Sci-fi and Horror... These movies are what you get when you blend them together...
You don’t need to wait until Halloween rolls around to watch something scary! There are no spoilers featured here - so sit back and relax as we countdown 31 of the Best Sci-Fi horror movies to watch right now. (Just remember, that in space… no one can hear you scream.)
31) Ghosts of Mars
Official trailer for Ghosts of Mars - A 2001 film directed by John Carpenter
Rapper and experienced actor Ice Cube stars in Ghosts of Mars, a movie about miners in a Martian mining colony who have disappeared. It is soon discovered that they became possessed by spectral entities. Ice Cube’s character, along with a group of survivors, must escape the colony without becoming possessed themselves.
Ice Cube is always ready to wreak all kinds of havoc.
Big Daddy Mars doesn't seem too happy about something...
30) Brainscan
Official trailer for Brainscan - A 1994 film by John Flynn
Brainscan tells the story of a young boy who spends much of his time in isolation. His friend convinces him to try out a game called Brainscan that encourages him perform murderous acts. The young boy needs to find a way to escape the “Trickster”, who is telling him to perform these acts before he starts hurting people he loves. It stars Edward Furlong (Below Zero).
The Trickster just wants to play... the game of murder...
The official poster for Brainscan (1994) - The poster alone gives me nightmares...
29) Doom
Official Trailer for Doom - A 2005 film directed by Andrzej Bartkowiak
Doom is based on the famous video game series of the same name. A research facility on Mars is attacked by strange creatures, and a group of marines are sent out to rescue any survivors. It stars Karl Urban (Star Trek) and Dwayne Johnson (Fast Five). Anyone who is a fan of the video game is sure to enjoy this film adaptation.
Karl Urban and Dwayne Johnson cautiously on the lookout for the creatures attacking them.
An official poster for Doom that emulates the gameplay from the video game series it's based on.
28) Stranded
Official Trailer for Stranded - A 2013 film directed by Roger Christian
Stranded stars Christian Slater from the acclaimed television series, Mr. Robot. Astronauts are stranded on a lunar mining base and come across mysterious spores. A short time later, they are being hunted down by an alien life form that has appeared because of these spores.
Is the crewmate still a friend… or has he become a foe?
Official Poster for Stranded (2013)
27) Jason X
Official trailer for Jason X - A 2001 film by James Isaac
Jason X is the tenth film in the Friday the 13th franchise, which features the serial killer Jason Vorhees – you know, the guy with the hockey mask. Jason ends up being frozen after scientists come to the conclusion that he cannot be killed. Years later, Earth has become too populated, so there is an Earth Two. A group of students from Earth Two bring him back and unfreeze him, which allows him to return to his murderous rampages. Kane Hodder returns to the role of Jason Vorhees in the film.
Sneaking up to get the upper hand on Jason Vorhees
Official poster for Jason X, which his new and improved sci-fi-esque mask.
26) Infini
Official trailer for Infini - A 2015 film by Shane Abbess
Luke Hemsworth from the TV series Westworld stars in Infini. A search and rescue team is sent to investigate a space mining station after an emergency is declared. The original search and rescue team that is sent quickly returns, all of them apparently suffering from a psychotic rage. A lone search and rescue team member illegally transports to the station to investigate what happened to the team.
The crew assesing the state of their current situation. (Spoiler alert! ...it's bad.)
Official promotional material for Infini
25) Life
Official trailer for Life - A 2017 film directed by Daniel Espinosa
Jake Gyllenhaal (Donnie Darko) stars in this film about a space crew that retrieves a probe that may have evidence of extraterrestrial life. Turns out, it does – and the biological substance found quickly evolves into a multi-celled organism, whom they call “Calvin”. Like most stories of this nature, “Calvin” turns hostile and they must find a way to defeat Calvin.
Jake Gyllenhaal searching for life
Finding the hostile space organism…
24) Splice
Official trailer for Splice - A 2009 film directed by Vincenzo Natali
Splice is another story dealing with human experimentation. A couple of scientists decide to go through with making an animal-human hybrid, which backfires significantly on them. Stars Adrien Brody (The Grand Budapest Hotel) and Sarah Polley (Dawn of the Dead).
