Sci-Fi Best Science Fiction of the last ten years?

With the proliferation of the genre, it’s been hard for me to keep up. But there was one recent example that impressed me (though it was a limited series rather than a movie): Devs by Alex Garland. To me, this was “pure” sci-fi — in the sense that the ideas and philosophy being explored could only be done via a science fiction context. (As you mention, there’s been a lot of action/adventure stuff which is, one might say, “incidentally” sci-fi.)

Speaking of Garland, his Annihilation might also be a candidate. But this movie didn’t knock my socks off. Others, however, have given it high praise. (I only watched it once. Perhaps I should give it another try.)

 

The first movie that comes to mind:

 

ANNIHILATION

Probably, flat-out, my single favorite movie of the last 10 years.

 

Blade Runner 2049 and Interstellar

 

Ex Machina and Edge of Tomorrow for me.

 

2012-2022

10 Cloverfield Lane
A Quiet Place
After Yang
Annihilation
Arrival
Blade Runner 2049
Come True
Crimes of the Future
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
Dune: Part One
Edge of Tomorrow
Everything Everywhere All at Once
Ex Machina
Get Out
Godzilla (2014)
Gravity
Her
High Life
Interstellar
Looper
Mad God
Mad Max: Fury Road
Nope
Okja
Possessor
Prey
Snowpiercer
Sorry to Bother You
Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens
Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi
The Invisible Man
The Lobster
The Martian
The Shape of Water
Under the Skin
Us
War for the Planet of the Apes

 

Interstellar is a good choice. I was thinking it was too old. But with a 2014 release date, it makes the cut. Also — same year and yet another Garland — Ex Machina.

Also, also: Villeneuve’s Arrival.

 

Under the Skin, Blade Runner 2049, Arrival, and Ex Machina come to mind.

 

During the past decade (2012 onwards), I’ve seen and enjoyed the following films:
The Avengers (2012)
Chronicle (2012)
Dredd (2012)
The Hunger Games (2012)
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)
Snowpiercer (2013)
Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part One (2014)
RoboCop (2014)
Hardcore Henry (2015)
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part Two (2015)
Jurassic World (2015)
Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
Terminator Genisys (2015)
Rogue One (2016)
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Ready Player One (2018)
Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
Brightburn (2019)
Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021)
Dune: Part One (2021)
Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)
Nope (2022)
Avatar: The Way of Water (2022)

 

I feel like I can't come to a definitive opinion on Dune until the second film comes out

 

All my faves have been mentioned in here, so I'll just add my support to all the Alex Garland, Denis Villeneuve, Jordan Peele & Christopher Nolan entries.

+ Edge of Tomorow, Everything Everywhere All At Once, Gravity & Snowpiercer.

 

Of course, actually defining “science fiction” often gets contentious (if not acrimonious ). But in terms of this thread topic, I’d be inclined to disqualify superhero movies. For that group, “fantasy” seems the more accurate label. Or, at a stretch, “science fantasy” (also an ambiguous term). Along the same lines, a lot of post-apocalyptic action/adventure (Mad Max, Hunger Games, etc.) are, to my mind, more “alternate reality/alternate history” rather than true sci-fi.

 

Arrival

 

Arrival, by a long shot.

 

Not that I think these are the best, but I believe they deserve recognition.

Upgrade
Tenet
Inception
Pacific Rim
Us