Awesome Science Fiction

In Carlos Gómez-Trigo’s short film, three survivors of an apocalyptic disaster debate how soon it will be safe to remove their helmets. After multiple signs point to an end to the threat, one of them becomes impatient and jumps the gun. What happens next might make you flinch. Be sure to turn on subtitles.

This science fiction series comes from Game of Thrones showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss. It’s based on Liu Cixin’s Hugo-award-winning trilogy about the first contact between Earth and an alien civilization and its far-reaching implications on humanity’s future. Coming to Netflix 1.2024.

Time travel movies are unrealistic in many ways – not the least of which is time travel is impossible. In this video, comedian Alasdair Beckett-King points out another major problem that most science fiction movies neglect to address – one that would quickly spell disaster for their protagonists.

John Boyega, Teyonah Parris, and Jamie Foxx star in this offbeat sci-fi caper film about a trio who stumble onto a crazy conspiracy in which they think the government is cloning and replacing everyday citizens. The rest of the plot is unclear, but wacky hijinks ensue. Coming soon to Netflix.

Wes Anderson remaking Ridley Scott’s Alien seems highly unlikely, but the way Hollywood reboots things these days, you can never say never. AI Fungi used generative technology to simulate what Anderson’s take on the classic sci-fi/horror flick might look like, with Tilda Swinton taking on the role of Ripley and the Nostromo being much more colorful.

Writer/Director Gareth Edwards (Rogue One, Monsters) leads this post-apocalyptic, sci-fi thriller about humans engaged in a with the artificial intelligence that now aims to wipe us out. But a soldier discovers the AI’s secret weapon is a child, and decides to protect it instead of destroy it.

Early science fiction movies weren’t exactly deep or thoughtful. Comedian Alasdair Beckett-King pokes fun at the clichés of the genre, including thinly-veiled political messages, primitive special effects, low-budget props, stilted dialogue, and rampant sexism.

Writer-director Patrick Townsend’s short film takes place in the near future when online retailers ship us items based on what algorithms think we need. So when the system detects marital problems between Liz and Shane, it ships her a robotic boyfriend. Will technology bring them together or push them apart further?

This action-packed Korean sci-fi series envisions a future where only 1% of the population survives catastrophic climate change. While a handful of elites live underground, those on the dusty and dystopian surface rely on deliverymen to bring them critical supplies and fight off raiders. Coming to Netflix 5.12.2023.

Ready to chew bubble gum and kick ass, but you’re all out of bubble gum? We’ve got a game for you. Based on John Carpenter’s classic, They Live, this card game from Iconiq Studios has players teaming up to uncover the aliens hidden at the table. The upgrade pack includes Hoffman Lenses that reveal hidden words on some cards.

This LEGO Ideas creation consists of four mini artworks inspired by 1980s science fiction. Fan designer Jan Woźnica’s scenes feature colorful gradients contrasted with dark skies, rocket ships, stars, and moons. The four panels can be displayed individually or joined together and stand or hang on the wall. Available 5.8.23.

It’s doubtful we’ll ever get another sequel to the Back to the Future films. But this fan-made trailer for BTTF Part IV makes us want one. Smasher put together this imaginative teaser trailer using footage of Christopher Lloyd and Michael J. Fox as Doc and Marty zoom even further into the future on a grand new adventure.

Given the vastness of the universe, it’s almost impossible to fathom that there aren’t other life forms out there. In this video from Kurzgesagt, they explore the hypothetical idea that aliens are just a few steps behind us, and will soon catch up with technology that allows them to explore space and visit other planets.

Filmmaker Fabrice Mathieu imagines that the Chinese spy balloon actually came from outer space, and it’s not the only one. In fact, an immense inflatable invasion is headed our way. Fabrice used footage from various movies (and music by Danny Elfman) to give his short film a great 1950s sci-fi vibe.

(PG-13: Language) Sascha Vernik’s award-winning animated short film takes us on a wild ride with a man on the verge of a nervous breakdown and whose efforts to set things right send him on a mind-bending journey through space and time. Read more about the filmmaker’s process Directors Notes.

Based on the books by Hugh C. Howey, this sci-fi series takes place in an underground community known as the Silo. Its occupants are left in the dark about who built the Silo, what happened on the surface, and how long ago it happened. Now, one resident is about to uncover the truth. Premieres 5.5.23 on Apple TV+.

Wist uses your iPhone or Oculus Quest headset to capture live 3D models of memories and lets you play them back as an augmented reality experience in the same location. Because of technical limitations, the models and textures have a weird torn-edge look straight out of science fiction. Sign up to join the waitlist.

This star-studded science fiction series is set in a future where society has overcome many challenges with science and technology, but climate change eludes them. As eight interconnected stories unfold, we learn about humanity’s battles in the face of a seemingly insurmountable crisis. Drops 3.17.23 on Apple TV+.

Billy Crudup stars in this streaming series that takes place in a retrofuturist version of Earth, where gadgets like jet packs and hovercars actually exist. Crudup leads a team of door-to-door salespeople tasked with pitching another dream – selling timeshares on the moon. Coming to Apple TV+ on 2.17.23.

The latest from Hellbound and Train to Busan director Yeon Sang-ho is a science-fiction movie about a future in which humans decide their best chance for survival is to copy the brains and abilities of one of its greatest fighters into an army of robotic warriors. What could possibly go wrong? Coming to Netflix 1.20.2023.

With the help of Unreal Engine 5, Design by FEO created this realistic version of Rick’s garage and basement laboratory from Rick and Morty. The workshop is packed with fun easter eggs and sci-fi references. There’s something that feels so right that Rick’s voiceover was created by an AI-powered neural network.

Producer Sam Raimi teamed up with A Quiet Place writers Scott Beck and Bryan Woods to create this sci-fi action film about an astronaut (Adam Driver) who crash-lands on a mysterious planet filled with dinosaurs. There, he and a lone child survivor face off against a real-world Jurassic Park. In theaters 3.10.23.

(PG-13: Language) This science fiction short from filmmaker James Parris starts out with a man having a mid-life meltdown, leading to an argument with his girlfriend. But as the Black Mirror-esque story advances, we learn not all is what it seems between the woman and her troubled companion. (Thanks, Rob!)