15 Best International Sci-Fi Movies, Ranked

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A man hiding in a field of wheat in District-9

Updated May 28, 2026, 8:32 AM EDT

Science fiction is a genre that has been popular for decades. Maybe this is because it's fun to imagine potential futures for humanity, or maybe it's because sci-fi usually collects some of the best visuals ever committed to film. But it seems moviegoers can't get enough of the genre.

The problem is, with the high demand for it, not every film is going to live up to the high standards some fans have. Many Hollywood films feel like just that—Hollywood films, ie, manufactured cash grabs. Fortunately for sci-fi fans, many foreign countries have taken a crack at the genre too, which has produced some real gems over the years. If you're looking for something new away from Hollywood, it might be worth checking these movies out.

15 'Cargo' (2009)

Cargo is Switzerland's first science-fiction film, and the directorial debut of Ivan Engler and Ralph Etter. While it received mixed reviews, the majority of them have mostly positive things to say about it, although some aspects of it definitely warranted some criticism. But hey, maybe cut the Swiss some slack--this was, after all, their first sci-fi movie.

In the year 2267, life on Earth has become impossible, which confines its denizens to space stations. Despite the newfound hostility of their home planet, the residents of these space stations find that their biggest threat is themselves. Sure, maybe it isn't the most unique premise, but if the premise wasn't good, it wouldn't be used very often in other films. While it doesn't always hold up compared to bigger projects in Hollywood, for a film that is built on little experience and a small budget, it really makes use of what it's got.

14 'The Wave' (2015)

the wave approaches a highway as a couple run for safety

The Wave is not your average disaster movie. Sure, a lot of disaster flicks have focused on giant waves or tsunamis devastating the countryside. This certainly isn't anything new. But Norway's The Wave delivers a fresh take on the format that should make it stand out amongst the others. This movie managed to double its budget in box office ticket sales, and was Norway's submission for the Best Foreign Language Film award at the Oscars, though it sadly wasn't nominated.

Director Roar Ulthaug states that he had always been inspired by other natural disaster movies, such as Twister, and he wanted to emulate that in the best way possible. And he certainly did. (SPOILER ALERT) The reason the movie is so unique is its bombshell of a revelation at the end, in which it states that due to the geography of the town of Geiranger, the events are actually likely to occur at some point in the near future, but the time at which it happens can't be predicted until it's too late. Foreboding warning aside, for a small budget, it boasts impressive visuals reminiscent of classic disaster flicks, which is perfect for any fan of the genre.

13 'Neptune Frost' (2021)

Rwanda is a country that you probably don't think about very often. Heck, some people haven't even heard of the tiny Central African nation. Luckily, Neptune Frost draws attention to it in a clever and fantastical way. This movie serves as a sci-fi flick and a musical, which are two vastly different genres that seldom go hand-in-hand. But this movie made it work.

There are versions in Kirundi, Kinyarwanda, Swahili, French, and English, making it able to be enjoyed not just by people in Africa, but by people all over the world. The cyberpunk-esque visuals are pure eye candy, and its score consists of traditional Central African song-poetry, which is a beautiful art form that doesn't see the limelight nearly as much as it deserves. This is a movie that's unashamed to be whatever it wants, and as a result of this, going against the norm, it received many good reviews. It's an underrated, yet fantastic entry into the sci-fi genre, and isn't one that you're going to want to miss.

12 'Bacurau' (2019)

A group of survivors, some covered in blood

A lot of people probably haven't even heard of Bacurau, which is such a shame given how well it performed not just at home, but in the international community. It managed to make three times its tiny budget at the box office and received the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival. The movie really stirred the pot upon its release, addressing some of the most important social issues facing the Brazilian public. Yet it does this in an effective and brilliant way.

Following a small rural town facing turmoil after a series of strange events begin terrorizing the villagers, the story takes a multitude of twists and turns, which leaves it consistently exciting. It also holds an approval rating of 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, both from Brazilian and non-Brazilian critics. It is also available in both English and Portuguese, making it able to be enjoyed by audiences even outside of Brazil.

