An off-planet mining crew investigate an unknown signal while returning to earth, encountering something that might end their chances of ever getting home.

Ridley Scott sets the tone for all sci-fi horror to follow, this claustrophobic and suspense-filled film is a masterpiece. In space, no one can hear you scream. (Ridley Scott, 1979)

The story deals with a series of encounters between humans and mysterious black monoliths that are apparently affecting human evolution.

An epic, sprawling film from the brilliant Stanley Kubrick that is probably the most significant of its genre both in terms of scope and visual ambition. (Stanley Kubrick, 1968)

The second film in the franchise sees a group of marines led by sole survivor of the first instalment Ellen Ripley (Weaver), to investigate a problem on a far-flung colony. Carnage ensues.

James Cameron's sci-fi action masterpiece is seminal stuff, atmospheric, funny and with blood and guts everywhere. (James Cameron, 1986)

Sandra Bullock (light years from Miss Congeniality) and George Clooney star as surviving astronauts from a damaged Space Shuttle.

An excellent fresh take on the silent loneliness of space in the vein of 2001 or Moon, Cuaron has imagined something visually astonishing, eerie and unforgettable. (Alfonso Cuaron, 2013)

In a dystopian future Los Angeles, a retired cop (Harrison Ford) must track down a rogue replicant (read: robot) but all is not as it seems.

A strange and complex neo-noir picture from Ridley Scott that asks the difficult question of what it means to be an android. (Ridley Scott, 1982)

In a futuristic city sharply divided between the working class and the city planners the leaders son falls for a working class stiff.

Seminal cinema from Lang that paved the road down for many classics that follow it, this is a masterpiece that shows legendary vision. (Fritz Lang, 1927)

In a future ruled by machines, one (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is sent back in time to kill a particularly troublesome human.

James Cameron is a master of his craft and this is some of his finest work, original, exciting and ultimately very dark. (James Cameron, 1984)

A film set in present-day Johannesburg, except there is an alien population in the city from a broken spaceship in the sky. Trust us, it works.

With excellent effects, a gripping story and an incredible central performance from the unknown Sharlto Copley, this is one of the most original sci-fi films of the last ten years. (Neill Blomkamp, 2009)

A scientist inventing a teleport machine inadvertently splices himself with a fly, changing him into a monster.

Jeff Goldblum owns the screen as the maniacal scientist in Cronenburg's tragic masterpiece, which won an Oscar for it's astonishing makie-up. (David Cronenberg, 1986)

An epic space drama about good vs. evil that shouldn't really require any kind of explanation. Only watch the second three of the six, which confusingly were made first.

The ultimate in family friendly sci-fi, this brought space fantasy to the masses with it's brilliant mix of humour, action and ground-breaking effects. (George Lucas, 1997)

The cosmonauts on a space station have strange hallucinations, which seem to originate from the planet they are orbiting.

A thinking man's seminal Sci-Fi that poses intriguing questions about ourselves and what might be out there in the eternal expanse of space. (Andrei Tarkovsky, 1976)

A prequel to the famous series, tracking the origin stories of all the main characters like Spock, Scotty and of course Captain James Kirk.

Although retaining the humour of the series, this brilliant action-packed sci-fi takes the franchise and makes it blockbuster with superb effects. (J.J. Abrams, 2009)