10 great science fiction movies set in historical eras

summary

• Historical science fiction films can offer surprising developments and overturn assumptions about bygone eras.
• Science fiction films set in an era of rapid technological development often produce iconic stories.
• Historical science fiction films can blend modern concepts with any period of history to create unique and imaginative stories.

While most science fiction movies are set in alternate realities or the distant future, few are inspired by historical periods. No matter how fantastical or bizarre, good science fiction should reflect something about the society in which it was created. This is why science fiction movies often use distant planets as allegories or warnings of future times. It’s very rare for science fiction movies to be set in the past, but these alternate history films are full of surprises that challenge people’s assumptions and expectations about a bygone era.

Historical science fiction films have drawn inspiration from prehistoric times to the 20th century. Some of these films use his science fiction concepts from the time, giving them a retro-futuristic appeal that is even more rooted in that era. Science fiction is often a reaction to rapid technological developments, so periods in human history that have been full of big new inventions have typically produced more iconic science fiction stories. The Industrial Revolution and the Space Race are both fun eras to revisit, but historical science fiction can play with the past by transplanting modern concepts into any period of history.

Ten 65 (2023)

Prehistoric adventure with spaceships and laser guns

Adam Driver plays Captain Mills, an astronaut who crash lands on an alien planet with no survivors other than a girl who doesn’t speak English. As Mills explores his new environment, it becomes clear that he is on his 65 million year old Earth. 65 There are plenty of terrifying dinosaurs for Mills and Core to battle, but it turns out that’s just the beginning of their troubles, as an asteroid begins plummeting towards Earth. 65 A fun sci-fi adventure that combines alien horror with prehistoric times To add a new twist to the astronaut survival movie.

9 Prey (2022)

The Predator series dates back to the 18th century

largely Predator The movie is set in modern times, but prey The setting dates back to 1719 on the American Great Plains. The settings vary widely, but prey takes the franchise back to its horror roots while adding plenty of fresh ideas. Naru is a fascinating hero, and her story, long before she first met the Predator, is interesting. Her Comanche upbringing is important to the plot, but future installments in the series could be anywhere between her 1719 and her 1980s. Prey 2 There are even more exciting possibilities.

8 Poor Things (2023)

Destroying the Frankenstein myth while retaining its Victorian setting

There are some steampunk visuals to sell Poor Things’ retro-futuristic feel, but these fade into the background as Bella grows up and learns more about the world around her.

Set primarily in a fantastical version of Victorian-era London, poor thing It is based on the story of Frankenstein. Vera Baxter is brought back to life with a child’s brain and lives with her creator, along with various other strange biological experiments. There are some steampunk visuals to sell the retro-futuristic vibe. Poor thing, However, these fade into the background as Bella grows up and learns more about the world around her. poor thing was nominated for 11 Academy Awards, with particular praise for Emma Stone’s performance as Bella and Yorgos Lanthimos’s disturbing visual style.

7 The Prestige (2006)

Christopher Nolan captures the magical feeling of scientific progress

Christopher Nolan’s film set in the 1890s prestige The film tells the story of two rival magicians who try desperately to outdo each other. Although it is basically a psychological drama, prestige‘s twist ending incorporates elements of science fiction. David Bowie’s standout supporting role as Nikola Tesla helps ground the film in its period context and also helps illustrate the film’s overarching theme of the blurred line between science and magic. ing. In the late 19th century, advances in technology led to a boom in his science fiction writing, and the future seemed to be approaching faster than ever before.

6 Apollo 10 1/2: Space Age Childhood (2022)

Another history of the Apollo program depicted in gorgeous visuals

Based in part on director Richard Linklater’s childhood recollections, Apollo 10 1/2 The film tells the story of a young boy who takes part in a top-secret mission to become the first man to land on the moon, before Apollo 11. It’s a nostalgic exploration of childhood imagination, using Linklater’s signature rotoscoped animation to imitate the adventure comics of the time. Although it is heavily implied that all spacefaring adventures are nothing more than fantasies; Apollo 10 1/2 It still beautifully captures the sights of the moon mission. The protagonist’s youthful curiosity is contagious against the backdrop of the vast universe.

Five Cowboys & Aliens (2011)

A sci-fi adventure with a western heart

As the title says, cowboy and alien is a unique genre that is a mashup of science fiction and classic westerns. It has many of the hallmarks of a classic western, such as a grizzled old sheriff and a predatory outlaw struggling to find his place in a small town, but also features strange lights in the sky and technological advances. Sometimes superweapons are used. . Most of the time, Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford provide simple thrills; cowboy and alien The surprising ending proves that Jon Favreau’s bold experiment is more than just a bizarre premise.

Four The Shape of Water (2017)

Guillermo del Toro injects sci-fi elements into a strangely relatable tale of love overcoming adversity

The Shape of Water uses the conventions of creature characterization to tell an intimate love story set against a backdrop of Cold War paranoia.

Guillermo del Toro’s Oscar-winning masterpiece follows a mute janitor at a top-secret government laboratory who develops an unusual interest in an amphibious creature being examined by scientists. This is the story. This is a gorgeous period drama, with uplifting music and great visual design, with the creature’s appearance looking very incongruous with its surroundings. water shape Set against a backdrop of Cold War paranoia, it uses the conventions of creature characterization to tell an intimate love story. The combination of so many different styles makes this a completely original and deeply moving film.

3 Captain America/The First Avenger (2011)

Marvel’s oldest Avengers begin in World War II

at the end of Captain America: The First Avenger, Steve Rogers wakes up in modern-day New York City, but most of the action takes place back in World War II. the first avenger It’s the perfect way to introduce one of the MCU’s most popular characters, as Rogers jumps into action shortly after becoming America’s first super soldier. There are many exciting action scenes, especially on the battlefield. the first avenger‘s introduction of Red Skull mixes a down-to-earth action thriller with just the right amount of MCU sci-fi flavor.

2 Wonder Woman (2017)

Diana Prince’s origins can be traced back to World War I

Captain America: The First Avenger This isn’t the only mainstream superhero movie set in a historical era. Marvel and DC both prefer to set their films in the present for crossover and continuity purposes, but this film, which marks Gal Gadot’s first solo appearance as Wonder Woman, takes the character’s roots back to the First World. It dates back to the Great War. wonder woman 1984 Despite being a relative disappointment, the prequel still holds up thanks to its exciting action and engaging hero’s journey. With Gadot unlikely to return, the DCU needs a new Wonder Woman to move on from James Gunn.

1 The Iron Giant (1999)

A tender portrait of an unlikely friendship with a Cold War government official.

before supervising Mr.incredibles and Ratatouille Brad Bird adapted Ted Hughes’ popular children’s novel for Pixar. Set in the Cold War era, iron giant is a heartwarming story about a boy who finds a giant alien robot in the woods, befriends it, and helps protect it from the government. The beautiful art style is perfect for a movie that turns giant killing machines into kind, innocent friends. Through the eyes of an alien robot, iron giant It explores the depth of human emotion, but is also full of charming humor.