With this month boasting Dune: Part Two, which is one of the biggest sci-fi films in some time, we figured what better time to go over some of our other sci-fi favourites? So, the Bitesize crew has once again put their brains together to compile Bitesize Breakdown's consensus Top Five Sci-Fi Adaptations. For this list, we are only focusing on films or series adapted from novels, comics, video games, etc. Not remakes from earlier versions of the film.
Each writer ranks his or her top 15 releases in the category. Those lists are then weighted on a reverse point system. After all the points are tallied up, the entries with the most total points make up the Bitesize Top Five.
5. THE THING (1982)
The Thing (1982) isn’t just an amazing sci-fi adaptation, it’s one of the greatest films ever made. Director John Carpenter has had plenty of hits, but his take on John W. Campbell Jr.’s (pen name Don A. Stuart) novella “Who Goes There?” is my personal favourite. This chilling cosmic horror is a masterclass in suspense, blending a meticulously paced narrative with some of the most impressive practical effects of all time. As an incomprehensible amalgamation of human bodies, raw flesh, and otherworldly tendrils, the titular “Thing” possibly is the most horrific alien ever put to screen. Its iconic ability to mimic human beings results in a nail-biter of a film where you can never be too sure of who to trust. With an amazing script, jaw-dropping visuals, and an awesome performance from Kurt Russell, The Thing certainly deserves its spot on our list. - Caleb
4. CHILDREN OF MEN
Children of Men is the kind of sci-fi thriller that one yearns for. Before he was ever an Oscar winner, director Alfonso Cuarón crafted this film with such an incredible nuance that it seeps into every frame of this, at times, painful-to-watch dystopian flick. Its action is quite incredible,
thankfully, but where Children of Men shines is in its admittedly dense but truly breathtaking storytelling, whose grim nature makes way for something poignant. The final 30 or so minutes of this film are more than enough to earn a slot on this list, but the entire film is a remarkable accomplishment in its own right. - Adriano
3. 2001: A SPACE ODDESSY
This list wouldn’t be complete without Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey. Adapted from the 1948 short story "The Sentinel" by Arthur C. Clark, this 1968 film and its corresponding novel counterpart were written concurrently. The film’s astonishing screenplay, written by Kubrick and Clark, and its breathtaking visuals make this epic truly one of a kind and, honestly, probably the greatest sci-fi film to ever grace the silver screen, especially considering it continues to influence countless sci-fi stories to this day. The fact that this masterpiece manages to address several extremely thought-provoking subjects, including existentialism, human evolution, technology, artificial intelligence (I'm talking about you, HAL), and the potential for extraterrestrial life, is truly mind blowing. - Paige
2. ARRIVAL
Based on Ted Chiang's novella “Story of Your Life,” Denis Villeneuve's Academy Award-winning sci-fi drama Arrival is both my favourite film of his and one of my top sci-fi films of all time. It's thoughtful and restrained, with a poetic narrative and an emotional, character-driven story. Although it has plenty of spaceships, aliens, and angry American soldiers, it uses these elements to explore powerful themes of grief, memory, and language, as well as examining the enduring nature of love and human bonds. It also doesn’t over- or under-emphasise its complicated linguistic concepts, keeping them accessible and making them genuinely interesting, which could only be achieved with Amy Adams’ incredible and deeply affecting performance. Plus, with exceptional visuals and a stunning score, Arrival has it all. - Katie
1. JURASSIC PARK
Whether you consider it sci-fi, horror, thriller, or action-adventure, Jurassic Park remains one of the greatest movies of all time, full stop. In becoming the highest-grossing movie of all time upon release, as well as its universal acclaim, its blockbuster bonafides are beyond reproach. However, it’s the groundbreaking special effects that still hold up today that, in 2005, led Film Review magazine to name it one of the five most important movies since 1950. With a tremendous ensemble cast, a terrific story, pulse-pounding thrills, and iconic imagery galore, Jurassic Park, adapted from Michael Crichton’s novel of the same name, remains the pinnacle for all adaptations, sci-fi or otherwise. Its legacy has endured for more than 30 years despite five (and counting) mostly-not-great-but-often-terrible sequels. - Quentin
HONORABLE MENTIONS
THE MARTIAN
DUNE (2021)
DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES
TOTAL RECALL (1990)
MINORITY REPORT
Photo Credits: Photo 1, 2, 5 - Universal Pictures; Photo 3 - MGM Studios; Photo 4 - Paramount Pictures