11 'The Host' (2006)

The Host is South Korea's take on the modern monster movie. While the CGI is less than impressive, it still holds up as a remarkable entry into the genre. This is thanks in part to Bong Joon ho, who later went on to direct Parasite. Bong Joon ho's movies are almost always phenomenal and carry important social messages. The Host is certainly no exception to this.

The story was inspired by a scandal in which an American employer forced their Korean workers to dispose of a deadly chemical using the sewer drains, which later ended up in the Han River, which flows through the South Korean capital of Seoul. The story follows the same thing happening, but this time, a mutated monster is the result of this dangerous event. At the time of its release, the movie became the highest-grossing movie in its homeland and was met with acclaim both locally and internationally. Critics praised it for its biting satire mixed with horrifying visuals. It was later recommended by Quentin Tarantino as one of his favourite movies to be released since the 90s. With such a big name having such a high opinion of it, you know it's got to be good.

10 'Timecrimes' (2007)

The bandaged villain stands in a forest in Timecrimes

Timecrimes came out in 2007 to an excellent reception. This movie follows the time loop format, similar to Groundhog Day or Edge of Tomorrow. Following Karra Elejalde as Héctor, the movie forces viewers to confront their own demons as Héctor battles with alternate versions of himself that have spawned as a result of the time loop. The movie makes a lot of risky maneuvers in its technique and in what it dares to show on camera, but this wound up being met positively rather than negatively.

Director Nacho Vigalondo took a huge gamble when he made Timecrimes, and while he may not have won it back in money, he certainly won it back in respect and reputation. While it has been rumoured that David Cronenberg has been tasked with making an American remake, this has yet to be seen through, although it would definitely suit Cronenberg's style of directing.

9 'The Wandering Earth' (2019)

Promotional image for 'The Wandering Earth'

The Wandering Earth takes place in 2058 after an abnormal star threatens to engulf the Earth. In response, all the nations of the world put their differences aside in order to build a series of gigantic engines that will propel Earth out of the solar system and out of the path of potential destruction. The problem is, this results in an enormous amount of death, with only a small percentage of people surviving in underground shelters.

While critics didn't find the dystopic themes very original, (especially given that the movie is based on a short story), the appeal mainly comes from its spectacular set pieces and revolutionary special effects. Although wildly popular in its home country of China, it also won a Golden Oak Award in New York City and was met with acclaim overseas, too. The movie even spawned a prequel, which released in 2023. This is a movie that is nothing if not eye candy, and perfectly encapsulates the modern sci-fi aesthetic.

Collider Exclusive · Sci-Fi Survival Quiz Which Sci-Fi World Would You Survive? The Matrix · Mad Max · Blade Runner · Dune · Star Wars

Five universes. Five completely different ways the future went wrong — or sideways, or up in flames. Only one of them is the world your instincts were built for. Eight questions will figure out which dystopia, galaxy, or desert wasteland you'd actually make it out of alive.

💊The Matrix

🔥Mad Max

🌧️Blade Runner

🏜️Dune

🚀Star Wars

TEST YOUR SURVIVAL →

You sense something is deeply wrong with the world around you. What do you do? The first instinct is often the truest one.

APull on every thread until I understand the system — then figure out how to break it. BStop asking questions and start stockpiling — food, fuel, weapons. Questions don't keep you alive. CKeep my head down, observe carefully, and trust no one until I know who's pulling the strings. DStudy the patterns. Every system has a rhythm — learn it, and you learn how to survive it. EFind the people fighting back and join them. You can't fix a broken galaxy alone.

NEXT QUESTION →

In a world of scarcity, what resource do you guard most fiercely? What we protect reveals what we believe survival actually requires.

