Flickering Myth's Top 10 Sci-Fi Movies of All-Time

Flickering Myth give their Top 10 Sci-Fi Movies of All-Time….Ever since we went on a trip to the moon back in 1902, we as a cinema audience have been obsessed with science-fiction movies.Here at Flickering Myth HQ, we are self-professed sci-fi fans/nerds and with that in mind, we pooled out collective minds together to create our Top 10 Sci-Fi Movies of all-time!Each writer submitted their personal top 10s and each movie voted for achieved a score. Those scores were counted and verified and a winner was crowned.22 writers and editorial staff voted for a total of 71 films, but only 10 can make the illustrious list.So, without further ado, let’s look at Flickering Myth’s Top 10 Sci-Fi Movies of All-Time…10. The Matrix (1999)Directed by The Wachowski BrothersStarring Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne MOss, Hugo Weaving and Joe PantolianoA computer hacker learns from mysterious rebels about the true nature of his reality and his role in the war against its controllers.Like many of the movies in the top 10, the impact The Matrix had one modern science fiction movies is undeniable. From its style, tone and “wire-fu” choreography was copied, imitated but never bettered. Many people left the cinemas with the most puzzled look on their faces as they tried to make heads or tails of the plot, but it really has stood the test of time – even if its sequels didn’t quite hit the same bar of quality.“Perhaps the bench mark for modern day sci-fi, The Matrix explored the possibility that real life is merely a forced perception fed to us by human-harbouring machines, tackling themes of stoicism blended with riveting, never before seen action sequences. It also made us think twice about deja-vu.” Gavin Logan, Staff Writer9. The Terminator (1984)Directed by James CameronStarring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Michael Biehn, Linda Hamilton, Paul Winfield and Lance HenriksenA human-looking indestructible cyborg is sent from 2029 to 1984 to assassinate a waitress, whose unborn son will lead humanity in a war against the machines, while a soldier from that war is sent to protect her at all costs.James Cameron purchased the script for The Terminator from then wife Gale Anne Hurd for just $1. The script itself was based on a nightmare that Cameron had of a deadly robot rising from a fire and it would give birth to one of the greatest action stars of our generation, Michael Biehn.Just kidding, we mean Linda Hamilton’s marvellous mullet.“By far and away their greatest achievements, Cameron and Schwarzenegger,were a match made in heaven in 1984’s influential sci-fi opus. As smart, unrelenting and unstoppable as it’s title character, The Terminator is as impressive now as it was some three decades ago.” Scott Davis, Staff Writer8. Aliens (1986)Directed by James CameronStarring Sigourney Weaver, Carrie Henn, Michael Biehn, Paul Reiser, Lance Henriksen, Bill Paxton, Jenette Goldstein and William HopeFifty seven years after Ellen Ripley survived her disastrous ordeal, her escape vessel is recovered after drifting across the galaxy as she slept in cryogenic stasis. After all communication with the colony on LV-426 is lost, Ripley aides a team of tough, rugged space marines on a rescue mission to find out if there are any survivors.The second appearance of James Cameron (as well as Michael Biehn and Lance Henriksen) in our Top 10, Aliens is the action-orientated sequel to Ridley Scott’s Alien. Rather than repeat the successful formula, Cameron turned the franchise up to 11 with some great action, terrifying horror and brilliant one-liners.Many have debated which is better, Alien or Aliens – and it looks like Aliens might have been beaten on this occasion.Or has it…?“James Cameron redefined the meaning of bigger and better with his pulse pounding follow up to Alien. A great cast , incredible set design and special effects work, the pulse rifles and motion trackers, not to mention an iconic action heroine in Sigourney Weaver, all combined to make Aliens a non stop thrill ride . Not only is Aliens my favourite sci-fi, for me it’s the greatest sequel ever made and my favourite film of all time.” Kris Wall, Staff Writer7. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1992)Directed by James CameronStarring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Edward Furlong, Robert Patrick, Joe Morton and Earl BoenA cyborg, identical to the one who failed to kill Sarah Connor, must now protect her teenage son, John, from a more advanced cyborg, made out of liquid metal.Our third appearance in a row for James Cameron here in our Top 10!Like he did with Aliens, Terminator 2: Judgment Day (no ‘e’ in Judgement) is a bigger movie compared to its lower-key predecessor and this time sees Arnie as the hero going against the advanced T-1000 to save John Conner. Not only is Terminator 2: Judgment Day hailed as being better than the original movie, it’s often cited as the greatest sequel ever made.