Space Sci-Fi backdrop

Space Sci-Fi movies

Space is central: ships, stations, missions, alien worlds, and survival or conflict beyond Earth.

Ad Astra

21. Ad Astra

Science Fiction Drama Space Sci-Fi Psychological Drama
6.5

20192h 3min

Brazil, China

Director: James Gray

Astronaut Roy McBride sets out on a space journey to Mars to make contact with his father—a legendary astronaut whose expedition vanished without a trace 29 years ago during a mission to search for extraterrestrial intelligence.

Themes

Resilience under pressure, Duty vs father son relationship, Isolation in space walk, Longing for home world, Risk under secrecy, Exploration and consequence

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
fuboTV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Life

22. Life

Horror Science Fiction Mystery Alien Horror Space Sci-Fi
6.6

20171h 44min

United States

Director: Daniel Espinosa

The six-member crew of the International Space Station is tasked with studying a sample from Mars that may be the first proof of extra-terrestrial life, which proves more intelligent than ever expected.

Themes

Isolation in space, High stakes improvisation, Sacrifice under pressure, Emergent alien intelligence, Containment under quarantine, Technology dependence

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Redline

23. Redline

Animation Action Science Fiction Anime Vehicle-Driven Action
7.5

20091h 42min

Japan

Director: Takeshi Koike

A daredevil driver is determined to compete in Redline, the most popular race in the galaxy. The race only occurs every five years, but in order to participate he must overcome the mafia, the government and even love.

Themes

Spectacle over substance, Sporting corruption and fixed outcomes, Power dynamics under pressure, Popularity as leverage, Displacement and refugee resilience, Loyalty vs deceit

Available on

Kanopy
Hoopla
Tubi TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Battlestar Galactica: Razor

24. Battlestar Galactica: Razor

Science Fiction Action Drama Thriller TV Movie
7.6

20071h 28min

United States

Director: Félix Alcalá

The history and adventures of the Battlestar Pegasus, from shortly before the Cylon invasion to shortly after Lee Adama is made commander. The story is told through the eyes of and largely focuses on one particular member of Pegasus's crew, Kendra Shaw.

Themes

Duty under pressure, Trust in leadership, Legacy and accountability, Based on tv series framing, Space opera tension, Revenge vs restraint

Available on

Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Serenity

25. Serenity

Science Fiction Action Adventure Thriller Space Sci-Fi
7.8

20051h 59min

United States

Director: Joss Whedon

When the renegade crew of Serenity agrees to hide a fugitive on their ship, they find themselves in an action-packed battle between the relentless military might of a totalitarian regime who will destroy anything – or anyone – to get the girl back and the bloodthirsty creatures who roam the uncharted areas of space. But... the greatest danger of all may be on their ship.

Themes

Loyalty under pressure, Media manipulation, Trust and betrayal, Violence and survival, Deception and revelation, Ethical conditioning

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Leela becomes an outlaw when she and a group of ecologically-minded feminists attempt to save an asteroid of primitive life forms and the Violet Dwarf star from being destroyed, while Fry joins a secret society and attempts to stop a mysterious species known as the "Dark Ones" from destroying all life in the universe.

Themes

Collective action under pressure, Environmental activism vs development, Secret societies and telepathy, Preservation of endangered life, Private ambition vs ecology, Mind-reading power vs privacy


Stargate: The Ark of Truth

27. Stargate: The Ark of Truth

Action Adventure Science Fiction Epic Action Adventure Epic
7.4

20081h 41min

Canada, United States

Director: Robert C. Cooper

SG-1 searches for an ancient weapon which could help them defeat the Ori, and discover it may be in the Ori's own home galaxy. As the Ori prepare to send ships through to the Milky Way to attack Earth, SG-1 travels to the Ori galaxy aboard the Odyssey. The International Oversight committee have their own plans and SG-1 finds themselves in a distant galaxy fighting two powerful enemies.

Themes

Loyalty under pressure, Duty under surveillance, Power and oversight, Technology as weapon threat, Mortal power vs divine claims, Deception within leadership

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

When the sinister Sith unveil a thousand-year-old plot to rule the galaxy, the Republic crumbles and from its ashes rises the evil Galactic Empire. Jedi hero Anakin Skywalker must choose a side.

Themes

Legacy of violence, Power and corruption, Loyalty under pressure, Political manipulation, Fall from grace, Duty vs temptation

Available on

Disney Plus
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Green Lantern: First Flight

29. Green Lantern: First Flight

Action Adventure Fantasy Animation Science Fiction
7.1

20091h 15min

United States

Director: Lauren Montgomery

Test pilot Hal Jordan finds himself recruited as the newest member of the intergalactic police force, The Green Lantern Corps.

Themes

Loyalty under pressure, Authority versus proactive policing, Weaponization of power, Deception within ranks, Duty to a distant order, Trust amid betrayal

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
HBO Max
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Ender's Game

30. Ender's Game

Science Fiction Action Adventure Space Sci-Fi Military Action
6.6

20131h 54min

United States

Director: Gavin Hood

Based on the classic novel by Orson Scott Card, Ender's Game is the story of the Earth's most gifted children training to defend their homeplanet in the space wars of the future.

Themes

Military school discipline, Chosen one pressure, War strategy ethics, Alien invasion resilience, Child prodigy isolation, Starship duty conflicts

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.