10 Most underrated sci-fi movies that are a treat to watch

Science fiction has provided us with some of the most intellectually stimulating, visually breathtaking, and emotionally intense films ever made. Yet, while box office behemoths such as Interstellar, Blade Runner 2049, and The Matrix tend to dominate the conversation, a great many superior sci-fi films go underappreciated, eclipsed by larger productions, or buried in the deluge of streaming material. These lesser-known gems tend to introduce new stories, innovative storytelling, and distinctive world-building that can hold their own against even the most mainstream releases.

Whether it's an independent film with a compelling low-budget premise or an under-the-radar theatrical release that got too little attention, these underappreciated sci-fi movies provide a treat for enthusiasts looking for something new.

Here's a list of 10 outstanding sci-fi movies that aren't as well known, yet have something new and interesting to say about technology, space, time, or the human condition. If you want smart storytelling, emotional resonance, and suspenseful sci-fi ideas beyond box-office blockbusters, these films are sure not to disappoint. Be prepared to enter the greatest of lesser-known science fiction films that linger with you well past the end credits.

Disclaimer: This article is based on the writer's opinion. Reader's discretion is advised.

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1. Coherence (2013)

A dinner party becomes a brain-twisting nightmare in Coherence when a comet that flies by shatters reality, and there are various versions of the guests. The film was shot on a low budget with an improvised script and survives on the psychological tension rather than on special effects. Coherence is distinguished by the fact that it makes quantum mechanics so convincingly real that viewers begin to doubt their own existence. Although it has a captivating plot, it is underappreciated, and overwhelmed by commercial sci-fi movies.

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2. Upgrade (2018)

In a future in which AI dominates nearly everything, Upgrade offers a gritty yet engrossing cyberpunk thriller. Grey Trace's paralysis follows a mugging, and a mysterious chip implant named STEM grants him mobility and the ability to become a killing machine. In contrast to standard revenge thrillers, the movie probes the ethics of AI, leading the audience to wonder who's in charge. Its action scenes, choreographed to have the sense that a machine is controlling Grey's every action, are visually beautiful.

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3. Moon (2009)

Well before sci-fi went AI-obsessed, Moon provided a haunting interpretation of identity, loneliness, and corporate avarice. Sam Bell, wonderfully portrayed by Sam Rockwell, is in the final stretch of his lonely three-year isolation on the Moon when he uncovers a disturbing truth about himself. The film's intense psychological thriller progresses with an unsettling stillness, amplified by Clint Mansell's unnerving score. Whereas gaudy space epics celebrate human existence, Moon deals with human vulnerability in a faceless corporate-controlled world. As much as it was critically well-received, it is underappreciated concerning larger space epics.

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4. The Endless (2017)

A sci-fi horror gem, The Endless is about two brothers who go back to the cult they escaped from, and find reality collapsing in weird, cosmic ways. The movie seamlessly weaves together time loops, Lovecraftian horror, and existential terror, making it a singular entry in sci-fi film. What makes it stand out is its realistic storytelling there are no budget-busting effects, just an overwhelming feeling of dread as the mystery unravels. While it offers mind-bending ideas like Interstellar or Arrival, The Endless is criminally underseen.

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5. Prospect (2018)

Prospect narrates events set on a toxic alien moon that charts the life of a teenage girl and her dad's guts hunting for worth-their-weight-in-gold gems in a world fraught with murderous mercenaries. The film avoids the glamor of standard space operas like Star Wars to evoke a more real-world feel in a gritty sci-fi universe built around survival through strategy and not just loads of technology. With Pedro Pascal playing a charmingly ambiguous character, the film again feels unfamiliar from the same old Hollywood days of cookie-cutter space adventures.

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6. The Vast of Night (2019)

Merging retro sci-fi with tense suspense, The Vast of Night is set in a 1950s small town where a late-night radio host and switchboard operator hear an odd frequency. Told in long, immersive tracking shots and creepy monologues, the film is like a love letter to The Twilight Zone. What sets it apart is how it takes an otherwise simple idea and makes it incredibly unsettling without relying on action, but atmosphere instead. Although it did pick up some visibility on streaming platforms, it still gets overshadowed by more flashy sci-fi movies.

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7. Aniara (2018)

This space movie is very disturbing and quite possibly one of the most unsettling space movies you've ever seen. Aniara is about passengers on a spaceship drifting aimlessly after being knocked out of its course, quickly descending into chaos as hope eludes them. Unlike typical space thrillers, there are no heroic acts here; it's just a contemplative, eerie meditation on the fragility of human nature. The visuals are stunning, the emotional core is pulling, and it explores consumerism, alienation, and the agonizing search for meaning.

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8. Freaks (2018)

Freaks is a compelling sci-fi thriller that turns expectations on their head. The film tells the story of an isolated young girl whose neurotic father locks her inside their house, believing that the outside world is out to get them. As she starts to explore, she uncovers horrifying revelations about herself and the world outside. The movie masterfully combines psychological horror and sci-fi elements, solving its mystery in unexpected ways. Emile Hirsch and Lexy Kolker give top-notch performances, and every plot twist lands with a punch.

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9. Love and Monsters (2020)

A heart-warming post-apocalyptic sci-fi adventure, Love and Monsters finds Joel, a young man journeying through an infested monster world to see his lost love. The familiar premise belies the film, which is packed with emotional weight and snarky humor. Unlike most survival films, this one is not about action alone but about change, so Joel's adventure feels surprisingly relatable. Dylan O'Brien gives a winning performance, and the world-building is stunningly detailed. Despite critical success and an Oscar nomination for visual effects, Love and Monsters is still underappreciated.

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10. Archive (2020)

A beautiful but underrated film Archive blends AI with great human emotion. It is a brilliant sci-fi movie that tells the story of a scientist trying to develop a super-advanced AI while mourning the death of his wife both result in a haunting excursion through memory, love, and the ethics of artificial intelligence. It brings a different type of storytelling slow burn and reveals beautiful cinematography it's something between Ex Machina and Black Mirror. What keeps it richer, however, is the emotional depth and surprising finale; as it's not another film in the AI field, it reflects on loss.