At the beginning of November, Max only added 23 new movies to its cinematic lineup. That’s a lot fewer than its streaming rivals. It also means that the sci-fi movies on Max aren’t the only genre that’s being underserved by Warner Bros. Discovery. Since last month, War for the Planet of the Apes, Aliens, Leviathan, Predators, and High Life have all departed Max. Unfortunately, adding the first three Jurassic Park movies doesn’t really do enough to offset that loss.
But since we can only work with what we have, the original Jurassic Park is one of our films in the spotlight for November. The other new addition, Watchmen Chapter 1, isn’t arriving until November 18. That is an animated superhero movie, but it also has many sci-fi elements, and it’s one of the best comic book stories ever created.
On a side note, if you loved the two-part Dune adaptation, the upcoming TV series, Dune: Prophecy, is arriving on HBO and Max on November 17. In the absence of more new sci-fi films, that will have to tide fans over for now. You can find the rest of our selections for the best sci-fi movies on Max below.
In need of some more streaming recommendations? We also have guides to the best new movies to stream, the best movies on Max, the best shows on Max, and what’s new on HBO and Max that are worth looking through.
Jurassic Park
Year: 1993
Runtime: 2 hours, 7 minutes
Director: Steven Spielberg
One of the big reasons why Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of Michael Crichton’s Jurassic Park holds up so well is that it isn’t overly reliant on the then-groundbreaking CGI dinosaurs. Spielberg and company also used animatronics and practical effects to bring the dinosaurs back to life, which has largely become a lost art in cinema. The late Richard Attenborough also had a real twinkle in his eye as John Hammond, the wealthy man who funded the research to clone dinosaurs.
Hammond is so eager to show off his accomplishment to the world that he tries to turn it into a destination theme park. Scientists Dr. Alan Grant (Sam Neill), Dr. Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern), and Dr. Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum) are less convinced that it’s a good idea, even though they’re impressed. Soon enough, an act of corporate sabotage disables Jurassic Park, leaving Hammond’s guests and his grandchildren at the mercy of raptors and one very aggressive T-Rex.
Watchmen Chapter 1
Year: 2024
Runtime: 1 hour, 24 minutes
Director: Brandon Vietti
“Who watches the Watchmen?” Alan Moore and artist Dave Gibbons’ seminal superhero deconstruction has already been adapted into live action by director Zack Snyder. Damon Lindelof then followed with a Watchmen sequel series for the comic in 2019 on HBO. The recently released animated film Watchmen Chapter 1 is a second attempt at adapting the original story without some of the changes that Snyder made for his film.
Babylon 5 creator J. Michael Straczynski, who wrote some of the Before Watchmen prequel comics, penned the new script for veteran animation director Brandon Vietti. In this alternate vision of 1985, Richard Nixon (Max Koch) is still president, and America’s supremacy is assured by the power of Doctor Manhattan (Michael Cerveris). Someone is trying to change that, and the renegade vigilante Rorschach (Titus Welliver) remains the only one who sees the signs of a conspiracy against former superheroes. Nite Owl/Dan Dreiberg (Matthew Rhys), Silk Spectre/Laurie Juspeczyk (Katee Sackhoff), and Ozymandias/Adrian Veidt (The Last of Us‘ Troy Baker) don’t take Rorschach’s warning seriously. By the time that changes, it may be too late to stop what has already been set in motion
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Year: 2011
Runtime: 1 hours, 45 minutes
Director: Rupert Wyatt
The movie may be called Rise of the Planet of the Apes, but it’s really the rise of Caesar (Andy Serkis), the world’s first chimpanzee with nearly human levels of intelligence. Because of the circumstances of his birth, Caesar doesn’t really fit in with either apes or humans, but he spends most of his formative years as a surrogate son to Dr. Will Rodman (James Franco), a man who is using an experimental drug to treat Alzheimer’s patients like his father, Charles (John Lithgow).
Despite Will’s good intentions, his wonder drug has adverse effects, and it can also greatly enhance the intelligence of primates. When Caesar is forced out of Will’s home and made to endure abuse by his new human captors, he fights back. And Caesar knows all too well how to make his new tribe of primates just as smart as he is.
Dune (1984)
Year: 1984
Runtime: 2 hours, 17 minutes
Director: David Lynch
Imagine trying to adapt the entirety of Frank Herbert’s Dune into a single movie that came out in theaters a year after the original Star Wars trilogy came to an end. The deck was stacked against director David Lynch, and his version of Dune is inferior to the two-part adaptation that followed decades later.
