Top 10 Twisted Sci-Fi Movies You've Never Seen

Script Written by Michael Wynands

Top 10 Mind-Bending Sci-Fi Movies You Probably Haven’t Seen

It’s time to venture into the unknown. Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’ll be counting down our picks for the Top 10 Mind-Bending Sci-Fi Movies You Probably Haven’t Seen.

For this list, we’ll be looking at various under-the-radar science-fiction movies that most people have never seen or maybe even heard of. For context, films like“Annihilation” and “Donnie Darko,” though by no means blockbusters, fall into the category of “too well known to be considered.” Short films, like 1962’s “La Jetée,” no matter how excellent, will not be considered.

#10: “Fast Color” (2018)

Starring the always excellent Gugu Mbatha-Raw, this unconventional superhero film reminds us that there’s still room for smaller productions in this crowded genre. “Fast Color” bucks the trend of big-budget, action-packed superheroics to tell an intimate story about a young woman, Ruth, whose seizures trigger earthquakes. Her superhuman abilities make her the target of a scientist looking to harness her power. As it turns out, however, special abilities run in the family, and it's ultimately her relationships that are at the very center of this film. Beautifully shot and boasting impressive effects for a smaller film, “Fast Color” was well-received by critics, but received a very limited release.

#9: “Predestination” (2014)

Ethan Hawke and sci-fi films make for good bedfellows; 1997’s “Gattaca” is a classic. Though not nearly as well-known as the aforementioned film, “Predestination” arguably gives “Gattaca” a run for its money in terms of quality - and ups the ante in terms of the plot complexity. A tightly written time travel story, the film follows Temporal Agent Doe as he attempts to thwart a crime that will cost thousands of lives. As Doe jumps through the timeline, the twists come fast and heavy, but unlike so many films of its kind, it largely manages to hold together while navigating the complexities of space-time. Plus, the movie’s got a real heart - something that often gets lost in more cerebral sci-fi.

#8: “Beyond the Black Rainbow” (2010)

For those of you who are primarily here for the “mind-bending” angle, consider this 2010 Canadian production a must-watch. It’s the feature film debut of writer/director Panos Cosmatos, who’s perhaps better known for his equally insane 2018 movie, “Mandy,” starring Nicolas Cage stuck on full throttle. “Beyond the Black Rainbow” is a sci-fi horror flick that’s hard to summarize. Set in 1983, it tells the story of a telepathic young girl being held captive by a psychopathic doctor - but there’s so much more to it than that. Playing out like a drug-induced fever dream and reveling in bizarre imagery, “Beyond the Black Rainbow” is every bit as strange as its title would suggest.

#7: “THX 1138” (1971)

Before changing the world of science-fiction forever with the release of “Star Wars” in 1977, George Lucas first found his footing in the genre with “THX 1138.” His feature directorial debut, the movie was actually based on “Electronic Labyrinth: THX 1138 4EB,” a 15-minute short that the then-aspiring filmmaker shot while studying at USC School of Cinematic Arts. The story is set in a dystopian future where sex, emotion, and family are illegal, and the uniformly-dressed masses consume government-mandated drugs to make them more compliant. It was considered a flop at the time of release, receiving mixed reviews from critics, but has gained a devoted following in the years since its release.

#6: “Coherence” (2013)

When you think of “sci-fi,” elaborate set pieces, futuristic special effects, and complex worldbuilding is what typically comes to mind. But as “Coherence” reminds us, you can craft a mind-bending sci-fi film without any of that! All it takes is one compelling concept - and for it to be properly executed. Released in 2013, filmmaker James Ward Byrkit’s directorial debut explores the strange events that occur when a comet passes over a dinner party in California. Reality is inexplicably distorted by the spatial body, creating multiple overlapping realities, including duplicate versions of themselves. A heady plot that benefits from multiple viewings, it’s a real testament to what you can accomplish on a budget of just $50,000.

#5: “Timecrimes” (2007)

Though this film commonly appears on various “best of sci-fi” lists, it’s one that few people (excluding sci-fi buffs) have actually seen. A Spanish-language sci-fi thriller, “Timecrimes” tells the story of Héctor, a man who gets pulled into a complicated time loop after being stabbed by a bandaged stranger in the woods behind his home. As multiple Héctors come into play, our protagonist experiences the same events over again but from different perspectives. Not only is the plot riveting, but the film is rightfully often held up as one of the most well-thought-out depictions of time travel in cinema. Darkly humorous and utterly engrossing, it’s mandatory viewing for any self-proclaimed sci-fi lover.

#4: “Until the End of the World” (1991)

German filmmaker Wim Wenders is considered by many cinephiles to be the master of the road movie. In this 1991 drama, he takes that expertise and gives it a sci-fi twist. At the time of release, the movie was considered a critical and commercial flop, being criticized for its pacing and lack of focus. And to be fair, the two and a half-hour film does progress at a rather meandering pace. But that’s part of its unique appeal! A road movie and cinematic sci-fi road trip through Australia, “Until the End of the World” feels more like a dream than anything else and, in retrospect reviews, is often labeled a masterpiece. For those with the time, there’s a director’s cut that’s nearly 5 hours long.

#3: “Dark City” (1998)

This criminally overlooked neo-noir sci-fi film never got the attention it deserved. “The Matrix” was released just one year later, and with its similar themes about humans unknowingly living in an artificial environment, “Dark City” was eclipsed, becoming something of a footnote - at least from a popular cinema perspective. The film barely managed to make its budget back in theaters, but garnered glowing reviews. Roger Ebert went so far as to call it “a film so original and exciting, it stirred [his] imagination like ‘Metropolis’ and ‘2001: A Space Odyssey.’” He’s not alone in feeling that way. In the years that followed, devoted fans of this cult favorite have argued that its influence can be felt in countless sci-fi films that have since come out.

#2: “Primer” (2004)

“Back to the Future” might be the most popular time travel film ever made, but there are those who argue that this little known movie is, in fact, the greatest. That is, at least in terms of how it navigates the rules of time travel. Made on a shoestring budget of just $7,000, the film follows a pair of engineers who accidentally develop a machine that creates a time loop. After figuring out exactly how it works, they use “the box” (as they call it) to profit off the stock market but, sure enough, complications arise. “Primer” is written, directed, produced, and edited by Shane Carruth, who also stars in the film. A true labor of love, the movie’s attention to detail is astounding.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“Advantageous” (2015)
A Devastating but Fascinating Look at Family, Memory, and the Superficial Demands of Society

“The Fountain” (2006)
Darren Aronofsky's Most Surreal Film to Date

“Mr. Nobody” (2009)
In Which Jared Leto Plays a Man Who Lived Multiple Lives Simultaneously

“Altered States” (1980)
A Trippy Film in More Ways than One!

“Under the Skin” (2013)
The Most Intimate Extraterrestrial Movie You’ll Ever Watch

#1: “Stalker” (1979)

Andrei Tarkovsky’s influence on sci-fi cinema cannot be overstated. But while his peers hold him in the highest regard, his films aren’t of the “mass appeal” variety - the only exception being perhaps his 1972 movie “Solaris,” which was remade by Steven Soderbergh in 2002. “Stalker,” released in 1979, rivals “Solaris” for the title of Tarkovsky’s greatest sci-fi. It follows a man known only as the Stalker and his two customers as he guides them through a surreal forbidden area of land known as the Zone. Their objective? To reach “The Room,” where one’s greatest desires are said to be fulfilled. A dark and desolate film, “Stalker” is not an easy watch, but it’s pure visual poetry and offers endless food for thought.