Journey to New Realms: Ten Sci-Fi Streaming Movies to Escape Earth
As we embark on a particularly demanding week in the USA, it's essential to take mental pauses—and what better way to relax than indulging in "sci-fi" fare, which is quite popular around here. The protagonists in these films are confronting their own painful predicaments, undoubtedly, but they're doing it light-years away from Earth, which provides them with at least some comfort. Here are 11 sci-fi films you should stream if you're in need of a cosmic holiday...in the upcoming days, or any time at all.
The Martian (2015)
Lead by the talented Ridley Scott (the director) and Drew Goddard (the screenwriter, adapting from Andy Weir's novel), this multi-Oscar nominee also features a stellar cast. Matt Damon portrays an astronaut abandoned during a Mars mission; he resorts to "science-ing the crap" out of his predicament until he can be rescued. The film features characters played by Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Jeff Daniels, Sebastian Stan, Donald Glover, Mackenzie Davis, Sean Bean, Benedict Wong, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Peña, and more, who are worry-ridden as they track Damon's potato-powered progress. (Stream on Max)
Europa Report (2013)
Ecuadorian director Sebastián Cordero and Philip Gelatt (the co-writer of recent animation standout "The Spine of Night") collaborated on this nerve-wracking found-footage film. The story centers around a team (featuring Sharlto Copley and Daniel Wu) heading to one of Jupiter's moons, only to disregard safety precautions due to a communication failure with Earth. The crew finds itself utterly isolated when they uncover a shocking discovery upon arrival. (Stream on Netflix)
Stowaway (2021)
Toni Collette, Anna Kendrick, and Daniel Dae Kim star as the crew on a Mars-bound mission joined unexpectedly by Shamier Anderson (John Wick: Chapter 4), an engineer whose pre-flight blunder results in his presence onboard. Their oxygen supply becomes critical with the extra member, and things become even more pressing when they start losing breathable air at an alarming rate. (Stream on Netflix)
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Although it begins on prehistoric Earth, Kubrick's 1968 masterpiece then ventures to the moon and beyond the infinite. It serves as a timely reminder of just how insignificant our role is in the grand scheme of the cosmos. (Stream on Max)
Dark Star (1974)
Before John Carpenter revolutionized the horror genre with Halloween and Dan O'Bannon transformed sci-fi with Alien, they both collaborated on this low-budget sci-fi comedy. The movie centers around an interstellar mission wrought with both mechanical and existential issues. O'Bannon stars as a crew member, and Carpenter provides the music. While the special effects may appear dated, considering the movie's indie origins and minimal budget, they are surprisingly effective. (Stream on Prime Video)
Event Horizon (1997)
While Alien is the quintessential "haunted house in space" movie, Event Horizon carves out its niche of terror. Sam Neill and Laurence Fishburne star in this chilling tale, devoid of any hissing monsters or grotesque creatures. Instead, the horror comes from the havoc wreaked upon the human mind as the crew ventures too close to a black hole. (Stream on MGM+)
Solaris (1972)
Andrei Tarkovsky's original film, based on Stanislaw Lem's novel, is a hauntingly bleak and profoundly disturbing journey to deep space. This is not a feel-good movie, but it will transport your thoughts far beyond Earth's atmosphere, where your deepest, most perplexing emotional struggles unfold. (Stream on Max)
All 3 Dune Movies
Arrakis is waiting for you in Dune (2021), Dune: Part Two (2024), and also Dune (1984). If there's ever been an ideal time to immerse yourself in the Frank Herbert-adapted film universe, it's now, especially with the limited prequel series Dune: Prophecy hitting HBO and Max later in November. (Stream on Max)
Moon (2009)
Sam Rockwell starred in this tightly written, suspenseful story of a man left alone on the moon after his colleagues abandon him. The film explores themes of isolation, madness, and the human spirit while keeping the viewer engaged right until the end. (Stream on Netflix)
The Arrival (2016)
This cerebral, science-fiction drama follows an expert linguist as he tries to interpret the mysterious language of extraterrestrial beings. The movie is a thought-provoking exploration of language, communication, and humanity's place in the cosmos. (Stream on Netflix)
Gravity (2013)
This heart-pounding space survival tale unites Sandra Bullock and George Clooney as astronauts stranded in space after their shuttle breaks apart. The movie displayed breathtaking visuals and an unforgettable premise that captivated audiences worldwide. (Stream on Netflix)
In the future, film enthusiasts can look forward to streaming "Europa Report" (2013) on Netflix, which follows a team's dangerous mission to Jupiter's moon. The upcoming sci-fi film "Stowaway" (2021) on Netflix also explores themes of survival and isolation in space, as a crew confronts a sudden addition to their Mars-bound mission.
