Looking for new movies that are sci-fi, fantasy or a mixture of both, preferably with a utopian tone
I’m don’t of the loop on where to get movie and TV show updates so I don’t know what’s out there
- Alien Romulus - If you haven’t already seen it.
- Dune Part 2 - You have to watch the first part if you haven’t seen the newer Dune movies.
- Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga - I thought this was very good, even though it doesn’t really include the eponymous Mad Max
Less mainstream stuff:
- The Platform 2 - People complain it’s not as good as the first one, but I thought it was solid. You don’t really need to watch the first one.
- Abigail - More of a horror, but has fantasy elements
- V/H/S/Beyond - Horror, but has scifi elements (more than the previous entries)
Sci Fi, fantasy… Furiosa? Isn’t that pure action? With a dumb plot and nonsense happening, just like in 80s action movies?
It’s still a sci-fi movie, no? All post-apocalyptic movies are science fiction.
You’re also welcome to give your suggestions. 😄 These are the 2024 movies that I watched and thought fit the bill.
Wheel of Time isn’t science fiction
I’d be fascinated to know why people are downvoting you here.
Do they not know that the Wheel of Time is set in, what is called by some, the Third Age, approximately 3000 years after the apocalyptic destruction of civilization and literal reshaping of the world, which itself occurred an unknown thousands of years after the end of the First Age (which is believed to be the Age we’re currently living in).
The First Age ended when fire rained from the heavens. The flesh of men melted, and those who did not melt were charred like coals. Plagues, boils and sores roamed the world and famine, yet to eat or drink often meant death, for waters and fruits that once were wholesome now slew at the eating. Even the air or the dust could slay. The wind could bring death. Rivers filled with dead fish and birds fell from the sky. Invisible vapours from the land that slew. Noxious fumes that corroded men’s flesh.
Or are they downvoting you for saying WoT isn’t science fiction, despite having certain characteristics of science fiction sprinkled throughout (e.g., characters studying the natural laws of their world and, through a combination of inborn abilities and technology, finding ways to advance their understanding and capabilities)?
Or are they downvoting simply because WoT isn’t a movie, and thus deemed irrelevant to the topic at hand?
shrug
Whatever the case, I do agree with the spirit of your rebuttal. Not all post-apocalypse movies are science fiction.
For example, I would never place Left Behind (or any other similar religious post-apocalypse movie) on the science fiction shelf.
fantasy
All post-apocalyptic movies are science fiction.
As well as J-Bone’s recommendations:
- Kalki 2898 AD - like an Indian Star Wars that is set in a dystopian future but mixes in mythology. It’s long and I was initially unimpressed but it keeps ramping up to wild levels and completely won me round. It’s India’s most expensive film and only part 1.
- A Quiet Place: Day One - I thought the first two were great and was unsure if a prequel would work as well, but it does.
- Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire - a return to New York should have delivered a film on oar with the original but it didn’t hit the spot (perhaps because of the rather poor quality baddie). However, it is worth a watch.
- Poor Things - very odd, fantastical film. Could have done being trimmed down but like nothing else you’ll see in the cinema.
- Godzilla: Minus One - just watched the Minus Color version in the cinema on Godzilla Day and it still stands on, the B&W suiting the more melodramatic plot.
- Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes - if you love the series you’ll likely enjoy the prequel. If you aren’t a fan you can skip it.
- The Creator - I was increasingly unconvinced by the plot as the film progressed but it doesn’t half look good.
- Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny - after Crystal Skull anything would be an improvement but this exceeded my, admittedly, low expectations and was a fun romp. Fourth, perhaps third, best Indy film depending on how well you think Temple of Doom has aged.
- Spider-Man: Across the Spiderverse - it would be difficult to beat the first film but I think this one might do.
- Guardians of the Galaxy 3 - wasn’t as big a fan of 2 than one but the series finished really strong.
- Shazam! Fury of the Gods - didn’t get a great reception but I enjoyed it for what it was, dumb fun.
Kalki 2898 AD sounds fun. Have not heard of it. Will have to check it out. Cheers!
Yeah, if you are looking for a big science fantasy film that largely flew under the radar in the West then that’s the one. A few people here have seen it and they all spoke favourably about it.
China and Russia have been putting out some big films lately…
The Wandering Earth https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wandering_Earth
Black Out https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Blackout_(2019_film)
Invasion https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invasion_(2020_film) (Poorly named)
I started watching wandering earth a few years ago. It seemed like a dumb action movie so I quit. Does it get better?
Not really. It was a cool concept, but it was a generic action flick with a lot of national pride.
It’s not a movie, but Arcane is pretty great so far. Three Body Problem is another cool one, if you can tolerate balloon lip lady.
Alienoid. Korean sci fi about aliens who put their prisoners in human bodies and the time traveling robot wardens.
That sounds INSANE!
It’s great! Quick warning it’s two parts so the first just stops with a “to be continued”. Trailer https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JaRLlh8Pw5A
“What genre is your film?”
“All of them!”
Sold!
Define “New.” Like last year or so? For scifi:
Dune 1 & 2
The Wild Robot
Furiosa
Ghostbusters Frozen Empire
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
In that order, more or less. Aliens Romulus is not terrible but there’s a movie with virtually the same plot that’s a lot better called Alien (1979) that you should watch instead.
For fantasy:
Poor Things
Wonka
The Marvels
Poor Things is a real treat. Wonka is a musical. Marvels is superhero fantasy and Sci fi mixed.
Falling Stars was a good indie low budget film I saw recently. A little sci-fi, a little fantasy.
Here’s the trailer. Here ya go!
Falling Stars
This looks cool. Thanks!
A couple of smaller recent-ish films are Midnight Special and The Vast of Night. They are not necessarily utopian.
Poor things is a very good movie, or you need to go fuck someone and bring me 10 francs.
Furiosa is the only big budget action movie with good script/plot/world
