In the streaming wars, it's hard to find a service that's still reliable in regard to genre films. Excessive original content and franchises have rendered the biggest names generic when viewers try to find something of value, and some of them aren't that extensive in content. However, after HBO Max evolved to Max, what we discovered was a plethora of incredible films from across the world in a plethora of genres, including science fiction.

That's why we went through the Max catalog and picked some of the best science fiction movies you can stream today. It's one of the most popular genres out there but, ironically, the catalogs are constantly fed with fantasy and horror as cousins of science fiction. Even so, we were able to find great sci-fi gems for you to watch.

29 Reminiscence (2021)

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One of 2021's unfortunately underrated films, Reminiscence hit Max and theaters to some pretty disappointing numbers. Given the methodical pacing, the relative dearth of action, and the upwards of $68 million budget, its failure isn't so surprising. Directed and written by Lisa Joy and starring Hugh Jackman, Reminiscence sees a man given access to a futuristic machine that can view people's memories. Desperate to reconnect with a missing woman, he utilizes the machine to stitch together her potential fate.

Underappreciated During Its Release

Thankfully, Reminiscence found an audience over time, and while it may not fully please science fiction aficionados, they'll get much out of its attention to detail. Not to mention, for the romantics out there, it's a stone-cold winner (if not also a heartbreaking one). Having previously co-created the incredible HBO series Westworld, Joy's style can be found throughout Reminiscence's brisk pacing and impressive performances, with Jackman standing out against co-stars like Rebecca Ferguson and Cliff Curtis.

28 Ghidorah, The Three-Headed Monster (1964)

The Godzilla franchise is storied, legendary, and unfairly called cheesy. Are there elements of cheese? Certainly, whether it's in the plot lines, the dialogue, or the oft-criticized poor dubbing. But, to call them cheesy is to, one, miss the appeal and, two, not give them enough credit. For instance, the fifth film, Ghidorah, The Three-Headed Monster, has a fair claim to being the best sequel to Gojira save for Mothra vs. Godzilla. In this film, a woman from Venus descends to Earth to warn of the pending arrival of Ghidorah, the eponymous three-headed dragon monster, to Earth. Godzilla, along with the ginormous Rodan and Mothra, are the only things preventing the total destruction of Earth.

One of the Best Kaiju Fights in Godzilla's History

Is the plot about a memory-wiped woman thinking she's a princess from another planet? Yes. But is it really about betrayal, true altruism, greed, and a cover-up? Also yes. Not to mention, the third act has one of the best kaiju fights in the history of the franchise (and Ghidorah's mountain-set introduction scene is terrific). Despite a rushed production schedule, the lofty battles on display here as well as the iconic arrival of Ghidorah to the Godzilla canon make for one of the most beloved Godzilla films yet.

27 Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)

The franchise has been around for decades but Dawn of the Planet of the Apes continued ushering in the modern take on the classic story. Now with some amazing effects and a fresh cast driving it, the film followed up the first film from the new era of the beloved universe. This one takes place 10 years after the apes' rise. The world has been left devastated after a pandemic known as the Simian Flu wiped out most of humanity. The apes, led by Caesar, have now established a colony in the Muir Woods of San Francisco. Their existence and that of the remaining humans are left in a tentative balance where any spark could start a war between the two species at any time.

An Impressive Sequel

Along with featuring a returning Andy Serkis, who originally stole the show with his performance as Caesar in Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes expands the lofty premise established by the end of the first film while amplifying its technical prowess and impressive effects. It remains the highest-grossing entry in its surrounding franchise, and it would even secure an Academy Award nomination for Best Visual Effects.

26 Spaceballs (1987)

Those who love science fiction films owe it to themselves to see Spaceballs. Originally released in 1987, this classic Mel Brooks comedy primarily parodies the first trilogy of Star Wars films, though it incorporates references to just about every other big science fiction franchise under the sun. The film sees Lone Starr (Bill Pullman) and his sidekick, Barf (John Candy), tasked with rescuing Princess Vespa (Daphne Zuniga) from the nefarious Spaceballs.

