The Sci-Fi Military Films subgenre resides within the Action, Sci-Fi and War genres. This subgenre is also featured in other film subgenres such as Action-Adventure Films, Alien Invasion Films, Films About Robots, Films Set in Space, Time Travel Films and War Action Films. Sci-Fi Military Films typically feature futuristic warfare, tactics and weapons in their narrative and are set in space, on a remote planet or Earth.
The War film genre had become very popular throughout the 1950’s to 1970’s with a multitude of World War II subgenre films. It wasn’t until Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977) was released that kickstarted the entire Sci-Fi Military film subgenre. By featuring familiar concepts such as aerial dogfighting (X Wings vs. Tie Fighters) and a rebel insurgency against an imperial force (Rebel Alliance vs. The Galactic Empire), Star Wars kicked the door wide open for how futuristic warfare might appear. Two other films of the 1970’s also featured military concepts albeit in different ways. The oft ridiculed and lampooned film Laserblast (1978) centered on an alien weapon in the hands of a human. And Battlestar Galactica (1978) while featuring Sci-Fi warfare, was more focused on the dramatic aspects of the last human survivors against a robotic force.
The 1980’s saw the Sci-Fi Military subgenre explode with many classic films of the subgenre. Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980) continued to innovate with futuristic military concepts (even if AT-AT Walkers looked cool for a ground invasion but didn’t make functional sense). Dune (1984) saw innovation with politics between warring factions and the use of a human voice as a weapon. And Aliens (1986) and Predator (1987) both became two of the best films of the subgenre with futuristic marines battling aliens in space and on earth. Other classic and notable films of the subgenre this decade included Battle Beyond the Stars (1980), Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982), Blue Thunder (1983), Star Wars: Episode V – Return of the Jedi (1983), The Last Starfighter (1984), Enemy Mine (1985), RoboCop (1987) and Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989).
The 1990’s saw additional subgenres feature Sci-Fi Military concepts in their narratives. Alien Invasion films including Independence Day (1996) and Starship Troopers (1997) featured significant use of alien military technology. Stargate (1994) and Star Trek: First Contact (1996) involved military confrontations between alien species in alternate time and dimensions. And Universal Soldier (1992) and Soldier (1998) both used the concept of high-tech soldiers (and cyborgs) for futuristic warfare. Other classic and notable films of the decade included RoboCop 2 (1990), Predator 2 (1990), Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991), Screamers (1995), Alien Resurrection (1997), The Fifth Element (1997) and Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999).
Sci-Fi Military films in the 2010’s were dominated by two Sci-Fi franchises and another film that launched a future franchise. Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002) and Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005) finished the prequel of the Star Wars saga. The Alien and Predator franchises saw both aliens come together for war in AVP: Alien vs. Predator (2004) and Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007). And Avatar (2009) was released which featured many futuristic military concepts and became the highest grossing film of all-time. Other classic and notable subgenre films from the 2010’s included Ghosts of Mars (2001), The Chronicles of Riddick (2004), Stealth (2005), Doom (2005), Star Trek (2009), G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2009) and District 9 (2009).
The 2020’s saw an increase in Sci-Fi Military films that paralleled the rise in other Sci-Fi film subgenres. Alien Invasion films increased in popularity and featured Sci-Fi Military elements with Battle: Los Angeles (2011), Battleship (2012) and Independence Day: Resurrection (2016). Sci-Fi Biotechnology Films that featured soldiers augmented with exoskeletons (or in some cases gene therapy) in Elysium (2013), Edge of Tomorrow (2014) and The Titan (2018). And Jaegars were the skyscraper-sized military machines created by humans to defeat invading monsters in Pacific Rim (2013) and Pacific Rim: Uprising (2018). Other classic and notable subgenre films included Predators (2010), Hunter Prey (2010), Captain America: The First Avenger (2011), Lockout (2012), G.I. Joe: Retaliation (2013), Star Trek Into Darkness (2013), Riddick (2013), Ender’s Game (2013), RoboCop (2014), Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens (2015), Captain America: Civil War (2016), Kill Command (2016), Star Trek Beyond (2016), Suicide Squad (2016), Spectral (2016), Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016), Kong: Skull Island (2017), Firebase (2017), Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi (2017), Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018), The Predator (2018) and Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker (2019).
In the 2020’s, there have only been a few Sci-Fi Military films but two are already classics of the subgenre – The Tomorrow War (2021) and Dune (2021).
Our list of Sci-Fi Military Films includes over 108+ films from 1977 – 2021. As mentioned previously, most of these films feature futuristic military weapons, warfare and tactics and often include other subgenres such as Alien Invasion Films, Sci-Fi Biotechnology Films and Films About Robots. For our list of Top Sci-Fi Military Films You haven’t Seen, the following honorable mentions didn’t make the list: The Red Spectacles (1987), Universal Soldier (1992), Memories (1995), Halo: Landfall (2007), Universal Solder: Regeneration (2009), Battleship (2012), Lockout (2012), Crawlspace (2012), Halo: The Fall of Reach (2015), Spectral (2016), Firebase (2017), The Titan (2018) and Outside the Wire (2021).
We have embedded a compilation video of our Top Sci-Fi Military Films You Haven’t Seen and more details on these films can be found in the list below. Note: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Plot: Cyborg created by the Japanese military during WWII is awakened in lab underneath 1991 Disco.
