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Must-See Sci-fi: 50 Movies That Are Out of This World
Spanning nine decades and branded by the most trusted authority on film, Turner Classic Must-See Sci-Fi showcases 50 of the most shocking, weird, wonderful, and mind-bending movies ever made.From A Trip to the Moon (1902)to Arrival (2016), science fiction cinema has produced a body of classics with a broader range of styles, stories, and subject matter than perhaps any other film genre. They are movies that embed themselves in the depths of the mind, coloring our view of day-to-day reality and probably fueling a few dreams (and nightmares) along the way.In Turner Classic Must-See Sci-Fi, fifty unforgettable films are profiled, including beloved favorites like The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) and Fantastic Voyage (1966), groundbreaking shockers like Planet of the Apes (1968) and Alien (1979), and lesser-known landmarks like Things to Come (1936) and Solaris (1972). Illustrated by astounding color and black-and-white images, the book presents the best of this mind-bending genre, detailing through insightful commentary and behind-the-scenes stories why each film remains essential viewing. A perfect gift for any film buff or sci-fi fanatic!
279 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2018
54 people are currently reading
130 people want to read
About the author
Sloan De Forest
5 books10 followersSloan De Forest is a writer, actor, and film historian who has written about film for Sony, Time Warner Cable, the Mary Pickford Foundation, and Bright Lights Film Journal. She has contributed essays to the books Natalie Wood: Reflections on a Legendary Life and Grace Kelly: Hollywood Dream Girl. She lives in Hollywood—mentally, spiritually, and geographically.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
January 28, 2019
Posted at Shelf Inflicted
This was a fun book and a basic introduction to a wide range of classic science fiction films from as early as 1902 to as recently as 2016. I’m thrilled that three of my all-time favorites, Star Wars, Logan’s Run and Woody Allen’s Sleeper, made this list. Since I’ve already seen them multiple times, I will spend some time catching up on those movies I haven’t seen yet, those I viewed only once as a child, and those I enjoyed enough to see again. I’m also thrilled that there is a solid representation of foreign films.
Here is the list of movies to watch before I die. I will be returning here to check off the titles I’ve viewed:
A Trip to the Moon (1902) France
Metropolis (1927) Germany
√Island of Lost Souls (1932) US
Things to Come (1936) UK
The Thing From Another World (1951) US
The Thing (1982) US
It Came From Outer Space (1953) US
Them! (1954) US
Forbidden Planet (1956) US
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) US
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978) US
√ The Fly (1958) US
The Fly (1986) US
The Blob (1958) US
The Time Machine (1960) US
La jetée (1962) France
These are the Damned (1962) US/UK
Alphaville (1965) France
Fantastic Voyage (1966) US
Barbarella (1968) US
THX 1138 (1971) US
Silent Running (1972) US
Solaris (1972) Russia
Sleeper (1973) US
The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976) UK
Blade Runner (1982) US
The Brother From Another Planet (1984) US
Brazil (1985) US
RoboCop (1987) US
A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001) US
District 9 (2009) US
This book is sturdy, well written, and the photos are outstanding. I especially enjoyed the “Far-Out Facts” and “Mind-Blowing Moment” sections. During one of the most intense scenes in The Fly, Vincent Price and Herbert Marshall kept laughing during the filming. A few years after the release of A Clockwork Orange, Malcolm McDowell was introduced to Gene Kelly at a party. Kelly looked at him and quickly walked away. As if that wasn’t enough, McDowell also suffered an eye injury from the metal eyelid clamps he had to wear.
This is just a minor complaint, but I would have liked a little more in-depth analysis of the films. As it is, the book is perfect as a short introduction to the films within.
Recommended for classic movie and science fiction fans.
This was a fun book and a basic introduction to a wide range of classic science fiction films from as early as 1902 to as recently as 2016. I’m thrilled that three of my all-time favorites, Star Wars, Logan’s Run and Woody Allen’s Sleeper, made this list. Since I’ve already seen them multiple times, I will spend some time catching up on those movies I haven’t seen yet, those I viewed only once as a child, and those I enjoyed enough to see again. I’m also thrilled that there is a solid representation of foreign films.
