The real world can be a boring and stressful place. What better way to escape reality and experience mind-bending alternate worlds than with a gripping sci-fi adventure?
Netflix has many sci-fi movies up its sleeve, but which one should you select this movie night? I’ve put together a list of the 15 best sci-fi movies on Netflix right now, to help you decide.
They’re all found on Netflix US. If you travel abroad, you won’t have every title at your disposal. Crisis! What to do?
Spoiler alert: You can use CyberGhost VPN to safely keep watching the movies you like no matter where you go. I’ll let you know all about it below.
Quick Guide – How to Watch the Best Sci-Fi Movies on Netflix from Anywhere in 3 Steps
- Sign up to CyberGhost VPN. Get access to streaming-optimized servers. Binge watch in UHD with no interruptions.
- Select a US server. Loads of sci-fi movies can be found on Netflix in the US. You just have to choose a server in that region.
- Sit back and enjoy the best sci-fi movies!
The Best 15 Sci-Fi Movies on Netflix Right Now
Netflix has tons of movies under the sci-fi category, so sometimes it’s hard to pick what to watch next. To make things easier for you, I went on to choose the 15 best ones, based on their critical rating and user recommendations. This way, you won’t waste your time with B-grade pulp.
Without further ado, let’s get into the 15 best sci-fi movies on Netflix you should watch.
1. Inception (2010)
| IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes |
| 8.8/10 | 87% |
Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Elliot Page, Inception instantly became a fan favorite back in its day, and it’s certainly passed the test of time. At first glance, the plot seems fairly straightforward: Through dream-sharing technology, a skilled thief extracts valuable secrets from a CEO’s mind. But be warned, the ending leaves you questioning everything you just saw.
Expect stunning CGI, amazing performances, and solid writing in this story that makes dreams a reality and reality a dream.
2. Gattaca (1997)
| IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes |
| 7.8/10 | 83% |
Though an oldie, Gattaca is an iconic classic. The story follows Vincent Freeman, a man who wants to go to outer space, but finds he’s at a huge disadvantage. He’s not genetically engineered like his peers, so he resorts to other less-than-legal means to fulfill his dream.
Despite its futuristic setting, Gattaca is a relevant, thought-provoking movie about prejudice, discrimination and ambition. It poignantly portrays how a flawed society strives for “perfection”, and even two decades later, it’s still a story of our times.
3. Starship Troopers (1997)
| IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes |
| 7.3/10 | 66% |
This military science fiction classic is based on Robert A. Heinlein’s novel of the same name. In the 23rd Century, humans are at war with insectoid aliens. This means every teenager must join the military to earn citizenship.
Starship Troopers is the perfect blend of popcorn cinema filled with action and violence, and social commentary on how mankind always believes war will solve the world’s problems. Despite being another oldie, the story feels relevant even today. Mainly because we just never learn from history. You won’t be disappointed with this one.
4. Don’t Look Up (2021)
| IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes |
| 7.2/10 | 51% |
You’ve probably heard about the movie by now, or at least you’ve seen the memes. It’s clear that Don’t Look Up starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, and Merryl Streep has already left its mark, and for good reason. This black comedy sci-fi movie tackles climate change, or rather collective denial and inaction when it comes to climate change, through the allegory of a comet on its way to earth.
Don’t Look Up also satirizes corporate greed and political games. While this may have polarized the audience, the movie’s witty comedic timing, fantastic cast, and brilliant writing means it’s well worth your time.
5. Blade (1998)
| IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes |
| 7.1/10 | 57% |
In a world where vampires walk the earth, a half-vampire, half-mortal man takes on the role of humanity’s protector, and vows to slay all evil vampires. I’ll start off by saying that Blade is a decent comic book adaptation, so if you’re on the fence about this, don’t be.
With great visual effects and action-packed scenes, Blade was highly influential in the sci-fi & horror genre. Be warned though, it has some pretty graphic and bloody scenes.
6. Black Mirror: Bandersnatch (2018)
| IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes |
| 7.1/10 | 74% |
This Netflix interactive movie is a must see for all Black Mirror fans. In 1984, a young programmer, Stefan, adapts a dark fantasy novel into a video game. Soon, he finds his grasp on reality slowly slipping away.
With 5 main endings and a multi-pathed story, Black Mirror: Bandersnatch brings much more to the table than a Black Mirror spin-off. Netflix wonderfully combines interactive storytelling, dark concepts, and great music into an adventure you’re bound to remember.
