Great science fiction films have taken us into outer space to explore the galaxy and aliens in their own habitats. They've also kept our feet right here on Earth, warping reality with alternate universes, time loops and close encounters of the reverse kind. But, according to Jeffe Kennedy, an author and the president of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Association, there's even more to stellar sci-fi.

"A great science fiction movie reminds us of our humanity — that no matter how technology may change, no matter how grim the world might become, there are always people who rise up to the challenge, who inspire us to fight for good in our own lives," she says. "We cannot know what the future will bring, but it sure is fun to speculate!"

The boom in great science fiction movies makes it impossible to share all the truly great ones, so we worked on a list of 20, which includes several franchises. Ahead, the best sci-fi cinema you can rent or stream right now. May the force be with you!

'Metropolis' (1927)

Made nearly 100 years, the art deco city of the future still looks incredible — and the film has a powerful message about class divide. Over the decades, multiple versions have been released, with varying degrees of success.

Stream it on Tubi

'The Day the Earth Stood Still' (1951)

An alien lands on Earth with an ultimatum: Learn to live in peace or be destroyed as a menace to other planets. The 2008 remake updates the anti-nuclear war message from the Cold War era to better reflect humanity's effect on the environment.

Rent the original on YouTube

'2001: A Space Odyssey' (1968)

Stanley Kubrick's groundbreaking classic (based on the Arthur C. Clarke story) wasn't the first science fiction movie, but it helped humanity envision not just what going to the stars might be like, but what encountering truly alien minds might entail. It also gave us a healthy fear of computers named HAL. The 1984 sequel, "2010: The Year We Make Contact," is less obscure in its…

Randee Dawn

Read full article