Amazon Prime Video carries a ton of amazing science fiction films, and there are a few obscure gems on the streamer that are worth checking out. Sci-fi is an endlessly popular genre, and it has been a part of cinema since the very beginning. The genre has always given filmmakers a platform to push the boundaries of what’s possible.
Though many of the greatest sci-fi movies of all time are beloved staples, the genre also produces more than its fair share of underrated classics. Since it can sometimes be subversive, science fiction doesn’t always find its audience right away. Next to horror, sci-fi produces more cult films than any other genre.
Amazon Prime Video has a massive catalog of movies from every genre, but science fiction is well-represented. The streamer carries a lot of hits, but Prime Video also has many hidden gems as well. An excellent obscure sci-fi movie is always worthwhile, and represents a departure from the same handful of films that pop up on all the streaming services.
Things To Come (1936)
Prime Video carries films from all eras, and 1936’s Things to Come is one of the earliest peaks of the science fiction genre. The film chronicles the collapse of society and its eventual return thanks to science. Known for its stunning production design, Things to Come is one of the most beautiful films of its time.
Its imaginative and retro-futuristic design hearkens back to the earliest days of science fiction, but there is something harrowing and modern about its dour speculation. Older movies can sometimes be dated and hard to access for contemporary audiences, but Things to Come is still just as stunning as it was all those years ago.
Communion (1989)
Whitley Strieber’s controversial autobiography, Communion, was an immediate bestseller, and it was quickly adapted into a feature film. The 1989 movie stars Christopher Walken as Strieber, who is haunted by visions of alien visitors from outer space. Unlike other alien science fiction movies, Communion is a pensive and philosophical story.
Communion was a box office bomb, grossing only $1.9 million against a $7 million budget (Box Office Mojo).
With only a bit of Hollywood editorializing, the film effectively illustrates the psychological impact of such visitations, and fleshes out the Strieber character. There are a few creepy scenes that add touches of horror, but Communion is very much a sci-fi drama story at heart. Walken’s performance is worth the price of admission, and he lends credibility to the material.
Communion is better than its poor reviews, and it must be divorced from the “true story” angle of the book. The absurd surrealism of the alien sequences is wholly unique in alien abduction films, and there is a quaint ’80s charm to the special effects. Communion isn’t a flawless movie, but a worthy addition to the science fiction genre.
Freejack (1992)
Freejack is one of the strangest sci-fi movies of the 1990s, mainly because of its cast. Starring rocker Mick Jagger, Emilio Estevez, and Anthony Hopkins, the action flick follows a man who is kidnapped from the past by criminals who want his healthy body. Anchored by an interesting premise, the movie goes off the rails in the best way.
Every aspect of Freejack is heightened and fun, and it’s clear that the movie doesn’t take itself too seriously. The production design is effective and has that distinct dystopian style that was so popular in the late ’80s and early ’90s. While it bears a striking similarity to other movies, it’s just silly enough to be worth watching.
Freejack is one of the best sci-fi films from 1992, but it was a down year for quality sci-fi all around. The movie got terrible reviews, including a 29% on Rotten Tomatoes, but it deserves more credit than that. Its obscurity makes it a fun movie to discover, and it’s a worthwhile watch for those looking for something less serious.
Galaxy Of Terror (1981)
On the surface, Galaxy of Terror looks like an Alien ripoff, but it is so much more than that. The Roger Corman-produced sci-fi horror movie involves the crew of a spaceship getting marooned on a mysterious planet. The movie mixes fantastical elements with pure horror, and it’s one of the strangest low-budget films of the era.
It has all the Roger Corman trademarks, including copious sex and violence, but it also has brilliant practical effects and production design from a young James Cameron. Horror icons Robert Englund and Sid Haig are in the ensemble cast, and the performances in general are much better than the usual B-movie fare.
Critics hated the film, but it immediately became a cult classic. This isn’t just because of its sleazier elements, but because the film is actually very effective. As a casual watch on streaming, Galaxy of Terror is the perfect obscure gem because it has something for everyone. It’s great sci-fi, but it’s also one heck of a horror movie too.
Death Race 2000 (1975)
Roger Corman was the master of chasing movie trends, and Death Race 2000 saw the legendary producer get in on the short-lived sci-fi sports craze. Set in a dystopian future, the titular competition challenges drivers to race across the continent while killing pedestrians along the way. With a heightened, tongue-in-cheek tone, Death Race 2000 borders on political satire.
Besides some legitimately strong action sequences, the movie is worth a watch for an early performance from Sylvester Stallone. Death Race 2000 stands as one of Corman’s crowning achievements, and it spawned a franchise that is still going today. The 1975 gem is always worth revisiting now that it’s on Amazon Prime Video.
The Vast Of Night (2019)
In the age of streaming, low-budget indie films like The Vast of Night get dumped on streaming and are almost immediately forgotten. In the 1950s, a switchboard operator and radio DJ are disturbed when they intercept seemingly extraterrestrial signals. Indie films are sometimes guilty of overreaching, but The Vast of Night uses every penny of its budget effectively.
The story is told in nearly real-time, and it captures the spirit of suspense and wonder that has been lost in modern science fiction. It got rave reviews, but was lost in the deluge of streaming content. The Vast of Night is one of the best sci-fi movies on Prime Video, obscure or otherwise, and deserves more attention.
The Adventures Of Buckaroo Banzai Across The 8th Dimension (1984)
It’s nearly impossible to aptly describe The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension, and it is so much more than mere sci-fi spoof. Peter Weller plays the titular neurosurgeon/rock star who is caught in an interplanetary war. Every scene practically drips with camp, and the only word that can be used to sum up the movie is fun.
Buckaroo Banzai is a particularly rewarding watch for sci-fi fans, but it has a lot for everyone else too. The outrageous storytelling is matched by over-the-top performances, and it almost feels like a parody of the ’80s long before the decade ended. It’s best to go into a viewing of the movie with no context, because context really doesn’t matter.
From Beyond (1986)
A year after Stuart Gordon delivered his magnum opus with Re-Animator, the director returned with another Lovecraft adaptation in From Beyond. A deadly pleasure machine taps into an alternate dimension, and things quickly get out of hand. The delightfully sleazy horror sci-fi flick has plenty of odd-ball moments, and a lot of stomach-churning effects.