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Ever sinceAlienboldly proclaimed, “In space, no one can hear you scream,” audiences have understood the close relationship between science fiction and horror. The sub-genre of sci-fi horror has produced some of the most unique and terrifying entries into either genre, enhancing the recurring themes that are part of their very fabric.
Modern sci-fi horror benefits from increasingly good visual effects and a willingness to experiment, resulting in refreshing pictures that aren’t afraid to explore new sides of horror. And while many sci-fi horror movies might slip through the cracks, others turn into fan favorites on their way to becoming modern classics.
Updated on August 06, 2025, by David Caballero:
The horror genre remains a reliable source of quality entertainment for thrill-seeking audiences. Luckily, genre fans can also enjoy their fair share of horror, thanks to the numerous sci-fi nightmares that come out almost every year. From bold and thought-provoking horror stories to creature features and space nightmares, these sci-fi horror movies are among the best and most ambitious cinematic efforts.
15’Crimes of the Future' (2022)
David Cronenberg’s 2022 body horror filmCrimes of the Futurestars Oscar nomineesViggo MortensenandKristen Stewartopposite César nomineeLéa Seydoux. Set in a future world where humanity’s evolution has accelerated, the film follows a duo who perform live surgery on stage for audiences' entertainment.
RELATED:The Best David Cronenberg Movies, According to IMDb
Crimes of the Futureblends weighty sci-fi themes with Cronenberg’s trademark love for body horror and disturbing visuals. The result is a daring, off-putting, yet riveting exploration of the human condition that soars on the strength of its three stellar leads.Crimes of the Futureis far from Cronenberg’s best effort, but it is among the best sci-fi horror films of the past decade.
Watch on Hulu
14’Cloverfield' (2008)
The 2008 found-footage monster filmCloverfieldlaunchedMatt Reevesto the big leagues. The film follows a group of young adults whose party is interrupted by a massive creature’s destructive attack on New York. Together, they must traverse the ravaged city to rescue the former partner of one of them.
Cloverfieldunderstands there’s nothing scarier than the unknown; thus, the creature remains out of sight for nearly the entire movie, only appearing near the end. Its origins and motives are also unknown to this day, increasing the monster’s allure.Cloverfieldrevitalized the found footage genre, especially as a companion to horror, andlaunched an unlikely movie trilogythat kept the infamous monster in the cultural lexicon.
13’Infinity Pool' (2023)
Brandon Cronenberg’s latest effort is the sci-fi horrorInfinity Pool.Alexander Skarsgårdstars as James Foster, a struggling novelist who joins his wife on vacation. Guided by a mysterious woman, excellently played bymodern scream queenMia Goth, the couple enters a world of excess, violence, hedonism, and horror.
Brutal and perverted,Infinity Poolis Cronenberg’s most uncompromising effort yet. The director visits familiar themes of cruelty and violence with an edgy confidence that will prove irresistible for horror fans.Infinity Poolis not an easy watch, but it will be a worthwhile nightmare for those brave enough to endure it.
12'10 Cloverfield Lane' (2016)
The unofficial sequel to 2008’sCloverfield,10 Cloverfield LanestarsMary Elizabeth Winstead,John Goodman, andJohn Gallagher Jr. The film follows a young woman who suffers a car accident and wakes up locked in a cellar with two strangers, who tell her the world has been ravaged by an unspecified catastrophe, preventing them from ever leaving.
An anxiety-inducing claustrophobic nightmare,10 Cloverfield Laneis an old-fashioned thriller anchored by career-best work from Winstead and a chilling performance fromthe ever-underrated John Goodman. Although far from a direct sequel to the 2008 hit,10 Cloverfield Laneexpands the film’s ideas about the dangers of the unknown, providing a satisfying and eerie mystery that will keep audiences on edge.
11’Life' (2017)
Jake Gyllenhaal,Rebecca Ferguson, andRyan Reynoldsstar inLife. The film follows a crew of astronauts aboard the International Space Station who discover groundbreaking evidence of life on Mars. However, the alien form proves dangerous, putting their lives at risk.
RELATED:Modern Sci-Fi Movies Destined To Become Classics
Heavily indebted to theAlienseries,Lifeis nonetheless an effective and chilling claustrophobic horror sci-fi, elevated by a stellar cast. The film doesn’t go as far as it could with its intriguing premise, but a series of well-crafted and chilling sequences and the passionate performances of its talented leads make it a worthy entry into the sci-fi horror canon.
10’Splice' (2009)
SplicestarsSarah PolleyandAdrian Brodyas two scientists who create an animal-human hybrid. Naming the creature “Dren,” the couple begins bonding with it, developing a close relationship that mutates as Dren matures and becomes smarter.
“Disturbing” doesn’t begin to coverSplice. Offering poignant commentaries about the moral boundaries of DNA experimentation, the film is an uneasy, uncomfortable, and outright traumatizing experience thanks to Polley and Brody’s committed performances. However, it’sDelphine Chanéac’s searing, otherworldly, and unsettling work as Dren that turnsSpliceinto a horrifying modern classic.
Watch on Prime Video
9’Signs' (2002)
M. Night Shyamalan’sSignsstarsMel Gibsonas a former priest who discovers mysterious crop signs on his farm, leading to shocking and dangerous discoveries.Joaquin Phoenix,Rory Culkin, andAbigail Breslinalso star.
Likethe best Shyamalan movies,Signsis a masterclass in suspense. Assured, clever, and terrifying,Signsis the product of Shyamalan’s singular vision mixed with a classic story about the mysterious and horrifying unknown. The climax might underwhelm some, but the journey is more than worth the effort, with Shyamalan delivering a gripping and fascinating look at faith, grief, and fatherhood.
Watch on Max
8’Possessor' (2020)
LikeDavid Cronenberg’s best and weirdest movies,Brandon Cronenberg’sPossessoris a delirious, mortifying, and gruesome dream product of a singular creative mind. The film starsAndrea Riseboroughas an assassin who carries out her missions by taking over other people’s bodies. However, trouble arises when she has difficulty controlling her newest victim.
Possessoris a deranged, provocative, and challenging cinematic experience that demands everything from its audience. Juggling disturbing imagery with thought-provoking ideas,Possessoris a striking and occasionally sickening study of the human psyche that will leave fans of horror and cerebral sci-fi more than satisfied.
7’The Mist' (2007)
Stephen King’s works have been adapted numerous times, but seldom as faithfully asThe Mist.Thomas Janeleads an impressive ensemble in a film about a small town terrorized by massive monsters that arrive via a mysterious mist.
RELATED:The Best Stephen King Adaptations, According to Rotten Tomatoes
Mixing Lovecraftian horror with human drama,The Mistis an anxious story about escalation and the lengths people will go to when pushed to a corner. Ballsy, claustrophobic, and unnerving,The Mistis a terrifying deconstruction of humanity’s limits. It is elevated by some truly impressive and scary monsters that will make more than one in the audience close their eyes.
Watch on Pluto
6’High Life' (2018)
Claire Denis’High LifestarsRobert Pattinson,Juliette Binoche, and Mia Goth. The plot follows a group of criminals sent on a space mission while unknowingly participating in a series of questionable scientific experiments.
Cerebral but no less unsettling,High Lifeis everything fans of Claire Denis could hope for. Strengthened by Pattinson’s brooding, subtle performance and a stellar supporting turn from modern horror icon Mia Goth,High Lifeis an eerie and challenging experience. It will leave audiences confused, disturbed, and even repulsed, but just like the best classics, it won’t soon leave their minds.
