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We all have our go-to comfort movies, those films we revisit to relive simpler moments or boost our spirits when we’re feeling low. However, the movies on this list are quite the opposite. They often fall into the categories of horror, violence, or bleakness. Nonetheless, they possess an undeniable rewatchability factor, either because they are exceptionally entertaining or because their intricate plots warrant multiple viewings. Some of us, who may be considered unconventional, sometimes seek out movies that bring us down rather than uplift us, and the horror genre, blended with science fiction, is a perfect fit for these preferences. What sets these 10 films apart is their seamless combination of horror and sci-fi, creating a unique atmosphere that’s not easy to achieve, but they manage it effortlessly.
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The 10 Most Rewatchable Sci-Fi Horror Movies of All Time
Resident Evil (2002)
The Resident Evil film series, which began in 2002 under the direction of the talented Paul W.S. Anderson, a master of B cinema in a complimentary sense, alongside his longtime collaborator and spouse Milla Jovovich, has faced unjust criticism over the years. Loosely inspired by the video games of the same name, the movie follows a special military team sent to investigate a mysteriously quiet underground lab. As expected in a video game adaptation, the reason behind the silence involves zombies, and the team must battle their way through hordes of the undead and a malevolent supercomputer bent on their demise in order to escape.
What sets this film apart and makes it enjoyable for multiple viewings is its quintessential Paul W.S. Anderson style, characterized by extreme violence and a certain campiness, all while retaining a genuinely eerie atmosphere. Much like Anderson’s earlier horror work in “Event Horizon,” Resident Evil creates a sense of claustrophobia that heightens the tension in every scene. Furthermore, the film maintains a brisk 100-minute runtime, never overstaying its welcome, and is filled with a constant energy that keeps viewers engaged from start to finish.
Nope (2022)
Similar to Jordan Peele’s previous films, Nope requires multiple viewings to fully grasp its underlying themes. After achieving great success with Get Out and Us, Peele was given creative freedom to craft a movie centered around two siblings inheriting a horse ranch following their father’s passing and their quest to document an alien presence haunting them. The film not only critiques Hollywood’s tendencies toward spectacle and exploitation but also serves as an exhilarating and genuinely terrifying horror spectacle.
Much like numerous movies released last year, Nope celebrates the art of filmmaking and pays homage to the significant contributions of Black individuals to the industry throughout history. Nope is an ambitious blockbuster that may not appeal to everyone, but it stands as a completely original work of art that challenges its audience, which is more than can be said for the majority of films.
I Am Legend (2007)
If you tuned in to TNT anytime after 2007, you likely came across this movie, often on repeat. Will Smith delivers a remarkable performance in this post-apocalyptic horror film. He portrays a scientist who unintentionally creates a virus while searching for a cure for cancer. This virus decimates most of humanity, leaving survivors transformed into nocturnal cannibalistic beings. Smith’s character, Robert Neville, becomes the last man on Earth, using radio broadcasts to seek other survivors while striving to reverse his catastrophic mistake.
Smith’s compelling performance carries the film, and it’s a noteworthy achievement since he carries most of the movie on his own. Despite its somber tone, the film remains enjoyable to rewatch thanks to Smith’s acting and its action-packed sequences that keep you on the edge of your seat. The film’s third act opts for a more action-oriented conclusion at the expense of a potentially more thought-provoking ending. Nonetheless, “I Am Legend” was a staple on TNT because it’s a mainstream sci-fi horror movie that offers perfect rewatch value.
Annihilation (2018)
Annihilation, directed by Alex Garland, is a uniquely eerie and captivating horror masterpiece that demands multiple viewings due to its ambitious and complex nature. The film doesn’t spoon-feed its audience and doesn’t explain the scientific concepts it references. Natalie Portman plays a cellular biologist leading an all-female military team into “The Shimmer,” a mysterious dome-like force field expanding in the aftermath of a meteor impact on the Florida coast.
Inside the Shimmer, they encounter bizarre cellular mutations, resulting in nightmarish creatures and even changes in themselves. Garland’s approach to sci-fi is bold, refusing to provide easy answers but instead immersing viewers in a visceral and perplexing journey. The film’s stunning cinematography by Rob Hardy and its haunting score by Geoff Barrow and Ben Salisbury make it a daring work of art, uninterested in catering to mainstream tastes.
Re-Animator (1985)
Re-Animator, a classic ’80s horror film directed by the talented Steve Gordon, is a gleefully over-the-top showcase of practical effects. Jeffery Combs plays Herbert West, an ambitious medical student obsessed with finding a way to conquer death. Together with his roommate, another medical student, West begins experimenting on corpses in the morgue. Initially successful, their experiments soon lead to reanimated corpses turning into formidable monsters. When West’s envious professor, Dr. Hill, tries to halt the experiments, West resorts to decapitating him with a shovel, leaving Hill as a vengeful disembodied head for the remainder of the film.
Jeffery Combs delivers an incredibly energetic performance as the unhinged scientist Herbert West, perfectly matching the film’s blend of humor and violence. Re-Animator is filled with impressive practical effects, with the standout being the seamlessly integrated disembodied head of Dr. Hill. Adapted from an H.P. Lovecraft short story, Re-Animator’s 84-minute runtime, tongue-in-cheek humor, and remarkable special effects make it a movie that can be enjoyed repeatedly.
