These 8 Fantastic Cyberpunk Movies Are Worth Rediscovering Now

Science fiction is one of the most expansive genres out there, containing several subgenres that all leverage its tropes and iconography to deliver their own kind of imaginative story. One of those subgenres is cyberpunk, and it has produced several of the greatest sci-fi films of all time, from live-action gems like Blade Runner to animated classics like Ghost in the Shell. This is a genre set in a dystopian future that's all about futuristic technology coexisting with societal collapse and urban decay, all within gritty, neon-lit landscapes.

But while many cyberpunk masterpieces receive all the praise they deserve, others end up slipping under most people's radars. These criminally forgotten masterpieces are cyberpunk at its best, much like the subgenre's most iconic classics, but they got less lucky when it came to finding an audience. Thankfully, in this modern world where it's easier than ever to re-discover forgotten movies and shower them with all the love they've always deserved, there's no excuse left to not watch and love these films.

1 'Colossus: The Forbin Project' (1970)

There's a strong argument to be made that the 1970s were the greatest decade for filmmaking in history, and science fiction was certainly not exempt from the decade's Midas touch. As proof, there are many great but obscure sci-fi films from the '70s, with the great Colossus: The Forbin Project standing out as one of the best. In it, the American government gives a supercomputer total control over launching nuclear missiles in the hopes that it will prevent war. To the surprise of no one living in 2026, bad things ensue.

Aside from being so far ahead of its time that it feels terrifyingly prophetic, The Forbin Project mixes satirical humor with intelligent sci-fi world-building to deliver a Dr. Strangelove-coded film that packs quite a punch. Confident, gripping, and reliant on a sophisticated script that balances clever dialogue and intricate thematic work, it's one of the greatest sci-fi flicks of the '70s as a whole, and it's about time people started treating it as such.

2 'Mars Express' (2023)

Animation and cyberpunk tend to get along pretty well, as demonstrated by gems like Mars Express. This French sci-fi thriller is set on Mars during the 23rd century, following a murder case investigation carried out by a private investigator and her android companion. The animation is visually striking, and the character work is refreshingly compelling, making for an A.I.-focused cyber-thriller that feels even more relevant today than it did three years ago.

Sure, the film is recent, but it somehow managed to go under people's radars so badly that it's already fair to say it's been forgotten by the mainstream. Highly ambitious, endlessly stylish, and clearly influenced by the cyberpunk classics that have defined the subgenre throughout its history, Mars Express is an intelligently philosophical and exquisitely innovative gem that fans of animation and sci-fi alike should check out at least once.

3 'Electroma' (2006)

Also known as Daft Punk's Electroma, Electroma is one of the most unique avant-garde sci-fi films out there, starring the titular French duo. Telling the story of two robots who would like to become human, the film was written and directed by Daft Punk, though they didn't provide the music. The film premiered at Cannes, and it quickly garnered a cult following that's stuck by its side for two decades now. Alas, said cult following isn't nearly as huge as it deserves to be.

Daft Punk's decision to not feature their own tunes in the film feels entirely intentional. It gives Electroma a life all of its own, allowing the audience to focus far more closely on its narrative and its characters. The film wears its many cinematic influences out on its sleeve, showing off its beautiful visuals and exceptional music every chance it gets. It's not particularly groundbreaking narratively, but its simple message and endearing story are more than enough to make it a true gem.

4 'Metropolis' (2001)

Not to be confused with Fritz Lang's seminal silent masterpiece of the same name from 1927, 2001's Metropolis is instead a cyberpunk anime film loosely based on Osamu Tezuka's 1949 manga of the same title. In it, a boy and his uncle set out to uncover the mystery behind the first human-like robot in the midst of societal conflict in their futuristic city. It's one of the best sci-fi movie masterpieces of the 2000s, a criminally underappreciated hidden gem that famed film critic Roger Ebert once called one of the best animated movies he had ever seen.

Metropolis is undeniably eye-popping and an awful lot of fun, even in the few moments where its screenplay falters and tumbles. The movie clearly draws elements and aesthetic influences from Lang's classic, but it's a masterpiece all of its own. The narrative is sociopolitically sharp, and the animation has aged like fine wine, making exceptional use of the cyberpunk subgenre and its iconography to deliver a cinematic experience that packs an unforgettable punch. Those who prefer sci-fi movies with excellent scripts may be somewhat disappointed by this one; but people who love cyberpunk for its tone and atmosphere are bound to adore Metropolis.

