Science fiction and horror are two genres that fit surprising well together. Mixing the frightening thrills of horror with the sleek, metallic glow of science fiction makes for a surely entertaining flick. Like action and comedy, sci-fi horror has quickly become its own subgenre filled with lots of great films.
Perhaps our fear of the future is what makes sci-fi blend so naturally with horror. Or maybealiens and spaceshipsare just always a little scary. With that being said, we hope that some of these films inspire others to keep making unique genre combinations.
Updated September 6th, 2022 by Russ Boswell: The Sci-Fi Horror genre is one of the most terrifying when done correctly, offering up fantastical elements and alien creatures that can offer viewers some truly stomach-churning body horror, as well as existential dread. The idea that something lurks beyond the stars, and it isn’t friendly, is a truly unsettling thought and some Sci-Fi movies create some truly horrific scenarios that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats. To better celebrate this blending over genres, the following list has been updated and now includes even more recommendations for thebest Sci-Fi Horror moviesout there.
15Slither
James Gunn is perhaps best known for his work on the Guardians of the Galaxy series, and his recent foray into the DC universe with The Suicide Squad. Prior to that, the aspiring filmmaker tried his hands at multiple genres, including a rather disgusting Sci-Fi Body Horror film called Slither. Although The Thing is hailed as one of the most enigmatic and incredibly-crafted Body Horror films ever made, Slither has its own charms and some truly stomach-turning visuals.
After an Alien parasite takes over a small town, the residents are transformed into a wide array of disgusting mutant creatures. It’s a straightforward adventure that showcases James Gunn’s penchant for great special effects and imagery.
14Cube
Cube is a fantastic Sci-Fi Horror adventure for those that want something mysterious and mind-bending. Unlike many of the other Sci-Fi offerings on this list, Cube doesn’t directly unveil its story to viewers in the opening hours. Instead, it gives small glimpses at the overarching plot throughout its entire nail-biting runtime.
A group of strangers find themselves relying on one another to navigate a series of strange cube-like rooms littered with traps and other hazards. It has a similar feeling to Saw, although the villain isn’t nearly as boisterous about their uncouth methods. Cube will keep watchers on the edge of their seats, trying to guess exactly what’s happening as some truly horrific and tense moments happen on screen.
13Tremors
Tremors is arguably one of the best examples of an action-packed Sci-Fi Horror adventure. Starring Kevin Bacon (perhaps in his cinematic Prime), the film sees a ragtag group of survivors stranded in a remote desert location and surrounded by bloodthirsty alien-like worms that have acute senses that allow them to track their prey from underground. The movie uses some amazing practical effects to create some truly imposing monsters, while also maintaining the great sense of Horror-Comedy that makes B-movies such a riot.
Tremors managed to excite audiences enough that studios spent time and money making a small handful of sequels.
12The Blob
There are two different versions of The Blob, with each offering different scares depending on what movie-goers are in the mood for. The original 1958 film is pretty campy, offering up some hilariously bad B-movie vibes for its time period. With practical yet unrefined special effects, the original film is best for those that are looking to view The Blob in its original state, as a slow-moving but dangerous oddity.
Those that want something a bit more heart-racing should opt for the 1988 variant, which saw some greatly updated visuals and a much more visceral storyline that showed the alien entity crawling through populated areas and leaving death and destruction in its wake. This version of the Blob is much more dangerous (and much less hilarious) than its older 50’s counterpart. Both of these films are great in their own right and offer up a change of pace when it comes to alien horror.
11They Live!
Many viewers know Rowdy Roddy Piper from his World Wrestling Federation (WWF) days, where he was often seen feuding with some of the biggest names in the business thanks to his crass attitude and athletic ability. But wrestling wasn’t his only talent. Roddy Piper also managed to make his way to the big screen, and he eventually landed a role in one of the most polarizing Sci-Fi Horror films ever produced.
They Live! wasn’t necessarily a genre-bending success when it was first released, but it has developed quite the cult following over the years. Featuring some great effects, an enthralling story, and some solid acting from the cast, although many could consider They Live! as a B-Horror movie, it’s a must-see for Sci-Fi Horror fans.
10Event Horizon
Event Horizonmay not be one of the best examples of great filmmaking, but the film did make for a truly unnerving and horrific space voyage. Released in 1997,Event Horizonisfilled with familiar science fiction tropesand one-dimensional characters. But what really stands out is its creative premise of a ship that’s haunted with unspeakable horrors.
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Throughout the film, the spaceship’s crew slowly learn that the ship they were sent to investigate has returned from possibly another dimension, or even hell itself. As the characters are killed one by one, gruesome gore and fear of the unknown in space make this a film that’s hard to forget.
9A Quiet Place
John Krasinski shocked the world in 2018 with his directorial debutA Quiet Place, which starred Krasinski and his real-life wife, Emily Blunt, as parents trying to survive with their family in an apocalypse.
Seemingly indestructible aliens have taken over earth with their deadly speed and strength as well as their incredibly strong sense of hearing. This forces the characters to remain as quiet as possible while avoiding them. The film results in a truly intense and heartbreaking story about family survival. After becoming amassive hit, a sequel was released in 2021.
8Killer Klowns From Outer Space
Released in 1988,Killer Klowns From Outer Spaceis a delightfully cheesy sci-fi horror flick about aliens that look like clowns terrorizing a small town. It’s not exactly the most frightening horror film out there (except, of course for those with clown phobias) but the movie makes sure the audience knows how silly it is.
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With incredible practical effects and alien costumes,Killer Klowns From Outer Spacemakes for a fun B-movie filled with memorable gags and kills.
7Annihilation
With his work on films likeDreddandEx Machina, directorAlex Garland is no stranger to science fiction. In 2018, he released another sci-fi film filled with cosmic horror calledAnnihilation.
Starring Natalie Portman, the film is about a group of scientists venturing into a mysterious extraterrestrial zone in the forest where the laws of nature are horrifyingly twisted. Mutant alligators and bears are only a glimpse of the horrors they discover inside the zone.Annihilationis one of the most interesting new takes on alien encounters.
6The Fly
Jeff Goldblum stars in this iconic remake of a 1950s B-movie about a man transforming into a fly after a botched experiment. Legendary director David Cronenberg uses a silly premise and turns it into a truly horrifying movie about body mutilation.
Known forhis other body-themed horror films, Cronenberg made sure the special effects used to transform Goldblum into the fly are both believable and disgusting. Watching his character slowly lose his humanity makesThe Flyone of the most memorable horror films of the 1980s.
