It can sometimes be hard to know which movies out there are considered the best. But thanks to Rotten Tomatoes aggregating reviews and opinion, we can now objectively measure which movies are the most critically adored. In order to make this list, I went found (roughly) the 20 highest-rated sci-fi movies on Rotten Tomatoes from the last 10 years.
My method of doing this was to go through and pick the two highest-rated sci-fi movies from each year, just like I did for my Top 20 Worst Sci-fi and Fantasy Movies in The Last 10 Years list. Though there is a slight change in that I found a resource that measures the rating against how many reviews to get a more accurate ranking. So it has nothing to do with my personal preferences (except for the movies that happened to be rated the same percentage. I did rank those based on which ones I liked best).
So without futher ado, let’s take a look at the sci-fi movies from the past ten years that are the most adored by critics and the general populace. I wonder what number one will be?
Feel free to chime in about your favorite sci-fi movie from the last decade in the comments!
Sunshine (2007)
Directors Danny Boyle’s Sunshine is an adventure where a team has to reignite the dying sun. Critics enjoyed the films cosmically beautiful visuals and fun action. However, I imagine the reason it’s lowest rated film on this list at a 76% is because of the fatal flaw George Hotelling mentions in his Amazon review. “No one ever looks really serious and says "It's daylight saving time." Not one character. No one says "It's daylight saving time." In the entire movie. I know you don't think it's possible, but if you watch it you'll feel like you wasted 4 hours of your life (time moves slower when you're waiting for someone to deliver an amazing line). What were the writers thinking!?”
What were they thinking? For shame.
Scott Pilgrim vs the World (2010)
Edgar Wright’s adaptation of Bryan Lee O’ Malley’s comic is a rollicking good time that pays homage to video games. The comedy-adventure focuses on a 20-something slacker who ends up battling his main squeeze Ramona’s seven evil exes. The effects of the movie are done in a ridiculous cartoony way that comes off as creative, and the movie does a good job translating the comic’s oddball humor. The movie leveled up to an 82%.
Paprika (2006)
Satoshi Kon’s wildly inventive and amazing animated look at a future world where people have the technology to dive into each other’s dreams. Surreal and bizarre, colorful and creative, it deals with the psychology of its characters in a fantastical way. It touches upon questions of duality, identity and the line between the subconscious and reality. The film is rated a solid 84%.
X-Men First Class (2011)
Matthew Vaughn’s X-Men First Class chronicles the formation of the mutant hero team, set during the 1960’s. The movie returned the X-Men franchise to it’s roots in a welcome way and many loved the strong cast and retro period setting. It got an 87%.
Inception (2010)
Christopher Nolan’s heist film actually involves a futuristic group of thieves diving into someone dream and stealing information from their mind. The film’s visual complexity, psychological confrontations and endless twists and turns impressed many a viewer and it got an 87%.
TimeCrimes (2007)
Nacho Vigalondo’s Timecrimes is about a man who discovers a time machine while fleeing a murderous, bandaged assailant. Critics enjoyed how the movie played with the viewers mind and felt it was disturbing and creepy in a good way. The film got itself a nice 88%.
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)
Francis Lawrence’s adaptation of the second Hunger Games novel drew the audience in. The story of children being forced to fight to the death in a dystopian future just got more intense with the second installment and the movie delivered the thrills and chills required. It got an 89%.
Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
James Gunn’s snarky superhero extravaganza follows a space-faring bounty hunter named Peter Quill and band of superpowered, alien misfits who find themselves faced with the task of saving the galaxy. Funny, action-packed and full of classic 80’s tunes, this movie was a good time for both comic book fans and average viewers. The Marvel Universe’s most cosmic film got itself a 91%.
Source Code (2011)
Duncan Jones’ thriller tells the story of a soldier who wakes up in the body of an unknown man thanks to a government experiment. The film won praise for it’s exciting fast pace, strong acting and well-done mindbenders and got a 92%.
The Avengers (2012)
Joss Whedon’s The Avengers was the first Marvel team movie and it delivered on the great character interactions and fun superhero action. With exciting fight scenes and enjoyable banter, the film about six heroes saving the world from won the hearts of many and got a 92%.