7. Bird Box (2018)
| IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes |
| 6.6/10 | 64% |
An unseen malevolent force drives the global population to madness and suicide. Throw in beloved actors Sandra Bullock and John Malkovich, and director Susanne Bier, and you know you’re in for a wild ride.
The story of Bird Box is a tour de force of emotional scenes, clever camera work, and a well-sustained scary atmosphere. If the ending leaves you a bit incredulous, don’t hesitate to give the book a chance too. It’s well worth a read.
8. Bubble (2022)
| IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes |
| 6.6./10 | 50% |
After so many dystopias, it’s time for something more light-hearted. Bubble features an alternate reality, where bubbles rain down on earth and break the laws of gravity. Because of this, Tokyo remains off-limits, except to some young daredevils who treat the city as a parkour course.
The story is simple, if not a little bland. It’s still worth watching though for the beautiful animation, stunning designs, and great soundtrack.
9. War of the Worlds (2005)
| IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes |
| 6.5/10 | 75% |
Director Steven Spielberg remakes a sci-fi classic based on H.G. Wells’ world-renowned book for a modern audience. Starring Tom Cruise, Dakota Fanning, and Morgan Freeman as the narrator, the film was shot in only 73 days. 🤯
The movie introduces Ray, a deadbeat dad who has to watch his kids when a bloodthirsty alien race invades Earth. We follow their journey to seek refuge, as alien tripods try to exterminate all of humanity. This one’s made for die-hard sci-fi fans.
10. Spectral (2016)
| IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes |
| 6.3/10 | 78% |
Spectral has everything a supernatural invasion story needs. We’re placed in a war-torn Moldova. Something sinister is going on, and US Special Ops are sent in to investigate. Little do they know, the threat is invisible to the naked eye, and will test them beyond their limits.
The premise is uncomplicated, but the twists, stunning visual effects, and great dialogue will keep you glued to your seat.
11. Synchronic (2020)
| IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes |
| 6.2/10 | 79% |
Two paramedics (Anthony Mackie and Hamie Dornan) are called to a series of incidents involving mysterious deaths and incoherent people. They link these cases to a new drug called Synchronic which gives its users uncanny powers.
This slow-paced movie keeps you focused on the actors’ amazing performances and well-timed shots. It’s quite a bizarre movie, but not in the worst sense of the word. If uncanny valley is right up your alley, give this one a go!
12. Advantageous (2015)
| IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes |
| 6.1/10 | 86% |
Set in the near future, Advantageous is a blood-chilling dystopia film. Financial hardship drives Gwen (Jacqueline Kim) to put her daughter Jules’ (Samantha Kim) well-being above her own. To keep her job, she undergoes procedures to become young and racially ambiguous.
The futuristic setting is visually stunning, but the exploration of the mother-daughter relationship, alongside themes such as happiness, the human condition, and class conflict is what really makes this movie stand out.
13. Level 16 (2018)
| IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes |
| 6/10 | 83% |
The Vestalis Academy is more of a prison than a boarding school. Sixteen-year-old Vivien (Katie Douglas) is trapped there with her former friend Sophia (Celina Martin). The two work together to uncover the truth behind their captivity.
If The Island and The Handmaid’s Tale had a baby, Level 16 would be it. Despite the movie’s low budget, the riveting atmosphere, haunting soundtrack, and careful cinematography make it more than memorable. Give this mind-bending tale a go!
14. Fast Color (2019)
| IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes |
| 6/10 | 80% |
In a futuristic American Midwest, Ruth (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) is on the run, evading capture from those who wish to study her mysterious powers. Far from a stereotypical Hollywood movie, this excellent mix of drama and sci-fi is bound to pique your interest with its amazing performances and engaging storytelling.
Amazon Studios is currently also developing a series based on Fast Color with the movie’s original writers, so you know it’s good! Get in there before Netflix loses the rights to this one.
15. Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters (2017)
| IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes |
| 6/10 | 71% |
In the distant future, the human race attempts to recolonize Earth after it’s been taken over by Kaijus and their ruler, Godzilla. This is the first movie of a trilogy, so don’t expect a fully laid out plot and watch out for some cliffhangers. That said, the animation looks great, and the action scenes are adrenaline-inducing.
