The Greatest Science Fiction and Fantasy Motion pictures on Netflix

The descriptor “science fiction and fantasy” serves as an umbrella time period for fantastical tales on a regular basis, however if you happen to look nearer, the genres every include multitudes.

A sci-fi/fantasy film may be an alien invasion blockbuster; a bloody sword-and-sorcery epic; or a quiet, reflective fable. What these films all have in frequent is the creativeness to suppose exterior of the world we are able to see from the window. Listed here are 30 of the perfect you’ll be able to stream on Netflix proper now.

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Amongst Thieves (2023)

I wasn’t anticipating a lot from this adaptation of a recreation with an impenetrable mythology, and which had beforehand garnered a string of pretty dismal diversifications. Fortunately, it seems to be unexpectedly pleasant: humorous, action-packed, and respectful of the franchise with out getting slowed down by a long time of lore. Chris Pine stars as bard Edgin Darvis, imprisoned after a heist gone flawed however hoping to be reunited with the daughter, who’s since come underneath the affect of formidable con artist Forge (Hugh Grant). Fortunately, he is obtained assist from Holga (Michelle Rodriguez), a barbarian with a coronary heart of gold, who cares as a lot about Edgin’s daughter as he does. It makes the case that IP films do not need to be soulless. You may stream Dungeons & Dragons right here.

Blade Runner (1982)

Again in 1982, Ridley Scott’s influential Philip Ok. Dick adaptation painted a imaginative and prescient of the longer term again that we’re nonetheless residing with at present (although the Cybertruck could effectively put the aesthetic to mattress as soon as and for all). Pictures of a wet Los Angeles stuffed with impossibly tall skyscrapers, floating vehicles, and infinite digital ads are indelible, a lot in order that fashion practically outweighs the substantial plot: Harrison Ford performs Rick Deckard, a Blade Runner for the LAPD charged with looking down and “retiring” replicants, bioengineered people who have been created as staff however who’ve outlived their usefulness. You may stream Blade Runner right here.

Damsel (2024)

Millie Bobby Brown (Stranger Issues, Enola Holmes) is virtually the face of Netflix as of late. On this darkish fantasy from director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo (28 Weeks Later), she performs Elodie, the titular damsel, who’s been supplied into an organized marriage by her household. It would not sound too horrible, till she learns that it is all been a part of an elaborate ritual sacrifice meant to maintain a dragon from destroying the dominion. Fortunate for her, she’s way more resourceful than her in-laws give her credit score for. First aim: get out. Second aim? Get even. You may stream Damsel right here.

Paradise (2023)

Time is a literal commodity on this German sci-fi dystopia. Max (Kostja Ullmann) works for the appropriately named Aeon, a tech firm that buys time (as in years) from the poor to increase the lives of its rich and highly effective purchasers. He is nice at his job, but it surely would not matter a lot when his rental burns down and he is answerable for the mortgage backed by 40 years of his spouse Elana’s life. All of the sudden married to a senior citizen, he is decided to get his spouse’s time again, no matter the fee. You may stream Paradise right here.

Nimona (2023)

Based mostly on the graphic novel from ND Stevenson, Nimona traveled a rocky street to the display, surviving delays, firm shut-downs, the pandemic, and stress from Disney to tone down its queer themes. Fortunately, none of that drama made it into the completed product (finally dropped at streaming by Netflix). It is a heartfelt, joyful, and humorous fantasy set in a futuristic world stuffed with medieval trappings. Ballister Boldheart, alongside his boyfriend Ambrosius Goldenloin, is about to be knighted by the queen, the primary commoner ever to obtain the respect. It is all good, till he’s framed for the queen’s homicide and compelled to flee, turning into the felony that the snobs already took him for. Fortunately (or not) he’s joined by Nimona, a youngster outcast shunned for her shapeshifting powers. The 2 work collectively to clear Ballister’s title, at the same time as Nimona has issues to show Ballister about residing authentically. You may stream Nimona right here.

