The last decade has been pretty great for science fiction films.
But while not every brilliant recent sci-fi flick is worth owning and revisiting time
and time again, some definitely are.
Here are few modern classics that are so fun, engaging, and compelling that they're totally
worth re-exploring over and over for years to come.
Moon
Directed by Duncan Jones, the amazing movie Moon takes place in pretty much one location,
and for the most part, it focuses on just one actor, making the haunting end-result
all the more brilliant.
The story follows astronaut Sam Bell, played by Sam Rockwell, who lives all alone on the
moon, mining the dusty satellite for fuel.
Bell's only company is a creepy robot named GERTY, but that all changes when Bell discovers
a second astronaut …who looks just like him.
Naturally, this discovery causes both doppelgängers to question their own existence.
A smart, intriguing film with a small budget but big ideas, the mysteries of Moon never
grow old, largely thanks to its charismatic leading man.
Mad Max: Fury Road
The pinnacle of George Miller's career, Fury Road is two adrenaline-laced hours of incredible
stunt work, breathtaking cinematography, and badass warrior women riding through the desert
in big rigs and on motorcycles.
It's essentially one long, incredible chase scene, with some of the most amazing set pieces
ever put on the big screen.
There's the epic sandstorm sequence, the death-defying climax involving bad guys dropping in and
out of the action on massive poles ... and dozens more instantly iconic moments that
deserve to be witnessed again and again, including, of course, The Doof Warrior, wielding his
flame-throwing guitar.
Attack the Block
This charming British thriller follows a gang of South London street toughs who find themselves
in the middle of an alien invasion.
Surrounded by freakish ape creatures with lion-like teeth, the teens decide to press
pause on their criminal careers and take on the extraterrestrials, using everything from
baseball bats to firecrackers to defeat their otherworldly foes.
Attack the Block is a crowd-pleasing gem that expertly mixes carnage and comedy.
"Is it safe?"
"No?
Okay.
Good luck."
On top of that, we genuinely come to care about our heroes, especially Moses, the leader
of the group who's played by none other than future Star Wars phenom John Boyega.
The Martian
Based on the bestselling novel of the same name, The Martian stars Matt Damon as Mark
Watney, an American astronaut accidentally abandoned on Mars.
Left to fend for himself, Watney is determined to stay alive until help arrives.
But how is one mere Earthling supposed to survive the cold indifference of the red planet?
It's exciting to watch Watney puzzle his way out of one problem after another, whether
it's communicating with NASA or growing the first Martian potatoes.
The film is so fun to revisit because it's a rare, sincere love letter to human achievement.
If nothing else, The Martian proves that watching people who are good at their jobs can be addictive.
"I'm gonna have to science the s--- out of this."
Inception
A truly groundbreaking sci-fi film, Christopher Nolan's Inception wowed audiences and critics
alike with its mind-bending visuals and brilliantly layered action scenes.
The story moves with the speed of a runaway train, following a group of dream thieves
as they pull off the ultimate heist.
The movie is full of twists and turns, so with every viewing, there's an opportunity
to analyze a new detail or catch some fresh clue.
"You never really remember the beginning of a dream, do you?
You always end up right in the middle of what's going on."
"I guess, yeah."
"So how did we end up here?"
As a result, the movie has spawned countless fan theories, proving that when it comes to
rewatchability, Inception is a dream come true.
Looper
You knew this one was coming.
If you're in the mood for more mind-bending fun, it's always a safe bet to relive the
past and revisit Rian Johnson's Looper.
This time-travel thriller follows Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Joe, a hitman who works for the mob in
2044.
His job is to execute victims sent back in time from 2074, but things get a bit complicated
when the gangsters send back his older self, played by Bruce Willis.
In addition to some breathtaking action scenes, the movie also grapples with weighty issues
like the cyclical nature of violence and features Joseph Gordon-Levitt sporting custom facial
prosthetics and contact lenses to pull off some impressive "Young Bruce Willis" cosplay
— even if he does kinda look a little more like a young Alec Baldwin.
It's got everything you need for the perfect repeat viewing experience.
Edge of Tomorrow
If there was ever a movie meant to be re-lived over and over again, it's 2014's Edge of Tomorrow.
Kind of like Groundhog Day with guns, this military thriller follows a cowardly major
played by Tom Cruise who keeps experiencing the same day over and over again.
Too bad the day in question involves a massive alien invasion, and he only gets to start
it over after he's been violently killed.
Of course, this freaky form of eternal life has its advantages.
The fun here comes from watching Cruise adjusting each new day to the dangers at hand, and slowly
becoming a genuine war hero.
And while Cruise's character might get tired of repeatedly seeing the same events over
and over again, sci-fi fans will love revisiting a gem like this day after day after day.
"Find me when you wake up."
"What?"
"Come find me when you wa —"
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