What if some of the sci-fi movies critics dismissed are actually the ones worth your time? In the world of genre filmmaking, the gap between initial reception and long-term appreciation can be vast. Many films that were once written off as clunky, over-the-top, or too weird have quietly built cult followings thanks to their bold ideas, striking visuals, or sheer entertainment value.
For science fiction enthusiasts, such “second-chance” views can be a goldmine. They may not check all the boxes for critics, but they provide something else: an original vision, a shocking performance, or an atmosphere that cannot be duplicated. Here’s a glance at nine such movies that show critical consensus is not the last word.
1. Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970)
After the iconic 1968 original, this sequel veered viciously into stranger, darker terrain. Astronaut Brent’s quest to find Taylor finds him in a underground world of telepathic mutants who are devoting themselves to a doomsday bomb. The first half might recall the original, but when the action descends beneath the earth, it seeks a degree of uncompromising nihilism that is unusual in mainstream sci-fi. The conclusion bleak even for franchise standards is what makes it the darkest installment in the series, and that’s precisely why it’s so interesting to rewatch.
2. The Black Hole (1979)
Disney’s response to the late-’70s space craze was a $20 million bet that paid off aesthetically, if not storywise. Critics such as Roger Ebert deemed it “a talky melodrama,” but the film’s 150 matte paintings, hand-made models, and John Barry’s epic score continue to impress. Sure, some robot designs are quaint, but the surreal, album-cover-quality imagery of the climax is unforgettable. For retro-futuristic aesthetic enthusiasts, this is a ride worth taking particularly when a 4K release finally arrives.
3. The Ice Pirates (1984)
Vincent Canby labeled it “bewildering,” and he wasn’t far off but that’s the fun of it. This grungy space satire parodies everything from Star Wars to Mad Max, cramming in bawdy jokes, hapless robots, and even “space herpes.” Under the silliness is a staggering level of care for set design, costumes, and background detail. It’s a reminder that occasionally, a film’s messy energy is just what makes it worth revisiting.
4. Event Horizon (1997)
Released to disfavor for its over-reliance on style over substance, Paul W.S. Anderson’s horror-sci-fi crossover is now a cult classic. The production team documented Notre Dame Cathedral to map out the ship’s foreboding interiors, and the result is an atmosphere that’s industrial and gothic at the same time. Sam Neill’s role is chilling as it transitions from scientist-in-peril to insane villain, and the glimpses of gore are all the more impactful for their restraint. Nowadays, it is the quintessential example of cosmic horror executed to perfection.
5. Pitch Black (2000)
Prior to Vin Diesel being on the forefront of family memes, he was Richard B. Riddick a deadly inmate brought in to join forces with survivors on an unforgiving world. Critics dismissed it as derivative, but the film’s dark lighting, frenetic creature hunts, and solid supporting actors (Radha Mitchell, Keith David) make it one to watch. It’s a lean, atmospheric thriller that demonstrates copying from genre masters isn’t weakness when you do it this effectively.
6. Jason X (2001)
The tenth Friday the 13th film propels Jason Voorhees to 2455 and the outcome is hilariously ridiculous. From the chrome-finished “Uber Jason” enhancement to the notorious liquid nitrogen death, it’s a slasher that fully understands how over-the-top it is. Kane Hodder’s last appearance as Jason is a highlight, and the film’s embracement of its own camp is one of the franchise’s most purely fun offerings.
7. Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within (2001)
Square Pictures’ grandiose CG feature was a box office bomb, but it established a standard for realistic animation some nine years ahead of Avatar. The story is obfuscatory, but the oneiric visuals and innovative motion capture are worth seeing. As an isolated sci-fi narrative about which it differs significantly from as direct game adaptation it provides an introspective, visually dense experience that has held up vastly better than its early detractors anticipated.
8. Oblivion (2013)
At first glance, Joseph Kosinski’s Tom Cruise-starring epic can be overwhelming with its twists and world-building. But come back to it, and the knotted strands untangle into a smooth, emotionally rewarding narrative. The eye-popping production design ranging from sky-scraper glass residences to barren landscapes blends with an equally impressive score to make a world that is both immersive and gorgeous. Once you have the beats, you can more easily respect the artistry.
9. Underwater (2020)
Kristen Stewart drops her Twilight persona in this claustrophobic deep-sea monster pic. People likened it to Alien, but it’s more Cloverfield in its DNA, trading shaky cam for close, pressure-cooker shots that put you under the weight of the ocean. The building suspense, cosmic-horror elements, and Stewart’s physically engaged performance make it a contemporary genre gem that was unfairly shortchanged on its initial release.
These movies didn’t necessarily get a universal thumbs-up when they first came out, but all of them have something about them that makes them worth revisiting be it daring visuals, creative world-building, or a tone that refuses to be apologetic. For science fiction enthusiasts, that’s where the true alchemy happens: in those imperfect, overreaching movies that linger in your head long after the credits have disappeared.