The Previous Guard (2020)

The comic-inspired Netflix movie stars Charlize Theron as Andromache, the sometimes-leader of a gaggle of immortal-ish people who’re already centuries outdated because the movie begins. They typically work as mercenaries when the trigger is true, however discover their group beginning to splinter within the face of a brand new risk: Fashionable expertise has made it more durable to cover their secret, and a pharmaceutical exec has plans to seize them, work out why they’re immortal, after which make a sellable product. The film’s a strong mix of comic-book heroics and mercenary-movie motion, with a sequel on the best way. Shortly after this, director Gina Prince-Bythewood made the historic action-drama The Girl King, additionally on Netflix. You may stream The Previous Guard right here.

Circle (2015)

It’s alien abduction for the Squid Sport era, this one picks up within the aftermath of a mass snatching. Circle opens on 50 individuals waking up in a darkish room. They’re on platforms from which they’ll’t transfer on ache of laser-inflicted demise, they usually rapidly understand they’re trapped in a recreation with easy, particular guidelines: Through hand gestures, they’re meant to vote on the following particular person to die (if not, somebody is selected at random each two minutes). It’s a sick scheme enacted by would-be invaders, but it surely’s additionally a research of our species, and reaches some not-entirely-flattering conclusions about how rapidly we’ll throw one another underneath the bus (er, laser beam). You may stream Circle right here.

Godzilla Minus One (2023)

Eschewing the more-is-more strategy of the American Godzilla collection, author/director Takashi Yamazaki affords up this reminder that Japanese filmmakers actually know their monster king. A prequel of types to the unique 1954 movie, this one finds kamikaze pilot Koichi Shikishima (Ryunosuke Kamiki) encountering Godzilla a number of instances through the years following World Battle II. That wartime trauma, which harkens again to the unique movie, lends this one a kaiju-sized emotional weight. Practically as vital: the masterful, Oscar-winning visible results make Godzilla scary once more, and the motion sequences have actual weight and stakes. You may stream Godzilla Minus One right here.

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024)

The place the Japanese iteration of the franchise has gone again to Godzilla’s roots for a deeper, extra emotionally satisfying story involving that nation’s nuclear terror in Godzilla Minus One (additionally on Netflix), the American spinoff collection is doing very effectively for itself with a little bit of counter-programming. Leaning on the wilder and extra outré components of kaiju lore, director Adam Wingard and firm toss all the pieces on the wall to see what sticks; the result’s goofy, colourful, and usually a good bit of enjoyable—if infinite large monster fights do not offer you an excessive amount of of a headache. You may stream Godzilla x Kong right here.

The Name (2020)

I like a superb time journey horror film (a particular however venerable style that features the likes of Timecrimes, Triangle, and Glad Dying Day). This one includes Search engine marketing-yeon (Park Shin-hye) visiting her childhood dwelling in 2019, solely to find that an outdated cordless cellphone nonetheless works (by no means a superb signal), and connects her to Younger-sook (Jeon Jong-seo), residing in the home in 1999. The 2 bond over shared experiences, however issues quickly go very flawed when Search engine marketing-Yeon tells the opposite younger girl concerning the future, and influences her to make adjustments. It is intelligent and disturbing, with a strong excessive idea. You may stream The Name right here.

Reversi (2024)

Did I point out that I like my films with a little bit of time journey? This efficient Malaysian import stars Beto Kusyairy as Akid, a police negotiator who loses his spouse and son to tragedy—fortuitously for Akid, although, he has a genetic propensity for time journey. However every journey to the previous knocks a bit off of Akid’s personal lifespan, and he quickly discovers that making an attempt to rewrite historical past could be no less than as traumatic as transferring on from loss. You may stream Reversi right here.

