Works of sci-fi are often inspired by a particular vision of the future that dwells in the mind of an author, a filmmaker, or even a comic book artist. These tales are thrilling escapes into realms of futuristic societies, technology akin to magic, and intergalactic adventures. Some of the most thrilling sci-fi concepts of the past are slowly turning into our current reality. These mind-bending ideas shape the present’s escapism and the future of the next generation.
If you’re a die-hard science fiction fan or simply seeking an exhilarating movie that challenges your perception, Netflix has you covered with its diverse selection of sci-fi offerings. You can explore captivating worlds and take a look at the future as it’s been envisioned by many filmmakers. The most popular online streaming service has its own original titles and licensed popular properties, so you can enjoy a great evening with futuristic films packed with thought-provoking ideas, suspense, and plenty of action. Let’s take a look at a few of the best sci-fi films on Netflix in the US.
Updated on August 5th, 2025, by Soniya Hinduja: This article has been updated with additional content to keep the discussion fresh and relevant with even more information and new entries.
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‘It’s What’s Inside’ (2024)
It’s What’s Inside begins with a pre-wedding reunion, but soon spirals into chaos when a long-estranged friend named Forbes crashes the party with a mysterious suitcase and a twisted game that lets people swap bodies. As the group of college friends dives into the experience, the night turns into a psychological minefield because buried grudges, secrets, and desires bubble up to the surface.
Mind Games and Sci-Fi Chaos
Written and directed by Greg Jardin, this mind-bending sci-fi thriller was an unexpected hit on Netflix. It also blends horror and satire into the mix. A brain-scratcher in the best way, it features standout performances from Brittany O’Grady and Alycia Debnam-Carey. The body-swapping angle isn’t a gimmick, but a metaphor for identity and desire that frequently surprises viewers throughout the runtime.
28
‘Paul’ (2011)
In Paul, we follow Graeme and Clive are sci-fi nerds living their dream by going on a road trip across America’s UFO hotspots. But their adventure takes a wild and unexpected turn when they meet Paul, a wisecracking alien who has been hiding out since escaping Area 51. Government agents are hot on their trail, but the duo just wants to get Paul home.
Directed by Superbad’s Greg Mottola, the movie is sci-fi comfort food. It is raunchy, witty, and surprisingly sweet. Simon Pegg and Nick Frost share an incredible chemistry, and Seth Rogen’s Paul is the perfect combination of sarcasm and sincerity. The movie also pokes fun at genre clichés and sends playful nods to E.T., Close Encounters, and X-Files. It is a cult favorite on Netflix and the perfect sci-fi story with a side of ridiculous.
27
‘Code 8’ (2019)
Set in a world where people with powers are marginalized, Code 8 tells the story of Connor Reed, a young man with electrokinetic abilities, who turns to crime to pay for his mother’s medical treatments. The gritty streets of Lincoln city become the perfect backdrop as Connor is recruited by a gang leader for a series of high-stakes heists.
Low-Budget Sci-Fi With Ambition
An engaging sci-fi thriller with a grounded take on superpowers, this one also has a strong sentimental core. The special effects are sleek, the action is taut, and the story is refreshing. Directed by Jeff Chan and starring cousins Robbie and Stephen Amell, Code 8 was picked up by Netflix after a successful crowdfunding campaign. It also spawned a sequel, Code 8: Part II, that’s streaming on the platform.
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‘Melancholia’ (2011)
Lars von Trier’s Melancholia opens with a slow-motion montage of images of Earth colliding with a rogue planet. From there, it splits into two acts. One centers on Justine’s wedding, which unravels under the weight of her depression, and the other follows Claire’s growing panic as the planet gets closer.
Artful Approach to Sci-Fi
More contemplative in tone than many other sci-fi movies out there, this one isn’t about saving the world. It is about accepting the fact that it’s ending and sitting with the emotional fallout that comes with it. Kirsten Dunst and Charlotte Gainsbourg are sisters facing existential dread in radically different ways. The beautiful cinematography and haunting score make it artful. Slow and devastating, Melancholia is part of Netflix’s indie sci-fi collection.
25
‘Beyond Skyline’ (2017)
In Beyond Skyline, an alien invasion hits Los Angeles and tough cop Mark Corley fights to rescue his son from a mothership. But it’s not just another alien attack flick. After being abducted, Mark ends up in Southeast Asia to team up with local resistance fighters and battle the extraterrestrials.
Aliens and Martial Arts
Directed by Liam O’Donnell in his directorial debut, the movie throws everything at the wall and somehow makes it stick. Frank Grillo, Iko Uwais, and Yayan Ruhian bring grit and deliver bone-crunching fight scenes that turn the movie into a cocktail of genres. Praised for its action and world-building, it is the perfect pick for fans who like their sci-fi with a garnish of fists and fury.