KBZ’s Take: Where to begin with this film? If you wondered what a Japanese take on RoboCop (1987) with Slasher Film elements might look like, here is your answer. This is not a great film but more of a curiosity for the usual unusual films from Japanese cinema. We really had no idea what was going on while watching this film, so solely focused on watching the WWII-era Cyborg that was the most interesting aspect of this film. Only recommended for fans and completists of the subgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://youtu.be/ytlBPBu0FTo
Plot: In the year 2707, warring corporations break a seal that awakens deadly mutants.
KBZ’s Take: There are very divided opinions on this film and its easy to see why. The CGI is horrible, the plot doesn’t make sense (unless you’re familiar with the RPG game it’s based on) and some of the acting is laughably bad. However, there is an interesting story here and some very tense and suspenseful sequences – such as the team descending into an elevator shaft. Once you can get past the bad CGI and Green Screen work, the film is actually interesting to watch during its second half. There are also some interesting Steampunk aspects to the film (that while never explained) are cool to see. Only recommended for fans of the subgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3HjJHc6
Plot: Stealth fighter test pilot had a terrible accident and can’t remember anything.
KBZ’s Take: This is an outlier in our list of Military Sci-Fi films as it’s not the typical action-based subgenre film. Rather this film’s strengths rely on the interactions between James B. Sikking (Col. Halsey) and Hector Elizondo (Dr. Gottlieb). There are some amazing flight sequences and sound effects in the film, but this is the type of film you have to rewatch to understand everything going on. It hasn’t been released on DVD so is a bit hard to find but is recommended for fans of the subgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://youtu.be/FxtZIdwOpgY
#7
Kill Command
Plot: Elite army unit is flown to remote island to train against AI drones…until the AI adapts and starts to hunt them.
KBZ’s Take: Low budget film that has surprisingly good special effects and action. There’s not much a plot to this film other than your typical “the hunters become the hunted” storyline with a twist – artificial intelligence that adapts. The S.A.R. unit has a cool design and it’s one of the better lesser-known films about “robots gone bad”. Recommended for fans of the subgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3JmbVpg
#6
Hunter Prey
Plot: Surviving crew of a crashed spaceship must catch their escaped alien prisoner.
KBZ’s Take: While this film has some pacing issues, it’s one of the best lesser-known subgenre films you haven’t seen. As with most “hunter and prey” films, there’s tension mixed with action at different points in the film. Where this film differs (and excels) is with the major reveal in the film and the broader philosophical questions on genocide. It’s a very highly recommended film of the subgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3Yrv65t
#5
Soldier
Plot: Elite soldier defends peaceful community against a new breed of genetically engineered soldiers.
KBZ’s Take: Kurt Russel has had some megahits in the Sci-Fi genre (Escape from New York (1981), The Thing (1982), Stargate (1994)) and this is one of his best but lesser-known films. While the film bombed at the box office, it’s still one of the better Military Sci-Fi films especially when viewed as a ‘’spin-off sidequel” and spiritual successor to Blade Runner (1981). There’s even some Blade Runner universe easter eggs you can find in the film upon a second viewing. Recommended for fans of the subgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3jfOxPs
#4
Screamers
Plot: On a distant mining planet, scientists have created the perfect weapon – robotic Screamers.
KBZ’s Take: If you grew up during the 1990’s, there’s a good chance that you’ve seen this film and it’s a classic film of yours within the subgenre. However, we felt the need to list it for people who might not have seen this great film. The film is based on a Philip K. Dick story, Second Variety, and it features the cutest but most terrifying robot in any subgenre film. It’s a film best to go blind into and it’s a highly recommended film of the subgenre and shouldn’t be missed.
Additional Lists: Top Films About Robots You Haven’t Seen #4
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3DqxP6S
#3
Infini
Plot: A search and rescue team are transported through deep space to a distant mining colony to save the sole survivor of a biological outbreak.
KBZ’s Take: This is a film that could have been so much better than it is. The first and last 20 minutes of this film are some of the best you will see in this subgenre. However, it’s the middle portion of the film that bogs it down and keeps it from becoming a classic. It’s best going into this film without knowing anything but the basic plot, and after you’re finished with the film, you’ll likely have questions to the somewhat ambiguous ending. You can check out this link for answers to questions you might have once everything’s revealed at the end. Highly recommended film of the subgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3kSHj4r
#2
Blue Thunder
Plot: Two metro police helicopter pilots test a new heavily armed experimental chopper called Blue Thunder.
KBZ’s Take: This is one of our personal favorites and we’re listing it here so younger subgenre fans don’t miss on this classic film of the subgenre. While the film does strain credibility at times, it’s the action sequences in this film that are some of the most amazing aerial sequences you’ll ever see. The film also has a great cast with Roy Scheider, Malcolm McDowell, Daniel Stern and Warren Oates…but the real star of the film is the Blue Thunder chopper. Highly recommended classic film of the subgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3WOG6sf
Plot: A video game expert is transported to another planet to defend an alien world from attack.
KBZ’s Take: Like Blue Thunder, this is another film that was popular in the 80’s and has been lost to time. It’s another one of our personal favorite films and we’re listing it this high so younger generations don’t miss out. If you’ve been grooming your youngsters on Star Wars, this is another great film in the same vein to show them. The special effects are somewhat dated but the storyline and “ordinary teenager rising to hero” message is universal. There’s rumors that the remake of the film might actually happen, but until then, you’ll always have the original classic to watch.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3wEBURl