In this condensed version of Herbert’s novel, Paul Atreides (Kyle MacLachlan), the last heir to his house after his father, Duke Leto (Jürgen Prochnow), is killed by the forces of Baron Vladimir Harkonnen (Kenneth McMillan). Paul seeks sanctuary among the Fremen of Arrakis and soon rises to become their messiah and leader. Paul’s reach threatens the galactic empire because space travel is only possible through an Arrakis-produced drug called spice. “The spice must flow,” as they say. Paul may be holding a lot of cards, but he still has to defeat House Harkonnen and his other enemies.
The Martian
Year: 2015
Runtime: 2 hours, 22 minutes
Director: Ridley Scott
The story of how author Andy Weir self-published The Martian on his website before it became a best-seller is almost as inspiring as the novel he wrote. Don’t expect to see any alien Xenomorphs in this Ridley Scott film. The only hard turn into science fiction for this movie is that humanity’s space shuttle technology finally allows NASA to send a manned mission to Mars.
Unfortunately for Dr. Mark Watney (Matt Damon), a freak accident on the planet’s surface leads his crew to believe that he’s perished. Left alone on Mars, Mark has to figure out how he can survive four long years before the next mission. Once Mark makes contact with Earth, the debate about whether to rescue him forces Commander Melissa Lewis (Jessica Chastain) and the rest of her crew to make some hard choices.
Independence Day
Year: 1996
Runtime: 2 hours, 25 minutes
Director: Roland Emmerich
The real secret behind Independence Day‘s longevity is that it gives audiences the visceral thrill of aliens blowing up famous cities and locations while also providing a look at mankind’s battle to defend itself on the Fourth of July. As far as popcorn sci-fi action movies go, few are better than this.
When aliens arrive on Earth, David Levinson (Jeff Goldblum) is one of the first to realize their intentions are sinister. President Thomas J. Whitmore (Bill Pullman) has the unenviable task of trying to keep the dream of America alive against such an incredible threat. Fortunately, men like pilot Steven Hiller (Will Smith) prove that the aliens can be beaten in battle. But it’s going to take more than firepower to ensure humanity’s survival.
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire
Year: 2024
Runtime: 1 hour, 55 minutes
Director: Adam Wingard
After fighting each other in Godzilla vs. Kong, the two monsters have retreated into their separate corners three years later in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. Kong gets to rule down below in the Hollow Earth while Godzilla extends his dominance over his fellow Titans on the surface. Unfortunately, the good times can’t last forever because there’s a threat brewing that could have devastating consequences for the world. Neither Kong nor Godzilla can win this battle by themselves. But together, these two giant creatures may prove to be the salvation of the entire world… if they can figure out how to get along.
Gattaca
Year: 1997
Runtime: 1 hour, 47 minutes
Director: Andrew Niccol
The future of discrimination isn’t based on skin color in Gattaca. Instead, it’s genetics, as naturally born children are considered inferior to kids who were born with scientifically enhanced traits. Vincent Freeman (Ethan Hawke) has felt the sting of that double standard his entire life, especially since his genetically engineered brother, Anton Freeman (Loren Dean), got all of the advantages that his older brother never could.
As an adult, Vincent strikes a deal with a paralyzed athlete, Jerome Eugene Morrow (Jude Law), to pass his genetic material off as his own and earn a place among the Gattaca space program. But just when Vincent’s dreams of becoming an astronaut are almost in reach, a murder at the program threatens to expose his true identity. And Vincent’s own brother is leading the police investigation that may lead back to him.
Splice
Year: 2009
Runtime: 1 hour, 44 minutes
Director: Vincenzo Natali
When scientists try to play God, they almost always get burned. Splice is no exception, as Clive Nicoli (Adrien Brody) and Elsa Kast (Sarah Polley) disregard their employers’ wishes by creating a human/animal hybrid whom they call Dren (Delphine Chanéac). Dren may have some human characteristics, but she is far from what we would call humanity.
Additionally, Clive and Elsa’s attempt to isolate Dren backfires, as she continuously mutates and evolves. Dren’s a fast study when it comes to men and women, and she has no feelings of paternal love for her creators. If she’s this dangerous now, how deadly will Dren be in her final form?
Kate & Leopold
Year: 2001
Runtime: 1 hour, 59 minutes
Director: James Mangold
Kate & Leopold falls more on the side of rom-com than sci-fi, but it is a science fiction story. More specifically, it deals with time travel. Stuart Besser (Liev Schreiber) has discovered recurring portals that connect the present to 1876, where his ancestor, Leopold (Deadpool & Wolverine‘s Hugh Jackman) lives. After Leopold notices Stuart’s unusual characteristics, he is accidentally drawn back to the present with him.
