We all love a good old-fashioned space romp, or at least that’s the assumption we’re going to make for the purposes of this list. A grand adventure set out amongst the stars that tells physics and all other forms of science to hit the intergalactic highway, soft sci-fi has been one of the most predominant forms of science fiction since the genre began. As much fun as those soft kinds of sci-fi movies can be, though, there’s something special about their harder siblings.

Hard sci-fi is defined by its attention to detail and fidelity to accuracy. Now, no sci-fi movie is 100% scientifically accurate; in fact, it could be argued that many of the films that will make up this list barely cross the halfway point in terms of realism, but here we award points for trying. These are the movies that at least attempt to get the science right, just as long as it doesn’t get in the way of telling a good story. These are the ten greatest hard sci-fi movie masterpieces of all time, offering grounded takes on the genre that feel ambitious but refreshingly real.

10

‘Primer’ (2004)

Image via THINKFilm

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Shane Carruth’s low-budget sci-fi film Primer is about as grounded as a film about time travel can get. While the central concept is still a fantastical invention, it is surrounded by realistic and highly technical scientific details that inform the grounded setting. Primer doesn’t have elaborate lab sets or depict time travel with any kind of elaborate CGI. It’s just two guys in a garage with a metal box.

In addition to writing and directing, Carruth also stars as Aaron, one-half of the duo who discovers the ability to travel back in time. Together, Aaron and Abe (David Sullivan) begin to experiment with time travel, going back in time and using future knowledge to their benefit. It doesn’t take long for the timelines to get complicated, and the men and their doppelgängers begin to turn on each other. Primer is a thought-provoking and intelligent sci-fi movie that far surpasses its limited budget with true ingenuity.

Image via Warner Bros.

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Robert Zemeckis is still one of the most technically proficient directors in Hollywood. His experience and innovation of cutting-edge technology have produced classics like the Back to the Future trilogy, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, and Death Becomes Her. Starting with Forrest Gump, Zemeckis began to find ways to integrate his technological interests into more grounded dramas. The underrated Contact, based on the novel by Carl Sagan, preceded the hard sci-fi trend in Hollywood by over a decade and allowed Zemeckis his first opportunity to tell a more grounded science-fiction story.

The film adaptation focuses on Dr. Ellie Arroway (Jodie Foster), who works for the SETI program. After she discovers a signal coming from the star Vega, Arroway finds herself in the middle of a mission to build a machine that will allow her to travel through wormholes in the hopes of making contact with those who sent the signal. Contact spends an inordinate amount of time dealing with the science of its story and the impact of discovering alien life has on civilization. It’s a more cerebral first contact film than something like Steven Spielberg‘s more fanciful Close Encounters of the Third Kind, which packs a more satisfying emotional punch.

8

‘Gattaca’ (1997)

Image via Sony Pictures Releasing

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The social divisions we’ve created in our current society get an upgrade in Andrew Niccol‘s Gattaca, set in a near future where discrimination has been turned into a science thanks to widespread use of eugenics. Divisions are created not so much by race or economic status as they are between those born naturally and those designed to be genetically perfect. It’s a fascinating film filled with more ideas in single scenes than many Hollywood sci-fi films manage across their entire runtimes. Though it takes a more one-sided approach to the more complex bioethical issues at play, it’s undeniably compelling and accurate in its assumption that our technological capabilities will always outpace our morality.

Ethan Hawke plays Vincent, conceived naturally and thus considered an in-valid, preventing him from pursuing a career in space travel. He finds his way around his perceived genetic inferiority by using the genetic material of another man to receive a position on an upcoming spaceflight. While the social themes are given as much weight as the science behind them, Gattaca advances the conversation about the conflict where scientific advancement and social order meet. It’s only become more relevant as the fight to provide protection and prevent discrimination based on genetic conditions is in constant flux in the political system.

7

‘Interstellar’ (2014)

Image via Paramount Pictures

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Originally developed by Steven Spielberg, based on an idea by theoretical physicist Kip Thorne in collaboration with producer Lynda Obst, Interstellar changed hands over to Christopher Nolan, who brought his ability to blend a blockbuster sensibility with more cerebral cinema to its sci-fi story of astronauts in search of a planet to replace Earth. The film finds balance in its human and scientific themes but, like much of Nolan’s directorial work, is at its best as a work of spectacle, much of which is grounded in hard sci-fi concepts.

In a future where Earth is suffering from major blights, and humanity is under threat of extinction, NASA sends Matthew McConaughey‘s Cooper on a mission to investigate the viability of several planets found through a wormhole. The mission takes on some thrilling twists and turns as Cooper and his crew face mile-high waves on one planet and human betrayal on another. Reviews at the time of release were slightly less enthused about the film’s attempts to combine its scientific craft thematically with its emotional character development, but it remains a sci-fi spectacle with few to rival it.

