I don’t care what anyone says, Sci-Fi dystopias are one of the greatest movie genres out there. They’re tons of fun and a complete package. Done right, a Sci-Fi dystopia will have equal parts of action, adventure, and the reality check human beings need right now more than ever *sigh*. They have some of the most interesting characters, and even more, interesting settings that intrigue you right away.
Here’s a list of the 5 best Sci-Fi Dystopias you absolutely must watch.
1. 2001: A Space Odyssey
How can you not start with this Stanley Kubrick classic that defines the very genre of Sci-Fi Dystopias? Quite possibly the best Sci-Fi Dystopias ever made, it was made in 1968, so 2001 was quite far into the future, and the film is an exaggerated rendition of what Kubrick thought the world would look like in 2001.
2001: A Space Odyssey follows David Bowman and Frank Poole who are astronauts aboard a spaceship flying to uncharted waters in an attempt to unravel the mysterious origins of a strange monolith found on the moon. During the course of the flight, trouble ensues and things get worse (but better for us) for the two astronauts.
2001: A Space Odyssey is streaming on YouTube.
2. Snowpiercer
Starring Chris Evans and directed by the visionary, Bong Joon-ho, Snowpiercer is just an example of how we should have known Parasite would win the Oscars 2020. This movie is just genius in every way possible. Aside from the futuristic setting and the intriguing concept, Snowpiercer makes tremendous social commentary, in signature Joon-ho style.
The plot follows the passengers of a luxury train, who are the sole survivors of the Earth’s second Ice Age. This train is the only one capable of ploughing through the ice and snow that has now covered the earth’s surface. The train is divided into sections, with the rich enjoying all sorts of luxuries as the poor starve to death. Sparks fly, and of course, revolution follows.
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3. Geostorm
Talking about extreme weather conditions, Geostorm is another one of the best Sci-Fi Dystopias that is criminally underrated. This film isn’t as flashy with big names, but I promise you, it is just as good.
Geostorm is set in the future, where a special satellite works to fend off natural disasters before they occur. The earth vastly depends on this machine, since the number of natural disasters has only gone up in the last decade. A malfunction would mean the end of civilization as we know it. So when the machine starts misbehaving, Jake is called on to help before it is too late.
Geostorm is streaming on YouTube.
2. Ready Player One
Directed by Steven Spielberg, Ready Player One is set in the future, where the world has given up on making its reality better. The population keeps growing, jobs are sparse and there are limited resources. And so, the people choose to lose themselves to virtual reality, an immersive video game that is also a giant treasure hunt. The game price: Inventor James Halliday’s entire fortune. Game on!
This was one of the best Sci-Fi dystopias I have ever seen, and trust me, I have seen a lot. It was one of the most realistic setups, and the end was just as unexpected as I would have liked it to be.
Ready Player One is streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
1. I Am Mother
Set in a future where humanity has gone extinct, a baby girl is artificially created by a pre-programmed robot, as a last plea to repopulate the earth. The girl grows up calling the robot her mother, but their bond is tested when another human enters their underground safehouse with surprising news.
I Am Mother is different from all the other best Sci-fi Dystopias on this list. It has a rather raw and emotional approach rather than throwing facts and stats at your face. This movie has to be the first on your list when it comes to the best Sci-Fi Dystopias, especially on Netflix.
I Am Mother is streaming on Netflix.
5 Other Best Sci-Fi Dystopias To Watch:
- Children of Men (2006)
- Wall.E (2008)
- A Clockwork Orange (1971)
- The Matrix (1999)
- The Platform (2019)
Let us know what other best Sci-Fi dystopias you think we’ve missed out on in the comments below!