2025has already been a great year forsci-fifans, yet the most anticipated movies haven’t even premiered. Movies likeAvatar: Fire & Ash, Predator: Badlands, Jurassic World Rebirth, Superman, Frankenstein,andThe Running Manare on the way, so this list will definitely bulk up like the Incredible Hulk by the end of the year.
In all honesty, every year is always a good year for science fiction fans. This is one of the few film categorizations that never go out of fashion. Expecting sci-fi movies to lose their appeal like Westerns? Never gonna happen, especially in a world that keeps evolving technologically. So far, many gripping films have been released since January, and you’ve probably missed some of them. If you’re looking to catch up, here’s what to prioritize. Sadly,The Electric Stateby the Russo Brothers has to miss out on a list like this, given the high expectations fans had for it.
These are the best sci-fi movies from the first half of 2025.
10’The Shrouds'
The Shrouds
Karsh Relikh (Vincent Cassel) fromThe Shroudsis a tech entrepreneur struggling to get over the death of his wife. Hecreates GraveTech, a tombstone that transmits live feeds of a body’s decomposition via an app. Understandably, he loses it whensomeone vandalizes his wife’s grave and hacks the network.
Using Tech to Ease Grief
Nominated for the Palme d’Or at Cannes, this tight, powerfulsci-fi horror filmis so effectively realized that audiences might be tricked into thinking they are watching a documentary. Such is theimpressive observational realismthat director David Cronenberg achieves. His work is boosted by theastonishingly effortless, heartrending performances from the cast, particularly Vincent Cassel and Diane Kruger. You’ll also love how deep the movie goes into topics like 3D imaging and virtual assistance.
9’The Gorge'
Events inThe Gorgerevolve around skilled snipers Levi Kane (Miles Teller), a former U.S. Marine suffering from PTSD, and Drasa (Anya Taylor-Joy), a Lithuanian operative. The two aretasked with guarding a mysterious gorge hiding monstrous creatures known as “Hollow Men.“Though forbidden to interact, they form a bond through notes and signs, sparking a romance. Soon, they make shockingWWII-relateddiscoveries about the gorge.
What’s Really in There?
This engrossing film by Scott Derrickson stands asa haunting, unflinching portrayal of scientific experimentation on humans and a reminder of how bad things can get if we all don’t watch out. The harrowing, absurd story is narrated with much restraint, sensitivity, and the usual Hollywood gloss. The script could have been better, but when you have two talented actors like Miles Teller and Anya Taylor-Joy in the lead, it’s hard to notice any blemishes.
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8’Love Me'
Set in AD 2500, long after humanity has become extinct,Love Mefirst introduces us to a weather buoy, which awakens and declares itself a life form. It then makes contact with a passing satellite.The buoy then adopts the persona of “Me” and convinces the satellite, “Iam” (I am) to become friends. Eventually, a romance develops.
Could Love Truly Blossom?
Winner of the Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize at the Sundance Film Festival,Love Mecertainly deserves more attention than it gets. It’s never easy to makea good movie with only two cast members, so the filmmaking duo of Sam and Andy Zuchero ought to be lauded.Steve Yeun delivers a stunning performance in the central role, and Kristen Stewart is every bit his equal. Watch how their characters react when they learn about human pleasures, like the relieving feeling provided by water and the taste of ice cream
InAsh, Riya (Eiza González), an astronaut,awakens on a strange planet after a brutal incident where her crew got massacred. She can’t remember anything, and things get even more complicated whenshe meets Brion (Aaron Paul), a man who claims he has been sent to rescue her. Should she really trust him?
Things are Seldom What They Seem
A movie likeAshneedsgreat visuals and appropriate science lingoto be considered great. Thankfully, none of that is lacking here. From nanotechnology to alien invertebrates,academic details get the attention they deserve. González and Paul are incredible, too, deliveringengaging performances that are anchored by great dialogue. Be prepared for one ofthe greatest sci-fi movie twists.
6’O Horizon'
O Horizonis about Abby (Maria Bakalova),a neuroscientist who buries herself in work to get over the death of her father, Warren (David Strathairn).Life changes for the better when Sam (Adam Pally), a programmer, presents her with a futuristic AI service that resurrects people digitally via old data and memories. After reconnecting with her dad, Abby gets useful insights that force her to reassess her career and dating choices.
