This thread's been around so long, I don't know if I'm repeating myself. In any event...
It's not just the best sci fi film ever, but one of the best in film overall:
2001: a space odyssey. Visually, musically, conceptually. It's long, but doesn't feel long when you first see it.
Honorable mentions (in no particular order):
War of the Worlds (1953)
Forbidden Planet
Terminator 2
The Matrix
Aliens 2
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Aye, though it stands on the shoulders of giants, it doth be de best yes. Enough Sci to be Fi, but w. dat 20 minutes into de few-cha vibe dat maketh it relatable, w. a cast dat had not one weak link; ‘‘twas quotable and notable w action right up to de Jackson and made w. the funny honey.
GATTACA
The original Rollerball
The original Planet of the Apes
The original Day the Earth Stood Still
The Original this Island Earth
Forbidden Planet
Silent Running
2001
Matrix (not the sequels)
Carpenters The Thing
Terminator
Alien
The Martian
it's a very good film, thinking about it, it would be on my list. For me below some of the others but that's a personal preference it is a very good film.
While both 2001: a space odyssey and Star Wars are visually stunning and musically-inspiring films, 2001 wins. Why?
1. Star Wars is pure fantasy. 2001 was a realistic/could-happen depiction of the future (from 1968's POV).
2. In Star Wars, aliens were a dime-a-dozen (ho-hum). 2001 still depicts the most realistic version of a First Contact--you never even see the aliens, allowing the viewer's imagination to step in.
3. Overall, Star Wars presents as simpler and childlike (Not childish), which no doubt accounts for much of its popularity...it's basically easier to grasp. 2001 requires more intelligence to understand, thus adding to its mystery and realism.
When Star Wars grows up, it'll be 2001 (no offense to SW fans).
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Just a classy series, excellent casting, gender swaps that actually worked, great character writing. Fell apart a bit at the end, but nowhere near Game of Thrones dumpster fire.
Edit: Oops, missed this is only films.
In that case Fifth Element.
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