19 Sci-fi movies with stunning visuals that feel like a dream

Through science fiction films, viewers can experience unbelievable, incredible visual images, creating a mind-pleasing effect of being transported to magical artificial dimensions. Movie audiences experience unified illusions of reality and imagination because science fiction films depict eye-catching alien worlds together with unnatural urban architecture and cosmic mysteries. The 19 science fiction films demonstrate extraordinary visual storytelling that visually astonishes audiences when displaying exploratory space views, obscure dream sequences, and futuristic cyberpunk cities.

Please note that this entire article is based on the writer's opinion. Reader's discretion is advised.

19. Eternals (2021)

Eternals was released on November 5, 2021. The film delivered its story under the direction of Chloé Zhao with a collaborative cast that featured Gemma Chan, Richard Madden, Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, and Kumail Nanjiani. Sersi works enchantment to turn a Deviant into a tree in a spectacular visual presentation during the film. Golden energy passes through Sersi and makes the creature’s body into a branch shape that transforms into a floating spirit form. This metamorphosis produces a lyrical and surreal visual experience when contrasted with Zhao's trademark usage of natural landscapes.

18. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)

This movie hit theaters on May 5, 2017, under the direction of James Gunn while starring Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldaña, and Dave Bautista alongside Vin Diesel (voice) and Bradley Cooper (voice). Peter Quill experiences a breathtaking revelation when Ego demonstrates his home planet to him. The imagined planet reveals itself through its magical landscapes, floating decorative elements, and its shining plant life. Ego demonstrates his supernatural abilities while cosmic colors transform gracefully to generate an unreal and magnificent environment that is presented as a living art piece.

17. Doctor Strange (2016)

The cinematic extravaganza Doctor Strange brought Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Rachel McAdams along with Tilda Swinton under the direction of Scott Derrickson for its November 4, 2016 release. The scene in which the “Ancient One” forces Stephen Strange's spirit from his body is among the most strikingly beautiful. The incredible astral projection sequence begins as Strange goes flying through a dimension that shows him infused geometric patterns coupled with nebulous glows and limitless mirror reflections. The remarkable visual imagery brings to life an exactly similar experience to a clear and detailed dream.

16. Thor: Ragnarok (2017)

The MCU film received direction from Taika Waititi during its November 3 (2017) release. Taika assembled a cast that included Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Cate Blanchett, Mark Ruffalo, and Tessa Thompson. People saw a conclusive fight at the “Bifröst Bridge” in Asgard that proved visually magnificent. During his battle against Hela's undead army, Thor stands radiant with electrical energy while lightning storms rush through the sky. Thor glides above the battlefield during Zeppelin’s “Immigrant” soundtrack while the camera follows him in slow motion while he delivers heavenly energy throughout the scene. The music and neon-infused images transform the action into a renowned dreamscape.

15. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)

Another MCU film, directed by Sam Raimi, featured Rachel McAdams, Elizabeth Olsen, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Chiwetel Ejiofor. The date of its release was May 6, 2022. It is difficult to find another visual sequence in the film that matches the strange journey that Doctor Strange and America Chavez take as they traverse multiple universes. The characters navigate through a watercolor-segmented world, followed by an artificial cityscape, and then they visit a planet with rapid speed-made imagery. The reality feels like a shifting dream that emerges through disordered color transformations and shifting gravity and texture patterns, leading to a hallucinatory experience.

14. Oblivion (2013)

Oblivion premiered in Buenos Aires on March 26, 2013, with its director Joseph Kosinski while starring Morgan Freeman along with Tom Cruise, Andrea Riseborough, and Olga Kurylenko. A dreamlike sequence in the movie takes place within the elevated futuristic residence known as the Sky Tower that stands above the clouds. The surreal pool scene generates a dreamlike and heavenly atmosphere because Victoria calmly floats in the blue water as clouds drift beneath her. The timeless image in the movie obtains its beauty from glass walls combined with mirrored surfaces and ambient lighting that produces a weightless, surreal feeling.

13. Lucy (2014)

On July 25, 2014, the film Lucy, directed by Luc Besson, premiered with Scarlett Johansson, Morgan Freeman, Min-sik Choi, and Amr Waked in the starring roles. One of the most awe-inspiring visual elements in the film occurs when Lucy's brain reaches full capacity and she transcends time and space. Through a smooth cosmic composition, she witnesses the birth of galaxies and prehistoric Earth and identifies the first human being. The sequence highlights a mesmerizing visual journey through time that displays perfect blending between cosmic vistas and realistic transitions.

12. Passengers (2016)

Morten Tyldum directed the featured film Passengers with its main cast including Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt alongside Michael Sheen and Laurence Fishburne during the December 21, 2016 release. Among all the scenes, Aurora swimming in the spaceship's pool appears as one of the most visually stunning moments. After a gravity failure causes the water to ascend and form a floating sphere, she remains confined inside her ship. The weightless water glimmering in space creates a dreamlike visual effect. The scene reveals deep unrealism that shapes reality according to impossible dream dynamics.

11. The Fifth Element (1997)

Milla Jovovich, Bruce Willis, Gary Oldman, and Ian Holm starred in Luc Besson's film. This sci-fi movie was released on May 9, 1997. Diva Plavalaguna delivers a breathtaking visual performance through her opera presentation. Watching her perform on the futuristic space station stage, Diva displays her blue-skinned radiance as stage lights dance elegantly across her body. The enchanting effect emerges when the dramatic fight sequence meets the unearthly vocals of Leeloo. Vivid colors combined with dreamy illumination create a fantasy atmosphere that makes this picture resemble a futuristic dream.

