While some science fiction films can ground themselves in reality or focus heavily on the specifics of the fantastical elements found within them, many of the most well-received sci-fi films opt to simply use their genre to tell a larger story about politics, society, or philosophy. Sci-fi films are often the best way to view a very real reflection of the real world framed in over-the-top settings full of other-worldly characters.

By removing the importance of real-world science and disregarding a reason to explore it, directors can tell sci-fi stories that keep the focus on the ongoing narrative itself. That said, many of these films still manage to speak directly to the human condition. Oftentimes, it's the larger-than-life scope of sci-fi films that helps make it easier for audiences to relate to the aspects that are more recognizable to them. This may be why so many movie-goers connect to sci-fi stories on a personal level and keep films like those listed below in the spotlight long after their release dates.

10 Snowpiercer Offers a Harrowing Look At Society

• IMDb rating: 7.1/10

Director Bong Joon Ho delivered quite an exciting sci-fi thriller with Snowpiercer. Snowpiercer takes place on the titular train, which is believed to be the final bastion for humanity following the introduction of a new ice age 17 years prior. On Snowpiercer, residents are broken up via a brutal class system that is only made worse by the conditions of the train.

The film was a surprise critical hit and has gone on to be considered among the best sci-fi outings. Chris Evans stars as Curtis, the man who leads a revolution in the search for equality. The popularity of Snowpiercer led to it receiving a TV series adaptation starring Jennifer Connelly and Daveed Diggs which has run for three seasons, with a fourth and final season set to air in 2025.

9 Starship Troopers Is Satirical Sci-Fi At Its Best

• IMDb rating: 7.3/10

Starship Troopers was able to take many tropes of the sci-fi genre and create an extremely witty satire about the state of capitalism and its effects on society. Political discourse is not a new element to the science fiction genre, but the comedic, over-the-top approach that Starship Troopers takes to it makes the film all the more memorable.

This film goes to show that sci-fi can be used to relay its themes in unlimited ways -- even by presenting its primary characters as propaganda-fueled zealots looking to exterminate a race of alien bugs for no other reason than expansion. While it may seem like a silly B-movie action sci-fi on its surface, Starship Troopers really does have an extremely poignant message at its core.

8 Dawn of the Planet of the Apes Offers A Gloomy Look At Human Nature

• IMDb rating: 7.6/10

Following the impressive Rise of the Planet of the Apes could not have been an easy task -- but Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and director Matt Reeves proved to rise to the occasion and surpass its predecessor. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes -- and the entire Planet of the Apes franchise in general -- is a fascinating exploration of how an oppressed population will inevitably rise against their oppressors when given the opportunity.

The reasons behind genetically altered apes are hardly the most important elements found within this particular Planet of the Apes film -- instead, it's an incredibly well-executed story revolving around humanity's inability to easily accept change and its issues with adapting when necessary.

7 The Fifth Element Is Pure Sci-Fi Fun

• IMDb rating: 7.6/10

The Fifth Element may not be the first film that springs to mind when one thinks of science fiction -- but it should be. Over the two-and-a-half decades since its release, the Luc Besson film starring Bruce Willis as a galactic cab driver has only grown in the hearts of sci-fi fans. Iconic characters Korben Dallas, Ruby Rhod, and, of course, Leeloo help keep this film on everybody's radar.

Gary Oldman's menacing Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg is as memorable as his name and rounds out what is a top-notch cast. While sci-fi oftentimes delves into deep themes and precise messages, The Fifth Element side-steps these common aspects most of the time and instead offers one of the most purely fun experiences the genre has ever offered. No sequel for The Fifth Element got made -- but fans can rest happily knowing they can revisit this classic at any time.

6 Serenity Has Grown A Rabid Fanbase Over the Years

• IMDb rating: 7.8/10

While he had already made a name for himself with Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Serenity was the film that proved what Joss Whedon was capable of in the sci-fi/action genre. Whedon may have fallen out of favor with several movie-goers, but there's no disputing that he delivered one of the more memorable sci-fi films of the 2000s.

