1Dune: Part Two
Denis VilleneuveSpectacle with a soul.
Best overallWhy buy
- Masterful direction
- Memorable score
- Rewatchable
Keep in mind
- Slow first act
- Bleak tone
$209.6
Rank #1Loading page
The 7 Best Sci-Fi Movies of the Decade
Watched twice each — once alone, once with company.
Leo NakamuraGaming & Culture EditorUpdated 6mo ago 821K reads
Verified
Winner
Dune: Part Two
Overview
Sci-fi is where cinema tests its biggest ideas — and where it most often fails them. We rewatched 40 contenders from the last ten years to find the seven that are great on a first watch and better on a second.
Winner spotlight
And the winner is…
№1Dune: Part Two
by Denis VilleneuveDune: Part Two is blockbuster filmmaking at its absolute peak: spectacle with a soul, politics with a pulse, and a sandworm sequence that earned its place in cinema history. It's the rare epic that justifies every one of its 166 minutes.
Best overall$20
At a glance
Quick comparison
| Pick | #1 Dune: Part Two $20 | #2 Interstellar $15 | #3 Blade Runner 2049 $15 | #4 Everything Everywhere All at Once $15 | #5 Arrival $13 | #6 Ex Machina $13 | #7 The Martian $13 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Score | 9.6 | 9.5 | 9.4 | 9.3 | 9.2 | 8.7 | 8.8 |
| Direction | Masterful | Brilliant | Excellent | Great | Great | Good | Good |
| Story | Masterpiece | Outstanding | Excellent | Great | Great | Good | Good |
| Visuals | Landmark | Stunning | Beautiful | Great | Good | Good | Good |
| Rewatch value | Endless | Very high | High | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
The list
The top 7, ranked
Ordered by overall score across every test. The “best for” note tells you exactly who each pick is for.
1
2Interstellar
Christopher NolanLove, physics and a docking scene.
IMAXWhy buy
- Stunning visuals
- Tight storytelling
- Great performances
Keep in mind
- Three-hour runtime
- Requires rewatch
$159.5
Rank #2
3Blade Runner 2049
Denis VilleneuveThe sequel that shouldn't exist — and does.
Visual poetryWhy buy
- Memorable score
- Rewatchable
- Bold ambition
Keep in mind
- Dense lore
- Polarising ending
$159.4
Rank #3
4Everything Everywhere All at Once
DanielsMultiverse chaos, human heart.
OriginalityWhy buy
- Tight storytelling
- Great performances
- Masterful direction
Keep in mind
- Bleak tone
- Not for everyone
$159.3
Rank #4
5Arrival
Denis VilleneuveFirst contact as a love story.
Smart sci-fiWhy buy
- Rewatchable
- Bold ambition
- Stunning visuals
Keep in mind
- Requires rewatch
- Slow first act
$139.2
Rank #56Ex Machina
Alex GarlandA Turing test with teeth.
Tight thrillerWhy buy
- Great performances
- Masterful direction
- Memorable score
Keep in mind
- Polarising ending
- Three-hour runtime
$138.7
Rank #67The Martian
Ridley ScottScience saves the day, joyfully.
Fun sci-fiWhy buy
- Bold ambition
- Stunning visuals
- Tight storytelling
Keep in mind
- Not for everyone
- Dense lore
$138.8
Rank #7Deep dive
Feature matrix
| Feature | Dune: Part Two | Interstellar | Blade Runner 2049 | Everything Everywhere All at Once | Arrival | Ex Machina | The Martian |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Director's cut | |||||||
| Soundtrack | |||||||
| Practical effects | |||||||
| Awards season | |||||||
| IMAX experience | |||||||
| Streaming | |||||||
| Sequels | |||||||
| Theatrical cut |
The verdict
Pros & cons
What we love
- Ambition matched by craft
- Rewatch value is the real test
- Practical effects make a comeback
- Streaming availability is strong
Watch out for
- Three-hour runtimes are common
- Some demand prior context
- Dense lore divides rooms
- Bleak tones aren't for everyone
Before you buy
Buyer's guide
Every film was watched twice: once alone with full attention, once with company. Rankings weigh direction, story, visuals and the much harder metric — rewatch value.
Mood is a metric. The best film for a rainy Tuesday is rarely the best film for a flight. Our scores are absolute; your choice should be situational.
The winner of our The 7 Best Sci-Fi Movies of the Decade ranking is the pick that scored highest across every test — but 'best overall' isn't always 'best for you'. Use the 'Best for' note under each of the seven to match a pick to your budget, your space and your habits. Every entry on this list earned its place; the ranking simply tells you where to start.
Questions
Frequently asked
It has to be great on a first watch and better on a second. Ambition, craft and staying power matter more than box office.
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