The Most Boring Sci-Fi Films in History

When you stretch your imagination to appreciate the journey a sci-fi film takes you on, you expect the script, acting, and special effects to transport you. You explore possibilities as the film pushes past established boundaries and you find yourself captivated, eyes wide as you follow the story unfold in awe. But unfortunately, sci-fi films don't always have this kind of impact.

Boring sci-fi films take you on another journey altogether. A frustrating one. Just as you expect a mind-bending experience, you end up crashing back to reality, noticing all the ways the film misses the mark. These movies take exciting, futuristic concepts, and water them down to weak, uninspired plots. When the pacing is off and the low budget shows, you end up with a boring film that leaves you craving a little something more (like caffeine).

To compile this list of the most boring sci-fi films in history, 247 Tempo reviewed several sources, including reviews on IMDb and uncensored thoughts from sci-fi lovers and critics alike on forums like Reddit.

• Directed By: J Blakeson

There have already been four alien assaults on Earth that have wreaked havoc. Humans are fighting for their lives as they face disaster after disaster. This film follows a teenage girl on a quest to reunite with her brother. On her quest, she encounters a mysterious young fellow who may just be able to help her. Redditors who call this film boring were expecting an action-packed experience but what they discovered was more tedious than anything. It's too easy to point out its many plot holes, which only adds to the frustration of watching the film. There is promise in the premise (even if it is another young adult dystopian film) but it just didn't deliver.

• Directed By: Roland Emmerich

You can guess what this movie is about just by its title. Something happens that knocks the moon out of place and sends it hurtling towards Earth. The impact is inevitable and now the human race has to figure out how to save itself. It sounds interesting enough but at the same time, it has to be sufficiently engaging to keep you hooked. Unfortunately, this sci-fi film has a pace that leaves you feeling unsettled. It's the kind of movie you giggle at as you experience it instead of being completely immersed in the experience of it.

• Directed By: Brett Kelly

In this film, some mercenaries have taken possession of an experimental robot. The inventor of this experimental robot has a son who is dead set on stopping those mercenaries. The film doesn't exactly have the budget to support the premise, which makes the special effects fall flat. The part of the story that's alluring is the huge robot but it's delivered in such a clunky style that it lacks the excitement you look for in these types of films. With a slow pace and action scenes that give you secondhand embarrassment, this is more of an amateur flick and leaves much to be desired.

• Directed By: Scott Derrickson

This film follows an extraterrestrial visitor who arrives on Earth, causing chaos among humans. He calls himself a "friend to earth" but that statement doesn't mean what you might think it means. Unfortunately, this film was unable to live up to the 1951 original. The performances are a little stiff, failing to grip you and pull you into the storyline. This one was so bad that one Redditor admitted they were on the aliens' side by the end of it. Giving up on the human race over a movie? That says something.

• Directed By: Neill Blomkamp

The year is 2154 and there is a massive class difference between the super-rich and everyone else. The elite are looking for a way to escape Earth to survive overpopulation and there's one man who can help to equalize the two classes. With this film, you can't deny that it's visually compelling. However, the plot is a bit too predictable and leaves you wanting more. You want to root for the hero but the pacing drags and by the end of it, you're not sure if you even liked the film.

• Directed By: Lamont Johnson

A bounty hunter has crash-landed in this film and comes across a vagrant teen while on a mission to save three women from a cyborg on a savagely violent planet. It sounds like it has the potential for lots of action but it's a painfully slow film to watch. It's a cool watch because you get to wear 3-D glasses but it ends up feeling more like a rehashed, less-than-beloved version of some of the better films during the 1980s era.

• Directed By: Chris Roberts

Aliens are attacking and trying to destroy the universe so an interstellar war is started. This film is loosely based on a video game and as you watch it, you notice that it plays out like one. You are constantly watching pilots fly around while shooting and blowing up their enemies. The actors in the film give you hope because you know they're capable of captivating performances. They win you over because of their likability. Ultimately, this film lacks excitement, the dialogue falls flat, and those video game-like battles move so slowly that they lack the thrill of a real video game. You may as well reach for a controller rather than press play on this film if you're looking for true action.

