10 Great Sci-Fi Movies That Still Need Sequels

Occasionally, an incredible sci-fi film comes along, and it is always surprising when a film of such caliber never receives a sequel. Sometimes, it feels as though there are still stories left to tell. In instances like these, a concept introduced by the science fiction world presented in the film is so fun or groundbreaking that a sequel seems like an obvious next step. Yet some of the best science fiction films of all time never received sequels.

Other sci-fi movies have gone on to become big-budget franchises, spawning film after film in order to satisfy fans, or disappoint them when they fizzle out at the end. However, while some movie franchises got too big for their own good, other singular sci-fi films deserve to have sequels made, if only to further explore the interesting concepts they originally brought to life.

10 Underwater (2020)

This Deep-Sea Horror Is A Chilling Monster Movie

Dipping into both science fiction and horror in equal measure, Underwater stars the iconic Kristen Stewart as mechanical engineer Norah Price. Taking place at the bottom of the Mariana Trench, a dangerous earthquake not only destroys their station but also reveals monsters living at the bottom of the ocean. Frightening in the way it uses both the deep ocean and its monsters to scare the viewer, Underwater is a masterclass in building tension.

Although Underwater as a film feels like it could be a self-contained story, there are still many places the plot could go after the credits roll. Similar to how Alien could have been a singular story but then blossomed into a franchise, Underwater could follow the same path. This would allow the story to explore its deep ocean mysteries, potentially finding even more horrifying ways to scare the audience.

9 Edge Of Tomorrow (2014)

Tom Cruise’s Science Fiction Thriller That Bends Time

Originally released 10 years ago, Edge of Tomorrow is a science fiction film that satisfyingly plays with the concept of time. Starring Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt as Major William Cage and Sergeant Rita Vrataski, Cage finds himself reliving the same day over and over again, all in an attempt to fight back against an alien race called the Mimics. Every time he dies, Cage wakes up as if it were just a dream, only to try again with a new plan.

This movie not only had an incredible concept, taking the Groundhog Day style of utilizing a time loop, but also incredible execution. Edge of Tomorrow is an incredibly well-made movie that holds up today, with Cruise and Blunt being just as famous and talented. 10 years later. There have been talks of creating a potential Edge of Tomorrow sequel, but as of now, nothing has been confirmed.

8 Galaxy Quest (1999)

Science Fiction And Comedy Collide In Galaxy Quest

Science fiction is a genre known for sometimes taking itself a little too seriously. However, this is not the case with the legendary Galaxy Quest. A satire of Star Trek and the fandom that surrounds it, Galaxy Quest succeeds as a comedy even for those who might not know much about the material it parodies. So much satire today leans into dark comedy, while Tim Allen’s earnestness, Sigourney Weaver’s sarcasm, and the late Alan Rickman’s deadpan delivery are all lighthearted fun.

Any film that so successfully works not only as an adventure but as a comedy deserves a sequel. So many years after its original release, there is still so much more Galaxy Quest 2 could poke fun at. When Star Trek has seen big-budget films and TV shows and science fiction has grown even more popular, a Galaxy Quest sequel feels as though it could be even more relevant than ever.

7 District 9 (2009)

District 9 Is A Science Fiction Film With Significant Themes

District 9 is unique among science fiction films, as it is one of the very few presented in a found footage-style format. It tells the story of a group of sick insect-like aliens that, once landing on Earth, are confined to an internment camp known as District 9. The home designated for the aliens that arrive is dilapidated and falling apart, hitting home with the film’s themes of xenophobia.

District 9 can be painful to watch, but it makes an intriguing point through inspiration from real-life events. A sequel to District 9 could expand upon this main theme, using even more modern events to take a stance on today’s society. If there was ever a film that deserved a sequel — and a particularly relevant one at that — it was District 9. Additionally, District 9‘s ending is ambiguous for at least one character, setting up a potential sequel.

6 Jumper (2008)

Hayden Christensen Succeeds In Another Sci-Fi Film With Jumper

Starring post-Star Wars prequels Hayden Christensen, Jumper is a classic science fiction film based on a novel. The film is about a man who can jump through time, often using this ability for his own gain. Jumper is exciting, featuring bank heists and all sorts of adventures, with Christensen again getting the chance to overcome the unfair criticism aimed at him because of Star Wars with a better performance.

