Few genres in the history of cinema have wielded the influence and allure of science fiction. Able to be utilized as both a thematic analysis of the modern day that addresses trending social issues from a new perspective and an imaginative landscape of pure escapist entertainment that soars by immersing viewers in wondrous adventures, the genre has maintained an evergreen status in film since the silent era.
A huge factor in this longstanding audience interest has been the rich detail and awe-inspiring scope that the physical story worlds of science-fiction cinema have been realized with. Whether it is a dystopian future depicting a society on the brink of collapse, an alternate reality where humanity is enslaved by robotic masters, or even a galaxy far, far away, these sci-fi universes exhibit the magnitude and the majesty of the genre's settings can achieve in breathtaking fashion.
10 The 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes' Universe Modernized a Genre Classic
While the original films from the '60s and '70s certainly have their place in the annals of sci-fi history, it is the world-building and tone of the newer Rise of the Planet of the Apes and its sequels that have proven to be so compelling. Unfolding as the highly intelligent ape Caesar (Andy Serkis) leads his species to freedom and prosperity as humanity is decimated by the outbreak of the Samian Flu, the universe is one of rich intrigue and masterful technical filmmaking.
Like many dystopian sci-fi stories, part of its allure resides in seeing how humanity reacts to cataclysmic disasters, but it also offsets that focus with Caesar's own moral complexity and the infighting and conflicting ideals he has to govern over among the apes. A complex viewing experience that juggles societal collapse with the harsh reality of evolution, The Planet of the Apes presents an outstanding world that is defined by its terrific feats of motion-capture CGI as much as it is by its thematic and contemplative ideas.
9 'Children of Men' Immerses Audiences in the Gritty Details of Societal Collapse
Offering ample proof that a sci-fi universe doesn't necessarily need to be sensationalist or intergalactic to be incredibly effective, the grounded dystopia presented in Children of Men stands as one of the most impressively detailed and striking story worlds sci-fi cinema has seen. Set in a world where humanity has lost the ability to procreate, it transpires in an England in the midst of social collapse as hopelessness and damnation sets in. Within this bleak and bruising setting, a disenfranchised former activist is tasked with secretly escorting the first pregnant woman in 18 years to a safe harbor at sea.
Visually brutal and grounded in real anxieties, the universe's authentic feel comes courtesy of its stunning production design, which is amplified by director Alfonso Cuarón's mastery of tone, an aspect of the film that is particularly clear in its immersive long takes that create what, at times, feels more like a documentary than a movie. It adds tremendous might to a world that feels like it has been neglected, with every dingy city scape and refugee camp rife with 18 years of humanity's doomed acceptance. As such, Children of Men is not only an underrated masterpiece, but an unbelievable triumph in narrative world building that presents sci-fi at its most striking and stark.
8 'The Terminator' Universe is the Perfect Setting for Action-Packed Sci-Fi
Advanced killing machines dispatched back in time by an A.I. system hellbent on ending humanity from a near-apocalyptic future to kill the mother of mankind's last hope before she can give birth to him is about as intense a marriage of action and science fiction as cinema is ever likely to see. Defined by James Cameron's sharp and succinct vision and Arnold Schwarzenegger's performance as both a villainous and heroic T-800, The Terminator franchise is one of captivating bravura and surprising thematic might.
While its brilliance may be largely contained to the first two installments, ensuing expansions on the story world represent the ongoing interest moviegoers have in the despair and desperation of the story world. Whether it is the ruinous wasteland of the futuristic war zone or the sneaking intensity of the destructive manhunt in 1980s Los Angeles, The Terminator franchise presents a masterpiece of high-octane spectacle, one rooted in the universe's complexity regarding Skynet's ambitions and time travel and Cameron's hard-hitting and practical approach to action.
7 'Alien' Forever Influenced Both Science Fiction and Horror with its Setting
Established with the visual might of Ridley Scott's 1979 original film, the Alien franchise has long exhibited an enticing marriage of science-fiction scale and detail as well as the cold isolation of horror. Ensuing entries in the legendary saga have amplified this mixture of tones and inspiration, resulting in a universe that embodies the callous hostility of technological advancement and corporate progression with a certain penchant for claustrophobic chills that clatter against the terrifying vastness of space.
The universe is defined by its lived-in production design, a focus that is present from the 1979 original, with the interior of the Nostromo featuring steel and shadows rather than offering up a pristine and perfect image. This "used future" aesthetic manages to strike a faultless balance between grounded authenticity and technological progress. Coupling it with the spectacularly terrifying creature design and evil corporate entities like the Weyland-Yutani Corporation, the Alien franchise depicts one of sci-fi's most visceral and violent universes, one that has been hugely influential over the genre ever since it first began almost 50 years ago.
6 No Sci-Fi Universe is as Mind-Bending as the One Seen in 'The Matrix'
A mind-bending premise brought to life with groundbreaking visuals, The Matrix is one of cinema's most iconic movies of any genre, given its contemplative might and the artful presentation of its complexity. The franchise explores the possibility that the world we all know may be a lie, a simulation fed to the masses of humanity in their sleep as machines utilize them as living batteries of a sort. When Neo (Keanu Reeves) learns this truth, he fights the oppressive robotic forces in the dark desolation of the real world while combating them in the Matrix as well.
