When we think of sci-fi, we think of stars, spaces, and ships. But sci-fi is deeper than that. The best of them uses futuristic premises to imagine what humanity can be alongside other profound themes beyond our mundane existence. Unfortunately, some of the best sci-fi films ever made never gained traction with mainstream audiences for either being too out there or simply, well, foreign. To correct that, here are the 7 best underrated sci-fi movies you need to watch ASAP!
7. Galaxy Quest (1999)
In this cult sci-fi comedy, a bunch of washed-up TV actors from a canceled space show are mistaken for actual heroes by an alien race that doesn’t understand fiction. Suddenly, they’re thrust into a real intergalactic war with zero clue what they’re doing. Forced to live up to their old catchphrases, the cast must become the heroes they once pretended to be. What starts as parody turns into a real-deal space adventure.
READ NEXT: 7 Horror Movies You Won’t Believe Are Based On True Stories
Dean Parisot directs this gem with a perfect balance of satire and sincerity. Tim Allen is hilariously egotistical, Sigourney Weaver leans into the “token blonde” role with a wink, and Alan Rickman basically steals the movie by suffering magnificently. The movie is secretly about fandom, not making fun of it, but celebrating the passion behind it. Plus, the visual effects (and those rubbery aliens) hold up surprisingly well for a late-’90s comedy. In short: Never give up, never surrender.
6. Transcendence (2014)
Brilliant AI scientist Will Caster (Johnny Depp) gets fatally poisoned by extremists who hate technology. His wife, Evelyn (Rebecca Hall), uploads his brain into a supercomputer (because when in doubt, turn your husband into Skynet). Once inside, Will becomes insanely powerful, able to cure diseases, control nanotech, and, oh yeah, terrify literally everyone. His growing godlike powers blur the line between savior and menace. Meanwhile, Evelyn struggles to figure out if she’s saving her husband or dooming humanity.
READ NEXT: The 7 Best Movies You Haven’t Seen
Directed by Wally Pfister (Christopher Nolan’s go-to cinematographer), the movie looks gorgeous: sleek labs, eerie data clouds, the whole nine yards. Johnny Depp brings a chilly, slightly unsettling detachment, while Rebecca Hall gives the movie its emotional backbone. Sure, some folks dunked on it for being “too serious,” but it’s a neat exploration of identity, mortality, and what happens when your Wi-Fi signal is basically a god. Thematically, it’s about how much of “you” survives when you’re uploaded into the cloud. Imagine your Google Drive, but… alive.
5. Paprika (2006)
In this modern classic anime, scientists invent a device that lets therapists dive into patients’ dreams. Naturally, it gets stolen, and suddenly dream logic starts leaking into the real world — parades of dolls, warped cities, and nightmares gone rogue. Dr. Atsuko Chiba, who transforms into her dream-avatar Paprika, has to restore the balance. The lines between reality and fantasy get blurrier with each scene. It’s like Inception, if Inception did mushrooms.
READ NEXT: 7 Best Movie Trilogies of All Time
Directed by Satoshi Kon, Paprika is a visual fever dream and a direct influence on Nolan’s Inception. The dreamscapes shift in ways only animation can pull off: one second you’re in a carnival parade, the next you’re melting into a wall. Beneath the wild imagery, the film pokes at identity, escapism, and our fragile sense of reality. The tech itself is fascinating: a therapy tool turned into a weapon for chaos. It’s the kind of movie that makes you go “what did I just watch?” then rewatch it immediately.
4. Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
Underrated Sci-Fi Movies
Replicant blade runner K (Ryan Gosling) uncovers a secret that could upend the balance between humans and replicants. His search takes him through neon-soaked cities, bleak wastelands, and eventually to Deckard (Harrison Ford), who’s been MIA for decades. Along the way, K questions who he really is and whether he has a soul. The mystery slowly unravels with the patience of a three-hour arthouse film.
READ NEXT: 7 Classic 90's Movies That Never Get Old
No stranger to sci-fi, director Denis Villeneuve takes Ridley Scott’s classic and somehow makes it bigger, deeper, and even moodier. Ryan Gosling gives “stoic existential crisis” a whole new level, while Harrison Ford delivers one of his most heartfelt late-career performances. Ana de Armas shines as Joi, K’s holographic girlfriend (and maybe the most poignant character in the movie). Roger Deakins’ cinematography won an Oscar for a reason: every shot is desktop wallpaper material. Sure, it’s long and slow, but that’s the point: it makes you sit with its questions about identity and memory.
3. The Wandering Earth (2019)
Underrated Sci-Fi Movies
In this Chinese blockbuster hit, the sun is dying, so humanity slaps giant thrusters onto Earth and literally drives the planet to a new solar system. (Who needs spaceships when the whole planet is your spaceship?) On the way, Earth nearly gets swallowed by Jupiter, and disaster looms large. A ragtag group of young people and astronauts must pull off a high-stakes mission to save everyone.
READ NEXT: The 7 Best Movies For A First Date
Directed by Frant Gwo, this was China’s first mega-budget sci-fi blockbuster, and it does not hold back. The effects — especially the planet engines and cosmic disaster shots — are jaw-dropping and rival Hollywood productions. Lead stars Wu Jing and Qu Chuxiao give the story its human anchor, balancing spectacle with emotion. At its core, the film is about collectivism: survival through unity, not lone heroes. It’s Armageddon meets Interstellar with a uniquely Chinese cultural perspective.
2. Akira (1988)
Underrated Sci-Fi Movies
In post-apocalyptic Neo-Tokyo, biker gang leader Kaneda watches his best friend Tetsuo spiral out of control after gaining terrifying psychic powers. Tetsuo’s rage and new abilities threaten to tear the city apart. Military forces scramble to contain him, but Kaneda is determined to save his friend. What starts as street rebellion explodes into a catastrophic battle of science, power, and destiny.
READ NEXT: The 7 Best Movies to Rewatch (and Why They’re Better the Second Time)
Katsuhiro Otomo’s Akira isn’t just anime history; it’s film history. The hand-drawn animation is mind-blowing, with neon cityscapes, crumbling skyscrapers, and grotesque body horror that still shocks today. Its themes of corruption, unchecked science, and teenage fury feel timeless — and eerily prophetic. Tetsuo’s transformation is iconic, terrifying, and tragic all at once. Without Akira, cyberpunk as we know it wouldn’t exist; no Matrix, no Stranger Things, no Neo-Tokyo aesthetic dominating your favorite video game.
1. Real Steel (2011)
Underrated Sci-Fi Movies
In a future where human boxing has been replaced by robot fights, ex-boxer Charlie (Hugh Jackman) is scraping the bottom of the barrel. When his estranged son Max (Dakota Goyo) shows up, they stumble upon Atom, an old sparring-bot with more heart than gears. Against all odds, they train Atom to take on the robot fighting leagues. Along the way, father and son bond over underdog victories.
READ NEXT: The 7 Best A24 Films Ranked
Directed by Shawn Levy, Real Steel is basically Rocky with giant robots and daddy issues. Jackman brings charisma and grit, while Goyo keeps the story emotionally grounded. The robot fights are surprisingly awesome, thanks to a mix of animatronics and CGI that makes them feel weighty and real. Despite its title, the film has a warm, mushy core exploring redemption, connection, and second chances. Sure, it’s robots punching each other, but the heart of the film is pure family drama.
