Collider has published a list highlighting ten science-fiction films from the 21st century that its editors believe will go down as genre classics, standing alongside touchstones like Star Wars and 2001: A Space Odyssey. The piece argues that modern sci-fi has flourished thanks to auteur directors such as Denis Villeneuve and Jordan Peele, who have blended big commercial appeal with ambitious, original storytelling.

Films featured include Denis Villeneuve's Arrival (2016), praised for Amy Adams's performance as a linguist deciphering an alien language, and his Dune (2021), a faithful and visually grand adaptation of Frank Herbert's novel starring Timothée Chalamet. Also included is The Substance (2024), a body-horror film about Hollywood beauty standards that earned a rare Best Picture nomination for the genre. The list continues with further contemporary titles the article expects to endure as future classics.