Science Fiction as a genre is one that fans get to explore in many different ways. Whether it is a horror movie or a comedy, elements of science fiction can turn a story into something so memorable for fans. And sometimes, you just want to watch a movie that has something a little more to it for you to unpack. The problem is trying to figure out what the best science fiction movie is to watch and with a large library of the genre online, picking the best of the best isn’t easy.
Streaming movies can be overwhelming, especially when there are so many options. Add in the plethora of platforms and the task of picking one movie to watch becomes nearly impossible. Luckily, platforms like Tubi exist which offer fans a wide library of films and television shows that they can watch for free with limited commercials. If you’re looking for a great science fiction film to watch this weekend, here are 3 you can choose from on Tubi!
3. Donnie Darko (2001)
Jake Gyllenhaal hasn’t always been a well-known actor. Back in the late 90s, early 00s, Gyllenhaal was just getting started and after his stand out performance in the 1999 Joe Johnston movie October Sky, Gyllenhaal took a darker turn in his career. And it made Donnie Darko one of Gyllenhaal’s most iconic films and a role that made him famous. Written and directed by Richard Kelly, the sci-fi/thriller tells the story of a young boy named Donnie Darko. When he narrowly escapes death, Donnie is haunted by a tall figure dressed as a rabbit named Frank who gets Donnie to do progressively more messed up things under the guise that the world is going to end in 28 days.
Including Gyllenhaal’s own sister, Maggie Gyllenhaal, as Elizabeth Darko, the film included an all star cast of Drew Barrymore, Seth Rogen, Jena Malone, Noah Wyle, and more. What has made Donnie Darko one of the best sci-fi films of all time comes down to Gyllenhaal’s performance as Donnie and the looming presence of Frank. When anyone thinks of Donnie Darko, the image of Frank and Donnie and Gretchen (Malone) is the first that fans think of and it is one of the best films of Gyllenhaal’s career.
2. Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989)
Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter have had a friendship that spans decades, all because of the 1989 film Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure. William S. Preston Esquire (Winter) and Theodore Logan (Reeves) are two high school surfer dudes who learn the hard way that not doing their school work may keep them apart from each other. With one history project standing in their way of rocking on together, the two boys of the fictional rock band Wyld Stallyns must go through all of time and collect historical figures and remain friends so that their music can, one day, save the world.
From their iconic phone booth time machine to the two sequel films that spawned off this iconic movie, so much of Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure has become part of the cultural lexicon. “Be excellent to each other and party on dudes,” is the overall theme of Bill and Ted as characters and that’s what makes them so important. It isn’t about some greater thing, it’s just about being friends, being kind, and rocking out. Oh and “So-crats” is there.
1. Snowpiercer (2013)
Bong Joon-ho is one of our most prolific filmmakers and his movie, Snowpiercer, gave fans a twisted look at an alternate future that will definitely have you hoping you’re not a tailie. Set on the fictional train called Snowpiercer, the film follows Curtis Everett (Chris Evans) as he fights back with the rest of the tailies to try and bring order to humanity. Snowpiercer is a train that never stops, constantly moving around the world to keep those inside alive and well. It is a delicate system with just enough resources to keep the rich living comfortably and for the tailies to suffer what little life they have left.
As part of their rebellion, Curtis leads the tailies through the train, trying to find Joseph Wilford (Ed Harris) and fight for equality. It was the first Joon-ho film in English and is, in many ways, the film that put him on the map in the United States. Snowpiercer went on to inspire a popular TNT series and they’re both inspired by the French post-apocalyptic graphic novel Le Transperceneige. Many of Joon-ho’s films explore elements of science fiction within them and for so many, their love of the director started with Snowpiercer.
You can explore plenty of other science fiction titles on Tubi for free and who knows, maybe Frank will come to haunt you too!