Not that long ago, in a galaxy not terribly far away, science fiction was thought of as a niche interest – nerdery of the highest order. It’s hard to imagine now, given the geek insurrection of the last two decades. Now, nerds run the entertainment industry, and sci-fi isn’t just popular. It is, perhaps, the dominant genre in all of pop-culture.
The truth, however, is that the audience for science fiction was never so limited. The best sci-fi isn’t just about mythology and multiverses. Even if they’re taking place on other planets, truly great sci-fi speaks to the issues concerning the planet we actually live on – they just happen to be communicated through fantastical beasts and alien technology. Sci-fi’s reach is reflected in the wide-ranging panel of experts we conscripted to rank the greatest sci-fi films ever made. That includes Nobel Prize-winning geneticist Sir Paul Nurse to Oscar-winning film director Guillermo del Toro, to Game of Thrones creator George RR Martin, along with frequent Time Out writers. It’s also illustrated by the list itself, one that zigzags from Tatooine to Arrakis, Metropolis to Los Angeles circa, uh, 2019.
Recommended:
🚀 Charlie Brooker’s ten favourite sci-fi movies
👽 The best sci-fi shows streaming on Netflix
🦄 The 50 best fantasy movies of all-time
