This is the fourth in a series of articles where we’ll be covering the Top Films About Genetic Engineering. While Genetic Engineering is closely related to Cloning, we have a separate collection for Films About Cloning as they tend to be more drama-based and cover the moral, philosophical and ethical nature of cloning. Genetic Engineering Films, on the other hand, are typically Sci-Fi and/or Horror-based and cover various themes such as genetically engineered hybrid creatures or bioengineering a superhuman.
Films About Genetic Engineering will also cover topics such as mad scientists, genetic research, bioengineering, genetic mutants and other related topics where an organism or person is genetically modified or created. Genetic Engineering Films are also closely aligned with other film subgenres including Films Based on Superheroes & Comics, Dark Fantasy Films, Films About Dinosaurs, Body Horror Films, Cosmic Horror Films, Eco-Horror Films, Films About Monsters, Psychic Powers Films, Psychological and Medical Horror Films, Sci-Fi Biotech Films, Films About Clones, Hard Sci-Fi Films, Animals Attack Films, Conspiracy Films, Pandemic & Virus Films and Psychological and Medical Thrillers.
This fourth article will cover the Top Films About Genetic Engineering You Haven’t Seen from the 2000’s and you can check out additional articles by decade below. We are also going to include a Best Of subgenre article as a grand finale. There are so many great films featuring genetically altered humans and mutants from the last 60 years that we felt it best to break down some of the subgenre’s forgotten and lesser-known gems by decade before we give you the Best Of list which will likely feature many films you’ve already heard of or have seen.
- Top Films About Genetic Engineering You Haven’t Seen – 1970’s
- Top Films About Genetic Engineering You Haven’t Seen – 1980’s
- Top Films About Genetic Engineering You Haven’t Seen – 1990’s
- Top Films About Genetic Engineering You Haven’t Seen – 2000’s
- Top Films About Genetic Engineering You Haven’t Seen – 2010’s
- Best Recent Films About Genetic Engineering
- Best Films About Genetic Engineering
The 2000’s would be a down year for the subgenre with overall quality and quantity of Genetic Engineering Films down. The exception would be the emergence of Films based on Superheroes & Comics which began a three-decade run starting in 2000. Genetic Engineering Comedies would also make an appearance this decade and the most popular theme of the franchise – genetic engineering gone wrong – would continue in a variety of films.
Most of the Superhero Films that dominated the 2000’s all featured one common trait – genetic mutations that gave superpowers to ordinary humans. Peter Parker’s DNA changes based on a bite from genetically modified spiders in Spider-Man (2002), Spider-Man 2 (2004) and Spider-Man 3 (2007). The X-Men would feature a variety of genetically modified mutants including Wolverine, Storm, Cyclops, Magneto and Professor X in X-Men (2000), X2 (2003), X-Men: The Last Stand (2006) and X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009). Hulk (2003) and The Incredible Hulk (2008) would feature Bruce Banner whose exposure to gamma radiation turns him into a green, hulking beast when stressed. And Reed Richards, Ben Grimm, Susan Storm and Johnny Storm all gained superpowers when exposed to cosmic rays in Fantastic Four (2005) and Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007). The other notable Superhero Film of the decade would feature genetically modified vampires called Reapers in Blade II (2002).
As with other subgenres, comedies also appeared this decade as the subgenre had gained in popularity over the last two decades. Nutty Professor II: The Klumps (2000) continued its parody of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde with Eddie Murphy reprising his role as Professor Klump and his alter-ego Buddy Love. Rob Schnieder would star in The Animal (2001) about a man who is genetically altered with the traits of different animals. And Black Sheep (2006) would follow in the footsteps of Braindead (1992) as another Horror Comedy from New Zealand.
And finally, the most popular and consistent theme of the subgenre involving genetic engineering gone wrong continued into this decade with Hollow Man (2000), The Animal (2001), Earth vs. the Spider (2001), Jurassic Park III (2001), Casshern (2004), Isolation (2005), Subject Two (2006), Black Sheep (2006), Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (2008) and Splice (2009).
Our complete list of Films About Genetic Engineering features over 212+ films from 1931 – 2023 and if you don’t see a film on our list it is likely in other film collections such as Eco-Horror Films, Films About Monsters, Films About Cloning, Psychological and Medical Horror Films and Psychological and Medical Thrillers. We’ll be releasing other articles about some of the best lesser-known subgenre films soon so subscribe to our newsletter to get updated as we release future articles about clones and genetic engineering.
Classic Films About Genetic Engineering from the 2000’s: X-Men (2000), Hollow Man (2000), Jurassic Park III (2001), Blade II (2002), Spider-Man (2002), X2 (2003), Code 46 (2003), Spider-Man 2 (2004), Push (2009), X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009) and Daybreakers (2009).
Lesser-known Films About Genetic Engineering from the 2000’s that didn’t make our list: The Animal (2001), Earth vs. the Spider (2001), Doom (2005), Hollow Man II (2006), Youth Without Youth (2007) and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (2008).
