Ridley Scott's fully realized vision of the Philip K. Dick novel. A compelling tale that asks what does it mean to be human? The sets and scenes are second to none. The music by Vangelis is the icing on the cake.

From the silent era, a masterpiece by Fritz Lang. The acting is a tad dated to be sure. However, the lighting, the enormous sets (including one scene where the equivalent of a small city is flooded), the brilliant (but baffling) machines and factories - the entire visual genius of Lang, make this movie a classic. Its scale could never be duplicated today.

The first of Spielberg's science fiction movies is still the best. Richard Dreyfuss is funny and believable as the close encountee. Spielberg has made better movies but this is his closest and best encounter with sci-fi.

Yes, there were science fiction movies in the 1930's besides Buck and Flash. The dialogue in this movie is stilted, but the overacting villian leavens the preachier "engineer" speeches. WW II and later events showed the movie's predictions of the future were not entirely off the mark. The film's compelling sets, artwork and quirky art-deco machines make for a fascinating future world.

No one would believe a society would exist where people don't read, rather they sit in front of room sized television screens watching worthless reality tv and dramatic treacle, right? The film (directed by F.Truffaut) is stark and empty, yet the underlying Ray Bradbury story carries through. Its fears are still relevant.

Another Charleston Heston contribution to science fiction movie classics. The movie presents a convincing dystopia that is worse than dog eat dog. Edward G. Robinson, in his last role, is an added bonus. Heston's tough guy policeman seeking meaning in a debased society foreshadowed Harrison Ford's role in Blade Runner. Heston gets to utter arguably the most famous line in a sci-fi movie.

By no means a masterpiece but it's an enjoyable and well made film. A great movie for kids. Plus you get Robert Preston in top form in his last role as the starfighter recruiter. You will also find out why video games are good for your kids and the galaxy.

Sci-fi at its funniest. A movie where the performances are better than the special effects, and the special effects are very very good. It took me 3 times viewing to realize the bug-crazed alien was Vincent D'Onofrio. There's enough going on to watch more than once, which you can't say about many comedies.

As a life long Star Trek fan, I feel compelled to include the best of the Star Trek movies - even if none are as engaging as the TV series. Ricardo Montaban reprises his role from the original series which triggered some of the old series mojo in the rest of the cast.

I know there is anime that fits more squarely into the sci-fi genre than this film does, but it's such an outstanding film I had to list it. Traditional animation, luscious colors, and characters you end up really liking. The kind of movie you will show to your kids,and then watch again by yourself. (How many films on Amazon boast over 400 five star ratings?)