6

‘Gravity’ (2013)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

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Alfonso Cuarón‘s greatest sci-fi masterpiece is the dystopic thriller Children of Men, which is far more concerned with the social implications of its infertility plot than the scientific, but right behind it is the orbital survival thriller Gravity. With astounding visual effects and an adherence to depicting its space environment with a higher level of realism, the film captures the dichotomy between space’s inherent beauty and imminent danger. As with any hard sci-fi movie, Gravity diverts from reality in many instances in order to tell a more engaging story, but it is far from the fantastical visions of space Hollywood is known for.

Sandra Bullock and George Clooney co-star as two astronauts in orbit servicing the Hubble telescope, when some space debris comes hurtling toward them. With their shuttle destroyed, they must embark on a mission to reach the International Space Station in order to return to Earth safely. It’s a survival story of resilience and persistence, and Bullock anchors the film with her emotionally tethered lead performance. It’s all the more impressive considering the constraints of filming with so many visual effects. Almost all the environments in the movie are rendered with CGI, with the actors placed in complex rigs to simulate zero gravity and the lighting of space. It’s a technical masterpiece and one of the most enthralling hard sci-fi movies ever made.

5

‘Moon’ (2009)

Image via Sony Pictures Classics

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A small-scale film made with a much lower budget than many of its hard sci-fi contemporaries, Duncan Jones‘ Moon is no less thematically dense or technically impressive. Set on the shoulders of lead actor Sam Rockwell, who spends a great deal of the time alone, the film is a lunar ser character study of humanity and identity. It’s a lesser-known film than many of its bigger-budget studio brethren and deserves a large audience to appreciate its unique mystery elements.

Rockwell plays Sam, the sole worker of a helium-3 mining facility on the moon. He’s nearing the end of his three-year contract when an accident leads to an unsettling discovery about himself and the work he’s been doing. It’s a twist that is only the beginning of the film’s existential nightmare created by corporate greed, giving Rockwell a fair amount of emotional real estate to work with in his performance. Moon is proof that amazing hard sci-fi movies can be made with modest budgets if they have good actors and clever concepts.

4

‘Ex Machina’ (2015)

Artificial Intelligence is on everyone’s mind right now, but it’s a concept that has been at the forefront of dozens of different sci-fi stories and films. As with any developing technology, much of the discourse surrounding A.I. in film has been of a skeptical and fearful nature, but some films have engaged with it in a more thoughtful manner, such as Alex Garland‘s directorial debut, Ex Machina. A moody chamber piece featuring only a handful of characters, Garland’s film questions not only the nature of consciousness and autonomy, but also the ethical implications of creation and control.

Domhnall Gleeson plays a socially-awkward programmer who has been chosen for a secretive visit to the home of his tech company’s CEO, played by Oscar Isaac. The CEO has developed and built an artificial lifeform named Ava (Alicia Vikander), whom he wants the programmer to interact with to determine if she is truly capable of independent thought. The dynamics between all three characters become increasingly strained as the CEO’s true colors begin to show, and Ava expresses a desire to be free of her captivity. Ex Machina explores profound ideas that only become more inescapably relevant as technology advances.

3

‘The Martian’ (2015)

Image via 20th Century Studios

Based on the acclaimed sci-fi novel by Andy Weir, The Martian is an incredibly entertaining film made all the more exciting by its reasonably realistic approach, which showcases the triumph of science and human collaboration. What could be dense explanations of highly technical information are made palatable for a general audience thanks to a sharp script by Drew Goddard and a talented cast led by a never more affable Matt Damon. Director Ridley Scott had previously helmed two of the greatest sci-fi films of all time, Alien and Blade Runner. With The Martian, he found an exciting new world to explore with a more emotional and humorous storyline grounded in believable science.

Damon plays astronaut and botanist Mark Watney, stranded on Mars after a destructive storm caused an evacuation of his team, who presumed he was dead after being struck by equipment. His survival then becomes dependent on ingenuity and persistence, as well as the combined efforts of NASA scientists back on Earth. The Martian quite faithfully adapts Weir’s funny and informative novel, and both aspects elevate each other instead of being incongruous. Along with the equally entertaining Project Hail Mary, Weir is two for two in having his novels adapted into hard sci-fi masterpieces.

2

‘Arrival’ (2016)

Image via Paramount Pictures

Like Scott, director Denis Villeneuve has explored sci-fi from several different angles, having helmed the impressive follow-up to Scott’s sci-fi noir in the legacy sequel Blade Runner 2049, and delivered epic space fantasies in his Dune adaptations. Before both of those, he directed the more grounded approach to humanity’s first contact with aliens in Arrival. It’s a sophisticated sci-fi that explores the perceptions of communication, the concepts of fate and determinism, and the intersection of love and grief. It’s a stellar example of ideas and emotions driving a sci-fi narrative over technology or action.

