Top 10 Best Sci-Fi Horror Movies

Most modern zombie flicks don’t exactly scream “provocative and intelligent”, but 28 Days Later is a notable exception. Beautifully shot, the film has an above average level of realism to it, both in regards to its explanation of how a viral epidemic could spread so quickly, and its depiction of the effects that living such a reality would have on the human psyche. The fact that the infected sprint at you as opposed to performing the stereotypical zombie shuffle makes for a viewing experience that’s significantly more intense than those offered by its contemporaries. Add to all that some high caliber performances, and you’ve got one truly memorable film.

In a genre where effective storytelling is so often ignored in favor of jump scares and gore, this film employs slow, careful pacing to make its audience share in the claustrophobia, discomfort and paranoia of its characters. Loosely connected to the first Cloverfield, 10 Cloverfield Lane finds three survivors holed up in an underground shelter after the earth has suffered some sort of extraterrestrial attack - but not everything is as it seems. As the film unfolds, the madness intensifies. Each character is fully fleshed out in this chamber piece, which makes the interpersonal tension all the more palpable. Be prepared; you’re in for one emotional rollercoaster of a cinematic experience.

As the only human for most of the film, Will Smith does a tremendous job of making us feel for his character. Seemingly the sole survivor of a human-made plague; he must find a way to cure the disease. Rather than fixating solely on his conflict with the aggressive plague-ridden mutant population, the film explores the psychological toll of such a solitary existence. Nonetheless, it maintains a sense of urgency, which, coupled with some exhilarating action sequences, keeps things interesting. I Am Legend succeeds in drawing us into the film with its heart-stopping moments and a solid performance from Will Smith.

Despite its age, Frankenstein still manages to unsettle, which is a testament to the source material and the way the film was shot. The very thought of digging up graves and piecing together a creation made from the limbs of the deceased still sends shivers down our spines. Of course, such an unnatural creation isn’t going to be a peaceful and loveable creature. Frightening, and at times heartbreaking, Frankenstein delves deep into the mind of a genius, exploring the dark side of scientific ambition, and the point at which the distinction between genius and madness begins to disappear.

Part intense high stakes character drama, part slasher, Sunshine blends the two genres beautifully, slowly revealing its true nature to the audience as the crew of this spaceship begin to grasp the reality of their situation. Oh yeah, planting a bomb in a dying sun to re-ignite it. Seems pretty straightforward. Sadly, missions to save humanity are never that simple, and soon enough they find themselves fighting for their lives. With an ensemble cast of talented actors, stunning set pieces, and a strong sense of mystery, this frightening film is one space thriller worth exploring.

If done right, a horror film injected with a side of humor can prove one of the most enjoyable types of pictures to watch, and Re-Animator definitely does it right. Based on the novella by H.P. Lovecraft, the film follows a medical student who’s found a way to bring the dead back to life, but as we’ve already learned from Frankenstein, such endeavors rarely go as planned. Gory and disturbing, yet campy and undeniably fun, it’s the perfect blend of styles to create a highly enjoyable film - one that’ll have you laughing with wicked delight one moment, and wincing in fright and disgust the next.

What makes this old horror movie so timelessly effective? The way in which it appeals to a basic, but universal fear - the possibility that someone we know is not who they seem. In this film, any person you encounter, whether your best friend or a stranger, could, in fact, be an extraterrestrial imposter. This unnerving and nail-biting concept has the viewer feeling more and more isolated with every character on screen that has their body snatched. Incredibly compelling and frightening for the time, the remake, released in 1978, also somehow manages to maintain what made the original such a hit. Quite frankly, that scream at the end gets us no matter how many times we watch it.

Upsetting and honestly, kinda traumatizing, this film is another harsh lesson in scientific hubris. Rather than creating a monster from scratch however, the scientist in this tale turns himself into one. The descent of Jeff Goldblum's character into madness as he slowly transforms into a fly creature is harrowing to observe. The creature he becomes is truly monstrous, and yet, in its insanity, is desperate to cling to what little humanity it has left. Goldblum’s performance earned him much praise. Director David Cronenberg has given us many excellent sci-fi horror films over the years, including Videodrome just three years earlier. But with its unforgettable effects, The Fly is the one that really sticks with us.

As mentioned earlier, not knowing who’s human and who’s secretly an alien always makes for a tense ride. But that goes double when the alien in question can transform into grotesque monstrosities and tear off your limbs. It’s a fascinating experience watching the scientists grow more and more suspicious of one another, while simultaneously working together to solve the issue. When they’re surprised by the horrible fate of one of their colleagues, we are too. With iconic moments such as the defibrillation and blood testing scenes, this movie still has viewers jumping out of their seats decades later.



Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few Honorable Mentions.



“Event Horizon” (1997)



“Under the Skin” (2014)



“Attack the Block” (2011)

There’s no denying that this is a true masterpiece of the sci-fi horror genre. As the film’s tagline warns viewers… “in space no one can hear you scream”. Another harsh reality of space? Should you find a vicious, parasitic alien life form aboard your spaceship… escape isn’t an option. You have nowhere else to go. Need we even mention that iconic chestburster scene? Combining gore, scares and drama with almost scientific precision, Alien is a shining example of just how powerful the genre can be with the right script and director - and leading lady. To this day, it serves as a source of inspiration for filmmakers venturing into this often cliché-ridden genre.