Science fiction is an amazing playground for a storyteller’s imagination. It can whisk us away to distant galaxies, introduce us to bizarre alien life, bend the rules of time, or show us a future packed with unbelievable technology. If you’ve devoured all the big-name sci-fi blockbusters and are craving something fresh and unexpected, you’re in the right place!
We’ve dug deep to find some truly special films released between 2011 and 2021. These aren’t your everyday superhero flicks; they’re hidden treasures that might have slipped under your radar. Many scored high with critics but didn’t quite make a splash at the box office, were indie darlings, or got lost in the ever-growing sea of streaming content. Get ready to add these 10 remarkable sci-fi movies to your watchlist!
10. Prospect (2018)
Prospect is a compelling low-budget debut from writers and directors Zeek Earl and Chris Caldwell. This film, expanded from their short of the same name, centers on a teenage girl (Sophia Thatcher) and her father (Jay Duplass) as they try to strike it rich by harvesting rare gemstones on a dangerous alien moon. Their quest brings them face-to-face with other prospectors, including a memorable character played by Pedro Pascal.
The moon itself is enveloped in a toxic forest, reminiscent of a deadlier version of Endor, and the coveted gems have a surreal, almost Lynchian quality. Prospect excels in its world-building, presenting a universe where characters scrape by on the galaxy’s fringes. This influences the film’s unique aesthetic; it’s refreshingly analog. Spaceships, suits, and weapons feel cobbled together, a stark contrast to the sleek designs common in big-budget sci-fi. It’s a testament to creating a rich atmosphere with limited resources.
9. Attack the Block (2011)
Before John Boyega wielded a lightsaber in Star Wars or Jodie Whittaker piloted the TARDIS in Doctor Who, they starred in Joe Cornish’s directorial debut, Attack the Block. Set in a South London council estate, the film follows a streetwise teen gang who become Earth’s unlikely defenders when aliens invade their turf. This fresh premise immediately sets it apart from typical alien invasion narratives.
Critics lauded its strong cast, its clever take on the ‘kids-team-up’ genre, and its smart integration of class politics. It also captures an authentic London feel. Despite critical acclaim, it didn’t perform well at the box office. However, its cult status has grown, leading to the exciting announcement of a sequel with both Cornish and Boyega returning. If you missed it in 2011, now’s the perfect time to see what the buzz is about.
8. Midnight Special (2016)
Jeff Nichols’ Midnight Special masterfully blends a tense chase movie with intelligent science fiction. Michael Shannon plays a father desperately trying to protect his son (Jaeden Martell), who possesses extraordinary supernatural abilities, from both a religious cult and the government. While the setup might sound like an X-Men-style blockbuster, Nichols grounds the story in a gritty, palpable reality.
The film offers a refreshing alternative to mainstream superhero narratives, yet it struggled to find a wide audience. Midnight Special builds relentless momentum towards a final act reveal that has proven divisive. Some find the payoff to be a stunning sequence of special effects that achieve “real grace, strangeness, and beauty,” restoring faith in visual storytelling. It’s a film that dares to be different, and its ending is something you’ll want to experience for yourself.
7. See You Yesterday (2019)
Based on his own short film, Stefon Bristol’s feature debut See You Yesterday introduces us to C.J. (Eden Duncan-Smith) and Sebastian (Danté Crichlow), two brilliant teenage science prodigies from Brooklyn who successfully invent time travel. Their invention becomes crucial when they must use it to try and prevent the tragic murder of C.J.’s older brother. The film cleverly nods to Back to the Future, even featuring a cameo from Michael J. Fox.
Time travel often involves characters attempting multiple do-overs, and See You Yesterday uses this trope as a powerful metaphor for challenging systemic social injustice. While the film has its share of adventure and lighthearted comedic moments, it doesn’t shy away from deeply harrowing and emotionally resonant scenes. Bristol takes a familiar sci-fi concept and infuses it with a hard-hitting, reality-grounded story that leaves a lasting impact.
6. Coherence (2013)
Coherence is a mind-bending thriller that’s best experienced with as little prior knowledge as possible. Simply put, it’s about a dinner party where bizarre and inexplicable events begin to unfold, echoing the unsettling nature of The Twilight Zone mixed with quantum physics concepts like Schrödinger’s Cat. The story of its creation is almost as fascinating as the film itself.
Director James Ward Byrkit shot the movie in just five days in his own living room, with no traditional script and a minimal crew. His goal was to capture natural, authentic dialogue and reactions. Instead of providing lines, Byrkit gave each actor daily notes outlining their character’s backstory and motivations for the scenes. This innovative approach resulted in a film where characters speak and react with genuine surprise and confusion, drawing the audience directly into their bewildering predicament.
