New ranking celebrates uplifting sci-fi films like 'Arrival' and 'Her'

The top selections

A new ranking of great science fiction films places Denis Villeneuve's "Arrival" and Robert Zemeckis' "Back to the Future" at the top, celebrating movies that prioritize awe and wonder over dystopian themes. The list focuses on pictures that present an optimistic or adventurous vision of scientific progress and humanity's future. The 2016 film "Arrival", lauded for its intellectual and emotional approach to first contact, secured the number one position. It stands in contrast to the genre's often cynical or action-heavy portrayals.

Following the time-travel classic "Back to the Future", the 1985 film that remains a cultural touchstone, is Spike Jonze's "Her". The 2013 romance between a man and an AI operating system was noted for its tender exploration of technology's intersection with human connection. The list's criteria favor films that inspire a sense of hope, a quality also found in selections like Dean Parisot's 1999 comedy "Galaxy Quest", which satirizes and celebrates sci-fi fandom with an ultimately affectionate tone.

The full honor roll

The ranking argues for a broader definition of sci-fi's potential by highlighting stories of discovery, comedy, and humanism. It intentionally sidesteps the grim futures common in modern sci-fi, instead pointing to films that left audiences with a sense of inspiration. The eight films selected represent a variety of eras and subgenres, from 1970s blockbusters to modern independent-minded features, all united by a non-depressive outlook.

The complete ranking is as follows:

• 1. Arrival (2016)
• 1. Back to the Future (1985)
• 1. Her (2013)
• 1. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
• 1. Galaxy Quest (1999)
• 1. The Martian (2015)
• 1. Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
• 1. Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986)