While stuck in modern day New York, Leopold meets and bonds with Kate McKay (Meg Ryan), a researcher who doesn’t believe that Leopold is from the past. But one thing she does believe in is their instant connection, even though Leopold’s continued presence in his future may lead to severe consequences if he doesn’t go back in time to fulfill his role in history.
Dune: Part Two
Year: 2024
Runtime: 2 hours, 46 minutes
Director: Denis Villeneuve
Box office hits have been few and far between in 2024, but Dune: Part Two did so well that it secured a future for the third film, Dune: Messiah. Timothée Chalamet reprises his as Paul Atreides, the last living male heir of his house following the destruction of his family by House Harkonnen. Now living among the Fremen with his mother, Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), Paul quickly wins the admiration of his new tribe. And several of their number believe that Paul is a figure of prophecy who will lead them to reclaim their world.
One of the few Fremen who refuses to bow to Paul is Chani (Zendaya), the young woman who loves him. Elvis‘ Austin Butler co-stars as Feyd-Rautha, an even more ruthless member of House Harkonnen who stands in the way of Paul’s ascension. Even if Paul can defeat Feyd-Rautha, his victory may have dire consequences for the entire universe.
Terminator Salvation
Year: 2009
Runtime: 1 hour, 55 minutes
Director: McG
No one besides James Cameron has been able to crack the perfect Terminator sequel, but Terminator Salvation is a lot better than everything else that came after Terminator 2. That’s because this film doesn’t rehash the plot of the first two movies. Instead, it places audiences in the future world that was only glimpsed in the previous films. Christian Bale stars as John Connor, a solider who is having a hard time living up to predictions that he would be the savior of mankind in the war against the machines. John is also alarmed that the A.I. known as Skynet is targeting his father, Kyle Reese (Anton Yelchin), as if the machines are aware of how his fate is tied with John’s.
Meanwhile, Marcus Wright (Avatar 3‘s Sam Worthington) emerges as the wild card in the war between humanity and the machines. Marcus doesn’t initially realize it, but he’s been transformed into a half-Terminator hybrid. And his choices will determine which side will triumph in a key battle for the future.
Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey
Year: 1991
Runtime: 1 hour, 34 minutes
Director: Pete Hewitt
America’s favorite time-traveling nitwits return in Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey, and they’re even funnier when they’re dead! It’s true, Bill S. Preston, Esq (Alex Winter) and Ted “Theodore” Logan (Keanu Reeves) end up getting murdered by their exact robot duplicates from the future before being sent on a one-way trip to the afterlife.
Fortunately, Death (William Sadler) turns out to be a big pushover and Bill and Ted don’t stay dead for very long. But they will need some more help to defeat their evil robots and change the future, especially since their music still isn’t good enough to change the world.
9
Year: 2009
Runtime: 1 hour, 20 minutes
Director: Shane Acker
The movie 9 is an animated sci-fi story that’s been largely forgotten in the 15 years since its release. The story takes place in the future, as a soulless creation called the Fabrication Machine has decimated humanity and the entire world. The Scientist (Alan Oppenheimer) who created the machine realizes that only creations with a soul may stand a chance against it. So he creates nine stitchpunks that each carry different aspects of his personality and soul.
9 (Elijah Wood) is perhaps the most humanlike of all the stitchpunks,who also include 7 (Jennifer Connelly), 2 (Martin Landau), 5 (John C. Reilly), and 6 (Crispin Glover). However, 1 (Christopher Plummer) declares himself the leader of the stitchpunks, setting up a conflict with 9 even as the Fabrication Machine sends its own lethal creations to destroy them all.
RoboCop
Year: 1987
Runtime: 1 hour, 43 minutes
Director: Paul Verhoeven
The original RoboCop strikes a balance between serious sci-fi and truly hilarious satire that never veers into farce. Director Paul Verhoeven pulled that off with the help of his leading man, Peter Weller, who still manages to convey RoboCop’s humanity with just the lower half of face for most of the movie. In the near future, the corporation OCP is in charge of Detroit’s police department. When OCP Senior President Dick Jones (Ronny Cox) stumbles with his brutally lethal ED-209 law enforcement robots, his rival, Bob Morton (Miguel Ferrer), sees his chance to push the RoboCop project.
