EJ Moreno looks at seven overlooked sci-fi horror movies you have to see…
Get ready to add a gang of fantastic sci-fi horror films to your watchlist as we explore the sub-genre’s hidden gems that keep us up at night.
If you’ve heard of these films or are learning about them for the first time, this list is meant to spotlight films that blend the smarts and the scares that have made movies like Alien or The Thing classics for fans. Sadly, not every film can be as hyped or lasting as those, so we’ll look at movies from horror masters and indie darlings you’ll instantly love.
Join us for this list and reach out via our social channels @FlickeringMyth to discuss your favorite forgotten sci-fi horror films…
Honorable Mentions:
- Street Trash (1987)
– It’s a gnarly little body horror film that makes Troma look tame. - Cube (1997)
– One of the most claustrophobic and engrossing genre offerings. - Splice (2009)
– What a nasty little movie we all moved on from too fast.
Village of the Damned (1960)
Long before Alien made it cool to blend science fiction with horror, Village of the Damned was setting trends.
The early 1960s were a transition period for horror, as it left the 50s B-movies behind and found a new, more mature space post-Rear Window and Psycho. Village of the Damned perfectly fits between the eras, using the more science-tinged scares of the 50s and mixing it with the hard-hitting “it could happen to you” approach of the 60s.
Instead of giant monsters, the horror invaded the households and made the idea of children scary, right around the era when the nuclear family was all we needed. The fears and anxieties of the time perfectly manifest themselves in this beautiful classic sci-fi horror.
The Crazies (1973)
Even with a 00s remake, it’s surprising how overlooked The Crazies is among George A. Romero’s classics.
Romero’s next move after making the most iconic zombie movie five years prior was to dive deeper into sci-fi while keeping his scares. The filmmaker would also find a way to add his usual dose of social commentary into the mix, showing what happens when the government tries to cover up its horrible wrongdoings.
Much like the previous entry, you see what happens when ordinary life is affected in a way that sends chills down your spine. While The Crazies wasn’t viewed in the same light as his Dead franchise, it’s wild to see how well this has aged over time.
Lifeforce (1985)
Tobe Hooper gave us Texas Chainsaw and Poltergeist, but he made a pit stop in space with Lifeforce between those iconic films.
To summarize this movie as “vampires in space” would be a true disservice to one of the subgenre’s most outlandish and forward-thinking entries. While Hooper has never been a director to go big and splashy with one of his works, you’d be surprised that the filmmaker has hidden chops as a blockbuster filmmaker. It’s campy, but there are big ideas here.
As much as I love the trashy Texas Chain Saw Massacre side of Tobe Hooper, it’s incredible to see him play in a genre that we didn’t get to explore enough. All the films included are worth a watch, but you should go out of your way to find Lifeforce.
Hardware (1990)
In his debut, Richard Stanley mixed the worlds of metal, horror, and science fiction with this robot revolt film that kicked off the tech-filled 1990s.
Hardware was not well-received at its release, but it’s gained a cult following that appreciates how brutal and punk it feels. If you thought Terminator wasn’t hardcore enough, this was the perfect movie. It’s a trippy, messy movie, but you can’t deny how flat-out cool it all feels; the type of sci-fi horror film that makes you say “hell yeah” a few times.
With a soundtrack featuring Ace of Spades by Motorhead and once being rated as an X-rated film, that alone tells you what kind of movie you are getting into. Hardware isn’t for everyone, making it more unique; we genuinely don’t get movies like this anymore.
eXistenZ (1999)
Even a sci-fi horror legend like David Cronenberg can be overlooked by the general public, but there’s no excuse to miss eXistenZ.
It’s wild to think how far this movie was ahead, featuring video games and virtual reality before it was customary to do so. Mix those elements with that signature Cronenberg style of body horror and shocking imagery, and you can see why you must watch eXistenZ as soon as possible. In a filmography of wild movies, this is up there for him.
You also can’t talk about this movie without mentioning the brilliant lead performances by Jennifer Jason Leigh and Jude Law. If this movie hadn’t been released so close to The Matrix, it would have had time to shine and could and should have found its audience.
Splinter (2008)
During an era slammed by so many genre entries, forgetting Splinter makes sense, but anyone who saw it hasn’t been able to ignore it since.
As one of the more obscure ones on this list, Splinter certainly makes up for it with its inventive and outlandish scares. Never taking itself too seriously, you forget how gnarly it can get when you’re having fun, but the movie often reminds you that it packs a punch. It’s a weird mix of 28 Days Later and The Thing, but somehow even sicker.
If you love Shea Whigham, as most of us do, then that’s just another reason to check this out. It’s jam-packed with good scares, good acting, and plenty of gross-out sci-fi moments we all love. Splinter is the right kind of movie that sticks with you for a long time.
Detention (2011)
2011 gave us one of the most bizarre genre entries as Detention blends so much together to deliver a refreshing jolt of fun energy.
Director Joseph Kahn returns after the wild 00s film Torque to bring an even more outlandish experience. While others heavily inspire the movie, I can easily say I’ve never seen a film like Detention. It’s equal parts Back to the Future and Scream, which sounds simple, but this is far from that. It’s over-the-top but so much fun to watch.
While many other films on the list are heavy in tone or feel the need to include social commentary, Detention knows its place as a silly little genre-bending film. If you loved what they did with Happy Death Day, just think of this as that film’s messy older sister.
What do you make of this list? Be sure to let us know your own recommendations @FlickeringMyth…
EJ Moreno