There are countless sequels to sci-fi films, but several are far better off never getting one!
It’s no secret that when a sci-fi film becomes a hit, there will be sequels. Heck, even some movies that are not that successful can spawn franchises such as Tremors. True, too many great movies get terrible sequels, and trying to make them into franchises backfires (see M3GAN 2.0).
Which is why some sci-fi movies are truly better only being one film. Many work as a single tale that doesn’t need a sequel at all and stretching out the story makes little sense. Others may have endings open for a sequel when they just work so well that a follow-up takes away what made them special.
These are 15 sci-fi movies that never really needed a sequel and fans should be grateful they stand on their own as classics.
WALL-E
Pixar seems to be on a kick making sequels to their biggest hits. Thankfully, it doesn’t sound like they have plans for a follow-up to their 2008 Oscar-winning smash. And that’s fine because this film remains a marvel to the point it’s the one Disney animated film to get a Criterion Collection set. The tale of a robot hauling garbage on a long-deserted Earth who falls in love with a probe droid captivated audiences with its beautiful storytelling.
The film remains one of Pixar’s outstanding efforts as it tackles bigger themes, including how humanity can ruin itself, yet still has the potential to thrive. The ending does leave things a bit open for more adventures on a new world, but hopefully Pixar ignores the sequel trend as WALL-E is far better as a one-off than starting another Pixar franchise.
The Martian
A movie based on “hard science” is hard to pull off. Thankfully, the 2015 adaptation of Andy Weir’s acclaimed novel nailed it. It helped that it was directed by Ridley Scott, a man who knows all about sci-fi spectacle and loves pushing the realism of his projects. Matt Damon was well cast as the astronaut left stranded on Mars with the dual storylines of a race to rescue him and his trying to survive on his own.
The movie excellently showed Damon’s struggles, addressing how he grows food, makes water, finds shelter and more while also delving into a believable rescue operation. It’s helped by the stellar cast, including Jessica Chastain and Scott’s excellent direction, which made for a fine stand-alone adventure that doesn’t require a second visit to the Red Planet to be an underrated gem.
Gravity
In 2013, this movie was a stunner in IMAX. It was a visual spectacular while also carrying a superb performance by Sandra Bullock as an astronaut stuck trying to survive after an accident kills the rest of her crew. It was amazing to see her journey and Alfonso Cuarón deserved the Oscar for his direction. It was a remarkable tale of hope and survival that became a huge hit.
Thankfully, studios aren’t concerned with continuing it. It wouldn’t make sense for Bullock’s character to go back into space after such a horrific ordeal. There’s also how it’s impossible to capture that same sense of wonder, fear, excitement, and wow factor twice. Gravity rises above the mold for being a more original tale for survival that didn’t require a follow-up.
Ex Machina
Alicia Vikander may have won the Oscar in 2016 for The Danish Girl, but many would agree that she truly deserved it for her breakout turn in Ex Machina. Alex Garland was ahead of the curve with this film, exploring the consequences of artificial intelligence, as a tech billionaire invites a programmer to his home and shows off his android (Vikander).
It is a captivating performance, with Vikander utterly believable as this robot slowly learning how to emulate humanity and the question of how real she is. The ending is pretty open to a follow-up with Ava now in the world and Vikander could likely be better in the role. Yet it’s not required, and the ambiguity of the ending is unsettling enough to think on rather than turn this into another M3GAN 2.0 that misses what made the first film work so well.
Event Horizon
A movie unfairly ignored in its release in 1997, Paul W.S. Anderson’s sci-fi horror tale is far better appreciated today. It’s a gripping tale as what looks like the cliché story of a crew investigating a derelict ship takes a dark turn. Rather than aliens, the crew is confronted by nightmares and forces that may well be from Hell itself.
Even if the studio forced Anderson to butcher the film in editing, it’s still a gripping experience, backed by a great cast of Sam Neill, Laurence Fishburne, Jason Isaacs and more. It’s truly terrifying, and maybe in a way it’s good it wasn’t a box office success to warrant a sequel. That would only water down the impact of a film that’s underrated as one of the best sci-fi/horror tales ever.
The Fifth Element
Luc Besson has repeatedly said he has no intention of following up his 1997 sci-fi hit. That’s a good call, as The Fifth Element remains one of the more unique genre films of its time. It made Milla Jovovich a star, gave Bruce Willis one of his more underrated roles, and Gary Oldman is a blast as the villain. It borrows from other sci-fi films while retaining its own separate identity.
The story is also self-contained, and while the ending may seem rushed, it’s still a definite end to the tale. Going for Sixth, Seventh, Eighth etc Elements was never Besson’s plan and we should be happy for it. It’s being its own distinctive film that’s helped this ride retain its following over the decades.
Total Recall
The ending is the reason why a sequel to Total Recall should never happen. Paul Verhoeven’s 1990 smash is a wild action piece with Arnold Schwarzenegger as a construction worker whose “dream vacation” turns into a nightmare of facing deadly agents on Mars. The movie’s insane action is mixed with a strong story that blurs reality and fantasy.
