10 Best Sci-Fi Action Movies Ever & Where to Watch Them

10. Independence Day (1996)

When you want some classic humankind vs. aliens battles, look no further than Independence Day. The golden standard of the genre, this movie features it all: brutal fights with aliens, terrifying enemies, selfless and compelling heroes… Because when the aliens are this huge and advanced, the will to live is humans’ only strength.

You can watch Independence Day on Hulu, Disney Plus, and Prime Video.

9. Jurassic Park (1993)

Dinosaurs were huge, lizardy, strong, and menacing. What’s there not to love? That’s what an immensely rich guy thought when he recreated those magnificently terrifying creatures in the modern world. He wanted to create the best thematic park, but when the giant lizards broke free and went on a rampage, his plans were jeopardized.

You can watch Jurassic Park on Netflix and Prime Video.

8. Avatar ( 2009)

Aliens don’t always have to be the villains; after all, it’s us humans who have an impressive track record of colonizations and genocides. A marine sent to Pandora, a moon inhabited by highly intelligent locals, finds his new home there. But is this feeling enough to make him directly sabotage the direct orders he received?

You can watch Avatar on Hulu, Disney Plus, and Prime Video.

7. Predator (1987)

The very word “extraterrestrial” inspires fear in us sci-fi fans despite it simply meaning “not from Earth,” and that’s largely thanks to Predator. Central American jungle proves to be the perfect new home for a sentient alien being that’s incredibly good at two things: hunting down his prey and being virtually undefeatable.

You can watch Predator on Hulu, Disney Plus, and Prime Video.

6. Blade Runner ( 1982)

Cyberpunk movies don’t need aliens to be scary and dramatic; they capitalize on humans’ vices and flaws. Blade Runner goes even further: as this story follows a professional replicant hunter, it raises many questions. For instance, should artificial intelligence be considered sentient and treated as such or is this new slavery better?

You can watch Blade Runner on Max, Netflix, and Prime Video.

5. The Fifth Element (1997)

There are famously four core elements that you should bend to become a successful Avatar, but that’s a different story. When the biggest threat ever looms over humanity, it recreates the secret “fifth element” that turns out to be a humanoid woman. She, however, has no intention to be used as a weapon, and makes a desperate run for it.

You can watch The Fifth Element on Netflix and Prime Video.

4. Aliens (1986)

The perfect case of a sequel being better than the original movie, Aliens builds upon Alien in the best way possible. The only survivor of the Nostromo incident learns that she has to confront humanity’s most terrifying enemies, the apex predator aliens, once again — but this time, she has to deal with thousands of them instead of one.

You can watch Aliens on Hulu, Apple TV, Disney Plus, and Prime Video.

3. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

Another picture-perfect sequel, Terminator 2 turns the tables dramatically. Sarah Connor who was saved a decade ago now has a son, the future leader of the human resistance. The machines are still not eager to be destroyed, so they send their ultimate killer back in time… But the resistance has an ol’ reliable up its sleeve.

You can watch Terminator 2: Judgment Day on Netflix, Apple TV, and Prime Video.

2. Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)

Star Wars has long been one of the biggest and most profitable franchises in existence, but the original trilogy is still considered its best parts even many decades and new projects later. Episode IV follows Luke Skywalker as he finds new allies and attempts to save his Princess from the mysterious villain he’s yet to get familiar with.

You can watch Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope on Disney Plus and Prime Video.

1. The Matrix ( 1999)

We have been long aware of the potential treacheries of developing advanced AIs, and yet here we are, creating more of them by the day. All the while a quarter of a century ago, the Wachowskis have already shown us just how difficult it might be for a rebellious hacker to stop the world-wide conspiracy led by unforgiving machines!

You can watch The Matrix on Max, Netflix, Apple TV, and Prime Video.