Ranker FilmList RulesVote up the best guilty pleasure sci-fi films.
If you're on the hunt for the best guilty pleasure sci-fi movies, you best prepare for some overdone neon lighting, corny costumes, and premises riddled with plot holes. Science fiction is a genre that hinges on world building, so a decent premise, excellent special effects, and believable prosthetics are key to pulling it off. When things go south, you get some seriously cheesy films that are great for a good laugh.
Dumb sci-fi films are the result of multiple factors. An excellent script can be executed poorly without a big enough budget. On the other hand, some films are so bogged down in special effects, producers forget to craft a decent story. This does not infringe on viewer enjoyment, however. Quality science fiction is often an allegorical reflection on modern times that requires analysis and thought. However, sometimes you'd rather opt for something fun and easy. If you're on the hunt for some of the cheesiest sci-fi films viewers love to hate, browse this list. And feel free to add anything you think is missing!
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41788The Fifth Element
Milla Jovovich, Bruce WillisReleased: 1997
Directed by: Luc Besson
The Fifth Element is a 1997 English-language French science fiction action film directed and... more on Wikipedia2
378106Starship Troopers
Neil Patrick Harris, Denise RichardsReleased: 1997
Directed by: Paul Verhoeven
Starship Troopers is a 1997 American military science fiction action film directed by Paul... more on Wikipedia3
350107Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure
Keanu Reeves, George CarlinReleased: 1989
Directed by: Stephen Herek
Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure is a 1989 American science fiction comedy buddy film and the... more on Wikipedia4
364115Mars Attacks!
Natalie Portman, Jack NicholsonReleased: 1996
Directed by: Tim Burton
Mars Attacks! is a 1996 American comic science fiction film directed by Tim Burton. Earth is... more on Wikipedia5
31896Demolition Man
Sandra Bullock, Sylvester StalloneReleased: 1993
Directed by: Marco Brambilla
Demolition Man is a 1993 American science fiction action film directed by Marco Brambilla in... more on Wikipedia6
32398Blade
Kris Kristofferson, Wesley SnipesReleased: 1998
Directed by: Stephen Norrington
Blade is a 1998 American vampire superhero action film starring Wesley Snipes and Stephen... more on Wikipedia7
280107Short Circuit
Steve Guttenberg, Ally SheedyReleased: 1986
Directed by: John Badham
Short Circuit is a 1986 American comic science fiction film directed by John Badham, and... more on Wikipedia8
251114Tron
Jeff Bridges, David WarnerReleased: 1982
Directed by: Steven Lisberger
Tron is a 1982 American science fiction film written and directed by Steven Lisberger, based... more on Wikipedia9
238120Riddick
Vin Diesel, Dave BautistaReleased: 2013
Directed by: David Twohy
Riddick is a 2013 British-American science fiction thriller film, the third installment in the... more on Wikipedia10
260142Armageddon
Ben Affleck, Bruce WillisReleased: 1998
Directed by: Michael Bay
Armageddon is a 1998 American science fiction disaster thriller film, directed by Michael Bay,... more on Wikipedia11
229131Flash Gordon
Timothy Dalton, Max von SydowReleased: 1980
Directed by: Mike Hodges
Flash Gordon is a 1980 British science fiction action film, based on the comic strip of the... more on Wikipedia12
215127Dune
Sting, Patrick StewartReleased: 1984
Directed by: David Lynch
Dune is a 1984 American science fiction film written and directed by David Lynch, based on the... more on Wikipedia13
219139Minority Report
Cameron Diaz, Tom CruiseReleased: 2002
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Minority Report is a 2002 American neo-noir science fiction mystery-thriller film directed by... more on Wikipedia14
200132Judge Dredd
Sylvester Stallone, Diane LaneReleased: 1995
Directed by: Danny Cannon
Judge Dredd is a 1995 American science fiction action film directed by Danny Cannon, and... more on Wikipedia15
224156A.I. Artificial Intelligence
Meryl Streep, Robin WilliamsReleased: 2001
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
A.I. Artificial Intelligence, also known as A.I., is a 2001 American science fiction film... more on Wikipedia16
197132Event Horizon
Laurence Fishburne, Jason IsaacsReleased: 1997
Directed by: Paul W. S. Anderson
Event Horizon is a 1997 British-American science fiction horror film. The screenplay was... more on Wikipedia17
174122Tron: Legacy
Olivia Wilde, Jeff BridgesReleased: 2010
Directed by: Joseph Kosinski
Tron: Legacy is a 2010 American science fiction film produced and released by Walt Disney... more on Wikipedia18
205152Signs
Mel Gibson, Joaquin PhoenixReleased: 2002
Directed by: M. Night Shyamalan
Signs is a 2002 American science fiction thriller film written and directed by M. Night... more on Wikipedia19
206158Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
Natalie Portman, Ewan McGregorReleased: 2002
Directed by: George Lucas
(22 Years Before Episode IV) Ten years after the events of the Battle of Naboo, not only has... more on Wikipedia20
195150Waterworld
Kevin Costner, Jack BlackReleased: 1995
Directed by: Kevin Costner, Kevin Reynolds
Waterworld is a 1995 American post-apocalyptic science fiction action film directed by Kevin... more on Wikipedia21
198162Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
Natalie Portman, Keira KnightleyReleased: 1999
Directed by: George Lucas
(32 Years Before Episode IV) Stranded on the desert planet Tatooine after rescuing young Queen... more on Wikipedia22
173143War of the Worlds
Tom Cruise, Morgan FreemanReleased: 2005
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
War of the Worlds is a 2005 American epic science fiction disaster film and a loose adaptation... more on Wikipedia23
157135Alien: Resurrection
Winona Ryder, Sigourney WeaverReleased: 1997
Directed by: Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Alien: Resurrection is a 1997 American science fiction action horror film directed by... more on Wikipedia24
115139Maximum Overdrive
Carrie Fisher, Stephen KingReleased: 1986
Directed by: Stephen King
Maximum Overdrive is a 1986 American science fiction action horror film written and directed... more on Wikipedia25
104148The Core
Hilary Swank, Stanley TucciReleased: 2003
Directed by: Jon Amiel
The Core is a 2003 American science fiction disaster film. It concerns a team that has to... more on Wikipedia
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