“When you talk about Terminator 2: Judgment Day, should you talk about one of the strongest female roles in film history? What about the ground-breaking SFX or the blood pumping soundtrack? How about the fact that it’s arguably both Cameron and Schwarzenegger’s best work? Nope. It’s easier just to say that it deserves to be watched as it’s still one of the damn coolest movies ever made!” Ozzy Armstrong, Staff Writer6. Back to the Future (1985)Directed by Robert ZemeckisStarring Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Crispin Glover, Thomas F. Wilson and Claudia WellsA young man is accidentally sent 30 years into the past in a time-traveling DeLorean invented by his friend, Dr. Emmett Brown, and must make sure his high-school-age parents unite in order to save his own existence.Members of a certain generation will have fond memories of Back to the Future. Whether it was running out the VHS tapes because it was watched ad nauseum, taping the edited-for-TV versions off BBC One or attending special screenings, Back to the Future has a special place in the heart of many. And rightly so.“DeLoreans. Flux Capacitors, Clock Towers and Buddy Holly renditions. This sci-fi classic had everything and launched Michael J Fox to superstardom. And that was before he even got on a Hoverboard! Heart-warming, reaffirming and effortlessly engaging, Back to the Future has aged gracefully. Though, the less said about that Secret Cinema screening, the better…” Ray Willmott, Staff Writer5. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)Directed by Stanley KubrickStarring Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood, William Sylvester and Douglas RainHumanity finds a mysterious, obviously artificial, object buried beneath the Lunar surface and, with the intelligent computer H.A.L. 9000, sets off on a quest.The Godfather of science-fiction movies, Stanely Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey is unparalleled. Spanning from the dawn of man to the infinite and beyond. Every scene is iconic. HAL’s beady, red eye. Those imposing monoliths. The spaceship and space-station pirouetting in an interstellar dance to Strauss’ The Blue Danube.“Every time I watch it (I attend at least one screening annually at the cinema), I come away with something different. A new favourite scene, an alternative interpretation. It covers the entire scope of human existence, contains the best jump cut EVER in cinema and is the basis for roughly 40% of all of The Simpsons’ pop culture jokes.” Oliver Davis, Co-Editor4. Star Wars (1977)Directed by George LucasStarring Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Alec Guinness, Peter Mayhew Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker and James Earl JonesLuke Skywalker joins forces with a Jedi Knight, a cocky pilot, a wookiee and two droids to save the universe from the Empire’s world-destroying battle-station, while also attempting to rescue Princess Leia from the evil Darth Vader.It wouldn’t be a science fiction movie list without at least one entry from George Lucas’ pop culture phenomenon Star Wars. Before there was a “saga”, this little movie opened in 1977 and created a juggernaut that has yet to be stopped and/or slowed down. Not even Jar-Jar Binks can stop Star Wars.Fun fact – every actor in Star Wars got an action figure of themselves as a keepsake. Mark Hamill on the other hand asked for one of every toy they make – a deal that is still held up today. Every month, Hamill gets a shipment of the latest Star Wars toys which he stores in various warehouses.“Starting the saga with those cinematically immortal lines, and the incredible opening scene of that huge spaceship passing overhead, it is part of the reason the word “Blockbuster” is used today. Unlike its sequels, it needs no introduction and almost every scene has moments and quotes which will continue to be used for a long, long time to come.” J-P Wooding, Staff Writer3. Alien (1979)Directed by Ridley ScottStarring Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, Veronica Cartwright, Harry Dead Stanton, John Hurt, Ian Holm and Yaphet KottoThe commercial vessel Nostromo receives a distress call from an unexplored planet. After searching for survivors, the crew heads home only to realize that a deadly bioform has joined them.Well, it appears the question of ‘which is better, Alien or Aliens?’ has been answered somewhat by our writing staff.Dark, moody and claustrophobic, Ridley Scott’s Alien is perhaps the pinacle of science fiction horror as a group unknowingly let a deadly alien onboard their ship. It gets better with every watch and has easily the greatest female lead in science fiction history.