• Directed By: Luigi Cozzi

An unlikely pair have been recruited to help keep Earth safe from an evil entity. The pair include an alien and an outlaw smuggler. Those who are critical of this film confirm it's a great movie if you are interested in zoning out. Although it has action, The bad effects, and bad acting fail to captivate audiences. It's kind of a goofy, cheesy film that you might enjoy simply because of how unhinged it is. Ultimately, this movie isn't the type to change your world. It's a low-budget film with a questionable plot that most refer to as a "Star Wars knock-off."

• Directed By: Roger Christian

The year is 3000 and whatever remnants of humanity there were have been almost entirely demolished. What was previously a civilization full of towns and cities has become a wasteland. A different race has taken over but there is one human who dares to go to battle with this new race. This is another film where you want to root for the hero but with so many holes in the plot, it's hard to follow. Throughout the film, there is a blue hue which lends an oppressive feel and takes away from what would otherwise be a more visually enticing experience. Critics don't mince words when they call this "one of the worst sci-fi movies ever made." Its tediousness throughout has you praying for mercy (AKA the rolling credits).

• Directed By: Brennon Jones

An alien from Area 51 has escaped and is ready to take down the people who tormented it in a research lab. Good acting can take a subpar script and turn it into something mesmerizing but unfortunately, there is neither a good script nor good acting in this film. The special effects are laughable at best and the plot is nonsensical (some might even say it's non-existent). While some films are so bad, they're kind of entertaining, this one isn't. It's not amusing in any way or enjoyable to watch.

• Directed By: Michael Anderson

The year is 2274 and hedonistic lifestyles prevail in a protected city. What each of them believe is that once they turn 30, they get to reincarnate to enjoy another round of the ecstatic, hedonistic lifestyle they've come to know and love. However, there is a darker truth lingering, and those who have discovered it have decided to flee. The premise of this film is intriguing so it's no wonder so many people were interested in watching it. Unfortunately, the pacing issues make it less than ideal, and with outdated effects, it's a tough watch, especially if you love a more modern feel. The acting itself is mediocre and some of the scenes force a laugh (even if that's not the intended reaction). It's a sub-par film at best.

• Directed By: Michael Rae

Multiple factors go into the making of what ends up being a boring movie. In some cases, the plot is much too nonsensical to carry you through. Sometimes it's the acting that puts you off and sometimes it's the special effects that are much too cheesy and low-budget for you to really get into the fictional storyline. In the case of Laserblast (1978), a movie about a California teenager who found objects belonging to aliens, it's a little bit of everything. Add pacing that has no sense of direction and you'd be surprised if you get through it. If you do, you'll most likely snooze all the way through to the relief of those closing credits.

• Directed By: Greg and Colin Strause

The predecessors of this movie gave viewers hope that it would deliver some of the same memorable scenes that caused them to love the franchise from the start. However, this iteration lacks the excitement and tension delivered by the previous films and instead leaves you in a confused state as you embark on this rather dark journey. The movie is about an alien species that fights against a lone predator while several residents get caught in the crossfire. While you get to enjoy some of the grisly violence characteristic of the franchise, it's an uninspired story with a lackluster ending. It feels like a lazy attempt at what was previously a much better execution of true, captivating sci-fi.

• Directed By: Richard Talmadge

Futuristic movies are fun explorations of what could be but considering that this film was made in the 1950s, it only looked out about 20 years to 1970. In the movie, the U.S. is focused on building multiple bases on the moon. A team is sent out but one of the members is a spy, which results in a dangerous situation. You have to give a little grace considering the special effects weren't as advanced as they are today but the script feels half-baked, as though it was more meant as an episode for a television show than an actual movie. Making that notion feel truer is the fact it's only 63 minutes long. But all in all, that might be the best part—that you don't have to sit through two hours of this poorly executed film.

• Directed By: Lennart Ruff

In this film, the human race has run out of resources on Earth and has to travel to a distant planet to ensure survival. It's an interesting concept, but the execution is poor. It starts strong but as it continues, it loses its momentum and the ending leaves you unsatisfied. Those who are critical of the film note that its script lacks emotional depth. Instead of delivering the kinds of thrills you look for in a sci-fi film, it ends up being a bit more mopey and too unrealistic to be convincing (or captivating).

