Published May 17, 2026, 5:30 PM EDT
Dalton is a freelance writer, novelist, and filmmaker from Orlando Florida. He currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, and pursues writing full-time. He is an avid reader, film buff, and amateur historian who also publishes novels on the side. Dalton graduated from the University of Central Florida with a BFA in Film and he often applies his industry-specific knowledge when writing about film and television. Along with his blog, Dalton's critical essays on film have been published in various places online.
The 2000s produced a wide variety of stellar science fiction films, but which classic Aughts sci-fi movie is the best? The explosion of blockbuster cinema in the first decade of the new millennium led to the production of dozens of big-budget science fiction movies. While most were forgettable at best, the Aughts did produce its fair share of memorable gems.
Improvements in computer-generated effects allowed filmmakers to tell bigger stories with almost no limitations, though conventional storytelling still reigned supreme. The rise of CGI was a double-edged sword, with some filmmakers using it to craft masterpieces while others made bloated disasters with very few redeeming qualities. Sci-fi was everywhere in the Aughts, for better or worse.
Huge tentpole franchises began to spring up left and right, often hogging space in movie theaters. This meant that plenty of excellent science fiction slipped by without much fanfare, and many of the best movies of the 2000s were criminally underrated. That's not to say that blockbusters couldn't also be good, and one film in particular broke box office records while weaving a compelling narrative.
There was very little rhyme or reason in 2000s science fiction, and the genre's rapid expansion came with a diversity of approaches and ideas. From fast-paced thrills to dour dystopian futures, moviegoers had a lot to choose from back in the Aughts. Now that many of the films are over 20 years old, how do the best science fiction films of the 2000s stack up?
10 Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge Of The Sith (2005)
Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith brings the prequels to an end, and delivers a stunning turnaround from the first two installments in the trilogy. At the height of the Clone Wars, Anakin Skywalker is wooed to the dark side by the nefarious Chancellor Palpatine. Unlike its predecessors, Revenge of the Sith opts for a streamlined story and more action.
Though it is far from perfect (hence its position on the list), Revenge of the Sith recaptures a bit of the sweeping grandeur of the original trilogy. In the two decades since its release, the film has actually aged much better than expected, and a newfound appreciation has grown. If nothing else, Episode III is a textbook example of entertaining popcorn cinema.
9 Paprika (2006)
Though Satoshi Kon's Paprika might not be the most famous science fiction film of the 2000s, its impact guarantees it a spot on this list. When a new piece of technology falls into the wrong hands, a dream detective must delve into the collective unconscious to avert disaster. Surreal and appropriately dreamlike, the anime classic blends beautiful visuals and creative storytelling.
Paprika is a direct inspiration for Christopher Nolan's Inception, and the latter film borrows heavily from the 2006 anime. Kon's unique vision is a bit dense and impenetrable at times, but is a rewarding experience for adventurous sci-fi fans. It's outranked by other movies on this list because its appeal is somewhat limited, but that doesn't mean that Paprika isn't an all-time great of its genre.
8 Moon (2009)
Most sci-fi films of the 2000s push the envelope with more effects and bigger spectacle, but Moon proves that sometimes bigger isn't better. An astronaut is about to end his three-year mission on a lonely moon base when he begins to experience weird hallucinations that become real. Sam Rockwell gives a towering performance in the lead role, carrying most of the film on his own.
The simplicity of Moon is its greatest strength, and it nails the necessities of storytelling without having to resort to bombastic tricks. The mystery plays out without too much filler, and at only 97 minutes, Moon is a brisk experience. On the flip side, the movie's simplicity is why it's near the bottom of the list, and it isn't nearly as rewatchable as the other classic sci-fi films from the 2000s.
7 Star Trek (2009)
Star Trek reboots the beloved franchise in an alternate timeline, and reintroduces the characters to a new generation of fans. Launching the Kelvin universe, Star Trek follows Kirk and the rest of the young Enterprise crew on their first mission. It bridges the gap between the old and new, and injects a lot more action into the otherwise thoughtful science fiction franchise.
