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Okay, so we all love a big-budget space opera, but can we talk about the sci-fi movies that actually had us staring at the wall for three hours after? Real talk: the 2020s have been a goldmine for weird, trippy, and honestly iconic sci-fi that just… didn’t get the hype it deserved. If you’re tired of the same three franchises, I’ve got you. These are the hidden gems you need to stream immediately. No cap.
1. Mars Express (2023) is the cyberpunk vibe we deserved
Honestly, French animation is just built different. This movie is like if ‘Blade Runner’ and ‘Ghost in the Shell’ had a very stylish baby. It’s got a 98% on Rotten Tomatoes but I barely see anyone talking about it! The plot follows a private eye and her android partner investigating a missing girl on Mars. It’s sleek, it’s smart, and the world-building is literal perfection. If you like your sci-fi with a side of ‘wait, what just happened?’, this is for you.
2. Vesper (2022) is giving ‘The Last of Us’ but with weird plants
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I’m lowkey obsessed with the aesthetic of this movie. It’s set in a ‘bio-punk’ future where the ecosystem has collapsed. Vesper is a 13-year-old girl trying to survive, and the practical effects are—chef’s kiss—incredible. It didn’t have a massive Marvel budget, but it looks better than most $200 million movies. It’s moody, it’s dark, and it’s currently streaming on Hulu. Seriously, go watch it for the plant designs alone.
3. Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes (2020) is a total mind-trip
Look, I’ll be honest—I didn’t expect to love a movie filmed entirely on an iPhone this much. This Japanese indie gem is about a cafe owner who discovers his TV shows him the future… but only two minutes into the future. It’s one continuous shot and it is absolute chaos in the best way possible. It’s funny, clever, and proves you don’t need CGI to blow someone’s mind. You can find it on Prime Video and thank me later.
4. Landscape with Invisible Hand (2023) is so weird, I love it
This movie is a total mood. Imagine aliens invade Earth, but instead of blowing things up, they just… take over the economy and watch humans like a reality show. Tiffany Haddish is in this, and it’s such a bizarre, satirical look at social media and capitalism. It’s definitely not your typical ‘alien invasion’ flick, which is exactly why we’re living for it. It’s quirky, uncomfortable, and totally unique.
5. No One Will Save You (2023) had us screaming without a single word
Kaitlyn Dever is a legend for this one. There is literally almost ZERO dialogue in this entire movie. It’s a home invasion movie but with aliens, and the tension is actually insane. It dropped on Hulu/Disney+ and people talked about it for like a week, but it deserves way more flowers. The sound design? Iconic. The ending? We’re still processing it. If you want a movie that’ll keep you off your phone, this is it.
6. I’m Your Man (2021) is the robot boyfriend we all want
Arrey, who knew a German sci-fi rom-com could be this good? Dan Stevens (yes, from ‘Downton Abbey’) plays a humanoid robot designed to be the perfect partner for a scientist. It’s funny, it’s sweet, and it actually makes you think about what love really is. It’s got a 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and it’s honestly the perfect ‘cozy’ sci-fi movie for a Friday night. Dan Stevens speaking German is also… a vibe.
7. The Kitchen (2024) is the dystopian London we needed
Directed by Daniel Kaluuya (we stan!), this Netflix movie is set in a future London where social housing has been abolished. It’s gritty, it’s grounded, and the chemistry between the leads is everything. It feels so real that it’s actually kind of terrifying. It’s not about space battles; it’s about community and survival. If you liked ‘Children of Men’, you’ll be obsessed with this.
8. Linoleum (2022) will actually break your heart
I went into this thinking it was a quirky movie about a guy (Jim Gaffigan) building a rocket in his garage. I came out of it a literal puddle of tears. It’s a sci-fi drama that plays with memory and reality in a way that is just… wow. It’s one of those movies where you need to watch the last 20 minutes twice to really get it. It’s beautiful, sad, and criminally underrated.
9. Something in the Dirt (2022) is for the conspiracy girlies
If you like movies that feel like a late-night Reddit rabbit hole, this is your new favorite. Two neighbors witness something supernatural in their apartment and decide to film a documentary about it. It’s lo-fi, super smart, and captures that ‘LA paranoia’ perfectly. It’s from the duo Benson and Moorhead (who worked on ‘Loki’!), so you know it’s going to be weird. It’s a total trip.
10. The Creator (2023) looks like a billion dollars (but wasn’t)
Okay, people *did* talk about this, but it didn’t get the box office love it deserved! Gareth Edwards made a movie for $80 million that looks better than the last three Marvel movies combined. The AI-human war story is emotional, and the visuals of ‘New Asia’ are breathtaking. If you skipped this in theaters, you messed up. It’s on Disney+ now, so no excuses. It’s a modern classic in the making, no cap.
FAQs
What is the best underrated sci-fi movie on Netflix?
‘The Kitchen’ (2024) is a must-watch. It’s a grounded, dystopian look at future London directed by Daniel Kaluuya. It’s gritty, emotional, and feels incredibly relevant to today’s world.
Are there any good sci-fi movies with no dialogue?
Yes! ‘No One Will Save You’ (2023) starring Kaitlyn Dever has almost zero dialogue. It relies entirely on visual storytelling and incredible sound design to tell a terrifying alien invasion story.
What are some trippy sci-fi movies from the 2020s?
‘Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes’ and ‘Something in the Dirt’ are top-tier choices if you want something that will melt your brain. Both are indie gems with super creative premises.
There you have it! 10 sci-fi bangers that deserve a spot on your watchlist. Whether you want to cry, scream, or just stare at pretty robots, there’s something here for everyone. Which one are you watching first? Did I miss your favorite underrated gem? Let me know in the comments and share this with your sci-fi obsessed bestie! Stay weird, y’all.
