When it comes to science fiction movies, the more special effects technology moves forward, the better sci-fi movies seem to become. Last year was no exception, as some incredibly sci-fi movies came out in 2019.
Whether you like flashy science fiction with tons of action, or you prefer heavier stories, there were some films released last year that you're sure to enjoy.
1. Terminator: Dark Fate
While not as good as the old-school Terminator films, this is as close to a return to form as we've seen so far.
It features much of the badass action know and love, and it actually has a coherent plot and interesting story, unlike the other recent movies bearing the Terminator branding. It has a 70% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which is really good for an action movie!
2. Ad Astra
Ad Astra is one of the divisive movies where the critics have all rated highly and the fans have all given it poor reviews.
Personally, I think it's a damn good science fiction movie with gorgeous visuals, an interesting plot, and some fantastic acting from Brad Pitt and the rest of the cast.
3. High Life
Director Claire Denis knocked it out of the park with this one. It's a grim story, about a crew death-row that vanished, with only a father and his daughter remaining.
As if that wasn't bad enough, the ship they're on is traveling towards a black hole. If you like your sci-fi to have a little bit of horror mixed in, High Life is the perfect movie for you.
4. I Am Mother
I Am Mother is the first Netflix-exclusive movie on the list, and it's more than deserving of its spot.
It follows the story of a teenage girl who is the first of a new breed of humans raised by a planet-repopulating robot. As you might expect, things aren't exactly as they seem, and the plot gets rather interesting from there.
5. See You Yesterday
See You Yesterday is another Netflix movie and it's another one where the critics absolutely love it and fans are less in love. Still, it's hard to deny a movie that has an impressive 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
It's a time travel film where a couple of high school students develop a backpack that lets them travel through time. Of course, they end up with a desperate reason to travel back, and things escalate from there.
6. Alita: Battle Angel
Alita: Battle Angel is a pure sci-fi movie with some of the best special effects you'll ever witness. James Cameron and Robert Rodriguez do a fantastic job with the look and story in this film.
If you like action, this might be your favorite film on the list. It's not beloved by critics, but it has incredibly high scores from fans.
7. Starfish
This movie is perfect for anyone who enjoys a mixture of sci-fi and horror. It has all the elements that make both genres enjoyable. There are futuristic elements along with plenty of scares.
Starfish is an end-of-the-world film, but it has more than enough interesting twists to keep it from feeling played out. Will the mixtape save the world or condemn it? Watch the movie to find out!
8. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
You can't talk about science fiction without mentioning Star Wars. The Rise of Skywalker is a flawed film with its own share of problems, but it's still a perfectly enjoyable sci-fi romp as long you don't get too caught up in the some of the issues.
While critics may have panned it, fans agree that's pretty good, so if you somehow haven't seen it, you should absolutely watch this one.