AKnowledge. If you understand the system, you don't need resources — you can generate them. BFuel. Everything else — movement, power, escape — runs on it. CTrust. In a world of fakes and informants, a truly reliable ally is rarer than any commodity. DWater. And after water, information — the two things empires are truly built on. EShips and credits. The galaxy is big — you survive it by being able to move through it freely.

NEXT QUESTION →

What kind of threat keeps you up at night? Fear is useful data — if you're honest about what you're actually afraid of.

AThat reality itself is a lie — that everything I experience has been constructed to keep me compliant. BA raid. No warning, no mercy — just the roar of engines and then nothing left. CBeing identified. Once someone with power decides you're a problem, you're already out of time. DBeing outmanoeuvred — losing a political game I didn't even know I was playing. EThe Empire tightening its grip until there's nowhere left to run.

NEXT QUESTION →

How do you deal with authority you don't trust? Every dystopia has a power structure. Your approach to it determines everything.

ASubvert it from the inside — learn its rules well enough to weaponise them against it. BIgnore it and stay out of its reach. The further from any power structure, the better. CAppear to comply while doing exactly what I need to do. Visibility is the enemy. DManoeuvre within it carefully. You can't beat a system you refuse to understand. EResist openly when I have to. Some things are worth the risk of being seen.

NEXT QUESTION →

Which environment could you actually endure long-term? Survival isn't just tactical — it's physical, psychological, and very much about where you are.

AUnderground bunkers and server rooms — cramped, artificial, but with access to everything that matters. BOpen wasteland — brutal sun, no shelter, constant movement. At least the threat is honest. CA dense, rain-soaked city where you can disappear into the crowd and nobody asks questions. DMerciless desert — extreme heat, no water, and something enormous living beneath the sand. EThe fringe — backwater planets and busy spaceports where the Empire's attention rarely reaches.

NEXT QUESTION →

Who do you want in your corner when things fall apart? The company you keep is the clearest signal of who you actually are.

AA tight crew of believers who've seen behind the curtain and have nothing left to lose. BOne or two people I'd trust with my life. Any more than that and someone talks. CNobody, ideally. Alliances are liabilities. I work alone unless I have no choice. DA community bound by shared hardship and mutual survival — people who need each other to last. EA ragtag team with wildly different skills and total commitment when it counts.

NEXT QUESTION →

Where do you draw the line — if you draw one at all? Every survivor eventually faces a moment that tests what they're actually made of.

AI won't harm the innocent — even the ones who'd report me without hesitation. BI do what I have to to protect the people I've chosen. Everything else is negotiable. CThe line shifts depending on who's asking and what's at stake. DI draw a long-term line — nothing that compromises my people's future, even if it'd help now. ESome lines, once crossed, can't be uncrossed. I know which ones they are.

NEXT QUESTION →

What would actually make survival worth it? Staying alive is one thing. Having a reason to is another.

AWaking others up — dismantling the illusion so no one else has to live inside it. BFinding somewhere — or someone — worth protecting. A reason to keep moving. CAnswers. Understanding what I am, what any of this means, before time runs out. DLegacy — shaping the future in a way that outlasts me by generations. EFreedom — for myself, for others, for every world still living under someone else's boot.

REVEAL MY WORLD →

Your Fate Has Been Calculated You'd Survive In…

Your answers point to the world your instincts were built for. This is the universe your temperament, your survival instincts, and your particular brand of stubbornness were made for.

The Matrix

You took the red pill a long time ago — probably before anyone offered it to you. You're a systems thinker who can't help but notice the seams in things.

You're drawn to understanding how the system works before figuring out how to break it.
You'd find the Resistance, or it would find you — your instinct for spotting constructed realities is the machines' worst nightmare.
You function best when you have access to information and the freedom to act on it.
The Matrix built an airtight prison. You'd be the one probing the walls for the door.

Mad Max

The wasteland doesn't reward the clever or the well-connected — it rewards those who are hard to kill and harder to break. That's you.

