2025 turned out to be an exciting year for sci-fi films, delivering a wide range of films that not only entertained audiences but also left us amazed by their imagination, scale, and visual spectacle. Several major releases dominated the global box office, with films like Superman, The Fantastic Four, Jurassic World: Rebirth, and Avatar 3 emerging as massive crowd-pullers and pop-culture talking points. These big-budget spectacles captured most of the attention and revenue, setting new benchmarks for cinematic experiences. However, beyond these blockbuster successes, 2025 also saw a large number of sci-fi films that had relatively average box-office performances. Some of these movies struggled to compete with the larger franchises, while others found their audience later through digital platforms and streaming services. Despite not making a huge splash financially, many of these films offered creative concepts and unique takes on the genre that deserve recognition.
The list below highlights 12 such sci-fi films from 2025 that may have flown under the radar but could be worth watching. As the holiday season marks the close of the year, these movies make for perfect viewing—whether you are looking to catch up on missed releases or discover hidden gems. So, if you are a true sci-fi geek who enjoys exploring beyond the obvious hits, stick around and make it to the end of the list.
1. Mickey 17
Mickey 17 is about an "expendable" worker named Mickey in a space colony who is assigned to dangerous missions during a human colonization project on a distant planet. Each time he dies, a new clone is created with his memories intact, until one mission fails and two versions of Mickey coexist. The film delves into identity, survival, and what it truly means to be human. The film received generally positive reviews from critics, but still ended up grossing only $133 million worldwide. It is currently available to stream on various platforms worldwide.
2. Elio
Elio follows an imaginative and lonely young boy named Elio as he struggles to fit in on Earth. His life changes dramatically when he is accidentally beamed into space and misidentified as Earth's official ambassador by an intergalactic organization comprised of alien species from all over the universe. Elio, completely unprepared for such a role, must navigate unfamiliar worlds, communicate with strange but fascinating beings, and face unexpected challenges far beyond anything he has ever encountered before. Along the way, he makes meaningful friendships, learns to believe in himself, and realizes that being unique can be an asset. The film combines humor, emotion, and cosmic adventure while delving into themes of courage and self-acceptance.
Despite receiving positive reviews from critics, the film underperformed at the box office, grossing $154 million globally against an estimated budget of $150-200 million. The film has received nominations for both the Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Animated Feature and the Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature Film. Elio is currently streaming on Disney+.
3. Primitive War
Primitive War takes place during the Vietnam War in 1968. The plot revolves around an elite US Army reconnaissance unit known as the Vulture Squad, which is dispatched deep into a remote jungle valley to locate a missing Green Beret platoon. What starts as a military rescue mission quickly turns into a desperate fight for survival when the team discovers that the valley is inhabited by de-extinct dinosaurs, prehistoric predators unleashed by a botched scientific experiment. As the squad battles both the jungles and terrifying creatures, they form uneasy alliances, discover hidden threats, and struggle to survive.
Primitive War is currently available to watch or rent online on Digital platforms.
4. The Astronaut
The film follows Sam Walker, a NASA astronaut who returns to Earth after a perilous first space mission that ends with her shuttle being hit by debris. Sam is rescued and taken into government custody, where he is quarantined and closely monitored at a secluded, high-security house while authorities investigate what happened. Sam becomes convinced that an extraterrestrial presence has followed her home after experiencing confusing flashbacks, odd physical symptoms, and strange occurrences. As unsettling events escalate and the line between reality and paranoia blurs, long-buried truths about her mission and identity emerge, revealing shocking details about the nature of her ordeal. The film combines psychological tension, alien mystery, and family drama in a tight, eerie story.
The Astronaut is currently available to watch or rent online on Digital platforms.
5. Frankenstein
Frankenstein, directed by Guillermo del Toro, is a fresh cinematic interpretation of Mary Shelley's classic novel. The plot revolves around Victor Frankenstein (Oscar Isaac), an ambitious scientist preoccupied with overcoming death. In his confined laboratory, he successfully creates life from death, resulting in the birth of a powerful and intellectual creature (Jacob Elordi). Victor abandons his creation, horrified by what he has done, triggering a tragic chain of events in which the Creature strives to understand mankind and his role in the world. The film unfolds through flashbacks, exploring themes of ambition, loneliness, and empathy, culminating in a moving encounter between creator and creation in the frigid Arctic.
Frankenstein is currently streaming on Netflix.
6. Bugonia
Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, the film follows Teddy, a conspiracy-obsessed beekeeper (Jesse Plemons), who believes Michelle Fuller (Emma Stone), the powerful CEO of a big pharmaceutical business, is an alien conspiring to destroy Earth. Teddy, fueled by paranoia and misinformation, kidnaps Michelle and holds her captive in a tense, weird confrontation that combines psychological agony and dark humor. Throughout the film, issues of conspiracy culture, corporate distrust, and human ridiculousness are handled in a highly stylized and disturbing manner. While the film first appeared to be a ludicrous satire, a surprising revelation late in the plot provided a disturbing element to its commentary on belief, power, and existential threat.