Based on the novella Story of Your Life by Ted Chiang, the film follows a linguist, played by Amy Adams, who is enlisted by the United States military to study and make contact with extraterrestrial lifeforms who have recently landed on Earth. The sudden appearance of these lifeforms around the world has caused international unease, with tensions rising over whether the use of preemptive force is warranted. The film focuses on the science of linguistics, and, according to several academics, does a reasonable job of accurately portraying it, emphasizing the importance and power of language through its impactful sci-fi storytelling.

1

‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ (1968)

Image via Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

What other film could be the best of hard sci-fi than Stanley Kubrick‘s monumental, and monumentally influential, masterpiece 2001: A Space Odyssey? It’s the film that made quantum leaps forward in visual effects technology, presented a plausible vision of space travel on film a year before anyone had even landed on the Moon and which almost every sci-fi film since, soft or hard, owes a tremendous debt to. It was a Herculean effort by Kubrick and his crew, and the result still awes and astounds more than five decades after its release.

The film deals with artificial intelligence, human evolution, alien contact and space exploration in an epic journey across the stars as a group of astronauts investigates an alien monolith whose appearance has recurred through thousands of years of human history. That journey is placed in peril by HAL 9000, still the most iconic A.I. antagonist in film history, whose inability to reconcile its programming with the concept of deception causes it to become homicidal. After the defeat of HAL, the final surviving astronaut reaches the monolith and is shown the very fabric of the space-time continuum before experiencing a rapid evolution to a higher form of existence. Few sci-fi films have been able to properly contend with even one of the major ideas with as much complexity as Kubrick’s gem, and fewer still have been able to pull off as convincing a depiction of space travel with more advanced visual effects technology or higher budgets. It’s why it’s the greatest hard sci-fi masterpiece ever made.

You don’t have to know Barbara Palvin by name to know that you’ve seen her everywhere. She’s modeled for major brands, ranging from Jimmy Choo to Victoria’s Secret. Her wedding to actor Dylan Sprouse was featured in Vogue, and she often attends big Hollywood events, including the New York Premiere of The Devil Wears Prada 2.

Given the star’s background and insider status, we’d expect her to walk the red carpet decked out in designer — perhaps even wear a custom creation she could show off to the cameras. But surprisingly, Palvin took the opposite route, rocking pieces from Walmart at the star-studded event. Palvin proved you don’t have to spend big to achieve fabulous style.

Get the Devil Wears Prada Scoop Collection Fringe Skirt for $39 at Walmart!

Of course, these weren’t just any old items — Palvin wore clothes from Scoop’s Devil Wears Prada collection, ensuring she was perfectly on-trend with her budget-friendly finds. Her outfit included a structured, single-breasted navy blazer layered over a white button-down that sneakily laced up at the back. While faux snakeskin slingbacks provided a pop of print to her otherwise neutral ensemble, it was the model’s fun fringe skirt that we couldn’t stop staring at. It’s hard to believe that all of these items are under $55!

Related: Psst! Walmart’s New ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ Collection Is Destined to Sell Out

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Florals for spring? Not so groundbreaking. But a new The Devil Wears Prada-inspired drop at Walmart? Well, that’s actually worth talking about. The just-dropped collection is packed with chic office pieces, elevated essentials and statement styles that feel straight out of a runway montage. Just know: Everything is currently on pre-order, so early shoppers definitely […]

It makes sense that these styles are already selling out. Available in 4X and 26 Plus, the collection is size-inclusive and even comes in alternative colorways. The Devil Wears Prada Scoop Collection skirt, for instance, is also available in a red shade Miranda Priestly would approve of, while the collared shirt is offered in an office-friendly baby blue. We’re also tempted to buy the blazer in cerulean and wear it when we see the film at our local movie theater!

It’s possible that Palvin had the inside scoop on, well, Scoop. She’s posed Walmart’s other expensive-looking brand, Free Assembly, and both labels have famed fashion designer Brandon Maxwell as creative director. The visionary’s designs have been spotted on everyone from Kate Hudson to Kerry Washington and Katie Holmes — even Beyoncé has rocked his luxury line. Obviously, he’s continuing to bring high-end style to the masses, allowing Us to look just as good as the A-listers, just at a reasonable price.

With The Devil Wears Prada 2 set to premiere on May 1, and Palvin spilling her red carpet secret on Instagram, it’s only a matter of time before budget-friendly fashionistas discover this too-cool drop. So, by all means, move at a glacial pace, but if you’re ready for something luxe without spending a fortune, shop these items ASAP!