Ultraman: Rising (2024)

This Japanese-American co-production reboots the beloved half-century-plus franchise with assist of director Shannon Tindle and co-writer Marc Haimes (each of the sensible Kubo and the Two Strings). Skilled baseball participant Ken Sato returns dwelling to Japan when he inherits the mantle of (you guessed it!) Ultraman from his retired father. The trendy animation is gorgeous and there loads of family-friendly motion, but it surely would not work half as effectively with out the emotional arc: egotistical sports activities star Sato must reconnect along with his distant father, at the same time as he turns into the unwilling parental determine to an orphaned kaiju baby. You may stream Ultraman: Rising right here.

Conan the Barbarian (1982)

It won’t be precisely what prolific author and Conan-creator Robert E. Howard had in thoughts but it surely’s quite a lot of enjoyable in a shirtless, sweaty, sword-and-sorcery form of means. It’s the film that kicked off a reasonably cool cycle of ‘80s fantasy movies, and in addition gave Arnold Schwarzenegger his huge cinematic break. An extended-haired James Earl Jones additionally affords up his second-most-memorable villainous efficiency as evil sorcerer Thulsa Doom. You may stream Conan the Barbarian right here.

See You Yesterday (2019)

See You Yesterday methods you into pondering you’re signing on for a sci-fi romp—an early cameo from Michael J. Fox appears to underline it. Because it begins, younger prodigies CJ Walker (Eden Duncan Smith) and Sebastian Thomas (Dante Crichlow) develop a time machine and plan to check it by touring again at some point and scrupulously avoiding making any adjustments. Shortly after, the Spike Lee-produced movie takes a darkish flip: CJ’s older brother is shot and killed by an NYPD officer who errors a cellphone for a gun. CJ tries many times to save lots of him, however is pissed off as every try goes flawed in a brand new means. It’s not a completely downbeat film, however, in the perfect sci-fi custom, the excessive idea at its core has extra down-to-earth relevance. You may stream See You Yesterday right here.

The Midnight Sky (2020)

There’s fairly a bit spinoff on this George Clooney-directed movie, but it surely’s additionally quietly poignant in ways in which trendy science fiction not often is. That’s a really particular mode, however refreshing in its means. Clooney performs Augustine, a scientist with a terminal situation in 2049 who’s grow to be one of many only a few remaining people alive on Earth after some unknown occasion left the floor contaminated with radiation. He discovers {that a} mission from a moon of Jupiter is on its means again to Earth, and makes it his mission to warn them that the planet is not hospitable—a mission sophisticated by the invention of a younger lady he feels the necessity to defend. You may stream The Midnight Sky right here.

The Platform (2019)

OK, the metaphor is slightly heavy-handed: In a big tower, euphemistically known as the “Vertical Self-Administration Heart,” meals is delivered in a shaft that stops on every flooring from the highest down: these close to the highest get to eat their fill; these on the backside get scraps. The Spanish-language thriller is wildly violent, however ingenious, and it’s not as if real-life capitalism is especially refined in its deprivations. You may stream The Platform right here.

What Occurred to Monday (2017)

Tommy Wirkola, director of the latest David Harbour Christmas-themed motion film Violent Evening and the upcoming Spermageddon, helmed this high-concept science fiction story concerning the perils of overpopulation. Within the near-ish future, a one-child coverage sees spare children frozen cryogenically till such time as they are often both grow to be colonists on one other planet, or till Earth finds extra assets—whichever comes first. Suppose Youngsters of Males, however a bit goofier. Glenn Shut is answerable for implementing the coverage, whereas Willem Dafoe performs the grandfather of similar septuplets. He comes up with a plan to maintain all the youngsters out of the freezer: they’ll take turns taking part in at being the identical particular person (Noomi Rapace, in a number of roles). Ridiculous, however enjoyable. You may stream What Occurred to Monday right here.