Here is the list of movies to watch before I die. I will be returning here to check off the titles I’ve viewed:
A Trip to the Moon (1902) France
Metropolis (1927) Germany
√Island of Lost Souls (1932) US
Things to Come (1936) UK
The Thing From Another World (1951) US
The Thing (1982) US
It Came From Outer Space (1953) US
Them! (1954) US
Forbidden Planet (1956) US
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) US
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978) US
√ The Fly (1958) US
The Fly (1986) US
The Blob (1958) US
The Time Machine (1960) US
La jetée (1962) France
These are the Damned (1962) US/UK
Alphaville (1965) France
Fantastic Voyage (1966) US
Barbarella (1968) US
THX 1138 (1971) US
Silent Running (1972) US
Solaris (1972) Russia
Sleeper (1973) US
The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976) UK
Blade Runner (1982) US
The Brother From Another Planet (1984) US
Brazil (1985) US
RoboCop (1987) US
A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001) US
District 9 (2009) US
This book is sturdy, well written, and the photos are outstanding. I especially enjoyed the “Far-Out Facts” and “Mind-Blowing Moment” sections. During one of the most intense scenes in The Fly, Vincent Price and Herbert Marshall kept laughing during the filming. A few years after the release of A Clockwork Orange, Malcolm McDowell was introduced to Gene Kelly at a party. Kelly looked at him and quickly walked away. As if that wasn’t enough, McDowell also suffered an eye injury from the metal eyelid clamps he had to wear.
This is just a minor complaint, but I would have liked a little more in-depth analysis of the films. As it is, the book is perfect as a short introduction to the films within.
Recommended for classic movie and science fiction fans.
May 14, 2018
Every once in a while, I’ll encounter a book that I really want to LOVE because of the writer or the subject matter. Having been a long time fan of science fiction films ... and agreeing with the vast majority of the writer’s selections falling into the “must see” category ... I wanted this to be a title that I would both enjoy and return to again and again.
If the Reader is looking for an introduction to many of the better science fiction films and/or wanting to study some beautiful photographs from the films, this is your book. The information is concise, it delves into why the selected film is an impressive work, and it suggests other films that are in a similar vein if the Reader especially likes the theme.
If the Reader has a strong familiarity with these titles and has either read quite a bit about them or has watched the DVD or Blu-ray bonus supplements, there is very little new information here. I doubt if I learned more than two things that I hadn’t known before. ... There were some beautiful photographs, though, and several of them were new to me.
The writer is definitely on the right track. I would really have appreciated the “why it is so good” analysis being twice or triple the length. It seemed as if we moved on to another title much too soon ... as if the intent was only to suggest good films to watch if you haven’t seen them before.
If the Reader is looking for an introduction to many of the better science fiction films and/or wanting to study some beautiful photographs from the films, this is your book. The information is concise, it delves into why the selected film is an impressive work, and it suggests other films that are in a similar vein if the Reader especially likes the theme.
If the Reader has a strong familiarity with these titles and has either read quite a bit about them or has watched the DVD or Blu-ray bonus supplements, there is very little new information here. I doubt if I learned more than two things that I hadn’t known before. ... There were some beautiful photographs, though, and several of them were new to me.
The writer is definitely on the right track. I would really have appreciated the “why it is so good” analysis being twice or triple the length. It seemed as if we moved on to another title much too soon ... as if the intent was only to suggest good films to watch if you haven’t seen them before.
July 28, 2018
I thought sci-fi movies weren't for me. Sloan De Forest convinced me otherwise. Great book!
Full review here:
http://www.outofthepastblog.com/2018/...
Full review here:
http://www.outofthepastblog.com/2018/...
November 13, 2025
Genre-defining sci-fi movies from the silent era to the late 2010s are chosen for this TCM-backed book.
Each of the featured movies gets five pages for both text and photos. It allows for a colorful presentation, but limits the space for written information on the movies.
What we do get for each movie is some neat trivia, behind-the-scenes stories, short plot descriptions, explanation of their sci-fi themes, and how they advanced the genre.
Writer Sloan De Forest fits all that in deftly without the writing becoming plain for the sake of brevity. It's a nice read.
With the TCM brand attached, I expected a deeper analysis of the films, but this book didn't go for that. It goes for a broader audience of casual moviegoers as opposed to obsessive film buffs who seek out deep-dives into movies. While I tend more toward the latter category, I appreciated what this book offered.
It's a good survey of influential sci-fi movies. And along with the 50 featured films, it provides some additional titles to look out for. It's a good guide for adding movies to your playlist.
