Science Fiction Movie Meme
This is Time Out's list of essential sc-fi movies. Bold what you've seen, italicize the ones you like and strike out the ones you didn't like.
The Abyss (1989) I liked the director's cut because it incorporated the US-Soviet tensions that nearly escalated into WW III; the theatrical release was missing that footage, which made it weak
Alien (1979 ) - the best film of the franchise, hands down
Batteries Not Included (1987)
Cocoon (1985) love the older actors and the shiny aliens, even if their story doesn't hold up to much scrutiny
Battle Beyond the Stars (1980)
Battlefield Earth (2000)
The Black Hole (1979) - I liked this film as a kid
Cherry 2000 (1987)
Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) - one of my favorites of all time, and probably one of the most important sci-fi film ever made
ET: The Extra Terrestrial (1982) - the bond between human and alien, very touching
Contact (1997) - could have been better; I need to read the book
Sphere (1998) - the book was much better
Critters (1986)
Dark Star ((1974)
The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) - one of the best; the remake was a complete joke
Dune (1984)
Earth vs The Flying Saucers (1956)
Enemy Mine (1985)
Event Horizon (1997)
Explorers (1985)
The Fifth Element (1997)
Sunshine (2007)
Flash Gordon (1980)
Flesh Gordon (1974)
Forbidden Planet (1956) - great film
The Fountain (2006)
Howard the Duck (1986)
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978) - scary
The Hidden (1987)
The Last Starfighter (1984)
The Man Who Fell To Earth (1976)
Mars Attacks! (1996)
Metropolis (1927)
Morons from Outer Space (1985)
Pitch Black (2000)
The Chronicles of Riddick (2004)
Planet of the Apes (1968)
Quatermass and the Pit (1967)
Red Planet (2000)
Mission to Mars (2000)
Repo Man (1984)
Brother From Another Planet (1984)
Serenity (2005)
Silent Running (1972) - wonderful, yet heartbreaking film with songs by Joan Baez
Solaris (1972)
Solaris (2002)
Soylent Green (1973)
Spaceballs (1987)
Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone (1983)
Ice Pirates (1984)
Solarbabies (1986)
Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979) - could have been better
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984)
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986)
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989)
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991)
Star Trek Generations (1994) - I actually liked this film; Kirk and Picard team together to save a plant
Star Trek: First Contact (1996) - this film is, ironically, getter worse after each viewing
Star Trek: Insurrection (1998)
Star Trek Nemesis (2002)
Star Trek (2009) - a fresh new start, and dig those retro uniforms!
Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) - this one has aged well over time and is probably the best in the franchise
Starship Troopers (1997)
Supernova (2000)
The Thing (1982)
Things To Come (1936) - a bit "talky" and slow at times, but the message hits you like a ton of bricks; great music by Arthur Bliss
Total Recall (1990)
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) - probably the most important sci-fi film ever made
War of the Worlds (1953)
War of the Worlds (2005) - not quite as good as the original, but the images of the tripods emerging from the ground is hair-raising.
Independence Day (1996)
Zardoz (1974)
The Abyss (1989) I liked the director's cut because it incorporated the US-Soviet tensions that nearly escalated into WW III; the theatrical release was missing that footage, which made it weak
Alien (1979 ) - the best film of the franchise, hands down
Batteries Not Included (1987)
Cocoon (1985) love the older actors and the shiny aliens, even if their story doesn't hold up to much scrutiny
Battle Beyond the Stars (1980)
Battlefield Earth (2000)
The Black Hole (1979) - I liked this film as a kid
Cherry 2000 (1987)
Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) - one of my favorites of all time, and probably one of the most important sci-fi film ever made
ET: The Extra Terrestrial (1982) - the bond between human and alien, very touching
Contact (1997) - could have been better; I need to read the book
Sphere (1998) - the book was much better
Critters (1986)
Dark Star ((1974)
The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) - one of the best; the remake was a complete joke
Dune (1984)
Earth vs The Flying Saucers (1956)
Enemy Mine (1985)
Event Horizon (1997)
Explorers (1985)
The Fifth Element (1997)
Sunshine (2007)
Flash Gordon (1980)
Flesh Gordon (1974)
Forbidden Planet (1956) - great film
The Fountain (2006)
Howard the Duck (1986)
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978) - scary
The Hidden (1987)
The Last Starfighter (1984)
The Man Who Fell To Earth (1976)
Mars Attacks! (1996)
Metropolis (1927)
Morons from Outer Space (1985)
Pitch Black (2000)
The Chronicles of Riddick (2004)
Planet of the Apes (1968)
Quatermass and the Pit (1967)
Red Planet (2000)
Mission to Mars (2000)
Repo Man (1984)
Brother From Another Planet (1984)
Serenity (2005)
Silent Running (1972) - wonderful, yet heartbreaking film with songs by Joan Baez
Solaris (1972)
Solaris (2002)
Soylent Green (1973)
Spaceballs (1987)
Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone (1983)
Ice Pirates (1984)
Solarbabies (1986)
Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979) - could have been better
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984)
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986)
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989)
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991)
Star Trek Generations (1994) - I actually liked this film; Kirk and Picard team together to save a plant
Star Trek: First Contact (1996) - this film is, ironically, getter worse after each viewing
Star Trek: Insurrection (1998)
Star Trek Nemesis (2002)
Star Trek (2009) - a fresh new start, and dig those retro uniforms!
Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) - this one has aged well over time and is probably the best in the franchise
Starship Troopers (1997)
Supernova (2000)
The Thing (1982)
Things To Come (1936) - a bit "talky" and slow at times, but the message hits you like a ton of bricks; great music by Arthur Bliss
Total Recall (1990)
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) - probably the most important sci-fi film ever made
War of the Worlds (1953)
War of the Worlds (2005) - not quite as good as the original, but the images of the tripods emerging from the ground is hair-raising.
Independence Day (1996)
Zardoz (1974)