20 sci-fi films with indie cred that you probably missed 

Sci-fi is a genre that allows and encourages the true creativity of screenwriters and directors. Indie cred sci-fi films include movies opposed to conventional big-budget blockbusters and small productions of a truly thought-provoking nature. They usually do not use big sets, special effects, and other additions and, instead, more restrictedly explore the genre of science.

Here is a list of 20 sci-fi films with indie cred that you probably missed and need to watch -

20) Silent Running (1972)

Silent Running, released in 1972, is a dystopian movie. It's about a botanist trying to save what little is left of Earth’s ecosystem in the future at the cost of his own life. Highlighting environmental concerns, this movie was shot using miniature models. The movie failed to be a blockbuster film, but it's a creative venture one needs to see.

19) Tau (2018)

Tau is a movie about a deep connection between an Artificial Intelligence model and a woman. Kidnapped and tortured, this woman’s only company is Tau, an AI robot whose help she uses to escape her kidnapper. This movie explored profound themes revolving around consciousness in AI and ethics in the development of technology. With a small production set, this movie has managed to highlight the threats posed by the integration of technology into everyday life.

18) Radius (2017)

Radius is a sci-fi movie with a unique plot. Revolving around the life of Liam, a man who, after an accident, discovers that anyone who comes within a 50-foot radius of him dies. Consequently, he is forced to live in isolation. Gradually, the events of his accident start unraveling, and he uncovers the mystery of everything happening to him. This movie, despite its low budget, managed to portray this creative idea quite well.

17) Code 8 (2019)

Code 8 is another movie set in the dystopian future. It's about a city where 4 percent of its population have special powers that make them somewhat of a superhero. This movie follows the same themes as many famous dystopian movies like Divergent and Hunger Games. It was a short film later crowdfunded into a full-feature film. This film is fairly appreciated for its world-building.

16) Spectral (2016)

Spectral is a movie set amidst the background of war. Mark Clyne, an engineer, is tasked with discovering and stopping some strange entities that are overpowering the human army. They are so powerful that they kill instantly on contact, and usual weapons like guns and bombs are ineffective against them. This movie centers around science and the supernatural and has elements of war and technology. Although not highly popular, it is quite an interesting watch.

15) Prospect (2018)

Prospect is another indie sci-fi about a father and a daughter who find themselves on an abandoned planet. This planet is filled with a rugged jungle that challenges their survival. This movie explores the limits people will cross to survive. While delving into issues like greed, trust, and betrayal, this movie used DIY props to bring to life its sci-fi world. It is a perfect example of how a low-budget movie can have a high impact.

14) Time Trap (2017)

Time Trap is an intriguing tale about a group of friends on a mission to explore an abandoned cave. What they didn’t realize was the cave exhibits some strange phenomenon, particularly of time working differently. This unique characteristic of time brings them face to face with ancient beings and futuristic ones too. With its engaging cinematography, this indie movie managed to put forward creative ideas without a big budget.

13) The Nines (2007)

The Nines portray different lives of the same person and use fate and reflections to portray the interconnectedness. It explores existentialism and the blend of reality and identity. Despite having Ryan Reynolds in its cast, this movie is of a low budget. Still, it used various creative means to send its message and managed to leave the audience with several thought-provoking themes.

12) Come True (2020)

Come True is a movie about Sarah, a teenager who has troubled dreams. She faces trouble sleeping and, to evade this problem takes part in a study. But, unexpectedly, the study turns out to be disastrous as she finds the line between her dreams and reality thinning. It's a creative take on the subconscious and dreams and how they are shaped by fear and trauma.

11) Daybreakers (2009)

Starring Ethan Hawke, Daybreaks is a sci-fi movie blending science with fantasy through the tropes of vampirism. It's about Edward, a vampire with a moral compass working on a cure for vampirism after a plague has turned many people into vampires. This movie is an underrated indie sci-fi gem that is a must-watch if you are interested in themes of redemption and societal collapse.

10) The Vast of Night (2019)

The Vast of Night is an indie sci-fi that blends 1950s nostalgia with elements of mystery and thrill. It's about a switchboard operator who, after discovering strange audio, contacts a radio jockey to help broadcast it to gain some insight into it. When a stranger contacts them with information, they find themselves caught amidst secret government operations and the reality of extraterrestrial life.

9) Oblivion (2013)

Although Oblivion had a star cast with Tom Cruise and Morgan Freeman, its minimalist storytelling and exploration of philosophical issues make it a part of the indie film genre. It is a story about humanity after the earth has been destroyed by aliens. Few people who managed to survive are living in space stations and need to protect the little resources they have left at any cost.

8) Sunshine (2007)

Sunshine is a movie about humanity going into chaos as the sun is on the verge of losing its power. Few scientists on a mission to reignite the sun find themselves caught amidst immense danger as close exposure to the sun drives them mad and leads to oxygen shortage. This movie failed to do well commercially but is an interesting take on sacrifice and human survival.

7) Predestination (2014)

Predestination is quite an interesting and thrilling movie. It's about an agent working in an organization that uses time travel to stop crimes in the past. But eventually, he finds himself stuck in an intricate interconnected loop that will leave you shocked. With top-notch plot twists, produced on a mere 5 million budget, this movie, although underrated, is considered one of the best takes on time travel.

6) Primer (2004)

Primer is another low-budget movie that has become quite an intriguing watch. It is about two friends - Aaron and Ade, who are engineers. While working on something, through an accident, they discover a time machine. They start making money through stock market predictions but eventually find themselves trapped in a time-traveling paradox.

5) The Man From Earth (2007)

The Man from Earth is a movie revolving around immortality and religious beliefs. The entire movie takes place in a single room and is about a retiring professor who reveals that he is an immortal being who has lived for 14,000 years. Through a series of engaging intellectual debates, this movie tackles topics of life, death, and time.

4) Coherence (2013)

Despite its low production budget, the movie - Coherence is a big name amongst people who watch intelligent sci-fi films. It is about parallel universes and their interconnection. It takes place during a dinner party of some friends who find themselves stuck with alternate versions of themselves after a comet alters their reality. This movie is a genius take on the butterfly effect and the interplay between one’s identity and reality.

3) Cube (1997)

Cube is an indie movie that bends sci-fi, horror, and thriller. It's about a few strangers who are trapped in a deathly maze. The maze is made up of interconnected rooms, each filled with traps designed to kill. The way out requires mathematics, logic, and, most importantly, unity. With its intense, thrilling scene, this movie explores paranoia and how it affects human emotions of trust and betrayal.

2) Annihilation (2018)

Annihilation is another sci-fi classic that hasn’t managed to reach the popularity it deserves. It is about a biologist with a team of other scientists is on mission to study a mysterious zone known as -The Shimmer. In the Shimmer, they encounter strange unknown beings. Eventually, it all culminates into themes of self-discovery and self-destruction and how nature can shape the human race.

1) Ex Machina (2014)

Ex-Machina is an indie gem delving into themes of artificial intelligence, consciousness, ethics, morality, and manipulation. It is about a young engineer, Caleb, who, as a favor to his boss, is asked to assess a human-like robot - Ava. Ava, despite being a robot, exhibits a severe human-like demeanor, and what was meant to be an assessment turned into a much deeper revelation of corrupt human nature. Despite its unpopularity in mainstream media, it has developed a reputation for itself in the academic setting.