Hello everyone and welcome to my channel. If you're looking for some hidden gems in
the sci-fi genre, you've come to the right place. In this video, I'm going to show you some
of the most underrated sci-fi films that you should watch at least once. These are films that may have been overlooked
or underrated when they were released. Some suffer from bad timing or marketing. Others are simply too innovative for audiences
to fully grasp at the time of their release. but they have something special
and creative
to offer the genre. Whether it's a clever plot twist, a stunning
visual style, a thought-provoking premise or a memorable performance, these films will
surprise and delight you. But which one do you think is the most underrated? Let me know in the comments and let's get
started! The Abyss (20th Century Fox) James Cameron is a master of blockbuster cinema,
with hits like the Terminator series, Titanic, and Avatar under his belt. But there is one of his most ambitious and
overlooked p
rojects, the 1989 sci-fi adventure The Abyss. It tells the story of a team of scientists
sent to investigate a sunken nuclear submarine at the bottom of the ocean. There they encounter a hostile environment,
a mysterious force, and a possible encounter with aliens. The film was a passion project for Cameron,
who was fascinated by the underwater world and wanted to push the boundaries of filmmaking
technology. He designed a complex system of underwater
cameras, lighting and sets to create a reali
stic and immersive experience for the audience. The production was plagued by delays, accidents,
and budget overruns. It cost $43 million to make, but grossed only
$54 million in the U.S. He also demanded a lot from his actors, who had to endure long
hours in a giant water tank, wearing heavy diving suits and breathing apparatus. Ed Harris and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio,
who starred as a divorced couple who still have feelings for each other, nearly died
during filming and have since refused to
speak publicly about the movie. Critics praised the visual effects and stunning
underwater scenes, but criticized the film for being "overlong" and "implausible" with
a "ridiculous" finale. It was also poorly timed. Two other films with similar themes, had bombed
earlier that year, so audiences lost interest in another underwater thriller. The Abyss remains one of Cameron's most underrated
films, though it shows his visionary talent and ability to create exciting and emotional
stories. Dark Cit
y (New Line Cinema) A year before The Matrix blew everyone away
with its sci-fi twist on reality, another film explored similar concepts with a noir
aesthetic and a mind-bending plot. Dark City is a cult classic that deserves
greater recognition for its originality and creativity. Directed by Alex Proyas, Dark City follows
the story of John Murdoch (Rufus Sewell), who wakes up in a strange hotel room with
no memory and a murder scene. He soon realizes that he lives in a city that
is constantly b
eing manipulated by mysterious entities that can alter people's memories
and identities. He must find out who he is and what is going
on before they catch him. Dark City pays homage to many cinematic influences,
from the expressionist masterpiece Metropolis to the cyberpunk anime Akira to the neo-noir
Blade Runner. Some critics dismissed it as derivative, while
others hailed it as a "masterpiece" and a "triumph. Roger Ebert gave it four stars and later called
it one of his "great films". The mov
ie was not well received by test audiences,
who found it confusing and dark. In addition, and worst of all, the studio
decided to cut some scenes and add a voice-over narration that revealed the main twist in
the first minute. Proyas was unhappy with this decision and
felt that the film was "lost" in the marketing process. The film had a budget of $27 million, but
only made $5 million in its opening weekend. Dark City is a film that deserves to be rediscovered
and appreciated for its artistic vi
sion and philosophical questions. The film uses its production design and cinematography
to create a unique and compelling world that reflects its themes of identity, memory, and
reality. The film also has a surprising twist that
reveals the true nature of the city and its inhabitants. The film explores what makes us human and
what defines our reality in a way that is both thrilling and thought-provoking. Event Horizon (Paramount Pictures) Event Horizon was a flop when it was released
in 1997. C
ritics panned it as a mess of a movie that
was too violent, too confusing, and too derivative. Set in the year 2047, the movie follows a
crew of astronauts sent to find out what happened to a spaceship called the Event Horizon, which
disappeared into a black hole seven years earlier. When they arrive at the ship, they find it
deserted. But as they explore its dark and twisted interior,
they discover they are not alone. The film had a troubled production from the
start. When Titanic was delayed,
Paramount gave director
Paul WS Anderson a hefty $60 million budget and unprecedented creative control, urging
him to quickly bring his vision to life. With a penchant for horror, Anderson set out
to create a chilling sci-fi tale inspired more by the psychological terror of The Shining
than the cerebral journey of 2001: A Space Odyssey. However, the first cut of the film, which