5 'Electric Dragon 80.000 V' (2001)

In the tokusatsu cult classic Electric Dragon 80.000 V, a violent, electrically charged, guitar-playing boxer faces off against an electronic wizard half-merged with a metallic Buddha. It's an experience that's every bit as bizarre and camp as it sounds, and then some—but those who enjoy that kind of niche science fiction are guaranteed to love it to bits. Those looking for philosophical themes or an intricately complex story ought to look elsewhere. Electric Dragon 80.000 V is tailor-made for those who love when cyberpunk focuses on style, thrills, and fully electric madness. Basically, it's the perfect cyberpunk movie for people who prefer the "punk" side of the subgenre.

Magnificently shot and expertly edited, the movie takes full advantage of its shoestring budget to deliver an experience that's all vibes, no plot. It's overflowing with electric guitars and pulsating absurdity, an electrifying bundle of rage in its rawest form. Cyberpunk offers room for some really intelligent and thought-provoking narratives, but it's also perfect for filmmakers who just want to make something as fun as possible. Electric Dragon 80.000 Vdefinitely meets that quality. It's a bullet of punk rock energy that, at only a measly 55 minutes of runtime, never even thinks about overstaying its welcome.

6 'Strange Days' (1995)

Over a decade before she became the first-ever woman to win the Best Directing Oscar, Kathryn Bigelow dipped her toes into cyberpunk with Strange Days, a dystopian thriller about a black-marketeer trying to save a woman in 1999 Los Angeles. It's one of the most underrated sci-fi movies of the last 100 years, a cyber-thriller that expertly blends cyberpunk aesthetics with film noir conventions to deliver a provocative tale about racism and abuse of power.The movie was such a colossal financial failure upon release that it almost single-handedly toppled Bigelow's whole career, and it also divided critics who either loved its atmosphere or hated its story. This, however, allowed it to quickly become a cult classic, which it very much still is. Its dystopian world is absolutely fascinating, its psychologically intense narrative just doesn't let up, and the way it never shies away from its complicated themes is admirable.​​​​​​​

7 'Tetsuo II: Body Hammer' (1992)

Back in 1989, Shinya Tsukamoto released the cyberpunk body horror film Tetsuo: The Iron Man, far and away one of the biggest and most groundbreaking cult classics in the history of J-horror. That masterpiece is underrated enough in itself, but its sequel? One could even say it's been forgotten. Directed by Tuskamoto and released three years after the original, Tetsuo II: Body Hammer is about a father who unleashes his dormant destructive power after metal-worshipping fanatics abduct his son.

Body Hammer is just as over-the-top, grotesque, and horrifying as its predecessor; and just as much of a clever deconstruction of the many dark sides of the industrial and digital ages. It's one of the best sci-fi movies of the '90s that nobody remembers, an unforgettable post-apocalyptic urban adventure that trades its predecessor's gritty black-and-white aesthetics for a shiny, chromed color palette. It certainly does not fit all potential viewers' palates, but those who like to see cyberpunk at its most extreme ought to check it out at least once.

8 'Until the End of the World' (1991)

One of the most nearly-perfect sci-fi movies ever, Until the End of the World is about a couple's relationship falling apart while a nuclear satellite threatens to fall out of orbit and destroy Earth. Starring the incredible William Hurt and Solveig Dommartin and clocking in at nearly three hours of runtime, this Wim Wenders masterpiece is one of the most unique road trip movies ever made—certainly one of the only ones that mixes the genre with science fiction.

The film was both a critical and commercial failure when it first came out, but with time, it has become one of the most underappreciated cult classics of the 1990s. Moody, funny, and following a dreamlike logic that's hard to resist, it's a unique artistic achievement that proves the heights that cyberpunk can reach when done right. The nearly 5-hour-long director's cut of the film is somehow even better, but regardless of which version you watch, Until the End of the World is a sprawling sci-fi saga that hijacks your attention and doesn't let go.