30 Best Sci-Fi Films of All Time

[@AnthonyK93]

First of all, I just have to say; you guys are easily my new favorite podcast, I’ve been listening non stop for the past couple of months and am hooked. I listen to you guys all day at work and even when I’m walking on the treadmill before my workouts. Thank you for the quality content, keep it up 👍🏻 Secondly: this is the perfect time to recommend the movies from Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead. They make incredible indie scifi films and were even the show runners of Loki season 2. Resolution, Spring, The Endless, Synchronic, and especially Something in the Dirt are all fantastic cosmic horror/Lovecraftian scifi films that I can’t recommend enough. Though not necessary, I recommend watching them in order since there is a slight continuity between some of them. Sorry for the long post, love you guys, stay excellent 🤘🏻

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

Thank you so much! I’m adding these to the list!

[@Kumite_Champ1988]

Love this episode. Was getting very concerned towards the end that Blade Runner wasn’t going to be on the list. Would be #1 for me but can’t go wrong with 2001 Space Odyssey. Was very surprised Blade Runner 2049 didn’t make it on here. Ex Machina , a bit higher on the list for me but glad to see it on here, that movie is incredible. This was a solid list for sure.

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

Thank you!

[@carteryoung1st558]

I thought the same too bro Blade runner is easily the best looking and best sci-Fi movie I've ever watched Everything about that movie just stands out

[@callumhen95]

Found you guys when I needed a deep dive discussion on Blade Runner 2049 recently. I’ve been watching people talk movies on KZbin for about 15 years and it’s been super refreshing to watch people at a similar age to me discussing films outside of marvel, dc and Star Wars. I know the KZbin algorithm doesn’t appreciate it but I really do. 😂😂

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

Happy to hear Callum! We got you 🫡

[@ed1rko17]

I think there can't be a top science fiction film list that doesn't include: A.I. Artificial Intelligence, Tarkovski's Solaris, Brazil, and Blade Runner 2049. Love the vids boys.

[@Ghosts_inthesnow]

Minority Report is on my top 4 on lb!! I watched it when I was younger then completely forgot about it and rediscovered it at 19, fr no one really brings it up. Loved this episode:)

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

Thank you!

[@szpiegZkrainy]

Agree, agree some outstanding movies on your list!! "Blade Runner" the original one, with Ridley Scott vision is in my top 10 movies of all time... "All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in the rain...Time to die" Mad Max, the first one with Mel Gibson ;) TRON - must see The Lawnmower Man - and all the phones are ringing, best end scene (all androids and iPhones ringing, super scary vision) and my personal fave based on the book by Stanislaw Lem "Solaris" !! brilliant :)

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

Fantastic picks!

[@AnthonyK93]

Wait WOAH! Hold up! Having something as mid as District 9 on this list and NOT having the scifi anime classic Akira on here instead?? Guys, I can’t believe it. UNSUBSCRIBE! 😮

[@mikebonilla2534]

Wym Mid ?

[@AnthonyK93]

District 9 is pretty mid imo, especially compared to every other film on this list. Don’t get me wrong, I like it. But I would for sure put Akira on the list before D9. And a few others too honestly

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

😅😅😅

[@kossler]

Time to stir up the comments, Star Wars isn't sci-fi, so you were right to leave it out.

[@The_Com-Mentor]

Well see now that's what needs to be nailed down, what is sci-fi? Cause if Star Wars isn't Sci-fi, The Godfather is a family drama.👀

[@3jdpa]

It’s sci-fi/fantasy

[@The_Com-Mentor]

@@3jdpa what other kind of Sci-fi is there? I guess there's Sci-fi and then there's fantasy. Lord of the Rings=Fantasy..Star Wars=Sci-fi.

[@snappingturtle1621]

Stars wars is sci-fi but it is also a western and a samurai film. I would have included it.

[@oletretre6051]

It’s Sci-fi/Action look up empire strikes back or A new hope

[@michaeldean9338]

Whoa! What a find! Hey, fellas! Came across your site by chance. GREAT CHANNEL! Impressed with the quality and content, (appreciate how you stay TRUE to the genre.) Excellent job of hosting! Will share :)

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

Thank you!

[@hunterc8943]

I’m glad under the skin got an honorable mention. Switch the matrix with alien and you’ve got yourself a deal brother 🤝

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

@@hunterc8943 🫡

[@legochickenguy4938]

I personally wouldn't count Donnie Darko, Mad Max: Fury Road, Children of Men, or A Clockwork Orange as sci-fi movies, though they're all awesome so at least this gives and excuse to talk about them. Post-apocalyptic/dystopian does not necessarily equal sci-fi imo.

