Binge-watching movies and series are common these days, and now streaming services are also coming up with great content. HBO Max offers a great selection of sci-fi movies, and this genre has always been a treat by many as it is a perfect balance between thematic maturity and entertainment.
However, the best Sci-fi movies on HBO Max don’t much prioritize this genre but have an exhaustive collection of the same. HBO Max has several sci-fi classic movies on its platform, and for those struggling to choose with which they should start, we have the solution to your problem. Here in the following list, several sci-fi movies are mentioned that every science fiction fan will like.
30. Stalker
- Director: Andrei Tarkovsky
- Stars: Marcello Mastroianni, Claudia Cardinale, Anouk Aimee
- Rating: NR
A viewer cannot be adequately prepared for the terrifying, captivating experience of viewing Stalker in any situation.
Tarkovsky moves almost imperceptibly, taking the rhythms of industry and the empty lulls of post-industrial life to the point of making the barely mystical overwhelmingly manifest between the sepia wasteland outside the Zone (so detailed in its grime and suspended misery you may need to take a shower afterwards) and the oversaturated greens and blues of the wreckage inside.
Along with the notion that escape should never be tried, there is also a growing sense of escape throughout this pushing and pulling. Perhaps Tarkovsky is trying to leave the Soviet Union and its constraints on his films. Because not all knowledge and freedom are meant for us.
29. Under the Skin
- Director: Jonathan Glazer
- Stars: Scarlett Johansson
- Rating: R
Under the Skin has a same goal and motivation. It is a scathing analysis of sexual politics and a dissertation on the bodies we occupy and how they establish an ownership paradigm. Scarlett Johansson portrays an alien avatar, a predator, and a cypher whose humanity is waking and serving as a weakness.
She is a reminder to us to find some distance from our stale familiarity with ourselves and to realize, “Golly, what strange things we are,” whenever she is immersed in a gaze at her own body in the mirror.
The sad climax of the movie asserts that when we embrace a state of vulnerability and give up the position of power in our sexual communication, we accomplish some wonderful ideal of what it means to be human.
28. Solyaris
- Director: Andrei Tarkovsky
- Stars: Donatas Banionis, Natalya Bondarchuk, Jüri Järvet
- Rating: PG
Steven Soderbergh created a flawless and attractive film version of Stanislaw Lem’s classic science fiction book in 2002. It’s the first time a Tarkovsky movie’s plot has been recycled, using the same source material, and it serves as a vital reminder that the director’s vision is unique and unmatched, towering above all others.
Whereas a skilled director like Steven Soderbergh created a passable science fiction film, Tarkovsky created works of the highest calibre. Even though Solyaris was a high-budget genre movie, Tarkovsky’s creative instincts rarely let him down. Solyaris takes risks with the same assurance of expression and the same depth of resonance as any other Tarkovsky movie.
Tarkovsky is able to take a fresh look at previously thought-about issues because to the science fiction concept of the titular planet-entity.
27. The Fly
- Directors: David Cronenberg
- Stars: Jeff Goldblum, Geena Davis, John Getz
- Rating: R
The 1980s were a great decade for remakes of already classic 1950s horror/sci-fi films, thanks to The Blob, The Thing, and The Fly. The Fly, directed by Kurt Neumann and starring Vincent Price, is occasionally dismissed as little more than a “camp classic,” but it’s actually a substantial movie that frequently leans more towards mystery than it does towards horror, with a tightly wound plot that revolves around the question of why a woman has admitted to clumsily crushing her husband to death in a hydraulic press.
As you would probably anticipate, Vincent Price is as fascinating as the fly-crossed scientist. Similar to The Blob remake, the Cronenberg adaptation takes this fundamental notion and covers it in both gory humor and body horror, with Jeff Goldblum’s researcher practically being eaten alive.
26. The Lobster
- Director: Yorgos Lanthimos
- Stars: Colin Farrell, Rachel Weisz, Jessica Barden, Olivia Colman, Ashley Jensen, Ariane Labed, Angeliki Papoulia, John C. Reilly
- Rating: R
In an allegorical alternate dimension, The Lobster’s world is more like a normal, suburban Everywhere than a dismal future. Nevertheless, Lanthimos and Filippou are less interested in laying out the plot of their movie than they are in creating an absurdly humorous structure that will serve as a backdrop for the stress and concerns of contemporary romance.