While many of the movies are what you'd expect for must-see sci-fi -- Metropolis, 2001, Alien, Star Wars, The Matrix -- there were some more obscure picks as well. The Brother from Another Planet, Barbarella, and Sleeper don't usually jump to my mind when thinking of classic sci-fi, but the book makes good cases for all its picks.
I've struggled to categorize this book. It is not a meaty reference, but nor is it a coffee-table book. Ultimately it works as an enjoyable guide to over a century of fantastic sci-fi.
Each of the featured movies gets five pages for both text and photos. It allows for a colorful presentation, but limits the space for written information on the movies.
What we do get for each movie is some neat trivia, behind-the-scenes stories, short plot descriptions, explanation of their sci-fi themes, and how they advanced the genre.
Writer Sloan De Forest fits all that in deftly without the writing becoming plain for the sake of brevity. It's a nice read.
With the TCM brand attached, I expected a deeper analysis of the films, but this book didn't go for that. It goes for a broader audience of casual moviegoers as opposed to obsessive film buffs who seek out deep-dives into movies. While I tend more toward the latter category, I appreciated what this book offered.
It's a good survey of influential sci-fi movies. And along with the 50 featured films, it provides some additional titles to look out for. It's a good guide for adding movies to your playlist.
While many of the movies are what you'd expect for must-see sci-fi -- Metropolis, 2001, Alien, Star Wars, The Matrix -- there were some more obscure picks as well. The Brother from Another Planet, Barbarella, and Sleeper don't usually jump to my mind when thinking of classic sci-fi, but the book makes good cases for all its picks.
I've struggled to categorize this book. It is not a meaty reference, but nor is it a coffee-table book. Ultimately it works as an enjoyable guide to over a century of fantastic sci-fi.
January 23, 2020
An excellent guide into the most influential and best science fiction movies of all time. It includes films from the earliest days of the 20th century to the present. Movie posters, pictures of cast, iconic moments, and a brief explanation of plot and trivia of each film. I have seen 47 of the 50 films reviewed so far. I can"t think of a better introduction to the genre or a more helpful film list in this regard. Highly recommended. I felt Children of Men and Gattaca were missing .
May 18, 2018
This Turner Classic Movies-branded book is not aimed at the hardcore sci-fi fanatics who already know everything there is to know. It's geared toward movie lovers in general, and with that in mind, it's a beautifully constructed, thoroughly detailed, eye-opening overview of sci fi favorites. It is well written and accurately researched. Photographs are top-notch.
January 24, 2020
An interesting one-person collection of important science fiction movies; made all the more interesting by what was excluded as well as by what made the list. A good starting point for a sci-fi novice looking to explore its cinematic offerings.
December 1, 2018
Handy little guide, sci-fi is my fave genre but it's not like I watched many classics growing up, or was exposed to a lot of things. Also it's not like I have time to watch anything except occasional Cinema Sins on youtube or binge watch Game of Thrones before strangely deciding to tell my mother, so this was a handy guide to a list of movies i will eventually watch never, will probs get around to watching about the time that hold on the Winter Soldier finally comes.
I did recognize a number of titles like Back to the Future, which i've on my movie list for ages, or like Logan's Run which I had no inkling of it's plot, just that recent YA dystopias which are for no reason a NY Times best seller tend to have short raving reviews on the back that compare them to it. Yknow "fans of Harry Potter, the Hunger Games, The Maze Runner" etc.
The keyboard on my NEW LAPTOP!!!!!!!!! is kinda small and annoyinng i must get used to it.
Once as a kid I was in the waiting room for my therapist and there was this kids book of Jurassic Park and i was mortally TERRIFIED of dinosaurs i kid you not, anyways this book WITH PICTURES FROM THE MOVIE was most obviously a fantastic literary option, I VOWED NEVER EVER TO CONSIDER WATCHING IT EVER not that i'm much scared of our prehistoric friends any longer, I have no interest, though my tiny cute crazy 5 year old brother loves dinosaurs so i was showing him the part of this book talking about jurassic park he liked the pictures.
i tend to love sci fi that gets me to think and delves into the human psyche or are just creepy and deal with human nature LIKE BLACK MIRROR WHICH IS MY ABSOUTE FAVORITE
actually i needed a movie to watch and Arrival was on prime IT WAS SO AMAZING
I did recognize a number of titles like Back to the Future, which i've on my movie list for ages, or like Logan's Run which I had no inkling of it's plot, just that recent YA dystopias which are for no reason a NY Times best seller tend to have short raving reviews on the back that compare them to it. Yknow "fans of Harry Potter, the Hunger Games, The Maze Runner" etc.