Insurgent Moon (2023)

Zack Snyder, late of the complete DC cinematic universe, conjures up passionate opinions throughout—however his science fiction Military of the Lifeless followup cannot be faulted for lack of ambition. It is a multi-part (presently unclear what number of elements that might be) area opera that blends Snyder’s distinctive visible fashion with Star Wars-style motion. Sofia Boutella stars as a former soldier who rallies warriors from throughout the galaxy to affix in a revolt in opposition to the imperial Motherworld on the title’s out-of-the-way farming moon. You may presently catch half one (aka A Youngster of Fireplace) and half two (The Scargiver), in addition to an R-rated director’s reduce of the primary film. You may stream Insurgent Moon: A Youngster of Fireplace right here.

The Curse of Bridge Hole (2022)

Halloween films are legitimate at any time of yr, so there is not any cause to carry off on this family-friendly seasonal fantasy. The Howard household has moved to the city of Bridge Hole simply in time for the vacation, and daughter Sydney (Priah Ferguson of Stranger Issues) could not be extra exited concerning the city’s vacation spirit. Dad (Marlon Wayans), however, is all concerning the science and hates the spooky nonsense—mother Kelly Rowland typically left to referee. The household has to attempt to come collectively, although, when Sydney unintentionally frees a ghost who makes a military out of the city’s decorations. Whoops! You may stream The Curse of Bridge Hole right here.

Bubble (2022)

From Assault on Titan and Dying Observe director Tetsurô Araki and an all-star inventive workforce, Bubble finds Tokyo reduce off from the remainder of the world when reality-bending bubbles rain down on the town (shades of Stephen King’s Below the Dome, maybe). Anime followers have been virtually actually looking out for the attractive, parkour-infused love story, however anybody who loves animation (or nice sci-fi movies generally) ought to test it out. You may stream Bubble right here.

My Father’s Dragon (2022)

Based mostly on Ruth Stiles Gannett’s 1948 kids’s novel of the identical title, and geared towards even youthful audiences than the opposite all-ages animated films on this checklist, My Father’s Dragon nonetheless has lots to suggest it to only about anybody—together with extra emotional intelligence than many films made for adults. Within the movie, a boy named Elmer (Jacob Tremblay) and his shopkeeper mom, Dela (Golshifteh Farahani) depart their tight-knit city in favor of a much bigger metropolis—although the promise of higher circumstances doesn’t rapidly materialize. Elmer’s endurance is rewarded, although, when a speaking cat invitations him to take a phenomenal, candy-colored journey. The film is from the director of the The Breadwinner, set in modern-day Afghanistan, and Cartoon Saloon, manufacturing firm behind animated films like the attractive Irish folks story, Wolfwalkers. You may stream My Father’s Dragon right here.

The Wandering Earth (2019)

The title isn’t a metaphor: this Chinese language blockbuster is actually about what occurs when the Earth goes off-course, and the individuals who come collectively to maintain it from smashing into Jupiter. The entire thing begins when a rogue crimson large threatens to engulf the Earth inside a century, main the nations of the world to return collectively round constructing large engines to shove us out of the best way. It’s bonkers in the absolute best means, with particular results that simply outpace these of many American blockbusters. The human factor right here can also be a plus, because the film makes room for a broad ensemble of fascinating characters, suggesting that nice issues (like not hitting Jupiter) occur when individuals work collectively. You may stream The Wandering Earth right here.

House Sweepers (2021)

It doesn’t totally reinvent the wheel, however there’s a refreshing concentrate on the underclasses of the longer term, with out edging too far into the dystopian. I’m not the primary to make a comparability between House Sweepers and Cowboy Bebop, however, given the latest and speedy failure of Netflix’s live-action model of that cartoon, it’s not going too far to say that you simply’ll discover a higher encapsulation of Bebop’s spirit of rag-tag discovered household and its outer area western milieu right here then within the live-action present that bore its title. What this one lacks in originality, it makes up for in partaking characters and lavish particular results. It’s additionally good to see a much less American-centric perspective on the longer term. You may stream House Sweepers right here.

