Top 13 groundbreaking Science Fiction movies

The beauty of Science Fiction is that everything is possible and that your own fantasy is the limit to it. This is one of the reasons why the genre is so popular and why some movies, even today are game changers. 

There are many fantastic Science Fiction movies but these 13 movies, revolutionized the genre in its own way. Each of them did something unique to it. 

Here are the 13 groundbreaking movies in chronological order: 

Le voyage dans la lune (1902) by Georges Méliès

Although most people haven't seen this movie, they are familiar with the iconic image of the moon having been hit by a rocket in the eye.

The movie was inspired by the novels of Jules Verne and probably H.G. Wells.

The story is simple: Men travel to the moon, are captured by the inhabitants, manage to escape and return home.

Being an illionist Méliès was predestined to become a special effects innovator, as he did with this movie, which would be his most ambitious. One the techniques he pioneered was the multiple exposure, which is still occasionally used.

It is very obvious why this movie was groundbreaking, considering it would still take about 20 years before people would even refer to the genre as Science Fiction. 

Metropolis (1927) by Fritz Lang

Mertropolis' story is about overcoming social gaps in a dystopian future. It is remarkable that such a movie was made not only in a time in Germany, when Adolf Hilter was already gaining attention through his anti-semic views, but also that this happened 21 years before another classic of a dystopian future was published, namely George Orwell's "1984". It also obvious why critics considered it somewhat communist. 

The movie was also one of the first feature-length Science Fiction movies and adjusted to the inflation its budget would have amounted to a stunning 200 million USD in present times. But it was its art direction and design that draw from the styles of Bauhaus and Cubism that were most remarkable. The design for the robot even inspired another movie's design 50 years. A movie that also appears on this list.     

The War of the Worlds (1953) by Byron Haskin

Although the radio play directed by Orson Welles, which was also based on the novel by H.G. Wells is probably better known I wanted to include this movie. 

During the shooting of this movie life size models were used, instead of the common miniatures. This gave the movie a more realistic look when it came to the movement. That hadn't been achieved until then. 

In addition producer George Pal was planning to film part of this movie in 3D, which was not as uncommon as expected in the first half of the 1950ies. 

The Time Machine (1960) by George Pal

What best describes this movie is probably steam punk, although no steam engines appear. It is based again on a novel by H.G. Wells. "The Time Machine" was published in 1895 and represents a vision of the future from the perspective of the Victorian Age, despite having been made in 1960. 

The movie was again produced by George Pal, who this time also directed. It won an Academy Award for the photografic effects that represented the time lapse. 

It was crucial the sub-genre of time travelling fiction, which ultimately inspired the iconic show "Doctor Who" just ot name one.  

2001: A Space Odysee (1968) by Stanley Kubrick

This movie marked the first time, Science Fiction films moved away from the colourful looks made popular by Star Trek and the likes to the more clinical look we expect today from starships in movies. 

The look which projects functionality is still popular, if we compare it to recent movies like "The Martian" and "Passengers". The look is also extremely realistic, if you compare it to footage from the ISS for example. Because of this "2001" will never look outdated.   

Star Wars - A New Hope (1977) by George Lucas

What can be said about "Star Wars" that hasn't said been yet? It has magic, an intriguing story, action, humour, romance and visual effects that despite the passing of 40 years still look good today for most part of it. Although it is hard to pinpoint why Star Wars changed the gerne it certainly did. Maybe it simply is the perfect mix or as J.J. Abrams put it recently: "Star Wars is a religion, not a movie."

In the end it all comes down to one basic truth: The battle between good and evil.  

Blade Runner (1982) by Ridley Scott

In the 80ies a new Science Fiction genre began to form now known as Cyber Punk. One of the early influences was "Blade Runner", which itself was based on the book by Philip K. Dick "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep".
It is also considered one of the earliest influences in the future noir or tech noir (A term that would be made famous two years later, when James Cameron used it as the name of the nightclub in Terminator.).
The movies dark atmosphere would go on to inspired hundeds of movies and tv shows.

Tron (1982) by Steven Lisberger

In a time, when computers were for most people little more than sophisticated calculators "Tron" hit the screens. It not only introduced ordinary people to concepts as "hacking" or "virtual reality" (Althought it is never refered to as such in the movie) but also used computers to create several sequences. Back then computers were only able to create images without movement, therefore each scence had to be create manually of single images.
It was even disqualified for an Academy Award nomination for special effects because back then the Academy considered using computers cheating. At least according to director Steven Lisberger.  

The Last Star Fighter (1984) by Nick Castle

To most people this is certainly the most surprising entry in this list. It is a fairly unknown little Scifi movie which under normal circumstances would be something you watch on sunday afternoon, when channel surfing.
It is however a little known fact, that "The Last Star Fighter" was the first movie to do all its special effects on a computer. While the movie itself might be average its computer generated effects would redefine Science Fiction movies and open a world of new possibilities.

Terminator 2 - Judgement Day (1991) by James Cameron

Although personally I prefer the first Terminator, I have to admit that it was T2, as it is known among movie enthusiasts, that left a lasting imprint on the genre.

While the story is not overly original (The time travelling paradoxon is still interesting but hardly new), that visual effects of T2 were groundbreaking, especially the morphing. While is wasn't entirely new this movie brought it to perfection and used it brilliantly to create one of the most unsettling villains.

The Matrix (1999) by The Wachowski Brothers

In as way this movie is an amalgament of many of the details described above paired with an intriguing story. It has breathtaking special effects, a great dark look and unique fighting sequences. The Bullet Time sequence is one of the most iconic scences of Science Fiction and although the technique wasn't new the Matrix surely made it more popular.
Unfortunately the sequels were not able to keep up the same standard.   

Avatar (2009) by James Cameron

This movie didn't redefine the genre so much, because the story told was not new and the techniques used were known. What was truly unique was the way James Cameron used these tools to create a new world, with wildlife, a culture and even different light.
It wasn't only that which made the movie groundbreaking but that it perfected everything mentioned above that was created for the other movies on this list.
If we were to choose the perfect Science Fiction movie it would certainly be "Avatar".
It has an interesting story with a message, great actors, breathtaking special effects  and a unique look.

There are many other amazing Science Fiction movies that stay with you, such as "Alien", "Total Recall", "Cube" and recently "Arrival". While those are great works of art, they didn't leave an imprint on the genre.

What do you think of this list? Do you agree or have I forgotten a truly ground breaking movie?
Leave your opinion in the comments.