All 12 of Will Smith's Sci-Fi Movies, Ranked by Rotten Tomatoes

Not all of Smith's intergalactic ventures are box office gold, though. In fact, some are more like a meteor crashing into your backyard – a spectacular sight, sure, but not exactly what you were hoping for.

12. After Earth (2013)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 12%

Stranded on Earth, a thousand years after cataclysmic events forced humanity's escape, a young boy and his injured father must navigate dangerous terrain to signal for rescue.

This film was a Smith family affair, with Jaden Smith starring alongside his dad. The original script didn't even feature any sci-fi elements – it was a father-son camping trip gone wrong.

11. Wild Wild West (1999)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 16%

Two mismatched heroes, a clever and smooth-talking U.S. Army Captain and a gritty U.S. Marshal, team up to stop a diabolical inventor from executing a plan that could change the course of U.S. history.

Will Smith turned down the role of Neo in "The Matrix " to star in this film, and, sadly, we all know how it all ended: "The Matrix" grossed over $460 million worldwide, while "Wild Wild West" ended up being a flop, with a worldwide total of $222 million against a budget of $170 million.

10. Bright (2017)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 26%

In an alternate Los Angeles populated by humans and mythical creatures, a human cop and his Orc partner find a powerful wand, leading them into a world of dark forces and an impending war.

The production team surely did make an effort here: even the makeup for the Orcs took over three hours to apply. Sadly, it didn't help: "Bright" was trashed by critics, although audiences loved it (83% on Rotten Tomatoes proves it).

9. Gemini Man (2019)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 26%

An aging hitman faces off against a younger clone of himself, revealing a high-stakes conspiracy and leading him on a global chase to uncover the truth behind his own existence and the secretive organization that created him.

The project was in development hell for over 20 years, with Harrison Ford, Mel Gibson, and even Clint Eastwood considered for the lead at various points.

8. Men in Black II (2002)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 38%

The Men in Black agents reunite to stop a shape-shifting alien disguised as a lingerie model from retrieving a powerful artifact, facing challenges that test their memories and their mission.

Here's some trivia: Michael Jackson wanted a role in this so badly, he called Director Barry Sonnenfeld himself! That's how he got his cameo. And, the post office scene? Look closely, and you'll see a portrait of Steven Spielberg dressed as an alien.

7. Hancock (2008)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 42%

A misunderstood, alcoholic superhero with a bad attitude attempts to revamp his image with the help of a public relations expert, revealing a troubled past and a connection that he never expected.

The film was originally titled "Tonight, He Comes," which sounds... different. Luckily, the studio made the right call, and eventually the movie earned over $600 million worldwide, becoming the fourth highest-grossing film of 2008.

6. I, Robot (2004)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 56%

In 2035, a technophobic detective investigates a crime that may have been perpetrated by a robot, leading him to uncover a larger threat to humanity in a society reliant on robots.

The audiobook that Spooner listens to is Isaac Asimov's "Robbie," which is actually part of the "I, Robot" collection. Plus, the film's robots were designed to obey Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics, a nod to the sci-fi legend.

5. Men in Black 3 (2012)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 67%

An agent travels back in time to the 1960s to prevent an alien from assassinating his friend and changing history, discovering secrets about the universe and his long-time partner.

Fun fact: the scene where Griffin sees multiple futures at the baseball game? That's an homage to Dr. Seuss's "Oh, the Places You'll Go!"

4. I Am Legend (2007)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 68%

The last man in New York City struggles to find a cure for a virus that transformed humans into nocturnal mutants, relying on his wits, survival skills, and the companionship of his dog.

Spooky fact: Those creepy mannequins were inspired by a real event in the director's life where he saw a mannequin strangely placed in a field. As for Will Smith, he was so committed, he consulted with soldiers and survival experts for his role.

3. Independence Day (1996)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 68%

Earth faces an unprecedented threat when massive alien spacecraft appear and launch a coordinated attack; disparate groups of people converge in the Nevada desert to launch a counterattack on July 4th – humanity's last stand for independence.

The White House destruction scene was actually a miniature model: the studio just filmed it in slow motion to make it look more realistic. Also, Jeff Goldblum and Judd Hirsch played father and son, but in real life, they're only 14 years apart.

2. Enemy of the State (1998)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 71%

A lawyer becomes a target for a corrupt National Security Agency official and his goons after accidentally receiving key evidence to a politically motivated crime, forcing him into a game of cat-and-mouse.

Fun fact: Will Smith's character's name is Robert Clayton Dean – a nod to "Three Days of the Condor" protagonist, Joe Turner, played by Robert Redford (Clayton + Dean = Robert).

1. Men in Black (1997)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 91%

A streetwise NYPD detective is recruited into a secret organization that polices extraterrestrial interactions on Earth, partnering with a veteran agent to stop an intergalactic terrorist in New York City.

Clint Eastwood was considered for the role of Agent K before Tommy Lee Jones snagged it. Also, the iconic line, "You know the difference between you and me? I make this look good," was totally improvised by Will Smith.