Check out all of the Walmart pieces Barbara Palvin wore below:

Related: Katie Holmes‘ Stylish Old Navy Sweater Is Surprisingly Still in Stock

After years of tracking down celebrity outfits, we’ve come to expect the worst. That little bag we love? More than our monthly rent. Those sneakers that one star wears everywhere? Hundreds of dollars (and they’re just basic white!). We’ve grown so used to nailing the look for less that when Katie Holmes stepped out in […]

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At 88, Jane Fonda isn’t just aging well — she’s redefining what great mature skin can look like. Her complexion is consistently smooth, luminous and full of that unmistakable vitality, with a firmness and radiance that doesn’t rely on heavy makeup or over-the-top treatments. Naturally, when someone’s skin looks that healthy and refined at her age, you want to know what’s actually in their routine.

According to InStyle, Fonda uses L’Oreal Age Perfect Cell Renewal Midnight Serum — a luxe-feeling formula available at CVS for $44. A longtime ambassador for the brand, Fonda’s endorsement of the serum makes it feel like more than just a one-off recommendation. It’s a product she’s consistently stood by over time — and one clearly suited for maintaining smooth, radiant-looking skin at any age.

Get the L’Oreal Age Perfect Cell Renewal Midnight Serum for $44 at CVS! 

Related: Want Amal Clooney’s ‘Rich Girl’ Hair? Get Her Exact $10 Gloss

Amal Clooney just proved that achieving glossy, expensive-looking hair doesn’t require a luxury budget. While attending a Cartier event in Milan, the human rights lawyer stepped out with voluminous waves and a silky, high-shine finish that looked straight out of a high-end campaign. The surprising part? Her ultra-polished look wasn’t created with a pricey salon […]

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What sets this serum apart is how it works with your skin overnight, when renewal is at its peak. It’s formulated with an Antioxidant Recovery Complex, along with vitamin E and hyaluronic acid, to support skin as it replenishes itself. The result is a formula designed to help improve the look of wrinkles, loss of firmness and uneven texture (all key concerns for mature skin), while revealing a smoother, more radiant finish over time.

It also delivers that coveted “luxury serum” experience without a spa trip. The silky texture absorbs quickly and layers easily under a night cream, making it a seamless addition to your routine. It’s suitable for all skin types and tones, including sensitive skin, and works to leave skin feeling softer, more hydrated and visibly refreshed by morning — something especially important as skin naturally becomes drier over time.

Shoppers say the payoff is real. The serum has earned more than 4,000 rave reviews, with users saying it visibly “fills the wrinkles” and makes them “much less noticeable.” Another buyer loves its “lightweight” texture that makes the skin on their face and décolletage “feel plump.”

Fonda’s go-to serum is all about supporting mature skin with real, visible results — not just a temporary glow. You can snag the $44 serum at CVS, with delivery, same-day drop-off and in-store pickup options available. It makes getting that refreshed, healthy-looking complexion feel refreshingly simple.

Get the L’Oreal Age Perfect Cell Renewal Midnight Serum for $44 at CVS! 

Looking for something else? Explore more from L’Oreal Paris here and don’t forget to check out all of Extra Big Deals for more great finds!

Related: Jessica Alba’s $23 Moisturizer Makes Skin ‘Youthful and Plump’

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Jessica Alba gave fans a peek inside her Oscars night prep, and while her glam was predictably flawless, it was her skin that really stood out. Smooth, glowing and perfectly prepped, her complexion had that lit-from-within finish that makeup alone can’t fake — the kind that starts with the right base. In a recent Vanity Fair […]

Love appears to have taken center stage once again for Harry Styles, and this time, it may be leading straight down the aisle. 

After weeks of speculation, new photos and insider details have fueled reports that the global pop star is now engaged to actress Zoë Kravitz. 

What started as a low-key romance has quickly evolved into something far more serious, with sources describing a whirlwind relationship that has left those around them unsurprised by the latest development.

Speculations about Harry Styles and Zoë Kravitz being engaged reached new heights this week, and according to insiders, the speculation isn’t far off. 

“He is completely smitten,” a source told Page Six, adding, “He would jump off a cliff for her.” 

The feeling appears to be mutual, with Kravitz described as “on cloud nine” as their relationship reaches this new level.

Their romance first caught attention in August 2025 when the pair were seen strolling through Rome together, looking close and comfortable. 

Around the same time, they were also spotted in London, where their chemistry was impossible to ignore. 

What initially looked like a casual connection quickly gained momentum, with insiders hinting early on that this was something much deeper than a short-lived fling.

Styles And Kravitz Relationship Moved At Lightning Speed

As the relationship progressed, those close to the couple began to notice just how quickly things were developing. 

One insider summed it up simply, telling Page Six, “I feel like they’ve gone from 0 to 60.” 

The fast pace didn’t seem to concern either of them, especially given the challenges of dating in the public eye. 

“It’s so hard to date as a celebrity … Harry wouldn’t have gone public with Zoë if it wasn’t anything,” the source added.