With an estimated budget of $45–$55 million, Bugonia is Lanthimos's most expensive film. It has grossed $39 million worldwide. Bugonia is currently available to watch or rent online on Digital platforms.
7. Tron: Ares
Set years after the events of the Tron franchise, where opposing computer companies are racing to introduce digital constructs into the real world, the tale centers on Ares (Jared Leto), a highly advanced digital program built by Julian Dillinger as a weaponized "perfect soldier." When Ares enters the real world, he begins to question his purpose and develops self-awareness, particularly after meeting Eve Kim (Greta Lee), the idealistic CEO of ENCOM, who seeks a legendary "permanence code" that could allow digital beings to remain outside the computer world permanently. What follows is a high-stakes confrontation involving corporate sabotage, light cycle chases, and philosophical debates over identity and freedom. The film combines beautiful visuals with AI-driven drama.
Tron: Ares is a box office flop, generating only $142 million worldwide against a budget of $180-220 million. It is currently available to watch or rent online on Digital platforms.
8. The Running Man
The film, directed by Edgar Wright and based on Stephen King's 1982 novel, is set in a near-future society dominated by a powerful media corporation. It follows Ben Richards (Glen Powell), a desperate man who joins the deadly reality TV show The Running Man to earn life-changing money and save his sick daughter. Contestants known as "Runners" must survive 30 days while being pursued across the country by professional killers and monitored by cameras for a bloodthirsty audience, all of which is aired live. As Richards navigates dangerous traps and public perception, he emerges as an unexpected fan favorite and a threat to the corrupt system that fuels the show.
The Running Man received mixed reviews and has grossed $69 million worldwide against a budget of $110 million. It is currently available to watch or rent online on Digital platforms.
9. Predator: Badlands
The film, directed by Dan Trachtenberg, revolves around Dek, a young and physically inferior Yautja (Predator) who has been expelled from his clan and is sent to the inhospitable alien planet Genna to show his worth by hunting an ultimate foe. In this terrible world, Dek forms an unexpected alliance with Thia, a broken android from the Weyland Yutani Corporation, and they must work together to survive dangerous creatures and lethal terrain in order to achieve their mission. Unlike earlier chapters that focused on humans, this film examines Predator society, honor, and survival from the alien's perspective, merging tremendous action with emotional beats and the unexpected friendship between Dek and Thia.
Predator: Badlands is still playing in theaters in a few places. The film received positive reviews from critics and has grossed $183 million worldwide on a budget of $105 million.
10. The Gorge
Miles Teller and Anya Taylor-Joy play two elite snipers stationed on opposite sides of a mysterious, fog-filled chasm as part of a top-secret mission to keep whatever lurks inside from escaping. Initially barred from communicating with each other, the secluded couple develops a bond over time, transforming a lonely, high-stakes task into an unexpected romance. As bizarre threats arise from the gorge's depths, including hideous animals and secret hazards, Levi and Drasa must band together to discover the truth about their mission and survive the deadly forces within. The film combines suspense, action, and horror to explore trust, connection, and survival under harsh conditions.
The Gorge is currently streaming on Apple TV+.
11. Xeno
Renee, a fearless adolescent girl, discovers a mysterious alien crash-landed in the desert near her home. The story combines spectacular action and profound passion. Despite the creature's frightening appearance and hazardous skills, Renee develops a surprising kinship with it and soon finds herself on the run as government agents close in, bent on apprehending the extraterrestrial. Renee discovers the alien's actual nature and a secret that could have far-reaching ramifications for both worlds as they flee capture. The film delves into themes of empathy, the nature of good and evil, and the strength of unusual friendships, making it a unique blend of suspense, adventure, and emotional storytelling. It is currently available to watch or rent online on Digital platforms.
12. Companion
The film, directed by Drew Hancock, follows Josh (Jack Quaid) and his friends on a weekend getaway to a remote lake house, where chilling occurrences revolve around Iris (Sophie Thatcher), a humanoid robot built for idealized companionship. Initially appearing to be Josh's ideal mate, Iris's programming begins to break, revealing levels of sentience and autonomy that disrupt the group's interactions and transform their escape into a horrific struggle for survival. The film addresses themes of autonomy, toxic relationships, and the ethical risks of commodifying artificial intelligence as Iris grows self-awareness and resists imposed authority.
The film received positive reviews from critics and grossed $36.7 million on a budget of $10 million. It is currently available to stream on various platforms worldwide.