Skip to main content

3 best sci-fi movies of 2023 so far

Three people aim their guns in They Cloned Tyrone.
Netflix

In addition to several outstanding superhero movies that could also be classified as sci-fi, 2023 has delivered a surprising amount of original science fiction worth watching. The best sci-fi movies of the year prove that sci-fi is a genre that can contain multitudes, including everything from comedy to downright horror.

Although each of these movies could be classified as something other than sci-fi, there’s no denying that each of them also has strong roots in science fiction, and they take full advantage of what the genre has to offer. 

Recommended Videos

Infinity Pool (2023)

INFINITY POOL - Official Trailer

Brandon Cronenberg is following in his father David’s footsteps, which means he’s making some of the most disturbing science fiction out there at the moment. Infinity Pool tells the story of a wealthy man on vacation in a tiny country who discovers after a horrific crime that he can escape punishment by watching a clone of himself die.

It’s a process that the wealthy on the island are already well aware of, and the glorification of their clones’ deaths is only the beginning of this twisted saga, which makes it clear that for the wealthy, absolutely nothing is off limits. 

Asteroid City (2023)

Asteroid City - Official Trailer - In Select Theaters June 16, Everywhere June 23

Any Wes Anderson movie is, first and foremost, a Wes Anderson movie, but Asteroid City also has touches of sci-fi that are new to Anderson’s universe. Asteroid City, which is set at a sequestered space convention in the middle of the desert, follows a group of strangers as they deal with the aftermath of their first encounter with intelligent life from outer space.

It’s not a new idea for science fiction to explore. In fact, it might be the oldest, but Anderson still finds ways to keep things feeling entirely fresh, thanks in large part to his broad ensemble and the incredibly artificial and undeniably beautiful production design. 

They Cloned Tyrone (2023)

They Cloned Tyrone | Official Trailer | Netflix

A recent release that went straight to Netflix, They Cloned Tyrone follows an unlikely trio who find themselves investigating a massive government conspiracy after things start getting strange around them. Perfectly bridging the gap between a sci-fi romp and something with bigger ideas on its mind, They Cloned Tyrone is the kind of streaming exclusive title that feels like it should be a bigger deal.

Jamie Foxx, John Boyega, and Teyonah Parris are all terrific in their central roles, and director Juel Taylor has proven that he’s going to be one to watch moving forward, no matter he decides to tackle next.

Joe Allen

Joe Allen is a freelance writer at Digital Trends, where he covers Movies and TV. He frequently writes streaming recommendations and other best-of lists, as well as deep dives into some of his favorite movies. Joe has been in journalism for seven years, and has also written for The Washington Post, Inverse, and Distractify. He has an undergraduate degree from the University of Rochester and a masters from Syracuse University. He is based in upstate New York, where he spends much of his free time playing in a band.

The best movies on Max right now
A group of teenagers look up in shock in Final Destination.

Max's well-rounded catalog makes it among the top platforms for watching the best movies. However, the streamer is far more than the quantity on its platform, giving audiences virtually endless entertainment to appeal to subscribers and fans of all genres.
Max has movies showcasing an incredible range, from fantasy and sci-fi to superhero adventures and comedy. Still, this impressive diversity can create some indecision among viewers. Thankfully, this monthly updated guide does the hard part by highlighting recent additions of some of the best movies on Max right now.
In need of some more streaming recommendations? We also have guides to the best new movies to stream, the best movies on Netflix, the best movies on Hulu, the best movies on Amazon Prime Video, and the best movies on Disney+ that are worth looking through. 

Final Destination (2000)

Read more
The best free movies on YouTube right now (February 2025)
The cast of Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story.

Streaming's popularity continues to rise with each passing month. Unfortunately, that also means the price continues to increase, with Netflix becoming the latest streamer to raise prices. There is no end in sight, especially with the streaming wars intensifying.

Now more than ever consumers need free streaming options. YouTube is a free service offering quality movies and television to its users. Every month, YouTube welcomes new programs to its service, many of which are well-known. This month, check out our top picks for this month below.
Looking for more stuff you can watch for free? Check out our guides to the best free shows on YouTube and the best sites for watching free movies online. If you're willing to pay, read these guides on the best new movies to stream and the best movies on Netflix.

Read more
The best romance movies on Netflix right now
Michiel Huisman looks at a smiling Blake Lively in The Age of Adaline.

Romantic dramas and romantic comedies are par for the course on Netflix. But one of this month's recent arrivals, The Age of Adaline, adds a touch of sci-fi/fantasy to the genre with its seemingly immortal title character. This month's other newcomers, Blended and Notting Hill, fall squarely in rom-com territory.

You can find these films and the rest of the best romance movies on Netflix below. And if 2024 was any indication, there should be plenty of romance movies to enjoy on Netflix throughout 2025.
Need more recommendations? Then check out the best new movies to stream this week, the best movies on Netflix, the best movies on Hulu, the best movies on Amazon Prime Video, the best movies on Max, and the best movies on Disney+.

Read more