That ending has long been debated, with Quaid openly asking if all of this has been a dream. A sequel answering the question for sure would rob the film of that impact and weaken it a bit too much. It’s also difficult to see it happening after so long, or after the poor 2012 remake. It’s best just to recall this movie as a stand-alone adventure rather than answer its ending.
District 9
The film that put Neill Blomkamp on the map was one of the best of the “found footage” type movies filling theaters in the late 2000s. The film’s bold plot takes it for granted that everyone knows that in 1982, a massive alien starship appeared in South Africa. A crew follows a bureaucrat as he looks into the alien residents, only to run into a crazy complication.
The movie nails a documentary approach with the camera angles and Sharlto Copley turned in a star-making performance as the lead. The movie’s turns fit a self-contained story with an emotional ending. While there is potential in exploring the world with aliens in it, a “District 10” or more isn’t required as this film stands nicely on its own.
12 Monkeys
Only the twisted mind of Terry Gilliam could pull off this 1995 thriller. It has a now-familiar plot as Bruce Willis is a convict in a future where a plague killed off most of humanity. He’s sent back in time to find its origins, soon meeting Brad Pitt’s crazed inmate and Madeleine Stowe’s psychiatrist in a tale that keeps viewers guessing to reality all the while.
The film expertly plays on fate and destiny, with the ending showing how all of this was meant to happen. It concludes in a surprisingly open ending that could offer sequel potential, and there was a TV show using the same concept. Gilliam has made it clear he just wanted this film, and no one else could possibly match his vision, so it’s best the Monkeys never rode again.
Galaxy Quest
It’s easy to see why Galaxy Quest could inspire a sequel. The 1999 film was both a parody and a love letter to sci-fi fandoms as aliens mistake an old sci-fi show as “historical documents” and kidnap the actors to fight a real interstellar war. The film skewered sci-fi conventions while being its own great adventure, with the success down to the stellar cast.
A sequel could work in a way by mocking how sci-fi franchises wring things dry. At the same time, being a “one and done” is a reason Galaxy Quest still works, and trying to copy that wouldn’t be as effective (especially given Alan Rickman is no longer with us). It’s best to let this stand on its own as a wonderful celebration of the sci-fi genre rather than mar it with follow-ups that don’t have the same magic.
Time After Time
This 1979 cult film has a fabulous hook. H.G. Wells (Malcolm McDowell) actually invented a time machine only to have it stolen by Jack the Ripper (David Warner). McDowell chases him to 1979 San Francisco for some comedy of him out of place, yet thrills trying to stop Jack from claiming a new victim.
There’s wonderful commentary on society (Jack’s classic line, “In our time I was a freak but here I’m an amateur”) and the two actors click wonderfully along with Mary Steenburgen as Wells’ love interest. The movie had a perfect ending that didn’t require it turning into Wells on time travel adventures. There was a short-lived ABC TV version, yet thankfully one Time was enough for this favorite.
War of the Worlds
There have been several versions of HG Wells’ iconic novel that began the entire “Earth invaded by murderous aliens” genre. The most famous are the 1953 George Pal adaptation and Steven Spielberg’s 2005 update. Those hold best to the tale of the Martians attacking Earth with impressive special effects, selling the terror of an invasion.
The point of the story is how all of mankind’s technology is helpless against the aliens, only for them to be taken out by Earth’s viruses. It’s a wonderful low-tech feel, and the ending of Earth trying to rebuild shows humanity’s resilience. Neither film needed the follow-up, as repeating this War wouldn’t have the same impact.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
The other epic sci-fi classic of 1977 established Steven Spielberg as a Hollywood super talent. The movie resonates for many reasons, from John Williams’ score to Richard Dreyfuss' performance as the harried man who’s changed by an alien encounter. The film builds on its suspense and mystery before that finale involving the mothership.
Thankfully, Spielberg has resisted efforts to follow it up with a “Fourth Kind” sequel. Indeed, he later expressed some regret at an extended cut showing the interior of the alien ship, as he felt the mystery behind them was better. He was right on that as a follow-up detailing their world and culture robs Close Encounters of some mystique, as keeping the aliens at more arm’s length was key to this becoming such a landmark film.
The Day the Earth Stood Still
When it comes to pioneers in science fiction, you can’t top The Day the Earth Stood Still. Robert Wise’s landmark 1951 film is still revered for its storytelling and the powerful message of compassion and understanding. It introduced scores of tropes we now take for granted, along with “Klaatu barada nikto” becoming part of the lexicon.
The film tells a well-woven story of alien Klaatu learning more about humanity and sacrificing himself as an example to humanity on how they can improve themselves. The ending could hint at a sequel, yet it’s much better just to imagine the impact of this visit. There was the poor 2008 remake, which only proves why this film is better as its own fine tale.
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial
It is a bit bizarre that was for a long time the highest-grossing movie ever never got a sequel. Supposedly, ideas were tossed around for one, but it never happened, and that’s for the best. Instead, Steven Spielberg’s 1982 sensation remains an all-time classic that retains its magic because the story is so self-contained.
While it’s tempting to see E.T. 's home world and if he returns to Earth, having the story close off with him going home fits better. We don’t need to see Elliot’s life afterward or Earth’s reaction to aliens. The fact there’s never been a sequel just adds to why this movie remains so beloved after so many decades.