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The Best Science Fiction and Fantasy Movies of 2022
This year was an
amazing one for science fiction, largely due to technological developments.
Cameras and effects have become more accessible and cost-effective, which in
turn has enabled filmmakers to create projects that were previously
inconceivable. As a result, there were many excellent low-budget sci-fi movies
this year that outperformed the big blockbuster CGI productions.
2022 was a great year
for sci-fi and fantasy films! Audiences were wowed by big blockbusters like
Avatar and Black Panther, as well as smaller films that made a huge impression.
Many of the movies centered around pandemics or viruses, likely in part due to
the COVID-19 pandemic. Here's a list of the 22 best sci-fi and fantasy films of
2022.
Avatar: The Way of Water
Avatar: The Way of Water is a stunning
film with impressive special effects, great performances, and memorable music.
While it may not feel like its own movie since it is an extension of the first
Avatar, James Cameron has created something remarkable that was made for the
big screen experience. Regardless, this epic deserves to be included in any
best-of list.
Troll
A paleontologist father and daughter
team up with and against the government to stop a giant troll that has come
back to life after excavation in the Dovre mountains. Netflix's Troll is an
exciting blend of Scandinavian folklore, Amblin Entertainment-style fantasy
films, and King Kong/Godzilla-like creature features. The movie has beautiful
special effects and a strong focus on the relationship between father and
daughter, making for an enjoyable yet slightly wacky experience.
Dual
Dual is a quirky sci-fi movie directed
by Riley Stearns. Set in a world where cloning is possible, it follows Karen
Gillan's character who receives a terminal diagnosis and decides to clone
herself. After she recovers, the clone refuses to be
"decommissioned", leading to an unusual situation.
The government has ordered a
gladiatorial duel to the death between a woman and her clone, so the woman
seeks out help from an intense and possibly suspicious self-defense instructor
(played by Aaron Paul) in order to prepare for the fight. The movie is strange
and allegorical, lacking any emotion or expression, but this creates an
estranged feeling that works well.
Tin Can
Anna Hopkins stars in the sci-fi film
Tin Can, a piece of 'Covid Cinema' that was released theatrically and
commercially this year. The story follows a scientist trying to find a cure for
an unknown pandemic before she is mysteriously abducted and experiences memory
loss. Directed by Seth Smith (The Crescent), Tin Can is a stylistic and
haunting film that explores the parallels between its narrative and real-world
events associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Relax, I'm From the Future
Rhys Darby, known for his work in Our
Flag Means Death and Flight of the Concords, stars in Relax, I'm from the
Future--an entertaining sci-fi movie about a time traveler who is trying to
save humanity. He offers get-rich-quick information based on his knowledge of
the future, which ends up changing said future. The cyclical and mind-bending
story will have you spinning like a top.
King Car
A Brazilian sci-fi comedy, King Car
tells the story of a boy who befriends an old car and fails to recognize its
megalomaniacal plans. The titular car is an interesting character, hiding its
own insecurity with evil schemes. As the film progresses and involves the boy's
family and a technological cult wanting to use the car for a revolution against
a corrupt society, it becomes apparent that something more than simple plot
development is going on. Released at the start of the year, it is an exciting,
funny movie about technology and revolution that should not be forgotten.
The Best Science Fiction and Fantasy Movies of 2022
Glasshouse
In Glasshouse, a South African thriller
set in a post-pandemic world where the virus has caused dementia and memory
loss, a group of women is struggling to survive. When they come across a man
who has stumbled into their compound, they take him in but don't trust him. As
paranoia increases with his presence, viewers are left uncertain of what is
true.
LOLA
LOLA is a creative, small-budget film
from 2022 that uses sci-fi concepts. It follows two close sisters during World
War II who can pick up radio signals from the future. This reveals punk rock
music from the 70s and 80s which brings them into trouble. The visuals are
minimalistic, and its soundtrack is great. It's one of the most charming films
of the year, although it's quite short.
Nope
Nope was a highly debated movie of 2022
that split fans' opinions. It wasn't necessarily a great film; it had some
issues with logic and character development. Despite this, there were many
interesting theories surrounding the movie, making it more enjoyable in
hindsight. The visuals, shot by Hoye van Hoytema, were also outstanding.
The Pink Cloud
The Pink Cloud is a Brazilian sci-fi
movie set in 2022, inspired by the COVID-19 pandemic. It looks at how people
react and adapt to mandatory quarantine when a deadly global weather event called
the 'pink cloud' occurs. People start to question their culture, technology,
and governments as they come to terms with this new reality. It's a
thoughtfully made film that deals with themes of politics and depression in a
subtle way.
