation in which all citizens are required to wear an ocular device that constantly films everything they see. Sal Friedland (Clive Owen) is a police detective who stumbles upon a woman (Amanda Seynfield) with no recording implant. The movie also stars Colm Feore, Sonya Walger, and Joe Pingue.

Eerily Close to Reality

Anon brings to the screen a dystopian reality that doesn’t seem far-fetched or impossible, especially with most of the modern world carrying around recording equipment in their pockets. Its analysis of the role of technology is matched with a visual style that replicates the futuristic scenario, made possible via cinematographer Amir Mokri and editor Alex Rodriguez. Anon continues to be the latest film directed by Andrew Niccol, with his next film, I, Object, still in ongoing development. Stream on Netflix

26 Source Code (2011)

Written by Ben Ripley and directed by Duncan Jones, Source Code stars Jake Gyllenhaal in the role of U.S. Army Captain Colter Stevens. The soldier is tasked with finding the terrorist that bombed a train directed to Chicago, and to do so he uses a unique technological device. Specifically, the device allows him to relive the attack as if he were actually there, with the goal of determining who set off the explosion to begin with. The movie also features Michelle Monaghan, Jeffrey Wright, and Vera Farmiga.

A Sci-Fi Whodunit

Source Code features a potent screenplay that resembles a classic thriller, with the added benefit of a sci-fi tone that gives a technological twist to the timeless whodunit structure. Jones is inspiring and pleasant in his style, leading to the film’s incredible financial success at the box office with a whopping $147 million earned against a budget of just $32 million. It goes to show that an impressive thriller, let alone a science fiction film, doesn’t need a colossal budget to be entertaining. Buy/Rent on Prime Video

25 Coherence (2013)

Written and directed by James Ward Byrkit in his directorial debut, Coherence is a witty and psychologically driven sci-fi thriller. A group of friends, helmed by Em (Emily Foxler), meets in Northern California during the passing of Miller’s Comet. However, unbeknownst to them, this night will change their lives forever. The movie additionally features Maury Sterling, Elizabeth Gracen, and Nicholas Brendon.

Improvisation Overcoming a Low Budget

Coherence is an excellent example of the importance of crafting a great story when dealing with a low-budget production. The movie was mostly improvised by the actors, who only had notes from the director with information about their characters. This organic production paid off, with each actor’s natural personalities and charisma making for surprisingly authentic performances throughout. It’s an intriguing film not only for its tense thriller setting and its sci-fi elements, but for how it was actually constructed behind the scenes. Stream on Prime Video

24 Soylent Green (1973)

Written by Stanley R. Greenberg and directed by Richard Fleischer, Soylent Green features Charlton Heston in the role of Robert Thorn, an NYPD detective who is investigating what he suspects to be a murder of a wealthy business executive of Soylent Corporation. Meanwhile, the world has reached dystopian levels due to overpopulation and pollution. But, Thorn’s investigation ultimately uncovers not only the fate of the missing executive, but a shocking secret that will change everything. This film is additionally notable for featuring the final on-screen performance of Edward G. Robinson.

A Classic Sci-Fi Thriller

Soylent Green has become a cult classic over the years, thanks to Heston’s performance and an exciting mix of eco-conscious themes and thrilling moments. In fact, the movie constantly emphasizes the nefarious consequences of our current societal structure and its destructive trajectory. Its iconic ending has been either parodied or referenced in countless science fiction projects since, but it remains as effective as it was more than half a century ago. Buy/Rent on Apple TV

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23 Minority Report (2002)

Co-written by Scott Frank and Jon Cohen, who based the screenplay on the novel The Minority Report by Philip K. Dick, Minority Report was directed by Steven Spielberg. The movie stars Tom Cruise in the role of John Anderton, the commanding officer of a police program called Precrime. The program, as controversial as it is, utilizes psychics to catch criminals before they commit a potential crime. Naturally, when Anderton himself is targeted by the Precrime program, he enters a race against time to clear his own name before he can incriminate himself.