Partially retelling the story of Firefly while also managing to wrap it up, Serenity was a love letter to fans of Whedon's short-lived but immensely popular sci-fi TV series. For many people, Serenity is still the first movie that comes to mind when Nathan Fillion is brought up in discussion, and for good reason -- his turn as Malcolm Reynolds has become iconic in the years since the film's release. Serenity also helped make actors like Morena Baccarin and Alan Tudyk recognizable names.

5 Star Trek (2009) Reinvigorated the Franchise

• IMDb rating: 7.9/10

While most Star Trek films can be placed on this list, 2009's iteration helped act as a gateway for new fans to discover the series. Chris Pine put in a great performance as the iconic James Kirk -- which was no small feat after William Shatner made the character iconic for years.

While 2009's Star Trek does inject a dose of action into the film -- which is fairly uncommon for Star Trek, generally speaking -- the film still manages to more-or-less deliver the thematic material fans were hoping for. Star Trek was followed by two sequels, Star Trek Into Darkness and Star Trek Beyond -- the latter even recapturing the classic vibe of the series to some extent.

4 Blade Runner May Feature Harrison Ford's Greatest Performance

• IMDb rating: 8.1/10

Harrison Ford may be best known in the sci-fi realm as scoundrel pilot Han Solo from the Star Wars series, but many fans of the genre will die on the hill that his best performance comes with Rick Deckard in Blade Runner. Although the movie was a box office miss, it has found a huge following in the years since then.

Telling the classic tale of a retired Blade Runner -- someone tasked with tracking and executing bioengineered humanoids known as replicants -- Blade Runner is widely regarded as one of the very best the genre has to offer. It's made all the more memorable due to the ambiguous ending that somehow managed to remain ambiguous even after the release of Blade Runner 2049, which saw Ford return as Deckard to team up with Ryan Gosling's Officer K.

3 Terminator 2: Judgment Day Reinvented the Series

• IMDb rating: 8.6/10

One of the very best examples of the time-traveling mechanic is found in Terminator 2: Judgment Day and it even manages to outdo even the original Terminator movie. Arguably the most recognizable and quotable character from Arnold Schwazannagger's career, the image of the Terminator has become forever ingrained in the minds of those who were lucky enough to have grown up in the 1980s and 1990s.

While The Terminator started the franchise, Terminator 2's reinvention of the character led to four additional films, multiple video games, and even comic books. While the following Terminator sequels have failed to live up to either original film, Terminator continues to be a pop culture icon due to this film.

2 The Empire Strikes Back Remains An Iconic Star Wars Film

• IMDb rating: 8.7/10

Star Wars has gone from one of the most beloved sci-fi fantasy franchises to one of the most divisive -- but that shouldn't take anything away from the original trilogy of films. Long-regarded the best Star Wars film still to this day, The Empire Strikes Back features all the hallmarks of the series.

Luke, Han, Leia, and Chewbacca return as Darth Vader and his Empire's grip tightens on the Rebel forces. This film marks the first canonical appearances of some of Star Wars' most iconic characters, like Yoda and Lando Calrissian, as well as some of its most memorable locations, like Dagobah and Cloud City. Featuring one of the most legendary scenes in the history of cinema, The Empire Strikes Back remains a relevant film even with the modern Star Wars media receiving a lukewarm reception.

1 Dune: Part Two Awed Audiences

• IMDb rating: 8.8/10

Finally, the newest film on this list has proven to be one of the most popular that the soft sci-fi genre has to offer. Dune: Part Two finishes the first story of Frank Herbert's Dune and does so with impeccable style. It perfectly picked up where Dune: Part One left off and gave audiences a true sci-fi spectacle.

A lot of that is due to Denis Villeneuve and the great performances from lead cast members Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya. Dune: Part Two has made waves both critically and financially, with Villeneuve even suggesting the possibility of Dune 3 taking shape. If that indeed is the case, fans of soft sci-fi have quite a bit to look forward to in the coming years.