Not only does The Matrix offer an intriguing premise backed up by a stark and brutal alternate reality full of darkness and imposing hostile forces, but it extracts eerie details from everyday life as well, making the notion of the world being a simulation all the more convincing and compelling. Just the idea of the universe makes for one of the greatest feats in science fiction, one that has understandably had a monumental impact on the genre in recent decades, and one that has forever altered the way stories can be told.
5 The Universe of 'Star Trek' is as Captivating as it is Pioneering for the Genre
A compelling marriage of adventure and political optimism, Star Trek soars as an immersive exploration of the farthest reaches of the cosmos, laced with questions of morality and interference in foreign affairs. While the original series famously follows the expedition of the U.S.S. Enterprise under the command of Captain James Tiberius Kirk (William Shatner) as they explore the Milky Way under the regulations imposed on them by the United Federation of Planets, spin-off series have delved into other conflicts and more harmful discoveries with different moralistic ideals.
It results in an extended storytelling universe of outstanding intrigue and depth, one that is as defined by its politics, protocols, and procedures as much as it is by its entrancing sense of intergalactic adventure and new discoveries. Excelling as both one of the most iconic titles in television history and as an immersive movie series, Star Trek is one of the few franchises to truly master both formats with endless intrigue and masterful world-building.
4 'Avatar's Pandora is Still the Most Beautiful Fictional World Ever Conceived
In stark contrast to story world presented in The Matrix, Avatar doesn't necessarily present the most groundbreaking narrative idea as a basis for its setting, but it does go to unprecedented technical lengths to realize the spellbinding wonder of its universe in glorious fashion. Masterminded by James Cameron, the world of Pandora is a hypnotic beauty of natural landscapes rich with vibrancy and underscored with a wondrous sense of fantasy intrigue.
Such was the impact of the 3D visual display of the original picture, people experiencing a form of depression at the fact that Pandora wasn't a real place became something of a phenomenon attached to the landmark movie. With Avatar: The Way of Water further exploring the planet's natural splendor by delving into life in the seas, and with more installments of the Avatar franchise certain to continue this streak of curiosity and divine visual majesty, the Avatar universe is perhaps the most beautiful that sci-fi cinema has ever seen.
3 The Universe of 'Dune' is as Vast as it is Nuanced and Compelling
Brought to life with a stunning sense of scale and awe by Denis Villeneuve, the intergalactic universe of Dune is one of the most entrancing and visceral sci-fi cinema has seen in recent decades. From the arid vastness of the desert of Arrakis to the imposing black-sun of Giedi Prime, the story world is brought to the screen with a visual grandeur that is simply stunning.
With the imperial political structure seeing power struggles and betrayals emerge, and unexpected new alliances forged, the Dune universe is far more than just aesthetically impressive, even going so far as to incorporate magical powers and prophecies in its immaculate futuristic setting. It excels in accomplishing the once deemed impossible task of bringing Frank Herbert's odyssey to the screen in a way that not only does his story justice, but arguably enhances it with Villeneuve's captivating use of visual effects and CGI to conjure a setting of unparalleled magnificence and magnitude.
2 'Blade Runner' Pioneered the Cyberpunk Aesthetic
A dingy and dismal dystopia has never looked as inviting or appealing as Blade Runner, with the neon-infused futuristic Los Angeles presenting an alluring aesthetic of bleak darkness pierced by vibrant bursts of pink, blue, and yellow. Of course, the intrigue of the story world is far more than merely aesthetic; however, with the story's integral focus on the will of replicants and the need of humanity to quell their quest for freedom, it poses a thematically textured universe as well.
Whether it is the manhunt of Ridley Scott's 1982 original or the mystery of Denis Villeneuve's 2017 legacy sequel, both films thrive at delivering a gripping and cerebral story of the intersection and differences between humans and androids that leaves viewers awestruck with their detail, depth, and divine visuals. Pioneering the cyberpunk aesthetic, Blade Runner presents a world of interesting new frontiers and stylish yet seedy indulgence, a world of amorality and want, and a world of pure science-fiction marvel that has been enjoyed by and inspired millions of viewers over the years.
1 After Almost 50 Years, 'Star Wars' is Still the Greatest Sci-Fi Universe of Them All
With its sheer might, creative genius, central conflicts, and the divinity of its realization, the Star Wars universe is still the greatest and most captivating that sci-fi cinema has ever seen. From the barren desert of Tatooine to the snow-swept landscape of Hoth, the seemingly unending city of Coruscant, and the rivers of magma that engulf Mustafar, each and every planet in the Star Wars universe has distinct characteristics and native creatures that make the story world feel truly epic and entirely interesting.
The fact that such a vast setting is able to feel fulfilled and enriched by the characters and their journeys, be it Luke Skywalker's (Mark Hamill) stance against the Galactic Empire or Obi-Wan (Ewan McGregor) and Anakin's (Hayden Christensen) ventures throughout the prequels. Even as Disney's efforts to expand the franchise sometimes fall flat from a storytelling perspective, the intrigue and investment fans have in the physical universe of Star Wars and its nuanced, detailed history are evident.
Star Wars Created by George Lucas First Film Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope Latest Film Star Wars: Episode IX- The Rise of Skywalker First TV Show Star Wars The Clone Wars
Expand Collapse
NEXT: Greatest Sci-Fi Movies of the Last 50 Years, Ranked