Sci-fi films, for the most part, revolve around a fictional world where the streams of science and technology meet. Unlike hardcore action films, sci-fi films don’t rely on too much bloodshed to get their point across. Rather, they tend to focus on conceptualization and world-building.
Things get interesting when these two genres overlap a little, leaving their mark on each other. When this happens, the futuristic, pristine world of sci-fi movies is drenched in the blood and gore of action movies, resulting in a form of entertainment that encompasses the best of both worlds. Here are some bloody sci-fi films that are bound to entertain you.
10Snowpiercer (2013)
Bong Joon-ho’s sci-fi movie takes place in a dystopian future where earth is frozen and all of its survivors are on board a train, constantly traveling across the globe. Through this premise, the South Korean auteur addresses themes of class discrimination, existentialism, and violence. Due to the trainbeing segregated based on the wealthand social standing of the passengers, an impending rebellion rises to the surface and seeps the train with blood and bullets.
Related:Every Movie Directed by Bong Joon-ho, Ranked
9Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
Caught in a time loop, Major Bill Cage (Tom Cruise) is humanity’s last stand against an alien invasion, as he is forced to relive the same day only to fight and die again. Despite being inadequately matched, Major Cage, along with special unit officer Rita Vrataski (Emily Blunt), compound their insights and keep getting closer to finally slaying the enemy.
8Total Recall (1990)
Arnold Schwarzenegger and action are a match made in heaven, with the ’90s being the honeymoon phase. Overshadowed largely by the success of theTerminator Series,films likeTotal Recallflew under the radar and haven’t got their due.
Adapted from Philip K Dick’s 1996 story,We Can Remember It For You Wholesale, Total Recallsees Schwarzenegger play the role of a construction worker who discovers a memory chip has been planted in his brain to suppress a plot of planetary domination. What follows is Schwarzenegger doing Schwarzenegger things along with a stream of robotic violence and bloodshed.
Related:These Are the Best Arnold Schwarzenegger Movies, Ranked
7Escape From New York (1981)
John Carpenter’sEscape From New Yorkserves as the classic fusion between sci-fi and action. The setting of the film leans towards dystopia and sci-fi, while it’s completely action oriented in its approach. Powered by a moody and pulsating synth score,Escape From New Yorkwas one of the most hardcore films of the ’80s.
6War of the Worlds (2005)
Based on H.G. Wells' 1898 novel of the same name, Steven Spielberg’s film revolves around a divorced dockworker, Ray Ferrier, whose ex-wife leaves his children with him to spend the day. As the day progresses, strange thunderstorms begin to take place before finally unveiling themselves as a full-blown alien attack. With little to no help, Ray goes to despicable lengths to protect and provide for his children, amid a global standstill.
In a welcome surprise,War of the Worldsis unlike most ofSpielberg’s movies, as it is richly hued with dark twists and themesand spectacular special effects.
Related:Best Steven Spielberg Films, Ranked
5Prey (2022)
Pitting a primal Comanche warrior againstan evolved alien predatoris by no means an even matchup. Dan Trachtenberg’s latest filmPreybuilds on this uneven contest and serves as a modern-day reimagining of David and Goliath, with a lot more violence and bloodshed. Despite being a bit farfetched at times,Preycomments on the fact that the mind, when applied correctly, can be the most powerful of weapons.
4Dredd (2012)
Dreddmight seem rugged and gritty from afar, but when looked at closely, it features many sci-fi elements along with a plethora of weapons. The film is set in a dystopian future where a police officer (Dredd) and his psychic rookie are trapped in a tower block run by a vicious drug lord and gang of criminals. Outnumbered and outgunned, Dredd and his rookie find themselves in a whirlpool of bullets, explosions, and a stream of blood.
3Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
WhileThe Terminatorstarted the epic robotic bloodbath, its sequel did everything bigger and better.Terminator 2: Judgment Daytook things up by a few notches in terms of death and destruction, as it pitted a machine against machine with the future of humanity at stake. Having realized the first part was a bit of a mismatch, Cameron corrected this in the sequel and added a series of shootouts, car chases, and a clash of robotic fights, coming close to depictingwhat the actual Judgment Day would look like.
2The Thing (1982)
John Carpenter’s chilling tale of atmospheric tension is set in anisolated Antarctic research basewith a bunch of ragtag crew. The men pass their time going about their basic duties when an ancient shape-shifting alien penetrates into their midst, ripping apart the members of the crew in gruesome ways.The Thingis a perfect cocktail of horror told through the logical lens of science fiction, drenched in blood and other gross-looking fluids.
1Children of Men (2006)
Children of Menisset in a dystopian futurewhere women have become sterile and the danger of human extinction is most possible than it’s ever been. In this scenario, one woman miraculously gets pregnant and finds herself and her guardian in the middle of a power struggle to escape the totalitarian regime and get herself and her unborn child to safety.
