With Alien: Romulus scaring up big buzz at the box office, director Fede Alvarez' bid for summer blockbuster stardom is understandably being compared to previous entries in the iconic chest-bursting series. But while critiquing Alien: Romulus – which you can secure tickets for right now – against the likes of Ridley Scott's original sci-fi horror classic Alien and James Cameron's extraterrestrial-eviscerating sequel Aliens, the film also invites comparisons to other movies that have perfectly blended sci-fi storytelling with tension-ratcheting action.
With that in mind, Fandango polled nearly 2000 facehugger-loving users about their favorites from the sci-fi action sub-genre. So whether you prefer Star Trek to Star Wars, Men in Black over The Matrix or have a soft spot for cult classics like The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension, read on to see where your picks rank among the top 25 sci-fi action movies of all time.
Too Long, Didn't Read summary:
• Alien: Romulus is the latest film to fall into the beloved sci-fi action subgenre.
• Popular films that combine sci-fi settings, storytelling and characters with adrenaline-spiking action blew up in the '80s and '90s, and continue to stretch smiles across filmgoers' faces today.
• Fandango recently polled nearly 2000 movie fans to find where sci-fi action classics like Star Wars, Total Recall, The Matrix and more rank among their all-time favorites.
25. Prey (2022)
94% on the Tomatometer
197 votes
It's saying something that the sole Predator film on this list isn't the Arnold Schwarzenegger-starring original, but its recent prequel entry. Mixing rich sci-fi storytelling, surprisingly nuanced characterizations and pulse-pounding action, 2022's Prey manages to capture the spirit of the 1987 classic while also making the franchise feel relevant again, a daunting feat previous series' updates failed to pull off.
24. The Adventure of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension (1984)
94% on the Tomatometer
204 votes
Few films can claim to be a sci-fi classic, cult favorite and guilty pleasure, but this beloved, bizarre '80s romp wears all those hats and then some with style to spare. Complemented by slick (and silly) action, its comedic, convoluted plot still stands out as something special some 40 years on. But it's the movie's stacked ensemble cast – including Peter Weller, Jeff Goldblum, John Lithgow, Ellen Barkin and Christopher Lloyd – that deserve most of the credit for elevating this cinematic anomaly above B-movie status.
23. Snowpiercer (2013)
94% on the Tomatometer
215 votes
Set entirely on a high-speed train, this post-apocalyptic action flick doesn't allow its focus on confined spaces limit its ability to push viewers to the edge of their seats. In fact, its extremely claustrophobic vibe – coupled with its story's escalating character conflicts – subverts expectations, perfectly setting the stage for the sort of heart-racing action that's typically reserved for larger scale projects with big-budget special effects and screen-filling set pieces.
22. Looper (2012)
93% on the Tomatometer
228 votes
Thanks to his star-making role in Die Hard, Bruce Willis has justifiably gone down as one of Hollywood's greatest action heroes. But the prolific performer deserves equal recognition for his science fiction output, including The Fifth Element, 12 Monkeys and this twisty tale of time-traveling hitmen. Featuring stylish action, a whip smart script – penned by director Rian Johnson long before his writing chops were recognized for Knives Out – and a stellar turn from Joseph Gordon-Levitt as a younger version of Willis' assassin, Looper stands out from your typical sci-fi action fare.
21. Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022)
93% on the Tomatometer
298 votes
Forgoing the pulse rifle-toting heroes, alien invasions and dystopian societies that have become synonymous with the subgenre, this ambitious blend of science fiction, fantasy, comedy, drama and even martial arts packs surprises at every turn. But more than just offering a brilliant genre mash-up – which secured a whopping seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture – this unassuming hit somehow managed to tackle the multiverse better than any movie in Marvel's Cinematic Universe.
20. District 9 (2009)
90% on the Tomatometer
314 votes
After decades of stories about little green men visiting/invading earth, director Neill Blomkamp's District 9 didn't just turn the familiar formula on its head; it delivered a contemporary science fiction classic. Without sacrificing any of the genre's thrilling action or engrossing world-building, it set up the extraterrestrials not as attackers, but disenfranchised refugees in an emotionally-charged narrative that effectively reflected real-world struggles, controversies and conflicts.
19. Avatar: The Way of Water (2022)
76% on the Tomatometer
332 votes
Coming more than a decade after the original Avatar, this long-delayed sequel was initially dismissed by skeptics who believed the franchise was no longer relevant. Of course, James Cameron proved those naysayers – and the rest of the world – wrong. The innovative director crafted an ambitious, absorbing, technically-advanced sci-fi saga that not only did right by its 2009 predecessor, but essentially rebooted the series, justifying Cameron's plans to deliver three more sequels over the next seven years – not to mention bringing Pandora to Disneyland.
