10 Classic Sci-Fi Movies That Can’t Actually Be Rebooted

Sci-fi movies are known for their unique premises and innovative plots, making many of the classic films impossible to recreate. Rebooting older movies and franchises for modern audiences has been a fun way to revisit projects that might have been forgotten about and revitalize the fanbase. However, there are many reasons why some sci-fi movies shouldn’t be remade. Whether this is because the original product is practically perfect or because the topics the story explores are no longer as poignant, watching the original version will always beat any remakes that come along.

A filmmaker must have a reason to reboot a classic movie and have a revolutionary new angle that would change the meaning of the story for it to be worth it.

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Some sci-fi movie reboots and sequels brought dead franchises back to life, but there are plenty of works from many decades ago that are just as popular, if not more. Copying the first iteration will only result in a weaker take on the initial narrative. Taking on a remake is a challenging job. To recreate something iconic and frequently referenced in its genre is even more daunting. A filmmaker must have a reason to reboot a classic movie and have a revolutionary new angle that would change the meaning of the story for it to be worth it.

10 Back To The Future (1985)

Directed by Robert Zemeckis

Back to the Future 6

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Marty McFly, a 17-year-old high school student, is accidentally sent 30 years into the past in a time-traveling DeLorean invented by his close friend, the maverick scientist Doc Brown. In 1955, he meets his parents when they were his age, and must step in to make sure they wind up together before he gets back to 1985.

Director Robert Zemeckis Release Date July 3, 1985 Studio(s) Universal Pictures Writers Robert Zemeckis , Bob Gale Cast Claudia Wells , Christopher Lloyd , James Tolkan , Thomas F. Wilson , Michael J. Fox , Wendie Jo Sperber , Crispin Glover , Marc McClure , Lea Thompson Runtime 116 minutes Expand

Recasting Marty McFly for a Back to the Future reboot is an almost impossible task, as Michael J. Fox is inextricably linked to the character. Fox and Christopher Lloyd make for a dynamic team with incredible chemistry that no two actors could recreate. Looking back on Back to the Future, it’s true that the premise is somewhat unconventional, but that’s what’s made it stand the test of time. If Back to the Future was made today, the characters would go back in time to the ’90s, and there are already plenty of movies set during this period.

The sequels are enough content within the
Back to the Future
universe and show that there’s no need to revisit the original story.

Though each film in the trilogy has something to offer and is a fun ride, the first installment is by far the best and captures something uniquely visionary in its production. The sequels are enough content within the Back to the Future universe and show that there’s no need to revisit the original story. While other movies from the ’80s have become dated with time, Back to the Future has remained popular and easy to watch with each passing decade.

Title	Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score	Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score
Back to the Future (1985)	93%	95%

9 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

Directed by Stanley Kubrick

2001: A Space Odyssey 4

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2001: A Space Odyssey is one of Stanley Kubrick’s most well-known films. A science-fiction epic, the film tells the story of the journey of Discovery One, a spacecraft operated by a group of scientists, astronauts, and a sentient computer, on a mission to Jupiter to investigate a mysterious monolith. Considered one of the greatest films ever made, Kubrick combines sparse dialogue with the heavy use of scoring and ambiguous imagery to create something that eschews conventional filmmaking. 

Director Stanley Kubrick Release Date April 3, 1968 Studio(s) Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Writers Stanley Kubrick , Arthur C. Clarke Cast Keir Dullea , Gary Lockwood , William Sylvester , Daniel Richter , Leonard Rossiter , Margaret Tyzack Runtime 149 minutes Expand

Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey is so influential that it was referenced in film as recently as 2023 by the Barbie movie. The style, visual language, and revolutionary story all contribute to the iconic nature of the movie, and it’s considered one of Kubrick’s best projects throughout his career. Today, topics about artificial intelligence are more popular than ever. However, Kubrick was well ahead of his time in telling a story about the dangers of relying too heavily on technology. Kubrick wrote the movie in collaboration with the famous sci-fi writer Arthur C. Clarke.

Clarke contributed heavily to the themes and tone of the project, but the technical aspects are just as impressive. Even though the film was released in 1968, the effects hold up against modern sci-fi films, and the use of music in the work was revolutionary for its time. If there is any director whose work should never be recreated by someone else, it’s Kubrick. His attention to detail and exacting eye results in a cohesive and unforgettable product that could never be remade.

