7 Must-Watch Sci-Fi Movies on Peacock Right Now (July 2025)

Directed by Steven Spielberg and based on the Michael Crichton novel of the same name, the original Jurassic Park unfolds on the isolated Isla Nublar, where eccentric billionaire John Hammond (Richard Attenborough) has created a dinosaur theme park. Chaos ensues when the park’s security systems fail, leading to a thrilling struggle for survival against the prehistoric creatures that have been resurrected.

The visuals hold up surprisingly well by today’s standards, which just goes to show that the filmmakers knew how to tell a good sci-fi story by combining practical effects and CGI. The ensemble cast — Sam Neill as Dr. Alan Grant, Laura Dern as Dr. Ellie Sattler, Jeff Goldblum as the charismatic Dr. Ian Malcolm and Samuel L. Jackson as Ray Arnold — does a great job selling the awe-inspiring phenomenon of seeing dinosaurs alive. Its exploration of human folly and the unpredictable power of nature is just as relevant now as ever before.

Given that this 1995 movie was kind of a flop, it’s surprising that the amusement park stunt show is still standing. But the film has developed something of a cult following, eventually recouping its massive budget through home video sales. And the story is interesting enough to earn that following — it takes place in the year 2500, where the melting of the icecaps has left all of society living on floating atolls with the concept of “Dryland” reduced to a myth. Jeanne Tripplehorn plays Helen, a strong-willed atoll resident who leaves her home with young Enola (Tina Majorino), a girl whose mysterious tattoo holds the secrets to locating Dryland. 

Pursued by the evil Deacon (Dennis Hopper), Helen and Enola team up with a mutant aquatic man called The Mariner (Kevin Costner) to try to find safety. The film is noted for its impressive practical effects and extensive use of elaborate sets. Its exploration of themes such as survival, environmentalism and humanity’s resilience is likely to resonate with audiences who appreciate narratives that delve into the implications of ecological disasters.

H.G. Wells‘ iconic 1898 novel is brought to life in a modernized retelling starring Tom Cruise. Cruise plays Ray Ferrier, a dockworker and estranged father who must protect his children — played by Dakota Fanning and Justin Chatwin — as Earth faces an apocalyptic alien invasion. This survival story centers around Ray’s frantic journey to keep his family safe amidst widespread chaos and societal collapse.

War of the Worlds features an engrossing blend of high-quality special effects, compelling narrative and masterful direction by Steven Spielberg. The score by John Williams also heightens the emotional intensity and suspense of this thrilling story. As extraterrestrial tripods emerge from beneath the Earth’s surface, devastating everything in their path, can Ray guide his children to safety amidst escalating chaos and destruction?

This sci-fi thriller directed by Neil Burger revolves around Eddie Morra, played by Bradley Cooper, a struggling writer who discovers a mysterious nootropic drug called NZT-48.  This drug allows him to utilize his brain’s full potential, transforming him into a perfect version of himself with heightened intelligence and enhanced cognitive abilities. But as his life keeps getting better, he draws more attention from dangerous people — including powerful businessman Carl Van Loon (Robert De Niro). He soon becomes embroiled in dangerous situations — and finds himself falling victim to the drug’s sinister side effects.

Limitless is an intriguing exploration of human potential and the implications of artificial enhancements. It begs the question — if you could meet 100 percent of your full potential, would that really change your life for the better?

This sci-fi thriller stars directors Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead, an indie filmmaking team you might know from their work on Daredevil: Born Again and Loki. They play brothers Justin and Aaron, escapees from a mysterious cult. Years later, they receive a cryptic video message that motivates them to return. In revisiting the isolated California camp, they reawaken old fears and discover the surreal and seemingly inexplicable occurrences tied to the cult’s belief in supernatural phenomena. The film ingeniously merges horror with science fiction, keeping the audience on edge through its exploration of time loops and existential dread.

Despite its low budget, The Endless is visually engaging and cleverly integrates sci-fi concepts. It’s a fresh take on the genre that’s become a modern cult classic of indie sci-fi.

An indirect sequel that shares continuity with The Endless, this film stars Anthony Mackie and Jamie Dornan as two paramedics in New Orleans who encounter a series of bizarre and gruesome accidents linked by a mysterious new drug, Synchronic, which blurs lines between reality and illusion. As Mackie’s character, Steve, begins to investigate the drug, he discovers it allows users to travel through time, posing dangerous and unexpected consequences.

Synchronic mixes horror with sci-fi while still feeling grounded and philosophical. The movie offers a refreshing narrative that stands out in the genre, appealing to audiences who enjoy cinema that challenges their perceptions and evokes deep reflections on temporal realities. The film also effectively uses its New Orleans setting to give the story context in American history.

Little sci-fi fans (and their parents) will find aliens and gadgets galore in this DreamWorks movie, which hilariously parodies both superhero and science fiction tropes. The story follows Megamind (Will Ferrell), an alien with an enormous brain and a knack for villainous schemes. He finally achieves ultimate victory over his longtime foe, the beloved superhero Metro Man (Brad Pitt), only to realize that without a hero to fight, his life is devoid of purpose. In a bid to redefine himself and fill the void, Megamind accidentally creates a new hero, Titan (Jonah Hill), who turns out to be even more villainous than he ever was.

With the help of Minion (a talking fish-creature in a jar voiced by David Cross) and tenacious reporter Roxanne “Roxie” Ritchi (Tina Fey), Megamind uses his technological brilliance to become the hero he may — or may not — have been born to be.

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