18. Interstellar (2014)
73% on the Tomatometer
339 votes
This space-faring drama finds the fate of a doomed earth in the hands of unlikely heroes thrust into extraordinary circumstances. It's a story that's unfolded many times on the big screen, but with Christopher Nolan at the helm, Interstellar manages to offer a fresh, imaginative take on the well-trodden concept. Bolstered by the writer-director's thoughtful, complex storytelling, nuanced characterizations, heart-pounding thrills and masterful command of visual effects, the sci-fi epic stings the senses and emotions in equal measure.
17. Dune: Part Two (2024)
92% on the Tomatometer
364 votes
364 votes
If 2021's Dune hinted at the promise of the adapted science fiction saga's potential, Part Two made good on that promise and then some. Bigger, better, yet more concise than its predecessor, the sequel checked all the boxes of a big screen epic – from its rich, character-driven narrative and stunning cinematography to immersive world-building, breathtaking action and slick special effects. While the first film left us wondering if we really needed another entry, Part Two not only justified its existence, but has us clamoring for a third installment in the series.
16. Starship Troopers (1997)
72% on the Tomatometer
374 votes
Whether you appreciate it as an over-the-top popcorn flick or a not-so-subtle, military-skewering satire, director Paul Verhoeven's blood-soaked, bug-blasting actioner is a cult classic that's even more beloved today than it was upon its release in 1997. In fact, the film's ability to simultaneously stir the pot and spill arachnid guts hasn't just ensured its relevancy, but regularly sees it recognized as the controversial director's best work.
15. Tron (1982)
72% on the Tomatometer
384 votes
Incredibly ambitious and way ahead of its time, this 1982 video game-inspired entry is generally considered a science fiction cult classic. But where most movies in that category are a one-and-done, Tron has continued to chase more mainstream adoration with a sequel, TV series and Disney theme park attraction. With a third film – starring Jared Leto – slated for 2025, it seems this underappreciated franchise could finally pilot its lightcycle to the widespread success and respect it deserves.
14. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
97% on the Tomatometer
434 votes
Mel Gibson's original trio of Mad Max films put this post-apocalyptic, high-octane action series on the map, but it was this highly-acclaimed fourth entry that didn't just reboot the franchise, but transformed it into Academy Award-worthy high art. Fury Road's critical, more mainstream success didn't come at the cost of what made the originals so much fun. While everything from the performances – notably Charlize Theron's road-raging Furiosa – and story to special effects and cinematography were amped up for Fury Road, so was its pedal-to-the-metal action.
13. Minority Report (2002)
89% on the Tomatometer
442 votes
Following two decades overstuffed with sci-fi action blockbusters, you'd think the creative well would have run dry by the early aughts. Of course, you'd also have to be a precog to predict that Steven Spielberg and Tom Cruise would team up to deliver this absolute banger based on Philip K. Dick's short story. Featuring a spot-on, very Spielbergian blend of absorbing storytelling, believable world-building, tension-ratcheting action and engaging characters you want to root for, Minority Report stands as one of the director's – and genre's – absolute best efforts.
12. RoboCop (1987)
92% on the Tomatometer
486 votes
Before both Total Recall and Starship Troopers blew sci-fi action fans through the back of the theater, 1987's RoboCop had already proven Paul Verhoeven knew his way around the sub-genre. Featuring the gore-soaked violence, over-the-top action and cutting satire the director would become synonymous with, the Peter Weller-starring vehicle didn't just deliver a surprise summer hit, but spawned an iconic character and franchise that – based on the success of 2023 video game RoboCop: Rogue City – still resonates with fans.
11. Planet of the Apes (1968)
86% on the Tomatometer
507 votes
Featuring a fun mix of thrilling action, advanced motion capture and intriguing sci-fi storytelling, the last four Planet of the Apes films have introduced a whole new generation to the smart simians. But long before the rebooted series made success look so easy, the 1968 original had to break new ground and re-define a genre that had become defined by campy B-movies. Ahead of its time in terms of complex action sequences, special effects and make-up, the Charlton Heston classic still stands as one of the genre's greatest achievements. And that's not even accounting for its all-timer twist ending.
10. Total Recall (1990)
82% on the Tomatometer
543 votes
The '80s and '90s were brimming with sci-fi blockbusters, Schwarzenegger-starring action flicks, Philip K. Dick adaptations and genre-defining Paul Verhoeven projects, but only one movie delivered all four of those elements in a single, explosive package. 1990's Total Recall not only saw the iconic actor and visionary director at the top of their games, but it spun a suspenseful, mind-bending sci-fi yarn based on Philip K. Dick's “We Can Remember It For You Wholesale.” Toss in cutting-edge special effects, epic action sequences, and a stellar supporting cast – including Sharon Stone, Michael Ironside and Ronny Cox – and this one still delivers a jolt of adrenaline some 30 years later.
