Science Fiction
Science fiction as a genre of film making has been an element of the cinema experience since the earliest days of the motion picture industry. These films have explored a great range of unique topics, including many that cannot be readily presented in other genre. Science fiction films have been used to explore sensitive social and political issues, while often providing an entertaining story for the more casual viewer. Today, science fiction films are in the forefront of new special effects technology, and the audience has become accustomed to displays of realistic aliens, space battles, energy weapons, faster than light travel, and distant worlds.
This genre has produced many memorable films, as well as a number that can be considered mediocre or even among the worst examples of film production. It took many decades, and the efforts of talented teams of film producers, for the science fiction film genre to be taken seriously as an art form by many critics. The very best of these films may be scrolled below, or for Sci-Fi TV Series, select the green 'Televison Shows' heading on left, and then the 'TV Sci-Fi' option.
The Quiet Earth (1985)
6.8/10
Director: Geoff Murphy
Starring: Bruno Lawrence, Alison Routledge, Peter Smith
A brilliant kiwi sci-fi thriller with Bruno Lawrence believing he is the last person on earth - until he stumbles on two more survivors, one a young w... Read more
Doctor Who: Davros Collection - Volume 2 (1985)
8.7/10
Starring: Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy, Terry Molloy
Volume 2 of 2 of this huge Davros collection follows the Doctor (in various forms) in his relationsip with the master of the Daleks. Some of the serie... Read more
Back to the Future: Trilogy (1985)
6.4/10
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Starring: Michael J Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Crispin Glover, Lea Thompson, Mary Steenburgen
'Back to the Future' - Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd are a time-travelling duo who journey from the past to the future and back again in this n... Read more
Doctor Who: The Mark of the Rani (1985)
8.7/10
Director: Sarah Hellings
Starring: Colin Baker, Nicola Bryant, Anthony Ainley, Kate O'Mara, Peter Childs
In 19th century England, the Sixth Doctor (Colin Baker) finds himself facing two competing enemies: his old adversary the Master (Anthony Ainley), and... Read more
Back to the Future (1985)
8.5/10
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Starring: Michael J Fox, Crispin Glover, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Marc McClure
Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd are a time-travelling duo who journey from the past to the future and back again in this now-classic sci-fi comed... Read more
Back to the Future (4K Ultra HD) (1985)
8.5/10
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Starring: Michael J Fox, Crispin Glover, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Marc McClure
Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd are a time-travelling duo who journey from the past to the future and back again in this now-classic sci-fi comed... Read more
Cocoon (1985)
6.7/10
Director: Ron Howard
Starring: Don Ameche, Wilford Brimley, Hume Cronyn, Brian Dennehy, Steve Guttenberg, Jessi...
Ron Howard directs a fine batch of Hollywood's senior citizens, who find that the Fountain of Youth is located not far from their Florida retirement c... Read more
Explorers (1985)
6.6/10
Director: Joe Dante
Starring: Ethan Hawke, River Phoenix, Jason Presson
From the director of 'Gremlins' comes this film for the young and young at heart. When a young boy dreams of circuit diagrams, he sets them down on pa... Read more
Starman (Blu-Ray) (1984)
7/10
Director: John Carpenter
Starring: Jeff Bridges, Karen Allen, Charles Martin Smith, Richard Jaeckel, Lu Leonard
Answering a NASA message intended for aliens, a space being tries to contact mankind, but an American missile grounds his ship. Scrambling, the so-cal... Read more
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock ( Blu-ray ) (1984)
6.7/10
Director: Leonard Nimoy
Starring: Christopher Lloyd, DeForest Kelley, George Takei, James Doohan, Leonard Nimoy, W...
Following on from "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan", Kirk, McCoy and crew return to the Genesis Planet to learn the truth of Spock's fate, but a ruthl... Read more