Science fiction has been a staple of geek culture for decades. Some of the greatest sci-fi movies of all time are films that are beloved among this community. So to look at the best and the worst of this genre is a must. Some years there are more than others where as other years there are a lot. 2021 is somewhere in the middle.

As a general rule, although I could include them if I wanted to because they really do fit, I do not allow any super hero/comic book movies in the Sci-Fi category. It just makes it neater.

Let’s start with the worst….

Worst Sci-Fi Movie of the Year: Infinite

This film had a terrible reputation before I saw it, but I still started up a Paramount + account in order to basically see this. It was so bad. It has two huge actors in Mark Wahlberg and Chiwetel Ejiofor, which only makes it worse. It deals with some garbage like past lives and hallucinations from past lives and I really do not remember much more about it than that. I know I got a couple months free of Paramount + in a deal and that meant I spent more than I should have for this film.

Other Dis-honorable mentions: Reminiscence with Hugh Jackman wastes what could have been a decent premise for a dull, stupid mystery/romcom. Voyagers was Lord of the Flies in space. It was unlikable and I went to the theater, during a time when I wasn’t doing that much, to see this. Ugh. Awake on Netflix literally put me to sleep in one of the most ironic moments of my movie going experience for 2021. Could we call F9 sci-fi? They do go into space and it was terrible. Video game based fantasy film Monster Hunter is another borderline sci-fi film that was horrendous.

Previous Best Sci-Fi Movie Winners:

Best Sci-Fi Movie

Previous Winners:  Upgrade, Blade Runner 2049, Arrival, The Martian, Ex Machina, Star Trek Into Darkness, Edge of Tomorrow, Freaks, The Invisible Man

Best Science fiction movie of the year: Dune

Of course it is. Dune from director Denis Villeneuve was a huge risk that has paid off with a film that was beautiful to look at, even if it felt like it was not a complete story. Dune did well enough in the box office, despite being released also on HBO Max day and date, to warrant the sequel that Villeneuve had hoped to do. It was a passion project from Denis and it showed. This first film may be even more beloved when the second one comes out.

Honorable mentions: Tom Hanks in the future with a dog and a robot is a can’t miss film and the Apple TV + film Finch was the result. One of the films that snuck under the radar this year is Boss Level, another Groundhog Day type film that does some wonderful things. The Tomorrow War from Amazon Prime starring Chris Pratt was fine, although not the greatest of the year. Swan Song was a film filled with great performances, especially from Mahershala Ali.