Delphine Chanéac as Dren
Adrien Brody getting friendly with Dren
23) Morgan
Official trailer for Morgan - A 2016 film directed by Luke Scott
Morgan revolves around a girl (named Morgan) who has an advanced growth rate and high intelligence due to being scientific experimentation. Morgan becomes increasingly more erratic in behavior and has killed many of the scientists who have worked with her. Kate Mara (Fantastic Four), plays a risk-management specialist named Lee Weathers who wants to kill Morgan, since she is such a danger to the facility. She must fight against the remaining scientists, who want to keep Morgan alive because they have grown so attached to her.
Lee Weathers (Kate Mara) expresses her doubts surrounding Morgan
Official Poster for Morgan
22) The Last Days On Mars
Official trailer for The Last Days on Mars - A 2013 film directed by Ruairi Robinson
Based on a short story called, “The Animators”, The Last Days on Mars takes place on… well, Mars. Shortly before they are to return home to Earth, a space crew that had gone to Mars for a research mission comes across a biological, fungus-like substance that starts turning them into monsters. Liev Schreiber (X-Men Origins: Wolverine) stars.
Things taking a drastic turn between the crew on the barren planet
Official Poster for The Last Days on Mars
21) God Particle
Unfortunately, you’ll have to wait to experience God Particle, directed by Julius Onah and produced by J. J. Abrams. Not much is known about the newest entry in the Cloverfield franchise, since there are no trailers or promotional stills. The basic plot? It follows a group of astronauts who are caught in space after Earth disappears. They must fight for survival. It stars Daniel Bruhl (Captain America: Civil War) and Elizabeth Debicki (The Great Gatsby). It is scheduled for an October 2017 release. It's definitely worth checking out upon release (granted that it's not delayed again!)
Producer of the Cloverfield series, J.J. Abrams.
A still from the most recent Cloverfield movie, 10 Cloverfield Lane, featuring Mary Elizabeth Winstead and John Goodman
20) Pandorum
Official trailer for Pandorum - A 2009 film directed by Christian Alvart
Pandorum stars Dennis Quaid (Far From Heaven). All that’s left of the human race are in a hypersleep upon a space vessel that is taking them to a new earth-like planet. Two military personnel are awoken prematurely due to an unstable nuclear reactor and suffer from amnesia as a result. Once they meet up with a few other passengers, they are ambushed by cannibalistic humans. They must find a way to survive and make it to the new planet before they die.
The Pandorum crew fighting for their lives
Official teaser poster for Pandorum
19) Spectral
Official trailer for Spectral - A 2016 film directed by Nic Mathieu
Spectral is set during a war in Europe where troops are being killed. Through the use of specialized goggles, it is realized that a translucent, supernatural being is killing the troops. The military group that is set out to overcome these supernatural beings must find a way to defeat them, which is difficult since the beings cannot be hurt by small fire arms or explosives. Spectral stars James Badge Dale (World War Z).
The troops watch the destruction in horror
Official Promotional Material for Spectral
18) Harbinger Down
Official trailer for Harbinger Down - A 2015 film directed by Alec Gillis
Harbinger Down was the product of a Kickstarter campaign, and it does not rely solely on CGI to deliver scares. Two graduate students accompany their teacher to study the effects of global warming on whales. Along the way, they find a moon lander encased in ice. Inside of this moon lander is an alien life form that can survive extreme temperatures. It is unleashed onto the crew, and they must defeat it before it defeats them. Lance Henrikson from the Alien franchise stars in this horrifying film.
Searching the crashed moon lander
Find out what lies beneath the surface…
17) Apollo 18
Official trailer for Apollo 18 - A 2011 film directed by Gonzalo Lopez-Gallego
Shot in the style of ‘found-footage’, like Cloverfield before it, Apollo 18 is based on the cancelled moon landing mission from 1974. Things take a slight detour in the film, however, in that the Apollo 18 mission was carried out (but in secrecy). The space crew lands on the moon and comes across mysterious extraterrestrial life forms that prevent them from leaving. This classic Sci-Fi Horror film stars Warren Christie from the television show Alphas.
The astronauts aren’t alone…
An unlucky astronaut being dragged away by an unknown lifeform
16) Cube
Official trailer for Cube - A 1997 film directed by Vincenzo Natali
Cube has a unique setting – it is set entirely within a large cube. (Who would have guessed?) Several people are trapped within this cube. They each have their own reason for being stuck in the cube, and they must use theirs strengths to find a way out. Okay, I know - it doesn’t sound all that interesting, but it really is. If you haven’t watched it yet, at least give it a shot.