Title	Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score	Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)	92%	89%

8 Close Encounters Of The Third Kind (1977)

Directed by Steven Spielberg

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Directed by Steven Spielberg, Close Encounters of The Third Kind follows Roy Neary, an electrical engineer whose encounter with a UFO completely transforms his life. Haunted by visions of the UFO and the strange images it showed him, Roy sets out to find the UFO again, which leads him to the Western United States along with others who have been experiencing the same visions. Richard Dreyfuss stars as Roy, with a further cast that includes Teri Garr, Melinda Dillon, François Truffaut, and Bob Balaban. 

Director Steven Spielberg Release Date November 18, 1977 Studio(s) Columbia Pictures Writers Steven Spielberg , Hal Barwood , Jerry Belson , John Hill , Matthew Robbins Cast Richard Dreyfuss , Francois Truffaut , Teri Garr , Melinda Dillon , Bob Balaban , J. Patrick McNamara Runtime 138 minutes Expand

Close Encounters of the Third Kind was an unexpected box-office smash that cemented Steven Spielberg not just as a director of blockbusters but as a visionary in the science fiction genre. Richard Dreyfuss plays Roy Neary alongside François Truffaut as Claude Lacombe. The iconic French filmmaker disappears into his role, lending depth and gravitas to Spielberg’s project. Though movies about aliens and otherworldly life had long been popular in cinema, Close Encounters was a new type of alien film that was in conversation with the dreams of regular individuals.

The film communicates that the world is bigger than humans will ever know, but this is something to be excited about.

Part of the reason Close Encounters of the Third Kind connected with audiences so deeply is that the aliens weren’t malevolent or explicitly dangerous. The film communicates that the world is bigger than humans will ever know, but this is something to be excited about. Roy is a normal man who becomes swept up in his obsession with the aliens, but it’s his dreams and passion that set him apart. There’s no reason to retread the story the film tells, as it’s so connected with the American ideologies of the 1970s.

Title	Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score	Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score
Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)	90%	85%

7 E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

Directed by Steven Spielberg

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial 3

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Steven Spielberg’s 1982 sci-fi classic E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial tells the story of Elliott Taylor (Henry Thomas), who befriends a small alien left stranded on Earth. When government forces come to take the benevolent creature away, Elliott does everything he can to protect his new friend, risking his own safety in the process in order to help E.T. return home.

Director Steven Spielberg Release Date June 11, 1982 Studio(s) Universal Pictures Writers Melissa Mathison Cast Drew Barrymore , Henry Thomas , Robert MacNaughton Runtime 1h 55m Expand

The director, Steven Spielberg, made many of the most iconic blockbusters of the 1980s and ’90s, and E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial holds a special place in the hearts of generations of audiences. Telling the timeless tale of a young boy who feels isolated and misunderstood, connecting with someone who touches his heart, the movie might be skewed toward younger viewers, but it’s impactful no matter what. While it’s true that practical effects and animatronics have come a long way since E.T. was released, seeing the iconic alien look different would be jarring.

Additionally, E.T. has become linked to the early ’80s and the period of filmmaking when coming-of-age narratives were taking off like never before. The E.T. movie sequel was canceled a long time ago, and this was likely a good thing, as the film’s story reached a natural conclusion, and revisiting the character would only shake the foundation of something that’s almost perfect. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial succeeds because it isn’t self-conscious or cynical and doesn’t try to be too self-referential, a modern technique that often undermines poignant emotional beats.

Title	Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score	Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)	99%	72%

6 Akira (1988)

Directed by Katsuhiro Otomo

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A secret military project endangers Neo-Tokyo when it turns a biker gang member into a rampaging psychic psychopath who can only be stopped by a teenager, his gang of biker friends and a group of psychics.

Director Katsuhiro Otomo Release Date July 16, 1988 Studio(s) Tokyo Movie Shinsha Co. Ltd Writers Katsuhiro Otomo , Izô Hashimoto Cast Mitsuo Iwata , Nozomu Sasaki , Mami Koyama , Taro Ishida , Tesshô Genda , Mizuho Suzuki , Tatsuhiko Nakamura , Fukue Itō , Kazuhiro Shindō Runtime 124 Minutes Expand

The cursed history of the Akira live-action remake (via Collider) has haunted the landmark work of sci-fi anime for years. However, there are many reasons why the live-action Akira should never happen, as adaptations of beloved anime almost always fall flat when they’re translated into a new visual medium. Almost everything about Akira hinges on the fact that it’s anime, as the medium has been instrumental in pushing forward cultural and visual languages like the cyberpunk genre.Akira has been enormously influential in the action and sci-fi genres, with live-action movies consistently referencing it.

