2021’sDunebrought Frank Herbert’s influentialsci-fi novel to the big screen for a second time, proving that interest in the genre has not waned in recent years. Thanks to the rise of streaming platforms such asAmazon Prime Video, people can access classic and modern movies at the click of a button. Obviously, this includesscience fiction films.
Sci-fi simultaneously caters to mainstream and niche audiences. On occasion, the genre produces crowd-pleasing blockbusters about heroes overcoming seemingly immeasurable odds; conversely, sci-fi is known to delve deep into complex social and political themes while introducing viewers to philosophic concepts that might inspire discussion.Amazon Prime Video’s best sci-fi moviescover both sides of the coin.
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In the world of anime,Neon Genesis Evangelionneeds no introduction. The ’90s anime was and still is a huge deal, and while Amazon Prime Video does not have the iconic series orThe End of Evangelion, the streaming service is the only place that fans can watchRebuild of Evangelion, Hideaki Anno’s alternate retelling of the story.
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Although initially sticking close to the original timeline, these movies eventually make their own path, with the last two entries sharing almost nothing in common with the older show. Boasting fantastic animation, solid characterization, and intriguing themes,Rebuild of Evangelionis a worthy extension of an influential anime property.
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Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Like any film written by Charlie Kaufman,Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Minddefies categorization. The story followsJoel Barish, a heartbroken guywho agrees to undergo a unique treatment that will erase all memories of his ex-girlfriend, Clementine. During the operation, Joel lives through their shared moments, remembering both the bad and the good. Suddenly, he begins to regret his decision.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Minduses its absurd sci-fi concept to thoroughly examine Joel and Clementine, exploring them both as individuals and as a couple. As such, the film is closer to a drama and a romance than a traditional sci-fi project; however, the strong writing and clever direction should hold the interest of viewers who are not particularly interested in those genres.
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Escape from New York
John Carpenter spent the best part of the ’80s dabbling in science-fiction.1988’sThey Liveis the director’s most unabashedly sci-fi project, while 1982’sThe Thingcombines the genre with horror to craft an all-time great in both categories. Before either of those projects cameEscape from New York, an action movie set in a dystopian alternate reality that transforms New York into a prison. When the President’s plane goes down in the city, the military is left with no choice but to call in Snake Plissken, who might just be the coolest character to ever grace a theater screen.
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Like so many dystopian sci-fi stories,Escape from New York’s world is desolate, ugly, and outdated. The film paints a horrifying picture of a universe defined by war. While not devoid of action sequences,Escape from New Yorkis far more atmospheric than some might assume.
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About Time
About Timewas marketed as a rom-com, and while certainly a member of that genre, the film is also a time-travel sci-fi epic with a father-son relationship at its heart. Tim learns that he has the ability to revisit moments from his past, allowing him to change his future. Rather than make all the money in the world, he uses it to shape his romantic life, particularly his relationship with a woman named Mary.
As the story progresses, Tim begins to learn the possible consequences of time-travel, and the romance angle subsides in favor of a more complex drama.About Timefeatures lovable protagonists and plenty of genuinely moving moments.
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The War of the Worlds
A classic movie based on an iconic novel, Byron Haskin’sThe War of the Worldsis arguably the best adaptation of H. G. Wells' book, except for perhaps Orson Welles' radio play. Like many sci-fi movies from the ’50s, this release’s groundbreaking visuals and special effects look dated and corny in the 2022 sun; however, that does not diminish the fact thatWar of the Worldswas an impressive accomplishment upon its debut.
Released during the Cold War, the movie reflected the United States' fears at the time, transforming Wells' story into a terrifying allegory. Nowadays,War of the Worldsis just an entertaining sci-fi action film, and that’s perfectly fine as well.
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Star Trek Into Darkness
Taking inspiration fromStar Trek: The Wrath of Khan, the franchise’s best movie,Into Darknessis a fun action-driven sci-fi flick. Abrams' reboot trilogy moved away fromStar Trek’s prioritization of discovery, exploration, and discussion, opting to focus more on big set pieces. This change was not to everyone’s tastes, but if someone is looking mainly for a well-acted blockbuster, then all three films are enjoyable.
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Even as some of its story elements may falter,Star Trek Into Darknesscan fall back on a charismatic cast filled with talented performers. Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, and Benedict Cumberbatch are all on top of their game, and they are supported by the likes of Simon Pegg, Karl Urban, and Zoe Saldana.
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The Hunger Gameswas a massive deal for roughly a decade. While the franchise’s popularity has faded in recent years,this universe still attracts enough interest to drive the creation of a prequel which is set to debut toward the end of 2023. The original four movies take place in a dystopian society that divides its people into 12 districts, with their ranking reflecting its citizens' social standing. Each year, the Capitol holds a battle royale pitting members from each district in a fight to the death.
The movies tell Katniss Everdeen’s story as she goes from district 12’s chosen fighter to an icon fueling a rebellion against the Capitol. Katniss is thrust into this role unwillingly, and she struggles to carry the new weight placed on her shoulders.
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Amazon Prime Video has all the soloGameramovies, making the subscription service a splendid option for long-time fans. While the ’60s films have their cheesy charm, they can be difficult to get through nowadays, particularly for newcomers who are not accustomed to old-school kaiju productions. The latter should jump ahead toGamera’s ’90s trilogy, which not only contains the franchise’s best movies but also some of thegreatest kaiju-related flicksin cinema.
The second and third entries are especially fantastic, and they excel in different areas.Attack of the Legionserves up a masterclass in action and sets, including battles that are still impressive all these years later.Revenge of Irishas a surprisingly effective storyline that makes good use of the movie’s human characters, a positive that can be credited to very few of these films.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Considering the reaction to the first feature’s original trailer, Sonic the Hedgehog’s film career has been going surprisingly well. Sure, neither of the released movies are ground-breaking works of art, but they do not need to be. They are simply entertaining popcorn flicks that respectfully adapt the source material for the big screen.
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Sonic the Hedgehog 2integrate Knuckles and Tails into this universe, and they bounce well off Sonic and Robotnik. Admittedly, the sci-fi elements are more fantasy than science, however, they are charming in a Saturday morning cartoon type of way. Except for sequences revolving around human characters not portrayed by Jim Carrey,Sonic 2is a fun ride.
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Coherence
Themultiverse is hardly exclusive to the MCU.Coherencecenters around a dinner party taking place as a comet passes over Earth, causing bridges to open between multiple realities. In each reality, the characters make distinct decisions that generally prove to have significant consequences.
Coherenceexplores how little moments can shape someone’s existence. This film is best experienced blind and as part of a group that is willing to discuss its ideas and conclusion; basically, this is a fun party movie, especially since it is obscure enough to increase the odds that everyone will watch the film with fresh eyes.
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