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Critics and reviewers have been an integral part of the film industry since the beginning. Having a group of people that view each new release and gauge its quality is an invaluable tool for the average moviegoer, as it allows one to get a taste of what a movie is like before spending money on a ticket or committing the time needed to watch it. Beyond that, critical reviews contribute to the overall conversation and eventual preservation of the film medium as a whole.
However, sometimes critics love a film that a lot of audiences hate, such as Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Other times, critics hate a film that audiences love, such as The Thing. This divide can be seen fairly and clearly in the science fiction genre, which can be divisive by itself. Here are ten critically panned sci-fi movies that are actually great, whether because they have aged beautifully and proven critics wrong or because the public has rallied behind them despite their less-than-stellar quality.
10 'Man of Steel' (2013)
Directed by Zack Snyder
Image via Warner Bros. Man of Steel is a superhero science fiction film first released in 2013 as the first entry in the DC Extended Universe. Directed by Zack Snyder, who also directed Watchmen and the Dawn of the Dead remake, the story follows an alien named Kal-El, played by Henry Cavill of The Witcher fame, as he struggles with integrating into human culture and mastering his powers.
Cavill fully embodies the Superman character. For example, at the end of the film, Superman destroys a military satellite and then has a conversation with the officers who launched it, calmly explaining his stance and intention, thus exemplifying his Boy Scout nature. Additionally, during the final fight against General Zod (Nocturnal Animals' Michael Shannon), both Superman and Zod throw punches at each other, flying through the city and laying waste on countless buildings, showing Superman's power. Cavill successfully conveyed both the kind-hearted personality and intense physical prowess that come together to create the archetypical image of the character.
Man of Steel
Release Date June 12, 2013
Runtime 148
9 'Venom' (2018)
Directed by Ruben Fleischer
Image via Sony Pictures Releasing Venom is a superhero science fiction film first released in 2018. Directed by Ruben Fleischer, who also directed both Zombieland movies, the plot follows a journalist named Eddie Brock, played by Tom Hardy, who also appeared in Mad Max: Fury Road and The Dark Knight Rises, who finds himself bonded to an alien symbiote after investigating a shadowy corporation.
Eddie and Venom have an extremely entertaining dynamic throughout. For example, there is a scene in which they break into the office of Eddie's old boss' office, and after this, Venom tells Eddie to jump out the window, only for him to take the elevator instead, causing Venom to chastise him. Furthermore, there is also a scene in which Eddie apologizes to his ex-girlfriend, Anne (Dawson's Creek's Michelle Williams), and he receives instruction from Venom; when Anne inquires about it, they both respond in the affirmative. Scenes like these show that Eddie and Venom have an odd couple relationship that provides lots of personality as well as a consistent source of comedy.
Venom
Release Date September 28, 2018
Runtime 112
Writers Scott Rosenberg , Jeff Pinkner , Kelly Marcel , Will Beall , Todd McFarlane , David Michelinie
8 'Transformers' (2007)
Directed by Michael Bay
Image via Paramount Pictures Transformers is a science fiction action film first released in 2007 based on the toy line of the same name by Hasbro. Directed by Michael Bay, best known for action films such as The Rock and the first two Bad Boys movies, the plot follows a teenager named Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) as he finds himself caught in the middle of an intergalactic civil war between two factions of alien robots, the Autobots and the Decepticons.
Transformers has extremely impressive visual effects, especially for the various Autobots and Decepticons. For example, during the final battle, the mystical AllSpark begins turning different Earth appliances into living robots, and the visual transition from ordinary objects into sci-fi robots is very well done. For example, when mechanical arms sprout out of both an Xbox and the steering wheel of a car, it's quite impressive, looking better than most movies made today. There's even a Mountain Dew vending machine that seamlessly transforms into a full robot and fires a can out of its arm cannon.
Release Date June 3, 2007
Runtime 144 Minutes
Writers Roberto Orci , Alex Kurtzman , John Rogers
7 'Ghostbusters II' (1989)
Directed by Ivan Reitman
Image via Columbia Pictures Ghostbusters II is a supernatural science fiction comedy film first released in 1989 as a sequel to the 1984 film Ghostbusters. Directed by Ivan Reitman, who also directed the previous movie, the story follows the Ghostbusters as they defend New York from a new supernatural threat named Vigo.
This delightful film has a very effective dynamic among each of the Ghostbusters. For example, during the scene in which Egon (Harold Ramis), Ray (Dan Aykroyd), and Winston (Ernie Hudson) discover the river of slime under the city, they begin a hostile argument, which subsides after the effects of the slime pass. Both their rage towards each other and their subsequent realization about the nature of the slime are conveyed very effectively. This range in emotion shows that the Ghostbusters' chemistry is so strong that it can enhance any interaction, regardless of what each scene demands. The ghost designs are also very creative, as seen with the Scoleri brothers' pale, electric chair-inhabiting designs and the ghosts that offload into the city via a spectral sunken ship.
Ghostbusters 2 (1989)
Release Date June 16, 1989
Runtime 108 Minutes
Writers Harold Ramis , Dan Aykroyd
6 'Blade' (1998)
Directed by Stephen Norrington
Images via New Line Cinema Blade is a superhero science fiction film first released in 1998. It is based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. Directed by Stephen Norrington, who also directed Death Machine and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, the plot follows a half-human half-vampire named Blade, played by the iconic Wesley Snipes, as he tries to stop a vampire named Deacon Frost (Zoolander's Stephen Dorff) from taking over the vampire council and destroying humanity.
Snipes is the definitive incarnation of the Blade character. For example, during the opening scene, Blade bursts into the now-iconic blood rave and walks methodically into the center of the room, giving off an effortlessly cool demeanor. He then kills every vampire in the room, showing a deep level of competence and grabbing the audience's attention without ever letting go. Snipes' black vest and trench coat became so popular that it became the ultimate appearance of the character for decades to come.