24
‘Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver’ (2024)
Picking up from where Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire left off, The Scargiver transports viewers to the moon of Veldt, where Kora, a former Imperium soldier, arrives with warriors she has recruited from across the galaxy to fight against the army of the tyrannical Motherworld and save the farmers from their plight. But the small force of rebels is no match against the massive army of Imperial soldiers, so Kora and the warriors must be clever.
Stunning Space Western Epic
Director Zack Snyder expands the Rebel Moon saga with even more gigantic sci-fi action sequences and incredible production design. Like its predecessor, the movie leaves viewers in awe with its blend of western and sci-fi tropes as they play out against a glorious backdrop of CGI-infused landscape. Sofia Boutella returns in top form as the antihero leading the rebellion against impossible odds.
23
‘Don’t Look Up’ (2021)
In Don’t Look Up, Jennifer Lawrence and Leonardo DiCaprio star as two low-level astronomers who discover that an unknown comet is on a collision course with Earth and could potentially cause humanity to go extinct. They go on a media tour to warn people, but unfortunately, no one seems to care. As the disastrous threat draws closer and the panic rises, they realize they only have six months to obsessively spread awareness of the looming catastrophe.
Appropriate for the Climate Change Era
Political comedy mixed with sci-fi is an odd combination but under Adam McKay’s satirical eye. It works wonders. Don’t Look Up is a hilarious and biting commentary on society’s smug ignorance and the political circus caused by any kind of news. Lawrence and DiCaprio deliver witty performances. The story of an end-of-the-world farce is paced in a way that the audience can’t look away from the screen because it is funny, resonant, poignant, outrageous, and a bit too real.
22
‘Starship Troopers’ (1997)
Set in the 23rd century, when democracy had ruined society so much that veterans took over and started ruling Earth. A young Johnny Rico signs up to join the Mobile Infantry and do his part for the United Citizen Federation’s war against an unknown alien race known as the Arachnids. He graduates, finds himself in the company of friends, and is thrust into a high-risk interstellar war taking place on distant planets only to learn that real combat is shocking and brutal.
Groundbreaking Sci-Fi Satire
Starship Troopers is directed by Paul Verhoeven, who broke the boundaries of the genre by infusing satire, over-the-top violence, and futuristic fascism into it. Playing out extraordinarily against the backdrop of an impending intergalactic war, the movie is innovative with its practical effects. While it was heavily misjudged at the time of release, Starship Troopers became a cult classic for its dissection of the dehumanizing effects of war.
21
‘Spaceman’ (2024)
Visually stunning and moody in tone, Spaceman is a recent science fiction movie that follows Jakub Procházka, who was abandoned as a young boy and raised in the Czech countryside. After studying hard to become a scientist, he finally becomes the Czech Republic’s first astronaut and embarks on a yearlong solo mission to investigate a strange cloud that lies beyond Jupiter. Concerned about his life back on Earth with his wife, Jakub tries to find his way back home and is assisted by an alien spider.
A Welcome Surprise for Sandler Fans
Reviews so far have praised Spaceman for its nuanced exploration of space and for its exploration of themes like loneliness, isolation, and mental health. Director Johan Renck handles the sensitive themes with care and uses atmospheric visuals to build tension and emotion. Adam Sandler is seen in one of his rare dramatic roles as Jakub, with supporting actors like Carey Mulligan, Paul Dano, and Isabella Rossellini accompanying him with their equally solid turns. Spaceman highlights the genre’s potential by venturing into slow-burn territory, with an emphasis on patience being strewn throughout.
20
‘They Cloned Tyrone’ (2023)
Blending elements of comedy and mystery into an already brilliant science fiction premise, They Called Tyrone follows Fontaine, a small-time drug dealer who gets pulled into a fight with one of his customers and gets shot. Soon realizing that he’s part of a cloning conspiracy, he teams up with Slick and Yo-Yo and launches an investigation. They uncover dark scientific experiments and shadowy technology that wants to control people.
Thrilling and Comedic in Equal Measure
Directed by Juel Taylor and adapted from a screenplay written by Taylor and Tony Rettenmaier, They Cloned Tyrone is a taut thriller that guides its viewers smoothly through its humor-tinged narrative and makes them root for its colorful characters. Hollywood stars John Boyega, Teyonah Parris, and Jamie Foxx are at the center of this amusing conspiracy. Their performances are strikingly clever and innocent at the same time. The movie left audiences buzzing with excitement; its neo-noir visuals and intriguing style proved the sci-fi genre is still fresh as ever.