The keyboard on my NEW LAPTOP!!!!!!!!! is kinda small and annoyinng i must get used to it.
Once as a kid I was in the waiting room for my therapist and there was this kids book of Jurassic Park and i was mortally TERRIFIED of dinosaurs i kid you not, anyways this book WITH PICTURES FROM THE MOVIE was most obviously a fantastic literary option, I VOWED NEVER EVER TO CONSIDER WATCHING IT EVER not that i'm much scared of our prehistoric friends any longer, I have no interest, though my tiny cute crazy 5 year old brother loves dinosaurs so i was showing him the part of this book talking about jurassic park he liked the pictures.
i tend to love sci fi that gets me to think and delves into the human psyche or are just creepy and deal with human nature LIKE BLACK MIRROR WHICH IS MY ABSOUTE FAVORITE
actually i needed a movie to watch and Arrival was on prime IT WAS SO AMAZING
September 3, 2025
Non-Fiction. A collection of 50 science fiction movies that the author considers are "Out of this World". As well as all being highly imaginative and with many of them considered classics, De Forest has also gone for ones that have broken new ground in some way. Each movie chapter includes multiple interesting snippets about the movie and the various cast members (sometime including the names of actors that turned down various roles, and probably greatly regretted it). Multiple related films are also mentioned. There are sections for Far-Out Facts, Mind-Blowing Moments and Keep Watching, where you are given two more films to consider, if you like this one.
As with all books like this, you might not agree with all of the selections and are likely to pick a different set. I found several that I've never gotten around to watching including a couple I wasn't even aware of.
As with all books like this, you might not agree with all of the selections and are likely to pick a different set. I found several that I've never gotten around to watching including a couple I wasn't even aware of.
May 15, 2018
Nothing new here
I would have given this quite average book (with sine movies that would never have made it in, had I wrote it) 2 stars since there are errors that make me wonder if the author has seen any of these recently. But it had some decent photos. Strictly for the novice science fiction movie fan.
I would have given this quite average book (with sine movies that would never have made it in, had I wrote it) 2 stars since there are errors that make me wonder if the author has seen any of these recently. But it had some decent photos. Strictly for the novice science fiction movie fan.
September 13, 2025
I thought this was a very well-done look at sci-fi film through the years. I actually hand-wrote the list (and the additional titles) so that I can make into a challenge. My only issue is that some of the 2000s-era movies haven’t aged especially well, but there were more hits than misses in those recommendations.
November 28, 2020
Great Movie Book
A wonderful review of sci-fi across the past century to now. You'll find old favorites and recommendations for what will become new favorites. Take this ebook with you on a trip and plan your next in-home movie "outing". You'll be glad you did.
A wonderful review of sci-fi across the past century to now. You'll find old favorites and recommendations for what will become new favorites. Take this ebook with you on a trip and plan your next in-home movie "outing". You'll be glad you did.
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May 6, 2021Sci-Fi Classics
This is a good start for those looking for science fiction movies. Having seen most of the movies covered I can agree about the quality of these movies and the ones listed after each chapter as additional movies to watch.
This is a good start for those looking for science fiction movies. Having seen most of the movies covered I can agree about the quality of these movies and the ones listed after each chapter as additional movies to watch.
November 26, 2018
This was a decent compilation of sci-fi movies. There were even a few I haven't heard of before.
December 14, 2018
Not a lot of detail, but a good selection of films sprinkled with photos and factoids.
January 15, 2019
Another fantastic book from TCM full of classic films that everyone should see. I have seen most of these and this book makes me want to see the ones I haven't.
March 12, 2019
I've always trusted TCM to do a good job. This is a nice collection of sci-fi history. Some, I hadn't even heard of. I'll be working on finding several on this list to get my own viewing in.
June 6, 2019
Another boring and stereotype list of movies around a theme. Cute, but not worth the money for an overblown IMDB list.
August 13, 2019
Fun for fans of sci-fi movies
September 17, 2020
A nicely illustrated survey of some of the best SF movies. Not a lot of real detail, but a good basic survey. Of course, 50 is an almost arbitrary number and just scratches the surface.
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March 23, 2022Regarding the author: It is rare, in my experience, to find Sc-Fi geeks who are also hot blondes
August 30, 2024
Movie lists like this are always so subjective. But they have good write-ups and reasoning for why they chose the films they did.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews