The 10 Best Space Movies, According To Ranker | ScreenRant
The space movie genre features a variety of different styles, ranging from science fiction, horror, survival, and even fantasy. Film franchises like Star Wars have established space-based entries as great crowd-pullers, with hundreds of features now ready for viewing. The rise in streaming services now makes it possible for viewers to watch the best ones out there.
Voters on Ranker have cast thousands of ratings on movies that are either set in space or about aliens from beyond Earth that heavily tie into the plot. Since there are so many votes taken into consideration, there’s no doubt that this is the cream of the crop for binge-watchers who are looking for space movies to enjoy.
10 Serenity (2005) - Stream On Starz
The follow-up to the TV series of the same name, Serenity is about the crew of the titular spaceship. In 2517, the Serenity embarks on a mission in deep space when they come across a psychic, who learns their secrets, which includes Captain Malcolm’s (Nathan Fillion) time in the Unification War.
The Serenity franchise never took off in terms of commercial popularity and, much like the preceding show, the movie didn’t fare well in viewership. However, its dedicated fanbase ensures Serenity remains known, as it shows up among the most-liked space movies. On its own, the film does a great job of balancing serious themes and humor, thanks to the chemistry between the cast.
9 Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) - Stream On Disney+
The space movie genre would never have been the mainstream hit it is without this movie. Star Wars: A New Hope features beloved characters, action set pieces, and introduces the Force. It has a simple premise of Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and Han Solo (Harrison Ford) rescuing Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), but Luke’s training in the Jedi ways and the fight against the Empire make this a highly memorable story.
A New Hope is the happiest of all Star Wars movies, in that it’s a classic good versus evil story where the protagonists are set up to prevail. The different worlds the characters visit and space battles really drive home the sci-fi nature of the film, which remains popular even nearly five decades later.
8 The Abyss (1989) - Stream On Starz
The nature of The Abyss as a space movie is hidden until the end, where a big plot twist takes place. The main story is about Bud (Ed Harris) and Dr. Lindsey’s (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio) investigations over the sinking of a nuclear submarine, following which they learn that a city of aliens resides underwater.
The Abyss is lauded for the breathtaking visuals on display, with the cinematography showing Earth’s underwater regions in an entirely different light. The film is also praised for putting a spin on an alien-based story, as the beings from space use Earth as their base of operations.
7 The Fifth Element (1997) - Stream On Fubo TV
Set in 2263, The Fifth Element is about an impending attack from outer space by a malevolent entity. Here, aliens known as Mondoshawans are allies of Earth as everyone searches for the fifth element needed to complete the defense of Earth. Bruce Willis and Mila Jovovich star as protagonists Korben and Leelo, with the latter the living embodiment of the element that’s required while Korben keeps her safe.
Fans appreciate the approach to The Fifth Element’s wacky world, which also has impressive visuals and an interesting take on what society will be like in the future. It's largely considered among the best movies starring Bruce Willis, as it plays to his action genre strengths and penchant for comedy.
6 Close Encounters Of The Third Kind (1977) - Stream On ITunes
There are many ways Close Encounters holds up to this day, as Steven Spielberg’s space movie is credited with introducing mature themes to the genre. Here, Roy Neary (Richard Dreyfuss) encounters a UFO and becomes obsessed with finding it and proving to everyone that he came into contact with aliens.
The movie looks into the themes of obsession and extreme belief, as Roy loses his family and friends in his bid to prove the existence of extraterrestrials. The aliens in question are presented with a sense of wonder for viewers to really feel as if their presence is supposed to be profound.
5 Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980) - Stream On Disney+
There are plenty of dark moments in The Empire Strikes Back that enable it to heavily contrast with its predecessor. The follow-up to A New Hope sees Darth Vader (James Earl Jones) rise up in the Emperor’s name to take over the galaxy and cripple the resistance’s efforts.
The movie sees Luke Skywalker on the journey to embrace his past and mature as a Jedi, with Darth Vader ultimately revealing that he’s Luke’s father. The impact of such a massive revelation remains engrained within pop culture. The Empire Strikes Back is likewise considered a masterpiece in both the space genre and filmmaking overall.
4 Star Wars: Episode VI - Return Of The Jedi (1983) - Stream On Disney+
The final entry in the original Star Wars trilogy culminates in the battle for the galaxy, as Luke, Han, and Leia rally the resistance against the Empire. Luke and Darth Vader have their climactic clash, with the Emperor himself making his presence known. Return of the Jedi was the biggest space movie made at the time, whose grand finale is still appreciated.
While critical reception to the movie is relatively lower than that of the earlier two films, Return of the Jedi has a greater fan following. It blends A New Hope’s courageous themes with The Empire Strikes Back’s darkness to wrap up Luke’s hero’s journey, while giving Darth Vader a true redemption story.
3 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) - Stream On HBO Max
Set across a series of events happening in space, 2001: A Space Odyssey’s core outline is about a voyage to Jupiter where supercomputer HAL becomes malevolent while the protagonists discover an alien monolith. Stanley Kubrick’s feature is largely lauded for the groundbreaking special effects that ushered in a new style of presentation into filmmaking.
The film is made in such a way that viewers can feel the sense of claustrophobia and paranoia that the main characters are going through. It’s a part-psychological thriller and part science fiction that amazes just as much as it brings in the scares. More than anything, 2001: A Space Odyssey is praised for ushering in daring filmmaking techniques for years to come.
2 Alien (1979) - Stream On The Roku Channel
Sigourney Weaver’s Ripley is considered to be one of the greatest heroes in cinema and she got her start in Alien. A science-fiction horror, the story sees the crew members of the Nostromo spacecraft coming into contact with the titular extraterrestrial that wreaks havoc on the ship.
Alien’s science fiction and horror elements have arguably still not been bettered by a movie four decades after its release. Fans keep returning to the film for the thrills it provides and the way it makes space seem like the most hellish place to be. It sparked a massive franchise but the original Alien remains the nearest and dear to viewers.
1 Apollo 13 (1995) - Stream On iTunes
While the majority of space movies feature larger-than-life fictional or fantasy elements, Apollo 13 plays it straight with a realistic approach. It’s a docudrama about the lunar mission of the Apollo 13 spacecraft that is aborted when the crew members’ lives are threatened, as they have to figure out a way to return to Earth.
Apollo 13 feels very much authentic because it tells a true story, with the main cast of Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, and Bill Paxton all doing justice to Ron Howard’s direction. The sense of realism and fear for the men’s lives are felt both within the film and within audiences, as Apollo 13 ticks all the boxes needed to be a masterclass in the genre.