Animatedsci-fiis as old as cinema itself. Audiences first got a glimpse of what was to come whenA Trip to Marswas released in Denmark in 1918. From there, the subgenre evolved slowly before taking off in the ‘50s and ‘60s withDuck Dodgers in the 24½th CenturyandAstro Boy.Though the stories were mostly aimed at children, they had lots of unique science ideas. The growth continued quickly, and by the ‘80s and ‘90s, Hollywood and other film industries were overflowing with animated sci-fi flicks.
In no particular ranking order, here are Netflix’s animated sci-fi movies that are worth your time.
10’Extinct' (2021)
Extinctfinds donut-shaped siblings Op (voiced by Rachel Bloom) and Ed (voiced by Adam Devine) living on the Galápagos Islands in the 1800s. One day, theystumble into a time portal that leads them to modern-day Shanghai. There, theydiscover that their species is extinct. Aided by Clarence the Dog (Ken Jeong) and a few other friendly animals, theyembark on a chaotic, painstaking mission back to the 19th century to save their kind.
An Inspiring Fight Against Extinction
It’s fun watching these characters in action, their mission rendered even more challenging by the presence of nefarious figures whose central doctrines discount free species evolution. Their authentic courage is more compelling than that of any live-action heroes you’ve ever seen on-screen. There aremany wild daredevil acts, woven into an inspiring story about friendship even amid human cruelty. Written by Joel Cohen and John Frink (both of whom worked onThe Simpsons), the humor is also of the grand kind.
9’Home' (2015)
Homeis about Oh (voiced by Jim Parsons) from the cowardly Boov alien race. When the Boov invade Earth,a young girl named Tip (voiced by Rihanna) escapes with her cat. Oh is also forced to become a fugitive when he accidentally reveals the Boov’s location to the rival Gorg alien race. He then befriends Tip, and the twoagree on a quid pro quo arrangementwhere the alien will help the human find her mother (voiced by Jennifer Lopez) and the human will help the alien get his life back in order.
Inter-Species Collaboration
Despite having big names in the cast,Home’s brilliance isn’t wholly dependent on star power. Themagic lies in the plot. Whether dealing with a barrage of Oh’s fellow crazy aliens or hiding from attackers, the sequences are beautifully constructed.The humor and charisma of the voice cast shine throughout the proceedings, too. Today, this remains an indelible sci-fi comedy. The film was recognized by several award organizations, including the Annie Awards, which nominated it in three categories, though it didn’t win any. And the soundtrack featuring Rihanna and Jennifer Lopez is quite something.
8’Lost in Starlight' (2025)
Set in 2050 Korea,Lost in Starlighthas NASAastronaut Joo Nan-young (voiced by Kim Tae-ri) dreaming of going to Mars like her late mother, who vanished during a mission decades earlier. Initially, she is considered psychologically unfit for a new mission, but she eventually convinces the higher-ups. But how will it all play out, especially now that she has a connection with Jay (voiced by Hong Kyung), a musician?
Following in Mommy’s Footsteps
There are more popular and recognizable Korean-set sci-fi animated movies thanLost in Starlight, yet this gem still towers above them with itsheart-stopping stunts, characterization, and nifty animation. Additionally, there arecolossal images, a vast universe of eccentric characters, and some of the most jaw-dropping images ever seen in a sci-fi work, causing the movie to shine bright as a masterpiece of melodrama and space exploration.
7’Altered Carbon: Resleeved' (2020)
Fans will forever lament aboutAltered Carbongetting canceled too soon. Thankfully, there is a movie spinoff. Set 253 years before Season 1, and 283 years before Season 2,Altered Carbon: Resleevedtakes us to Planet Latimer, where Takeshi Kovacs (voiced by Tatsuhisa Suzuki in Japanese and Ray Chase in English)protects a talented tattooist while looking into the death of a yakuza boss.
As Good as the Show
This gritty, gutsy mob-themed sci-fi animated movievividly evokes the risks and hazards of the criminal underworld, while showcasing several sci-fi concepts that are bound to become a reality soon. There’s even an AI butler who prepares stakes better than Gordon Ramsay. Allthe voice cast members are solid, and the magnificent dialogue lends poignancy to what could have been a standard, straightforward plot. You’ll be awed by the three-dimensional animation style, making the film look like a video game you can’t interact with. But don’t worry. You’ll be happy to be led.
6’Next Gen' (2018)
InNext Gen,teenager Mai Su (voiced by Charlyne Yi) remains bewildered by her futuristic, robot-obsessed city. She soonbefriends 7723 (John Krasinski), an experimental combat robot, after a chance encounter. As a bond develops between them, theyuncover a plot by tech mogul Justin Pin (Jason Sudeikis) to use AI to dominate the world. Even worse, 7723’s memory begins to fail. What now?