In this regard, The Lobster is an oddly feminized movie since it is preoccupied with time and the pressure it puts on individuals, particularly women, to dig deep and find someone at any cost. The Lobster and its ambiguous but no less striking ending scene will strike uncomfortably near to the heart if you’ve ever had a talk with a significant other concerned about the rising risks of getting pregnant in one’s late 30s.
25. Moon
Our moon has plenty of helium, but the Earth is running out. So in the not-too-distant future, Lunar Industries will use an automated system under the direction of Sam Bell (Sam Rockwell) to mine helium-3 from the moon’s surface.
Sam suspects that not everything he’s been told is true, as he starts to hallucinate. Science fiction movie director Duncan Jones crafts a personal, stunning film that incorporates themes of capitalism, artificial intelligence, and humanity.
24. Ex Machina
Ex Machina by Alex Garland is a novel about the dangerous potential of emerging technology, artificial intelligence, and careless inventors. A programmer, Caleb (Domnhall Gleeson), wins a trip to the CEO of his business (Oscar Isaac) ‘s estate.
His boss gives him a tour of his most recent attempts to create an artificial but lifelike replica of a human being (Alicia Vikander).
23. The Day After Tomorrow
The title of this film may suggest a romantic comedy, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. The 2004 movie centers on Jack Hall (Dennis Quaid) and Sam Hall (Jake Gyllenhaal), a father and son.
Sam is merely trying to survive in New York City, while Jack believes the world is about to undergo a significant, overnight climate change that will usher in a new Ice Age. The Day After Tomorrow is a classic disaster movie because it is so entertaining to watch and because it is so completely detached from reality.
22. The Batman
Although the most recent Batman movie doesn’t rely as heavily on science fiction as many other movies on this list, it still gives us a glimpse of a young, inexperienced Bruce Wayne still trying to figure out what it means to be Batman.
He already has some of his infamous detective equipment, such as a pair of lenses that record everything he sees, but he still frequently makes mistakes and has trouble learning to use his new equipment. Even though it’s a lengthy movie, Robert Pattinson does a fantastic job of bringing this awkward, antisocial Bruce Wayne to life.
Related: The 30 Best Sci-Fi Movies on Hulu That You Should Watch
21. 28 Days Later
After a thousand seasons of The Walking Dead, we’re pretty zombie-ed out these days, but when 28 Days Later first came out, it felt like a new take on the genre
The zombies in 28 Days Later are as swift as they are ruthless, making every encounter with them terrifying, as opposed to lumbering, moaning corpses. You don’t just sneak past these men; you avoid them. When you spot them, you flee.
20. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
- Director: Stanley Kubrick
- Writer: Stanley Kubrick, Arthur C. Clarke
- Cast: Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood, Douglas Rain, William Sylvester, and others
- IMDb Ratings: 8.3/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 92%
- Streaming Platform: HBO Max
Many books have been written on the impact of this movie. So many innovative techniques like rotating sets, suspending actors through wires, and zero gravity effects have been used in 2001: A Space Odyssey. This film had a huge impact on the other movies. The fact that this film was made in the 1960s with such great techniques makes it an interesting watch.
The special effects used in 2001: A Space Odyssey were carefully thought out and executed. The themes included in this were human evolution and artificial intelligence, which made it a great science fiction movie and one of the best films in cinema history.
19. Fantastic Planet (1973)
- Director: René Laloux
- Writer: René Laloux, Stefan Wul, Roland Topor, Steve Hayes
- Cast: Jennifer Drake, Eric Baugin, Jean Topart, and others
- IMDb Ratings: 7.7/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 91%
- Streaming Platform: HBO Max
Fantastic Planet can be viewed multiple times without ever getting bored. The film is one of a kind, and watching it feels like a unique experience. Those who haven’t seen this 1970s masterpiece are missing many things. The visual scheme of Fantastic Planet can’t be compared with any other movie.
18. Tenet (2020)
- Director: Christopher Nolan
- Writer: Christopher Nolan
- Cast: John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, Kenneth Branagh, and others
- IMDb Ratings: 7.4/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 69%
- Streaming Platform: HBO Max
Tenet seems to be a lot like Inception at first. Nolan’s films show at least one person constantly trying to figure out things; this is a classic Christopher Nolan movie. The audience will get as confused as the protagonist (here, played by John David Washington).
Just like Inception, Tenet also shows a series of heists. Sci-fi movie lovers shall find great enjoyment while watching this big-budget film released in theatres in 2020.
17. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
- Director: George Miller
- Writer: George Miller, Brendan McCarthy, Nico Lathouris
- Cast: Charlize Theron, Tom Hardy, Nicholas Hoult, Hugh Keays-Byrne, Rose Huntington-Whiteley, Riley Kough, Abbey Lee, and others
- IMDb Ratings: 8.1/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 97%
- Streaming Platform: HBO Max
George Miller’s Mad Max: Fury Road is full of action. Several years after the Civilization collapsed, Joe enslaved the apocalypse survivors inside the Citadel’s empty fortress.
When Furiosa attempts to lead the wives in an escape, she finds a partner in Max Rockatansky (played by Tom Hardy). This movie earned many award nominations because of its narrative and characters.
16. Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981)
- Director: George Miller
- Writer: George Miller, Brian Hannant, Terry Hayes
- Cast: Mel Gibson, Bruce Spence, Emil Minty, Mike Preston, Kjell Nilsson, and others
- IMDb Ratings: 7.6/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 94%
- Streaming Platform: HBO Max
The original movie of Mad Max showed us a crumbling society that collapsed in the future. George Miller’s sequel to this one shows amazing stunts and great choreography. However, the production design was changed for this movie.
In this one, Max is seen helping a community to fight against a gang of deadly people- Humungous (played by Kjell Nilsson). The Road Warrior is among the most copied film of this decade.
15. Solaris (1972)
- Director: Andrei Tarkovsky
- Writer: Andrei Tarkovsky, Friedrich Gorenstein
- Cast: Donatas Banionis, Natalya Bondarchuk, Jüri Järvet and others
- IMDb Ratings: 8/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 92%
- Streaming Platform: HBO Max
Andrei Tarkovsky is known to greatly impact the cinema focused on various sci-fi films. This movie is a complex one that shows astronauts having wild hallucinations about various things that might or might not be true. The remake of Solaris was made in 2002 with a mixture of romance by George Clooney.
Dr. Kris Kelvin is a psychologist sent to a space station orbiting around a mysterious planet. He is sent there to investigate the crew’s mental crisis.
Initially, Kris believes they are having hallucinations due to their isolation and separation from their loved ones. But, soon, he is confronted by an appearance from his wife, Hari, who is dead. What does this mean? Solaris is one of the best sci-fi movies that has ever been made.
14. Jurassic Park (1994)
- Director: Steven Spielberg
- Writer: Michael Crichton David
- Cast: Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Richard Attenborough, Samuel L. Jackson, BD Wong, Wayne Knight
- IMDb Ratings: 8.2/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 92%
- Streaming Platform: HBO Max
Jurassic Park achieved a technical milestone with its revolutionary use of computer-made images. These special effects are still as effortless and great as they seemed more than two decades ago. Apart from its achievements, Jurassic Park is a fun movie packed with adventure.
13. Pacific Rim (2013)
- Director: Guillermo del Toro
- Writer: Guillermo del Toro, Travis Beacham
- Cast: Charlie Hunnam, Rinko Kikuchi, Idris Elba, Charlie Day, Ron Perlman, Burn Gorman and others
- IMDb Ratings: 6.9/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 77%
- Streaming Platform: HBO Max
A long time ago, monstrous creatures referred to as Kaiju rose from the sea and brought war. To fight them, Jaegers (huge robots) were developed by humans. They were piloted by two humans locked in the neural bridge of the Jaeger.
But, these giant robots were also not sufficient to defeat them. So, humanity is on its verge, and the last hope of survival is an ex-pilot (played by Charlie Hunnam), an old Jaegar, and a completely new trainee (played by Rinko Kikuchi).
12. Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989)
- Director: Stephen Herek
- Writer: Chris Matheson, Ed Solomon
- Cast: Keanu Reeves, Alex Winter, George Carlin, and others
- IMDb Ratings: 6.9/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 81%
- Streaming Platform: HBO Max
There will never be a perfect role for Keany Reeves other than the one he played in this movie as Theodore Logan or Ted. He is with his best friend Bill (played by Alex Winter). They both travel the whole of Western Civilization with the help of their phone booth to kidnap historical figures. This will help them stop bunking History classes and ensure that the human race is safe.
For many audiences, this film combines pop culture and history. This would be the first time many audiences would have found out what 69 meant. In this world, technical rules are not valid. The film delivers a clear message that a good friend sticks with you till the end of time.
