Have you watched ‘War Machine’ on Netflix? Here are 5 more explosive sci-fi movies to air this weekend
The latest Netflix movie is “War Machine,” a macho movie with a sci-fi enemy, and it’s no surprise that it will be an instant success, already expanding the platform’s top 10 list within a day. It got me thinking about some of the best sci-fi movies you can watch on the world’s most popular streaming service, so I did some research.
After scrolling through Netflix’s massive library, I found a solid collection of captivating movies that combine adrenaline-pumping action with science fiction. These range from ’90s classics to big modern blockbusters, and more.
‘Independence Day’ (1996)
One of cinema’s most important sci-fi movies, “Independence Day” is a huge hit regardless of the time of year. From director Roland Emmerich – who certainly knows his way around mass destruction – and starring Will Smith in his “movie star” series, it’s a classic attack that will have you punching the air. It also sees Smith’s Captain Hiller literally punch a stranger in the face, which is the attackers.
When unidentified flying objects appear in several of Earth’s major cities, the planet is targeted for an attack never before seen by mankind. As the 4th of July approaches, the alien forces’ plan for total annihilation becomes clear, and it is up to a powerful group of soldiers and scientists to come together to save the human race and defeat the alien threat. Alongside Smith, the film also stars Bill Pullman, Jeff Goldblum and Mary McDonnell.
Look “Independence Day” on Netflix now
‘Godzilla Minus One’ (2023)
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I’ve never considered myself a Godzilla fan, so even when I heard the pre-release buzz about “Minus One,” I was skeptical. It turns out that I was very wrong, this monster movie is a real epic, which succeeds because it offers much more than the building of a lizard. Don’t get me wrong, Godzilla’s penchant for unexpected destruction is in full force here, but it’s the human character that sets it apart, and makes it a monster movie that’s about something deeper than scary creatures.
Opening during the final months of World War II, Kōichi Shikishima (Ryunosuke Kamiki) is a kamikaze pilot who leaves his post, to confront Godzilla. He barely survives, traumatized, but begins to build a new life after meeting Noriko (Minami Hamabe) in the ruins of Tokyo. However, when the mythical monster returns, he must face his fears and save himself. Even better, “Godzilla Minus One” has impressive results despite its relatively small budget.
Look “Godzilla Minus One” on Netflix now
‘Upgrade’ (2018)
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The narrative bones of “Improve” are pretty unremarkable. It’s your classic revenge tale: an ordinary man devastated by the death of his lover goes on a road of revenge to dispense bloody justice. But what “Improving” lacks in new ideas, it makes up for in smart action, an interesting techno-powered future, and brutally brutal violence. It’s proof that old ideas can still feel fresh when you have the right creators working under the hood.
Gray Trace (Logan Marshall-Green) is a simple mechanic whose life is changed forever on a fateful night when his wife, Asha (Melanie Vallejo), is killed and left crippled after a brutal and senseless attack. When a tech tycoon gives her an AI implant that not only allows her to walk but enhances her abilities, she embarks on a quest to get revenge on those who ruined her life. But along the way, he discovers the shocking truth about the attack.
Look “Enhance” on Netflix now
‘Elysium’ (2013)
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Neil Blomkamp burst onto the scene with his first script “District 9,” a sci-fi thriller with a thoughtful subtext. “Elysium” followed four years later, and while it’s a less subtle exploration of a future world that resonates with the problems we face in our current society, Blomkamp trades smart social analysis for a broader, more proactive approach. That change will appeal to some viewers, and it results in a very entertaining sci-fi action movie.
Set in the year 2154, Earth is overrun and heavily polluted. While the lower classes live in the dirt, the rich and powerful live in the luxurious space station, Elysium, which orbits the planet. Max Da Costa (Matt Damon) is a parolee working for a megacorp, who decides to take on this wrongful system when faced with a lethal dose of radiation and given days to live. And you can’t bring down the system without some explosive.
Look “Elysium” on Netflix now
‘Jurassic World’ (2015)
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I’m sure some of our fellow movie buffs will scoff when I say this, but “Jurassic World” is a fun game. The sequels look great, but the first movie in the “Earth” franchise is the iconic “Jurassic Park” follow-up I’ve always wanted. It’s great to see a park full of dinosaurs open for business and full of happy visitors. It’s just a shame that their day out at this amazing fantasy theme park is quickly ruined when the dinos break out.
As park owners try to attract large crowds. Seeking to satisfy guests looking for impressive dinosaurs is dangerous, as the deadly Indominus Rex escapes from its pen and continues to attack. The only person who can save the day is Owen Grady (Chris Pratt), the owner of the velociraptor, with some help from Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard), the park’s operations manager. “Jurassic World” is a guilty pleasure, but it skips the sequel.
Look “Jurassic World” on Netflix now
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