2023 has been a big year for science fiction, with titles like Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse routinely topping the weekly charts. But it hasn’t all been about the blockbusters, as the year has also brought us a wealth of thoughtful indie scifi. Here are the best science fiction movies of 2023, according to Rotten Tomatoes.
12. The Creator
Tomatometer: 67%
Audience Score: 76%
Release Date: September 29, 2023
Director: Gareth Edwards
Stars: John David Washington, Madeleine Yuna Voyles, Gemma Chan, Allison Janney, Ken Watanabe
It’s the near future, and humanity – most of it, anyway – is at war with a powerful artificial intelligence and the forces that support it. Joshua (John David Washington), a veteran fighter who’s withdrawn to grieve the presumed death of his wife (Gemma Chan), is called back into service to hunt down and destroy the AI architect known only as the Creator. But can Joshua do that when the world’s deadliest weapon is a robot in the form of a child?
See The Creator in theaters now
11. Asteroid City
Tomatometer: 75%
Audience Score: 62%
Release Date: June 23. 2023
Director: Wes Anderson
Stars: Jason Schwartzman, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks
10. The Wandering Earth II
Tomatometer: 80%
Audience Score: 97%
Release Date: January 22, 2023
Director: Frant Gwo
Stars: Jing Wu, Andy Lau, Hao Feng
9. Blue Beetle
Tomatometer: 78%
Audience Score: 92%
Release Date: August 18, 2023
Director: Angel Manuel Soto
Stars: Xolo Maridueña, Bruna Marquezine, Damián Alcázar, Adriana Barraza
Shortly after Jaime Reyes (Xolo Maridueña) returns home after college to figure out what’s next for him, an ancient relic known as the Scarab chooses Jaime as its host, giving the young man superpowers and throwing him into a battle he never could have anticipated. Fortunately, his family always has his back, and they are with him every step of the way.
8. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Tomatometer: 82%
Audience Score: 94%
Release Date: May 5, 2023
Director: James Gunn
Stars: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan
The Guardians are hunkered down on Knowhere while they mourn Gamora, but an attack leaves Rocket gravely injured. In order to save him, the Guardians must track down and face off with the twisted scientist that experimented on the young raccoon. One way or another, it’s likely to be their last mission together. Vol. 3 is a bit darker than the previous Guardians movie, but it still has plenty of the laughs and heart that make the series a success.
Watch Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 on Vudu
7. Infinity Pool
Tomatometer: 86%
Audience Score: 52%
Release Date: January 27, 2023
Director: Brandon Cronenberg
Stars: Alexander Skarsgård, Mia Goth, Cleopatra Coleman
Some vacations go wrong, and some go so wrong they turn into sci-fi/body horror movies. The trip at the center of Brandon Cronenberg’s Infinity Pool is one of the latter. James and Em are a couple on vacation at a luxurious resort. When they venture outside the resort’s walls with new friends Gabi and Alban, disaster strikes. The choice before James: Die, or pay to create a double who will die in his place.
6. Aliens Abducted My Parents and Now I Feel Kinda Left Out
Tomatometer: 87%
Release Date: August 18, 2023
Director: Jake Van Wagoner
Stars: Emma Tremblay, Jacob Buster, Will Forte
Calvin is a young man who is positive his parents were abducted by aliens, and he has a plan to get them back. Itsy is a young woman who decides to help him, both because she has time on her hands and because writing about the experience might help her get into her dream journalism school. What they discover will surprise them both. Audiences of all ages have loved this one since it debuted at Sundance. If you’re looking for a movie that the whole family can genuinely enjoy together, put this one on your list.
Watch Aliens Abducted My Parents And Now I Feel Kinda Left Out on Vudu
5. M3GAN
Tomatometer: 93%
Audience Score: 78%
Release Date: January 6, 2023
Director: Gerard Johnstone
Stars: Allison Williams, Violet McGraw, Ronny Chieng
M3GAN is a life-sized doll powered by AI, pressed into service as the companion for a lonely little girl. Unfortunately for the neighborhood, M3GAN takes her job very seriously, and sets out eliminating anyone or anything she sees as a threat to her human friend. It’s the rare scifi horror comedy that hits in all genres.