veered into gruesome and disturbing territory, was met with vehement disapproval from test
audiences. Recognizing the n
eed for significant changes,
Anderson was forced to cut numerous scenes and tone down the explicit violence that had
initially shocked viewers. This process undoubtedly left the final version
of Event Horizon a far cry from his original vision. Unfortunately, when the movie finally emerged
in its revised form, it failed to resonate with audiences and critics alike. The visceral violence, which had been toned
down, still left a lasting impression and contributed to the negative reception. As fate
would have it, Event Horizon plummeted
at the box office, grossing only $26 million. This significant financial loss dealt a devastating
blow to Paramount, adding to the disappointment surrounding the ill-fated project. But in the years since its release, Event
Horizon has gained a cult following. Even its tonal shift from sci-fi mystery to
horror nightmare is praised, with the third act being one of the most terrifying and shocking
depictions of hell ever shown on screen. John Carter (Walt Dis
ney Studios Motion Pictures) John Carter is one of the most infamous box
office bombs in history. It was supposed to launch a new blockbuster
franchise for Disney, but instead it became a huge financial disaster. The movie follows a Civil War soldier who
is transported to the red planet, where he becomes involved in a war between different
alien races. The movie was directed by Andrew Stanton,
who had previously made such hits as Finding Nemo and Wall-E for Pixar. The movie had a rich and imagin
ative world,
full of strange and wonderful creatures, and a hero as adventurous as Burroughs' other
famous creation, Tarzan. Disney invested about $350 million in the
movie, hoping to recoup their investment with a massive box office hit. But the movie needed to make at least $600
million to break even, and it fell far short of that goal. It resulted in a $200 million loss for Disney,
which led them to buy Lucasfilm a year later and focus on more reliable franchises like
Marvel and Star Wars. Jo
hn Carter may be known as the biggest flop
of all time, but it was not as bad as its reputation suggests. Critics loved its original world-building
and stunning visual effects. Ironically, the source material - the Edgar
Rice Burroughs series - may have hurt John Carter's chances of success. Both George Lucas and James Cameron have cited
Burroughs' stories as inspiration for Star Wars and Avatar, respectively. And by the time John Carter finally made it
to the big screen, everyone already knew t
he exact same plot. Blade Runner 2049 (Warner Bros.) One of the most ambitious and daring sequels
ever made, Blade Runner 2049 is a stunning achievement that honors and extends the legacy
of Ridley Scott's 1982 sci-fi classic Blade Runner. Set 30 years after the original film, Blade
Runner 2049 follows K (Ryan Gosling), a replicant blade runner who hunts down and "retires"
rogue replicants. His life changes when he stumbles upon a shocking
discovery: the remains of a female replicant who died wh
ile giving birth. This revelation threatens to upset the fragile
balance between humans and Replicants, sending K on a quest to find the missing child and
the truth about his own identity. Blade Runner 2049 is a visual masterpiece
that immerses the viewer in a dystopian future that feels both familiar and alien. The film's cinematography, production design
and special effects are stunning, creating a rich and detailed world full of mystery
and wonder. The film's score, composed by Hans Zimmer
an
d Benjamin Wallfisch, is haunting and atmospheric, echoing the iconic music of Vangelis from
the original film. Despite its critical acclaim and loyal fan
base, Blade Runner 2049 was a box office disappointment, grossing only $240 million worldwide against
a budget of $155 million. The film's failure can be attributed to several
factors, including its lengthy running time (nearly three hours), its R-rating (limiting
its appeal to younger audiences), its complex and cerebral plot (requiring famil
iarity with
the original film), and its lack of mainstream stars (aside from Ford). However, these factors also make the movie
a rare and remarkable work of art that respects its source material and challenges its audience. Blade Runner 2049 is not a conventional blockbuster
that panders to the lowest common denominator; it is a visionary and intelligent sci-fi epic
that explores profound themes of identity, memory, humanity, and destiny. Annihilation (Paramount Pictures) Annihilation is a mind-
bending sci-fi thriller
that explores the horrors and wonders of nature and human nature. Based on the first novel in the Southern Reach
trilogy by Jeff VanderMeer, Annihilation was written and directed by Alex Garland, who
previously helmed the acclaimed Ex Machina. The film stars Natalie Portman as Lena, a
former soldier and current biologist who joins a covert mission into a mysterious zone called
Area X. Area X is a quarantined region where an alien
meteorite has created a shimmering dome th
at alters the environment and life forms within
it. Lena's husband Kane (Oscar Isaac) was part
of a previous expedition to Area X, but he returned a shell of his former self and fell
into a coma. Lena hopes to find answers and a cure for