By early 2026, the connection between Styles and Kravitz appeared stronger than ever. Reports suggested that Kravitz had already been telling people in her inner circle that Styles is “her soulmate,” a detail that only added fuel to the growing engagement rumors. 

Despite their rising profile as a couple, they have remained relatively private, choosing to keep their relationship out of the spotlight whenever possible.

Still, they haven’t been completely out of view. The pair have been seen enjoying low-key outings, including walks around Brooklyn, and were recently photographed holding hands as they headed into a “Saturday Night Live” after-party following Styles’ hosting appearance. 

Zoë Kravitz Steps Out With Harry Styles In North London, Igniting Engagement Talk

Kravitz and Harry Styles fueled major engagement buzz during a recent outing in North London this week, where the couple was spotted enjoying a low-key stroll while dressed in coordinated, effortlessly stylish looks. 

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As The Blast reported, Kravitz wore a taupe trench coat layered over a white button-down shirt with brown trousers and loafers, accessorized with sunglasses and a baseball cap, while the singer opted for a navy Harrington jacket, matching pants, and white Vans.  

The pair kept a relatively low profile, both wearing caps and sunglasses, and carried shoulder bags as they walked side by side through the neighborhood.  

Their outing appeared relaxed and intimate, with the two staying close and moving in sync, reflecting their growing bond.

However, what drew the most attention was Kravitz’s jewelry. She wore a large diamond ring on her left ring finger. “You couldn’t miss the ring on her finger. It is absolutely huge,” an onlooker remarked.

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Styles And Kravitz Bring Past Relationships Into Focus

Both stars come into this relationship with a history of high-profile romances, making their current connection even more intriguing to fans. 

Zoë Kravitz was previously married to Karl Glusman from 2019 to 2020 before moving on with Channing Tatum. The two became engaged in 2023 but ultimately ended their relationship a year later.

Harry Styles, on the other hand, has been linked to several well-known names over the years, including Taylor Russell, Olivia Wilde, Kendall Jenner, and Taylor Swift. 

Just months before his relationship with Kravitz became public, he was even spotted kissing producer Ella Kenny at the Glastonbury Festival.

Harry Styles Claps Back At Queerbaiting Claims With Bold ‘SNL’ Joke

The engagement news comes weeks after Harry Styles directly addressed queer-baiting accusations during his opening monologue on “Saturday Night Live,” and the actual details are very specific. 

According to The Blast, he said, “People seemed to pay a lot of attention to the clothes I was wearing,” adding that “some people accused me of something called ‘queerbaiting.’” 

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He then joked, “Did it ever occur to you that maybe you don’t know everything about me, Dad?”  

The monologue built up to a comedic moment where he kissed cast member Ben Marshall on stage. 

After the kiss, Styles turned to the camera and delivered the punchline: “Now that’s queerbaiting.”  

He also joked about his personal life, calling himself “tremendously boring” and poking fun at how people overanalyze everything he does. 

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Jamie Lynn Sigler is reflecting on the last moment she shared with actor James Gandolfini, highlighting their close bond. The two worked together on “The Sopranos” for the show’s entire run, portraying father and daughter Tony and Meadow Soprano.

She also spoke about how her on-screen father supported her throughout her battle with multiple sclerosis (MS), recalling his kindness, encouragement, and the lasting impact he had on her both during and after their time on the series.

In an interview for a cover story with Us Weekly, Jamie Lynn Sigler recalled the last time she saw her on-screen father, James Gandolfini, before he passed away in 2013. It was just months before his death, and they saw each other at a casino. “I was happy to see him in a beautiful marriage and in a beautiful space in his life,” the actress said.

“We were both like, ‘We’re good. Look at us’,” said Sigler, adding that Gandolfini asked her if she needed his help walking. At that time, Sigler had not revealed to the public that she had MS, an autoimmune disease that attacks the nervous system, and the actor was one of the only few people she shared her diagnosis with.

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“I said ‘I’m OK,’ and he said, ‘Alright, you tell me if you need help.’ I remember him being proud. It was a beautiful moment,” Sigler said.

James Gandolfini Was The Only One On ‘The Sopranos’ Who Knew Of The Actress’ Diagnosis

Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Meadow en #LosSoprano, sobre trabajar con James Gandolfini: “Jim era un compañero de escena que me hacía sentir que su única intención era hacerme lo mejor posible como actriz”.

Le echamos de menos. pic.twitter.com/zpmE1yuHCb

— SERIELIZADOS (@SERIELIZADOS) October 27, 2023

Elsewhere in the interview, Sigler shared how Gandolfini helped lessen her burden as she battled her disease in secret. The actress was diagnosed with MS when she was 20 years old, around 2001 to 2002, but it wasn’t until 2016 that she shared it with the world, fearing that going public with her ailment would have limited her career opportunities.

