Sci-fi movies don’t always get the respect they deserve from the Academy, but there are some exceptions which were huge successes on Oscar night. Sci-fi is often looked down on by critics and awards ceremonies, partly because it appeals to such huge audiences and partly because the genre’s penchant for spectacle is often seen as brash and unrefined.
Historically, sci-fi movies have mainly been in contention in the technical categories at the Oscars. It’s not too uncommon for a sci-fi movie to scoop Best Visual Effects or Best Sound, for example. Sometimes, an outstanding sci-fi movie can win several of these categories, and there have even been a few examples of sci-fi movies competing for above-the-line awards.
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrialbecame the highest-grossing movie ever made for a while, and it’s still regarded as one ofSteven Spielberg’s best movies. The story of a boy who befriends an alien and tries to help him return to his home planet is dripping with Spielberg’s awe-inspiring magic. It’s as heartwarming as it is exciting.
Gandhidirector Richard Attenborough said “I was certain that not only would E.T. win, but that it should win.”
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrialpaired its commercial success with a stellar critical reputation, which culminated in nine Oscar nominations.E.T.lost out on Best Picture toGandhi,although director Richard Attenborough said “I was certain that not only would E.T. win, but that it should win.“E.T.did win four Oscars though, including Best Original Score for John Williams.
11 years afterE.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,Steven Spielberg broke his own box office record withJurassic Park.The adaptation of Michael Crichton’s sci-fi novel is a brilliant spectacle, and it combines elements of action, adventure and even horror. It gave rise to one of cinema’s biggest franchises, but the original remains unparalleled.Jurassic World Rebirthwill deliver the franchise into a new era this summer.
Jurassic Parkwas nominated for three Oscars, and it won all three.The awards were all in technical categories: Best Sound, Best Sound Effects Editing and Best Visual Effects. This is testament toJurassic Park’s immersive effects, which hold up better than most other movies from the same era, but it might have been nominated for Best Picture and Best Director if Steven Spielberg hadn’t releasedSchindler’s Listin the same year.
Mad Max: Fury Roadspent decades in development hell, but it proved to be worth the wait. Released 30 years afterBeyond Thunderdome,Fury Roadis a radical reinvention of the franchise, with a new actor in the lead role and a more ambitious eye for spectacle. It’s been hailed as one of the best action movies of the 21st century.
10 Movies That Forced The Oscars To Change Their Rules
Across the history of the Oscars, there have been several movies that have forced the Academy to change their rules regarding their prestigious award.
Fury Roadreceived 10 Oscar nominations, which is rare for both sci-fi movies and action movies.It ended the night with six awards, which was more than any other movie, but it missed out on Best Picture and Best Director.Fury Roadwon Best Production Design, which highlights the remarkable worldbuilding of the legacy sequel.
Dunehas been one of the most influential sci-fi novels ever since its publication, but it has taken a long time for a popular movie adaptation to come along. David Lynch’s version has as many critics as admirers, and other attempts to adapt the novel have failed to get off the ground. Denis Villeneuve succeeded where others failed, andDunewas a hit with critics.
Dunelost Best Picture toCODA,butit won six of its 10 nominations. Its awards include Best Original Score for Hans Zimmer and Best Cinematography for Greig Fraser. Together, these awards go some way to explainingDune’s visceral impact. It’s the kind of movie that’s best enjoyed on the biggest screen possible. AfterDune: Part Twoscooped two more awards from five nominations,Dune Messiahis already in the works.
Gravityis one of thebest space exploration moviesever, and it kicked off a minor trend in the 2010s that brough the genre back to life. The story is simple, fitting intoGravity’s relatively short runtime with ease, but its impact is seismic.Gravitywas a box office sensation, especially in IMAX and 3D screenings, which delivered the full effect of the movie’s excruciating tension.
Gravitywon seven Oscars, which underlines its mastery of all elements of technical filmmaking. The visual effects, cinematography and sound editing were all rightly recognized, and Alfonso Cuarón scooped Best Director for helming such a technically sound masterpiece. It lost out on Best Picture to12 Years a Slave,althoughGravityhad more nominations and awards overall.
Poor Thingsis often talked about as if it’s a fantasy movie, since it doesn’t share the aesthetic sensibilities of other sci-fi movies. There are parts of the story which seem to take place within a dream or a painting by Hieronymus Bosch, but it’s a sci-fi story about reanimation and crude experimentation.Poor Thingsis a twisted, subversiveFrankensteinstory.
10 Greatest Best Picture Oscar Nominees That Didn’t Win
Though the Oscars can be a good indicator of the best movies of the year, plenty of fantastic films shouldn’t have lost for Best Picture.
After Yorgos Lanthimos scored 10 Oscar nominations forThe Favourite,he beat this tally with 11 nominations forPoor Things.AlthoughOppenheimerwas hard to beat,Poor Thingswon four Oscars. Best Production Design, Best Costume Design and Best Makeup and Hairstyling were all well-deserved technical achievements, and Emma Stone won her second Oscar in the Best Actress category.
Avatarwas a box office juggernaut in 2009. The sci-fi epic arguably represents the best use of 3D technology ever, and this is one factor that madeAvatara must-see movie in theaters. After a few years of dormancy,Avatarhas blossomed into a franchise, andAvatar: Fire and Ashlooks likely to have another gargantuan box office run.
LikeAliens, The Terminator, Titanicand more,Avatardemonstrates James Cameron’s technical skill as a director and his ability to appeal to massive audiences.This delivered nine nominations, including Best Picture, and a total of three awards.The Way of Waterwas less successful, but four nominations and the franchise’s second win for Best Visual Effects is still impressive.
The firstStar Warsmovie was an immediate cultural phenomenon, surpassing expectations at the box office and developing a devoted fan base. It remains one of the most influential and popular sci-fi movies ever made, but people don’t often talk about its success during awards season.
Star Warswon eight Oscars, including a Special Achievement Award for its creature designs and effects. It has four more nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director, but lost out to Woody Allen’sAnnie Hallin both categories. In total, theStar Warsfranchise has received 37 Oscar nominations, but none of the prequels, spinoffs or the sequel trilogy won any awards. The slate ofupcomingStar Warsmovies could reverse this trend.
The Shape of Wateris a peculiar romance movie that features a mute woman falling in love with a mysterious creature being held in a top-secret government facility. It demonstrates Guillermo del Toro’s flair for the surrel and the abnormal, as it tells a deeply moving story about a completely alien situation.
The 10 Best Picture Oscar Winners With The Highest Rotten Tomatoes Scores
Ahead of 2025’s Oscar nominations, some Best Picture winners of the past Academy Awards have gotten near-perfect scores on Rotten Tomatoes.
The Shape of Waterwon four Oscars from 13 nominations, becoming the first sci-fi movie to win Best Picture. Guillermo del Toro also scooped Best Director, while Alexandre Desplat’s gorgeous score was also a winner.The Shape of Waterdoesn’t get as much love as some other recent Best Picture winners, but it’s a wonderful dark romance, and a worthy winner.
Everything Everywhere All at Onceblends sci-fi, action, comedy and drama into a multiverse-spanning epic that revels in its unpredictability. Themeaning ofEverything Everywhere All at Oncelies in its surreal approach, as it overwhelms the viewer with windows into different realities, but it’s still an emotional, grounded story about family.
Sci-fi movies rarely win the above-the-line awards, sticking to the technical categories instead.
Everything Everywhere All at Oncedominated the Oscars,ending the night with seven awards from 11 nominations. What’s most impressive about this total is that most of the wins came in above-the-line categories such as Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actress. Sci-fi movies rarely win these types of awards, sticking to the technical categories instead.