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Here is our list of the Top Films About Genetic Engineering You Haven’t Seen – 2000’s:
#10
Isolation
Plot: On a remote Irish farm, five people become unwilling participants in an experiment that goes nightmarishly wrong.
KBZ’s Take: This Irish film might be a bit slow for some viewers, but it’s worth sticking with the film despite the slow pace. It tackles an interesting theme of the subgenre involving genetically engineering cattle that leads to horrific results.
Where the film excels is with its suspense and atmosphere. It’s very effective in slowly revealing the ‘offspring’ of the genetically engineered cows and which characters will survive the ordeal. One of the better films of the subgenre from the 2000’s and highly recommended.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3KItJuH
#9
Subject Two
Plot: A doctor invents a resurrection formula and tests it by killing his assistant over and over and over again.
KBZ’s Take: We debated putting this film on our list as it’s definitely a ‘love it or hate it’ type of film. It’s a microbudget film with two primary actors, has a somewhat slow pace (in the beginning) and doesn’t have the type of special effects expected from similar subgenre films.
But we decided to list it here as we thought it was an admirable job of creating an interesting film on a microbudget and it had a unique spin on the Frankenstein legend that subgenre fans would enjoy.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/47D24VC
Plot: A reporter loses his wife and daughter to a plane crash, but when the sole survivor appears, the reporter realizes that it wasn’t a mere accident, but a conspiracy involving children with mysterious powers.
KBZ’s Take: Novelists Dean R. Koontz and Michael Crichton are two of the premiere authors who tackle themes of genetic engineering. While Crichton’s novels tend to look at the sci-fi aspects of genetic engineering, Koontz often delves into the horrors of it. His novels have covered everything from genetically altered animals in Watchers (1987) to human-beast hybrids in Midnight (1989). But unlike Chrichton’s successful film adaptations of his screenplay for Westworld (1973) and novel for Jurassic Park (1995), Koontz’s film adaptations have mostly been forgettable disappointments – especially Watchers (1988) and Phantoms (1998).
Sole Survivor is one of the better Koontz film adaptations along with Intensity (1997). Though Intensity is focused on a serial killer (and also stars John C. McGinley as the villain), Sole Survivor is more focused on themes of genetically engineered children. We don’t want to go into the plot more than that though we do recommend Sole Survivor as one of the better Koontz adaptations and films of the subgenre from the 2000’s.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/47BmOgv
#7
Control
Plot: Lee Ray Oliver, a death row inmate, is given a second chance at life if he agrees to undergo a new chemical treatment used to modify behavior.
KBZ’s Take: We had some debate about the theme of Control and if it involved actual genetic engineering. Technically, the film involves a drug that prevents violent tendencies, so though it’s altering brain activity, it’s not technically modifying genes. But despite that technical debate, we agreed on one reason for recommending the film here – Ray Liotta’s performance.
Liotta plays the sociopath who is administered the drug and as with most of his films, he’s a mesmerizing presence on screen. You never really know if his explosive anger is truly being suppressed by the drug or if it’s all an act. And he’s surrounded by equally great performances from Willem DaFoe, Stephen Rea and Michelle Rodriguez.
This is a film that went direct to DVD despite its well-known cast. It does have some plot issues, but it’s one of those films where the performances in the film alone make it a recommendation of the subgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3KFaphR
#6
Casshern
Plot: Genetically modified human mutants threaten the future of the world, and the only hope for mankind rests on the shoulders of Casshern, a warrior who has been reincarnated.
KBZ’s Take: We’ll start off by saying we lost track of the plot 15 minutes into this film. It’s not an easy film to follow and we counted at least three major plot holes in the first act. And though the film features genetically modified humans called “Neo-Sapiens”, their ultimate motivation becomes muddled as the film progresses.
With that said, the film is visually stunning, and we didn’t mind the confusing narrative as we got lost in this beautifully rendered Dystopian world. The special effects are top notch (though most of the acting is set against Green Screen) and the film incorporates some dazzling animations from the anime it’s based on.
It’s a film with a Dystopian visual style and world building similar to Blade Runner (1982) and Natural City (2003) that will leave you breathless as you take it all in.
Additional Lists: Top Dystopian Films You Haven’t Seen – 2000’s #7
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3CZucnQ
#5
Black Sheep
Plot: A genetic engineering experiment gone horribly awry turns a large flock of docile sheep into unrelenting killing machines.
KBZ’s Take: In our article of The Top Films About Ghosts & Hauntings You Haven’t Seen – 2010 – 2014, we had the New Zealand Horror Comedy Housebound (2014) listed as #7. We also mentioned how Housebound was another film in the growing repertoire of Quirky Comedy, Slapstick Comedy and Dark Comedy all blended together with Horror that the kiwis have perfected. And Black Sheep is another in the line of these unique Horror Comedies like Braindead (1992), What We Do in the Shadows (2014) and Deathgasm (2015).
