7. Metropolis (1927)
The first "great" science fiction film, Metropolis also represented the apex of the German Expressionist period. Metropolis was the most expensive film ever made up to that point and the influence of its plot and visuals can be seen in essentially every sci-fi movie that has followed it. In 2026, the world is divided into two populations; above ground live the wealthy, surrounded by extraordinary technology and decadent opulence, below live the slaves who provide the power for the people above. The son of the city's leader eventually finds his way into the depths of the city and there attempts to rally the workers with the help of the revolutionary leader Maria. The influence of Metropolis has been vast; its architectural style has influenced films such as Dark City, Blade Runner, and Tim Burton's Batman films. Metropolis also popularized the "mad scientist" archetype, contains a robot that looks suspiciously like C-3PO, and even films like Dr. Strangelove and Triumph of the Will have copied some aspect of the movie.