Trying to escape the cube
Official poster for Cube
15) Kill Command
Official trailer for Kill Command - A 2016 film directed by Steven Gomez
A British Sci-Fi Horror flick that revolves around a rogue AI drone. A military training group has arrived on an island, where they are to train against AI drones. The group is soon cut off from communication outside the island. They realize that a drone has been adapting and learning from them. The training group must find a way to get off of the island alive before they become victims to the increasingly intelligent drone.
These A.I.’s don’t mess around…
Up close and personal with one of the training units
14) Sector 7
Official trailer for Sector 7 - A 2011 film directed by Kim Ji-hoon
Sector 7 is a Korean Sci-Fi horror film. On an oil rig just off the coast of Jeju Island, a man plans to breed a life form whose bodily fluids can burn much longer compared to oil. The new life form begins to kill workers on the oil rig. Sector 7 is perhaps the least known movie on the list. However, it’s still a must see for any horror movie fan.
The terrifying monster stalking the oil rig workers.
Official Poster for Sector 7, starring Ha Ji-Won
13) Attack the Block
Official trailer for Attack the Block - A 2011 film directed by Joe Cornish
Attack the Block is your classic alien invasion movie that features a comedic twist. Set in modern-day London, it follows an unruly street gang as they go head-to-head with a horde of alien invaders. This cult classic features John Boyega (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) in his debut role, and Nick Frost (Shaun of the Dead).
John Boyega and his crew, facing off against the alien intruders
Official promotional material for Attack the Block
12) Event Horizon
Official Trailer for Event Horizon - A 1997 film directed by Paul W. S. Anderson
Event Horizon, directed by Paul Anderson, is the story of a group of a rescue group that is sent to the spaceship Event Horizon that is in distress. When the crew reaches the spaceship, they see that a massacre has occurred. A mysterious presence causes the rescue crew to hallucinate their worst fears and regrets. They must find out what is causing these hallucinations before they die. Event Horizon stars Laurence Fishburne (The Matrix).
Is this just a hallucination, or has it become reality?
Official poster for Event Horizon featuring the ship
11) The Thing (2011)
Official trailer for The Thing (2011) - A 2011 film directed by Matthijs van Heijningen Jr.
Despite having the same name, this is actually a prequel to the original from 1982. This film follows Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Final Destination 3), who plays a paleontologist exploring a Norwegian research base that has uncovered an alien spacecraft below. Winstead’s character and her team also discover an alien life form encased in ice that they also bring to the surface for experimentation. The life form escapes its ice confinement to terrorize them. It has cells that are able to consume and imitate the members of the team. The group must distinguish the humans from the assimilated and escape with their lives.
The crew examining the strange creature they dug up
Fighting The Thing with fire
10) The Thing (1982)
Official trailer for The Thing (1982) - A 1982 film directed by John Carpenter
The original The Thing stars Kurt Russell (The Hateful Eight) as a helicopter pilot named MacReady who is investigating the remains of an American research station that has been mysteriously destroyed. MacReady, along with a few other American researchers, discover a dead alien body that has cells that are still active. The cells begin to assimilate with MacReady’s crew, and one-by-one, they each turn extremely violent. MacReady must find a way to defeat the infection before more of his people turn, including himself.
MacReady and his crew readying themselves for a long fight
Original Poster for The Thing (1982)
9) Predators
Official Trailer for Predators - A 2010 film directed by Robert Rodriguez
Predators was released in 2010, and it was directed by Robert Rodriguez. The story follows a group of people, who all appear to have one thing in common – they are all lethal killers. They are dropped into a seemingly secluded jungle where they are pit against various Predators. This film features Topher Grace (Spider-Man 3) and Adrien Brody.
On the lookout for Predators
“Fear is Reborn” - Official Poster for Predators
8) Predator 2
Official trailer for Predator 2 - A 1990 film directed by Stephen Hopkins
If you didn’t have enough of giant monsters going after a group of people in the first Predator movie, then Predator 2 is here to rectify that. A Predator has somehow made its way to Los Angeles where it begins to hunt violent gang members. Predator 2 features Lethal Weapon stars Danny Glover and Gary Busey.
