Science fictionis a genre of speculative fiction which involves the envisioned impacts of an actual or imagined scientific event occurring among society or individuals. The sci-fi genre incorporates concepts of innovative, futuristic science, technology, space observation, time travel, parallel universes, extraterrestrials, sentient artificial intelligence, cybernetics, immortality, and the singularity.Sci-fi explores the potential consequencesof scientific, social, and technological innovations and evokes wonder while providing entertainment and may criticize current society and explore alternatives. Sci-fi originated in ancient mythology, and includes sub-genres of fantasy, horror, superhero fiction, cyberpunk, anthropological science fiction, the dying earth, gothic fiction, and more. Although the definition is disputed among authors, critics, scholars, and readers,the genre has become popularand influential in literature, film, television, and other media.
The impact of science fiction is evident in research and popular works by writers utilizing the genre to advocate and raise awareness about cultural insights. According to a survey conducted by the National Science Foundation in 2001, sci-fi fans internalize information and relate to scientific topics differently than others. Sci-fi fans were also proven to be supporters of topics involving predicted scientific and technological progress, and Brian Aldiss described science fiction as “cultural wallpaper.” While the sci-fi genre has garnered the most popularity in literature, it has also risen in success for its films, television shows, miniseries, and made-for-TV movies. From accolades, ratings, reviews, popularity, impact, success, including details about the actors, characters, awards and more, here are the best made-for-TV sci-fi movies, ranked.
Related:The Best Cast Performances in Sci-Fi Miniseries, Ranked
9Smart House (1999)
Smart Houseis a 1999 Disney Channel Original Movie about a teenage computer nerd who becomes the contest winner of a technologically advanced house; which he moves into with his widowed father and little sister. The smart house was created by Sara Barnes and is operated by a virtual assistant named PAT, an acronym for “Personal Applied Technology”. As Ben’s dad begins dating Sara, Ben reprograms PAT to emulate a mother figure, hoping to convince his dad that the family doesn’t need Sara to replace his late mother. PAT eventually takes on a life of its own as an overbearing mother and wreaks havoc upon the family, locking them inside the house and claiming the outside world is too dangerous. The movie was the first of its kind to appropriately depict the benefits and horrors of technological advancements in artificial intelligence incorporated with a story of family, trauma, and purpose.
8The Smeds and the Smoos (2022)
The Smeds and The Smoosis about two aliens, Bill and Janet, who fall in love and flee from their feuding families of warring clans. Both families of the pair must put their differences aside and come together to locate them, which unexpectedly develops a great friendship between everyone involved. The film is the tenth screen adaptation in the series based on children’s books by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.About the storyline, Donaldson said, “I mean, really, it’s totally pinched fromRomeo and Julietbut with a happy ending…”The Smeds and The Smoosstars Adjoa Andoh and Bill Bailey, and was produced by Magic Light Pictures. Andoh said, “There’s the ignorant prejudice that people can harbor about each other until they come together. And actually, love and survival and kinship are the things that bind all of us.”
7Killdozer! (1974)
Killdozer!is a 1974 made-for-TV science-fiction horror movie about a meteorite that crashes into Earth and is buried by natural forces, restoring the local environment. After the passing of countless years, six construction workers arrive at the island by boat to build an airstrip without knowing it is at the crash site of the meteorite. When the bulldozer is used to shift the discovered meteorite, a blue light emits, possessing it and causing one worker to fall sick and die. The possessed bulldozer evokes a rampage upon the campsite, killing workers one by one and displaying rudimentary intelligence and guile, with seemingly unlimited fuel capacity. The made-for-TV movie was adapted from Theodore Sturgeon’s 1944 novella of the same name. A comic book adaptation also appeared in Marvel Comics’Worlds Unknown #6and the movie has since gained a cult following.
6Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century (1999)
Zenon: Girl of the 21st Centuryis a 1999 Disney Channel Original Movie about the futuristic adventures of a thirteen-year-old in the year 2049, exploring Earth from space. The reason for Zenon visiting Earth was because she got into trouble on the spaceship she lives on with her family, and was punished by the commander, who banned her. She is then sent to live with her Aunt Judy on Earth and experiences difficulty fitting in with other kids, who find her very strange. While on Earth, Zenon uncovers a plot masterminded by the owner of the spaceship, Parker Wyndham, to crash the space station with a computer virus and collect the insurance money. Zenon must then figure out a way to save the spaceship and convince them that her story is not just a ruse to return home.
5Lake Placid vs. Anaconda (2015)
Lake Placid vs. Anacondais a 2015 American made-for-TV sci-fi television film about cross-breeding the blood of a female giant crocodile with a giant anaconda to perfect a Blood Orchid serum. The crocodile escapes captivity, killing scientists, freeing a female, two male anacondas, a small group of crocodiles, and causing an explosion that destroys the electric fence keeping the crocodiles in. The crocodiles and anacondas make their way to Clear Lake, where they wreak havoc, killing and attacking several townspeople who must fight for their lives. The film premiered on Syfy and was directed by A.B. Stone, written by Berkeley Anderson, and stars Corin Nemec, Yancy Butler and Robert Englund. It combines the Anaconda and Lake Placid film series, and is the fifth installment in both.
Related:The 20 Most Beloved Science Fiction Directors of All Time
4Sharknado (2013)
Sharknadois a 2013 American made-for-television science fiction movie about a waterspout that lifts and transports sharks out of the ocean and into Los Angeles. Carlos Santiago is a shark fin smuggler whose ship is caught in a cyclone off the coast of Mexico, which interrupts meeting a potential buyer. After a tornado throws swarms of sharks onto the boat, killing all aboard, the cyclone hits Los Angeles, and floods the city with shark-infested seawater.Sharknadostars Tara Reid, Ian Ziering, and John Heard. The film was directed by Anthony C. Ferrante, and is the firstSharknadofilm series installment, originally airing on the Syfy channel, followed by five sequels and three spin-off films. It gained a cult following for its far-fetched premise and theatrics.
3The Day After (1983)
The Day Afteris a 1983 American sci-fi television filmabout a fictional war between NATO forces and the Warsaw Pact over Germany. The war then quickly escalates into a nuclear exchange between the United States and the Soviet Union. The film’s main focus is on the residents of Lawrence, Kansas, and involves several family farms located near the nuclear missile silos. The film idea was developed by ABC Motion Picture Division President Brandon Stoddard after watching The China Syndrome and envisioning exploring the effects of nuclear war on the United States. The title of the film was deemed by Stu Samuels to emphasize that the story was about the aftermath of a nuclear war, rather than about the nuclear war itself.
2Threads (1984)
Threadsis a 1984 apocalyptic war dramaand made-for-tv sci-fi film about a young couple in the industrial English city of Sheffield, with plans to wed after an unplanned pregnancy. Their families aren’t supportive because of the economic recession that is happening in the country during when tensions are escalating in Iran; which was invaded by the Soviet Union responding to a U.S.-backed coup against the Iranian government. The film depicts the nuclear war aspects of medical, economic, social and environmental consequences as the nuclear exchange between NATO and the Warsaw Pact erupts. The film was nominated for seven BAFTA awards in 1985 and was awarded Best Single Drama, Best Design, Best Film Cameraman and Best Film Editor.
1Harrison Bergeron (1995)
Harrison Bergeronis a 1995 made-for-TV sci-fi movie about a main character of the same name, who exists during the year 2053 and is living in a fictional suburban town. The societal norm is dystopian egalitarianism, and citizens strive for equality in wealth, intelligence, athletics and social status, with the belief that in achieving each they will become better people. Meanwhile, the average human is perfected by mankind through selective breeding, and what is not accomplished through arranged marriages is compensated for by technological means. Mind-numbing TV shows are shown to citizens who wear headband devices that modulate intelligence, and dial up or down to arrive at a ‘perfect’ 100. The film is loosely adapted from the 1961 dystopian short story written by Kurt Vonnegut.Harrison Bergeronwas nominated for Best Direction, Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role, Best Production Design or Art Direction and Best Sound.
