The Films Set in Space subgenre typically resides within the Sci-Fi and Horror Genres. This subgenre often also includes other subgenres such as Survival Horror Films, Cosmic Horror Films, Alien Invasion Films, Biotech Films, Hard Sci-Fi Films, Military Sci-Fi Films, Films About Good Aliens, Films About Bad Aliens and Films About Robots.
As technological advances over the last few decades in film and special effects made space voyages more realistic to moviegoers, the subgenres popularity grew. And the subgenre has been dominated by three popular franchise and one extended universe of films during that time.
You can’t discuss the Films Set in Space subgenre without first discussing the three franchises that have dominated the subgenre for the last 45 years. The first is, of course, Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977). Star Wars would usher in a new era of Space subgenre films in 1977 with sequels over the next few decades including Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980), Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005) and Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Force Awakens (2015).
Though Star Wars often featured style over substance, the other dominant franchise – Star Trek – often included more Hard Sci-Fi and realistic science fiction concepts and themes within their films. Though the initial cinematic entry into the Star Trek universe stumbled with Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979), the franchise grew in popularity with Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1983) and was followed by notable sequels including Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984), Star Trek: First Contact (1996) and Star Trek Into Darkness (2013).
The third major franchise of the Films Set in Space subgenre fell more into the Horror genre and featured Cosmic Horror subgenre elements. Alien (1979) would be the introductory film of this franchise which was followed by the classic film Aliens (1986) and additional notable sequels in Alien³ (1992), Prometheus (2012) and Alien: Covenant (2017).
The final set of films that dominate the subgenre are multiple film franchises that all occur within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Thor (2011) was one of the first films that featured Space elements and was soon followed by other MCU films and franchises including The Avengers (2012), Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) and Captain Marvel (2019).
From a decade-by-decade standpoint, prior to 1970, there were a few classic films of the subgenre including Forbidden Planet (1956), Planet of the Vampires (1965) and 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968). In the 1970’s, though Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977) and Alien (1979) dominated the decade, there were other notable subgenre films including Silent Running (1972), Solaris (1972), Dark Star (1974), Battlestar Galactica (1978), Moonraker (1979) and The Black Hole (1979).
Due to Star Wars’ cultural popularity, Films Set in Space exploded in the 1980’s across a variety of subgenre themes. Adventure focused subgenre films included Flash Gordon (1980), Battle Beyond the Stars (1980), Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone (1983), Krull (1983), The Last Starfighter (1984), Dune (1984), Explorers (1985) and Enemy Mine (1985). Comedy-themed parodies of the subgenre included Galaxina (1980), The Ice Pirates (1984) and Spaceballs (1987). And Horror-themed subgenre films included Saturn 3 (1980), Inseminoid (1981), Galaxy of Terror (1981), Creature (1985) and Lifeforce (1985). Other notable subgenre films of the decade included Outland (1981) and 2010: The Year We Make Contact (1984).
The 1990’s saw the volume of subgenre films decrease and was primarily dominated by Star Trek and Alien franchise films. However, there were a few notable films of the decade including Stargate (1994), Apollo 13 (1995), Space Jam (1996), Event Horizon (1997), The Fifth Element (1997), Armageddon (1998), Deep Impact (1998) and Galaxy Quest (1999).
Star Wars would again dominate the subgenre in the 2000’s with the release of Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999). However, Mars-themed films set in Space was a notable subgenre theme of the decade with Mission to Mars (2000) and Red Planet (2000). Adventure-themed subgenre films continued to prove popular with Pitch Black (2000), Space Cowboys (2000), The Chronicles of Riddick (2004), Serenity (2005), Zathura: A Space Adventure (2005), Sunshine (2007) and Avatar (2009). Other notable subgenre films of the decade included Titan A.E. (2000), Jason X (2001), Solaris (2002), The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (2005), The Astronaut Farmer (2006), The Fountain (2006), Moon (2009), Pandorum (2009) and Cargo (2009).
