Skip to main content

5 Netflix sci-fi movies that are perfect to stream for the fall

Kate Winslet and Jim Carrey in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
Focus Features

If you are browsing through Netflix, you may realize that there’s plenty of stuff on the streaming service. When you actually do you’re browsing, though, you’re likely to discover that you don’t know which things are worth your time.

If you’re looking in the sci-fi vein, Netflix has plenty of titles to choose from. And, to make your life easier, we’ve pulled together five of the best sci-fi movies available on the streaming service that you can stream this fall. From rom-coms to action movies, this list should have something no matter what you’re looking for.

Recommended Videos

We also have guides to the best movies on Netflix, the best movies on Hulu, the best movies on Amazon Prime Video, the best movies on Maxand the best movies on Disney+.

Oblivion (2013)

Oblivion - Theatrical Trailer

Oblivion is set in the year 2077 and stars Tom Cruise as a security repairman living on an Earth that has been ravaged and abandoned by a war with aliens. With just two weeks left on his assignment, he begins to experience an identity crisis after he recognizes a woman he sees on the Earth’s surface.

The film’s plot spirals from there but Cruise remains at its sturdy center, and Oblivion will surprise you with its various twists and turns. It’s not a perfect movie, but Oblivion was underseen upon its release and deserves more attention than it got.

You can watch Oblivion on Netflix.

Godzilla Minus One (2023)

GODZILLA MINUS ONE Official Trailer 2

You might not think that a prequel to the original Godzilla would be worth checking out, especially if it came out decades after the original. Godzilla Minus One exists to prove us wrong, though. The movie follows a World War II veteran who returns to a decimated Japan and finds himself face-to-face with Godzilla.

In addition to riveting action from front to back, Godzilla Minus One has a remarkably sturdy emotional core. It’s the story of men who feel betrayed by their country and decide to take their fates into their own hands by battling on behalf of the people they love.

You can watch Godzilla Minus One on Netflix.

They Cloned Tyrone (2023)

They Cloned Tyrone | Official Trailer | Netflix

A brilliant, funny sci-fi comedy featuring a trio of terrific performances, They Cloned Tyrone is not at all what you’d expect it to be, and is all the better for it. Starring Jamie Foxx, John Boyega, and Teyonah Parris, the film focuses on three people who find themselves unexpectedly hot on the heels of a government conspiracy.

Featuring bold, bracing direction from Juel Taylor, They Cloned Tyrone is the kind of project Netflix should make more of, and one that’s definitely worth checking out.

You can watch They Cloned Tyrone on Netflix.

Upgrade (2018)

UPGRADE (2018) – Official Red Band Film Trailer

A sci-fi horror movie about the perils of artificial intelligence, Upgrade follows a man who loses his wife and finds himself confined to a wheelchair in the aftermath of a catastrophic and random crime. When he discovers a kind of artificial intelligence that will allow him to enact revenge on the people who attacked him, he decides to use it to its fullest advantage.

Featuring plenty of style, some thrilling action sequences, and a few surprising twists, Upgrade is everything you might want this kind of movie to be, and it features an excellent central performance from Logan Marshall Green.

You can watch Upgrade on Netflix.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

A sci-fi classic that’s worth watching whether it’s your first time or your hundredth, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is undoubtedly the most mind-bending movie on this list. It tells the story of a couple who break up, and decide to erase each other from their brains in the aftermath of that breakup.

As we journey through their minds, we discover how they came together, what tore them apart, and why they might find themselves falling back in love even as they begin to realize that they’ve been down this road before.

You can watch Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind on Netflix.

Joe Allen
Joe Allen is a freelance writer at Digital Trends, where he covers Movies and TV. He frequently writes streaming…
3 underrated Netflix movies you should watch this weekend (April 4–6)
Izi and Benji run together in The Kitchen.

Tired of scrolling past the same Netflix recommendations over and over? You're not alone—the algorithm loves to push the biggest blockbusters and buzziest new releases front and center. But behind all the flashy thumbnails lies a treasure trove of underrated movies just waiting to be found. These are the kind of films that might not have received much hype but still pack a serious punch.

Whether you're in the mood for a suspenseful drama, a chilling dystopia, or an award-winning war film, there's something unexpected ready to surprise you. Forget the same old picks and take a chance at these hidden gems that bring bold yet overlooked stories. Get ready with some popcorn and gear up for a fun weekend with these underappreciated movies on Netflix.

Read more
5 great animated movies you should stream right now
Chihiro with a dragon in Spirited Away.

Animation has never been more exciting, with streaming services packed with hidden gems, recent hits, and beloved classics. Whether it be a heartwarming adventure, a mind-bending fantasy, a laugh-out-loud comedy, or something else completely, there's an animated film waiting that's guaranteed to sweep you away.
From the enchanting Spirited Away to the poignant Wall-E, the best animated movies streaming right now give viewers a glimpse at the peak of the genre. They are a testament to how the powerful medium can inspire and amaze with stunning visuals and surprisingly unforgettable stories. These must-watch animated movies are just a few clicks away, so grab some popcorn and settle in.
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022)

The feline favorite from DreamWorks makes an epic return in his best movie yet, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. Here, the titular character (voiced by Antonio Banderas), an arrogant swashbuckling hero who believes he is invincible, is reminded that he is not when he learns he has burned through eight of his nine lives, leaving him just one final chance to make things right. His only hope lies in the mythical Wishing Star, which can restore his lost lives, but he isn't the only one after it. Goldilocks (Florence Pugh), her crime family of bears, the ruthless Jack Horner (John Mulaney), and a sinister, wolfish bounty hunter known as Death (Wagner Moura) are all in pursuit.

Read more
The best new shows to stream on Netflix, Hulu, Max (HBO), and more
Charlie talking on the radio in the car with her leg up on the wheel in Poker Face season 2.

If you felt that there were too many sci-fi or fantasy-related streaming shows in April, you may enjoy the more crime-focused streaming shows this week.
Peacock's breakout series, Poker Face, is back for its second season with three new episodes before things slow down to a weekly release schedule. Criminal Minds: Evolution is going old school with its weekly releases on Paramount+. The outlier among the new shows is Max's comedy travelogue, Conan O'Brien Must Go.
You can find these series and the rest of the best new shows to stream below. We update this list every Friday to keep you up to date on the most binge-worthy new additions.
When you're done here, check out the best new movies to stream this week, as well as the best shows on Netflix, the best shows on Hulu, the best new shows on Max, the best shows on Amazon Prime Video, and the best shows on Disney+.

Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Max, Disney+, Paramount+, Peacock, and Apple TV+ all have one thing in common: They're more expensive than they used to be. We can live with higher rates as long as new shows keep coming, but it's always a good idea to consider signing up for the ad-supported tiers, which are worth it if you can sit through a few commercials. 

Read more