Netflix's Streaming Charts Have This Sci-Fi Masterpiece That Still Delivers 29 Years Later

Luc Besson's 1997 sci-fi adventure romp, The Fifth Element, recently shot up Netflix's streaming movie charts, becoming the platform's top streaming movie last week, and it's no surprise. Besson's visionary feature is a bona fide sci-fi masterpiece. Although the movie wasn’t a major hit with critics at the time, it was a strong international box office success when it was originally released. Its legacy has endured after almost 30 years, proving it is one of the best sci-fi adventures of the '90s. It’s time to unpack why The Fifth Element has become an official streaming hit on Netflix.

How 'The Fifth Element’s Futuristic World Still Looks Ahead of Its Time

Part of The Fifth Element's appeal stems from how well its production values and visual effects still hold up almost thirty years after the movie's original release. At a relatively high budget for its time of $90 million, The Fifth Element utilized cutting-edge computer and digital effects, mixed with incredible sets, costumes, props, and production elements. The film’s visual effects and design still rival—or surpass—those of movies with budgets double, or sometimes even triple, its size, that are being released today, as Besson ensured the project maintained its integrity and his auteur vision.

Besson's vision of 23rd-century New York City in 2263 appears unique compared to other futuristic sci-fi masterpieces, such as Total Recall or Blade Runner, and it also looks beautifully realized and immersive on screen. Although the movie utilizes heavy visual and digital effects, they only enhance the narrative unfolding onscreen and improve the overall sense of world-building. The way New York City evolves in the future looks fascinating. Rather than spreading out, the city continues reaching upwards, with towers and flying cars that rise higher into the atmosphere as a result of the layers of pollution and overcrowding down below. Besson infuses the film with his signature visual style and flair, drawing clear inspiration from French sci-fi comics like Valérian and Laureline, giving the movie a jazzy, pulpy, and dynamic comic-book energy, along with his trademark sense of humor. The Fifth Element looks like sci-fi punk music onscreen.

Why 'The Fifth Element' Has One of Sci-Fi’s Best Ensemble Casts

Not enough can be said of The Fifth Element's incredible ensemble cast. The breakout star of the feature is Milla Jovovich, who portrays the titular supreme being, the fifth element herself, Leeloo. Jovovich's charisma in the movie is off the charts, portraying Leeloo with a fierce determination, but also a charming inquisitiveness, with a thirst for knowledge, yet also compassion and yearning for love, which she finds with the ex-soldier-turned-blue-collar cab driver, Korben Dallas (Bruce Willis). Their unlikely romance and emotional connection become the heart of the movie.

Elsewhere, Gary Oldman delivers the campy villain performance of his career as the insane Zorg. Oldman is no stranger to playing cinematic bad guys, but Zorg takes the cake with his unique look, over-the-top southern accent, and flair for the dramatic. It's a different type of scene-chewing from his performance as Stansfield in Besson's earlier movie, Léon: The Professional. Plus, the movie features another breakout performance with Chris Tucker as the flamboyant D.J. Ruby Rod. Tucker comes into the movie late, but soon becomes a fixture for the rest of the film, gleefully stealing all of his scenes with impeccable comedic timing. Ian Holm also puts in a fine performance as Father Cornelius, the last of an order of monks, with the task of passing down the knowledge of the five elements that can protect the world from evil. All the actors in the movie are fantastic, and there isn’t a single wasted role.

'The Fifth Element' Features a Universal, Timeless Story

Despite its groundbreaking setting and stunning visuals, The Fifth Element features a universal story about good versus evil. The story concerns an ancient, malevolent force called "Evil" dubbed "Mr. Shadow" by Zorg. It’s literally a planetoid of pure malevolence that seeks to hurtle its way toward Earth. The only defense against Mr. Shadow consists of four elemental stones, along with the fifth element. Leeloo faces a crisis during the movie as she’s confronted with the reality of humanity's propensity for war, death, and destruction. Together, Leeloo and Korben go on a journey to realize that only the power of life, but love itself, can overcome the power of pure evil and humanity's own lure to destruction. It's ultimately an uplifting and inspiring message.

Besson packages these themes and ideals in such an entertaining, fun, and action-packed way that's absolutely exhilarating. Willis is a relative cynical and stoic action hero style oddly works well against Besson's sometimes wacky sci-fi weirdness. Tucker and Holm's more humorous and comedic moments liven up the screen, along with Oldman's sublime performance as Zorg. Besson crafts one of the best sequences of his career, featuring the performance by the alien Diva (Maïwenn), and her incredible opera performance as Leeloo fights the hostile Mangalores. Later, that is followed by the high-octane action sequence, when Willis gets to do his action hero thing against the Mangalores, who attack the interstellar Fhloston Paradise cruise liner.

The Fifth Element is such a high-quality movie that can be watched at any time of the year and still be enjoyed. The movie continues getting better with each passing viewing, which explains why it's still such a huge hit on streaming 29 years later. Additionally, its legacy can be seen in later hit movies, like Marvel Studios' Guardians of the Galaxy. In 2026, it’s nice to see viewers continue to discover one of the best sci-fi adventures of the 1990s, and it's certainly worth a look.