The 25 best science fiction movies of all time

What are the best movies about mysterious planets, visitors from other worlds, and the future on our very own Earth? Check out our picks!

2. '2001: A Space Odyssey'

Turner Entertainment/AP
'2001: A Space Odyssey' stars Keir Dullea.

Stanley Kubrick's "2001: A Space Odyssey" is a classic of the genre. The story, a collaboration between Kubrick and author Arthur C. Clarke, spans millions of years, dealing with evolution, humanity, technology, artificial intelligence, and extraterrestrials. 

The film has been cited as an inspiration by many other directors on this list and has routinely been called one of the best science-fiction movies ever made. The film's resonant themes and beautiful visuals make for a movie that is as impressive to watch as it is to absorb.

"2001" has added much to popular culture, from the menacing red eye of computer-intelligence HAL 9000 to the strains of Richard Strauss's "Also sprach Zarathustra" set to views of planetary ballet.

The young girl who portrays Dr. Floyd (William Sylvester)'s daughter, who he chats with via a video call, is Kubrick's daughter Vivian Kubrick.

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About a year ago, I happened upon this statement about the Monitor in the Harvard Business Review – under the charming heading of “do things that don’t interest you”:

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But you know what? We change lives. And I’m going to argue that we change lives precisely because we force open that too-small box that most human beings think they live in.

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We have a mission beyond circulation, we want to bridge divides. We’re about kicking down the door of thought everywhere and saying, “You are bigger and more capable than you realize. And we can prove it.”

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