Saving 7723
Intelligent and suspenseful,Next Genis a distinctive, sadly overlooked sci-fi animated film that makes you crave more of the same. Thanks to the voice cast that includes Krasinski, David Cross, Michael Peña, and Constance Wu, one never wishes for the characters to stop talking. There aremany heartwarming scenes, too, notably the moments when Su teaches 7723 the little pleasures of life. Visually, the film looks unique as it was entirely created using the open-source 3D software, Blender.
5’Godzilla: The Planet Eater' (2018)
InGodzilla: The Planet Eater.Ghidorah,a multidimensional planet-eating entity, is about to destroy the world after being summoned by the priest Metphies. Humans and extraterrestrials thus turn to Godzilla for help. But does the kaiju stand a chance against the overpowered enemy? The battle will be tough, but everyone knows better than to root against Godzilla.
Godzilla’s Greatest Challenge
If you likeMonster Vs Monster movies, this one delivers the goods and so much more.Literate, action-packed, atmospheric, and somewhat believabledespite the far-fetched nature of the plot,Godzilla: The Planet Eaterurges audiences to discard their remotes.Apart from being an action thriller, the movie serves asasocial critique, showing how the world can easily be destroyed if certain environmental precautions aren’t taken. Even better, there is a proper buildup before hell breaks loose.
4’Nimona' (2023)
Blending sci-fi and animation,Nimonais about the titular shapeshifter (voiced by Chloë Grace Moretz) whoembarks on a mission to help the knight Ballister Blackheart (Riz Ahmed) prove his innocence. Blackheart was framed for killing a queen, but no one believes he did not do it, so he and Nimona fight through hordes of enemies, most of them coming from the Institute of Elite Knights.
A Long Quest for Justice
Nimonais animpressively succulent, crisp, and bewilderingexercise in medieval chaos.Moretz carries the animated film in an intense, unnerving voice performance, and Ahmed balances her out beautifully. Thanks to tech, this gem feels more refreshing than most fantasy offerings. The knights wield futuristic weapons and rely on holographic communication devices. Additionally, there’s a surveillance culture where the Institute relies on drones and AI systems to monitor the public.
3’The Mitchells vs. the Machines' (2021),
InThe Mitchells vs. the Machines, the smart teenager, Katie Mitchell (voiced by Abbi Jacobson),gets accepted to film school,a development that further strains the relationship between her and her technophobic dad, Rick (Danny McBride). To cool the tensions, the old man decides that the entire family will drive Katie to school.During the awkward road trip, a rogue sentient AI system named PAL (Olivia Colman) launches a violent robot uprising,and the Mitchells realize they are humanity’s last hope.
The Mitchells Will Handle It
The filmlooks stunning, thanks to the decision to reuse the “hand-painted watercolor” style, technology that had been employed in the previous Sony Pictures Animation film, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Director Mike Rianda (best known forGravity Falls) uses some very effective editing techniques to convey the nightmare that the Mitchells find themselves in. If you like your post-apocalyptic chaos with a touch of humor and awkwardness, bow down toThe Mitchells vs. The Machines.The family’s sanity almost crumbles on many occasions, but they hold it together, resulting in numerous inspiring moments.
2’Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood' (2022)
Set in the summer of 1969,Apollo 10½: A Space AgeChildhoodtells the story from the perspective of an adult reminiscing. Here, afourth-grader named Stan (voiced by Milo Coy) fantasizes that he has been recruited by NASA to become the first person to walk on the moon. Things play out this way because the lunar module for the Apollo 11 mission was accidentally constructed too small to fit adults, so a young boy had to do the job.
Sending a Boy to do a Man’s Job
Great voice performances, affecting imagery (thanks to the rotoscoped suburban ‘60s vignettes), and gripping subplotsmakeApollo 10½: A Space Age Childhoodhard to turn away from. Director Richard Linklater (whose childhood partially inspired the events) brings unblinking tenderness to the proceedings, juxtaposing Stan’s normal existence with the extravagance of the space mission. More praise to him for opting for the retro and livelierSaturday Morning Cartoonstyle for the animation. Keep an ear out for Glen Powell as a NASA officer.
1’The Wild Robot' (2024)
A storm inThe Wild Robotcauses a cargo ship to lose six ROZZUM robots, which wash up on an island.Only Unit 7134, aka Roz (voiced by Lupita Nyong’o) survives. She soon befriends several animals on the island, notably the fox Fink (Pedro Pascal) and the gosling, Brightbill (Kit Connor). Predictably,Roz’s creators send a recovery team, forcing the animals to unite to protect her.
Beautiful and Free-Flowing
The Wild Robotis modeled asa disconsolate, yet optimistic and deeply moving animated sci-fi moviethat underscores compassion and friendship. Lupita Nyong’o, Pedro Pascal, Ving Rhames, Mark Hamill, and Catherine O’Hara all seem happy to be here, doing more than what is required of them. Additionally,the film is gorgeous, mainly because it uses a watercolor aesthetic, inspired by classic Disney animated productions and some of the works of the great Hayao Miyazaki. Among its numerous statuettes, the film received nine Annie Awards (including Best Animated Feature) and was nominated for three Oscars.
The Wild Robot