11. Planet of the Apes (1968)
- Director: Franklin J. Schaffner
- Writer: Pierre Boulle, Franklin J. Schaffner, Roddy McDowall, Rod Serling, Michael Wilson and others
- Cast: Charlton Heston, Roddy McDowall, Kim Hunter, and others
- IMDb Ratings: 8/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 86%
- Streaming Platform: HBO Max
George Taylor, an astronaut, gets lost on a planet ruled by a community of intelligent apes who treat humans like nothing. They constantly abuse Taylor, and he now must live at the mercy of some sympathetic apes who can help him escape from the captors.
This film’s makeup artist- John Chambers, won an Oscar for his work. However, fans of the first film should know that this was just the start of an action-filled franchise.
10. Oblivion (2013)
- Director: Joseph Kosinski
- Writer: Michael Arndt, Karl Gajdusek
- Cast: Tom Cruise, Olga Kurylenko, Andrea Riseborough, Morgan Freeman, and others
- IMDb Ratings: 7/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 53%
- Streaming Platform: HBO Max
Oblivion was a film that came out of a workshop conducted for a science fiction movie. In this, we see Tom Cruise, and war is also seen against the aliens.
In 2077, Jack Harper (played by Tom Cruise) is seen working as a security repairman on Earth, which was left devastated after war broke out with aliens. Jack has just two weeks with him before he will also have to join the colony of survivors.
His concept of reality changes when he can rescue a beautiful stranger (played by Olga Kurylenko) from a spacecraft. The arrival of this strange woman turns on a chain of events that helps Jack in his single-handed battle against the aliens.
9. Inception (2010)
- Director: Christopher Nolan
- Writer: Christopher Nolan
- Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Ken Watanabe, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and others
- IMDb Ratings: 8.8/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 87%
- Streaming Platform: HBO Max
The best Christopher Nolan movie on the list has arrived. In Inception, different layers exist in the world of dreams. The deeper a layer goes in a person’s subconscious, the more they have a stretched experience. However, one who goes too deep can end up in a bottomless pit.
Leonardo DiCaprio is seen playing the role of Dom Conn, a thief blessed with a rare ability to enter the dream of various people. He steals secrets from their subconscious, making him an important part of the corporate world.
But, as we know, everything comes with a cost, so this also costs him the things he loves. Cobb is offered a chance of redemption when he has got the task of implanting an idea in someone’s mind. If he succeeds, this would be a perfect crime, but his enemy knows his every move.
8. Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
- Director: Denis Villeneuve
- Writer: Hampton Fancher, Michael Green
- Cast: Ryan Gosling, Harrison Ford, Ana de Armas, and others
- IMDb Ratings: 8/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 88%
- Streaming Platform: HBO Max
So, the long-awaited sequel of the original Blade Runner is a treat for a true science fiction fan. The first film is considered the genre-defining one, and this movie Blade Runner 2049, proved to be a respectful successor. It is a must-see movie for all film enthusiasts as it takes a great spin on classic crime titles.
There is also another reason for one to watch it, and that is its cast. The performance by Ryan Gosling as K is noteworthy. In addition, Harrison Ford again is seen playing the role of Rick Deckard in Blade Runner 2049. There are several rumors about a TV show being made on this, and this might be the perfect time to get lost in the universe of Blade Runner.
7. Equilibrium (2002)
- Director: Kurt Wimmer
- Writer: Kurt Wimmer
- Cast: Christian Bale, Emily Watson, Taye Diggs, Angus Macfadyen, Sean Bean, William Fichtner, and others
- IMDb Ratings: 7.4/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 41%
- Streaming Platform: HBO Max
Taye Diggs is seen playing the role of a law enforcement officer- Brandt. Near the climax of the movie, he gets his face cut off. His face is seen separated from his head to his jawline. This film is about a future world where a regime could stop the war by eliminating emotions. In this world, music, art, and books are banned. Felling emotions are also punishable by death.
Cleric John Preston (played by Christian Bale) is a government agency responsible for destroying the ones who don’t follow these rules.
When he misses a dose of Prozium, the regime that suppresses emotions, things don’t go well. First, he was charged with keeping things in order, but now he has become the one who cannot follow these laws.