Fans of the beloved monster are in for a treat, but newcomers might find it a bit hard to keep up with the Godzilla mythos and lore. If you do decide to give this one a go, don’t miss the after-credits scene!
You Might Also Like
Some sci-fi movies didn’t make our list, mainly because of their ratings. Everyone’s taste is different, so you might miss out on a gem just because the critics didn’t like it.
If you’re looking beyond ratings, some other sci-fi movies on Netflix might suit the mood. Here are a few of them.
| Sci-Fi Movie on Netflix | For |
| Rim of the World (2019) | Alien invasion fans Those who enjoy teenage movies Those who like pop-culture references |
| What Happened to Monday (2017) | Dystopia fansWillem Dafoe fans Fans of movies depicting totalitarianism |
| IO (2019) | Space opera fans People who like slow-paced movies People who enjoy aesthetically pleasing shots |
| The History of Future Folk (2012) | Fans of alien movies Comedy fans People who don’t mind cheesy plots |
| The Adam Project (2022) | Fans of time-travel movies Ryan Reynolds fans Fans of “past meets future” tropes |
| Paradise Hills (2019) | Dystopia fans People who enjoy class-conflict movies People who like the 1980s aesthetic |
| Godzilla (1998) | Godzilla fans Fans of creature flicks People who enjoy older movies |
| Battleship (2012) | Military science fiction fans Alexander Skarsgård fans Alien movie fans |
| The Book of Eli (2010) | Fans of post-apocalyptic movies Mila Kunis fans Denzel Washington fans |
| Extinction (2018) | Fans of alien invasion-type movies Fans of family movies People who like gunfight scenes |
| Captain Nova (2021) | Fans of time-travel movies People who don’t mind cheesy writing Fans of Dutch cinematography |
| Beyond Skyline (2017) | Alien movie fans Popcorn movie fans Fans of alien abduction stories |
| Total Recall (2012) | Fans of space colony stories People who enjoy older movies Philip K. Dick fans |
| Anon (2018) | Dystopia fans People who like the femme fatale trope People who like Black Mirror inspired movies |
Why You Need a VPN to Watch Netflix
Did anything from our recommendations catch your eye? Did you have problems finding any of the movies we’ve suggested? Well, here’s the deal.
Netflix has different libraries in different countries. That’s because of local copyright licensing. If something isn’t available in your region, you’ll see a message like this one.
If you travel abroad, you’ll see a lot of movies in your to-watch list returning this error message. This is because Netflix uses your IP address to determine what you can see on the platform. You don’t have to pass up on great sci-fi movies, though.
You can use CyberGhost VPN instead to make sure you connect safely to a local server while encrypting your connection for added online protection. That makes your online browsing and app activity completely anonymous from ISPs, cybercriminals, and network administrators. In turn, they can’t snoop on you and prevent you from watching what you want, even at work or school.
CyberGhost VPN hides your IP address and replaces it with another one from our secure servers. As the top-rated streaming VPN, CyberGhost has plenty of streaming-optimized servers that make catching up with Netflix a breeze. You’ll also get to stream to other streaming services like HBO Max or Hulu in UHD without buffering or any bandwidth caps from our servers.
It’s perfectly legal to watch Netflix with a VPN. However, unblocking content or creating an account outside its distribution area may violate copyright arrangements. CyberGhost VPN doesn’t endorse or condone breaking laws or agreements, with or without a VPN.
Why Choose CyberGhost as the Best VPN for Netflix?
Enjoy New Worlds on Any Device
Deep space adventures on your phone? Gorgeous cyberpunk scenes on your TV? Whatever floats your boat, CyberGhost VPN has your back.
We have VPN apps for all major operating systems, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Android TV, Amazon Fire Stick, and Linux. We also have a Smart DNS solution for devices that don’t support VPN apps, like Smart TVs and gaming consoles.
Also, just 1 CyberGhost VPN subscription is enough to cover up to 7 devices simultaneously, so you can get your sci-fix on any device.
A Global VPN Network
It doesn’t take a robo-brain to know that a big server fleet means less overcrowding and lets you stream with no issues. This is why we’ve cut no corners in developing the best VPN network out there.
We’re sitting at 116 server locations in 91 countries, so you’ll have plenty of options to choose from. You’ll also have access to our streaming-optimized servers, so you can easily stream Netflix and many other services like Hulu, HBO Max, or Amazon Prime in UHD with zero buffering.
Servers with No Bandwidth Restrictions
No matter what type of movie you’re into, buffering is always the bad guy. Turn the tide with CyberGhost VPN.
We have a strict No Logs policy in place, which means we never monitor or record what you do online. Our servers also have no data caps and no bandwidth restrictions. You can watch as many movies as you want. We won’t cut your screentime short or slow you down.
Ultra-HD Quality at Any Time
If your alien movies start to look like pixelated alien art, it’s your cue to get a streaming-optimized VPN. Check out CyberGhost VPN’s lightning-fast speeds. We’ve optimized our servers to handle heavy data loads and offer speed-optimized VPN protocols, including Wireguard®. For you, that means UHD quality with no fuss.
Forget all about interruptions, buffering, and quality drops. Get only the smoothest streaming experience with CyberGhost VPN.
No More Bandwidth Throttling
If you’re watching Netflix during peak hours, you’ll notice your internet speeds aren’t as good as you’re used to. This happens because your internet service provider (ISP) slows down your traffic when you’re doing data-heavy activities like streaming or playing online games. Your ISP does this to prevent network congestion.
When you connect to a CyberGhost VPN server, your entire internet connection is encrypted with our 256-bit AES encryption. Your ISP won’t see your online activity and won’t throttle you anymore.
Other Streaming Services that Work with CyberGhost VPN
Found a promising space opera but it’s not on Netflix? No biggie. CyberGhost VPN lets you safely explore new worlds on a variety of streaming services. Watch sci-fi movies on Hulu, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Crunchyroll, BBC iPlayer, and many others!
Let Your Imagination Run Wild with CyberGhost VPN
Sci-fi means your imagination is the limit. You can dream up creepy aliens, horrifying dystopias, or adventure-filled alternate worlds, but I bet you can’t imagine losing access to your favorite Netflix movies. Sadly, this is exactly what happens when you travel abroad or use restricted networks like at work. Use CyberGhost VPN to turn the odds in your favor.
CyberGhost VPN hides your IP address and redirects your traffic through a remote encrypted server. We have a massive server network of high-speed servers in 91 countries, so you can easily reconnect to the content you know and love.
FAQ
No matter the genre, a good movie needs to have a good storyline, believable characters, and a plausible world or setting. A good sci-fi takes it a bit further and expands on our current technology, appeals to a broader audience’s imagination, and attempts to deconstruct the old or create something new. A few examples of good sci-fi movies include A Clockwork Orange (on HBO Max), A Quiet Place (on Amazon Prime Video), and Alien (also on Amazon Prime Video).
You’ll find a decent selection of good sci-fi movies on Netflix. Of course, the definition of a good movie is subjective, so I’d recommend checking out our 15 best sci-fi movies on Netflix list. You’ll find a mix of space operas, dystopias, alternate worlds, alien invasion flicks, and time-travel movies.
If you’re on the road or taking a lunch break at work and can’t access Netflix normally, use CyberGhost VPN to encrypt your location and choose a new IP address. Safely stream any movie you want! Check out all the other streaming benefits you get with our 45-day money-back guarantee!
Based on reviews, Inception takes the number one spot for sci-fi movies on Netflix. It’s an outstanding film that explores dream-sharing technology and stars a great cast with big names like Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Elliot Page.
If you’re curious about the number one sci-fi movie of all time, most critics rate 2001: A Space Odyssey as right up there. Sadly, you won’t be able to stream it on Netflix, but you can find the movie on HBO Max.
The top 3 movies on Netflix keep changing based on your country and the streaming service’s constantly evolving library. At the moment, U.S. Marshals, Den of Thieves, and The Takedown take the top places on Netflix US. If you want to watch them without ISP throttling, use CyberGhost VPN’s streaming-optimized servers to bypass throttling and watch in 4K buffer-free.
Netflix has a different library in each country based on local licensing rights. If you travel abroad, you’ll no longer access the content you’re used to. You’ll need a good-quality streaming VPN like CyberGhost if you want to keep watching your favorite Netflix movies and shows while protecting your connection on new networks.
Just connect to CyberGhost VPN’s streaming-optimized servers and you can instantly start watching the movies you know and love. Find out more about how it works by getting in touch with our 24/7 Customer Support team.
If you’re looking to stream, you need a good quality streaming VPN. CyberGhost VPN is the perfect choice for you. We have streaming-optimized servers that are perfect for watching 35+ international streaming services, like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime, and many others.
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