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Sigler told Us Weekly that Gandolfini would often pull her aside and ask how she was doing. “But never at work and never in front of anybody. It shifted a lot of the energy for me, just knowing that somebody knows my secret,” she said.

In a 2024 episode of the “Work in Progress” podcast, Sigler talked about the moment she told Gandolfini about her MS. “I remember him putting his big paw on my shoulder and he’s like, ‘Whatever you need, I’m not gonna tell anyone, but whatever you need, you let me know’,” Sigler recalled, adding that the actor was “the most loving, gentle presence.”

The Moment Jamie Lynn Sigler Found Out About Her On-Screen Father’s Death

In 2013, Gandolfini was on vacation in Italy with his family when he had a heart attack. He was discovered unconscious in his hotel bathroom in Rome, and paramedics attempted life-saving measures on the way to the hospital, but he was declared dead on arrival. He was 51 years old.

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In an episode of “Oprah: Where Are They Now?” Sigler recalled the moment she learned about Gandolfini’s death. She received a call from one of her “Sopranos” co-stars, Vince Curatola, who said, “All of us were confused as to who should call you because we know you’re pregnant… but Jim’s gone.”

Sigler said she was shocked and cried a lot. “It was surreal, because how many times had we done funeral scenes as a cast? And to lay to rest our leader — he was the sun and we were the planets all around him. So the whole ‘Sopranos’ life sort of came to an end at that moment,” the actress shared.

The Actress Learned Numerous Lessons From Gandolfini

A couple of years after Gandolfini’s death, Sigler shared that the actor taught her to be more assertive on set and to gain confidence, telling her that her opinion mattered and that part of acting was collaborating, not just being directed.

“He taught me how to improv a little bit, and he taught me to trust my instincts,” she said, adding that she learned a lot from the actor just by being around him on set. “You just felt like everything’s going to be okay… he was just your leader and your protector,” Sigler said of Gandolfini’s presence.

Jamie Lynn Sigler Shares James Gandolfini’s Touching Gesture

In a 2024 conversation with Justin Long on the podcast “Life is Short,” Sigler recalled how Gandolfini supported her indirectly, in addition to always checking in with her. The actress said that her “Sopranos” father had always been protective of her, especially after he found out she had MS. “I found out after his death that he donated to MS organizations constantly for me,” Sigler told Long.

Sigler shared her MS diagnosis in 2016 via an interview with PEOPLE, saying that she was finally ready to “live my truth.” “I don’t want to hold a secret where it feels like I have something to be ashamed of or something to hide,” she said.

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Sigler has lived with MS for more than 20 years and hosts the podcast “MeSsy” with Christina Applegate, who is also living with the condition.

The fantasy genre can be broken down into various sub-genres, such as the magic-heavy high fantasy or the more gritty dark fantasy. One sub-genre is sword-and-sorcery, defined by its emphasis on action and adventure, as sword-wielding heroes battle all sorts of monsters on their quests, which often veer towards self-serving rather than altruistic. Magic is usually presented as a rare and powerful thing wielded by villains, so the heroes usually save the day through strength of arms and a cunning mind.

A good number of fantasy movies over the decades can be called sword-and-sorcery. Impressive effects, beautiful scenery, and compelling actors turn what could easily be silly or pulpy stories into daring quests full of monsters and mystery, making them a great and timeless watch. With the upcoming release of Masters of the Universe, now it’s a great time to look at the all-time best sword-and-sorcery movies, must-watches for any self-respecting fantasy fan.

‘Dragonheart’ (1996)

Image via Universal Studios

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A dragon (Sir Sean Connery) gives up half of his heart to save the dying Prince Einon (Lee Oakes and David Thewlis), but the Prince soon reveals himself a tyrant, prompting his trainer, Sir Bowen (Dennis Quaid), to swear vengeance against all dragons, whom he blames for the change. Years later, Bowen has become a skilled dragon hunter and is followed by the Monk Brother Gilbert (Pete Postlethwaite), who wishes to record his exploits. Bowen eventually finds the last dragon in existence, not realizing it’s the one that saved Einon, and after fighting to a stalemate, they instead form a partnership to scam villagers out of gold.

Dragonheart is more light-hearted than other sword-and-sorcery stories, but it still hits a lot of the required tropes, especially through Bowen’s arc about becoming disillusioned with the chivalric code and rediscovering his faith. In between the lighthearted jokes are a lot of dark and melancholic moments as well, from the deaths of the dragons to the extent of Einon’s cruelty. While the CGI for the dragon, nicknamed Draco by Bowen, is showing its age, it’s still impressive for the time, and, combined with Connery’s performance, goes a long way in making him one of cinema’s most iconic dragons.