[@corrupt1238]

Agreed, a very loose definition of Sci Fi

[@maralinekozial9131]

Definitely not A Clockwork Orange , that's a crime film ,not a Sci Fi film !!!!! Yes it's fiction but definitely not Science fiction 😂

[@timebandit1266]

Everyones list is their own. Cant disagree that this list slaps!

[@wahoowa2356]

“Alicia Vikander’s big breakout” at 41:25 was such a great unintended pun 😂

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

😂😂😂

[@mattturner7531]

You guys have great content, and I appreciate all the work you put into your talks.

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

Thank you 🙏

[@jamessamuelson2896]

Great list and discussion as always, guys. It wouldn't be in my top 30, but I think A.I. Artificial Intelligence is very underrated. Spielberg's contribution to the genre is immense and sometimes overshadowed by his wider impact on cinema.

[@Giantbeliever]

One of my favorite videos on the pod so far

[@nv_spartan1771]

I never knew that Wyoming is in the desert until now. Did we watch the same CE3K?

[@yodasparadigm1856]

Great list, great podcast as always. Would have loved to see Stargate on here, a very underrated and under appreciated movie in my opinion. This move slaps. Phenomenal cast, great story, great effects that still hold up, and one of my favorite movies. Anyone who hasn’t seen it should definitely watch it. Kurt Russel at his best. Also gotta have Blade Runner 2049 on here. Keep up the great work boys!

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

Thanks! I love stargate, but it just doesn’t have the perfect storytelling like these

[@danbeerbeard]

Predator was my first R Rated movie and is still one of my favorites today!! This list is great and a good blend of the genre!!

[@adrianmedina8470]

I love this podcast !

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

Thank you!!!

[@phantom213]

Great list, guys. I completely agree with the Space Odyssey being on the 2st place. No doubt.

[@The_Ry_Guy]

You guys are such a fun podcast to listen to and watch. Gets me more excited about watching fun movies and showing them to my son for the first time as he gets older. Wonder if I can show a 6 year old Dune part 1 and Lord of the Rings 😂 5 stars boys

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

Thank you so much!!

[@willieluncheonette5843]

my 3 favorites are The Invasion of the Body Snatchers (original version) Stalker and The Amphibian Man, a GREAT Russian sci fi you can see on KZbin with subs

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

@@willieluncheonette5843 great picks! Haven’t seen Amphibian Man but it looks cool!

[@willieluncheonette5843]

@@raidersofthelostpodcast_ When it was released it became the biggest box office hit ever in Russia. Just don't expect ray guns and flying saucers. It's much deeper than that.

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

@@willieluncheonette5843 🫡🫡

[@mickaljackal]

my dumbass thought Intermission 44:00 was a great hidden gem film after Interstellar

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@DaHammerOfGod]

Dune pt 2 not in top 5 regardless of recency bias and no SW somewhere in the top 10 is mind-boggling.

[@maralinekozial9131]

Cuz nobody's seen it yet except for GenZ kids 😂

[@maralinekozial9131]

Technically 90% of all horror films ever made are Science fiction so honestly i just consider Sci Fi films as only movies about aliens , robots , super powers , time travel & alternate reality just to keep it simple & keep horror films separate from the Sci Fi genre which is easier to define the two genres from each other!!!!!

[@AkilesVaestha]

I think You forgot Tarkovski's Solaris and Stalker, both of these are way superior than 2001...

[@stavroshadjiyiannis6283]

Remove ET, Back to the Future, Donnie Darko, Predator and Fury Road. Add, Dune, Blade Runner 2049.

[@treyvandale5821]

Loved the episode! You guys should do the same, except with top war films.

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

🫡🫡

[@corky8280]

Decent list. I'd leave out the quirky indie ones like Eternal Sunshine and Donnie Darko. And call me blasphemous but I've never liked 2001, I find it a boring slog of a film (but get that it was groundbreaking). 1960s The Time Machine is great. Also Cronenberg's The Fly. Cruise made 2 great sci-fi movies in Edge of Tomorrow, and Oblivion. Fury Road is awesome but I slightly prefer The Road Warrior. If Mad Max is Sci-fi then how about Escape From New York? No Star Wars so I guess no Star Trek either, otherwise Wrath of Khan makes the list IMO. And just because it copies the look and feel of Alien (my no. 1) so well, I've a soft spot for Outland.

