The 15 Most Underrated Sci-Fi Movies of the Last 20 Years
Plenty of great films go unappreciated in their own time, and that seems to be true for the sci-fi genre as much as any other. To celebrate the 15th anniversary of Solaris," here are some sci-fi films that deserved a lot more love than they got when they first hit theaters.
'' (1997)
"2001: A Space Odyssey." Still, it's a shame this one didn't find a wider audience.
'Gattaca' (1997)
Apparently 1997 was just a bad year for intelligent, thoughtful sci-fi films at the box office. "Gattaca" generally received positive reviews, but audiences all but ignored this "biopunk" movie about a dystopian future where reproduction is strictly regulated. The good news? "Gattaca" has developed a well-deserved cult following over time.
'Dark City' (1998)
It was pretty much inevitable that a film as weird and surreal as "Alex Proyas. With the help of Roger Ebert analyzing the hell out of it, the movie developed a cult following and gathered recognition over the years, partly because of the release of a much superior Director's Cut.
'A.I.: Artificial Intelligence' (2001)
Let's be honest -- there was no way this film was ever going to meet fans' lofty expectations. The final, unrealized project from visionary director Steven Spielberg? That's too much hype for any one film to bear. Audiences were weirded out by the film and its Pinocchio-inspired storyline, but it's one that rewards viewers on a second or third viewing.
'Equilibrium' (2002)
Even with his star-making turn in 2000's "The Matrix" than the actual "Matrix" sequels.
'Solaris' (2002)
"Steven Soderbergh was trying to deliver. But if you like your sci-fi films moody and beautiful, you can't go wrong with this one.
'Primer' (2004)
Despite its low-budget trappings (or maybe even because of them), "Primer" is easily one of the most effective time travel movies to come along in decades. But like all Shane Carruth films, "Primer" is extremely intellectual and complex, making it a tough sell for anyone who just wants to sit back and be entertained for a couple hours.
'The Fountain' (2006)
By all rights, "Darren Aronofsky's filmography.
'A Scanner Darkly' (2006)
Minority Report," but it's a must-watch for sci-fi and animation lovers.
'The Man From Earth' (2007)
Science fiction doesn't get any more stripped-down and focused than this. "The Man From Earth" is more stage play than film, taking place in a single location and focusing on a group of college professors listening to their colleague's story. It just so happens that this story involves the claim that he's actually an immortal, 14,000-year-old relic of the Stone Age.
'Sunshine' (2007)
"Cillian Murphy forces.
'Cargo' (2009)
We don't normally think of Switzerland as a hub of great sci-fi films, but maybe we should start paying more attention. Director Ivan Engler made a strong impression in his 2009 debut, which unfolds on a deep space cargo ship where each crew member is tasked with keeping a lonely watch for months on end. Naturally, you start to see and hear some strange things on a mission like that.
'Another Earth' (2011)
What would you do if an identical copy of Earth suddenly appeared in orbit one day? Would it be cause for fear and panic, or would it offer the opportunity to start over fresh? That's the question posed by this low-key but very effective drama about a girl who yearns to leave her old world behind.
'Paul' (2011)
You'd think a movie that re-teams Seth Rogen would be a box office hit. We're not entirely sure why this sci-fi comedy ed under the radar. It's worth a watch, not just because of the comedy but also because of the liberal references and homages to other classic sci-fi films.
'Coherence' (2014)
"Coherence" is another example of a sci-fi film doing a lot with very little. The film focuses on a small dinner party group who find that a ing comet has opened doorways to alternate realities. As the friends begin intermingling with their alternate selves, the film quickly develops into a mind-bending examination of reality and existence.
