Five essential sci-fi movies to binge on Netflix this weekend

As Zack Snyder’s much-anticipated space opera, Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire, hits theatres this week before arriving on Netflix on December 21st, there’s no better time to explore other science fiction stories on the streaming giant.

Like every week, we bring you our list of essential films to binge on Netflix. With mind-bending narratives, futuristic landscapes, and star-studded casts, these five sci-fi films will transport you to otherworldly dimensions and challenge your perception of reality.

Whether you love the grandeur of space operas or are intrigued by the intersection of technology and humanity, these films promise an immersive and thought-provoking experience.

Here are the five essential sci-fi films you should watch on Netflix in anticipation of Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire.

Five essential films to binge on Netflix this weekend:

Okja (2017)

Directed by Bong Joon-ho, Okja takes a unique approach to the sci-fi genre, blending elements of fantasy and environmental commentary. The film follows Mija, a young girl who embarks on a journey to rescue her genetically modified super pig, Okja, from a powerful multinational corporation.

With a heartfelt story and riveting performances from Ahn Seo-hyun, Tilda Swinton, and Jake Gyllenhaal, Okja offers an exploration of humanity’s relationship with nature and the consequences of unchecked scientific experimentation.

They Cloned Tyrone (2023)

Directed by Juel Taylor, They Cloned Tyrone is a sci-fi comedy mystery that unfolds as an unlikely trio, played by John Boyega, Teyonah Parris, and Jamie Foxx, stumbles upon a government cloning conspiracy. Released on Netflix on July 21st, 2023, after premiering at the American Black Film Festival, the film combines dark humour with a gripping plot, keeping audiences on the edge of their seats.

With stellar performances and witty storytelling, They Cloned Tyrone adds a touch of comic absurdity to the sci-fi genre.

Black Mirror: Bandersnatch (2018)

Black Mirror: Bandersnatch is an interactive film from the acclaimed Black Mirror anthology series. Directed by David Slade, this groundbreaking experience allows viewers to make decisions that shape the narrative, blurring the lines between fiction and reality. 

Set in the 1980s, the story follows Stefan Butler, a young programmer adapting a choose-your-own-adventure book into a video game. With its innovative storytelling and mind-bending twists, Bandersnatch challenges the conventional boundaries of filmmaking.

In Vitro (2019)

Directed by Soren Lind and Larissa Sansour, In Vitro is a post-apocalyptic sci-fi short film that explores questions of history and memory through the lens of Arabfuturism. The film, lauded for its cinematography and tense narrative, raises relevant inquiries about documenting the past in the face of an uncertain future in the context of the terrors in Palestine.

As it delves into the consequences of uncertain futures, In Vitro offers a unique perspective on the future of the Palestinian people.

Love and Monsters (2020)

Love and Monsters is a lighter watch. This post-apocalyptic adventure, directed by Michael Matthews, is about a world overrun by giant monsters. The story follows Joel Dawson, played by Dylan O’Brien, as he ventures out of his underground bunker to find his high school sweetheart.

The film combines humour, heart, and thrilling creature encounters with a few trope reversals. It’s a feel-good journey through a monster-infested world that might just leave you with a smile.