him by venturing into the unknown with four other women: a psychologist (Jennifer Jason
Leigh), a physicist (Tessa Thompson), a geologist (Tuva Novotny), and a paramedic (Gina Rodriguez). What they discover inside Area X is both beautiful
and terrifying, as they
encounter mutated creatures, surreal landscapes, and disturbing
secrets. Annihilation is a visually stunning and intellectually
stimulating film that challenges viewers to question their own perceptions of reality. The film's sound design and score, composed
by Ben Salisbury and Geoff Barrow, are equally immersive and atmospheric, enhancing the mood
and tension of the film. The film's cast delivers powerful performances,
especially Portman, who portrays Lena's complex emotions and motivations w
ith nuance and intensity. Despite positive reviews and a loyal fan base,
Annihilation was a box office flop, grossing only $43 million worldwide against a budget
of $40-55 million. Paramount Pictures, the studio behind the
film, lost confidence in the film after test screenings showed that audiences found it
too confusing and intellectual. They decided to sell the international distribution
rights to Netflix, which meant that the film was released theatrically only in North America
and China. Th
is decision robbed many viewers of the chance
to experience the film on the big screen, where its visual effects and sound design
would have been more impactful. Alien: Covenant (20th Century Fox) Alien: Covenant is a sci-fi horror film that
continues the Ridley Scott's saga, it is both a sequel to 2012's Prometheus and a prequel
to Alien, bridging the gap between the origins of the monstrous Xenomorphs and their encounter
with the crew of the Nostromo. The movie follows the crew of the Covenant
,
a colony ship on its way to a new planet, Origae-6, where they hope to establish a new
home for humanity. However, a freak accident forces them to divert
their course to a nearby planet that seems more hospitable and promising. There they discover the wreckage of the Prometheus
and its sole survivor, David (Michael Fassbender), the android who has been experimenting with
the alien life forms for over a decade. David lures the unsuspecting crew into a trap,
unleashing his creations upon them an
d revealing his sinister plan to wipe out humanity and
create a new species. The film's action sequences are intense and
visceral, featuring some of the most gruesome and inventive kills in the series. The film's visual effects are stunning and
realistic, creating a vivid and immersive world that is both familiar and alien. Despite positive reviews and a loyal fan base,
Alien: Covenant was a box office disappointment, grossing only $240 million worldwide against
a budget of $97-111 million. The
film's failure can be attributed to several
factors, including a lack of marketing, its dark and violent tone, its complex and controversial
plot, and its crowded release date. Prometheus had a similarly mixed reception
five years earlier, but still managed to gross $400 million worldwide. Theories as to why Covenant failed to live
up to its predecessor range from franchise fatigue to gruesome content. Compared to Star Wars, Alien: Covenant has
a much more niche appeal. But despite its occasiona
lly flimsy script,
it shows Ridley Scott at his best, combining the body horror of the original Alien with
the philosophizing about what it means to be human that he explored in Blade Runner. These qualities are matched by awe-inspiring
visuals of a pristine planet, a decaying spaceship, and even more realistic aliens, making Covenant
a standout addition to the series. Ad Astra (20th Century Fox) Ad Astra is a sci-fi drama that follows the
personal and cosmic journey of Roy McBride (Brad Pitt),
an astronaut who embarks on a
mission to find his missing father and save the world. Directed by James Gray and co-written by Gray
and Ethan Gross, Ad Astra is a visually stunning and emotionally resonant film that explores
themes of isolation, identity and humanity. The film is set in the near future, where
humanity has expanded its presence in the solar system, but also faces a mysterious
threat from power surges emanating from Neptune. Roy McBride is a quiet and stoic space veteran
who works
for the U.S. Space Command (SpaceCom), a branch of the military that operates in
space. He is informed that his father, Clifford McBride
(Tommy Lee Jones), a legendary astronaut who led the Lima Project, a mission to search
for intelligent life beyond Neptune, may still be alive and responsible for the surges. Roy agrees to travel to Mars to try to contact
his father and stop the surges. Along the way, he faces many dangers and challenges,
both physical and psychological, as he uncovers the trut
h about his father and himself. Ad Astra is a critically acclaimed film that
received praise for its cinematography, production design, score, and performances, especially
Pitt's. The film was nominated for an Academy Award
for Best Sound Mixing. However, the film was also a box office disappointment,
grossing only $135 million worldwide against a budget of $80-100 million. The film's failure can be attributed to several
factors, including a lack of marketing, a slow and introspective plot, an a
mbiguous
ending, and competition from other films. Ad Astra had limited appeal to mainstream
audiences who were expecting a more action-packed and straightforward sci-fi adventure. Ad Astra is a visionary and philosophical
