# Sci-Fi action movies? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 12, 2007, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-action-movies/399767 "2007-04-12T06:22:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Lakai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de0a6/32.png) [@Lakai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lakai)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2007, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-action-movies/399767/1 "2007-04-12T06:22:56Z")
My favorite Sci-Fi action movies seem to be decades apart. Star Wars in 1977, Terminator in 1984 and the Matrix in 1999. I’m sure Dopers will know if there are other sci-fi action movies worth watching. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2007, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-action-movies/399767/2 "2007-04-12T06:49:59Z")
You forgot 1992’s, Terminator 2 🙂 Also, Aliens. Oh, and more recently, I thought I, Robot was surprisngly good. ---
**Author:** ![Small\_Clanger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc348/32.png) [@Small\_Clanger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Clanger)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2007, 9:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-action-movies/399767/3 "2007-04-12T09:26:56Z")
Bladerunner The Abyss Starship Troopers Predator Plenty of cheesier ones like Ghosts of Mars, Screamers and any number of Arnie flicks. Any one mention Aliens? ---
**Author:** ![audit1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@audit1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/audit1)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2007, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-action-movies/399767/4 "2007-04-12T13:32:30Z")
Serenity 2005 ---
**Author:** ![Push\_You\_Down](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/push_you_down/32/9095_2.png) [@Push\_You\_Down](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Push_You_Down)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2007, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-action-movies/399767/5 "2007-04-12T13:41:58Z")
[QUOTE=Small Clanger] The Abyss [/QUOTE] An action movie?..Really? ---
**Author:** ![brownie55](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f14d63/32.png) [@brownie55](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brownie55)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2007, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-action-movies/399767/6 "2007-04-12T13:43:12Z")
I am partial to _The Fifth Element._ And a lot of the others already mentioned. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2007, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-action-movies/399767/7 "2007-04-12T13:57:03Z")
I really liked Stargate. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2007, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-action-movies/399767/8 "2007-04-12T14:02:40Z")
[QUOTE=brownie55] I am partial to _The Fifth Element._ And a lot of the others already mentioned. [/QUOTE] I agree. Good art direction will forgive a few plot holes. And many of the others. But–what about _Buckaroo Banzai_? ---
**Author:** ![Autumn\_Almanac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d26b3c/32.png) [@Autumn\_Almanac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autumn_Almanac)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2007, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-action-movies/399767/9 "2007-04-12T14:03:03Z")
_Serenity_; the whole _Alien_ series (yes, even 3 and 4); _Galaxy Quest_ (comedy/action); _Jurassic Park_ and _Jurassic Park III_ (_The Lost World_ sucks); _Total Recall_; all three of the _Terminator_ movies; _War of the Worlds_. Also, if you’re willing to try some anime: _Ghost in the Shell_; _Akira_; _Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind_; _Castle in the Sky_; _Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children_. ---
**Author:** ![rhythmonly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ee59a6/32.png) [@rhythmonly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rhythmonly)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2007, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-action-movies/399767/10 "2007-04-12T14:37:20Z")
12 Monkeys. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2007, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-action-movies/399767/11 "2007-04-12T16:14:19Z")
_The Abyss_ rocks. See it. And another vote for _Buckaroo Banzai_. Delirious fun. Try _Dark City_. It’s very creepy, atmospheric, intriguing and ultimately uplifting. And you can see Kiefer Sutherland at his most un-Jack Baueresque. I suppose _Close Encounters of the Third Kind_ and _2001: A Space Odyssey_ might not qualify as SF “action” movies, but I still like 'em a lot. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2007, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-action-movies/399767/12 "2007-04-12T16:18:43Z")
I was a little puzzled by the OP, because as far as I can tell, almost ALL science fiction movies are turned into action movies, and this is a pet peeve of mine (hey, Hollywood - just substituting a laser gun for a revolver doesn’t make it sci-fi, okay?). I think it would be easier to list the sci-fi movies that _aren’t_ action movies. ---
**Author:** ![Small\_Clanger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc348/32.png) [@Small\_Clanger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Clanger)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2007, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-action-movies/399767/13 "2007-04-12T16:30:01Z")
[QUOTE=featherlou] I think it would be easier to list the sci-fi movies that _aren’t_ action movies. [/QUOTE] 2001 Dark Star Solaris The Day the Earth Stood Still Forbidden Planet ---
**Author:** ![Caridwen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c89c15/32.png) [@Caridwen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caridwen)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2007, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-action-movies/399767/14 "2007-04-12T16:33:22Z")
Blade Runner Dark City Total Recall Stargate Terminator (1) Matrix (1) Serenity Brazil The Fly 28 Days Later Gattaca Chronicles of Riddick (I know, I’m the only one) The Island (again, I’m alone) Fifth Element The 6th Day Children of Men Do Mad Max movies count as sci fi? ---
**Author:** ![Autumn\_Almanac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d26b3c/32.png) [@Autumn\_Almanac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autumn_Almanac)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2007, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-action-movies/399767/15 "2007-04-12T16:35:38Z")
[QUOTE=Small Clanger] \ [/QUOTE] _A.I.: Artificial Intelligence_ _Back to the Future_ series _Short Circuit_ series _The Time Machine_ I thought of _12 Monkeys_ before **rhythmonly** posted, but it’s one that I personally wouldn’t classify as an “action movie,” although I guess that’s debatable. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2007, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-action-movies/399767/16 "2007-04-12T17:41:49Z")
The Last Starfighter Robocop 1 and 2 Freejack Men in Black The Thing ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Hildo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bbce88/32.png) [@Johnny\_Hildo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Hildo)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2007, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-action-movies/399767/17 "2007-04-12T18:05:56Z")
I’ve recently discovered the works of an obscure director named Philip Cook. He makes ultra-low budget movies and he’s virtually a one-man show, tackling writing, directing, photographing, editing and special effects. But his sets have a real eye for detail and his CGI effects are dreamlike. This is clearly a man who loves sci-fi. Sure, the movies are a little rough around the edges, but I can forgive him for that. I’d recommend his movies [Despiser](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0349345/) and [Outerworld.](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092648/) I’d love to see what this guy would be able to accomplish if someone gave him an adequate budget. ---
**Author:** ![Logan\_5](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/fbc32d/32.png) [@Logan\_5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Logan_5)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2007, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-action-movies/399767/18 "2007-04-12T18:22:55Z")
Although not very action by today’s standards, Westworld Saturn 5 Black Hole Silent Running Farenheit 451 and my namesake, _ **Logan’s Run** _ ---
**Author:** ![jali](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecae2f/32.png) [@jali](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jali)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2007, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-action-movies/399767/19 "2007-04-12T18:35:16Z")
[QUOTE=Caridwen] … Total Recall Terminator (1) Matrix (1) 28 Days Later Gattaca Chronicles of Riddick (I know, I’m the only one) Fifth Element [/QUOTE] - My\* edit of your post - I agree with all of the above! I’ll add: Tron Galaxy Quest Minority Report ---
**Author:** ![Alistair\_McCello](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/58956e/32.png) [@Alistair\_McCello](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alistair_McCello)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2007, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-action-movies/399767/20 "2007-04-12T19:30:58Z")
> [@Caridwen](#): > > Chronicles of Riddick (I know, I’m the only one) You aren’t alone! I came in here to mention Riddick, along with the fact that I figured _I_ was the only one. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-action-movies/399767.md?page=2)