Next Exit
In Next Exit, Katie Parker and Rahul
Kohli star as two characters who go on a road trip to a medical institute to
volunteer for assisted suicide. This sci-fi film explores the afterlife in a
dystopian future where ghosts have been scientifically verified. It combines
comedy, emotion, and intelligence for an affecting character study rather than
just an action-packed thrill ride.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is a
highly anticipated sequel to the second Avatar movie. Those who haven't seen
the first film won't have as strong of an emotional connection to this one, but
it stands on its own. The movie is thrilling, powerful, and well-acted, and
sets up what's to come in the MCU franchise.
The Best Science Fiction and Fantasy Movies of 2022
Turning Red
Turning Red, a Pixar and Disney fantasy
film, tells the story of coming-of-age and puberty through a whimsical and
metaphorical lens. Directed by Domee Shi, the acclaimed director of the
Oscar-winning Pixar short Bao, the animation is beautiful, with an enjoyable
pace and heartwarming tone. It is a bold effort to address an experience common
to half of Earth's population.
Prey
Set in 1719, the latest installment of
the Predator franchise, Prey, tells the story of Naru, a young Comanche hunter
who defends her tribe against French fur traders and an alien predator. This
visually stunning standalone thriller is one of few big films to feature
Indigenous characters and even has a version in the Comanche language.
Crimes of the Future
Crimes of the Future is a dark and
unsettling sci-fi film by director David Cronenberg. It follows a performance
artist who is swept up in a political conspiracy involving people rapidly
evolving new organs. Featuring an impressive cast including Léa Seydoux, Viggo
Mortensen, and Kristen Stewart, the movie paints a bleak picture of humanity's
future with some truly unforgettable images.
Something in the Dirt
Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead have
created a unique film called Something in the Dirt. The movie follows two
lonely neighbors living in an old Los Angeles apartment who discover a strange
supernatural event. Justin and Aaron both act in the movie and set up camera
equipment to capture the phenomenon for their documentary. Something in the
Dirt has been compared to Nope, however, it has a much smaller budget but
offers a great story with philosophical undertones.
Vesper
Vesper is a Lithuanian sci-fi film that
has taken six years to create. Set in a dystopian world of viruses, it tells
the story of a young girl struggling to keep her family safe and protect an
alien who crash-landed on Earth. Its stunning cinematography, intricate
world-building, and optimistic message make Vesper one of the most memorable
films of the year. Despite its bleakness, it exudes hope and conveys an
inspiring tale about humanity's resilience.
Guillermo Del Toro's Pinocchio
Guillermo Del Toro and Mark Gustafson's
adaptation of Pinocchio is arguably the best one released in the past year.
With stunning stop-motion animation and great voice acting, the classic story
about a wooden boy brought to life is used to explore themes such as history,
fascism, and authority. Though darker than traditional adaptations of
Pinocchio, its message of liberation and affirmation is more impactful.
Neptune Frost
Neptune Frost is an Afro futurist
musical set in a dystopian future in Africa. It follows a group of miners who
rebel against their oppressors with the aid of a powerful hacker and access to
a hidden dimension. The production used minimal resources to create incredible
costumes from keyboards, computer chips, wires, and other items. Plus, viewers
are treated to captivating visuals set to inventive music.
Strawberry Mansion
A mild-mannered government employee
discovers a massive conspiracy while running an audit on an old woman. He finds
out that corporations have been using targeted advertising in people's dreams
to sway their economic decisions. Strawberry Mansion is a sci-fi comedy romance
with an imaginative and beautiful aesthetic, accompanied by Dan Deacon's
fantastic score.
After Yang
Colin Farrell stars in the deeply
humanistic film After Yang, which takes place in a future of self-driving cars
and techno Sapiens androids. Justin H. Min plays Yang, the family's companion
android, who stops working and must be repaired. The father discovers that Yang
has a spyware chip containing memories of his family captured through his eyes.
After Yang uses this plot device to explore the themes of empathy, memory, and
what it means to be human, resulting in an astonishingly beautiful film.
Everything Everywhere All at Once
The movie, Everything Everywhere All at
Once, was an unexpected hit in 2022. It was funny, emotional, and filled with
creativity. Michelle Yeoh gave an outstanding performance as Evelyn, a
struggling mother dealing with a tax audit and a distant daughter. When the
multiverse splits apart she is told that only she can save it - which mirrors
her own journey to find purpose in life and connect with others. The movie
encourages us not to give up on our dreams or goals no matter how difficult
they may be.
This year was an amazing one for science fiction due to the
advancements in technology, making cameras and effects more accessible and
cost-effective. This allowed filmmakers to create projects that were previously
impossible. 2022 saw some incredible sci-fi and fantasy films - big
blockbusters like Avatar and Black Panther, as well as lower-budget movies that
still made a huge impression. Many of these movies dealt with pandemics or
viruses, likely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Here's a list of the 22 best
sci-fi and fantasy films of 2022.