10 Most Influential Sci-Fi Movies That Inspire Every Film In The Genre

A handful of the influence of sci-fi movies on the genre can always be seen When some imagery or plot point originated with one of them turns into practically every new movie of the same genre. Such sci-fi titles are likely to be counted among the best movies of all time when their widespread influence is the result of stellar filming. They inspire new movies, which in turn inspire even more movies, extending their legacy for decades.

The most important sci-fi movies include staples like Star Wars And The matrixWhich led not only to recognizable visuals in the genre, but also specific tropes and modes of storytelling. Sci-fi movies are also likely to claim the biggest breakthroughs in special effects technology, given the nature of the genre. Die-hard sci-fi fans have enjoyed some breathtaking movies over a century of cinema, As well as seeing the enduring legacy of these movies take shape.

10

A Trip to the Moon (1902)

Georges Méliès’ space adventure that gave rise to the sci-fi genre

Collider claim: “Without the silent short, we probably wouldn’t have sci-fi films.” Georges Méliès was a visionary filmmaker who relied on a repertoire of illusion and surprising tricks To bring his fantasy worlds to life. Le Voyage Dans La Lune remains his most famous movie. The very idea of ​​humans leaving Earth as the premise for the story is taken away, still seen in space adventure movies today, with tones ranging from the novelty of 2001: A Space Odyssey to the hope of Interstellar To the horror of Alien.

Even if a specific sci-fi filmmaker hasn’t revisited A trip to the moon Before making their movie, they probably watched something that was directly inspired by it. Méliès’ cutting techniques are also important to the genre, But perhaps not as much as the idea that humans could reasonably reach a planet inhabited by whimsical alien life. Essentially, any movie that depicts a fantastical alien species within traveling distance of Earth can be traced back to A trip to the moonExemplary of Méliès’ boundless imagination.

9

Metropolis (1927)

Metropolis is arguably the original evil robot movie

today, AI-turned-evil movies are widespread, including milestone titles like 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Terminator, The MatrixAnd ex machina, Although depictions of AI are gradually becoming more nuanced than straightforward cautionary tales. Metropolis Visual takes on a supposedly utopian city are also commonly paid homage to in new depictions of harsh metropolitan settings. The Batman Movies directed by Tim Burton and Christopher Nolan are clear examples of this, drawing on Metropolis To showcase the skewed power balance in Gotham City (by Far out).

The central plot element of the relationship between man and machine is everywhere. moreover, C-3PO’s plan in Star Wars is not too subtle a reference to the machine man, whose sleek frame can be seen in more toned-down versions elsewhere in cinema. Arguably, it is the inspiration for the automatic design in HugoA book and movie celebrating Méliès’ career. This would create a circular effect, as Méliès certainly inspired MetropolisWhile Hugo Then he became proud of it.

8

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

2001: A Space Odyssey was the beginning of the modern sci-fi genre

It borders on cliché for a sci-fi director to say they were inspired by 2001: A Space Odyssey, While references to the movie turn up in all genres. Outside the sci-fi genre, this will likely be played as a joke; The memorable, iconic theme is often used to signal the evolution of something greater, most recently in Greta Gerwig’s Barbie. The evil autopilot robot in Wall-E Demonstrates how HAL’s design and characteristics can be subtle or very obvious.

All sci-fi movies, to some degree, try to capture that sense of awe 2001: A Space Odyssey Once inspired. Stanley Kubrick once again pioneered special effects technology, But he still relied on models and massive sets in the pre-CGI era. Some filmmakers still return to this technique with spectacular results, such as some of the action sequences in Inception. However, most movies inspired by 2001: A Space Odyssey Exhibit the same visual cues of a spaceship setting that will never go away.

7

Star Wars (1977)

Star Wars changed the sci-fi genre with tales of classic heroes in space

Star Wars Of course it’s on Metropolis, 2001: A Space OdysseyAnd Star TrekBut popularized the hero’s journey story like never before. Star Wars Revitalized the sci-fi genre in Hollywood with its widely appealing plot and characters, Better than any movie that came before. Titles like A trip to the moon, MetropolisAnd 2001: A Space Odyssey They are too philosophical or too dated in composition to draw in the audience that an action blockbuster like Star Wars Can.

George Lucas also relied on practical tricks, like models of various machinery, however Star Wars was the beginning of sci-fi’s reliance on CGI. Great movies inspired by Star Wars are everywhere, and show moments both seriously and jokingly inspired by Luke, Han and Leia’s original adventure. in short, Star Wars Changed Hollywood forever because of a perfect combination of​​​​a highly enjoyable story, sci-fi homages and original visuals, Making everyone want to get away with copying it.

6

alien (1979)

Alien heralded a new era of horror meets aliens

Alien has some similar undertones to 2001: A Space OdysseyAbout its emphasis on just how big and mysterious space is. however, Alien‘s biggest contribution to cinema is his perfectly crafted, claustrophobic horror movie scenario set in place, As well as Sigourney Weaver’s genre-defining performance. Movies inspired by 1979s Alien Tend to themes of the fear of the unknown, with the alien species more distant than in some other movies where they are given more characterization.