4. Molli and Max in the Future
Tomatometer: 94%
Director: Michael Lukk Litwak
Stars: Zosia Mamet, Aristotle Athari, Arturo Castro
Take When Harry Met Sally, which writer-director Michael Liwak cites as a major inspiration. Now set it the in far-flung future, take it across multiple planets and dimensions and spaceships, and make one of the protagonists half-fish. It sounds kind of absurd, but there’s real heart to this film. Molli and Max have been charming audiences on the festival circuit since it debuted at SXSW in March, and we’re eagerly awaiting news of its theatrical release so we can recommend it to all our friends.
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3. They Cloned Tyrone
Tomatometer: 95%
Audience Score: 100%
Release Date: July 14, 2023
Director: Juel Taylor
Stars: John Boyega, Teyonah Parris, Jamie Foxx
When someone you know returns from the dead, apparently unscathed, it’s bound to set off some alarm bells. A unlikely team follows the threads and unravels a plot far crazier than they could ever dream of. They Cloned Tyrone features great performances and pointed satire – and it’s really, really funny, too.
2. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem
Tomatometer: 96%
Audience Score: 90%
Release Date: August 2, 2023
Director: Jeff Rowe
Stars: Micah Abbey, Shamon Brown Jr., Nicolas Cantu, Brady Noon, Ayo Edebiri
The Turtles are back in the Big Apple in a new animated tale from writer-producer Seth Rogen. Rogen lends his voice, too, along with the likes of Rose Byrne, Jackie Chan and Giancarlo Esposito – plus Ayo Edebiri as the ever-ready April O’Neill and Ice Cube as the villainous Superfly. And the teenaged terrapins? Voiced by actual teenagers!
Watch Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem on Vudu
1. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Tomatometer: 96%
Audience Score: 94%
Release Date: June 2, 2023
Directors: Joauim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, Justin K. Thompson
Stars: Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld, Oscar Isaac, Jake Johnson, Issa Rae
Brooklyn's own Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) does his best as a friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. When he is invited by Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld) into the Multiverse, he knows he needts to team up with her and the infinite variety of Spider-People to face off with a powerful, terrible enemy. In the process, Miles realizes he must decide for himself how to be a true hero to those he loves. It's a gripping follow-up to the Oscar-winning Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
Watch Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse on Vudu
2024 Sci-Fi Releases To Look Out For
As we celebrate all the fantastic movies of 2023, we're also looking forward to what's in store for us in 2024. Here are three titles that are already generating buzz.
Dune: Part Two
Release Date: March 15, 2024
Director: Denis Villeneuve
Stars: Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya, Florence Pugh
When we last saw Arrakis in 2021's Dune, Paul Atreides was being welcomed by the Fremen. In Dune: Part Two, it's time for revenge against the powers that tried to obliterate House Atreides. Paul is a charismatic leader, but can he save everyone from a looming threat? Expect epic battle scenes, fierce power struggles and plenty of sandworms.
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
Release Date: May 24, 2024
Director: Wes Ball
Stars: Freya Allen, Dichen Lachman, William H. Macy
What do you do once you’re in charge? Years after War for the Planet of the Apes, the apes – now dominant over humans – have split into factions. Some are looking for lost technology, some are squabbling over resources, and at least one is determined to break out of ape society – even if it means making a dangerous alliance.
The Electric State
Release Date: TBA
Directors: Anthony Russo and Joe Russo
Stars: Millie Bobby Brown, Chris Pratt, Devyn Dalton
A teenage girl, accompanied by a friendly robot, sets off across an alternate American West in search of her brother. Along the way, she’ll befriend a drifter and meet some truly unforgettable characters. Anthony Russo and Joe Russo direct a script based on Simon Stålenhag’s book.
The Final Word
The best science fiction movies of 2023 take us from familiar neighborhoods in the present to far-flung universes in the distant future – and just about everywhere in between. Before we head off to new worlds in 2024, why not take some time to appreciate 2023’s imaginative journeys? Whether you’re re-watching something you saw in the theater or checking out a title that’s new to you, it will be time well spent.