As newer pieces of art will continue to be influenced by
Akira
‘s legacy, the original movie will never fade from the cultural memory.

When something is as iconic and frequently referenced as Akira, remaking it would only result in a poor reflection of the original. As time has passed, the movie has only become more synonymous with modern anime and animated sci-fi projects, and younger audiences have been just as interested in the older film, showing no indication that its popularity needs reviving. As newer pieces of art will continue to be influenced by Akira‘s legacy, the original movie will never fade from the cultural memory.

Title	Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score	Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score
Akira (1988)	91%	90%

Related 10 Best Science Fiction Anime of All Time, Ranked

The best science fiction anime feature towering mechs, frighteningly human androids, space exploration, and more.

5 The Brother From Another Planet (1984)

Directed by John Sayles

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The Brother from Another Planet is a science fiction film directed by John Sayles. Joe Morton stars as an escaped alien who looks like a Black human and navigates life in Harlem. The film explores themes of identity, displacement, and social issues, blending humor and drama as the protagonist adapts to his new environment while avoiding pursuit by extraterrestrial bounty hunters.

Director John Sayles Release Date September 7, 1984 Writers John Sayles Cast Joe Morton , Rosanna Carter , Ray Ramirez , Yves Rene , Peter Richardson , Ginny Yang , Daryl Edwards , Steve James Runtime 108 Minutes

The Brother From Another Planet features a landmark performance from Joe Morton as The Brother, as he’s completely mute and communicates his character’s feelings and reactions entirely through his body language. After crash landing in New York City from outer space, The Brother encounters all types of people in the city while evading two men who pursue him throughout the film. Though there are elements of comedy in the movie, there is a deeply sensitive and impactful message at the heart of the story that leaves viewers moved by the film’s conclusion.

Seeing the world through the eyes of The Brother is a beautiful experience, as the hate and prejudice of the Earth are all around, but so are kindness and empathy. The story reflects on the experiences of immigrants and the cultural diversity that New York is known to be a hub for. Over time, The Brother From Another Planet has come to be recognized for its contribution to cinema and is remarkably different from other sci-fi films. The low budget and intimate feel couldn’t be replicated, and there’s no reason for another actor to try to expand on Morton’s performance.

Title	Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score	Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score
The Brother From Another Planet (1984)	89%	75%

4 12 Monkeys (1995)

Directed by Terry Gilliam

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In 12 Monkeys, convict James Cole (Bruce Willis) travels back in time to learn the origin of a man-made virus that has unleashed worldwide chaos in the future. Terry Gilliam’s 1995 sci-fi movie, which boasts a cast that includes Brad Pitt, Christopher Plummer, Madeleine Stowe, and David Morse, is based on Chris Marker’s 1962 short film La Jetée and originated a 2013 TV series adaptation.

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Director Terry Gilliam Release Date January 5, 1996 Studio(s) Universal Pictures Writers Chris Marker , David Webb Peoples , Janet Peoples Cast Joseph Melito , Bruce Willis , Jon Seda , Michael Chance , Vernon Campbell , H. Michael Walls Runtime 129minutes Expand

Though the loose premise of the 1995 film 12 Monkeys was later adapted into a TV series, the two projects couldn’t be more different, and the film stands on its own. The director, Terry Gilliam, was known for comedic and mind-bending projects like Time Bandits and Brazil, making the dark and moody 12 Monkeys a departure for the filmmaker. However, he proved to be quite capable of handling such an intense story and making it so iconic that no other director could do it justice.

Though the characters try to change the past,
12 Monkeys
is about time’s cyclical nature and isn’t afraid to get serious.

Part of the appeal of 12 Monkeys is its true grittiness and unpolished nature. If it was made today, the product would be too sleek and detached from realism. While the story’s events seem impossible, what immerses the audience in the plot is how urgent and authentic each aspect of the narrative is. This makes the audience question the nature of reality alongside the protagonist, James (Bruce Willis). Though the characters try to change the past, 12 Monkeys is about time’s cyclical nature and isn’t afraid to get serious.

Title	Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score	Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score
12 Monkeys (1995)	88%	88%

3 Fantastic Planet (1973)

Directed by René Laloux

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Fantastic Planet is a 1973 animated science fiction film directed by René Laloux. The story is set on the planet Ygam, where human-like creatures called Oms are enslaved by giant blue alien beings known as Draags. The narrative focuses on the struggle for freedom and coexistence between these species. The film features surreal and visually distinct animation that explores themes of oppression and rebellion.

