Mind-Bending Sci-Fi Movies: All Based on Classics

A list of mind-bending science fiction movies adapted from short stories: Total Recall, They Live, Arrival, The Fly, and Predestination. Plot and cast details for every film…

There is nothing quite like spending a Friday night at home watching a sci-fi movie that takes your brain on a rollercoaster ride. However, no matter how accurate streaming platform algorithms claim to be, getting lost in uninteresting options is often inevitable. We have compiled a list of cleverly crafted and mind-bending films that connect with the classics of science fiction literature.

In this list, you will find doors opening to many different worlds, from journeys to Mars to time travel, from first contact with aliens to terrifying scientific experiments.

Moreover, all of these films are adapted from short stories by famous authors. So, after watching the movie, you can go back to the source material and compare which one challenged your brain more. Get your popcorn ready, wrap yourself in your blanket, and check out this sci-fi selection that will push the boundaries of your mind.

Total Recall (1990) — An Adventure at the Limits of Memory

Philip K. Dick’s works are among the cornerstones of science fiction. While this list could have been filled entirely with his stories, we settled on one of the most beloved: Total Recall. Inspired by the 1966 short story “We Can Remember It for You Wholesale,” this 1990 film offers a striking depiction of the future set in 2084.

Douglas Quaid, played by Arnold Schwarzenegger, is an ordinary man who dreams of visiting Mars, which has become a colony. Instead of a real trip, he goes to the Rekall company, which implants memories. However, things get complicated during the procedure, and Quaid begins to lose himself in the thin line between reality and fake memories.

Directed by Paul Verhoeven, the film holds a strong 81% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Total Recall is currently available to stream on Paramount+ and Philo.

They Live (1988) — A Slap in the Face to the System

If you are looking for a dark sci-fi film that mocks the social order, They Live is just for you. Adapted from Ray Nelson’s 1963 short story “Eight O’Clock in the Morning,” the film possesses a powerful political subtext.

The main character, Nada (Roddy Piper), begins to see the true face of society thanks to a pair of sunglasses he finds. When he puts on the glasses, it is revealed that the elite class is actually a secret alien society manipulating humanity. Directed by John Carpenter, the film also features one of the most unforgettable lines in cinema history.

It holds an 87% score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Arrival (2016) — The Power of Communication with the Unknown

Adapted from Ted Chiang’s story “Story of Your Life,” Arrival strikingly deals with how major the consequences of communication errors can be. The story begins with the landing of massive spaceships on Earth.

Linguist Louise Banks (Amy Adams) joins a research team formed to communicate with these mysterious beings. As the world stands on the brink of war, Banks is drawn into a reality that will turn her perception of time and language upside down. Directed by Denis Villeneuve, this masterpiece was nominated for several awards, including Best Picture at the Oscars, and has a 94% score on Rotten Tomatoes.

The Fly (1986) — When Science Meets a Nightmare

David Cronenberg’s cult classic The Fly is adapted from George Langelaan’s 1957 short story and owes much of its chilling atmosphere to its practical effects.

Scientist Seth Brundle (Jeff Goldblum) decides to test the teleportation device he developed on himself. However, a fly that secretly enters the cabin merges with his cellular structure, and Brundle begins to undergo a terrifying transformation over time.

Standing out with its Oscar-winning makeup effects, the film is available to watch on Hulu.

Predestination (2014) — The Most Complex of Time Loops

Time travel stories can be confusing, but Robert Heinlein’s 1959 story “All You Zombies” raises the bar in this regard. Adapted from the same story, Predestination offers a plot that literally ties the viewer’s mind in knots.

A temporal agent, played by Ethan Hawke, is tasked with preventing an attack that will take place in New York in 1975. However, as the mission progresses, it turns out that events are much more complex than they appear.

The film has an 84% score on Rotten Tomatoes.

You Might Also Like;

• We Selected 10 Series Similar to Stranger Things for Those Who Love It
• Where and How is Silver Used in Electric Vehicles?
• Hyundai Unveils Its Multi-Purpose Wheeled Robot