sci-fi masterpiece that examines the inner and outer space of a man's soul. Under the Skin (A24) Under the Skin is a sci-fi horror film that
offers a unique and disturbing perspective on humanity and its environment. Based on the novel by Michel Faber, Under
the Skin is direct
ed by Jonathan Glazer and stars Scarlett Johansson as an alien who takes
the form of a seductive woman and roams the streets of Scotland, luring unsuspecting men
into her van. She takes them to a dark and empty house where
she leads them into a black pool that consumes them. But as she continues her predatory routine,
she begins to develop a curiosity and empathy for the people she encounters, and begins
to question her own identity and purpose. Under the Skin is a visually stunning and
daring f
ilm that defies easy categorization and explanation. The film's narrative is minimal and ambiguous,
relying more on images, sounds, and atmosphere to create a sense of dread and wonder. The film's cinematography, by Daniel Landin,
is striking and contrasting, capturing both the natural beauty and urban decay of Scotland. Despite critical acclaim, Under the Skin was
a box office failure, grossing only $7.3 million worldwide against a budget of $13.3 million. The film's failure can be attributed t
o several
factors, including its lack of marketing, its unconventional style and structure, its
challenging and disturbing content, and its limited release. Predestination (Sony Pictures Releasing) Predestination is a sci-fi thriller based
on the short story "All You Zombies" by Robert A. Heinlein, which twists and turns through
time and paradoxes. The film stars Ethan Hawke as a temporal agent
who works for a secret organization that prevents crime by traveling back in time. His latest mission
is to stop the elusive
terrorist who has killed thousands of people with his bombs. To do so, he must track down the bomber's
origin and identity, which leads him to a mysterious stranger in a bar who writes confessions. The stranger tells him his life story, which
is full of temporal paradoxes involving different versions of the same person. It would take a long time to explain all the
nuances of this story, but suffice it to say that it is about a man who is both a mother
and a father to himse
lf. Now live with it. Predestination is a mind-bending movie that
plays with the concepts of fate, free will, and identity. The movie's plot is full of surprises and
revelations as it gradually unravels the connections between the characters and their roles in
the time loop. Despite positive reviews, Predestination was
a box office failure, grossing only $5.4 million worldwide against a budget of $5 million. The film's failure can be attributed to several
factors, including its lack of marketing
, its unconventional style and structure, its
challenging and confusing plot, and its limited release. =========== And that's it for today. Thanks for watching. Feel free to share this video with your friends,
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Comments
❤🔥 Check out my new Sci-fi Top 10 Pick Video! https://youtu.be/9A8NQEWu83w
Sunshine? A massively underrated sci-fi movie
Under the skin is so good. I've never seen another film that gives off the same vibe it does.
They didn't mention it but, Upgrade surprised the hell out of me, when I saw it. Also, Arrival.
Annihilation was one of the smartest sci-fi movies I have seen in the last decade, I mean the things they created for that movie and how they explain the phenoms what happen are just out of this world.
Predestination blew my mind. I think time travel movies provoke a lot of questions about free will and causality.
The Quiet Earth is a really good sci-fi movie from 1985. It was New Zealand’s first fully produced film released world wide. A very excellent end of the world film!
Event Horizon ? It still scares the pants offa me. Overall, a great selection of films. Thanks.
Most of these movies aren't underrated!!! Maybe they had bad box offices, but today they are appreciated.
Brit Marling's Sound of My Voice - 2011 Brit Marling's Another Earth - 2011 Believers - 2007
Predestination is a masterpiece! If you love mindf....movies with great plot twists then you won´t be disappointed.
Ad Astra is an amazing sci-fi & beautiful film. The soundtrack is great too.
I’m glad John Carter is on this list. I saw it in the theaters and I thought it was a great movie! It is an absolute masterpiece!
High LIfe
Aniara
alien covenant? Are you joking?
I'd add that Alien Covenent is a decent sci-fi movie if you pretend it's not part of the Alien universe. Because if you do - it makes zero sense timeline-wise and logic-wise. It's quite a bad bad movie if you look at it from an "alien" perspective. Unfortunately, it's not a standalone movie and needs knowledge of the prior movies.
I like John Carter...
List doesn't make sense. You have some of the most loved sci-fi movies ever, The Abyss, Dark City, Event Horizon on this list. And some others like Under the Skin and Predestination Blade Runner 2049 that aren't underrated at all. Like what the hell is this list? John Carter I guess is underrated...
Annihilation was one of the smartest sci-fi movies I have seen in the last decade, I mean the things they created for that movie and how they explain the phenoms what happen are just out of this world.