5 'Godzilla: King of the Monsters' (2019)
Directed by Michael Dougherty
Image via Warner Bros. Pictures Godzilla: King of the Monsters is a science fiction kaiju film first released in 2019. It serves as the sequel to the 2014 film Godzilla and is directed by Michael Dougherty, who also helmed Trick 'r Treat and Krampus. The story follows an organization called Monarch as they try to deal with the emergence of monsters such as King Ghidorah after an attack on one of their bases by a terrorist named Jonah (Game of Thrones's Charles Dance).
The visual designs of the various kaiju are very effective. For example, Mothra has a very slender build, thus drawing attention to her large wings and emphasizing her majestic nature. Conversely, King Ghidorah has a large, wyvern-like design, thus providing a sense of intimidation that's fitting for the threat that he poses to not only Godzilla but also to humanity itself. Furthermore, each of King Ghidorah's three heads has a very distinct personality, giving this badass movie dragon a unique dynamic, effectively and simultaneously depicting three antagonists and one.
Release Date May 29, 2019
Runtime 132
Writers Michael Dougherty , Zach Shields , Max Borenstein
4 'Spaceballs' (1987)
Directed by Mel Brooks
Image via MGM Spaceballs is a science fiction parody film first released in 1987. It is a parody of the Star Wars films in particular and the science fiction genre as a whole, directed by Mel Brooks, best known for comedy movies such as Young Frankenstein and Blazing Saddles. The story follows an adventurer named Lone Starr, played by Bill Pullman of Independence Day fame, as he is tasked with protecting the planet of Druidia from the forces of the planet Spaceballs, led by Lord Dark Helmet, played by Rick Moranis of Little Shop of Horrors fame.
Spaceballs contains some of the best examples of Brooks' humor. For example, there is a scene towards the beginning in which a chestburster from the Alien series pops out of a man's chest and then does a ragtime dance on the counter. Another scene towards the end has Dark Helmet and other characters chanting, "Suck!" repeatedly after activating the super weapon, a giant vacuum cleaner, to siphon Druidia's air. These scenes show Brooks' ability to effectively blend pop culture references with comedic subversions.
Spaceballs
Release Date June 24, 1987
Runtime 96
Writers Mel Brooks , Thomas Meehan , Ronny Graham
3 'The Thing' (1982)
Directed by John Carpenter
Image via Universal Pictures. The Thing is a science fiction horror film first released in 1982. It serves as an adaptation of the 1938 novella Who Goes There? by influential science fiction author John W. Campbell Jr. and is the second adaptation following the 1951 film The Thing from Another World. Directed by John Carpenter, best known for directing Halloween, the story follows a team of Arctic researchers as they are stalked and hunted by a shape-shifting alien.
The special effects for The Thing by legendary effects creator Rob Bottin, who had also done the RoboCop suit, are the highlight of the movie. For example, there is a scene in which Cooper, played by Richard Dysart, attempts to defibrillate Norris, played by Charles Hallahan. Norris' torso then opens to reveal a large maw and bites down on Cooper's arms, cleanly detaching them. After Norris' body is destroyed, his head detaches and sprouts spider-like limbs. This seamless transition from ordinary to uncanny to fully unnatural shows the distinct prowess of these effects by showcasing the different stages of being overtaken in a single scene.
The Thing (1982)
Release Date June 25, 1982
Runtime 109 mins
Writers John W. Campbell Jr. , Bill Lancaster
2 'Event Horizon' (1997)
Directed by Paul W.S. Anderson
Image via Paramount Pictures Event Horizon is a science fiction horror film first released in 1997. Directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, who also directed Alien vs. Predator and four of the six Resident Evil movies, the plot follows a rescue team sent to investigate a ship called Event Horizon, only to suffer from supernatural forces that inhabit the ship. The ship itself provides a tense and isolating atmosphere; much of the structure is cloaked in darkness, playing on the intrinsic fear of the unknown.
The mechanical, industrial design of the ship's corridors provides a dread that the lives of every character on board are completely expendable, thus creating suspense by setting an instant sense of danger for the characters. In addition, the slow descent into madness is effectively conveyed through the acting. For instance, Weir, played by Sam Neill of Jurassic Park fame, begins the movie as a fairly grounded character but slowly becomes deranged as the secrets of the ship are exposed. Thus, the ship itself is so evil that simply being in it can completely destroy one's humanity.
Event Horizon
Release Date August 15, 1997
Runtime 96 minutes
Writers Philip Eisner
1 'The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension' (1984)
Directed by W.D. Richter
Image via 20th Century Studios The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension is a sci-fi adventure comedy film first released in 1984. Directed by W.D. Richter, best known as a writer on films such as Invasion of the Body Snatchers and Big Trouble in Little China, the story follows a physicist/surgeon/rock star named Buckaroo Banzai, played by Peter Weller of RoboCop fame, as he and his band of men try to stop an alien invasion.
Buckaroo Banzai is a singular movie, as can be seen in its unique visual style. For example, the alien antagonists, the Red Lectroids, are made to look like humanoid dinosaurs, providing a distinct design for the main antagonists that is both intense and unreal, thus allowing them to flawlessly navigate through the movie's various tonal shifts. In addition, the ensemble cast is fully utilized, as seen with Weller as Banzai, through his cool persona, and John Lithgow of 3rd Rock from the Sun fame as Whorfin, through his crazed delivery. All of this comes together to make The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimensionthe best sci-fi movie that was critically panned.
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension (1984)
Release Date August 10, 1984
Runtime 102 minutes
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