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Cloverfield (2008)
Cloverfield is arguably the best found footage film since The Blair Witch Project in 1999, along with Chronicle, making them the top three in this genre. It was directed by the talented Matt Reeves and written by the legendary Drew Goddard. The movie’s story revolves around a group of friends trying to locate one of their own after New York City is attacked by a massive creature. What sets it apart is its realistic portrayal of how both the general population and the military would react to such an event, adding to its terror.
The creature’s design is unique and unlike anything seen before or since in cinema. It possesses an uncanny ability to be wherever the characters are, which keeps the movie intensely suspenseful throughout. One of Cloverfield’s strengths is its high rewatchability, thanks to its brisk 85-minute runtime, packed with scares, and a relentless pace that never lets up for a single one of those 85 minutes.
The Cabin in the Woods (2011)
Wes Craven’s 1996 film “Scream” was the last major success in deconstructing horror tropes until Drew Goddard’s cleverly titled “The Cabin in the Woods.” Starring actors like Chris Hemsworth, Kristen Connelly, Anna Hutchison, Fran Kranz, and Jesse Williams, the movie features five college friends, each embodying typical horror movie character archetypes: “the promiscuous one, the jock, the bookish one, the goofy one, and the innocent virgin.” They embark on a vacation to a remote cabin owned by one of their cousins.
However, their getaway takes a terrifying turn when they are relentlessly attacked and killed by an array of monsters and killers. Soon, they uncover the shocking truth that their entire experience is being manipulated by technicians operating from an underground facility. This film, written as both a love letter to the horror genre and a critique of its conventions, masterfully blends humor into the narrative. Richard Jenkins and Bradley Whitford deliver hilarious performances as the two technicians orchestrating the chaos.
“The Cabin in the Woods” is exceptionally violent and ranks as one of the funniest films of the past 15 years. It stands alongside “Scream” as a noteworthy example of deconstructing horror tropes and is a movie that can be enjoyed through multiple viewings.
Godzilla (1954)
Ishirô Honda’s classic masterpiece is a poignant example of meta-cinema. Featuring Takashi Shimura in the role of a paleontologist tasked with investigating colossal radioactive footprints, which ultimately belong to the iconic Godzilla – a gigantic dinosaur wreaking havoc in Tokyo. It stands as an exceptional post-war commentary cleverly disguised within a monster movie, delving into Japan’s wartime devastation at the hands of the United States during World War II. Godzilla symbolizes the result of underwater hydrogen bomb testing, radiating and mutating an ancient sea creature.
Japan struggles vehemently to contain this terrifying creature, employing various methods, and although they eventually discover a way to defeat Godzilla, the aftermath still leaves widespread destruction. While the film serves as a solemn reflection on the post-nuclear bomb era’s anxieties, it remains an enjoyable monster movie that had a profound impact on the world of cinema. Godzilla remains an impressive and captivating monster film, offering an exhilarating experience for viewers, despite its underlying themes being rather melancholic.
Alien (1979)
In the same year as the release of “Moonraker,” another distinct type of science fiction horror film emerged in the form of “Alien.” Unlike “Moonraker,” which had mixed reviews and somewhat faded over time, “Alien” has stood the test of time. Directed by Ridley Scott, with a story credit from Dan O’Bannon and Ronald Shusett, the movie revolves around the crew of the Nostromo, a space tug, who stumble upon an abandoned spacecraft after receiving a distress signal. As they investigate further, they realize that the signal was, in fact, a warning, and the spaceship is not as empty as they initially believed.
Featuring exceptional performances from a remarkable cast, including the talented Sigourney Weaver and the late, great character actor Yaphet Kotto, along with the terrifying design of the Xenomorph by H.R. Giger, “Alien” is now recognized as one of the most influential films in cinematic history. It distinguishes itself from other movies of its time with its well-paced storytelling and incredibly suspenseful cinematography. Every rewatch only enhances the appreciation for this iconic science fiction thriller.
The Thing (1982)
This iconic achievement in practical effects, helmed by the renowned director John Carpenter, known for classics like Halloween and Escape from New York, stands as Carpenter’s greatest work. The Thing unfolds in the Antarctic, where Kurt Russell leads a team of researchers stumbling upon a malevolent, shape-shifting extraterrestrial entity capable of mimicking anyone, systematically eliminating the crew. The exceptional practical effects, masterfully crafted by the 22-year-old Rob Bottin, are a highlight. Bottin’s concept of the alien’s ability to mimic various life forms from across the galaxy allowed for incredibly inventive creature designs.
Beyond its visceral and gruesome aspects, The Thing also incorporates psychological tension as the characters grapple with the uncertainty of who among them is the alien. Interestingly, when it was released, critics dismissed the film as dull and unimpressive, demonstrating the fallibility of critics. However, over time, horror enthusiasts have come to appreciate it as the masterpiece it truly is. The Thing is a brilliantly cynical science fiction horror film that has yet to be surpassed in its genre and warrants repeated viewings.
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