It seems that you're using an outdated browser. Some things may not work as they should (or don't work at all).
We suggest you upgrade newer and better browser like: Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer or Opera

×
low rated
avatar
mechmouse: "The Martian" was very good
avatar
Braggadar: Seconded. Highly entertaining, intelligent and well written/acted.
You forgot boring. Possibly the most boring movie I've seen this millennium. Oh look, Matt Damon is trying grow potatoes... again.

On topic, I found the Butterfly Effect to be excellent.
Post edited October 31, 2018 by paladin181
Besides the mentioned movies, check out Apollo 13 which is a good smart movie about the actual engineering challenges and problem solving needed to help the astronauts survive and return to Earth safely. I know it isn't sci-fi, but it's still a good smart film.
Post edited October 31, 2018 by SCPM
OH!
Animated but Fantastic Planet (US title).
avatar
SCPM: Besides the mentioned movies, check out Apollo 13 which is a good smart movie about the actual engineering challenges and problem solving needed to help the astronauts survive and return to Earth safely. I know it isn't sci-fi, but it's still a good smart film.
Ninja'd!

Science fact, and definitely fits that problem-solving description.

Along those lines, the mini-series "From the Earth to the Moon"

Speaking of Moon, I'll add my vote for that movie.
Annihilation was quite decent as well.
Kind of like a modern take on the setting of Tarkovsky's Stalker, mixed with the main themes of Tarkovsky's Solaris.
avatar
SCPM: Besides the mentioned movies, check out Apollo 13 which is a good smart movie about the actual engineering challenges and problem solving needed to help the astronauts survive and return to Earth safely. I know it isn't sci-fi, but it's still a good smart film.
One of my favourite films. Then again, I have the entire From the Earth to the Moon series as well. =)
avatar
HeathGCF: Spectral (2016)

Civil Unrest in the European country of Moldova has US forces engaging the insurgents however there is a new threat who has decided both are their enemy. This new threat resides in an alternative spectrum that makes them invisible to the naked eye and instant death to anyone confronting them.
I'm sorry, but Spectral is a terrible film. Especially as sci-fi. Writers even got terminology wrong - what they Bose-Einstain condensate they should have called Ridberg's matter. Effects that Spectrals demonstrate are close to the second thing and don't have anything to do with the former.
avatar
HeathGCF: Spectral (2016)

Civil Unrest in the European country of Moldova has US forces engaging the insurgents however there is a new threat who has decided both are their enemy. This new threat resides in an alternative spectrum that makes them invisible to the naked eye and instant death to anyone confronting them.
avatar
LootHunter: I'm sorry, but Spectral is a terrible film. Especially as sci-fi. Writers even got terminology wrong - what they Bose-Einstain condensate they should have called Ridberg's matter. Effects that Spectrals demonstrate are close to the second thing and don't have anything to do with the former.
But the description makes it sound like F.E.A.R. Too bad if it's a bad movie.
"Smart" sci-fi movies that I've enjoyed that haven't been mentioned so far:

Donnie Darko
Enemy Mine
District 9
Sunshine
Mr. Nobody

Others have mentioned The Man From Earth, Ex Machina, HER, Brazil, Moon... enjoyed viewing these very much too!

Then there's Millennium (1989), which I also liked, but some may find it " too 80's " ;) It stars Cheryl Ladd. LOL!
Post edited October 31, 2018 by matterbandit
avatar
matterbandit: "Smart" sci-fi movies that I've enjoyed that haven't been mentioned so far:

Donnie Darko
Is it sci-fi? I thought it was urban fantasy (though I have seen only the ending, so I may be mistaken).
Smartest sci-fi movie I ever saw was Event Horizon.

Anyway, I'd probably recommend Dark City.
avatar
Karterii1993: I'd probably recommend Dark City.
I'd probably second that. That movie is like Matrix, only deeper and without "human battery" BS.
There are also Nirvana, Existenz and Thirteen Floor on the same topic.
avatar
matterbandit: "Smart" sci-fi movies that I've enjoyed that haven't been mentioned so far:

Donnie Darko
avatar
LootHunter: Is it sci-fi? I thought it was urban fantasy (though I have seen only the ending, so I may be mistaken).
Time travel (via wormholes) as a concept is commonly associated with (science) fiction so... yes.

Speaking of - if TV productions count as well: Dark, the Netflix series from last year is very worth giving a shot too.
Trailer
Dark City is a great one. Good call everyone.

Also a thumbs up to the aforementioned District 9 and Enemy Mine. BOTH classics.
Post edited October 31, 2018 by tinyE
I love DIstrict 9, but I didn't mention it because OP said he didn't want movies with mindless action, and well, I must admit the second half arguably turns into mindless action. It's still awesome, just not what OP was looking for.

A shame the next Neill Blomkamp movies haven't lived up to the expectations.

avatar
amok: I quite liked "Sound of My Voice" and "Another Earth", both staring Brit Marling and from 2011. Offbeat and quiet.
If you liked those, you might enjoy I Origins. It's a different kind of story, but it has a similar atmosphere and there is a mystery lingering around. And Brit Marling is starring too (although not as prominently as in the other two).
Post edited October 31, 2018 by Caesar.