The 5 best sci fi movies to watch on Netflix, Prime, and Max this June

Polygon’s readers, the summer has officially arrived. In the coming months, the sun will be shining and there’ll be a slew of brand new, exciting movies to watch. If you’re someone that prefers the comfort and convenience of watching movies from home however, not to worry: that’s what we’re here for.

Every month we select five science-fiction movies that you can watch on Netflix, or any other streaming platform. The movies this month include films by such directors as James Cameron, Jordan Peele and other sci-fi masterpieces.

Let’s get into it.

Terminator 2: Judgment day

Image: Artisan Entertainment

Year: 1991
Run time: 2h 33m
Director: James Cameron
Cast: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Robert Patrick

James Cameron’s follow-up to The TerminatorIt is more action-oriented that the sci-fi film with a horror twist. Skynet, 11 years after its first film, has sent a Terminator back in time to eliminate a Connor. It’s now a young John Connor, played by Edward Furlong. The Terminator (Robert Patrick) is a brand new shape-shifting model. For an additional twist on the original film’s premise, the T-800 that served as the antagonist in Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger), has now been sent back to protect the Connors from the threat.

CGI was used in a way that is revolutionary and still amazing today. T2It is a milestone in the world of digital-effects and big action films. Robert Patrick’s liquid metal Terminator involved one of the first recorded uses of motion capture for visual effects — and absolutely rocks. And with Arnold’s recent move to television with Fubar (and his new “role” as Netflix’s Chief Action Officer), what better time than now to catch up with one of his best movies? —Pete Volk

Terminator 2: Judgment dayNetflix allows you to watch it online. You can also rent it from Netflix. Amazon, Apple” Vudu.

Avatar : The Way of Water

20th Century Studios

Year: 2022
Run time: 3h 12m
Director: James Cameron
Cast: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver

Yes, back-to-back Cameron selections, but for good reason: 2022’s biggest box office hit is finally available to stream at home. Cameron’s long-awaited follow-up to his 2009 epic sci-fi film AvatarThis is an amazing feat of visual storytelling that tells a tale about adoptive families and their impact on the environment, colonialism in industrialized countries, and cultures clashing.

This film takes place 16 years after that of the previous one. Avatar : The Way of Water follows human-turned-Na’vi Jake Sully, his wife Neytiri, and their family as they are forced to flee their home in the wake of the human military’s return to Pandora to despoil the moon of its natural resources. Jake seeks refuge among the Metkayina tribe, but must battle a revived Avatar version of Quaritch in order to defend his family.

Its 3D graphics and stunning action sequences are matched by its moving characters and thoughtful writing. Avatar : The Way of WaterAll sci-fi movie fans should make a date to see this film. —Toussaint Egan

Avatar : The Way of WaterYou can stream the movie on Disney PlusThe following are some examples of how to get started: Max. Rent it on Amazon, Apple” Vudu.

District 9

Sony Pictures Releasing

Year: 2009
Run time: 1h 52m
Director: Neill Blomkamp
Cast: Sharlto Copley Jason Cope David James

The allegorical action sci-fi film is the best and most entertaining of Neill Blomkamp’s sci-fi films. He will be directing the upcoming movie, “The Revenant”. Gran Turismo movie. A strong, imaginative setting with imperfect characters is balanced by explosive thrills. District 9 is set in an alternate universe where, after an extraterrestrial spacecraft is stranded in the skies above Johannesburg, the local government erects an internment camp designed to quarantine the ship’s malnourished alien inhabitants (derisively known as “prawns”) while attempting to unlock the secrets of the ship’s design and origins.

Wikus Van De Merwe (Sharlto Coley) is a bureaucrat with a bad attitude who becomes infected by an alien liquid. This slowly transforms Wikus into he himself. With time running out, Wikus must help a District 9 resident find a fuel source for the latter’s makeshift dropship in order to escape Earth in exchange for a cure. Inspired by Blomkamp’s own experiences growing up in Johannesburg and real-life events of Apartheid era South Africa, District 9This sci-fi film is also a clever allegory about xenophobia, institutionalized class discrimination and racial prejudice. —TE

District 9You can stream the movie on Max. Rent it on Amazon, Apple” Vudu.

Nope

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment

Year: 2022
Run time: 2h 10m
Director:Jordan Peele
Cast: Daniel Kaluuya, Keke Palmer, Steven Yeun

Jordan Peele’s 2022 sci-fi horror neo-Western may be the director’s most divisive film to date, but it nonetheless remains one of the most unique and provocative original horror films to come out in recent memory.

Following an unexplained tragedy, two horse-wrangling sisters become convinced their ranch is under attack by a mysterious entity from outer space. Attempting to capture footage of the creature, the siblings’ quest for fame and fortune becomes increasingly more precarious as the creature grows bolder and bolder.

A genre-blurring horror spectacle that dissects the horrifying nature of “spectacle” itself, No.The film is ambitious, thrilling and exciting even when the reach of its story exceeds it. —TE

NopeYou can stream the movie on Prime Video. Rent it on Amazon, Apple” Vudu.

The World’s End

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment

Year: 2013
Run time: 1h 49m
Director: Edgar Wright
Cast: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Paddy Considine

The third and final installment in Edgar Wright’s Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy follows a group of estranged childhood friends who, now in their forties, reunite in an attempt to recreate an unsuccessful pub crawl in their hometown. Unluckily for them, the extraterrestrial androids have invaded their home.

The World’s End is a hilarious apocalyptic sci-fi comedy complete with Wright’s requisite penchant for whip sharp dialogue and keen editing, but it’s also an affecting drama about one man’s reluctance to let go of the past and his slow journey to acknowledging his own faults and making amends with the people that matter most to him.

The iconic image of the mythical lion may not exist. Shaun of the DeadIt can be as sublime as a parody. Hot FuzzBut The World’s End This is a fantastic film that will cap off your trilogy. —TE

The World’s End is available to stream on Prime Video. Rent it on Amazon, Apple” Vudu.