1. 2001 - A Space Odyssey

Stanley Kubrick's 1968 masterpiece totally redefined the genre and was one of the first serious attempts at cinematic science fiction. Before 2001, most sci-fi films were low budget affairs with plots recycled from westerns, men in rubber suits, and carboard spaceships. Kubrick (who worked on the script with famed science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke) abandoned all these tired cliches and created a movie that discared plot and dialog and concerned itself with nothing less than taking the viewer on the ultimate trip. Kubrick's innovative use of music, cutting edge special effects, and ingenious sets yielded a film that still looks fresh and relevant today, over 30 years after its release.

2. Alien

Nothing less than a gothic horror story set on a gigantic space ship, Ridley Scott's Alien is one of the most frightening and atmospheric films ever made. The deceptively simple story follows the exploits of a group of space miners who come upon an ancient derelict spacecraft and awaken an indestructible monster that kills them off one by one, until a final confrontation between a scantily clad Sigourney Weaver and the film's namesake. Alien is particuarly effective because you never really see the monster until the very end, adding to the suspense and tension. Though several sequels were released, they all pale in comparison to the original film.

3. Blade Runner (The Director's Cut)

Blade Runner is a detective thriller that follows the exploits of Rick Deckard as he hunts 5 replicants (genetically engineered humans) thru the streets of a futuristic Los Angeles. Director Ridley Scott created a brooding film where the city is as much a character as any of the film's protagonists. Rutger Hauer is memorable as the tragic villian Roy Batty and the film's innovative vision of Los Angeles was copied on countless other movies (most notably Gotham City from Batman).

4. Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope

The first film (but 4th episode!!) in George Lucas' sprawling space opera, Star Wars is essentially a homage to the movie serials from George Lucas' youth. The film, which follows the adventures of Luke Skywalker as he goes from a frustrated boy to a budding Jedi, bombards the senses with incredible characters, epic space battles, and sprawling vistas of alien worlds. Though subsequent Star Wars films have been technically superior, none have ever matched the wonder and sheer fun of the original.

5. Forbidden Planet

Released in 1956, Forbidden Planet was a serious sci-fi film years ahead of it's time. The movie tells the story of a group of astronauts who come across a brilliant scientist, his beautiful daughter, and the remnants of a lost civilization on a distant planet. MGM spared no expense in creating a intelligent movie that is essentially a retelling of Shapesheare's "The Tempest". Featuring an all-star cast (including a very young Leslie Nielsen as Captain JJ Adams), spectacular special effects, and Robby (one of the classic sci-fi robots), Forbidden Planet is pure sci-fi entertainment.

Honorable Mentions

Planet of the Apes
We're talking the original version with Charleton Heston, not the laughable Tim Burton remake. Damn you!! Damn you all to hell!!

Logan's Run
Based on a classic sci-fi novel, Logan's Run is the tale of a futuristic city whose inhabitants cannot live past the age of 30 and of three people who venture beyond its walls.

The Day The Earth Stood Still
Directed by the legendary Robert Wise; a benevolent alien comes to Earth to warn us about our violent ways and our tampering with forces we cannot yet control.

Jurassic Park
Steven Spielberg's thriller about cloned dinosaurs in a theme park run amok.
-Also as Part of the Jurassic Park Trilogy

The Road Warrior
The film that cemented Mel Gibson as an action hero, The Road Warrior delivers slam bang action amid a vivid post-apocalyptic vista.

Rollerball
Again, ignore the crummy sequel and check out the 1975 original with James Caan as the hero of Rollerball, the vicious spawn of roller derby and football.

Terminator II
Arnold Schwarzenegger, guns, car chases and explosions. Lots of explosions. Need we say more?

Waterworld
Kevin Costner's maligned sea epic is actually a very entertaining film. Think Mad Max goes sailing....

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