5. Colossal (2016)
Even with Anne Hathaway in the lead, Colossal didn’t quite make the waves it deserved upon release. That’s a shame, as it’s a truly unique, genre-bending film with a lot on its mind. Hathaway plays Gloria, an out-of-work writer grappling with alcoholism who moves back to her hometown and reconnects with her childhood friend Oscar (Jason Sudeikis). The sci-fi twist? A giant kaiju suddenly starts attacking Seoul, and Gloria soon realizes she has a strange, direct connection to the monster’s actions.
Director Nacho Vigalondo borrows heavily from Godzilla lore—so much so that Toho, Godzilla’s copyright holder, initiated legal action, which was later settled. But Colossal is far more than a monster movie homage. It delves into serious themes like addiction and toxic relationships, using the kaiju element as a surprisingly mature and dark metaphor. It’s a kaiju film with an unexpected emotional depth.
4. Oxygen (2021)
Alexandre Aja, a director primarily known for his visceral horror films like The Hills Have Eyes (2006) and Piranha 3D (2010), takes a different turn with Oxygen. This French-language film opts for taut, claustrophobic sci-fi thrills over gore. The story instantly grips you: a woman (Mélanie Laurent) awakens inside a cryogenic chamber with no memory of who she is or how she got there. To make matters worse, her oxygen supply is critically low and rapidly depleting.
The film unfolds largely in real-time and is almost entirely confined to the single location of the cryo-pod, intensifying the sense of claustrophobia. Aja masterfully builds and sustains tension throughout. The narrative rests heavily on Laurent’s compelling performance, as she navigates confusion, sheer panic, and a desperate determination to survive. Mathieu Amalric provides a key supporting role as the voice of M.I.L.O., the chamber’s AI. It’s a suspenseful ride that will have you holding your breath.
3. Annihilation (2018)
From Alex Garland, the writer-director behind the acclaimed Ex Machina, comes Annihilation, an adaptation of Jeff VanderMeer’s novel. Natalie Portman stars as Lena, a biologist and former soldier who joins a clandestine expedition into “The Shimmer,” a mysterious and expanding zone where the laws of nature are being rewritten. Previous teams, including one with Lena’s husband, have ventured into this anomaly but none have returned.
Annihilation is a visually stunning and deeply philosophical film, more concerned with exploring human nature and our self-destructive urges than with simple survival. It rewards close attention with its intricate themes and increasingly trippy, beautiful, yet terrifying imagery. If you appreciate sci-fi that blends intellectual depth with genuine scares and a touch of horror, this haunting and imaginative film is a must-see.
2. The Endless (2017)
Similar to Annihilation in its journey into the unknown, The Endless is a captivating sci-fi horror indie. It follows two brothers who, years after escaping a UFO death cult as children, receive a cryptic videotape that prompts them to return to the remote compound to seek closure and answers. The film stars Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead, who also co-directed, produced, and edited, with Benson writing and Moorhead handling cinematography – a true passion project.
This low-budget marvel deserves a much wider audience. The genuine fraternal bond between the lead characters grounds the film, providing an anchor for viewers as the story descends into increasingly bizarre, Lovecraftian territory. There’s even a respectful nod to H.P. Lovecraft’s short story “The Colour Out of Space.” The Endless is a prime example of how a compelling concept and creative filmmaking can triumph over budgetary limitations.
1. The Vast of Night (2019)
Topping our list is The Vast of Night, another exceptional low-budget indie that lovingly pays homage to 1950s B-movie sci-fi. Set in a small New Mexico town over the course of one evening, the film follows Everett (Jake Horowitz), a charismatic radio DJ, and Fay (Sierra McCormick), a young switchboard operator. As they work their night shifts, they stumble upon a strange audio frequency that suggests something otherworldly is occurring in their quiet town, leading them on an impromptu investigation.
Director Andrew Patterson masterfully blends the retro charm of classics like Invasion of the Body Snatchers with a razor-sharp script and impressively kinetic modern camerawork. While the plot might feel familiar to sci-fi aficionados, the way it unfolds is utterly captivating. The snappy, walk-and-talk dialogue pulls you right into the characters’ urgent quest. A standout feature is its stunning cinematography, including an incredible tracking shot that seems to glide across the entire town. The Vast of Night is a beautifully crafted love letter to classic sci-fi and a truly rewarding watch.
These ten films prove that some of the most inventive and thought-provoking science fiction often lies just beyond the mainstream glare. Each offers a unique vision, pushing the boundaries of the genre in its own way. From analog futures to psychological thrillers and cosmic horror, there’s a universe of overlooked stories waiting to be discovered.
Have you seen any of these sci-fi gems? Which underrated sci-fi movies would you add to this list? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