The Block Island Sound (2020)

Unusual doings are afoot on Block Island, the obvious of that are the huge numbers of lifeless fish that hold washing up on shore. Extra alarming although is the habits of one of many native fishermen, Tom, who retains waking up in unusual locations and usually dropping time. His daughter Audry (Michaela McManus) works for the Environmental Safety Company and is distributed to analyze the mass fish deaths; she brings alongside her daughter and reunites with brother Tom (Chris Sheffield) alongside the best way. Collectively, they uncover no bizarre environmental disaster is guilty for all of the lifeless fish, because the movie blends the household drama and the eerie native occasions because it builds to a reasonably chilling climax. You may stream The Block Island Sound right here.

They Cloned Tyrone (2023)

This style mashup from debut director Juel Taylor spins loads of plates, and principally manages to maintain them from crashing down. John Bodega stars as Fontaine, a drug seller in a Blaxsploitation-inspired world simply this facet of our personal. Following a showdown with one-time Pimp of the 12 months Slick Charles (Jamie Foxx), Fontaine is shot lifeless, however awakens the following day in his personal mattress with nothing seemingly having modified. Teaming up with Slick Charles and intercourse employee Yo Yo (Teyonah Parris), he dives into an unlikely internet of scientific conspiracy, the gist of which you’ll kinda get from the title. A sci-fi style parody shouldn’t work practically so effectively, however the stellar forged and guaranteed route from Juel Taylor promote it. You may stream They Cloned Tyrone right here.

Dune: Half Two (2024)

The fickle nature of streaming means you could solely watch the second a part of Denis Villeneuve’s Greatest Image-nominated epic on Netflix, so you may need to catch that one first, then rejoin Villeneuve and firm for the conclusion (for now) of the journey, and descent, of exiled Duke Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) as he joins with the Fremen of Arrakis to overturn the colonial rule of the Harkonnens—or maybe simply to revive his personal energy. With an epic, completely cinematic scope, and super performances, notably from Zendaya as Fremen warrior Chani and Rebecca Ferguson as Paul’s completely relentless mom, Girl Jessica, it is a sci-fi epic like no different. You may stream Dune: Half Two right here.

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024)

This Fury Highway prequel is each bit the thrill-ride it is predecessor was, even because it barely dials again the motion in favor of a bit extra emotional complexity in and round our titular ass-kicker. Anna-Taylor Pleasure takes over from Charlize Theron as Furiosa, born into the Inexperienced Place of Many Moms, one of many final remaining oases in a radioactive, post-apocalyptic Australia. When she’s taken by warlord Dementus (Chris Hemsworth), she winds up on a decades-long journey to get dwelling. Even after 4 a long time of Mad Max films, George Miller remains to be innovating. You may stream Furiosa right here.

Okja (2017)

A Korean-language sci-fi fantasy a couple of lady and her genetically modified pig won’t sound like a straightforward promote, however the film actually attracted extra much-deserved consideration when its director, Bong Joon-Ho, gained one of many best-justified Greatest Image Oscars in latest reminiscence for Parasite. The darkly whimsical movie that challenges the norms of the American and South Korean meat industries may be very a lot its personal factor, however followers of Parasite will acknowledge Bong’s mixture of darkish comedy, motion, and hard-to-ignore social commentary. You may stream Okja right here.

Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio (2022)

The director’s ardour undertaking, Pinnochio had a protracted street to the display, but it surely’s onerous to argue that it wasn’t all value it. Set in fascist Italy between the wars, and instructed by means of beautiful stop-motion animation, the superbly transferring movie gained a well-deserved Greatest Animated Function Oscar. You may stream Pinocchio right here.

Blame! (2017)

Sooner or later, The Metropolis grows like a virus, endlessly in all instructions, people lengthy since having misplaced management of the automated programs designed to run issues. Those self same programs now see views people as “illegals” to be purged, so flesh-and-blood survivors are caught between the town’s murderous protection programs and the necessity to discover meals. One group of people, although, is on the hunt for the existence of somebody with a genetic marker that they consider will permit for entry to the town’s management programs—a hunt lead by Killy, an artificial human who might need the important thing. You may stream Blame! right here.