Best-Reviewed Sci-Fi/Fantasy Movies 2019

Writer-director James Gray turned his contemplative eye to outer space for his latest film, Ad Astra, and earned top honors as the best-reviewed sci-fi/fantasy movie in 2019, even as films like Clair Denis’ contemplative space drama High Life and the charming, eccentric Portugese film Diamantino gave it a run for its money in a particularly existential year for the category. Meanwhile, we also got two exciting new takes on traditional superhero fare in Freaks and Fast Color, proving there’s more to the genre than capes and explosions.

The order of the rank below reflects the Adjusted Score as of December 31, 2019. Scores might change over time.

#1

Ad Astra (2019)
83%

#1

Adjusted Score: 104033%

Critics Consensus: Ad Astra takes a visually thrilling journey through the vast reaches of space while charting an ambitious course for the heart of the bond between parent and child.

Synopsis: Thirty years ago, Clifford McBride led a voyage into deep space, but the ship and crew were never heard from... [More]

Starring: Brad Pitt, Tommy Lee Jones, Ruth Negga, Donald Sutherland

Directed By: James Gray

#2

High Life (2018)
82%

#2

Adjusted Score: 94735%

Critics Consensus: High Life is as visually arresting as it is challenging, confounding, and ultimately rewarding - which is to say it's everything film fans expect from director Claire Denis.

Synopsis: Monte and his baby daughter are the last survivors of a damned and dangerous mission to the outer reaches of... [More]

Starring: Robert Pattinson, Juliette Binoche, André Benjamin, Mia Goth

Directed By: Claire Denis

#3

Freaks (2018)
88%

#3

Adjusted Score: 91909%

Critics Consensus: Stocked with solid performances, Freaks is a clever sci-fi/horror hybrid that suggests a bright future for co-writers/co-directors Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein.

Synopsis: Kept locked inside the house by her father, 7-year-old Chloe lives in fear and fascination of the outside world. It's... [More]

Starring: Emile Hirsch, Bruce Dern, Lexy Kolker, Amanda Crew

Directed By: Adam B. Stein, Zach Lipovsky

#4

Diamantino (2018)
87%

#4

Adjusted Score: 90150%

Critics Consensus: Diamantino casts a singularly surreal eye on an ambitious array of subjects, emerging with a cinematic experience as inscrutable as it is unforgettable.

Synopsis: When Portuguese soccer hunk Diamantino blows it in the World Cup finals, he goes from superstar to laughingstock overnight. His... [More]

Starring: Carloto Cotta, Cleo Tavares, Anabela Moreira, Margarida Moreira

Directed By: Gabriel Abrantes, Daniel Schmidt

#5

Fast Color (2018)
82%

#5

Adjusted Score: 86143%

Critics Consensus: A grounded superhero story with more on its mind than punching bad guys, Fast Color leaps over uneven execution with a singular Gugu Mbatha-Raw performance.

Synopsis: Hunted by mysterious forces, a young woman who has supernatural abilities must go on the run when her powers are... [More]

Starring: Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Lorraine Toussaint, Saniyya Sidney, David Strathairn

Directed By: Julia Hart