[@rheannalall3651]

How can you not consider interstellar in top 10 meanwhile you brag about how good Nolan is all the time.for me interstellar is in top 5.

[@schroecat1]

Hey guys, overall I love your top 30. I would quibble about a few, but that's all that it would be. Your Top 5 is exactly the movies I would choose, and in exactly the same sequence. XD

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

🙏🙏

[@MrMarcprudhomme1]

Great episode guys, as always. I have a question for you. Dou you put Sci-Fi movies like Interstellar in the same genre as Space Opera like Star Wars? For me, personally, it's two different genre.

[@kossler]

I treat Space Opera as separate from sci-fi. They're not mutually exclusive though. I wouldn't consider something like Star Wars and Dune sci-fi because science isn't used to explain the futuristic elements. They will make up fantastical elements to explain it usually, like the Force, lightsaber crystals, etc.

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

I’d say they’re both sci-fi and look at them about the same, but we didn’t want to dominate the list with them lol

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

@@kossler great points as always

[@kossler]

putting this degree to good use, huh? 🤣@@raidersofthelostpodcast_

[@mikebonilla2534]

If 2001 isn't #1 I send it back 😅

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

🫡

[@chandrawalker7484]

I agree with a lot of the entries on this list and your enthusiasm is infectious, but the jarring amount of superlatives is kind of exhausting. Plus, aside from perhaps Metropolis, representing a branch of science fiction storytelling that perhaps hasn't settled itself in to the realm of general public consciousness, there is a disturbing lack of films that have achieved semi-cult status out of near obscurity - like Chris Marker's "La Jetee", David Cronenberg's scathing, satirical body-horror masterwork, "Videodrome", Terry Gilliam's "Brazil", or Tarkovsky's "Solaris" and "Stalker" - films that, admittedly do not hold the populist demographic appeal that a large number of the entries on this list do, but, at least to me, are no less deserving of being mentioned in a "greatest of all time" list. This is not a denigration on your choices, but merely a deeply felt yearning that audiences and the KZbin consortium were slightly more receptive to lesser-known, more obscure / unconventional films that house equally impressive cinematic flourishes, but hold less overt dramatic or monetary appeal. Other worthy films worth at least mentioning in the conversation for the best examples of science fiction storytelling, regardless of the medium, are Akira, Ghost in the Shell, Battle Royale, Godzilla (1954), Delicatessen and Fantastic Planet. Peace!

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

Excellent choices

[@chandrawalker7484]

@@raidersofthelostpodcast_ Thanks! Also, I feel like I should commend you. I'm impressed that you recognised A Clockwork Orange as real science fiction - a film that is often omitted from such lists. With its social satire, unspecified futuristic time period, preoccupation with advanced states of intoxication and indictment of governmental control / authority, it should definitely be considered as such. Bravo! Keep it up, my dudes. 🤗

[@chandrawalker7484]

In addition to the films previously mentioned, I would've added Robocop, District 9, Annihilation, THX 1138, Dark Star, 12 Monkeys, Children of Men and Under the Skin to my list! 😊

[@leilalavranos3360]

I love this list so much, so many of my favourite films, but would A.I artificial intelligence on your top 50?😭

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

I would put that top 50 fornsure

[@jem7636]

One movie that is not science fiction, but any fan will enjoy is Apollo 11.

[@derekgreen7319]

District 9 should be way higher. But great list none the less !

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

@@derekgreen7319 🫡

[@1995yuda]

Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Gattaca and others should have been on this list, instead of a few weak ones that are on here. Nonetheless it is a good list.

[@josemcdaid7219]

drink a shot every time they say a film is the greatest of all time. how many films can be the greatest. it slightly takes away the value of saying it. UNSUBSCRIBED

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@Ty-Mirrors]

When is the Oscars Episode dropping?

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

We did a preview but not a reaction!

[@szpiegZkrainy]

OMG!! forgot one more classic - Jane Fonda for the win & spectacular cheeseness !! BARBARELLA!!

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

💯💯

[@adwmfilms]

Hot take but Gravity > Interstellar

[@evansmith7150]

Only here for the National Treasure references XD

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

AND THAT WILL LEAD TO ANOTHER CLUE

[@The_Com-Mentor]

E T. was better than Close Encounters, Demolition Man was better than Minority Report 😂. Contact was like making out and then going home. Where's Enemy Mine, where's Tron, Gremlins⁉️ U guys got a lot of movies to fit in to be wasting space on movies like Eternal Sunshine blah blah blah. Butterfly Effect was better than that!🤷

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

Do love us some gremlins hahah

[@ffgghhjjuuooo3550]

Blade runner 2049 ???..