9. Blade Runner (1982)
89% on the Tomatometer
547 votes
With Han Solo and Indiana Jones, Harrison Ford brought two of cinema's most beloved characters to life on the big screen. But for hardcore sci-fi action fans of a certain age, the legendary performer's portrayal of Blade Runner's Rick Deckard represents his best work. Upon release, Ridley Scott's dystopian tale about a replicant-hunting cop was seen as darker, more mature and less fun than Ford's other action romps. Over the last 40-plus years, however, the film has bypassed its cult-classic status to be appreciated by fans and lauded by critics. The story continued with the acclaimed 2017 sequel Blade Runner 2049.
8. The Fifth Element (1997)
71% on the Tomatometer
640 votes
Ten years after rescuing Nakatomi Plaza's hostages in Die Hard, Bruce Willis was tasked with saving all of mankind in Luc Besson's bizarre sci-fi action-adventure The Fifth Element. Like many cult favorites of the era, this 23rd-century tale of an earth-saving cab driver (Willis) earned a passionate following upon release, but has since gone on to be appreciated by a much wider audience for its ambitions, albeit loopy sci-fi story, vibrant style colorful characters, and Chris Tucker-fueled comedic tone.
7. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
91% on the Tomatometer
645 votes
By the time Terminator 2: Judgment Day relentlessly hunted moviegoers in 1991, both its star Arnold Schwarzenegger and director James Cameron had established themselves as box office juggernauts. Their combined resumes alone would have made Judgment Day a huge hit, but thanks to its bleeding-edge, shape-shifting Terminator effects, perfectly-paced and choreographed action, and absolutely killer supporting turns from Linda Hamilton's badass Sarah Connor and Robert Patrick's terrifying T-1000, it's recognized as one of the greatest sequels of all time.
6. Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)
53% on the Tomatometer
671 votes
When debating about the best original Star Trek movies, The Wrath of Kahn tends to get all the love. And while adoration for the sequel is certainly justified, its predecessor is often more appreciated by old school fans who grew up with the classic TV series. On top of fulfilling the dreams of OG Trekkies by putting likes of Kirk, Spock and Bones on the big screen for the first time, Star Trek: The Motion Picture also paved the way for the enormously successful future of the sci-fi action franchise on both the big and small screens.
5. Men in Black (1997)
91% on the Tomatometer
769 votes
Following his more dramatic turn in 1996's Independence Day, Will Smith refreshingly leaned into his comedic strengths – while still blasting evil extraterrestrials – in a very different movie about alien menaces. Of course, Tommy Lee Jones deserves equal credit here, as the can't-miss chemistry between Agent J and Agent K wouldn't exist without the sharp-dressed, Ray Ban-wearing duo playing off each another. Fantastic action, funny effects and a novel spin on the alien-invasion formula further make this one a top pick for little green men-loving fans of the subgenre.
4. The Matrix (1999)
83% on the Tomatometer
783 votes
If you can't get enough of the bullet ballets and carefully choreographed action sequences of modern film franchises like John Wick and Mission Impossible, you can thank 1999's The Matrix for popularizing the stylish, slow-motion violence. But more than just making the black-clad Neo (Keanu Reeves) and Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) look incredibly cool as they emptied clips and dodged projectiles, the groundbreaking hit put a fresh spin on the subgenre. Toss in Hugo Weaving's killer turn as Agent Smith, and The Matrix is also responsible for birthing one of medium's most iconic baddies.
3. Aliens (1986)
94% on the Tomatometer
803 votes
Like The Empire Strikes Back before it and Terminator 2 after it, Aliens is part of an elite group of sequels that many fans feel are superior to the films that spawned them. Of course, Aliens is a bit different in that its director James Cameron largely swapped out the suffocating horror of Ridley Scott's original for an all-out action juggernaut that relied more on bullet-spraying action than tension-ratcheting thrills. No matter what subgenre you slot it into, though, Aliens its still better than most modern-day science fiction efforts.
2. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
92% on the Tomatometer
908 votes
The great thing about Guardians of the Galaxy is that you can thoroughly enjoy it even if you've never seen another Marvel movie. Sure, it's got plenty of cool – even important – ties to the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe, but it also works as a standalone comic book romp that trades spandex-clad superheroes for galaxy-saving outlaws. It couldn't pull this off, though, without its appealing ensemble cast, an endlessly entertaining crew of alien, human and mutant misfits. Its incredibly catchy needle drops are just icing on the Orb.
1. Star Wars: A New Hope (1977)
93% on the Tomatometer
1074 votes
Passionate followers and former fans of the galaxy far, far away can argue all day about the best Star Wars films, TV series, trilogies, eras and more. But regardless of your favorites – or whether you align with the light or dark side – there's no denying the immeasurable impact the first film had on cinema, the sci-fi genre and pop-culture as a whole. And while it's difficult to separate Star Wars from all the noise – good and bad – surrounding it, if you could re-watch Episode IV for the first time, you'd be treated to an epic sci-fi action spectacle that has no equal. Nearly 50 years on, the Force is still strong with this one.