“Influencing countless films including Sunshine and Moon, Alien uniquely mashes up horror and science-fiction. Artist H.R. Giger creates erotica-fused biology to create a phallus-headed beast and white walls are merely blank canvases for blood. Ridley Scott is the genius that merged art and cinema together, to be appreciated forever after. In space, no one can hear you scream. In Sci-Fi, no-one can think of anything more horrific than Alien.” Simon Columb, Staff Writer2. Blade Runner (1982)Directed by Ridley ScottStarring Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Sean Young, Edward James Olmos, Daryl Hannah and Joe TurkelA Blade Runner must pursue and try to terminate four replicants who stole a ship in space and have returned to Earth to find their creator.It was neck and neck between Blade Runner and our number one spot, and it was in the last few votes that the decision was swung. Losing out by just one point, Blade Runner is Flickering Myth’s second greatest science fiction movie ever made. Ridley Scott makes a second appearance in a row with a movie that really is a benchmark for the genre. It truly is a spectacle that needs to be seen again and again.“Regardless of which version of Blade Runner you watch, one thing remains constant; the film is an exemplary entry into both the Science Fiction genre, the neo-noir sub-genre, and to the history of film in general. Notorious for disagreements on set, voiceover endings, the question of Deckard’s true origins, and of course “tears in the rain”, Ridley Scott’s film offers so many layers of depth beyond it’s own multi-layered production history that it rewards on every single watch without fail. Over three decades since it’s first release, it is a testament to the film’s style, ingenuity, and vision of the future that it is still being referenced, copied, stolen from… but never bettered.” Rohan Morbey, Staff WriterBut what was our number one choice?1. Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes BackDirected by Irvin KershnerStarring Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker, Peter Mayhew, Frank Oz, Billy Dee Williams and James Earl JonesAfter the rebels have been brutally overpowered by the Empire on their newly established base, Luke Skywalker takes advanced Jedi training with Master Yoda, while his friends are pursued by Darth Vader as part of his plan to capture Luke.Taking first place on Flickering Myth’s Top 10 Sci-Fi Movies of All-Time is Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back. Could it have been anything else?The second Star Wars movie on our top 10 (Return of the Jedi came in at #33), Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back is often cited as the best of the saga and is a firm fan-favourite among the Star Wars universe.Adventure? Excitement? A Jedi may crave not these things, but the audience certainly did – and it delivers by the bucket load.“So, how do you follow-up a game-changing movie like Star Wars? With The Empire Strikes Back, that’s how. Packed with action, adventure and excitement at every turn – and perhaps the greatest twist in cinema history – The Empire Strikes Back is a near-perfect slice of space opera that remains unmatched to this day.” Gary Collinson, editor-in-chiefClick the next button to see the movies that didn’t make the top 10 as well as our personal picks…What’s interesting, from a certain point of view, is that neither the top 10 – or the below top 20 – contain a single Star Trek movie with only four of our writers voting for the seminal franchise. For the record, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan came in at #21.So, here’s the 10 movies that just missed out on the cut…11. Inception (2012, dir. Christopher Nolan)12. The Thing (1982, dir. John Carpenter)13. Planet of the Apes (1968, dir. Franklin J. Schaffner)14. Jurassic Park (1993, dir. Steven Spielberg)15. District 9 (2009, dir. Neill Blomkamp)16. Predator (1987, dir. John McTiernan)17. RoboCop (1987, dir. Paul Verhoeven)18. Sunshine (2007, dir. Danny Boyle)19. Ghostbusters (1984, dir. Ivan Reitman)20. Moon (2009, dir. Duncan Jones)And here are the personal number one choices, as voted by our writers and editorial staff:Ozzy Armstrong – StargateTom Jolliffe – Blade RunnerJessie Robertson – Star WarsMatt Skeen – Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes BackKris Wall – AliensAnthony Stokes – Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless MindLuke Owen – Blade RunnerAmy Richau – AlienAlice Rush – AlienJ-P Wooding – Star WarsScott Davis – Blade RunnerChris Cooper – Jurassic ParkOliver Davis – 2001: A Space OdysseyVillordsutch – 2001: A Space OdysseySimon Columb – AlienRohan Morbey – Blade RunnerGary Collinson – Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes BackRobert Kojder – A Clockwork OrangePaul Risker – Blade RunnerJames Garcia – Star WarsRay Willmott – Blade RunnerGavin Logan – InceptionDo you agree with Flickering Myth’s Top 10 Sci-Fi Movies of All-Time? Let us know in the comments section below and let us know what your pick would have been!

Flickering Myth’s Top 10 Sci-Fi Movies of All-Time

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