Entertainment
4 Best Sci-Fi Movies on Prime Video
The world of sci-fi has given movie lovers a plethora of brilliant cinematic moments. From galaxies far away to a near-distant future where robots rule the world, the genre has pushed our minds to see where storytelling can lead. With advancements in movie technology, sci-fi films now look sleeker than ever, making the genre even more in demand.
If you’ve got the itch to watch a sci-fi film but have no idea where to turn, you’re in luck. We’re here to help. The Prime Video catalog is stacked with some worthy titles. Some are modern classics from brilliant filmmakers. Others are underrated titles that deserve to be heard. Wherever your science fiction journey takes you, these movies are a perfect watch tonight.
4
‘Melancholia’ (2011)
Who says you can’t have a juicy romance right before the apocalypse? Such is the case for Lars von Trier‘s Melancholia. The second film in the “Depression Trilogy,” preceded by Antichrist and followed by Nymphomaniac, the 2011 film tells the story of two sisters, Claire (Charlotte Gainsbourg) and Justine (Kirsten Dunst), who marries Michael (Alexander Skarsgård), just prior to a rogue planet named Melancholia threatening to collide with Earth. Exploring the contrasting reactions to the end of the world, the film tackles themes of mental illness, emotional detachment, and cosmic indifference.
While Justine finds a strange calm and acceptance, it stands in stark contrast to the rational Claire’s brazen panic. Von Trier uses Claire to explore how depression can offer a form of emotional preparedness for ultimate destruction and catastrophe. A pre-apocalyptic story, Melancholia is a deeply rich character story within a beautifully pristine film. He’s a wonderful storyteller, bringing originality to the forefront. Melancholia served as a strong vehicle for Dunst, who began to careen in a new dramatic direction as an actress. From a post-COVID-19 mindset, Melancholia provides a new perspective on how we view the end. Plus, if you’ve just witnessed Skarsgård in Pillion, this is a romance in quite stark contrast!
3
‘Mickey 17’ (2025)
If you’ve been stuck in the mindset that Robert Pattinson is nothing more than Edward Cullen in the Twilight Saga, you’ve certainly not kept up with his career. He’s shone in films like Water for Elephants, The Lighthouse, and The Batman, but the latest movie that has proven his growth is the brilliant Mickey 17. Directed by Bong Joon Ho, the film is based on Edward Ashton‘s novel. Set in 2054, the film follows a man who joins a space colony as an “Expendable,” a disposable worker cloned every time he is killed. When Mickey 17 seemingly dies, the colony prints Mickey 18, only for the predecessor to return. With two identical Mickeys vying for existence, they battle class struggles, corporate control, and alien threats. The dynamic film brings themes of identity, death, and survival to the forefront in mesmerizing fashion.
Set on a harsh, hostile ice planet called Nifheim, a place where humans struggle for survival and clash with its native species, Mickey 17 looks and feels like a typical science fiction film, but there’s much more to it. There is a wonderful sense of humanity infused into the story. From a directorial standpoint, the film integrates an array of styles, including slapstick comedy and absurdism, with a tinge of horror tossed in for good measure. A strong exploration of the dehumanization of our potential future, Mickey 17 is elaborate in scale and fantastical in scope. If you’ve been counting Pattinson out, this film will start you down the rabbit hole of your new acting obsession.
2
‘Ready Player One’ (2018)
There are many brilliant directors who have changed the world of cinema. Lots of them remained in one genre, honing their craft in that realm. But then there are some, like Steven Spielberg, who have tapped into so many genres, making him one of the greatest, if not the greatest, filmmakers of all time. Spielberg is likely responsible for your entryway into sci-fi. Maybe it was Close Encounters of the Third Kind in the ’70s or E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial in the ’80s. In the ’90s, it most certainly was Jurassic Park. If you thought that’s where it ended, you’d be mistaken. Spielberg gave us the nostalgia-filled masterpiece Ready Player One in the 21st century. An underrated film on his resume, the film was set in a dystopian 2045, as the planet is on the brink of chaos and collapse. To find solace, they find salvation in the OASIS, an expansive virtual reality universe created by the eccentric James Halliday (Mark Rylance). After he dies, he promises his immense fortune to the first person who discovers a digital Easter egg hidden deep within the Oasis. When young Wade Watts (Tye Sheridan) joins in on the contest, he finds himself becoming an unlikely hero in a reality-blending treasure hunt through a fantastical world of mystery, discovery, and danger.
Spielberg tackles a range of topics, including the dangers of escapism and corporate greed, while keeping you entertained throughout. Tapping into the nostalgia that will forever be associated with the director, Ready Player One encapsulates Spielberg’s cinematic prowess as he adapts to the changing landscape of film technology. A relentless thrill ride, the film keeps the stakes high thanks to its non-stop action. If you’re a fan of finding hidden Easter eggs in a film, Spielberg layers them in. But spoiler alert, don’t expect to see his IP anywhere — instead, other beloved ’80s pop culture becomes a significant part of the film. At the end of the day, you may walk away from Ready Player One with the thought that Spielberg nearly predicted the virtual reality Metaverse that has since been unleashed.
1
‘Timestalker’ (2024)
There is a very strong chance that Timestalker is not a film you were familiar with prior to reading this list. And that’s OK, because that’s what we’re here for. Written, directed, and starring Alice Lowe, Timestalker is a historical science fiction romantic comedy. While those may seem like a lot of random descriptors combined into one, believe me, it makes sense. The film tells the story of Agnes as she falls in love with the wrong man, just to die a grim death. She then gets reincarnated, only to fall in love with him over and over again, traveling through the ages, spanning the 1680s in western Scotland, rural England in the 1790s, Manhattan in the 1980s, and a post-apocalyptic 22nd century. As she seeks to avoid repeat mistakes, Agnes is dead-set on finally breaking the cycle. A visually beautiful film that masterfully captures each time Agnes falls into, Timestalker is a profoundly humorous comedy that explores love and fate through the lens of second chances.
In addition to Lowe, the ensemble includes Nick Frost and Jacob Anderson. Lowe infuses the tale with a comedic, violent tone, making it a surrealistic masterpiece. Delving into the idea of killing for love, Agnes has a desperate determination to break the pattern while still holding onto an unhealthy, idealized relationship. For those of us who have been stuck on who we believe is the one, only to hinder others’ potential, Timestalker resonates. Though you may not think that a sci-fi film would be a great romantic option, Timestalker defies that. It’s an excellent watch, and it may help you move on from your toxic past.