J.J. Abrams' vision for Star Trek is one of excitement and fun, and as an over-the-top piece of entertainment, the 2009 movie more than succeeds. While it may lack the depth of the classic Trek stories, the first Kelvin movie compensates with humor and heart. It's one of the few blockbuster sci-fi movies from the 2000s that strikes a balance between style and substance.
6 Avatar (2009)
Image via DisneyAvatar is the film that best sums up the 2000s as a decade in science fiction, and the franchise is still going strong today. On the planet of Pandora, a human forms a bond with the native people and helps them fight off an encroaching military force. James Cameron's revolutionary flick shattered expectations and set a new box office record that was previously held by Titanic.
In the modern era of cinema, films often don't feel important. Avatar is one of the last films to capture the spectacle and grandeur of the movies, and it's fitting that it closed out the Aughts. Its visual splendor and cultural impact move it up the list of greatest 2000s sci-fi films, but its mostly unoriginal story keeps it from being near the top.
5 Children Of Men (2006)
Dystopian stories are a cornerstone of science fiction, and no movie from the 2000s embraces the subgenre quite like Children of Men. In the future, women all around the world mysteriously can't conceive children. This plunges society into chaos, and a cynical bureaucrat must help a pregnant woman survive. Its simple premise is a platform for sharp commentary about modern society.
Though Children of Men is bleak, it also features touches of hope that speak to the larger message behind the story. The production design and worldbuilding are both strong, and there's an effortless realism that makes it an especially effective movie. Alfonso Cuarón approaches science fiction with a cinematic eye, delivering strong characters and rich ideas that go far beyond the genre's limitations.
4 Donnie Darko (2001)
To say that Donnie Darko is only a science fiction film would do the cult classic a disservice, and it incorporates other genres for a truly mind-bending experience. After a depressed teen survives a freak accident, he comes to believe the world will end in a few weeks. Richard Kelly's debut feature is designed to leave the viewer scratching their heads.
With its exploration of parallel universes, Donnie Darko exists on the fringes of the conventional science fiction sphere. Nevertheless, it's one of the best of the 2000s because it is thought-provoking, engrossing, and unabashedly original. Donnie Darko shows how flexible science fiction can be, especially when compared to the more conventional fare that comes from the later years of the 2000s.
3 The Prestige (2006)
Christopher Nolan's The Prestige turns 20 this year, and it deserves more attention as an excellent part of his epic filmography. Rival magicians create competing teleportation machines at the turn of the 20th century, only for their obsession to have deadly consequences. Despite also being a period piece and thriller, The Prestige is still very much a science fiction film.
It hearkens back to the works of authors like Jules Verne, and represents an alternative view of scientific possibilities. Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman are the real reason the movie is so good, and their emotional arcs keep The Prestige grounded in reality. If it wasn't for a few other films, The Prestige could easily take the crown as the best sci-fi film of the 2000s.
2 Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind (2004)
Movies written by Charlie Kaufman are truly in a genre all their own, but Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind most closely conforms to science fiction. A man uses a new service to erase the memories of his ex, but discovers that even the painful parts of the past are important. With Michel Gondry behind the camera, it's the strangest breakup movie ever made.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind uses science fiction as a springboard for what the movie is really trying to say. Jim Carrey's dramatic performance is a stunning change for the legendary funnyman, and he ushers the audience along for every cathartic heartbreak. Few films resonate so deeply while going above and beyond to be as unique as possible.
1 WALL-E (2008)
WALL-E is the pinnacle of Pixar's filmography and the greatest science fiction film of the 2000s by far. In a distant future, a trash collecting robot lives a boring life on the abandoned Earth, only to embark on an outer space adventure when he discovers a plant. In typical Pixar fashion, WALL-E has the audience emotionally invested in a robot in mere minutes.
So much more than a cartoon for children, WALL-E has an important environmental message for all ages. It has better worldbuilding than most other science fiction films, and deftly combines comedy, romance, and action into a truly unique mixture. With minimal dialogue, the Oscar winner tells a rich narrative that puts even the best of its contemporaries to shame.
English (US) ·