‘Willow’ (1988)

Image via MGM/Lucasfilm

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Willow Ufgood (Warwick Davis) is a Nelwyn farmer with a loving family who wishes to one day practice magic. One day, he discovers a baby named Elora Danan, who is prophesied to bring about the downfall of the tyrannical sorceress queen Bavmorda (Jean Marsh). Aided by two brownies named Rool and Franjean (Kevin Pollak and Rick Overton), a charismatic swordsman named Madmartigan (Val Kilmer), and a cursed sorceress named Fin Raziel (Patricia Hayes), Willow tries to protect Elora from Bavmorda’s forces.

Willow is one of those movies that doesn’t take itself too seriously or switch up the status quo, instead offering a fun, creative experience. That’s not to say it doesn’t play around with some classic tropes: Willow himself deviates from the usual farmboy to wizard archetype by being a father and relying just as much on his sleight-of-hand tricks as his budding sorcery. Speaking of sorcery, the movie uses impressive morphing technology to pull off some of the best transformation scenes in fantasy, especially when Willow tries to restore Fin Raziel to her human form.

‘Fire and Ice’ (1983)

Image via 20th Century Studios

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The sorcerer king Nekron (Stephen Mendel) and his mother Juliana (Susan Tyrrell) use their powers over ice to spread glaciers south and weaken other human nations for conquest, until only the volcanic kingdom of Firekeep resists them. Under the guise of messengers, Juliana sends her minions to kidnap Princess Teegra (Maggie Roswell) to be Nekron’s bride. She escapes into the wilds and finds allies in Larn (William Ostrander), a warrior whose people were killed by Nekron, and Darkwolf (Steve Sandor), a mysterious warrior who is committed to killing the sorcerers.

Fire and Ice comes from the bizarre mind of legendary animator Ralph Bakshi and is a beautiful example of pulpy dark fantasy stories. It’s a standard sword-and-sorcery about daring heroes overthrowing an evil tyrant, but it carves an identity for itself thanks to its gritty and interesting worldbuilding, such as Nekron and Juliana’s powers over ice or the people of Firekeep using pterosaurs as mounts. The film is also gorgeous to look at, with stylistic backgrounds that look like heavy metal covers, and detailed rhotoscoping to give the characters realistic movements.

‘The Flight of Dragons’ (1982)

Image via Warner Bros- Television Distribution

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When the Green Wizard Carolinus (Harry Morgan) realizes that the world is turning away from belief in magic and towards logic and science, he summons his brothers, the Gold Wizard Lo Tae Zhao (Don Messick), Blue Wizard Solarius (Bob McFadden), and Red Wizard Ommadon (James Earl Jones), to create a hidden world where magic can continue to thrive. Ommadon refuses to help and instead vows to use his magic to enhance mankind’s vices so that they destroy themselves, prompting Carolinus to put together a quest to steal Ommadon’s crown and rob him of his powers. At the suggestion of the ancient force of Antiquity (Paul Frees), Carolinus also summons Peter Dickinson (John Ritter), a 20th-century man with a love of both science and magic.

The Flight of Dragons is an oft-overlooked animated film from the partnership of Topcraft—the predecessor to Studio Ghibli—and Rankin/Bass, known for their stop-motion holiday specials. The movie is a beautiful love letter to the fantasy genre, playing into classic tropes while also exploring certain topics in greater detail, such as offering scientific answers for why dragons can fly and breathe fire. What sticks out most about it are its themes, which explore the loss of wonder in the world, idealism vs cynicism, and heroism in the face of impossible odds.

‘Jason and the Argonauts’ (1963)

Image via Columbia Pictures

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Jason (Todd Armstrong) is the rightful king of Thessaly and is watched over by the Goddess Hera (Honor Blackman) after his family is killed by the usurper Pelias (Douglas Wilmer). As a young man, Jason rescues Pelias, not knowing who he is, and explains that he plans to rally support to overthrow the tyrant. Pelias encourages him to sail forth and find the Golden Fleece, hoping that the various monsters and dangers on the way will kill Jason.

Jason and the Argonauts is a grand epic that does justice to its mythological origins, thanks in large part to the now-legendary stop-motion effects by Ray Harryhausen. The creatures look and move as if they come from a different world, which helps to make them feel all the more mythological compared to the flesh-and-blood heroes. The choreography is also something to praise, especially during the climax, where Jason and his men fend off a horde of skeleton warriors, and yet every blow looks like it’s actually connecting.

‘Clash of the Titans’ (1981)

Image via Metro Goldwyn Mayer

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Angered that Zeus (Laurence Olivier) cursed her wicked son, Calibos (Neil McCarthy), for killing his herd of winged horses, Thetis (Dame Maggie Smith) transports Zeus’ demigod son, Perseus (Harry Hamlin), from Seriphos to the city of Joppa. Perseus cuts off Calibos’ hand, and in doing so is able to break his curse over the city’s princess, Andromeda (Judi Bowker). However, Thetis demands that Andromeda be sacrificed lest Joppa be destroyed by the Kraken, so Perseus must go on a quest to find the means to kill the monster.