Alien has led to a series of space-themed breaches and outbreaks, As well as a darker spaceship aesthetic 2001: A Space Odyssey And Star Wars Typically less crowded, more whitewashed corridors. Encountering extraterrestrial life is the ultimate dream of the sci-fi genre, one that many movies have jumped into, no matter how implausible it may be in real life. what Alien Emphasizes is the potential danger of this situation, as well as themes of ingenuity and being the last man standing.

5

Blade Runner (1982)

Blade Runner revamped technology discourses and sci-fi visuals

While Star Wars And Alien could have given sci-fi more classic heroes to root in the context of standard action and horror adventures, Blade Runner brought the genre back to its deeply philosophical origins. This inspired movies like The Terminator, soldierAnd Game Ghost in the ShellAs well as shows how Westworld And Raised by wolves. Movies like Gatacca Specifically delve into the implications of artificial humans, while those along the lines of Dark City Borrow plot elements like evil authority and false memories.

Chris O’Falt also discusses (via SlashFilm) the impact of Blade Runners unique aesthetic, giving rise to cyberpunk, “The popular science fiction sub-genre juxtaposes a technologically-advanced future with the breakdown of social order.” Nowhere do you see the influence of this more than in The matrixAlthough the Wachowskis’ setting is different from the recognizable neon world of Blade Runner. Blade Runner is strangely dream-like yet resonant, An effect movies ahead would attempt to mimic.

ET & Elliot’s hopeful friendship changed the alien genre once again

The surprising ET Easter egg in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace Is suitable when et the extra-terrestrial And Star Wars They are both more lighthearted additions to the sci-fi genre, influencing other movies with their hope. et is also referenced by other movies, But his heartfelt storyline of the friendship between the stranded alien and human children is what really provokes emotions. Amazingly, Steven Spielberg created an atmosphere where ET is terrifying at first, making the development of the friendship more impressive when it is the result of overcoming misconceptions.

The sci-fi genre has some fun yet et With many more friendly aliens and ragtag bands of kids, Often leaning into topics of the cost of science when the newcomers are persecuted when they come to earth and how children have the most honest, accepting perspective. Great movies inspired by et Include cuddly creatures like Gizmo but also have the weirdness of the aliens in No And Arrival. et Blends space horror with compassion for another, unfamiliar living thing, introducing a new take on how sci-fi approaches the unknown.

3

The Terminator (1984)

The Terminator popularized time travel and a new version of killer robots

The combined influence of The Terminators release marked the advent of time travel and a different kind of robotics in sci-fi movies and television. Robocop And Cyborg came out soon after The Terminator, Twisting the first movie’s story of humanoid robots, technological dangers and a specific character that needs to be protected. Meanwhile, the lines “Come with me if you want to live” And “I’ll be back” Proliferated in pop culture, as well as other visual and verbal references The Terminator and its sequels.

Another effect of The Terminator Contained in sci-fi and fantasy is the modality of time travel where the future cannot be changed. Movies included Interstellar, TenetAnd Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Take after The Terminator In depicting time travel as a closed loop, Where no version of ​​the timeline where the time traveler is not present ever exists. The Terminator Franchise gradually moved away from this logic, but none of its installments have the same impact as the first two.

2

Akira (1988)

Akira is the key movie in the history of sci-fi and animation

Although the two things seem like a perfect match, sci-fi told through animation took a very long time to reach Hollywood, and even longer to reach the heights of epic animated events than planned. Spider-verse Trilogy today. Anime movies and series like Cowboy Bebop, Ghost in the ShellAnd Neon Genesis Evangelion are obviously inspired by Akira, But her influence is present elsewhere. Akiras setting is visually similar to that of Blade Runnercontributing to its proliferation; Collider Also highlights the many times movies and TV shows copied these “Akira slide.”

Akira laid the ground for other sci-fi anime to become beloved properties worldwide. Akira is credited as an inspiration for movies such as The matrix And Stranger things, Combined with the influence of Blade Runner And 2001: A Space Odyssey (via CBR). however, Akira Truly changed the sci-fi genre by pushing the boundaries of animation, becoming more successful than anyone would have thought it could be.

1

The Matrix (1999)

The Matrix solidified cyberpunk and created many choreographic tropes

The matrix spawned countless “red or blue” choices in movies and television (another sci-fi reference made by Barbie) and similarly styled action sequences of people suspended in the air. It renews the “chosen” Storyline for sci-fi, getting very complicated about it and never totally answering the question of what is “the one” Really mean. The matrix Also gave cyberpunk one last push with his own green-tinted version of ​​the precedent set by Blade Runner And Akira, As well as giving rise to “Coal Time” style action sequences.

The influence of The matrix can also be seen in movies that play with the idea of ​​a false reality, included Inception. The matrix Is responsible for the X-Men costumes in Fox’s earliest X-Men movies, creating some division about whether they should have been true to the comics. Any sequence of a deadpan, unshakeable hero walking calmly into battle can arguably be attributed to The matrix. Sci-Fi movies like this are all linked to one another and raise many knock-offs and more artistic homages, making it impossible to tell where their influence ends and begins.

Source: Collider, Far out, SlashFilm, CBR