The Top 10 Classic Sci-Fi Movies of All Time

Out of This World Sci-fi Movies

There have been hundreds of science fiction movies made through out the last century.  This is the ultimate Sci-fi lovers dream list. When choosing the top ten movies of all times I really had to weigh my options. I never consider which movies had the best reviews when I decide if I like something, so some of these choices may go against the grain, but they are mine.




Earthsea: by Ursula K. Le Guinn


A Wizard of Earthsea written by Ursula K. La Guin may never have made it to the big screen, but this made for Sci-fi television mini-series is a real favorite of mine. It stars Shawn Ashmore, Kristin Kreuk, Isabella Rossellini, Danny Glover, and Sebastian Roche. (IMDB)

Earrthsea is the tale of a young man from a small island. He is the son of a blacksmith, but wants more than a provincial life. In fact, he longs to be a mage. He sets out to become a world class magician, and in the process nearly destroys his world. It is an amazing tale of adventure, romance, and magic.

Recently Disney has produced an animated version called Tales From Earthsea. To date I have not watched it; although I did buy it. I am really looking forward to this incarnation of Earthsea. I think an Earthsea box office movie would be an awesome idea.





Dune: by Frank Herbert


Dune was written by Frank Herbert and won an Oscar, but this  movie may still fall out of the general public's radar. There have been several adaptations of Dune, but my favorite is still the original.

It is a story about the world Arrakis that is gripped in a battle for the control of spice. The spice Melange is of great value to the people because it is what makes interstellar travel possible. There are two families struggling for control through out the movie. The first is Atreides and the other is the Harkonnens. This movie is full of corrupt leaders, and supernatural powers due to the spice. The main star Paul, son of Duke Leto, leads a rebellion of Harkonnen's to defeat the evil Emperor and free his people.


Star Wars: Return of the Jedi: (Although I recommend watching them all!)

This is the continuation of George Lucas' love child, The Star Wars Saga, and stars Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, and Carrie Fisher. This movie begins with Han Solo being rescued from Jabba's fortress by Rebel forces. But, the real action in this movie is between Luke and Darth Vader.

The title Return of the Jedi, always made me think of Luke becoming a Jedi, but I have grown to think that perhaps it actually refers to Darth Vader coming back to the light of the force.

It is a definite see, if for some reason you've missed it! Some inside information regarding Han Solo, Harrison Ford said he hated that costume and he would never take up that role again. (He said this at a meeting I was at. You can imagine my surprise and excitement when he reprised his role!)


Stargate:

Stargate is probably my all time favorite sci-fi movie. I have seen all the movies, and yes there is more than one, and all of the television shows. Stargate originally starred Kurt Rusell and James Spader.

It is a story that is based on mythology and cult beliefs. The Stargate, a portal device, is found during an archeological dig in Giza, and soon is placed in the possesion of the United States military. After years of research, Daniel Jackson is asked to join the Stargate project and figures out the proper way to use the gate.

The team is then transported to another world, where they have to defeat the evil forces of Ra, and free the people of Abados. This movie inspired the television shows Stargate SG1, StarGate Atlantis, and the upcoming Stargate Universe.

I keep hearing that there is going to be a new Stargate movie, and it will possibly be a trilogy. I am really anxious to see if it pans out!

War of The Worlds:

This story written by H.G. Wells, caused quite a stir the day it was first broadcast on radios. No one had ever heard anything like it. People were scared, and didn't know if what they were hearing was real.

So, when it hit the big screen in 1953 it was promoted as the "most amazing spectacle of all times!" And, viewers were not disappointed. This is a horrifying tale of an extremely advanced race of Martians attacking the Earth. (IMDB)





The Fly:


Based on George Langelaan's short story, the Fly, starring Jeff Goldbloom, is a true thriller. It is the story of scientist Seth Brundle. He is a wealthy and eccentric scientist who is trying to invent a way to transport matter from one place to another. Unfortunately, something goes wrong with his experiment when a fly's DNA is accidentally incorporated with his own. This is a grotesquely, horrifying tale! (IMDB)







Independence Day:

Independence Day boasts an all star cast, including Will Smith, Jeff Gold bloom (got to love him), and Bill Pullman just to name a few. The movie begins on July 2 when alien's announce their presence by hovering giant space craft above the world's most important cities.

They mount their attack, destroying most of the inhabitants of those cities, and wipe out world wide communications. The ball is then in the hands of those remaining citizens that are willing to sacrifice and die for their freedom. (IMDB)




Waterworld:

 Starring Kevin Costner as a mutated human with gills and web feet, Waterworld has become a cult classic. Waterworld is often listed with the top 10 worst movies of all time, but the show has quite a devoted following, me included.

It is the story of Mariner (Costner) who is a drifter that finds himself in a battle over a child that has a map to dry land tattooed on her back. It takes place in an Earth where all the polar ice caps have melted, and where the people are forced to live on dry land. (IMDB)



Battlefield Earth:

This movie is another cult classic, that sometimes finds itself at the to 10 worst movies list. It is a movie adaptation of L.Ron Hubbard's Battlefield Earth. The movie stars John Tavolta, Barry Pepper, and Forest Whitaker.

It is the story of humans who have been enslaved to help an alien race the Psychlo's strip the Earth of all its natural resources. Tyler (Pepper) decides to rid the world of the Psychlo and he leads his people to freedom. (IMDB)







The Matrix:

This story was written by Andy and Larry Wachowski, and is the first movie ever of its kind. This movie won 4 Oscars, and it truly deserved it. It stars Keanu Reeves, and Laurence Fishburne. Reeves plays the "savior" of mankind NEO. He is the man who will free the humans from the computers, and help mankind disconnect from the Matrix. This movie is loaded with special effects, and even today is an amazing masterpiece of technological advancement. (IMDB)