Netflix continues to boast an impressive collection of sci-fi movies that will satisfy all fans of the genre. Edge of Tomorrow is one of the better offerings on the service. Tom Cruise is the star, so expect a lot of impressive action sequences. Speaking of action, The Flash and Godzilla Minus One have been fan favorites since arriving on the service.
There are more sci-fi films available for your viewing consumption. You just need to know where to look. This October, check out one of these five sci-fi movies. Our picks include the sequel to a popular dystopian horror movie, an innovative sci-fi romance about love and heartbreak, and the fourth film in an iconic franchise.
We also have guides to the best movies on Netflix, the best movies on Hulu, the best movies on Amazon Prime Video, the best movies on Max, and the best movies on Disney+.
The Platform 2 (2024)
Netflix audiences love disturbing thrillers. The Platform, a 2019 Spanish dystopian horror film, became one of Netflix’s most-watched non-English films ever. It’s time to return to the Pit for the sequel, The Platform 2. As a reminder, the Vertical Self-Management Center, akathe Pit, is a 333-level prison with two inmates per floor. Before entering the Pit, prisoners must declare their favorite food and only eat that. A platform feeds the inmates once a day. The higher you live, the more food is available since the platform does not replenish as it lowers to the bottom.
The sequel is told through the eyes of Perempuán (Milena Smit), an inmate who questions the laws within the prison. The hungrier the inmates get, the more restless they become, which leads to uprisings and violence. The Platform 2 is not for the faint of heart, as the mutinies are gory and brutal. Yet, if you enjoyed the first film’s premise, the sequel will satisfy your expectations.
Stream The Platform 2 on Netflix.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is the rare movie that will make you feel depressed, inspired, and loved all at the same time. Charlie Kaufman’s sensational script runs audiences through the gamut of emotions in this heartfelt sci-fi romance. Jim Carrey gives a career-best performance as Joel Barish, an introverted man struggling to move on from a painful breakup with his girlfriend, Clementine (Kate Winslet).
To make matters worse, Clementine undergoes a procedure to have her memories erased, essentially wiping Joel from her mind. Devastated, Joel signs up for the same procedure. As his memories disappear, Joel relieves his favorite moments with Clementine and falls in love all over again. Backed by moving visuals from director Michel Gondry, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is an eye-opening and authentic look at love and heartache.
Stream Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind on Netflix.
The Matrix Resurrections (2021)
The long-awaited fourth Matrix film, The Matrix Resurrections, is the one that goes full meta. Set 60 years after Revolutions, it sees Thomas Anderson (Keanu Reeves) working as a video game developer for The Matrix. However, he faintly remembers his life as Neo and injects those memories into the game. Unbeknownst to Neo, he is still trapped in the Matrix.
A group of rebels, led by Bugs (Jessica Henwick) and Morpheus (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II), work to free Neo from the Matrix. Neo learns that Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) is being held captive by his former nemesis, Agent Smith (Jonathan Groff). While the action sequences are not as strong as in previous iterations, The Matrix Resurrections is a fun return to a world loved by so many.
Stream The Matrix Resurrections on Netflix.
The Butterfly Effect (2004)
In the early 2000s, Ashton Kutcher was a prominent comedic actor in projects like That ’70s Show, Just Married, and Dude, Where’s My Car? When Kutcher changed it up and starred in The Butterfly Effect, critics didn’t know how to handle it, and most blamed the actor for the film’s failure. Time heals all wounds, and it’s fair to say that Kutcher was unfairly maligned for his performance in this slightly above-average thriller.
Evan Treborn (Kutcher) suffered several psychological traumas as a child, which has led to many blackouts. Now a college student, Evan learns that he can travel back in time and rewrite history. Evan can even alter the past for friends, especially ones who experienced unspeakable tragedies. Yet, changing the past affects the future and creates a new set of nightmarish realities. The ending will leave you speechless.
Stream The Butterfly Effect on Netflix.
Uglies (2024)
Before The Hunger Games and Divegent elevated young adult dystopias to new heights, Scott Westerfeld wrote Uglies, a postapocalyptic novel about beauty standards and body image. Nearly 20 years later, Uglies finally got the live-action treatment from Netflix. In the future, 16-year-olds undergo a special surgery to go from “Ugly” to “Pretty.” Once they are Pretty, they move into the city, where they celebrate with society’s elite.
All Tally Youngblood has ever wanted to be is Pretty. Tally’s best friend, Peris (Chase Stokes), receives the surgery first, leaving her alone for the next three months. During this time, Tally meets Shay (Brianne Tju) and learns about “The Smoke,” the free land where Uglies live outside the city. When Shay disappears on the surgery day, Tally sets off on an adventure to find her friend. What she discovers will alter her future and change everything she’s ever known about society.
Stream Uglies on Netflix.