• Directed By: M. Night Shyamalan

This film follows the story of a father and son living on Nova Prime, away from Earth. Aware of their relationship strain, they set out on a trip to help work things out and grow closer together. However, they end up crashing on the Earth's surface, where the environment is hostile. They have to rely on each other to survive. Those who criticize this film point out that the young actor is not quite as skilled as his father and that it impacts the experience of the movie. The plot, though somewhat interesting, has too many obvious holes to keep you seamlessly engaged. The tone of the movie has kind of a dull effect that leads you to believe the making of it was uninspired. Even if you watch it all the way through, don't expect the ending to be anything but disappointing. Ultimately, it lacks the oomph that would normally keep you intrigued in a sci-fi film like this.

• Directed By: Edward Drake

It's 2524, and humankind has long been colonizing several planets away from Earth. However, a hostile alien threat calls forth a retired General who has to unite a team of elite soldiers to fight an interstellar war (and save mankind). When a beloved actor leads a movie like this, it's hard to criticize. However, this film is a bit hard to follow, the dialogue leaves you wondering about the writers, and the acting performances are lackluster—as if the actors are on autopilot. Pair that with a sluggish pace and you have a boring film that isn't even redeemed by special effects. Despite being a modern science fiction action movie, it doesn't deliver what you expect.

• Directed By: Nicholas Webster

The title of this movie alone might have you lifting a skeptical eyebrow, and you'd be right to have your reservations. The film is about the children of Mars and how their ruler tries to get them to behave properly. To accomplish this, he kidnaps Santa Claus to save the day—but he makes a grave mistake, and accidentally picks up two Earth children during the kidnapping. It's a silly premise that makes this film comical from the start. The bad acting only adds to how absurd the film is. The pacing is awful, and the whole thing is a low-budget production, which makes this film flop.

• Directed By: Bill Rebane

Sometimes, sci-fi films knock it out of the park. In other cases, like in this film, the mediocrity is painful. The film follows three plane passengers who get stranded while an alien death ray threatens their lives. Reviews from viewers point out that it's unclear why the "invaders" are motivated and that the ending offers no clarity. The special effects are laughable, especially for being a sci-fi flick. If you're into the 1970s style of these movies, you might enjoy it but it still won't be the kind of film that leaves you in awe.

• Directed By: James Kondelik

This film takes you on a time loop as you follow the main character, an officer who hasn't been in combat before. The time loop follows him on a suicide mission and each time, he has a chance to improve his fighting skills. With every attempt, he gets closer to overcoming the aliens he's fighting against. The plot is interesting, but the subplots that follow weigh the movie down. It ends up lacking the tension you expect, the pacing is too erratic to follow comfortably, and the ending doesn't satisfy the itch only a truly engaging sci-fi film can scratch.

• Directed By: Steve Pink

When you're making a sequel, the stakes are high, especially if the original is a hit. The first Hot Tub Time Machine had originality and charm to fall back on and this film tried a bit too hard to replicate what already was. With an unimaginative plot and loafing humor, the movie falls short. Whereas the first film has heart, this one seems to be pieced together by sketch-like scenes instead of operating as a whole, fluid film that keeps your attention through and through. Although you get to see some well-known faces on screen, the lack of character development prevents you from appreciating them in their fullness.

• Directed By: Vic Armstrong

This film had a more substantial budget than the original version but even that couldn't save it. The plot is engaging, especially if you are a fan of faith-based films. Millions disappear in a split second, sending the entire planet into mayhem. The main character is a pilot played by Nicolas Cage who is mid-flight when the disappearances occur. He must focus on saving the passengers who are still on his flight while his daughter frantically searches for her mother and brother, who are among those who have disappeared. The disappearances, you come to find, are due to the Biblical Rapture. Suspense could have improved the film but it falls short of keeping you on the edge of your seat. The special effects aren't the best you've seen, some comedic moments fall flat, and even those who identify with these religious beliefs find the script lacking.