Clash of the Titans is the last film Harryhausen worked on before his retirement, and it shows because the creatures have never looked better. The best example happens during the climax when Perseus and his companions descend into the lair of the gorgon Medusa. Her model is textured in such a way that it looks like living stone, further accentuated by her stiff, methodical movements, which make her all the more terrifying and fill the scene with tension and mounting dread.

‘Dragonslayer’ (1981)

The kingdom of Urland is plagued by the dragon Vermithrax Pejorative, who demands a tithe of virgin maidens, lest it burn the kingdom in its wrath. An expedition travels to Cragganmore to recruit the last great sorcerer, Ulrich (Sir Ralph Richardson), but he dies when trying to demonstrate his powers to the captain of the king’s guard, Tyrian (John Hallam). However, his magic amulet chooses his young apprentice, Galen (Peter MacNicol), as its new master, and he offers his services against the dragon.

Dragonslayer is an underrated masterpiece of dark fantasy thanks to its grounded storytelling and fantastic effects. Vermithrax is a masterfully realized creature, brought to life through a combination of life-sized animatronics, stop-motion puppets, and World War II flamethrowers, all of which work together to make the dragon look and feel like a real creature from an ancient past. As for the human characters, they stand out thanks to their moral complexities: no character is truly good or evil, and each of them follows the path that they think will spare the most lives, even if it means ending some in the short-term.

‘The 7th Voyage of Sinbad’ (1958)

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En route to Baghdad to marry Princess Parisa of Chandra (Kathryn Grant), Sinbad the Sailor (Kerwin Mathews) stops at the Isle of Colossa, where his crew rescues a magician named Sokurah (Torin Thatcher) from a cyclops. Sokurah wants the crew to go back so he can recover his magic lamp, but Sinbad refuses, so Sokurah uses his magic to shrink Parisa to the size of a chess piece, thus threatening war between Baghdad and Chandra. To restore her, Sokurah requires the shell of a Roc egg, but the giant bird only nests on Colossa, forcing Sinbad to lead an expedition back to the monster-infested island.

The 7th Voyage of Sinbad is the first and greatest of the trilogy of Sinbad films featuring effects by Ray Harryhausen. Though not as technically impressive as the movies that would follow, it’s amazing how well they hold up, especially Sinbad’s iconic duel with an undead warrior. As for the characters, they perfectly embody their respective archetypes, especially Sokurah, who is given a fair bit of charisma from Thatcher.

‘The Thief of Bagdad’ (1940)

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When King Ahmad (John Justin) of Baghdad disguises himself as a commoner to get to know his people, he is betrayed and imprisoned by his Grand Vizier, Jaffar (Conrad Veidt), who takes over the city. Ahmad escapes execution with the help of a young thief named Abu (Sabu), and the two make their way to Basra, ruled over by a toy-collecting Sultan (Miles Malleson). There, Ahmad falls in love with the Sultan’s daughter (June Duprez), but Jaffar also desires her, using his mastery over black magic to eliminate anyone in his way.

The Thief of Bagdad is a remake of the 1924 silent movie of the same name, and is perhaps the movie most responsible for our modern view of the One Thousand and One Nights. It was the first film to use blue-screen technology, which, combined with its elaborate sets and colorful outfits, makes the world feel lively and magical, especially when the characters encounter a towering wish-granting Djinn (Rex Ingram). Of the characters, Abu and Jaffar stand out the best, perfectly encapsulating the plucky thief and wicked sorcerer archetypes, and brought to life thanks to iconic performances from Sabu and Veidt.

‘Conan the Barbarian’ (1982)

Image via Universal Pictures

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After his village is destroyed by raiders, Conan (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is sold into slavery, where he is turned into a deadly pit fighter. After earning his freedom, Conan meets a thief named Subotai (Gerry Lopez) and a warrior named Valeria (Sandahl Bergman), and the three join forces to get rich by robbing a snake cult. However, Conan soon learns that the leader of the cult, Thulsa Doom (James Earl Jones), is the same man who slaughtered his family, sending Conan and his friends on a path of revenge and a meeting with an eccentric wizard (Mako).

Conan the Barbarian is one of the most important fantasy movies of the 1980s, and the film that made Schwarzenegger a major celebrity. With its impressive sets, epic soundtrack, and gritty battles, the movie transports audiences into a world where danger lurks around every corner and forces far stronger than humans are at work, be they gods or powerful spirits. It’s the ultimate sword-and-sorcery film because it makes you feel like you’re watching a legend in the making, as Conan fights against insurmountable odds in the name of vengeance and spite.