The 2010’s would again be dominated by Star Wars, Star Trek, Alien and MCU films. However, there were many classic and notable subgenre film this decade including John Carter (2012), Europa Report (2013), The Last Days on Mars (2013), Gravity (2013), Ender’s Game (2013), Interstellar (2014), Infini (2015), The Martian (2015), Passengers (2016), Life (2017), The Spacewalker (2017), High Life (2018), Prospect (2018), First Man (2018) and Aniara (2019).
The 2020’s have already produced a few notable subgenre films to date with Space Sweepers (2021), Voyagers (2021), Stowaway (2021), Oxygen (2021), Settlers (2021) and Moonfall (2022).
Our list of Sci-Fi Film Set in Space includes over 199+ films from 1956 – 2022. Our list primarily includes subgenre films residing within the Horror and Sci-Fi genres.
Classic, franchise must-see Films Set in Space: Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977), Alien (1979), Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980), Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1983), Aliens (1986), Star Trek: First Contact (1996), Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005), Star Trek (2009), Thor (2011), Prometheus (2012), Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), Captain Marvel (2019) and Avengers: Endgame (2019).
Classic, other must-see Films Set in Space: 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), Flash Gordon (1980), Outland (1981), Krull (1983), The Last Starfighter (1984), Dune (1984), Stargate (1994), Apollo 13 (1995), Event Horizon (1997), Deep Impact (1998), The Chronicles of Riddick (2004), Sunshine (2007), Moon (2009), Europa Report (2013), Gravity (2013), Interstellar (2014), The Martian (2015) and First Man (2018).
Lesser-known Films Set in Space that didn’t make our list: The Black Hole (1979), Battle Beyond the Stars (1980), The Last Days on Mars (2013), Interstellar (2014), Infini (2015), Passengers (2016), Life (2017), Orbiter 9 (2017), The Spacewalker (2017), The Titan (2018), Prospect (2018), Stowaway (2021), Settlers (2021) and Moonfall (2022).
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. Here is our list of the Top Sci-Fi Films Set in Space You Haven’t Seen:
#10
Aniara
Plot: A spacecraft destined for Mars veers off course leading the passengers to question their mortality.
KBZ’s Take: Based on the 1956 Swedish poem by Harry Martinson, Aniara is a thoughtful yet depressing film. It’s ultimately about the human condition as people being to lose hope and devolve into cult-like behavior. It’s a tamer (and less violent) version of Lord of the Flies that has people questioning their own mortality and existence in the universe. Highly recommended film for fans of the subgenre.
Additional Lists: Top Films About Cults You Haven’t Seen 2010 – 2022 #10
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Plot: Adventurer Wolff and earthling left from a medical expedition try to save three women captured by an evil dictator.
KBZ’s Take: This is a guilty pleasure film from the 1980’s and one of the only films on this list not to have a post-apocalyptic event on Earth. The event takes place on another planet and features some of the same tropes of other Post-Apocalyptic films. Where this film succeeds over other B-movie failures of the era, such as 2019: After the Fall of New York (1983) and Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared Syn (1983), is with its action-based set pieces and villain. There are some great futuristic set pieces in this film and who can pass up Michael Ironside as the evil OverDog? Recommended for fans of the subgenre.
Additional Lists: Top Post-Apocalypse Films You Haven’t Seen (Part 1) #4
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3HIKXH6
Plot: Crew of a space junk collector ship discover a humanoid robot – who also happens to be a weapon of mass destruction.
KBZ’s Take: This Korean film plays more like a Space Western and was a blockbuster in South Korea. It was also available on Netflix that allowed the film to reach a much greater audience. It’s a fun film that has adventure and humor and is reminiscent of some of the better Star Wars films (though this film won’t make you soon forget the SW franchise). There’s also a multi-national cast in the film with Korean star Song Joong-ki in the lead role with Richard Armitage (from The Hobbit fame) playing the villain.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://www.netflix.com/title/81094067
Plot: Two young boys play a board game which propels them into space.