A Perfect Parody

Not a big Star Wars fan? No problem! Spaceballs, like all great parody films, works just as well in a vacuum. The film is home to some of Mel Brooks' most popular jokes, and there's a general sense of absurdity throughout that you can't help but enjoy. With characters like "Pizza the Hutt" and "Dark Helmet," you're bound to have a fantastic time. It's also worth pointing out that Lucas' Industrial Light & Magic even handled the post-production for the film, for that extra authentic touch.

25 The Blob (1958)

Are you wondering what The Blob is about? The title is a subtle hint. Released in 1958 and starring Steve McQueen in his first leading film role, The Blob is a surprisingly inventive science fiction film from the late 1950s. McQueen, along with Aneta Corsaut (Matlock), plays a pair of teenagers living the dream in a picturesque Pennsylvania town. However, when a monstrous blob-like alien crash lands on Earth, their lives quickly turn into a nightmare as the creature wreaks havoc, growing in size with each and everything it consumes.

A Cheesy B-Movie Classic

While the 1988 remake of The Blob would really ratchet up the grotesqueness of our gelatinous villain, the original is no slouch in comparison. Its inventive practical effects to showcase the growing scale of the blob, particularly with the use of miniatures, are surprisingly effective for the time. The film's success and popularity would even lead to the creation of "Blobfest," which is held annually in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. The Blob's influence can even be felt in a number of horror films that were released after it originally debuted, especially in the beloved horror-comedy Killer Klowns from Outer Space.

24 Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984)

While Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind isn't technically a Studio Ghibli film, it may as well be. Nausicaä, based on director Hayao Miyazaki's own manga series of the same name, was originally released in 1984. Set in a future post-apocalypse, the film sees our titular teenage girl caught in the middle of a power struggle, with the Valley of the Wind kingdom now surrounded by a vast jungle littered with monstrous insects. To preserve the lives of those in the Valley, and of nature itself, Nausicaä will have to rise to the challenge to prevent another disastrous cataclysm.

An Anti-War Story by Hayao Miyazaki

An anti-war story at its core, Nausicaä is also one of the few times Miyazaki would venture into science fiction territory instead of traditional fantasy. Combine that with psychedelic artwork and a focus on environmentalism, and you have a terrific animated masterpiece that will lay the foundation for more to come. Interestingly enough, it even shares some similarities to Frank Herbert's Dune, making it a perfect film to watch after you check out Dune: Part Two.

23 Frequently Asked Questions About Time Travel (2009)

An HBO and BBC co-production released in 2009, Frequently Asked Questions About Time Travel is an underrated sci-fi gem in Max's streaming library. Chris O'Dowd (The IT Crowd) and Dean Lennox Kelly (Shameless) star alongside Marc Wootton in a unique take on time travel. When our trio spends a regular evening in a typical British pub, someone arrives from the future to fix a "time leak." What follows is a mess of crossed timelines and jumbled realities as the three try to set things straight.

An Underrated Time Travel Film

Time travel is always a tricky thing to get right. Thankfully, Frequently Asked Questions About Time Travel keeps its internal logic consistent. It's a film that really uses its premise to its fullest potential, all while injecting a familiar sense of snappy pacing and memorable quotes. Being a comedy film as well, you can also expect oodles of jokes in between the jumps in time.

22 A Trip to the Moon (1902)

A Trip to the Moon is one of the earliest examples of science fiction films. Released more than 120 years ago, this brilliant short film directed by Georges Méliès follows a group of astronomers who undergo a dangerous journey. Their curiosity takes them to the moon, where they'll undergo a brief adventure filled with strange creatures, fantastical set designs, and early examples of cinematic trickery.

A Must-See Science Fiction Classic

A Trip to the Moon is a landmark entry in film's brief history. Aside from being an early example of fantastical science fiction, its usage of theatrical set designs, paintings, and lavish costumes racked up an incredible production budget for the time. It's a fantastic encapsulation of Méliès' innovative editing and cinematography techniques as well. If you're at all interested in the history of film, A Trip to the Moon is an essential pick in Max's science fiction library.

21 Godzilla (1954)