With over 50 years of experience studying the genre, Brian Sheldon and I (Steven Woolfolk) of Xenophile Bibliopole & Armorer, Chronopolis rank the most influential sci-fi films in the 20th century. There is a high degree of individual preference among science fiction fans, but a few movies stand out as pillars of the genre.
Below are my choices for the best 20th-century science fiction movies. My films are:
- Blade Runner
- 2001: A Space Odyssey
- The Matrix
- Close Encounters of the Third Kind
- Brazil
- Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior
- A Clockwork Orange
- Jurassic Park
- The Day the Earth Stood Still
- Forbidden Planet
The style, plotting, special effects, and cinematography of these movies provided the foundation for the science fiction films of today. All are enjoyable to watch, and each can help us understand how science fiction movies evolved.
Brian Sheldon made his own personal list of the ten best science fiction movies of the 20th century (actually, there are eleven — he wanted to include both Alien and Aliens). His choices were based on three criteria: 1) the movie had to be important either to the science fiction genre or to the cultural zeitgeist in general; 2) it had to be either a box office success or a cult classic; and 3) it had to be re-watchable — a movie he could watch over and over without becoming bored.
Here is his list:
- Blade Runner (1982): The first science fiction/noir movie, with the bonus of a cyberpunk edginess. Very influential in its special effects and cinematography, and both pessimistic and overly optimistic in its attitude toward technology. Probably my all-time favorite movie, it asks: “What is life?”
- Alien (1979): The first sci-fi / horror movie that also presented a strong female lead. Alien’s influence on cinematography and special effects cannot be overstated. Excellent cast, outstanding pacing, a phenomenal set, and a memorable dinner scene.
- Terminator (1984): The best time-travel movie. Although the film is set in the future, most of the action takes place in the present day — a brilliant choice that made the movie less expensive to produce. The special effects stand up today, and the film also introduced another female action star. (Ironically, O.J. Simpson was passed up for the titular role because director James Cameron didn’t think he would be believable as a killer.)
- Star Wars: A New Hope (1977): I almost chose The Empire Strikes Back, which I (and many others) consider a better movie and the salvation of the franchise. But A New Hope, although sometimes camp and simplistic, physically changed movie theaters, which (per George Lucas) were required to upgrade to THX surround-sound. I stood in line at the Uptown Theater many times to see this movie.
- 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968): This film contends with Alien as the best sci-fi / horror film of the Silver Age. Although it is terrifying in its implications, its true claims to fame are its cinematography, soundtrack, and special effects, all of which combined to make an unforgettable experience. Wow.
- Aliens (1987): In my opinion, the greatest sequel ever made. For decades, there have been arguments on the internet about which of the two is better; but without Alien, there would have been no Aliens. Of major importance is the emergence of a true female action star. Ripley was both revelatory and revolutionary, and paved the way for other women to take lead roles in action movies.
- Planet of the Apes (1968): Younger fans may be unaware of this classic, although they’re undoubtedly familiar with the franchise it spawned. It was one of the top box-office science fiction films of the 20th century, and it had a tremendous impact on the cultural zeitgeist. It also has one of the most iconic endings in all of cinema.
- The Matrix (1999): This might be the film with the greatest impact on our cultural zeitgeist. The special effects are legendary, and the cyberpunk vibe is over the top.
- Galaxy Quest (1999): If not for the next entry, this would be a more-than-ironic choice: a spoof of a franchise that was better than any of the films of the franchise itself. But Galaxy Quest was not just a spoof; it was a homage, a serious action-comedy with a science fiction theme.
- The Wrath of Khan (1982): The second sequel in my list. Star Trek: The Movie (1978) was exciting but also boring at times, and occasionally inspirational; but in the end, it was a disappointment. The Wrath of Khan, however, was Star Trek at its finest, with great acting and a great script.
- The Road Warrior (1981): The third sequel on my list. I loved the original Mad Max (1979); it was everything a movie should be, featuring a dystopian future, relentless action, and a movie-length car chase. But the sequel is slicker and sleeker, and the chase scene is absolutely riveting. The Road Warrior introduced a new action star to America and cemented a franchise.
The proofreader of this essay, Lee Semsen, would like to add three films that are among his personal favorites.
- Dark City (1998): a guilty pleasure, a visually marvelous neo-noir from director Alex Proyas.
- The Invisible Man (1933): the special effects in James Whale’s adaptation of the H.G. Wells novel still amaze me (and others) more than 90 years after its release.
- Silent Running (1972): the first film directed by special-effects master Douglas Trumbull, and one of the first with a strong environmental message.
Between these lists, there are a few notable overlaps. Blade Runner, Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior, The Matrix, and 2001. Despite our individual preferences, are all sci-fi classics worth watching today.
Science fiction movies of the 20th century have been a huge influence on today’s cinema, and they will continue to entertain audiences well into the 21st century. It is vital to know these films and keep them available. But there are dozens of ‘B movies’ (such as those shown on Mystery Science Theater 3000), as well as many television series that are worth watching, too. Don’t limit yourself to what’s familiar; boldly go where no fan has gone before.
Xenophile Bibliopole & Armorer, Chronopolis, is a rare books specialty bookstore in Richland, online at Xenophilebooks.com.