Spielberg Adapts Philip K. Dick

Philip K. Dick is one of the most significant contributors to the sci-fi genre, and the movies based on his writings rarely fail. Minority Report is another excellent example of the powerful imagination of the American writer, especially when you consider that Steven Spielberg directed it. It’s yet another incredible entry in his string of films from the 2000s, and given the film’s history with development hell prior to Spielberg’s involvement, it’s one that deserved all the hype when it originally released. Stream on Paramount+

22 Contagion (2011)

Contagion

Release Date

September 8, 2011

Runtime

106

Written by Scott Z. Burns and directed by Steven Soderbergh, Contagion stars an ensemble cast that includes Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Laurence Fishburne, Jude Law, and Kate Winslet. The movie tells the story of a highly infectious virus that spreads globally and the efforts to counteract and eliminate it. Instead of following a single perspective, we follow a group of separate characters as they each play a key role in taking on the disease.

More Relevant Than Ever

Contagion is a thriller that features sci-fi elements, mostly related to its dystopian atmosphere. What shines at first glance is the flawless visual style, achieved thanks to sharp cinematography by Soderbergh himself, under an alias. As the movie progresses, the intricate and tense screenplay does the rest. Of course, having lived through a similar global pandemic in recent years, Contagion feels all the more effective as a result, especially with its creative editing and camera tricks. Buy/Rent on Apple TV

21 12 Monkeys (1995)

12 Monkeys

Release Date

December 29, 1995

Cast

Joseph Melito , Bruce Willis , Jon Seda , Michael Chance , Vernon Campbell , H. Michael Walls

Runtime

129

12 Monkeys was written by David Peoples and Janet Peoples, and directed by Terry Gilliam. The movie was inspired by the short movie La Jetée by Chris Marker. In the distant future, after a virus is released and almost kills the entire human population, a convict named James Cole (Bruce Willis) is sent back in time to understand the virus’s emergence.

Terry Gilliam Takes on a Sci-Fi Thriller

12 Monkeys shows the innate ability of the British director to craft a convincing and immersive dystopian world. At the same time, Gilliam does not forget his visual sense, with some impressive direction facilitated through Roger Pratt’s cinematography. It goes without saying that Willis is unforgettable as well, and the film’s exploration of conspiracies and time travel add ample science fiction elements to an already compelling thriller premise. Buy/Rent on Apple TV

20 Westworld (1973)

Westworld

Release Date

August 15, 1973

Director

Michael Crichton

Cast

Yul Brynner , Richard Benjamin , James Brolin , Norman Bartold , Alan Oppenheimer , Victoria Shaw

Runtime

88

Westworld was written and directed by Michael Crichton, a major contributor to the sci-fi genre, and it features Yul Brynner, Richard Benjamin, James Brolin, and Victoria Shaw. Friends Peter (Benjamin) and John (Brolin) vacation to Delos, a futuristic amusement park where androids recreate three worlds: the Old West, the Middle Ages, and Pompeii. However, things quickly go south as the park’s numerous androids start to mysteriously malfunction. Brynner plays an android gunfighter.

A Visually Striking Thriller

Westworld is characterized by a versatile screenplay, entertaining in its development as well as thought-provoking in its themes. At the same time, the movie shines with its amazing cinematography and convincing acting, especially by Brynner. Its popularity and overall cultural impact would lead to the development of an HBO series in 2016, and the concept of Westworld’s malfunctioning machines — especially through the use of a computer virus — would go on to become a staple of science fiction films for decades. Its Western setting is a delightful cherry on top as well. Buy/Rent on Prime Video

19 High-Rise (2015)

High-Rise

Release Date

November 22, 2015

Director

Ben Wheatley

Runtime

112

Written by Amy Jump and directed by Ben Wheatley, High-Rise is based on the homonymous novel by J. G. Ballard. The movie unfolds in a tower block on the London periphery, and it is set in the 1970s. The building structure matches the outside society, with higher socioeconomic classes living at the top, and lower classes living at the bottom. Unfortunately, as tensions between the two groups boil over amid the structure’s ailing infrastructure woes, class divisions won’t mean a thing as fists fly.

