20 Sci-Fi Movies EVERY Film Fan Should Have Seen

It's easy for us lost to sit here and look back at something and describe it as 'being ahead of its time' - so much so that the phrase itself has almost become a cliché - but if there was ever a film that truly felt worthy being labelled in such a way, it is without question 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Directed by mastermind filmmaker Stanley Kubrick - who had already pushed boundaries with the thought-provoking Dr. Strangelove - the film is one that is virtually impossible to sum up with words merely because they couldn't do it enough justice when describing it. But just to ensure that you know something about the plot, it basically charts a voyage to Jupiter along with a sentient computer known as HAL following the discovery of alien monolith affecting human evolution. Now if that sounds strange, you really don't know the half of it.

What ensues is an experimental, well, art form that uses unique methods to delve into themes such as the evolution of humanity, artificial intelligence (before it was really even a thing) and, yes, alien life. And when this writer says 'unique methods', he means it because the film features little dialogue in its lengthy 142-minute run-time and, as a result, much of what we learn is all up to interpretation and reaction.

A stunningly thought-provoking piece of cinema that uses experimental visual effects to make us think outside the box, 2001: A Space Odyssey offered more than most films of its time. Undoubtedly one of the most influential movies of all time, it's a must-see for anyone who calls themselves a science fiction fan.

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Which movies do you think every sci-fi fan should have seen? For more, check out our list of the 10 most disappointing Sci-Fi sequels.