You don't need comfort, community, or a cause larger than the next horizon.
You need a vehicle, a clear threat, and enough fuel to outrun it — and you're good at all three.
You are unsentimental enough to survive that world, and decent enough — just barely — to be something more than another raider.
In the wasteland, that distinction is everything.

Blade Runner

You'd survive here because you know how to exist in moral grey areas without losing yourself completely.

You read people accurately, keep your circle small, and ask the questions others prefer not to answer.
In a city where humanity is a legal designation rather than a feeling, you hold onto something that keeps you functional.
You're not a hero. But you're not lost, either.
In Blade Runner's world, that distinction is everything.

Dune

Arrakis is the most hostile environment in the known universe — and you are precisely the kind of person it rewards.

Patience, discipline, and political awareness are your core strengths — and on Arrakis, they're survival tools.
You understand that the long game matters more than any single victory.
Others come to Dune and are consumed by it. You'd learn its logic and earn its respect.
In time, you wouldn't just survive Arrakis — you'd begin to reshape it.

Star Wars

The galaxy far, far away is vast, loud, and in a constant state of violent political upheaval — and you wouldn't have it any other way.

You find meaning in being part of something larger than yourself — a cause, a crew, a rebellion.
You'd gravitate toward the Rebellion, or the fringes, or whatever pocket of the galaxy still believes the Empire's grip can be broken.
You fight — not because you have to, but because standing aside isn't something you're capable of.
In Star Wars, that willingness is what makes all the difference.

↻ RETAKE THE QUIZ

8 'Solaris' (1972)

Russian director Andrei Tarkovsky is known for producing some fantastic movies, and while Solaris might not be his absolute best, it is definitely up there in terms of quality. Granted, pretty much everything he touched turned to gold, so it's kind of hard to pick which one of his films is actually the best. In any event, this movie follows a scientist who travels to a lost space station, whose crew has reportedly lost their minds, to search for the source of the problem.

It's more of an arthouse film than anything, which some might find a tad pretentious, but other will greatly enjoy. Like many of Tarkovsky's flicks, this movie has themes of existentialism and the reality of human nature. It's a bit cynical, but still pretty profound. Even though it got a delayed release in the West due to the Cold War and the Iron Curtain, critics absolutely loved this film, which is now easier to access than ever before.

7 'Akira' (1988)

Akira is a Japanese anime movie that fits snugly into the cyberpunk subgenre. Cyberpunk is defined as being set in a futuristic, urban environment largely controlled by AI and robots, with the protagonists often forming a rebellion against the machines. The story is set in a "futuristic" Tokyo. It was only futuristic at the time, though, since the story is set in 2019, yet is much more technologically advanced than even 2026.

Anyway, the plot follows a dystopian Tokyo that is suddenly thrown into even more danger when an adolescent boy is used for a military experiment, turning him into a dangerous, psychic, and emotionally devoid killer. The only one who can stop him is his own best friend. Even though it is animated, it is definitely made for adults, and has an R-rating in the United States. Still, it's chock-full of great action, thrilling plotlines, and warnings about the overreliance of technology.

6 'Stalker' (1979)

A man stands against a barren landscape in Stalker

Director Andrei Tarkovsky is known for making some pretty incredible films across a multitude of genres, but Stalker remains among his finest work yet. Pretty much the only criticisms of the movie came from its slower pacing, but apart from that, it was deemed to be nearly perfect. It's not just your average run-of-the-mill science-fiction film though. This is a movie that contains many important theological and philosophical themes, making anyone who views it stop and think for a while afterwards.

Funnily enough, the critical reviews at the time of its release were horrific, but in recent years it has gained more of a cult following, along with much more favorable reviews. It would seem the critics just needed to stop and think for a while along with the audience to really appreciate it. As recently as 2018, the BBC voted the movie the 49th greatest foreign-language film of all time, which really speaks to its quality. If you're looking for a movie that makes you think, this is one that you won't want to pass up.

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