Entertainment
10 Sci-Fi Movie Masterpieces You Can Officially Stream for Free
Science fiction is one of the most inspiring and interesting genres in cinema. For decades, the industry has produced some of the most entertaining and thought-provoking works in this rich and varied milieu. When it comes to finding great sci-fi movies to stream, you don’t have to break the bank. For these 10 titles, you don’t even have to pay.
From channels like Roku, Tubi, and YouTube, there are several space-themed winners to choose from. Whether it’s an established classic like The War of the Worlds or a recent triumph like Everything Everywhere All at Once, there are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to free streaming and sci-fi. So get your watchlist ready and check out these absolute masterpieces.
Please note: these titles are free to stream in the US; other availability may differ.
1
‘Stargate’ (1994)
Free To Stream on Roku
The movie that launched the successful Stargate franchise stars Kurt Russell, James Spader, and Djimon Hounsou. As a team of operatives works together to try to solve the mystery of a giant portal, they get way more than they bargained for. It turns out the portal is a doorway to other planets, and as the crew takes their first, brave steps through the Stargate, they begin a journey like none other.
Stargate is a fan-favorite movie that produced several TV spin-off series. It explores interesting themes like culture, religion, and personal liberty. Stargate is a terrific capsule story on its own, and viewers don’t have to be familiar with the TV series to watch and enjoy this mid-’90s classic.
2
‘Ex Machina’ (2014)
Free To Stream on YouTube and Tubi
Caleb Smith (Domhnall Gleeson) is a young computer programmer who wins a contest at work. The prize? A week spent at the private estate of the company’s CEO, inventor, and innovator Nathan Bateman (Oscar Isaac). Once Caleb arrives, he finds out that he will be participating in a rather unique experiment. Nathan’s newest creation is an extremely intelligent and lifelike android named Ava (Alicia Vikander), and it is Caleb’s task to evaluate how human she is.
Ex Machina is a modern masterpiece. As audiences watch the film, they become a participant in the Turing test as well, evaluating and determining what Ava’s true motives and intentions might be. Ex Machina is a must-watch for fans of sci-fi tech movies, and it will keep you guessing until the very end. Fans have been patiently waiting for this absolute gem to be available for free, and now is the time to add it to your list.
3
‘The Fifth Element’ (1997)
Free To Stream on Tubi
When the world is in danger, an ex-special forces agent and now cab driver and a supreme being work together to save it in The Fifth Element. Korben Dallas’ (Bruce Willis) life changes forever when the arcane and determined Leeloo (Milla Jovovich) literally crashes into his life. Directed by Luc Besson, with costumes designed by Jean-Paul Gaultier, The Fifth Element is a sci-fi movie like no other. It is playful, stylistic, funny, and poignant.
Growing to massive cult-favorite status over the years, The Fifth Element has aged remarkably well. It is still as entertaining to watch now as it was upon its advent, nearly three decades ago. Aging so well is a marvel within the sci-fi genre, and very few films have achieved it to any degree. Though many movies that have come after The Fifth Element have tried to duplicate its singular magic, they have failed. It is a unique and precious achievement within the genre.
4
‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ (2022)
Free To Stream on YouTube
One of the most Oscar-winning sci-fi movies of all time, Everything Everywhere All at Once cleaned house at the Academy Awards and took home seven trophies. Michelle Yeoh stars as Evelyn Wang, a wife and mother who has a mid-life crisis across multiple dimensions. To save the known existence that she has, she must explore multiple versions of reality that could have been. The journey teaches her more about herself, her family, and life in general.
Everything Everywhere All at Once is phenomenal. It is eccentric, but still enjoyable and understandable for most audiences. It is a form of elevated sci-fi surrealism that features fantastic martial arts sequences and a fascinating multiverse concept. Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan, Jamie Lee Curtis, Stephanie Hsu, and the rest of the cast are outstanding, and Yeoh, Curtis, and Quan took home Oscars for their performances.
5
‘Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure’ (1989)
Free To Stream on Roku
A movie that no one would have predicted would go on to create a trilogy three decades in the making, Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure is the first and, for some, the favorite installment of the canon. Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter star as Theodore “Ted” Logan and Bill S. Preston, Esq., respectively. The movie follows Bill and Ted and the adventures that follow when they are gifted a time machine by a mysterious stranger. The duo decides to use the device to travel to different eras and ace their history exam.
Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure is a delightful sci-fi and time travel mashup. It has fun cameos, amusing takes on historical figures, and some wacky moments. Much like The Fifth Element, Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure stands out and became something greater than the sum of its parts. Fans of Reeves will enjoy seeing their favorite John Wick actor years before he became an action superstar. If you enjoy a zany comedy with sci-fi themes, then Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure is your next watch.
6
‘The War of the Worlds’ (1953)
Free To Stream on YouTube
From one of the greatest science fiction writers of all time and one of the greatest eras of moviemaking of all time comes The War of the Worlds. Based on H.G. Wells’ gripping tale, humanity must fight to survive when invaders from Mars come to conquer Earth. The War of the Worlds remains one of the best invasion movies of all time and is full of suspense like only a 1950s movie can do.
The War of the Worlds’ practical effects are astounding. The movie features explosions and fireworks, mob scenes with dozens of extras, and more. It was nominated for three Oscars and rightfully won for Best Effects, Special Effects. Retro-looking UFOs aside, The War of the Worlds delivers when it comes to chills and a growing sense of panic. It is easy to see why this movie has long been held as a staple within the genre.
7
‘Terminator 2: Judgment Day’ (1991)
Free To Stream on YouTube
Every once in a while, a sequel seems to outshine its original, and director James Cameron has achieved this phenomenon several times. The sequel to the 1984 movie The Terminator, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, once again featured the deadly T-800 humanoid robot played by Arnold Schwarzenegger. This time, the movie ramped up the stakes when it came to emotional connections and evil foes. Robert Patrick’s liquid metal T-1000 is a force to be reckoned with and still visually captivating on screen.
There is so much packed into Terminator 2: Judgment Day that viewers can take something new from it upon each rewatch. There are the major themes of life versus death and good versus evil, and there are more subtle and nuanced undercurrents about humanity, family, and society’s relationship and dependence upon technology. Even if you have seen this pop culture hit before, it always makes for an excellent watch.
8
‘Idiocracy’ (2006)
Free To Stream on Tubi
Another sci-fi comedy that features time travel, Idiocracy is a movie that starts as a farce and ends up being a prophetic documentary. Joe (Luke Wilson) and Rita (Maya Rudolph) are two people selected for a cryostasis experiment. When the project gets unexpectedly shut down and ignored, Joe and Rita remain in their suspended animation for hundreds of years instead of a handful. Upon emerging, Joe and Rita discover that humans have devolved dramatically and Joe, very average in every way in his day, is now the smartest person on earth.
Like many works of science fiction, Idiocracy seems to have a supernatural ability to predict what could happen in real-life events. As time has moved forward, many of the film’s commentaries about the degradation of human intelligence, social media, commerce, and politics have started to come true. Writer and director Mike Judge joins the esteemed company of science fiction authors such as Philip K. Dick, Arthur C. Clarke, and Isaac Asimov, who predicted events decades before they were realized.
9
‘I Am Legend’ (2007)
Free To Stream on Tubi
In I Am Legend, Will Smith plays Robert Neville, a man who believes he is the sole human survivor of a virus that killed 90% of the rest of humanity and turned the remainder into flesh-eating mutants. Science fiction has always endeavored to explore some of the most human concepts. In I Am Legend, themes of loneliness, connection, and survival are viewed through a post-apocalyptic lens.
Now is an ideal time to watch I Am Legend as the sequel, I Am Legend 2, is moving forward. Michael B. Jordan and Smith are involved with the movie, and Smith has already denied rumors that Jordan’s character will be Robert’s son. A director for I Am Legend 2 has recently been named, and Steven Caple Jr., known for his direction on The Land and Creed II, will be taking the helm. A release date for I Am Legend 2 has yet to be announced, so stay tuned with Collider for future updates.
10
‘Monsters’ (2010)
Free To Stream on Roku
A vastly underrated sci-fi gem that has flown under the radar for quite some time is Monsters. The plot involves a journalist named Andrew Kaulder (Scoot McNairy), who agrees to escort Samantha Wynden (Whitney Able) through Mexico and back to the US border before travel becomes completely impossible. Their journey is an arduous one due to giant creatures that have taken over the continent and driven many humans into hiding.
Monsters is a creature feature that feels unique and distinct. It always emphasizes the human viewpoint first, with the monster elements serving as a catalyst, rather than a singular focus. Monsters was one of director Gareth Edwards’ first films, and he has since gone on to direct blockbusters such as Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and Jurassic World: Rebirth. Edwards’ talent for directing memorable sci-fi films is evident in this low-budget masterpiece, and if you haven’t checked it out yet, this is the perfect opportunity to see why Monsters is a perfect 10/10.
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