Children of Men (2006)
Alfonso Cuaron’s Children of Men is a dystopian thriller that takes place in a future world where humans can no longer reproduce- except for one young mother who must hide her secret. Critics praised both Children of Men’s thrilling chase scenes and it’s fraught human drama. Even critics who disliked the story praised the technical aspects and visionary filmmaking. It’s called a gutwrenching story that still offers hope, and therefore burns bright at 92%.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
J.J. Abrams’ Star Wars: The Force Awakens recaptured a lot of the old magic that made Star Wars the powerhouse franchise it is today, giving audiences compelling and dynamic characters, fun action scenes, warm humor and good-vs-evil drama at its finest. The movie managed to both tickle the nostalgia of old fans and entice new ones into the Star Wars universe, earning it a 92%.
Looper (2012)
Rian Johnson’s Looper takes place in a world where time travel devices are available through the black market, and “loopers” are hired to go back in time and assassinate people. But one looper is sent back in time to assassinate himself. The exciting action movie used its interesting premise in a thoughtful way, earning it a 93%.
The Dark Knight (2008)
The second installment of Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy will be remembered with reverence for a long time. The dark and complicated crime saga features an all-star cast, which Heath Ledger’s stunning (and sadly final) performance as the Joker being a real standout. The dialogue is endlessly quoteable and there a long time you couldn’t go anywhere without hearing “some men just want to watch the world burn” or “why so serious”. The movie also offers dramatic character arcs and interesting meditations on the nature of good and evil, truth and chaos. The Dark Knight easily snatched up a 94%.
Star Trek (2009)
J.J. Abram’s Star Trek reboot was fun and flashy. It kicked the franchise back into gear and delivered a solid dose of action. It bought in new Star Trek fans and please many of the old. Critics praised it as accessible and entertaining and it earned a 95%
Her (2013)
Spike Jonz’s Her uses sci-fi to explore human connection in a fascinating way. The film follows a writer who falls in love with his futuristic computer system, but the gulf between man and machine makes things difficult. What could have been a tasteless film is instead a smart and delicate look at the relationships humans have with both each other and technology with quite an unexpected ending. This Oscar nominee got a 95%.
Snowpiercer (2014)
Bong Joon Hoo’s Snowpiercer is a post-apocalyptic thriller, set in a future where global warming has killed off most of humanity and turned the world into a frozen wasteland. The few survivors are on an eternally running train, where a bizarre dystopian society has taken place. Snowpiercer tells a strange, thrilling and intense story of humanity pushed to the brink that’s full of twists and turns. Audiences are kept on the edge of their seat and that’s what netted this film a 95%.
Wall-E (2008)
Andrew Starton’s Wall-E is another great Pixar tale of an adorable robot who is left behind on an abandoned Earth. The endearing lead manages to capture hearts while not saying much besides a couple names, showing off the powerful emotional range of animation. Wall-E is a touching love story, but also carries a pointed message about what humanity is doing to itself and the earth. The end result is ultimately inspirational though. The film proves post-apocalyptic tales can be fun and heartwarming and shines bright with a 96% score.
Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
George Miller’s post-apocalyptic car chase follows the titular Max and a group of women liberated from the tyranny of Immortan Joe by his former henchwoman, Furiosa, as they struggle to escape their pursuers. Mad Max delivers heart-stopping and inventive fight scenes, incredible visuals and complex, well-done characters fighting for survival and a chance at redemption. What a lovely day for this movie, as it earned a 97%.
Up (2009)
Peter Docter, Bob Peterson and Patrick Lin’s Up is yet another incredible Pixar film. The story focuses on a geriatric balloon salesman who fulfills his dream to float to South America, only to find he’s unwittingly bought a hyperactive eight year old with him. While full of humor and adventure, the movie also examined grief, loss and human connection in a poignant way that had kids and adults alike tearing up. The endearing characters develop beautifully over the course of the film and there’s even an adorable dog. Up really earned its 98%.