But for a man to become a machine, he has to die first. And it’s not long before Officer Alex Murphy (Weller) is murdered by one Jones’ criminal underlings, Clarence Boddicker (Kurtwood Smith). Upon his revival as a cyborg, Murphy is initially the perfect candidate to be RoboCop. Yet soon enough, Murphy remembers who he was and how he died. This sends Murphy on a quest for justice that he may not be able to finish by himself.
Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure
Year: 1989
Runtime: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Director: Stephen Herek
Strange things are indeed afoot at the Circle K as the sci-fi comedy Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure introduces Bill S. Preston, Esq. (Alex Winter) and Ted “Theodore” Logan (Keanu Reeves) to their future selves, courtesy of their mentor from the future, Rufus (George Carlin). Because Bill and Ted are destined to change the world for the better, Rufus lends them his time machine to help them create a history report that they need to ace to graduate high school.
However, thinking isn’t necessarily Bill and Ted’s strong point, as the dim-witted duo causes havoc throughout the time stream while bringing several historical figures to the present, including Napoleon Bonaparte (Terry Camilleri), Billy the Kid (Dan Shor), Socrates (Tony Steedman), Sigmund Freud (Rod Loomis), Genghis Khan (Al Leong), Joan of Arc (Jane Wiedlin), Abraham Lincoln (Robert V. Barron), and Ludwig van Beethoven (Clifford David).
Mad Max: Fury Road
Year: 2015
Runtime: 2 hours, 1 minute
Director: George Miller
If you were expecting a smooth transition from Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome to Mad Max: Fury Road, then you’re going to be disappointed. But you won’t be disappointed by Fury Road itself, which may be among the best action movies ever made. Tom Hardy takes over the leading role of “Mad Max” Rockatansky from Mel Gibson, and he immediately loses the spotlight in his own film to Imperator Furiosa (Charlize Theron), who will be featured in the upcoming prequel film Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.
Max and Furiosa don’t necessarily get along – much like the strained relationship that Hardy and Theron reportedly had on the set – but they do have a common enemy in Immortan Joe (Hugh Keays-Byrne), a warlord who sends his forces after this unlikely duo as they attempt to escort Joe’s estranged wives to safety.
Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials
Year: 2015
Runtime: 2 hours, 12 minutes
Director: Wes Ball
Thomas (Dylan O’Brien), Teresa (Kaya Scodelario), Newt (Love Actually‘s Thomas Brodie-Sangster), and the other survivors from The Maze Runner are back in the sequel, Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials. After being evacuated from the Glade, Thomas and his friends accept shelter from Janson (Aidan Gillen) at his facility as they learn more about WCKD and the deadly Flare Virus that devastated humanity.
However, Janson’s sanctuary isn’t what it seems, and Thomas is forced to lead his Gladers into danger once again as they cross through the wasteland known as the Scorch. But Janson and WCKD aren’t about to let their human experiments escape so easily, which forces Thomas’ group to elude WCKD troops while navigating the deadliest areas of the Scorch.
Dune (2021)
Year: 2021
Runtime: 2 hours, 36 minutes
Director: Denis Villeneuve
Impatient viewers may have a hard time with the modern adaptation of Frank Herbert’s Dune because it really takes its time getting to a cliffhanger ending for the upcoming sequel. Unlike David Lynch, director Denis Villeneuve had the room to space things out, so to speak. The result is one of the most lavish sci-fi epics in decades.
Timothée Chalamet stars as Paul Atreides, but a good deal of this film belongs to Paul’s father, Duke Leto Atreides (Oscar Isaac). Despite his suspicions that he was sent to Arrakis to fail, Duke Leto genuinely believes he can improve the lives of the native Fremen and bring peace to the most important planet in the universe. Unfortunately for House Atreides, their enemies have already made plans to destroy them, and Paul may be the only one who can keep his family line alive.
2001: A Space Odyssey
Year: 1968
Runtime: 2 hours, 23 minutes
Director: Stanley Kubrick
The word “masterpiece” tends to get thrown around a lot in film criticism. But 2001: A Space Odyssey more than lives up to the hype even decades later. director Stanley Kubrick and writer Arthur C. Clarke crafted an unforgettable sci-fi epic that is told more through visuals than anything spoken aloud.
Keir Dullea and Gary Lockwood star respectively as Dr. David Bowman and Dr. Frank Poole. Together, David and Frank are part of a deep space mission to investigate a massive alien monolith that may be connected to the origins of humanity millions of years earlier. Unfortunately for David and Frank, their onboard artificial intelligence, HAL 9000, is developing some very dangerous and paranoid tendencies that may threaten more than just their mission.