Director René Laloux Release Date May 11, 1973 Cast Cynthia Adler , Mark Gruner , Hal Smith , Barry Bostwick , olan soule , Janet Waldo Runtime 71 Minutes

It’s unlikely that any filmmaker would try to remake Fantastic Planet, as the French experimental animated film is in a league of its own. Though the plot is generalized and doesn’t make specific allusions to one particular facet of prejudice or injustice, it’s an overarching narrative that can be applied to the many rising social causes that were gaining popularity in the 1970s. Part of the impact of Fantastic Planet is that it was so ahead of its time, whereas, in the present day, there are many similar stories about aliens and humans coexisting in different ways.

Considered one of the greatest animated movies of all time, Fantastic Planet has been heavily influential in both sci-fi and animation. It was a long time before wide audiences started considering animation an adult medium, and the boundary-pushing nature of Fantastic Planet was a critical step in this journey. Combining elements of surrealism with relevant social issues made audiences take notice of Fantastic Planet at the time of its release. Though the animation style isn’t as technically innovative as modern capabilities, the story would be marred by more realistic visuals.

Title	Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score	Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score
Fantastic Planet (1973)	91%	87%

2 Escape From New York (1981)

Directed by John Carpenter

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John Carpenter takes on the role of writer, composer, and director in Escape from New York, a post-apocalyptic sci-fi film where a large portion of New York City is converted into the biggest prison in the world, with all criminals in the United States sentenced there. When the President is kidnapped and taken abruptly into the heart of the prison, the government will turn to former soldier turned convict Snake Plissken to rescue him within twenty-four hours in exchange for a full pardon of his crimes.

Director John Carpenter Release Date July 10, 1981 Studio(s) Embassy Pictures Writers Nick Castle , John Carpenter Cast Isaac Hayes , Donald Pleasance , Kurt Russell , Lee Van Cleef , Harry Dean Stanton , Adrienne Barbeau Runtime 99 minutes Franchise(s) Escape from New York Expand

Escape From New York has become one of the most iconic cult classic sci-fi movies of the 1980s, and it’s unlikely that any film could match its thrilling story and campy elements to create the tonal balance that the movie achieved. Written and directed by John Carpenter, Escape From New York is set in a dystopian future where Manhattan has been turned into an island prison. In a twist of fate, the President of the United States is accidentally dropped into the middle of the violently ravaged city.

The failure of its sequel,
Escape From L.A.
, at the box office proves that the first movie was enough.

Only Snake Plissken, played by a young Kurt Russell, can get him out in time for a peace summit. Escape From New York has some wild technology and unexpected plot twists, but every aspect of the film comes together for a thrill ride that generations of audiences have enjoyed. While there’s plenty of cynicism and disillusionment in Escape From New York, if it was made today, it’s likely that the themes would be even darker. The failure of its sequel, Escape From L.A., at the box office proves that the first movie was enough.

Title	Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score	Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score
Escape From New York (1981)	88%	77%

1 A Scanner Darkly (2006)

Directed by Richard Linklater

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A Scanner Darkly, directed by Richard Linklater, depicts a dystopian future plagued by drug addiction, where an undercover cop, played by Keanu Reeves, grapples with the effects of a powerful drug that alters his reality. The film uses rotoscope animation to capture its dreamlike narrative, featuring performances by Robert Downey Jr., Woody Harrelson, and Winona Ryder. It explores themes of identity, surveillance, and the psychological toll of substance abuse.

Director Richard Linklater Release Date July 28, 2006 Writers Philip K. Dick , Richard Linklater Cast Rory Cochrane , Robert Downey Jr. , Mitch Baker , Keanu Reeves , Sean Allen , Cliff Haby Runtime 100 minutes

Though A Scanner Darkly came out more recently than most classic works of sci-fi, it instantly became a classic because of its unique blend of live-action and animation. Based on the iconic novel of the same name by Philip K. Dick, A Scanner Darkly explores a near future in which humanity is deeply entrenched in a surveillance state. It’s a narrative that lends itself to the uncanny visuals of the project. While surveillance is still a relevant topic almost twenty years later, the style of A Scanner Darkly is tied to its era.

Led by an all-star cast including Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey Jr., Woody Harrelson, and Winona Ryder, A Scanner Darkly was a new challenge for Linklater. Up until this point, he had mostly worked in smaller, character-driven indie movies with relatively smaller budgets. Though A Scanner Darkly underperformed at the box office, the movie has a lot to offer today. Despite being set in the future and the novel being written in the past, the film is a time capsule of the early 2000s and the anxieties that were plaguing the public.

Title	Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score	Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score
A Scanner Darkly (2006)	68%	74%

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