The 2000s was a great time for the sci-fi genre in movies. Movies likeAvatar, A.I. Artificial Intelligence,andSignsbecame instant hits and changed up the genre and its style. The second and thirdStars Warsprequel movieswere released and theResident Evilfilm series began. The beginning of the new millennium was a game-changer for the genre.
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Though there are plenty of sci-fi movies that are memorable from this time, there are some that received less attention. These movies might not have gotten the recognition they deserve when they were released, but they got it as the years have gone by. For anyone wanting to expand their horizons in the sci-fi genre, these underrated movies are worth watching or adding to the list.
10Treasure Planet (2002)
Where To Watch:Disney+
Loosely based on the novel by Robert Louis Stevenson,Treasure Planetfollows a young teen named Jim Hawkins. He grew up listening to stories aboutthe legendary pirateCaptain Nathaniel Flint and how he raided ships and stored all of his treasures on a “Treasure Planet." After a spaceship crashes near the inn he and his mother run, Jim is given a sphere by the dying pilot. The sphere holds a map inside that leads to legendary Treasure Planet and Jim sets off to find it with the help of a crew.
The movie didn’t do so well at the box office but has gotten plenty of great reviews from fans and critics. For its time,Treasure Planethad some of the best special effects for an animated movie. Plus, it has a great story and a colorful group of characters that are some of the best inDisney. If viewers are wanting to see a great sci-fi adventure movie, this one is worth checking out.
9The Cell (2000)
Where To Watch:Hoopla. Can be bought or rented on Amazon Prime, YouTube, or Vudu
A sci-fi movie that has a psychological twist. Dr. Catherine Deane is a child psychologist who is hired to test out a new technology that allows her to enter the minds of comatose patients. She enters the mind of a comatose serial killer named Carl Stargher in hopes of being able to save his latest victim. However, the deeper Dr. Deane goes into his mind, the more disturbing and twisted it gets. She has to work fast because it is not just his victim’s life on the line, but her own life too.
The Cellis a pretty terrifying film that leaves viewers torn between wanting to look at the beautiful and dark overall aesthetic, but also look away from its gruesome and sometimes disturbing images.Vincent D’Onofrio gives a fantastic performanceas Carl Stargher, making viewers feel sympathetic with the character when he shows his vulnerable side, but makes a horrifying villain when the demonic side appears. For anyone wanting to see a sci-fi movie with psychological horror elements, this movie is a must-watch.
8Titan A.E. (2000)
Where To Watch:Can be bought or rented on Amazon Prime, YouTube, or Vudu
Humanity is on the verge of extinction after the Drej, alien creatures made of pure energy, invade and destroy most of Earth after learning about “The Titan Project”. Surviving humansflee to spaceand Professor Sam Tucker, head of the project, leaves his son Cale in the care of a friend and gives Cale a ring before separating from him. Fifteen years later, Cale is approached by an ex-military officer and learns that the ring holds the location of a ship that could create a new planet home for humanity to ensure their survival.
Though not associated with Disney,Titan A.E.’svisuals are a little reminiscent of Disney animated movies. The movie is mostly aimed at an older crowd and isn’t afraid to have some darker moments in it.
7A Scanner Darkly (2006)
The U.S. has lost the war against drugs and most of the population is addicted to a new drug called Substance D, which causes hallucinations. Bob Arctor is an undercover agent who is sent to try and find out who is supplying Substance D. However, Arctor finds himself leading a double life in which he tries to find the suppliers while also being addicted to D. By using D, Arctor is slowly damaging his brain, which is going to make his job harder to do.
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The animation inA Scanner Darklyis a lot different than what is seen in most movies, but that shouldn’t stop viewers from watching it. It’s pretty faithful to the novel that it’s based on and does a great job bringing it to the big screen. Withgreat performances from Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey Jr., and Winona Ryder, this movie is a great sci-fi movie with psychological twists and turns.
6Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001)
Milo Thatch is a young linguist and cartographer at the Smithsonian Institution. He discovers a journal that supposedly leads the way to the lost city of Atlantis. After his proposal for a search is rejected, Milo is approached by two people who express interest. He joins up with a ragtag group of characters with different abilities to find Atlantis. Once there, they learn that rich culture is still very much alive and how they’ve survived for so long.
Atlantis: The Lost Empireinitially received mixed reviews but has gained a cult following and better reviews since. It has a great and diverse group of characters who are voiced by a diverse cast. Plus, it has some tough female characters like Kida, Audrey, and Helga, whostand on equal grounds with the male charactersand are just as strong as them.
5Slither (2006)
After a meteorite lands in a small town, wealthy resident Grant Grant goes to investigate and becomes infected by the alien parasite that emerges from it. He begins to slowly transform into a grotesque monster and infects his paramour Brenda with alien larvae in order to take over the town. Grant’s wife Starla and Police Chief Bill discover this and join with other non-infected survivors to stop him and prevent the parasite from spreading all over the world.
Fans of body horrorwill appreciate watching this underrated gem. Watching Grant go from being a normal human to a large grotesque monster is a pretty horrifying sight to behold. With its over-the-top effects,Slitherdoes also have some moments where it comes off as a horror-comedy, making some viewers laugh.
4Sky Captain And The World Of Tomorrow (2004)
Where To Watch:Hulu or Paramount+
After a scientist mysteriously vanishes, reporter Polly Perkins investigates his and five other scientists' disappearances. During her investigation, giant robots attack the city and she is reunited with Joe Sullivan, her former lover and the pilot that saved the city from the robots. The two of them investigate where the robots are from while also finding out what happened to the scientists.
At first glance,Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrowseems more like an action with a few mecha elements, but viewers will be pleasantly surprised that there are more sci-fi elements in it. The style of the movie is reminiscent ofSin Citysince it was filmed using a digital backlot. It doesn’t distract from the plot and adds a nice futuristic touch to the retro theme of the movie.
3Eight Legged Freaks (2002)
Where To Watch:Netflix
A small town’s life is turned upside down after a local spider farmer’s spiders are exposed to toxic waste. The spiders grow large and begin terrorizing the town, eating people and pets. Survivors manage to barricade themselves in a mall and attempt to figure out how to stop the giant spiders from spreading.
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A campy monster movie that has theperfect blend of horror and comedy.For viewers wanting a sci-fi movie with giant monsters that’s more on the comedy side,Eight Legged Freaksis a perfect choice.
2Repo! The Genetic Opera (2008)
Where To Watch:The Roku Channel or tubi
Taking place in 2056, an epidemic of organ failures has wrecked humanity. A megacorporation known as GeneCo provides people with the organs they need. However, should anyone miss their payments, they are hunted down by the Repo Men, assassins sent out by GeneCo to “repossess” the organs. The movie follows Shilo Wallace, a 17-year-old girl who’s been confined to her room due to a rare blood disease. She seeks to find a cure for her disease and learns some dark truths about her family.
While the movie received mixed reviews and did poorly at the box office, it gained a cult following very much likeThe Rocky Horror Picture Show. Musicals might not be every fan’s cup of tea, butRepo! The Genetic Operahas agreat story, great songs, and a great blend of sci-fi and horror.
1Splice (2009)
Genetic engineers Clive and Elsa specialize in creating hybrids and want to create a hybrid using human DNA. Their bosses reject the idea, but the two of them decide to do the experiment in secret. They are successful in creating a hybrid that they name Dren and watch as she grows up at an accelerated rate. However, Dren’s development and curiosity threaten to expose what they’ve done.
Splicedoes have its horror moments along with shocking revelations later in the movie. Watching Dren be created and grow up is fascinating to watch, but also disturbing as her more animalistic traits start to appear. Plus, the ending leaves viewers shocked and wishing there was a sequel to find out what happens next.
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