The Best Outer Space Movies of the 1990s, Ranked (2024)

Films that take place in or center around outer space have a special place in the hearts of the viewing public. From classics like 2001: A Space Odyssey to modern favorites like Gravity, The Martian, or Interstellar, we just can't get enough of travels and travails through the cosmos. At the very least, it's a fertile setting for all manner of science fiction and fantasy media, and we have not exhausted its many possibilities. The 1990s were a particularly solid decade for films set in outer space, and today we want to look at seven of the best examples. From hard sci-fi to fantastical cosmic epics, here are the best space movies of the '90s, ranked.

7 Armageddon (1998)

Before Armageddon, Michael Bay had helmed Bad Boys and The Rock. These were flashy action blockbusters, to be sure, but they lacked the absurd scale that Bay would later be known for. The conceptually-ridiculous Armageddon was his first truly grand picture. Its far-fetched narrative has a group of astronauts training to drill a hole into an approaching asteroid. Because said asteroid is guaranteed to wipe out all life on Earth, the stakes are high as can be. Whether we can buy into the asteroid-drilling plan to save the world, this film is undeniably impressive. It also drew audiences to theaters in droves, establishing Bay as a premiere box-office draw.

6 Event Horizon (1997)

In some respects, Event Horizon was a failed project. It had a troubled production history, and struggled to win acclaim, either from audiences or critics. But it's also one of the few films to probe the terrifying aspects of outer space, and to bring cosmic horror to the world of sci-fi cinema. Though we may never see Event Horizon's lost footage or alternate endings - which would have made the movie far more grotesque and nihilistic - it remains as a curious vision of the cosmos as a kind of Lovecraftian hell (see more on the deleted footage from Den of Geek). We only wish more films like this one existed, as the cosmic horror genre has much untapped potential.

Related: The Best Outer Space Movies of The 2000s, Ranked

5 Apollo 13 (1995)

With a cast featuring Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, Bill Paxton, and Ed Harris, Apollo 13 just screams '90s. But this movie has more than star power going for it. It's a tightly directed, tense drama based on the true story of the failed (though thankfully not fatal) Apollo 13 moon mission. The film was nominated for a whole slew of awards, including Best Picture at the 1995 Academy Awards, and it won for Best Editing and Best Sound. Today, its special effects work (computer-generated and practical) holds up admirably, making this classic example of space cinema well worth your time.

4 Total Recall (1990)

Paul Verhoeven ushered in1990's sci-fi with Total Recall, an Arnold Schwarzenegger-led classic based on a short story by Phillip K. Dick. Its story takes us from humdrum Earth to a colonized Mars. Though we don't spend a lot of time in outer space, it's the backdrop to the film's campy internecine conflicts. Schwarzenegger plays construction worker Douglas Quaid (who is really a secret agent with repressed memories), and his characteristically powerful onscreen presence anchors the film. Verhoeven reminds us that space cinema need not be grounded in real science to capture the attention of audiences.

Related: These Are the Best Arnold Schwarzenegger Movies, Ranked

Considered to be one of the best sci-fi movies of the 1990s, Robert Zemeckis' Contact chronicles humanity's first contact (as the title gives away) with extraterrestrial life. Rather than play it like a straightforward science fiction story, the film deals with religious and existential themes, reminding us how dramatic the consequences would be if alien life were really discovered. Jodie Foster gives a standout performance as Dr. Eleanor (Ellie) Ann Arroway, a scientist who is chosen to conduct the first meeting with the extraterrestrial being. Today, the film remains a favorite of those who appreciate thoughtful sci-fi cinema.

2 Starship Troopers (1997)

Starship Troopers has become a cult classic for good reason: it's an adaptation of Robert Heinlein's classic sci-fi novel, a rollicking satire of militarism and its consequences, full to bursting with iconic lines and sequences. You won't find a funnier piece of space media in the '90s or elsewhere. It may not have been particularly well-received at the time of its release, but its reputation has grown over the years as viewers come to understand its ironical charm (via The Atlantic). The gory man vs. bug combat makes for another highlight, and will help fans of the action genre feel right at home.

1 The Fifth Element (1997)

1997 was some year for science fiction movies. Of the four films on this list from that year, The Fifth Element is our favorite, and a strong choice for the best outer space film of the decade. It brings together all the best elements of '90s sci-fi: wacky costuming, brilliant flashes of comedy, high-stakes cosmic conflicts, and star power of the highest order. Here, we see Bruce Willis, Milla Jovovich, Gary Oldman, and Chris Tucker embroiled in a chaotic romp through space and time. Not only is it our pick for the best outer space movie of the 1990s, it's also one of the best sci-fi films of the past 25 years.