All we can say about this film is that it likely won’t be what you’re expecting – but in a good way. There are equal amounts of horror and comedy in the film that will have you alternating from discomfort to full-out laughter. One scene in particular is worth the price of a rental alone – the horde of now-mutated sheep descending upon a ceremony and attacking unsuspecting humans.
It’s not at the level of the kiwi classic Braindead (1992) but it’s the next tier down and still a highly recommended film of the subgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/45xFI6m
#4
Code 46
Plot: In a dystopian future, insurance fraud investigator William Gold arrives in Shanghai to investigate a forgery ring for papelles, futuristic passports that record people’s identities and genetics. Gold falls for Maria Gonzalez, the woman in charge of the forgeries. After a passionate affair, Gold returns home, having named a coworker as the culprit. But when one of Gonzalez’s customers is found dead, Gold is sent back to Shanghai to complete the investigation.
KBZ’s Take: This film is highly rated on our lists for the Top Cyberpunk Films You Haven’t Seen and the Top Dystopian Films You Haven’t Seen – 2000’s. And it is also one of the best films about genetic engineering.
While the core of the film is a Romantic Drama, it’s based on a world where genetic engineering and cloning have been in practice for some time. The film focuses on the future where issues can arise when all humans have altered genetics and similar genetic lines. That’s where the title of the film comes in and is explained in the film.
There’s not much more we can say about the film without ruining the plot, but it’s one of the best films about genetic engineering and cloning and one of the most unique Dystopian Films we’ve seen.
Additional Lists: Top Cyberpunk Films You Haven’t Seen #4, Top Dystopian Films You Haven’t Seen – 2000’s #4
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/422xv7H
#3
Splice
Plot: Elsa and Clive, two young rebellious scientists, defy legal and ethical boundaries and forge ahead with a dangerous experiment: splicing together human and animal DNA to create a new organism. Named Dren, the creature rapidly develops from a deformed female infant into a beautiful but dangerous winged human-chimera, who forges a bond with both of her creators – only to have that bond turn deadly.
KBZ’s Take: As we noted in the beginning of this article, it was a down decade for the entire subgenre. As a result, for our top 3 picks of the subgenre, we had to select films that are more popular and well-known than we genuinely like to feature. And Splice is one of those films that was likely the most popular film of the subgenre in the 2000’s outside of Jurassic Park III (2001) and the decade’s wealth of Films About Superheroes & Comics.
With Splice, we feel it’s an opportunity missed. The film’s sci-fi basis in genetically engineering a new breed of creature and the eventual emotional attachment to the self-aware creature is one of the best of the entire subgenre. However, by also incorporating horror elements that underlie the narrative and dominate the third act of the film, it takes away from the novel themes of genetic research and evolution.
However, it’s still one of the best subgenre films in the 2000’s and recommended to see at least once.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/45d9NrQ
#2
Daybreakers
Plot: Vampires and humans live side-by-side and the vampires are running out of food…
KBZ’s Take: Another popular 2000’s film on our list that unlike Splice (2009), is much better at balancing sci-fi and horror. The film also explores multiple subgenre themes from artificially produced blood to the genetic mutation causing vampirism.
If you haven’t seen this film yet, we would encourage you to do so. It uses traditional aspects of vampiric legend like sunlight being deadly to vampires and their need to drink human blood to survive, but it’s unlike typical Vampire Films. There’s much more going on in this film where vampires and humans co-exist and a vampire-controlled corporation conspiring to limit their monopoly of the blood supply.
It’s one of our favorite films and while it doesn’t have deeper themes of genetic engineering like other films on our list, is still a film we highly recommend.
Additional Lists: Top Vampire Films You Haven’t Seen #1, Top Dark Fantasy Films You Haven’t Seen 1990 – 2009 #5
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3kliZrM
#1
Hollow Man
Plot: Cocky researcher, Sebastian Caine is working on a project to make living creatures invisible and he’s so confident he’s found the right formula that he tests it on himself and soon begins to vanish. The only problem is – no-one can determine how to make him visible again. Caine’s predicament eventually drives him mad, with terrifying results.
KBZ’s Take: Though there’s debate if the recent Invisible Man (2021) or original The Invisible Man (1933) is the best film adaptation of H.G. Wells’ classic novel, we’re still partial to the Hollow Man. Though it’s ‘inspired by’ Wells’ novel, it’s better grounded in the science of invisibility which makes the film’s Psychological Horror much stronger.
Though critics at the time bashed the film for devolving into a horror-filled Slasher film, we thought this outcome was natural for the deteriorating psychological state of Dr. Sebastian Cane (Kevin Bacon). It doesn’t focus on the sunnier side of becoming invisible but rather the themes of a morally bankrupt individual and what they could get away with without the fear of ever being caught.
While it’s not a great overall film, it at least explores serious themes of genetic engineering compared to the all of the subgenre’s Films About Superheroes & Comics from the decade. It’s a film that deserves a second look and we feel fits firmly alongside the other great films that explore the psychological condition of invisibility.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3OxLduK