[@kyle666man]

Damn, Gattaca didn’t make it? 💔

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

@@kyle666man omg did we miss that?!

[@kyle666man]

@@raidersofthelostpodcast_ gotta redo the vid now, and make it 50 😝

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

@@kyle666man 😂🫡

[@bev9708]

No Primer?????? No Coherence???? Unsubscribed!!! Nooo, great list guys and I must admit that you gave yourselves such a hard job cutting it down to only 30... isn't it awesome that there are just soooo many fab sci-fi's out there that STAR WARS, Primer and Coherence don't even get a look in!!!! Not to mention Predestination, Source Code, Timecrimes, etc, etc...

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

Love them, but they didn’t quite stick their landings 🙏

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

LOVE source code

[@maralinekozial9131]

Batteries not included & Mac N Me😂

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

MAC N ME 😂😂😂😂

[@The_Com-Mentor]

Planet of the Apes, District 9, the video has finally started😊. And u better copyright "Junkyard Tech".. and I hate Donnie Darko😠. And Terminator is the ultimate Arnold..what r we doing?? Amy Adams is a fake Jody Foster in a fake Contact meets Close Encounters😡..wait a minute, Independence Day is on this list isn't it?🧐

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

🫡🫡

[@daliilars3350]

Kinda funny you picked Interstellar as your thumbnail since it was a snoozefest. Not a bad film but extremely overrated.

[@felikspark2513]

BLA BLA BLA 😊

[@calewitter871]

Dune Part 2 is top five movie ever. Regency Bias be damned!!

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

😂🫡

[@batmanwholaughs3547]

No Star Wars?! UNSUBSCRIBED

[@schroecat1]

Star Wars isn't scifi. It's a fairy tale and a western.

[@maralinekozial9131]

Ahhhh shut up & go suck on a purple swollen lightsaber u little crybaby 😂

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

😂😂

[@brettrobson5739]

A tremendously disappointing list. Are you guys aware they make movies outside of the US? Including one Aussie film, made by an american studio, doesn't count. The action/thriller movies that make up the first 29 on the list look kind of stupid next to 2001. What a pile of shit.

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

Guarantee I’ve seen more films than you. Please list off ALL of the supposed superior sci-fi films

[@brettrobson5739]

@@raidersofthelostpodcast_ Solaris, Stalker, THX 1138, Frankenstein, Alphaville, Primer, Fantastic Planet, Phase IV. I could go on and on. I ,unlike you, have been consuming all the SF media I can get my hands on for over fifty years.

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

@@brettrobson5739 wow, 5 movies. Also, seen them all. Just because we didn’t put them on this list doesn’t mean we aren’t familiar with them.

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

@@brettrobson5739 also, most of yours are still American 😂😂

[@brettrobson5739]

@raidersofthelostpodcast_ Can you count? 3 of 8 (not 5) is less than half. Your list should have been called "favourite SF films since 1980 made by US studios".

[@DAVADMDAVAD]

I would consider Rogue One as being one of the very good movies if not a great movie. I am a lot older than you both, so I can speak from watching movies since 1970 or so (born in 65) and being moved to tears for personal reasons (having read Dune when I was 9) I would say that Dune; and lets put them together as one movie, is one of the greatest world builders of all time. But you can't compare it to something like Ex Machina or Spotless Mind because those films are a very different genre of Sci Fi. Even War Of The Worlds with Tom Cruise or Forbidden Planet, silly as it was, has weight. Frankenstein is Science Fiction, while Species and movies like it are more horror. One could say that IT is a sci fi movie because the titular creature is an alien. Even Stephen King admits as much. Movies like ET or CEOT3K or Wall-E are children's films. Are they true Sci Fi? Contact is true Sci FI. Arrival, Interstellar, AI, Andromeda Strain, so many you've overlooked because you've never seen them. How about The Fly? One of the best in terms of story and acting, if not cinematography. Naked Lunch. So many that would require specialized branding and categorization before you carelessly picked 'the best.' And you can't forget Marvel nor Star Wars nor Star Trek movies. That's ridiculous. Not that they are better...they're not. But they belong on the list in some way.

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

Thanks for the comment! We didn’t do monster movies because they’d overwhelm the list: invisible man, The Fly, young Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein, it would turn into a heavy horror list. We included the thing because it’s an alien movie. Trust me, I’ve seen almost everything 🫡