Because the ending of the film leaves the door open for more adventures, there is always a possibility of a sequel. Similarly to how other major franchises expanded beyond the original book’s source material, Jumper could do the same. However, Steven Gould provides more source material with Reflex, which picks up 10 years after the original — the perfect opportunity for Christensen to reprise the role of David in a legacy sequel. It would certainly be an interesting time-bending experience, with plenty of grand sights to see, just like in the original.

5 Event Horizon (1997)

Laurence Fishburne Makes History In This Sci-Fi Horror Classic

Laurence Fisher was a sci-fi star before The Matrix, and it would be a thrilling experience to see him and Sam Neill reprise their classic roles today. Taking place on the titular starship Event Horizon, the film quickly develops from a hopeful rescue mission into a hellish nightmare. The crew of the ship has somehow been slaughtered, and the ship’s drive has opened up a gateway to an unknown dimension. The main characters quickly begin to turn on each other, with some hallucinating and even dying.

Event Horizon is on the same level as other shocking horror films such as Hellraiser, showing a different side of sci-fi horror than the monster movies fans are familiar with. There are so few of these movies, and an Event Horizon sequel could help to change that. Despite its negative reviews, fans would get more of what they love if another film were added to this beloved cult classic and, hopefully, the subgenre could be revived.

4 Alien: Covenant (2017)

Fans Need The Final Installment Of The New Alien Trilogy

When Prometheus and its sequel Alien: Covenant were first conceived, these Alien franchise prequels were a planned trilogy. However, somewhere along the way, development for the third movie in the trilogy fell through. This eventually led to the creation of Alien: Romulus, but instead of being a sequel to Alien: Covenant, the two films are not related. While the most recent Alien installments have struggled to live up to monumental fan expectations, they have all been met with generally good reviews.

Alien: Romulus
was released on August 16th, 2024.

This has not stopped fans from wanting to see the final installment of the new trilogy. Despite the years that have passed and the plans that nothing came from, there are still questions to be answered that Alien: Covenant left hanging. A sequel to Alien: Covenant would finish this set of prequels, hopefully bringing closure to this section of the franchise — and even more ambitiously, nodding to Alien: Romulus.

3 Cloverfield (2008)

One of the most interesting monster movies of the modern era, Cloverfield follows a group of people who live in New York. What seems to be an ordinary day quickly turns sour, as a strange monster attacks the city. The film catalogs their struggle to escape, all caught on video from the point of view of a camcorder. If Cloverfield is a found-footage horror that should be a regular film, a direct sequel has the potential to strengthen the story with a new, juxtaposed format.

Even though Cloverfield is the first film in the franchise, it has yet to have a direct sequel. Every film in the series has covered different people and even different universes, with what happened in the wake of the film’s monster left in the air. A Cloverfield sequel could not only explain more of what happened but also tie it in with the rest of the franchise.

2 The Creator (2023)

The Creator Is A Science Fiction Film With Heart & Emotion

One of the more recent impactful sci-fi films to hit theaters, The Creator details a soldier’s journey of love and acceptance. Sergeant Joshua Taylor initially despises the artificial intelligence that has been created by humanity, but things begin to change when he meets a little girl. Though she is a robot like those he has grown to despise, it is through her that he begins to see that artificial intelligence is a little more human than he initially thought.

Intense and emotional from start to finish, The Creator is an incredible example of how science fiction can be used to tell stories that matter. At its core, it emulates the love and hatred that is so often seen in the world today. A sequel could help expand upon this impressive world-building and the people in it, showing the repercussions of The Creator‘s ending.

1 The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy (2005)

The Classic Hitchhiker’s Guide Has Been Rebooted, But No Sequel

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is one of the most famous science fiction films of all time. This film follows the misadventures of Arthur Dent, the last man alive, as he hitchhikes his way through the galaxy. Known for its quick wit and over-the-top moments, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy brings a little love and a little comedy to sci-fi in a way that has never been repeated.

Perhaps the most shocking part about this film’s lack of a sequel is that there is so much material to work with. The book series that the film is based on has plenty of installments to draw from, meaning that there are plenty of reasons to make another sci-fi film. Not only would a sequel be welcome, but it would also bring back the charm that the 2005 iteration is so well known for.