High-Rise Comes With a Star-Studded Cast

High-Rise couldn’t be as phenomenal without its fantastic ensemble cast, with great performances by Tom Hiddleston, Sienna Miller, and Jeremy Irons. Furthermore, Wheatley continues to confirm his incredible visual talent as a filmmaker, with his previous films A Field in England and Sightseers carrying a similar level of eye-catching flair. At the Empire Awards, High-Rise would eventually secure a nomination for Best British Film. Stream on Netflix

18 Timecrimes (2007)

Timecrimes

Release Date

October 5, 2007

Director

Nacho Vigalondo

Cast

Karra Elejalde , Candela Fernández , Barbara Goenaga , Nacho Vigalondo , Juan Inciarte , Miguel Ángel Poo

Runtime

88

Main Genre

Sci-Fi

Timecrimes was written and directed by Nacho Vigalondo, and it stars Karra Elejalde in the role of Héctor, a man who is renovating the home he shares with his wife Clara (Candela Fernández). After he sees a woman in the forest behind the house, Héctor’s life takes an unexpected direction as he inadvertently gets caught in a time loop. The movie also features Barbara Goenaga, Juan Inciarte, and Vigalondo himself.

Thrills, Black Comedy, and Time Travel

Timecrimes uses a simple setting that contrasts with the complex and intricate screenplay, allowing for the individual performances within it to truly shine. Vigalondo is full of ideas and creativity, delivering a sci-fi thriller that even indulges in dark comedic aspects. Sometimes, less is more. It would eventually win Best Picture at Fantastic Fest, with Nacho Vigalondo going on to receive a Best New Director nomination at the Goya Awards. Buy/Rent on Apple TV

17 Primer (2004)

Primer

Release Date

October 8, 2004

Cast

Shane Carruth , David Sullivan , Casey Gooden , Anand Upadhyaya , Carrie Crawford , Jay Butler

Runtime

78

Shane Carruth is one of the most versatile artists in the American independent scene, and his directorial debut Primer shows exactly his uncommon talent. Carruth wrote, produced, edited, and directed it, as well as starred in the role of Aaron. Primer follows Aaron, an engineer, who joins his friend Abe (David Sullivan) after work for some tech experiments. During one of these research projects, something unexpected is discovered, granting the duo a scientific breakthrough the likes of which we’ve yet to see.

An Examination of Unexpected Power

Primer‘s incredible indie look perfectly fits the philosophically dense and scientifically realistic screenplay. It seems like you’re witnessing the experiment yourself, which makes the development of the story more gripping. Its minuscule budget of around $7,000 would make back hundreds of thousands of dollars at the box office, with its grounded focus on scientific progress differentiating Primer from its contemporaries. It’s not a matter of dealing with professional egos here, but instead, it’s two minds handling a discovery far beyond their grasp. Buy/Rent on Prime Video

16 Inception (2010)

Inception

Release Date

July 15, 2010

Runtime

148

Inception was written and directed by Christopher Nolan, and it stars Leonardo DiCaprio as the uniquely talented thief Dom Cobb. The professional, helped by his crew, accesses his targets’ subconscious through dreams to steal valuable information. He is asked by business executive Saito (Ken Watanabe) to plant, rather than steal, an idea from his business rival’s son, Robert Michael Fischer (Cillian Murphy). Naturally, messing with something as fragile as the human mind leads to some disastrous consequences.

Thievery Taking Place Through Dreams

Inception is a work of tension, perfectly conveyed through wild plot twists and an incredibly layered screenplay: there’s no time to breathe or relax as the story builds and builds. Simultaneously, Inception‘s technical aspects are fantastic, with practical and computer-generated effects lending credence to the film’s lofty premise. Its ambiguous ending is a perfect closer, leaving you to ruminate on its ambitious themes once the journey is over. Buy/Rent on Apple TV

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15 A Scanner Darkly (2006)

A Scanner Darkly was written and directed by Richard Linklater and is based on the homonymous novel by Philip K. Dick. Keanu Reeves is the protagonist, portraying undercover police officer Bob Arctor. The movie also features a dystopian scenario in which the mysterious Substance D has become the drug of choice for most Americans. As Arctor attempts to infiltrate the drug trade, he may find himself losing his own sense of reality via the drug’s hallucinogenic effects.