10. Gravity (2013)

Director Alfonso Cuarón delivered Gravity on October 4, 2013, as his depiction of Sandra Bullock and George Clooney in their roles. During her lonely space journey, Dr. Ryan Stone observes Earth from afar, which creates one of the most breathtaking yet unnatural landscape views. Her weightless movements in the air enable the camera to track down Earth's cloud formations while recording the glowing city lights. An atmosphere of peaceful separation exists because of the deep silence surrounding you while enjoying the amazing view. The image seems like a tranquil yet unsettling dream because of its mind-blowing images.

9. Annihilation (2018)

The science fiction film Annihilation reached audiences on February 23, 2018, with the direction of Alex Garland and featuring actors Natalie Portman, Tessa Thompson, Oscar Isaac, and Jennifer Jason Leigh. In the lighthouse encounter with the humanoid monster, Lena experiences the strangest visual of all. The enchanting, fluid form of this object duplicates the movements of its operator to create a mesmerizing dance that is also disturbing. In the dreamlike atmosphere with ghostly music and surrounding light pulsations, they experience an enchanting terror that makes reality fade into something strange and beautiful.

8. Arrival (2016)

The science fiction film Arrival featured Amy Adams together with Jeremy Renner and Forest Whitaker in the cast under the directorship of Denis Villeneuve. The moment Louise enters the alien spacecraft produces one of the most imaginative sequences in the film. The heptapod creatures remain isolated from Louise through a transparent wall. French director Denis Villeneuve creates an indescribable feeling through his distinct combination of hazy environments, slow-motion aliens, and dim illumination. The combination of floating black symbols used for communication makes this image truly strange while keeping it captivating.

7. Blade Runner (1982)

On June 25, 1982, Blade Runner appeared in theaters. Ridley Scott is the director of the film. Moreover, the movie starred Harrison Ford and Edward James Olmos along with Rutger Hauer and Sean Young in the cast. Among all rooftop shots, the last rooftop scene stands as the most visually striking shot. Roy Batty delivers his discomforting "Tears in Rain" soliloquy while rain cascades down outside. The black symbols floating in the air along with neon lights shining on wet buildings construct this cyberpunk dreamscape. His words of beauty contrast with the depressing environment to create a feeling of timeless strangeness in this scene.

6. Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

The 2017 movie Blade Runner 2049 featured Ryan Gosling and Harrison Ford along with Ana de Armas and Jared Leto in its cast under director Denis Villeneuve. It premiered for audiences on October 6, 2017. When K enters the orange-toned ruins of Las Vegas, his eyes see a magnificent sight. Heavy airborne dust causes the air to become filled with a dreamlike fog. Great holographic projections in the distance produce a spooky yet fascinating illumination across the metropolitan city landscape. Eerie, dreamlike conditions capture viewers because of the tranquil atmosphere combined with warm lighting in the deserted location.

5. Avatar: The Way of Water (2022)

The film starred Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, and Kate Winslet. The film was released on December 16, 2022. One of the most stunning scenes is when Jake and his family are introduced to the radiant ocean world of Pandora. Rainbow-colored sea creatures swim by, and glowing sea plants wave through the water. The landscape is like an otherworldly dream, full of wonder and beauty, because of the way the light flows across the waves.

4. Avatar (2009)

Avatar, directed by James Cameron and starring Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, and Stephen Lang, was released on December 18, 2009. One of the most stunning experiences is when Jake Sully is introduced to the dark woods of Pandora at night. Glowing plants illuminate as he walks, floating seeds drift through the air, and strange creatures glow in the dark. The colors, lights, and sense of wonder give the impression of entering a lovely dream.

3. Inception (2010)

Inception, directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Tom Hardy, Ellen Page, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, was released on July 16, 2010. The scene where Ariadne learns to manipulate dreams is one of the most stunningly beautiful. Streets fly up in the air, buildings move in impossible directions, and the city bends and folds like a puzzle. It looks like a colorful dream that does not exist because of the smooth, endless motion of the environment, which creates a captivating and surreal experience. Wally Pfister won the “American Society of Cinematographers (ASC)” Award for outstanding achievement in cinematography for the film.

2. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

The film was released in 2001 on April 2. Stanley Kubrick featured Douglas Rain, William Sylvester, Gary Lockwood, and Keir Dullea. The "Stargate" scene is one of the strangest moments. Dave Bowman is surrounded by a whirlwind of colorful lights, moving patterns, and celestial scenery as he journeys through space. The environment is similar to an expanding dream in the mind, transporting the viewer beyond the bounds of reality with captivating images, haunting music, and silence.

1. Interstellar (2014)

On November 7, 2014, Christopher Nolan released Interstellar as his directorial project featuring Matthew McConaughey and Anne Hathaway along with Jessica Chastain and Michael Caine. When Cooper crosses into the black hole, he discovers the tesseract within which he finds himself enclosed. Inside the Tesseract, Cooper finds himself surrounded by an endless library and dynamic space dimensions and time elements that produce a surreal effect like a divine encounter. Interstellar stands out as the best space movie due to its effective blend of astonishing visual effects alongside realistic imagery and touching storylines. The combination of science and art makes the experience unforgettable.