6. The Matrix (1999)
- Director: Lana Wachowski, Lilly Wachowski, Bruce Hunt
- Writer: Lana Wachowski, Keanu Reeves, Lilly Wachowski and others
- Cast: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, and others
- IMDb Ratings: 8.7/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 88%
- Streaming Platform: HBO Max
Those who haven’t watched The Matrix till now, congratulations, you have not been provided with any spoilers for over two decades. There are two sequels to this- Matrix Reloaded and Matrix Revolutions that you can watch on HBO Max.
When The Matrix was released in 1999, audiences and critics got surprised equally. The movie’s effects were extraordinary and ahead of their time.
5. A Clockwork Orange (1971)
- Director: Stanley Kubrick
- Writer: Anthony Burgess
- Cast: Malcolm McDowell, Patrick Magee, Adrienne Corri, and others
- IMDb Ratings: 8.3/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 87%
- Streaming Platform: HBO Max
Stanley Kubrick is considered a great name in modern science fiction cinema. His ideas are still used in cinematography even after so many years. This film might not be groundbreaking in special effects used, but it did push the boundaries of the stories that can be considered while making science fiction.
Clockwork Orange is a story in which crime and commentary appear on inhumane methods of psychiatry. Initially, Clockwork Orange got banned in many countries like the UK. But, despite these obstacles, it was selected by the Library of Congress for the National Film Registry.
4. Time Bandits (1981)
- Director: Terry Gilliam
- Writer: Terry Gilliam, Michael Palin
- Cast: John Cleese, Sean Connery, Shelley Duvall, Michael Palin, Katherine Helmond, Ian Holm
- IMDb Ratings: 6.9/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 90%
- Streaming Platform: HBO Max
This was the first film in the “Trilogy of Imagination” by Terry Gilliam and was no less than cinematic magic. The story of Time Bandits is narrated from the perspective of Kevin (played by Craig Warnock). In addition, the film shows a battle between God (played by Ralph Richardson) and Devil (played by David Warner).
Kevin meets people like Robin Hood (played y John Cleese), King Agamemnon (played by Sean Connery), and Napoleon (played by Ian Holm). It is a good science fiction movie in which a kid’s bedroom has a world-shaking war.
3. Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1974)
- Director: Jun Fukuda
- Writer: Jun Fukuda, Hiroyasu Yamaura
- Cast: Masaaki Daimon, Kazuya Aoyama, Akihito Hirata, Hiroshi Koizumi
- IMDb Ratings: 6.2/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 86%
- Streaming Platform: HBO Max
Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla is an entertaining film in which Mechagodzilla appears for the first time. It is one of the best movies in the Godzilla Showa series and is among the earliest series of these films.
Mechagodzilla is a tough component that has abilities far superior to Godzilla. First, Godzilla’s ally King Caesar is a lion-dog hybrid. He needs to be awoken from his sleep by singing Japanese adult music.
2. Independence Day (1996)
- Director: Roland Emmerich
- Writer: Roland Emmerich, Dean Devlin
- Cast: Jeff Goldblum, Will Smith, Bill Pullman, and others
- IMDb Ratings: 7/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 68%
- Streaming Platform: HBO Max
Roland Emmerich’s Independence Day has well-written dialogues, and the plot is also multilayered. His movies are not known for that particularly, but for the enjoyment and entertainment they bring.
Will Smith is playing the role of an elite pilot; Bill Pullman is the President of the US. They fight to save Earth from an alien invasion. Moreover, the best part of this movie is its special effects that display mass destruction and huge UFOs.
1. The Faculty (1992)
- Director: Robert Rodriguez
- Writer: Kevin Williamson
- Cast: Jordana Brewster, Clea DuVall, Laura Harris, and others
- IMDb Ratings: 6.5/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 55%
- Streaming Platform: HBO Max
Teachers of Herrington High start behaving weirdly, and then a group of clever students finds out that the school serves as ground zero for an alien invasion. People praised this movie for its portrayal of teenagers in such incidents.
Robert Rodriguez is not famous among Star Wars fans because of the pointless twists in his films. However, the movie is neither so good nor so bad. Teens are investigating the mysterious things that were lately happening in their school.
Other Binge-Worthy Sci-Fi Movies on HBO Max
There are various other great films on HBO, Max-like Super 8, Ready Player One, Monsters, King Kong, Mr. Nobody, and Soylent Green, that you can watch. The list is short, but there are other movies worth watching on HBO Max. These science fiction films cover various themes like the space race, alien invasion, and many others.