Hallucinogens Are Rampant in This Dystopian Thriller

A Scanner Darkly brings the constant hallucinatory state of heavy drug consumption to the max, especially emphasized by the painstaking production that involved interpolated rotoscope animation. The screenplay’s themes of identity and technological dystopia give additional substance to the movie, and Linklater’s dreamlike direction meshes beautifully with the film’s wider themes. Stream on Kanopy

14 Prometheus (2010)

Prometheus was written by Jon Spaihts and Damon Lindelof, and directed by Ridley Scott. It’s the first prequel of the Alien franchise and was followed by the second installment, Alien: Covenant. A crew of explorers is assembled by Weyland Corporation CEO Peter Weyland (Guy Pearce) to follow a mysterious star map found in Scotland. They will discover something distressing, potentially unleashing a monstrous threat that could end all life in the universe if left unchecked.

A Thrilling Alien Prequel

Prometheus sees Ridley Scott coming back behind the camera for a project related to Alien, and his touch is visible. The movie is shot flawlessly, a visual spectacle of taste. Meanwhile, the screenplay balances philosophy and tension perfectly. It may have gotten too much hate when it originally debuted, but time has a way of sanding down negative reception. Prometheus‘ positive qualities are ultimately worth experiencing, even if the end result doesn’t tie directly into the more popular Alien films. Stream on Hulu

13 Tenet (2020)

Tenet

Release Date

August 22, 2020

Runtime

195

Written, co-produced, and directed by Christopher Nolan, Tenet is a visionary take on the action genre, here deconstructed with great sci-fi and thriller touches. The movie sees John David Washington starring as a nameless protagonist, a CIA agent in the middle of a turbulent crisis that could lead to World War III. There’s just one problem: the crisis involves objects moving backwards through time. Tenet also features Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, and Kenneth Branagh.

A Polarizing Christopher Nolan Thriller

Tenet is a sometimes misunderstood movie. Nolan constructs theatrical experiences with movies like this, thanks to their photogenic visuals and impressive sound design. The result is the facility with which Tenet absorbs the viewer’s attention. Despite being released during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, it would go on to become one of the highest-grossing films of 2020, before later winning an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects. Buy/Rent on Apple TV

12 Moon (2009)

Moon

Release Date

June 12, 2009

Runtime

97

Moon was written by Nathan Parker and directed by Duncan Jones, in his directorial debut. It features an incredible performance by Sam Rockwell, who plays Sam Bell, a man whose job is to mine helium-3, in solitary, on the dark side of the moon. Towards the completion of his three-year shift, Sam experiences a crisis that could change his life forever.

One of the Most Effective Sci-Fi Twists

Moon uses the claustrophobic tension of living alone in one single location perfectly. At the same time, the movie enriches the audience with philosophical implications and sharp scientific content. Sam Rockwell glows in his lead role, pulling off a performance that has yet to be matched by his more recent projects. It would go on to win a BAFTA Award for Outstanding Debut by a British Director. Buy/Rent on Prime Video

11 Aliens (1986)

Aliens

Release Date

July 18, 1986

Runtime

137

Aliens is the second installment of the Alien franchise, and it was written and directed by James Cameron. After being in stasis for 57 years aboard the Nostromo’s escape shuttle, Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) is awakened by her colleagues at the Weyland-Yutani Corporation. She is quickly tasked with investigating the loss of contact in a terraforming colony, albeit with a squadron of highly-trained Colonial Marines in tow this time.

Amplified Action in an Alien Sequel

Aliens retained thriller elements of its predecessor, but contrasted the slow-paced horror atmosphere of the first movie with a faster pace and multiple action sequences. At the same time, the film shines because of Weaver’s impeccable performance and Cameron’s abilities behind the camera. In a lot of ways, it’s one of the few films that stands just as strong as its predecessor, if not more so. Stream on Max