Top 10 Best Steam Punk Movies
Steam punk movies from science fiction, science fantasy, and drama that utilize the aesthetic in all it's grimy, gritty, postmodern Victorian era beauty! From classics like Metropolis to Anime Masterpieces like Howl's Moving Castle, and even a couple modern takes like Hugo and City of Ember. Check out the full video to see what ranks number one!
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Steam-powered technology is a much-loved element of science fiction, and cinema has more than easily adopted it. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10 steampunk movies.
For this list, we’re diving into the steampunk genre to find those works that best embody its potential for storytelling and visual flourish. Our focus is on films directly rooted in steampunk, and the art of imbuing advanced technology with a Victorian-era aesthetic.
#10: “Tai Chi 0” (2012)
It’s telling that this film’s tagline is “A steampunk kung-fu throw down.” “Tai Chi 0” follows the young Lu Chan in his efforts to become the first person outside the Chen family to study tai chi, while the push of industry and an outside threat arise. Though the focus is primarily on Lu Chan’s training and the village’s struggles, the film still takes the time to infuse its action and drama with technology befitting the steampunk moniker. Elements such as a steam-powered rail-laying device serve the plot as much as they exist for aesthetic appeal, which keeps them from feeling perfunctory.
#9: “The Adventures of Baron Munchausen” (1988)
In similar fashion to 2009’s “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus,” this is a strange beast from Terry Gilliam. Set in a city caught in the middle of a war, “The Adventures of Baron Munchausen” tells the tale of the famed story-telling baron and his heroics as he and his pals attempt to save a city from invading Turks. As you can imagine, this leads to a fantastical, oftentimes bizarre and improbable adventure. With roots in the Age of Enlightenment or Reason and clear ties to science fiction, this odd film fits the mould of steampunk. Plus, check out his airship!
#8: “Things to Come” (1936)
The struggles of Everytown are a curious thing. Written by sci-fi pioneer H.G. Wells, “Things to Come” is something of a historical drama, showing the progression of an ordinary town from 1940 to 2036. Thanks to Wells’ particular fixations, though, the film serves as an exploration of totalitarian ideas and the impact of an apocalyptic event of society, with industrial advancement and alternate tech to boot. Coupled with impressive cinematography and visual design, the film is intriguing in style and content. Coming at a time before steampunk was even really a genre; “Things to Come” is perhaps a prototype for the entire style.
#7: “Atlantis: The Lost Empire” (2001)
Disney’s had its fair share of experiments, but this underrated gem feels particularly bold in that regard. Linguist Milo Thatch joins up with an expedition to find the lost city of Atlantis, only to uncover a society quite unlike any he knows. “The Lost Empire” delivers on fine examples on steam-based technology, with special attention paid to the design of the expedition’s ship: The Ulysses. Its embrace of the 1914 setting, its toying with the theme of societal stagnation, and its lively cast of characters help the film stand out even more.
#6: “Treasure Planet” (2002)
Animation can be a wonderful way to explore distinct styles or ideas. That may very well have been the thinking with this adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Treasure Island,” given its transition from adventure to science fiction. “Treasure Planet” doesn’t lack an adventurous spirit, though – combining the novel’s layered characters and defining depictions of pirates with a vibrant animated style. The decision to marry 19th century-style architecture with elements such as aliens and space travel keeps the film rooted in its origins, yet able to function on its own terms – in space!
#5: “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” (1954)
Seems like Disney likes toying with this particular genre. However, being a live-action film, “20,000 Leagues” is of a different nature. The film adapts Jules Verne’s classic novel, following an expedition led by Professor Aronnax that eventually meets up with the enigmatic Captain Nemo. The Nautilus, Nemo’s ship, is notably advanced for the 19th century with its unique design and narrative significance. Coupled with undersea adventuring and moral quandaries, the result is a thought-provoking and technologically intriguing movie that is considered by many to be one of the first examples of a steampunk film.
#4: “The City of Lost Children” (1995)
Though unconventional in its approach, this is at its core a steampunk film. “La cité des enfants perdus,” known in English as “The City of Lost Children,” sees circus employee One and the young orphan Miette teaming up to rescue One’s adopted little brother from a dream-stealing scientist. The bizarreness of that premise is only the start, with the film diving into themes of genetic engineering, the nature of dreams, and biomechanical science. All the while, the movie roots itself in the imagery and design of Industrial-era mechanisms, making for an unforgettable viewing experience.
#3: “Hugo” (2011)
Fanciful and packed with charm – there’s nothing quite like this masterpiece from Martin Scorsese. Based on the children’s novel “The Invention of Hugo Cabret,” the movie tells the tale of the titular boy getting caught up in the mystery of an automaton his deceased father found. Over the course of the film, though, the focus shifts to the melancholic reminiscing of a fictional version of filmmaker Georges Méliès. From start to finish, “Hugo” relies on a beautifully directed depiction of 1930s Paris, complete with nods to classical cinema and – of course – a plethora of steam-powered machinery.
#2: “Howl’s Moving Castle” (2004)
This, like Hayao Miyazaki’s other classic “Castle in the Sky,” basks in a mixture of styles old and new. In a realm beset by conflict, a young hatter named Sophie seeks out the wizard Howl in order to break free from a curse. The film’s world is one that balances science and magic, resulting in fascinating wonders such as the eponymous mecha-esque castle. Its setting is medieval in nature and rooted in age-old technology, yet explores modern ideas about war and conflict. Topped off by a moving central romance and the directorial flourish of Hayao Miyazaki, “Howl’s Moving Castle” is nothing short of awe-inspiring.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
- “Steamboy” (2004)
- “City of Ember” (2008)
- “9” (2009)
- “Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events” (2004)
#1: “Metropolis” (1927)
Talk about a bold film. Fritz Lang’s 1927 expressionist epic “Metropolis” is simple enough in premise: a budding romance between two people of differing social status, amid a rising struggle between classes. Yet, the film takes its straightforward setup and infuses it with innovative sci-fi imagery, hard-hitting dialogue – as told through subtitles – and cinematography that emphasizes the grind of this industrial-themed world. Originally conceived as anti-Nazi propaganda, “Metropolis” is the encapsulation of the ferocity with which steampunk can be used to send a message. The fact that it’s a lively and engrossing work of filmmaking is just a bonus.
Do you agree with our list? What’s your favorite steampunk movie? For more punk-themed Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.
