Science-fiction movies offer endless possibilities with the kinds of stories that can be told. A perfect example of this is the top-rated sci-fi movies from 2021 which shows just how different one great movie from the genre can be from another.
2021 delivered sci-fi movies that took audiences to distant planets and some that explored intimate stories on Earth. Some made audiences laugh and cheer while others shocked them. There was something for everyone to enjoy from this year's best sci-fi movies and many of them rank among 2021's very best movies.
Eternals (6.8)
A little-known group of superpowered beings are brought into the MCU in Eternals. The centuries-spanning story follows these ancient beings who come to Earth to protect against the deadly Deviants and stay hidden among humanity for countless years.
Directed by Oscar-winner Chloé Zhao, Eternals is one of the MCU's most ambitious and bold movies to date. Its massive story makes other Marvel adventures look rather small in comparison, yet it still manages to tell an intimate tale of these complex characters.
Finch (6.9)
For a movie about attempting to survive in a post-apocalyptic world, Tom Hanks is one of the few actors who can make that a charming story. Hanks stars as Finch, one of the last remaining humans on a scorched Earth who sets out to find safety with his beloved dog and a newly designed robot.
being quite heartbreaking at times. Despite the world-ending sci-fi premise, it is a very intimate story of these three companions learning from each other throughout their journey.
Ron's Gone Wrong (7.1)
The latest Disney animated adventure, Ron's Gone Wrong, takes a look at society's social media obsession while telling a charming story about friendship. It follows Barney, a socially awkward kid who gets the latest popular gadget, a robot best friend named Ron. However, when Ron begins to malfunction, the two new friends have to make their strange bond work.
The movie is a clever and fun look at modern technology but never forgets to tell an enjoyable family-friendly adventure with a nice message of friendship at its center.
Free Guy (7.2)
One of the biggest surprises of the year was the video game-inspired action-comedy Free Guy. Ryan Reynolds stars as a background character in a video game who begins to see his world in a new way and seeks to change his mundane life.
The movie introduces a wildly entertaining sci-fi world inside of a video game with so many references and Easter eggs for gaming fans. It embraces the fun of a story where anything is possible and delivers some big crowd-pleasing moments.
Don't Look Up (7.3)
While sci-fi comedies are rare, a world-ending comet heading towards Earth but are met with indifference and inaction from politicians and the public.
The movie uses its frustrating story to tell an absurd and hilarious story of the apocalypse. Along with the two stars, there are countless big names ing the comedy from Jonah Hill to Cate Blanchett to Meryl Streep.
The Suicide Squad (7.3)
James Gunn's The Suicide Squad is another movie that has a lot of fun by embracing all the outrageous possibilities of its world. The movie follows a group of supervillains who are forced on a dangerous mission to stop a scientific operation from getting into the wrong hands.
The movie in which a talking shark and a starfish alien play big roles really goes all-in with its wackiest concepts. Gunn's humor and wild ideas help to make The Suicide Squad one of the DCEU's most entertaining movies.
The Mitchells vs the Machines (7.7)
There was another animated movie with a sci-fi story of technology run amok with The Mitchells vs. the Machines. When a rogue A.I. program takes over all of the world's machines, the titular family must band together to survive and save the world.
While there have been many sci-fi movies about the machines taking over the world, none have been as funny and wild as The Mitchells vs. the Machines. The movie is a fast-paced family-friendly comedy with a premise that allows for some truly entertaining set-pieces and action sequences.
Zack Snyder's Justice League (8.1)
It is interesting that with all the discussion about Zack Snyder's Justice League, its epic runtime, and the superhero characters involved, it is still essentially an alien invasion movie. Much like the theatrical cut, Snyder's vision for the movie follows the team of heroes attempting to stop Steppenwolf from leading an invasion.
The premise and characters are where the similarities between the theatrical cut and Snyder's cut end. The original version is a grand and engrossing story that delves into these powerful characters in exciting ways and grows the mythology of this world.
Dune (8.2)
Frank Herbert's the most influential sci-fi novels of all time and a very dense piece of source material to adapt. However, Denis Villeneuve's ambitious first part of his two-part take on the story proves to be one of the most talked-about movies of the year.
With an all-star cast and a master filmmaker at the helm, Dune was an unforgettable movie experience. Its epic feel and complex story of intergalactic betrayal and intrigue made for a massive hit with fans and sets the stage for an exciting conclusion.
Spider-Man: No Way Home (8.9)
With multiverses and science experiments that save the day, Spider-Man: No Way Home leans into the sci-fi tropes of the story more than most of its predecessors. The story follows Peter Parker's attempts to get his life back together only for it to result in some unwelcome guests.
Though fans were expecting big things from the third MCU Spider-Man adventure, few people could have predicted how ambitious and huge Spider-Man: No Way Home would be. Not only did it make for a crowd-pleasing Spider-Man story, but also one of the best MCU movies of all time.