The Predator looks over Los Angeles
The Predator is ready to roam Los Angeles…
7) Predator
Official trailer for Predator - A 1987 film directed by John McTiernan
Predator stars Arnold Schwarzenegger as a military major, who must oversee a team to go and rescue hostages from a central-American country. It turns out that this was all a ruse – they learn that the mission was a set-up to gather intelligence from the captured operatives who had already died weeks before. During this time, they come across the large creature known as a Predator. It then becomes a race against time – escape, or become the next victim of the Predator.
The Predator creature
Schwarzenegger and company fending off the impending Predator forces
6) Alien vs. Predator - Requiem
Official Trailer for Alien Vs. Predator - Requiem - A 2007 film directed by the Brothers Strause
The title is a bit of a misnomer – the main baddies in this movie are actually creatures called “Predaliens”. As you can probably guess, they are the offspring of Aliens and Predators. Naturally, this makes the stakes much higher than before as these “Predaliens” have the most dangerous qualities of both species. Don’t worry though – Aliens and Predators still make an appearance as they fight each other, and the “Predaliens” within the city.
The “Predalien” from Alien Vs Predator- Requiem
Official Poster for Alien Vs Predator: Requiem
5) Alien vs. Predator
Official Trailer for Alien Vs. Predator - A 2004 film directed by Paul W. S. Anderson
Sanaa Lathan (The Family That Preys) leads the fight in this film about the battle between two of the most powerful creatures in the galaxy, the Aliens (of the Alien franchise) and Predators (of the Predator franchise). Humans, naturally, get caught in the middle of all this chaos and must fight for survival. If you like a lot of action alongside your sci-fi and horror, then this movie is definitely worth checking out if you haven’t already.
The Predator angrily holding up a human
The Official Poster for Alien vs Predator
4) Alien: Covenant
Official Trailer for Alien: Covenant - A 2017 film directed by Ridley Scott
Alien: Covenant will be the newest movie in the Alien franchise when it is released in May 2017. A space crew lands on a planet that appears to be a paradise - there are monsters lurking in the shadows though. Definitely worth checking out when it is released if you enjoy the Alien franchise. It stars Michael Fassbender (X-Men: Apocalypse).
The Alien is hunting for its next victim
UK poster for Alien: Covenant
3) Alien 3
Official trailer for Alien 3 - A 1992 film directed by David Fincher
The Aliens decide to make another return in the third installment of the Alien franchise. Ellen Ripley returns and is more determined than ever to rid the galaxy of Alien (because, well, she’s been trying for two movies now and I’m sure it’s getting on her nerves). After the events of the second movie, Ellen’s escape pod crash-lands on a space penal colony and releases Alien “facehuggers” that had been stowed in her pod. Fans of the Alien franchise should not miss out on this terrifying film.
An Alien invading Ripley’s personal space
Alternate Official Poster for Alien 3 starring Sigourney Weaver as Ellen Ripley
2) Aliens
Official trailer for Aliens - A 1986 film directed by James Cameron
Directed by James Cameron, the sequel to Alien sees Sigourney Weaver return as Ellen Ripley, accompanied by a small girl nicknamed Newt. Ripley must once again face off against the Aliens, determined to wipe them out once and for all. It’s a strong sequel that should not be overlooked.
Ellen and Newt surveying the damage around them
The official poster for Aliens
1) Alien
You would be hard-pressed to find a Sci-Fi Horror film with the same notoriety and fame as Alien. If you don’t already know, Alien revolves around a group of scientists who have become stranded on an alien spaceship, and they must try to escape with their lives. Starring Sigourney Weaver as the heroine, Ellen Ripley, it’s definitely a must-see for any horror film aficionado. Be warned, however - it’s not a movie that’s for the faint of heart.
Protagonist Ellen Ripley and her cat Jones
The infamous alien facehugger... possbily the last thing I'd ever want a hug from
So, there’s the list of the 31 best Sci-Fi Horror Movies to watch right now. The Sci-Fi Horror genre is one that has been around for a long time; in time, this list may change. But for right now, I hope that even lifelong horror movie fans found a new movie or two to watch! If you've got any suggestions for addition movies your fellow readers might also enjoy, be sure to leave them in the comments.
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