Rentals
Sci-Fi - Days of Fear and Wonder
Take a trip around the blazing worlds of sci-fi as we undock a blockbuster celebration of this most spectacular of movie genres.
Cinema’s science fiction visions have transfixed and transported audiences for as long as the trickery of our camera and screen technologies have enabled filmmakers with scientific imaginations to inspire fear and wonder. These films often plunge us into the unknown, into scientific and philosophical mysteries, and often far into the future. BFI Player's collection expands into the outer limits of Sci-Fi's spectacular and speculative highlights, presenting a comprehensive selection of British science fiction and further dystopian delights from beyond our shores. And proving that this galaxy-sized genre can’t just be confined to the big screen.
The MatrixThe Matrix
Science Fiction1999136 minsDirector: Larry Wachowski
Hacker Neo (Keanu Reeves) is drawn into a burgeoning underground rebellion against the machines that enslave humanity, in the hugely influential action sci-fi.
Memory: The Origins of AlienMemory: The Origins of Alien
Documentary201993 minsDirector: Alexandre O. Philippe
The untold origin story behind Ridley Scott’s Alien, one of Hollywood’s most beloved and iconic shockers.
ArrivalArrival
Science Fiction2016116 minsDirector: Denis Villeneuve
Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner star as the humans who make first contact with extra-terrestrial visitors in this richly textured sci-fi from director Denis Villeneuve.
VivariumVivarium
Science Fiction201998 minsDirector: Lorcan Finnegan
Imogen Poots and Jesse Eisenberg play a pair of first-time buyers who get more than they bargained for in this twisted fable about the horrors of suburban living.
AlphavilleAlphaville
Detective drama196599 minsDirector: Jean-Luc Godard
Jean-Luc Godard’s venture into sci-fi pits secret agent Lemmy Caution (Eddie Constantine) on a mission to destroy the malevolent supercomputer, Alpha 60.
Under the SkinUnder the Skin
Horror2013108 minsDirector: Jonathan Glazer
An alien Scarlett Johansson prowls the streets of Glasgow in Jonathan Glazer’s astonishing, mind-bending mixture of existential sci-fi and inner-city realism.
DuneDune
Science Fiction1984131 minsDirector: David Lynch
David Lynch brings Frank Herbert’s powerful novel and rich fantasy world to life in this cinematic spectacle.
Back to the FutureBack to the Future
Crime1985116 minsDirector: Robert Zemeckis
The beloved 1980s classic transports Marty McFly back to the 1950s, where he has to ensure his parents fall in love and get himself back to the future.
Dr. Who and the DaleksDr. Who and the Daleks
Science Fiction196583 minsDirector: Gordon Flemyng
Peter Cushing fires up the Tardis for the Doctor’s big-screen debut, as he and his companions travel to a devastated planet ruled by the Daleks.
Silent RunningSilent Running
Science Fiction197289 minsDirector: Douglas Trumbull
Douglas Trumbull’s ecological sci-fi, eulogised by Mark Kermode as the best science fiction film ever made.
High LifeHigh Life
Science Fiction2018113 minsDirector: Claire Denis
The messiness of sex, the mysteries of birth and the moving spectacle of devoted parenting in the face of impending oblivion create a potent atmosphere in Claire Denis’ English-language debut.
The EndlessThe Endless
Horror2017112 minsDirector: Aaron Moorhead
Two brothers who escaped a cult are drawn back in by a mysterious message… Acclaimed directors Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead (Spring) return with another hybrid piece of raging intensity.
SnowpiercerSnowpiercer
Science Fiction2013126 minsDirector: Bong Joon-ho
After a global catastrophe launches the world into a new ice age, the last of humanity are trapped on a high-speed train that circles the globe infinitely.
The UntamedThe Untamed
Horror201698 minsDirector: Amat Escalante
Amat Escalante follows Heli with a boundary-pushing, mind-blowing mix of sex, sci-fi and social drama.
2001: A Space Odyssey2001: A Space Odyssey
Science Fiction1968149 minsDirector: Stanley Kubrick
Stanley Kubrick took science fiction cinema in a grandly intelligent new direction with this epic story of man’s quest for knowledge.
VideodromeVideodrome
Fantasy198387 minsDirector: David Cronenberg
James Woods and Debbie Harry star in David Cronenberg’s mind-melting sci-fi about media domination.
Elstree 1976Elstree 1976
Documentary2015101 minsDirector: Jon Spira
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, ten actors landed small roles in a mysterious project called Star Wars. This is the story of how their lives changed forever.
Explore further
Contact!
The infinitely vast reaches of outer space evoke fear and wonder in equally boundless measure. It's not just boldly going - these are films which play on our fears of invasion, extinction and annihilation!
Tomorrow's World
From the seemingly far-flung dystopias where ultraviolent gangs roam post-apocalyptic wastelands, to more immediately recognisable futures in which our megacities grow out of control.
Altered States
Mad scientists, mutants, man-machines and mind-bending trips - these films connect with our human biology and chemistry.
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