KBZ’s Take: One of Jon Favreau’s lesser-known directorial efforts, Zathura has much of the same special effects awe and humor found in his other Sci-Fi-based films (Iron Man (2008), Cowboys & Aliens (2011)). It’s a fun, kid-friendly film that has a core message about family. Though it was popular at the time in 2005, it’s been lost to time so we wanted to highlight it here on this list of subgenre films.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3kSHVHs
#6
Cargo
Plot: A young medic is the only crew member awake when she discovers something has stowed away on the ship.
KBZ’s Take: This German film is a film of two halves. The first half of Cargo is some of the best science fiction of the subgenre and reminiscent of the Dystopian Future of Blade Runner (1982) and suspenseful moments from Sunshine (2007). Unfortunately, the second half of the film (while still good), can’t quite hold up to the much superior first half. Overall, it’s still a good film and will be enjoyed by fans of the subgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3Hn8f3Z
#5
Saturn 3
Plot: Space station couple are menaced by a murderous scientist and his equally murderous robot.
KBZ’s Take: While this film will be remembered by Gen X and Boomers, it’s a bit of a forgotten film of the early 80’s. It’s not a great film despite starring Kirk Douglas, Harvey Keitel and Farrah Fawcett. However, it does feature one of the truly psychotic and murderous robots ever filmed on screen with Hector. There are shades of the Terminator in this film and it’s worth seeing for the opening scenes alone – you won’t soon forget the music or visuals. Worth seeking out for fans of forgotten 80’s films and fans of the Films Set in Space subgenre.
Additional Lists: Top Films About Robots You Haven’t Seen #4
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3WPOzeN
#4
Voyagers
Plot: A group of young men and women are part of an expedition to colonize a distant planet – until disaster hits when some of the group decide to stop taking their meds.
KBZ’s Take: Unlike Aniara, this is a full-blown version of Lord of the Flies in space. It was an unfortunate victim of the Covid-19 pandemic and bombed at the box office. Critics and audience members were equally harsh on the film. While we can see the general audience dislike of the film, fans of the subgenre will likely enjoy it much more. And if you’re a fan of Lord of the Flies-type tales (or even the recent Yellowjackets TV series), you will likely enjoy it much more than critics and the general moviegoing populace.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3HJKX9Y
#3
Enemy Mine
Plot: A soldier crash lands on an alien plant and must work with his alien adversary to survive.
KBZ’s Take: Countless films have used the ‘enemies working together to survive’ theme but Enemy Mine is one of the best. Though it was a hit in 1985, it’s a forgotten film of the 80’s that younger fans of the subgenre should seek out. It does a great job of exploring the frenemies theme (and expanding on it), has a unique alien ecosystem and alien physiology and it stars both Dennis Quad and Louis Gossett Jr. who were both at the top of their game in this film. Highly recommended film for fans of the subgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3HkcyNx
#2
Oxygen
Plot: A woman wakes up in a cryogenic chamber with no recollection of how she got there – and she is running out of air.
KBZ’s Take: There’s not much we can say about this film without ruining it so we’ll just give you three reasons why you should check it out. First, it’s by Alexendre Aja who has made some great films in High Tension (2003) and Horns (2013). Second, it combines many of the best elements of Survival “Horror” with various Sci-Fi themes. Finally, the film is a suspense-filled ride where you likely won’t check your phone even once while watching it. Highly recommended film of the subgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://www.netflix.com/title/81277610
Plot: A crew of international astronauts are sent on a private mission to Jupiter’s fourth moon.
KBZ’s Take: We’ll start off by saying if you’re a fan of Alien (1979) and more horror-based Sci-Fi films, you probably will not enjoy this film. It’s more akin to 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) and Interstellar (2014) with its realistic portrayal of how a manned mission to Europa might look and feel. It falls much more within the Hard Sci-Fi realm though it also uses a Found Footage format that adds to the eventual tension and ‘discovery’. We don’t want to say much more about the film than that, but it’s one of the best films of the subgenre that you absolutely should not miss.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3HlwUFU
