Over 50 years ago, Americans were glued to their television screens, watching the epic race to the moon between the U.S. and the former Soviet Union. Now, NASA is gearing up to send astronauts to Mars as early as the 2030s! Space exploration is definitely expensive, but many Americans still believe the U.S. should maintain its leadership in the cosmos.
Isn’t it amazing how fascinated we are by those distant, mysterious worlds? Thank goodness for space-themed movies that let us dream big! These films often spark big questions about our place in the universe. I love how some movies cleverly use space as a backdrop to address pressing societal issues like environmental challenges and political strife.
We all know and love iconic space movies like Star Wars, Alien, and Contact, but some lesser-known cosmic flicks deserve more credit. A recent online discussion revealed fans’ favorite underrated gems. These movies are worth watching (or rewatching) and appreciating for their remarkable take on the sci-fi genre.
Sunshine
“Misunderstood masterpiece” fits this film way better than just “underrated.” Sure, people love the first two acts, but what about the ending? It gets a lot of hate—even from die-hard Danny Boyle fans. But maybe we’re all just missing the bigger picture. Sunshine follows astronauts trying to reignite the dying Sun to save Earth. The actors are spot-on, showcasing chemistry that felt real.
Fans share that they’re glued to the screen while watching Sunshine, feeling the tension, claustrophobia, and even the heat! They feel like they’re stuck in that spaceship with them.
Pandorum
If you caught this film back in 2009, you probably remember how it got slammed by critics, but honestly, it should be considered a sci-fi cult classic. Pandorum refers to a deep-space psychosis that causes paranoia, delirium, and nosebleeds. Two astronauts wake up on a creepy abandoned ship with no clue how they got there and end up fighting mutant aliens. Classic setup, right?
And let me tell you, Ben Foster was really good in his role as Bower. That line, “Where are the stars?” gave me actual chills. For a moment, I believed the terrifying twist was real. No more spoilers!
Europa Report
Europa Report is criminally underrated. It’s like watching NASA’s documentary on exploring Jupiter’s moon, Europa—but with way more drama. The plot alone is reason enough to watch; it’s a breath of fresh air compared to your typical space soap operas. This one’s for the space nerds, engineers, and anyone who’s genuinely into the science behind exploration.
What really got me, though, was how real everything felt. The low budget actually worked in its favor—the mix of models and minimal CGI made it feel almost tangible. Overall, it’s a solid sci-fi watch that’s totally believable.
The Last Days on Mars
Maybe it’s our obsession with finding extraterrestrial life, but movies about Mars keep popping up. Despite the low ratings, some critics call The Last Days on Mars surprisingly well-made, even if it’s familiar territory. In the film, a group of astronauts on their last Mars mission discover bacterial fossils—proof of life—just as they’re about to head home.
At just 1 hour and 41 minutes, it wastes no time. Sure, it’s not the most original, but it’s beautifully shot and well-acted. The ‘zombies’ were creepy, and the claustrophobic tension hooks you in.
Enemy Mine
Have you ever thought about what humanity would do after finally achieving world peace? Enemy Mine has the answer. Set in the late 21st century, humans have taken to the stars but run into the Drax, an alien species that doesn’t appreciate us exploring their galaxy. An interstellar war breaks out, and a human pilot and a Drax crash land on a desert planet. They soon realize they’ll have to rely on each other to survive.
This film is one of those underrated sci-fi gems—action-packed, heartwarming, and full of space intrigue.
Galaxy Quest
A lot of people skipped Galaxy Quest, thinking it was just a silly Star Trek spoof, but it’s way more than that. The story follows a washed-up cast from a ’70s sci-fi show who, hilariously, get mistaken for real cosmic heroes by an alien race in desperate need of saving. Spoiler: the heroes aren’t really heroes.
It’s an action-packed adventure with some truly laugh-out-loud moments. The cast is stellar—Alan Rickman alone had me cracking up with just his facial expressions! Honestly, I’m ready to rewatch it.
2010: The Year We Make Contact
2010: The Year We Make Contact might have missed the mark when it came out, but it’s definitely worth watching. Sure, it’s no 2001: A Space Odyssey, but who said it had to be? If there had to be a sequel, this one does the job. The story picks up where Kubrick left off, with explorers heading to Jupiter as Russian and American astronauts team up to investigate.
Visually, it’s stunning—some scenes feel straight out of Aliens. The cast delivers some strong performances, making this film an underappreciated treasure in the sci-fi genre.
Moon
The Moon has always fascinated us, but this movie takes a fresh spin on that mystery. When astronaut Sam Bell nears the end of his three-year mission at a lunar mine, he can’t wait to reunite with his wife and daughter. But his health takes a serious dive, leading to painful headaches and strange hallucinations. Then, he encounters a younger version of himself, possibly a clone!
Moon hits all the right notes, showcasing Sam Rockwell’s incredible talent. It goes beyond stunning visuals, exploring the psychological aspects of space and tackling the philosophical questions that come with it—just what good sci-fi should do.
Aniara (2018)
This film has to be the saddest sci-fi I’ve ever seen. A spacecraft carrying settlers to Mars takes a wrong turn after an apocalypse on Earth, forcing the consumption-obsessed passengers to rethink their place in the universe.
Aniara is a haunting experience that brilliantly captures the vast, unforgiving nature of space—it’s a space horror flick without any aliens! The acting, directing, and production are all top-notch, keeping me glued to the screen as I anxiously awaited the fate of the ship and its crew. By the way, it’s based on a beloved 1956 Swedish poem.
Starman (1984)
I don’t know why this is underrated, but there isn’t anything to hate about this film. Starman follows an alien (Jeff Bridges) who answers a NASA message but crashes on Earth after being shot down by a missile. He then inhabits the body of a deceased man and kidnaps the man’s widow.
The character development is so natural that it keeps you hooked until the end. Jeff Bridges shines as an alien struggling to understand humanity, offering a beautifully poignant view of love and the human spirit.
Event Horizon (1997)
Some people say Event Horizon falls short of expectations, focusing too much on horror and neglecting the story, but I think it deserves another look. The plot revolves around the disappearance of a spaceship, which resurfaces seven years later. A brave crew is sent to investigate if anyone is still alive and to salvage the vessel.
The premise is ambitious and truly groundbreaking. The cast delivers strong performances, and the dark, creepy setting adds to the eerie atmosphere. The cinematography and lighting were legit, making it a memorable experience that’s worth a revisit.
Gattaca
I have to wrap up this list with one of the finest yet underrated sci-fi films: Gattaca. Vincent Freeman (Ethan Hawke), a genetically inferior “in-valid,” dreams of traveling to space. To achieve his goal, he purchases the DNA of a “valid” named Jerome Morrow and assumes his identity to join the Gattaca space program, but his plans are threatened.
What’s refreshing is that this sci-fi movie doesn’t rely on violence. The noir, stylistic sets perfectly capture a future that feels constrained and patterned. Plus, the soundtrack is fantastic! If you haven’t seen Gattaca in over a decade, do yourself a favor and give it another watch.
Source: Reddit
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