One Day at a Time
This memorable, moving film is a must-see for anyone who has ever lost a loved one.One of the ingenious touches is to keep the camera close to Abby’s face at all times, letting us feel her emotions at all times. In a way, this sure feels like a longerBlack Mirrorepisode, but you’ll still love what you see, partly because of thesmooth-flowing plotand partly because of howBakalova and Strathairn sink themselves into their roles.
5’The Assessment'
The Assessment
The Assessmenttakes us toa near future where society has enforced strict regulations on childbirth due to environmental collapse and scarce resources. Prospective parents must endurea rigorous week-long assessment to determine their suitability for parenthood. How will it go for the married couple, Mia (Elizabeth Olsen) and Aaryan (Himesh Patel)?
A Tough Route to Childbirth
A dazzling visual and technical accomplishment,The Assessmentimpressivelyuses technology to dig into the devastating effects of environmental degradation. Hoisted by two talented leads, it is a jaw-dropping spectacle that perfectly captures the characters' wistful regard for easier times when childbearing wasn’t so complicated and prompts us to appreciate the liberties we are enjoying now.
4’Thunderbolts*'
Thunderbolts*
InThunderbolts*, CIA Director Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus)tasks a group of misfit superheroes with conducting a dangerous covert operationmeant to benefit her. During the mission, one of them ends up dead, andBucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) shows up to arrest the rest. However, he makes shocking discoveries that prompt him to align with the team.
A Reminder of the Good Old Times
One ofPhase Five’s few good films,Thunderbolts*isa sparkling, witty, highly engaging filmthat shows where Marvel needs to go. Itexamines both the joys and the nasty underside of quaint team values that tend to be embodied in almost every unit. It also critiques the institutional rigidity of black and white. And don’t we all love Sebastian Stan? The film was almost directed by James Gunn, but Jake Schreier took over and did a perfect job.
3’Lilo & Stitch'
Lilo & Stitch
Lilo & Stitchfollows the lonely Hawaiian orphan Lilo (Maia Kealoha), who is still overwhelmed by grief and constantly clashes with her older sister. To ease her mental anguish, sheadopts an unusual dog from the local shelter and names him Stitch, unaware that it is Experiment 626, an alien fugitive. As galactic agents hunt Stitch down, Lilo tries to instill “ohana” (family) values in him.
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Already the highest-grossing film of 2025,Lilo & Stitchhas quite the cast. Zach Galifianakis, Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Hannah Waddingham, and Billy Magnussen all shine in their respective roles.Enhanced by blissful visual effects(provided by Disney-owned Industrial Light & Magic), the film alsoexcels as a morality story that teaches younger audiences that they should always do good and care for others. Even better, this isn’t a scene-for-scene live-action remake. A few exciting changes were made.
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2’Mickey 17'
Based on the 2022 novelMickey7by Edward Ashton,Mickey 17follows Mickey Barnes (Robert Pattinson), an expendable worker sent on deadly missions in a futuristic world where humans have colonized several planets.Each time he dies, his consciousness gets uploaded into a new body. After one failed mission,Mickey 17 is presumed dead, only to return and find he has been replaced by Mickey 18, who has taken his place. Will the two co-exist?
Mickey Vs Mickey
Bong Joon Ho’s layered film about labor in the future is alsoa surprisingly nuanced allegory of a modern employment landscape that tends to use workers for a while before discarding them. To the director’s credit, this never comes off as an overly preachy cautionary tale nor a scathing indictment of exploitative industries. It leaves ample room for audiences to be entertained. Bong Joon Ho has made better films, butMickey 17is still a must-watch.
1’Companion'
InCompanion, Iris (Sophie Thatcher), who thought she was human all along,learns from her boyfriend Josh (Jack Quaid) that she is a companion robot he is renting from robotics company Empathix. She also learns that an app on Josh’s phone can control her emotions and intelligence. Before he can control her anymore,she breaks free and boosts her intelligence from 40% to 100%. Consequently, chaos ensues.
Machine on the Loose
Jack Quaid has been on a roll lately, and he delivers again in a role thataccentuates the dangers of human-machine bonds. Thatcher is brilliant, too, infusing human emotions into the kind of character that has traditionally been depicted as wooden. In fact, exit polling indicated that 26% of ticket buyers went to see Thatcher. Stick around for that fight-to-the-death finale. It will blow your mind.
